My wife and I went on a church planting retreat during the 1st week of October and I decided to have some fun and ventured out onto the high ropes course.
Suspended way on high about 40 or 50 feet above the ground, with just cables and hooks to support my hefty frame; in that situation, it is quite easy to ponder your certain vulnerability. Although it is a very safe environment with great safety equipment and qualified folks to ensure you don’t make a dumb move – there is a certain element of fear in the mix.
I have come to the conclusion that being a Church Planter is very similar. As I survey the course before me, and I ponder the diverse obstacles that lie ahead of me, an element of both excitement and nervous fear enter the mix. There is safety in the leaders I have surrounded myself with and the training tools that are readily available. However, actually stepping out and onto that first high-line is always the most difficult step; and the same applies with every new obstacle thereafter.
That being said, two words kept ringing loud and clear during this past weekend’s retreat, and they are the words – humility and humbleness. As I sat and listened to the speakers and the group discussions we had, I realized that much like the tools and equipment I had to use in order to complete that ropes course; I cannot accomplish one single step of this church planting process faithfully without Him.
The enemy has many ways of attacking us and throwing obstacles in our path. Whether it is family related issues; church related successes and failures; or our own pride and egos, we are vulnerable to attack from myriad of positions. It is unfathomable to me that anyone could think that they could accomplish such an endeavor without total reliance on Him delivering us through each and every obstacle and success. Much like that High Ropes Course – I/we need the safety net of the Holy Spirit and guidance from above to get to the other side.
Simple advice - use your equipment wisely and listen to your instructor for potential hazards! So.., enjoy the course and wild ride!
Suspended way on high about 40 or 50 feet above the ground, with just cables and hooks to support my hefty frame; in that situation, it is quite easy to ponder your certain vulnerability. Although it is a very safe environment with great safety equipment and qualified folks to ensure you don’t make a dumb move – there is a certain element of fear in the mix.
I have come to the conclusion that being a Church Planter is very similar. As I survey the course before me, and I ponder the diverse obstacles that lie ahead of me, an element of both excitement and nervous fear enter the mix. There is safety in the leaders I have surrounded myself with and the training tools that are readily available. However, actually stepping out and onto that first high-line is always the most difficult step; and the same applies with every new obstacle thereafter.
That being said, two words kept ringing loud and clear during this past weekend’s retreat, and they are the words – humility and humbleness. As I sat and listened to the speakers and the group discussions we had, I realized that much like the tools and equipment I had to use in order to complete that ropes course; I cannot accomplish one single step of this church planting process faithfully without Him.
The enemy has many ways of attacking us and throwing obstacles in our path. Whether it is family related issues; church related successes and failures; or our own pride and egos, we are vulnerable to attack from myriad of positions. It is unfathomable to me that anyone could think that they could accomplish such an endeavor without total reliance on Him delivering us through each and every obstacle and success. Much like that High Ropes Course – I/we need the safety net of the Holy Spirit and guidance from above to get to the other side.
Simple advice - use your equipment wisely and listen to your instructor for potential hazards! So.., enjoy the course and wild ride!
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