So today is the day we've been working towards since like August - or I suppose that was the original goal. Our church officially launched this morning and it was totally an amazing experience. Big thanks to Erin T, Merry, & Laura who came from Cola to support - it felt so good to have ya'll there.
Our final count was around 425 and it was just an amazing, amazing time. It was hard not to be anxious that people wouldn't show up, and it was hard not to think about the numbers - but after Naaem explained a few weeks ago that God truly does care about numbers and he wants us to reach the entire world (staring with Charlotte) - it was awesome to feel like our hearts truly were aligned with the Lord's concerning the spiritual state of Charlotte.
But the band was awesome, production looked great, and I think we were the only ones who really noticed the things that were rough around the edges. On top of all that, I had this overwhelming desire to get back in the church hardcore. I just think when Nick & I moved to Charlotte it was with the intent of starting a church. Then the goal slowly changed into just surviving through work and school, and now it's morphed into just getting by in regular life. We're still in church and I've had a couple of duties the past couple weeks - but nothing compared to when I was in Columbia last year.
I was talking to LT & Merry Saturday night about the changed from then till now and I really feel like maybe God ripped me out the safe Christiandom of Columbia and threw us into the fires of Charlotte and secular work just to give us an adequate picture of actually living in the world. I was definitely just ignoring the world in Columbia, not transforming it at all.
With that said, all I could think about today at Mosaic was the fact that I did feel a specific call to church ministry a few years ago and when Anthropologie came along, I just assumed that the call was limited to college. I'm certainly not quitting tomorrow, but it's nice to be in a place where I have to constantly rely on Him and allow Him to point me in the next direction. I'm just looking forward to the day where I can assist the church all day everyday, whether that means scrubbing toilets or passing out flyers all over Charlotte. With that said, it's probably a good thing God's given me patience for that goal since our church may never have a paid staff and I'm certainly not the first person I'd elect to add to non-voluteer participants.
I'm excited for tomorrow, for going back to work renewed and excited knowing we get to do it all again on Sunday. Pray for Mosaic and for our "staff" of 60 that is probably as pooped as we are.
Thanks Lord.
Jess
2 comments:
God is SO good! I am so thankful to be a part of a body of believers that genuinely and sincerely want to see people come to Christ.
Great post!
So exciting to see/hear what God is already doing in Mosaic. They sang "Beautiful" by Twila Paris at Tracy's wedding Sat. night, but instead of hearing the love lyrics, I heard these instead:
"How beautiful the radiant Bride
who waits for her Groom
with His light in her eyes.
How beautiful when humble hearts give the fruit of pure lives
so that others may live.
How beautiful how beautiful
how beautiful is the body of Christ. How beautiful the feet that bring the sound of good news
and the love of the King."
Hearing about the first day in the life of Mosaic yesterday and your post just reminded me of these verses and how beautiful is the body of Christ. Praises to Him!!!
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