The gift of fear in a new group
Katelyn and I started a new Community Group this fall. To be honest, it made us sad a bit to be sent from our old group and start something new. But we knew the Lord was asking us to.
We like getting people together from different "circles" in life so we started with that mindset again. It was "splashy;" lots of people showed up in the first few weeks. Relational depth was tough in that first month. In some ways, that made us miss our old group even more. Numbers and commitment dwindled (no judgement, just observation).
I found myself driving to group last night wondering what the Lord was up to.
As we opened up Exodus 19 and started talking about God making a mountain visibly shake, we began talking about our moments of greatest fear.
And 20 minutes later, we were really (and finally) a group.
Fear isn't made to be run from. God gives us fear with the intention that we confess it to him and others so that we might learn to trust. What a gift!
A picture of Psalm 145:4
Psalm 145:4 says, "One generation will declare your works to the next
and will proclaim your mighty acts." This verse that I had read in my D-group readings this week came alive as I watched Saylor walk down the hall with his son while making coffee Sunday morning. Declaring the work of God in your life can take a lot of shapes; reading/memorizing Scripture together, telling your own story to your kids in vulnerable ways at appropriate ages, prioritizing church involvement, and so many more. I really love when the work of God in your life overflows into serving the local church and you include your kids in that. Takes me back to parents who included me in late night worship team practices, communion preparation, fellowship meal prep and more. Your kids have great truth detectors - they know what matters to you.
Thanks for your leadership, Saylor! Love you man!
Ancient of Days
That name and vision of God. That song. All of it is still resonating with me this morning! I'll embed the song on Spotify just in case you were wanting to sing along again..
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