Have you ever been hiking at night? If the woods are dense enough, almost no moonlight or starlight penetrates the thick canvas of the forest roof. When you turn your headlamp on, the immediate area in front of you lights up, and everything else is draped in blackness. You can see clearly for maybe thirty feet, then after that it tapers quickly back into pitch black. There’s a certain amount of faith that you have to walk in when you are night hiking. You have to trust that the trail will take you where it is supposed to go. You have to have faith that the trail itself is safe, even if it runs alongside a step cliff or next to a rushing river. You trust that the noises you hear are really just big squirrels and not hungry bears looking for tasty, out of shape and slightly plump, stray hikers. So you hike in faith, knowing for sure only what lies 30 feet in front of you and hoping that you’ll reach your campsite before Roscoe the Mountain Man jumps from the shadows to demonstrate to you his deep knowledge of the movie “Deliverance.” It really is exciting. Believe me. Try it sometime. Well, I am on a night hike of sorts right now, figuratively speaking. All of us that have entered into this amazing adventure that is following Christ are on night hikes. Our destination is certain: the Kingdom of God. Our trail is firm: the Path of Righteousness and the Way of the Cross. Our light, The Holy Spirit, illuminates all that we need to know in order to navigate through the world that is shrouded in the darkness of sin. The path that I am currently on is not one that I ever thought that I would take. It is a crazy trail that already has seen miracles, struggles, leaps of faith, and mighty acts of God. And we're only at the beginning. My hiking companions are my wife Brandie, and my three sons, Sam, Jack and Luke. It is a journey that we would love to share with all of you, if you want to read along.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

a clear picture

I realized that although I have given updates on our plans and on our life, I have not necessarily painted the clearest picture. My posts have been vague in many respects, partially because we really don't know what will happen, but also I think out of a bit of fear as well.

I have felt for a long time that my call was to ministry, and specifically to being the pastor of a church. In the past year, that vision seemed to be gaining more clarity as Brandie and I explored the Anglican Church. This, I decided, was were I really wanted to be. So Brandie and I began conversations with folks in the Anglican Church and the path looked as if it would lead us to Marietta, GA. Through continued conversations, that door seemed to close and another in Gainesville, GA open.

As Brandie and I began to discuss with each other this approaching decision, old fears and new desires were expressed. I am a known procrastinator, sometimes fail to communicate my plans to those that I work with, and love to fly by the seat of my pants. It has caused problems in ministry before. Are these indications that I shouldn't pastor? Plus, Brandie and I both have a desire to do something crazy, live on the other side of the world, and have an adventure. Add this to the success that God has given me in school, and the idea of pursuing a Ph.D and teaching on the college level has emerged.

So after an incredible meeting with the folks in Gainesville (as I have mentioned the past few days) we find ourselves at a crossroads on our night time hike. The headlamp has revealed a fork in the road and we have to read the signs to find out which way to go. Gainesville really excites me, and there seems to be a deep need there, but Brandie and I both want to make sure that this is God's will and not ours. If I am meant for something else, but decide to go to Gainesville, am I preventing someone else from being there? Am I really capable of being a pastor? Would my gifts be better suited to teaching? These are the things that we are praying about and seeking wisdom on.

Well, there it is. Everything in complete honesty. I hope that that gives anyone reading this a little bit better understanding of where our hearts and minds are as we look at this decision. As always, would you all keep praying? Thanks!
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2 comments:

  1. NagelAugust 12, 2010 at 12:33 PM

    I think you would be an incredible pastor or an incredible teacher. Of course, in many respects they are a lot the same. But it doesn't really matter what I think, or anyone else for that matter. Just what God has in His plans. So you are wise to hang out at the crossroads until you are very clear which path is God's. I know you will be listening well. Love you guys !!

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  2. JoeyAugust 12, 2010 at 1:52 PM

    Thanks. We love you guys too and appreciate the words of affirmation and the prayers. We're praying for Dalton too...

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