Still Learning After 20 Years

When Dan first took over the team lead position, the Lord impressed on our minds that “God is more interested in our faithfulness than our success.” Luke 16:10 says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”

With joy, we are learning that God’s plan cannot be thwarted. He will build His church, and His kingdom will not fail. With wonder, I’m learning that the means of that work is weak, frail, in-process people like me.

I’ve learned that I have a happy place: It’s worshipping in song alongside my forever Faith Bible Church family, hearing your voices on Sunday morning, knowing some of you are singing through pain and others through joy. Yet we worship all together, a taste of that future forever scene beholding our King and worshipping Him for all eternity.

I have learned that I have another happy place: Hearing and seeing the testimony of your children proclaiming Christ and obeying Him in baptism. Watching a generation grow up and follow Jesus in our midst is truly a grace, and there’s no greater joy.

Speaking of children, I’ve learned that doughnut holes have eternal value. Yes, whatever it takes to make Sunday Funday.

I’ve learned over and over again that God uses the various parts of the body to accomplish His good work. We needed doughnut holes, nursery workers, Place To Be teachers, and youth leaders to help us raise our kids. And we are eternally grateful for their sacrifice. You know who you are, and most importantly, Jesus knows your name.

I’m learning that I am a small part of a much bigger work God is doing to build His kingdom

After 20-plus years of sitting under the Word of God preached, I’ve learned that God uses faithful, bold teaching of the Bible, all the Bible, to transform lives.

I’ve learned and am learning that the Holy Spirit is the one who changes hearts.

I’m learning that I am a small part of a much bigger work God is doing to build His kingdom, and that it is an honor and a privilege to play that small part.

I’ve learned that we are in a spiritual battle. We have an enemy who does not want us to pray; he does not want us to evangelize. We have an enemy who works hard at distracting and disunifying us. Yet, so much greater is our Savior.

I’m continuing to learn that Jesus is the head of the church and He purchased her with His own blood. He loves the church, His bride. The church is precious to Jesus, and so it must be precious to me. I can say with joy that it is! As Psalm 84:4 says, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!”

And the biggest thing I have learned, as Dan and I have sought to be faithful, is God is faithful. He is the faithful one. Jesus has been my faithful brother, walking beside me, sitting beside me. He is my faithful husband, saying, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He has given me promise after promise to bank on. And He will bring me home. I thank God for how he uses Faith Bible Church to enable that endurance.

I’m learning how important it is to look back and remember God’s complete faithfulness to us in the hard, and in the joyful, and in every ordinary Sunday in between.

Great is Thy faithfulness!