Not Knowing. It's Okay. You're Okay.

Yesterday's celebration of 25 years was absolutely incredible. The outpouring of love and gratitude, as well as numerous letters of congratulations from not only some top state officials, but also ministry leaders from around the country and  the globe was nothing short of amazing.

It was a substantial presentation of evidence of just how rare such a tenure behind one pulpit is becoming. As a result, it was hard not to reflect on just how much of an impact that we would never know, see or understand had they gone elsewhere at any point along the way. That's not a condemnation for pastors that have a shorter tenure at one particular place; nor does it diminish their work or effectiveness in ministry. But as I was reading basketball great, Isaiah Thomas' book, he discusses his decision to leave college early to go play in the NBA.

He had accomplished much in college, but even in that situation, he acknowledged that the school would have loved to have some more championship wins had he stayed. He wasn't wrong for leaving early... it's just a reality. You can't do what you aren't there to do. Case in point... Isaiah did finish college, during the off-season of his early years in the NBA. But his mother accepted his degree, as commencement was on the same day as a play-off game.

However, you don't know always know what you are giving up, whether for staying or for going.

Pastor and his wife both acknowledged this yesterday morning. They had a very personal struggle, an incredibly close to home matter and it wasn't until year 15 or so that they came to accept... "God if this is what it is, then we're good". Four years later, God had moved on their behalf. But had they not stayed where God had placed them for ministry, the struggle may have never turned around into the beauty that exists today. And it's not like they weren't plenty of offers to go elsewhere in ministry. I'm sure there were very tempting and attractive offers.

Oddly enough, this entire process was confirmed, in a message that played on the radio yesterday afternoon that was just starting as I almost arrived home. In a very succinct moment of honesty, Joyce Meyer stated that which couldn't be more appropriate for this post...

"we need to be comfortable with not knowing."

I'm not. Most others aren't either. And for the first 15 years of ministry together, neither did a well-respected man and woman of God. Yet God in sovereignty coupled with faithful servants and yesterday was story after story of miracles, blessings and increase. And in between them all, stand countless more, untold stories of miraculous moves of God.

At the foundation of their faith; faithfulness in the face of great frustration.

Thanks again, for joining us in prayer. On this #seniorPastorMonday, pray for pastors struggling with the unknown and all the feelings and mixed emotions that come with the process of "not knowing". Pray for wisdom, for those facing the option and decision of whether they should stay or go. May they be led of the Spirit and confident in the calling of God upon their lives. Pray for strength as they wait on the Lord and continue to be faithful in service as they wait. May the struggles and frustrations of reality, whether at home or at church not discourage them or negatively impact their ability to do ministry and life together. May marriages be fortified as they rely on God, all the more as the unknown factors and outcomes of life weigh heavy on their heart. Pray they would draw ever closer together in prayer and the Word; stronger together than apart.

For a three-strand cord is not easily broken.
And strength is renewed for those who wait on the Lord.
Moving only in His timing and the counsel of the Holy.
As a testament of goodness and glory of God
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC