You Want To Buy What?

“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

One of my sons came to me about a year ago with the desire to buy a competitive road bicycle. He planed to race in a triathlon and wanted my advice in purchasing the right bike. Bikes were an important part of my life growing up and I had owned, rode, and worked on some nice bikes up through my college years. I definitely was a cycling enthusiast and still find them exciting. Yet, my first response to him was – “You want to buy what?! Do you know how much even an entry-level competitive road bike costs?!” I proceeded to educate him about the cost of the bike he would need to begin to compete. The cost was considerably more than he had imagined! Nevertheless, at the end of our conversation he was not deterred. Even though, at the time, he had little source of income, he committed this desire to the Lord in prayer, saved his money, and looked for opportunities to increase his income. In less than a year he paid cash for his first road bike…

At the end of our 2008 Vision/Budget worship service an important ministry goal was affirmed. We desire A MINISTRY FACILITY CHANGE. Some desire a present facility change – moving from Kensler to a more desirable and visible site. However, most, if not all, desire a near future ministry facility that we can call home. The tremendous expense of even an entry-level facility causes some to exclaim, “You want to buy what?!” It is true that we have grown our “Facility Fund” from a meager amount to over $115,000 in less than 3 years, yet the amount is small in light of the property and facility costs around us. Our goal for a ministry facility home in the near future may seem overwhelming and unrealistic. I agree that for some ministry groups and in some ministry circumstances our goal may be unrealistic – but not in our case!

I believe that many in our congregation are “letting go” of this goal in prayer and placing it in the hands of God. We know that this goal is impossible for us in our limited resources. However, we also know that if we persistently go to the Lord in prayer, like the powerless widow of Luke 18, discerning His will at each step of the way, and obediently follow in faith as He shows us the steps to reach this goal – we will reach it! "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phil 4:6-7). “For nothing is impossible with God”-whether it is a competitive road bike for a young adolescent or a facility home for a young church! Are you ready to say as Mary did when Luke 1:37 was first spoken to her – “I am the Lord’s servant – may it be to me as you have said.” (1:38) Keep believing… Keep letting go… Keep persistent in prayer… Keep discerning each step… Keep obediently following Jesus in faith…

Your fellow servant,

Pastor Kelley