I believe one of the greatest inventions in life is GPS navigation. As someone who has a notoriously poor sense of direction, I really appreciate the sense of security and peace my little GPS navigation system provides. The other day, I met up with a couple of friends in Alexandria. I had no problem getting there, but coming home was a totally different story. By the time I left Alexandria, it was past 4 PM, and I could not get back on I-66 West because the HOV-2 restriction had already kicked in. So right before I was to enter I-66 W, I got off an exit and found myself in the middle of Rosslyn! I pulled to the side of the road and tried several different destinations near home to get the GPS to give me alternate routes that did not include I-66 W. To make a long story short, after having found an alternative route, and yet missing necessary turns a couple times, I found myself on Canal Road in Georgetown, headed into Maryland! I was in utter despair and terribly frustrated. I had to attend a 7 PM Bible study in Fairfax that evening, and at this rate I was going to be at least 1 hour late. I began to vent to God. “God, why is this happening to me? Why am I wasting 2 hours on the road? What is the point of all this?” I called my poor husband several times to complain about how stupid my GPS was. On the way to Maryland, however, the GPS finally figured out a way to get onto 495 headed to Virginia, and I arrived at my destination on time. I ‘apologized’ to my GPS that I should have trusted it more, that it did not fail me.
That evening, as I was reflecting upon my driving nightmare, God gave me a revelation that the panic, confusion, and anger I experienced may be how many NCFC members feel about our current church situation. They feel helpless, and out of fear and frustration, they are passing judgment on one another. Instead of trusting our ultimate GPS, Jesus Christ, to get us through this journey safely, many are taking matters into their own hands. By doing so, however, they are making matters worse. This reminded me of something I read from the book, Developing a Supernatural Lifestyle, by Kris Vallotton. The author talks about the importance of pilots trusting the plane’s instruments, NOT their mind’s perceptions, when they are flying in clouds. Due to what is called spatial disorientation, pilots, in severe weather, feel like their plane is upside down and rising when in fact it is the opposite. If they fly by how they feel instead of what the instruments indicate, this usually results in the plane crashing right into the ground. Likewise when we cannot see or comprehend what is going on in life, we have to trust our spiritual instrument, the Word of God as well, not our perceptions or feelings. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers. . ., will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39) No matter what happens, it is within the boundaries of God’s love for us. As we keep our eyes on this truth, NCFC will get through this time of turbulence victoriously and come out more sanctified and humbled, even more ready and equipped to fulfill His calling for NCFC, to make disciples of all nations!
From Pastor Sara’s Heart
April 7, 2013
Pastor Jamie’s sabbatical has allowed the pastors more opportunities to preach more which is a privilege but an enormous challenge. Whatever so-called preaching skills we think we have from public speaking or even from seminary training matters not when it comes to truly speaking God’s word from the pulpit. I’m reminded one of our pastors once said the main priority of a pastor when preaching is to “get out of the way of the message.” Now I think I understand what he meant by that. There’s a balance between preaching according to what we think our training and life experiences guide us to but also to be discerning to what the Spirit is convicting us in our heart and mind to share with the congregation. Pastors each have their unique preaching style and personality but I constantly strive to remind myself that it’s not about me or my effort but about what God is doing.
A journal entry about Pastor Jamie’s 4/17/11 sermon also comes to mind. He preached then that sometimes we rely too much on the pastor to cater to our spiritual needs and wants without ever allowing ourselves to be confronted by God, who’s been present all along. It’s good and proper to have a level of respect and deference for the preacher. But sometimes we do have the tendency to expect an encounter with God through the pastor’s sermon when really He’s waiting to draw near to us all throughout the entire service. Our praise worship is not mere incidental background music to open the service but a time where God touches our hearts and minds through music in a way that goes beyond what the spoken word can describe.
Today we take Communion. This is another opportunity to come before God in confession and remembrance of how much God loves us and how desperately we need Him through his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. No other person is necessary to draw closer to God. It’s because of this carpenter’s son that we are free to rejoice and celebrate together in fellowship. Amen to that.
From Pastor Mark’s Heart
March 3, 2013