Why The Blog Change?: Part 2

So, I needed to get out of the fishbowl complex, but…

It was also time to start over.

Over a year ago God tasked me with the honor and humble privilege of leading His church here at Forefront. It is great. I cannot be happier. As we moved our offices, went through some staff changes, and began heading in the direction God intended for us to go during this next chapter of ministry- my perspective has changed.

Before, I was a support staff/pastor over Creative Arts (video, music, web, design, etc) just trying to let people see what I can do with no real pressure of letting anybody down or making any heavy decisions that would botch up God’s plan for His church. I just wanted to be cool and known.

Now, I’m a husband and father of a little girl. A pastor of hundreds of people who are looking to me to lead them. A boss to seven people who are depending on me to teach & coach them in ministry. A man who at the end of the day answers to God for the spiritual well being of a large group of people under my watch.

There are few words to even describe it.
It’s daunting.

In this new chapter, I’ve come to the realization that the work of God’s church is not solely on me (that sentence makes me laugh, did I really think the weight of Christianity moving forward was all on me?!? Ha). The mission of the church, the outreach of the church, the growth of the church, is on God’s shoulders.

He doesn’t need me. He wants a relationship with me. He’s glad to have me. He will use me. He has a place for me. He loves me. He sent His Son to die for me. He wants to spend eternity with me. But… He wants me- He doesn’t need me. The moment we believe God “needs” us or His kingdom will crumble is the day our pride has taken over inside of us. Now, God wants to use us to spread His message of love and grace. He has a place for each of us in the body to move, breathe and be “the church.” So, our worth in God is everything. We are precious to God. That is evident in Him sending Jesus to die for us, but when it comes to the gospel message of love, hope and redemption- God uses me, but doesn’t need me.

When I began to think that God “needed” me, it gave me a sense of entitlement, pride, and “hey look at me people, God can’t do it without me” kind of attitude. That is wrong. In this new chapter, I desire to serve God more than ever before. I know that there are a lot of people looking to me. But, the freeing reality is I lay those things I God’s shoulders and I simply follow Him. Yeah sure, He doesn’t “need” me, but I am certain He is doing back flips over the fact I have submitted to give my life to Him and follow Him. And the motivation behind it is one of overflowing love- because He first loved me.

Where is your motivation in serving God stemming from?
Do you think God “needs” you to get the job done and couldn’t do this without you?
What do you need to change in your heart/attitude to move to a new place with God?

More on the blog change and why in the next post. Until next time…

Jason *over and out*