Being Vomited Out of the Big Fish
It has been one heck of a ride. Over the past three years we have gone from having two very good jobs, a good church, great family near us to living many states away with more obstacles than I can outline here. The past two years have literally been the best of times and the worst of times. We have been stretched every which way from Sunday financially, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally, but I can without a doubt say that we are in every way better off for it. Great things aren’t easy and easy things aren’t that great. I made a huge decision a few weeks ago that I can tell you was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I was basically one step away from a job that I have been trying to get for about two years…you know, one of those jobs that people dream of doing, with a great salary, great benefits, and a nice 20 year retirement. I had to tell them that I passed. The instant I did that, the peace that overcame our home is indescribable. Let me tell you why.
You may or may not know the story of Jonah. Basically, his life story as we know it takes up four chapters of the Old Testament. We read of Jonah’s journey from being a called prophet of God, to being a pleasure cruiser to a land far-far-away, his journey into the belly of a big fish, and finally his moment of fulfilling his calling from God. God called Jonah to this town called Ninevah…Jonah tried everything in his power to get the heck out of dodge.
Personally, the story of Jonah is one that I have basically lived through. Not sure what my ‘big fish’ is, but I’ve literally tried everything in my power to get out of this place that God called me to for about two years. If you’ve ever gotten yourself into a fight with God, you know what happens. YOU LOSE! In retrospect, it was pretty foolish to even think that I could win this one. I never claimed to be wise, only that I want to be used.
This whole picture didn’t really become too clear for me until this past weekend. As I was sitting in a worship gathering at Real Life, the pastor made an announcement that the church would be replanting yet another church into a campus of Real Life. I literally wanted to vomit. Justin mentioned that they are looking for a guy to go and be the planter/campus pastor. Again, nausea welled up in me. You see, this group of people are meeting in the area and dreaming about the area that I have envisioned impacting…It is sort of like the Las Vegas Strip/Hollywood BLVD without all the glitz and glamor. The area is one of the most densely populated area in town, with a great deal of people that ‘church’ normally would not reach out to…homeless, prostitutes, drug dealers, and every-day-average-joes. That is why I wanted to vomit. I’m praying that we would be used there. We are in a place currently that we can commit to something huge and we’re ready to rumble! Really looking forward to what the future holds…because I know who holds the future.
Really wondering what you had decided. Now I know! God is good.
Gram