Real vision, or just a fleeting fancy...

I had the great privilege of hanging with some of the Element community last night and talking about vision. Now, the thing about vision is, it gets me super stoked to think about what kinds of things could possibly happen in the future, but I often find myself wrestling with the difference between a God-breathed vision and something that I cooked up for some kind of selfish gain. I assure you, I'm not thinking that's what I'm doing while in the middle of it, but we as people deal with this struggle all the time. The danger, of course, is that we often get off-track with vision from the beginning, and then it becomes incredibly difficult to correct (or be corrected) later. That's why last night was so affirming, encouraging, and necessary for me...I believe that the vision for this church from the beginning was solid, it was and is God-designed, and it excites me like you wouldn't believe to think about what God has positioned this community to do! We are called to connect people with the hope of Jesus Christ. We are called to give ourselves away for each other. We are called to live life together. That's it. No frills, no grand plans to take over the world - just a simple desire to be real with each other and pursue God. To see that vision alive and well in you guys, to see the reality of who God is come alive in the way you all love and encourage each other - I face the day knowing that people need God and that Element is a church that's passionate about connecting each other to Him: that's life-changing for me! I'm honored to be journeying with you!

A little food for thought...

Hey Element people! Just wanted to kick off this new blog with a quick thought...I don't have enough deep thoughts to post on here daily :), but I will periodically share a few things with you that are kicking around in my muddled brain. First, I am incredibly blessed to be able to serve you guys in this position...I can't even tell you how humbled I feel. For the last few years, I have felt the tugging of God to change the direction of my life (in terms of where my time is spent) to supporting the Church...And now that's exactly where He's put me. I love you all a ton, and I'm so eager to see what kinds of amazing things God does as we take this journey together in the Element community. I had a really great conversation yesterday with a dear friend, you know the kind that seems to help with gaining perspective and sharpening focus all at once? I was left with a real simple thought - If I love people, and God's put me in their lives, then they oughta know how much I care about them. It's way too easy for me to get wrapped up in the details of the stuff that has to get done...But if I don't visibly and tangibly show love, then the stuff is just another task that ultimately doesn't mean a whole lot. Now this might well be something you've got a great handle on, and since I know a lot of you, I can tell you that some of you ARE exceptional at this, but for me, it's a constant choice. Show love, or retreat into my comfort zone. Show love, or bury myself in task completion. I want to show love. Love changed my life. The love of God changed my life. It's that simple. And it leaves me no choice...