I am more and more convinced that the things we fear aren't as bad as the fears associated with them. In many instances, the best thing that can happen to us is for our fears to be realized so that we realize the thing we feared wasn't as bad as the fear we felt. And God is right there to pick us back up! Maybe the things you fear are the very things that will take you to the next level spiritually. We've got to face our fears because we grow to the level of our fears and no further.
For several years I had a nagging fear that Union Station theaters would close. It got pretty intense three years ago when AMC pulled out and Phoenix pulled in. My blood pressure went up. But so did my prayer life. One key to prayer is translating our worries into prayers--Philippians 4. On the positive side, the more you worry the greater your potential for prayer. Worry is a great catalyst for spiritual growth. But fear is not from the Lord. In fact, perfect love casts out all fear.
Here's what I'm getting at. The thing I feared has happened. And, yes, I was in an emotional funk for a few days. And, yes, I'm processing lots of feelings including grief. And, yes, I'm not sure where this will take us. But I'm also energized by it. And I sense God's presence in this! What an amazing leadership opportunity. I'm so glad I'm leading a church that finds itself in a situation like this. It might sound masochistic, but I'm loving this while I'm hating it. We'll grow through this as a church. I'll grow through this as a leader. And we'll come out the other side stronger because of it.
For several years I had a nagging fear that Union Station theaters would close. It got pretty intense three years ago when AMC pulled out and Phoenix pulled in. My blood pressure went up. But so did my prayer life. One key to prayer is translating our worries into prayers--Philippians 4. On the positive side, the more you worry the greater your potential for prayer. Worry is a great catalyst for spiritual growth. But fear is not from the Lord. In fact, perfect love casts out all fear.
Here's what I'm getting at. The thing I feared has happened. And, yes, I was in an emotional funk for a few days. And, yes, I'm processing lots of feelings including grief. And, yes, I'm not sure where this will take us. But I'm also energized by it. And I sense God's presence in this! What an amazing leadership opportunity. I'm so glad I'm leading a church that finds itself in a situation like this. It might sound masochistic, but I'm loving this while I'm hating it. We'll grow through this as a church. I'll grow through this as a leader. And we'll come out the other side stronger because of it.
13 Comments:
Wow, Mark. This is quite a story that's being written. God bless you as you lead and navigate. I'll pray for you as i think about you.
Sounds like the makings for a great book on leadership. NCC's now unknown journey will prove to be one of God's greatest stories.
Thanks for your transparency in your leadership. Praying with you and your church family!
You a great attitude about it PM. I can totally understand hating something while knowing that in the end, it's important to go through. I'm definitely not always comfortable when God's working in my life. But what a blessing it always turns out to be!
Well, you can look at it this way. You are just compiling some good material for a future book. I'm looking forward to reading it with the rest of the details.
We at Bethel Church in Grass Valley Ca. are praying for FAVOR for you and NCC.
Mark:
Check out this link and scroll down to the blog entry on The Think I Feared the Most. Can't wait to see what God does for NCC.
Craig
http://craigpolston.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-05-05T12%3A50%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7
Mark:
Feel free to check out this blog entry on The Thing I Fear Most.
Craig
http://craigpolston.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-05-05T12%3A50%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
Mmmm...
Praying for you during this season of change!
BTW, I was so thrilled to get an email from Random House about reviewing your new book! I can hardly wait! :D
Mark the Spirit certainly speaks to me on fear and intimidation that I experience when i think of raising financial resources for the ministry I lead.
So true that we only grow to the level of fear that we are willing to face. Amazing how asking people to partner with their financial resources stirs fear from deep within. Thanks for your thoughts because the Spirit tells me to MOVE FORWARD through them.
Praying for you and your church in this transition. I know many of us in pastoral leadership are looking at how God works all this out for His glory. You will be learning leadership lessons for all of us so thanks for sharing from the heart.
Have you read Fearless by Max Lucado? It's an insightful book that deals with many kinds of fears. I posted my review of this book at http://bornagainandblessed.blogspot.com/2009/09/book-review-fearless-by-max-lucado.html .
As you and many others fast, here is my prayer for you and NCC:
"Heavenly Father, may you give Mark and the leadership of NCC the courage and boldness to obey You recklessly and courageously.
"May they have the boldness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who believed that You ARE ABLE, WILL deliver, and even if you don't, they'd never bow their knee to foreign gods.
"May they trust You with unwavering faith, and confidently embrace whatever fire is ahead.
"May You intervene in a miraculous and personal way. May Your power and deliverance be so obvious that everyone watching can only respond with amazement and wonder and say, 'Only God can save and deliver in that way. The true God is God of NCC, and He has done for NCC what ONLY GOD can do.'
"May God's Kingdom be expand and the name of Jesus be exalted above every name. Amen"
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