Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Easter was amazing! God showed up in a huge way in both of our services, and so did a ton of people. We had the largest attendance we have had in our short, two-year life. We saw 5 people baptized, very cool. And 14 people gave their life to Jesus and accepted His Love into their heart! That was the best part of all.

We always ask, "So what?" when we are done with our services but today I want to ask a different question.

Now What?

Easter is over. For all of us who serve in some capacity around here, it was the biggest day of the year. We worked very hard praying, preparing, planning, and pulling off what turned out to be a huge day. The tendency after a huge "event" like Easter is to lay back a little and enjoy the fruit of your labor. Like when you finish a big project at work or around the house or finish a big event or production at school. It's good to relax and enjoy what you have accomplished.

However, I was reminded in staff meeting this week that we cannot afford to do that. Instead of sitting back and relaxing after a great Easter celebration, it is imperative that we strive for more of God's Best. I believe every week at Midtowne should be a "big" week. I believe every week at your church should be a big week. We should give our very best each and every week so that we can get in on God's Best each and every week.

I also believe that we should not ask God to repeat what He did. I think that is too easy. In his book Crazy Love, Francis Chan talks about an experience he had with a young lady on a worship team. Her prayer after and amazing night of worship want not, "God, do it again." Instead, she prayed, "God, do something bigger and better." What a great attitude! One that I think we should all strive for in our walk with God.

The Now What is this. Don't live in the victories and accomplishments of your past. Press ahead for more of God's Best. That is just what the Apostle Paul was saying in Philippians 3:12-14 NLT. I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Don't misunderstand. I totally believe in celebrating victories and accomplishments. But when it comes to getting in on God's Best for your life, don't stop and settle. Press on for more of what He has for you.

PS - for those of you who just have to have a So What, here you go. Do your part to make this week at your church as big of a deal as Easter was. Who says you can only have huge crowds and huge fun twice a year? Not God.

2 comments:

Arla said...

So glad that our God is bigger than anything we face and able to always accomplish more than we can imagine. Thank you for your faith and vision and willingness to allow HIM to challenge us through you....so proud to be a part of a church that seeks to glorify HIM in all that we do! Arla

Clarkgirl said...

Love that statement "God do something bigger." I love the fact that He's never through with us...He always has something bigger and better in store for us. And my prayer is that I will be able to give Him bigger and better back.