Hurry up and wait

When to act? When to wait? When to study? When to decide? When to buy or move or start a family or get back into the market or change a relationship?

If you struggle with these issues you are in good company. We second-guess ourselves all the time. We have buyer’s remorse. Or kick ourselves for missing out. The disciples of Jesus faced similar dilemmas. After the resurrection Jesus meets his followers and gives them their marching orders to carry out the mission. Then comes this curious verse, from the very end of Luke: “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised (the Holy Spirit); so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Well, what is it? Get going or wait some more?

The Bible has several stories of people told to wait. “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). All of this activity will come, but first we have to wait. At his baptism Jesus received the Holy Spirit, the power to do his ministry, but then spent 40 days in the wilderness, waiting. Paul’s life got turned around on the road to Damascus, but he had to go into the city and wait.

This is a hard task for the Church and believers. We are told to get going, but also told to wait, to discern, to think and pray. For the past year we at St. Mark’s have spent a lot of time waiting. Even when the youth director position opened up we waited to see what else needed doing. Now it is time to act. We know what should be included in the job description and what we are looking for. It is also true for the next step. After reading and discussing and praying and setting goals and consulting with experts it’s time to move ahead, and it begins with “40 days of community” which we’ll be doing in September. Because we were patient and waited we now can act. Stand back!

And what about you who can’t decide what to do? I think not knowing is a sign you need more time. I still remember a devotional book I read a long time ago titled “Creative Brooding.” The word brooding has a negative feel, like we are unhappy or plotting something. But think of a chicken or any bird. Brooding means to sit on the egg and wait. It may seem like nothing important is happening while the chicken sits, but something is. Don’t be afraid to brood, to think, to pray, to talk to a trusted friend. When it’s time to act, you’ll know. You’ll just know.



Question....Think of a time when you had to wait. How did you know when it was the right time to act? Click on "comments" to add your feedback.

40 days in September

I think St. Mark’s is ready for something new; ready for a chance to become more Christ-centered, our number one vision. This September we will embark on a congregation-wide campaign called “40 days of community—better together” which asks the question, “What on earth are we here for.” Like the Purpose Driven Life series, this campaign challenges church members to discover the purpose of the church. You’ll be encouraged to meet with other believers for 6 weeks in small groups to watch a DVD and talk about what you see and hear.

This week’s blog question: What is your experience with the Purpose Driven campaigns like “40 days of community?” What have you heard about churches who have done them? Click on "comments" below to post your experience.

How do you feel about Holy Week?

My mother did not like Lent. She felt it was too negative, too depressing. I think she didn’t want to go where the season takes us. How about you—do you embrace Holy Week, or just wish it would get over? Please add your take on Holy Week by clicking on "comments" below.

Where is everyone?

Attendance has slipped across all services. This makes me uneasy. I know a segment of our congregation is aging but the drop off is seen in the Wednesday service, too, which includes many young people. Are you included in the numbers, or are you one of the missing?

Financial giving is down about $11,000 from last year, but by this time last year we had already celebrated Holy Week and Easter. I encourage you to keep your spiritual connection to God through your giving. It will be a blessing to you and to your church. And, as I like to say, “See you in church!”

What do you think the slip in attendance and giving means? Click on "comments" below to add your feedback