In good hands...

Last Monday our two boys loaded up on a bus and headed off to church camp. This was not there first camp or retreat; for they have gone with us in the past, back when I was serving as the family pastor of middle school. But this year was different. My wife and I were not making the trip. So our boys would be gone from home for a week without any direct line of communication. Though we knew it would be a long week, we put on a good face, smiled as they left, and trusted that they would be in good hands.

By the second night we were missing them quite a bit, but as we looked at some of the group’s Facebook posts from camp, we saw that our boys were having a great time. They were playing in fun competitions with their friends, going to times of teaching and worship designed to connect with students their age, and finding creative places to meet for their breakout discussions. We remembered that Tony was their small group leader and found encouragement knowing that they were in good hands.

As the week dragged on for us at home and flew by for Brooks and Chan and the rest of the middle school campers that were having a blast in Edmond, I began to reflect back on the last 10 months or so. See, it was toward the end of last summer that I transitioned from my position as family pastor of middle school to take on similar responsibilities in leading the high school ministry upstairs. Honestly, there was some anxiety with the move. I was following a gifted and beloved leader and leaving a place where I was comfortable. Downstairs I had developed a team of trusted leaders; I knew the kids well; heck, I even had grown some relationships with parents that wanted to be more involved. Leaving an environment I had grown so familiar with was difficult. I feared the unknown details that were ahead of me. Would I be up for the task of my new role? Would the high school ministry be in good hands?

Perhaps you are wondering whether or not I feared for the middle school crew that I was leaving behind. Frankly, I didn’t. Why? Well, I was privileged to sit in on some of the interviews and discussions with the man that is now our middle school pastor, Mike Krebs. It was evident to me that we were bringing on a guy that had been changed by Jesus. Spend some time with Mike and you’ll soon discover what he is all about. He is a gospel guy; he gets discipleship; he has a heart for the nations; and he’s a dude that’s devoted to prayer. In addition to that, Krebs adores his wife, Jess, and their daughter, Evelyn. He loves his girls and sees them, as they rightly are, as gifts from God. With a strong work ethic and great humility, Mike strives to lead folks to the Lord. So, without question, I knew that Wired (our MS ministry) would be in good hands.

But here we are, a week removed camp with even more time to consider God’s grace to our local body, and it has become abundantly clear that our hope is found in One who is so much more than capable. The safety of our children on the bus or at camp or any other time that they are away from us, is not dependent upon the people “in charge.” It is not about the environment surrounding any given circumstance. The future of our student ministries is not reliant upon my skill level or abilities; neither is it based upon Mike’s set of strengths or quality of character. No, we are in good hands, because we are in the hands of the only One who is good.

The best of us and the worst of us, all have one thing in common – we’re replaceable. Granted some are missed more than others, but here’s my point. We can work and toil, plan and scheme, dream and pray, but there is only One that can bring the increase and heart transformation we desire. So, as I reflect on our Savior this morning, I’m simultaneously humbled and liberated. It is humbling to again realize that I am completely and entirely reliant upon God’s grace, but how precious a thought! And at the same time I’m freed from the heavy burden of trying to produce or bring about something that I’m powerless to create in the first place. How wonderfully liberating!

This Husband loves His bride; this Good Shepherd goes before His sheep. He walks with us, lives inside us, and promises that no one will snatch us from His hand. This is our hope! He is our hope! Christ is whom we look upon; He is whom we trust in; to Jesus alone, we cling. I’m thankful for Mike and Jess, for Daniel and Taler, for Lynn, Kristin, Danny, and Tony (all our NBC leaders), for the CIY MIX directors and staff, and for Bixby transportation! Thanks for taking good care of our boys and leading them in a fantastic week of camp! I knew they were in good hands, I just forgot how good. May we live in the assurance that the One who was with us in the past, is the One who sustains us today, and will be the One to provide for all our needs tomorrow. Truly, for those in Christ, we are in good hands.

Matt Fowler
Associate Pastor of Missions & Students
matt@nbchurch.info
@fattmowler