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