There was a line that I used in my message yesterday and I truly believe it was from the Lord. Missional Faith lies in that very small place where you have total dependence on the Lord and an unwavering expectance that he will faithfully accomplish the plans he has for you.
I can tell you as a church planter this sweet spot has been at the very heart of why we haven’t folded and why I’m not the next real estate agent in Charleston. There have been countless times where I was at the end of my rope…totally dependent upon the Lord because I had absolutely NOTHING else. My plans were foiled, my talent seemingly useless and my work in vane. At the end of it all I was simply dependent upon the Lord and I had to believe that he really DID call me to plant Live Oak Church.
On the other side of this coin is a total expectancy that the Lord will not only see me through the struggle but to know that he is going to absolutely blow the hinges off the doors of my plans, dreams and strategies. Though there is no reason to expect great things…I do. Though there is no reason to expect revival…I do. Though there is no reason to think that I am able to lead this church…I do. I expect these things because the Lord, through the leading of the holy spirit called me to this…and though there are times I don’t feel faithful…I remain faithful…I hold on to that last string at the end of the rope and know that he will do great things.
I think about Moses and the audacity it took to go to Pharaoh and call for a liberation of his people. I think about how his faith must have been strengthened with each curse that God sent the Egyptians. I think about the sense of joy, wonder and awe when Moses was finally able to realize the calling given to him by God as he led the people out…only to reach the Sea. What was going through his mind? Did he panic? Did he sense the rumbling of the chariots coming for his people? In that moment…is what I am talking about. When we reach a seemingly unsurpassable obstacle and all we have is the Lord. Yet, in that moment a peace and an expectation that something BIG is going to happen. Did Moses know what would happen when he raised the staff. Did he know the sea would part…I don’t know. But I do know that he EXPECTED something to happen.
One regret I have over the last few years is not recognizing the moments where I was in that sweet spot of faith. I was usually in tears, in fear or in panic mode. Yet, God did amazing things. I want to recognize this sweet spot more. I want to live there on purpose, not out of panic. I want to live a life or Desperation and Expectancy.
What do you think?
Sean Rheaume 