Wednesday, October 19, 2005

First Service

Monday morning, October 17th, brings a strange fusion of relief and pressure.

Last night's launch service at Terra Nova went exceptionally well. Way beyond expectations....There was a sense of expectation of what God was going to do, both that night and in the future of this new community. The room was filled with people. Twice as many as we optimistically hoped for. The band rocked. Ed's teaching was deep, yet poetic (as only he can be..). Phil's great organizational skills created an environment beforehand that was busy, yet under control. The attention quickly moved from the newness of the service to Christ and Him alone. Even with photographers and film crews, there seemed to be a sense of peace and focus throughout the room.

Yet, now the evening is over and the next week begins. In the past, I would have felt a disappointment that, although the service went really well, I now have to wait another month, 6 months, etc., to do it again. Yet, this time we get to look forward to another one in 6 days. With that excitement brings pressure. Pressure to be organized and plan ahead. Pressure to be creative and not fall into a rut (It's amazing how quickly I can do that). Pressure to seek Christ and Him alone. Pressure to live deeply, so I can lead deeply. Pressure to not spend too much time planning, and not enough time with the Holy Spirit, Patty, family, and friends.

That is the rub. One that will improve, but never go away. But what a great future we have ahead of us. I am so thankful for what God is doing already through Terra and for the people He has brought into my life.