Taking church for granted

Here it is on a Sunday afternoon and I've been riding in a van all day. For so many years of my life I've been so freaking spoiled by the ability to go to church when I want to. I never dreamed that a day would come where I, being the church geek that I am, would be in a position to not be able to make it to church. But I am. And here I am riding in this van writing a blog and listening to John Piper online. Now don't get me wrong. I love Piper. I am quickly falling in love with writing notes to myself. I'm also in love with this incredible task (job, profession) that God has given me. But man, not getting to go to church to eat up the teaching of the Bible and worship Jesus with your family and love on your friends really sucks. I admit it. I have taken church for granted.

I love my new church. God has us in a place where we're going to be discipled by a godly couple who cares about us. There is a vision from the pastor and his wife (same couple) that God is the in center of. No, it's not a perfect church. It's not full of "perfect" people. It doesn't do and/or have everything I would like for it to. But God has not called us to shop for the place we want. He sends us where we need to be. It's a church where the pulpit matters, a church that teaches the Bible, and a church that unashamedly preaches the gospel of our very sovereign God. Thank you Lord for sending us there.

I'm so excited to be living this portion of God's plan in my life. It is not what I ever expected, and not exactly everything I've wanted. But God explains in Isaiah 55 that His ways are much higher than my own just as His thoughts are also. Does that verse mean I'm going to be happy ever after? Heck no. I miss my wife, my dog, my church. I'm not happy about that. But I also know that the Gospel was proclaimed through this wicked vessel yesterday through the streets of Tampa, Florida.

May God continue to be given glory through every part of my existence. I need forgiveness for my screw-ups, so thank You God for Your marvelous grace. I need You to expose Your gospel in my life today Lord. Help me.