Last January, I was sitting in a sanctuary in Toledo, OH praying and asking God for direction for the new year.  He began talking to me about how he exodus-ed the children of Israel from Egypt.  He told me that in 2008 I would be moving from GUARANTEES to POSSIBILITIES.  Now I’m not saying Toledo was like being a slave in Egypt.  But I am saying that it was a guarantee of a full time youth pastor position, safe friendships, and opportunities.

Then, in February, God told us to leave and come to Hamtramck at REAL Church.  I gulped hard because honestly my greatest fear was having to work a job in the marketplace AND be a pastor (all you church planters are laughing at me).  But I’m working as a substitute teacher and its a job that I love!  I wasn’t sure I wanted to do youth ministry again, but God called Jess and I to lead REPO and it was one of the greatest decisions of my life to do it.  Coincidentally, I couldn’t find a job until we decided we would lead REPO – then God gave me the substitute teacher position to fuel my passion for teens.  And I’ve found that when ministry is what I’m working a job to be able to do, it has become a deep passion in my heart again.  I was one of the pastors working for a paycheck and just giving a little of myself to the people. And my marriage to Jess has grown more this year than ever before.  When God takes you through unknown times, it develops a great closeness with you and your spouse.  Jess is my greatest love next to Jesus.

Who knew last January I’d move from guarantees to possibilities?  GOD KNEW.  He always knows.  No matter how dark or frustrating it might seem – GOD KNOWS.

Maybe 2009 is a year that God is saying to you:  I want to move you from guarantees to possibilities.

This year has been one of the craziest, exciting, life-changing years I’ve had.  Probably the most profound change that has happened in me in 2008 is that for the first time I have been consistently passionate about my relationship with God.  I know that might sound bad or weird considering I’m a pastor, but I’m just excited about what has been built into me this year by God’s Spirit.  Here are some things I want to carry into the new year that I’ve learned this last year:

YouVersion daily reading. Responding, not reacting. Serving my wife and others more.

And here are some things I need to work on that I’m challenged to do this next year:

Get physically fit (thanks to elliptical and nintendo wii from parents).  Reach my neighbors more for Jesus.  Be more deliberate about discipling others.  Letting go of hurts and sin quicker.

My prayer for 09 is that I could say what Paul said in Philippians 3:10 – “I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally”.

Changing,
TJ