Great Moving

Another new year has arrived…

When I was very young, I found it impossible to stay up until midnight and ring in the new year with all of the adults. As I get older, I don’t want to stay up until midnight and ring in the new year with anyone – I just want to go to sleep! (For anyone wondering, the new year coming in has never depended upon whether I stay up to watch it or not). I am thankful to be alive another year, but I still can’t believe that it is already 2025!

As we think about the new year here at church, (I know I am a week late!), I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store! I am excited about our upcoming series on marriage, (I pray for wisdom, love, and clarity from the Lord), and I am excited about different mission opportunities for our church. I also have a desire to see each of us grow closer to the Lord – and to see each of us grow closer to one another. I pray that each of us can discover, rediscover, or cultivate a heart to reach out to all of those who need Christ – not only around the globe – but especially here in our community, among our friends, and to those in our family who need to hear, see, and know the Gospel!

In the book of Matthew, we find the account of Jesus calling His disciples – While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him,” (Matthew 4:18-20 ESV). I have always been impressed by their willingness to be obedient to the Lord’s calling. We don’t find them asking, “where are we going?” or “when will we be back?” We don’t find them wondering “is this going to be hard?” or “am I going to like it?” Simply, Jesus called and they followed!

One of my prayers for our congregation this year is that we can be truly obedient to the Lord. Someone once said, “Great moves of God are usually preceded by simple acts of obedience.” Jesus taught, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much,” (Luke 16:10a). May the new year find us trusting, obedient, and faithful as we seek a “great moving” of the Lord among our congregation!

Pastor Chris