Moving Time

“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you,” Genesis 12:1.

These words have been replaying in my mind for the past few days.  Today all of our belongings are being packed into a truck.  I, in no way, compare myself to Abram, but at least in some small way, I can relate to how he must have felt. 

You see, Miamisburg, OH is where I have lived for these 39 years of my life. O, I spent the school year away while I attended MVNU and I was gone all but the holidays while I was at NTS, but still I always somehow knew I would end up right back where I started.  Miamisburg really is home for me.  It is the place where most of my family who matter most to me still live.  I rarely can go to the grocery store or take a walk without seeing someone I know. I know every street and many streets trigger memories of years gone by.  Kimberly and I built our home in Miamisburg and said, “This is it.  This is the last time we will move.” 

But then about three years ago, I came back from vacation, I was walking through Living Hope Church and I distinctly recall hearing the inner voice of the Spirit saying to my spirit, “You don’t belong here anymore.”  My heart sunk.  How could this be?  I had always thought I was supposed to start Living Hope and then serve there until I died.  Yes, I would live right here in Miamisburg and be there to care for my parents as they grew older.  I would be there for them just like they have always been there for me. It was the perfect plan.  How could God not want that? 

I guess that is why it took me 2 ½ years of seeking and praying with Kimberly before I finally said, “OK, Father, I am so sorry for trying to figure this out on my own.  I put the ministry you have entrusted me with into your hands.  If you want me to stay, then I need you to make it clear.  If you want me to move then it will be you making it certain. It’s in your hands.”  Less than a month later I was talking with Dr. Carla Sunberg about Canton First Church of the Nazarene (The details that would follow made it undeniable to Kimberly and I that this was God’s call for our lives, but that is different story for another blog post). 

As I sit here surrounded by boxes for what will be my last day to call Miamisburg home, I am reminded that for any of us to experience a refocus we must be willing to move.  We cannot stay where we have always been and expect to see God do a new thing.  Packing is not fun.  Moving is somewhat scary.  Saying goodbye is painful.  BUT…but…I say this as much for me as for you…but it is necessary.  It is not a question of will what I have always known change, but will I move with the changes that are coming every day in my life?  Will you and I let God move us from where we are comfortable to where we are dependent?  Will we trust God’s leading more than we rely on our understanding?  Will we go kicking and screaming or will we go rejoicing?  Will we demand our way or will we surrender ourselves to his?

Perhaps these difficult questions are easier to answer when we recall the promise God gave Abram right after he told him to move.  “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you, “Genesis 12:2-3. 

That is the promise that comes with every move God asks us to make as a church family.  Is he calling CFNAZ to leave what is familiar, safe and comfortable?  Yes, without a doubt.  God has made that clear by giving us unity in a 95% vote to move!  But, now I invite you to hear the promise that follows a choice to trust God and move: God will bless us to be a blessing!  God will bless you to be a blessing!  God will bless CFNAZ to be a blessing!

The Enemy wants you and me to see what we must leave behind, but God invites us to see what is coming: blessings to bless!  As Isaiah said, “Forget the former things.  Look ahead!  Can you not perceive it?  See I am doing a new thing!” 

Well, enough with sitting in a house full of boxes…It is time for me to move!