This past Sunday started with me thinking that we would have very few people present at our first Sunday of 2010. One family was celebrating their parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, another couple was away on their first wedding anniversary, and others were hit by a stomach flu virus. Also after a time of holidays it’s always a question as to who will show up.
Running late and believing that my family and I would be setting up the entire Sunday service alone we were presently surprised by a number of things. When we arrived the school custodial staff had already set up all the chairs for us. Then another couple arrived unexpectedly early and were able to help with the set-up.
Despite having the majority of the people away who normally help set-up, we were able to get everything done pretty much on time. But figuring that we would not have many people arrive we put away a row of chairs so that there would not be too many empty seats.
To our surprise, by the end of our worship time we had to add additional chairs. Many people arrived that we didn’t expect, and even some new people who we’d never met before!
It was a wonderful reminder that this is God’s church, and that He’s the one in control. If we will just be faithful to what He’s asked us to do, He will make sure the rest gets taken care of.
Being the beginning of a new year, and a new decade, I find myself reflecting on what this next 10 years will look like. Personally, I want to trust God so that the surprises won’t be surprises anymore, but rather that I will have a childlike expectation and trust that of course God will do what He says he will do. As a church I hope that we grow together in this revelation of God as our good Father who always provides for His children.
I realize that this will require us to continually trust God more and rely on ourselves less. Lord, help us to listen, and help us to trust.
