Perhaps

There is a story in the Old Testament about Jonathan taking on a large group of enemy soldiers. You can read about it in 1 Samuel 14. In the account, Jonathan and his assistant (called an armor-bearer) find victory over the enemy all by themselves. It's a pretty encouraging story to read. It's kind of like Rocky, Braveheart and Hoosiers all rolled into one!

There is a great statement in the story. At one point, Jonathan has to make a decision as to whether he should initiate the attack or not. He knows that God wants them to have victory. But he also knows that they are terribly out-numbered. He looks at his young friend and says, "Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." What a powerful statement.

Perhaps. Not, "I've got a guarantee." He said perhaps. He didn't have a contract or an e-mail or even a divine handshake. He just had a conviction that God can step in and help His people, even when the situation seems bigger than they are.

I find a lot of encouragement from that story. God is challenging His church to do something that is bigger than we are. He has opened great doors for Calvary (www.comingsoonmaumee.com). But He is also giving to the world an unprecedented season of opportunity. Each of us has been created by Him as a masterpiece to fulfill His awesome purpose for our lives (Ephesians 2:10). How can we not step out and trust Him to work in our behalf. Nothing can hinder Him, you know.

I love the quote that reads, "A ship is safe in the harbor, but that's not what a ship is for." It's easy to enjoy our blessings and wait for something amazing to happen. It's somethnig totally different to step out, engage the enemy and believe that God will act in response to your faith-filled obedience. But you never know. PERHAPS He has a great victory in store!

From Caution to Vision

On Thursday, December 16, 2010, Calvary Assembly of God became the owner of the building and property at 1360 Conant Street in Maumee, Ohio. This building is well known throughout the community as the former Maumee 18 Movie Theater that closed this past July.

Over the last six months, God has been stirring in the hearts of Calvary's people to trust Him to do something new. We have prayed, researched, dreamed and prayed some more about what His will was for us. It was exciting when on December 2, 2010, Calvary's 59th birthday, the membership voted to move forward with the purchase.

Because of the unique nature of this situation, as a leader, I have spent the last six months in a state of caution. We have been seeking God and asking Him to lead us. At each step of the journey our faith has been tested and the details worked out. We have had to put our trust in God's will and not our own plans. We wanted to make sure we were hearing from God. As shepherds, it was important to make sure we protected God's flock and Calvary's future. We were in a season of cautious leadership.

Tuesdays became an important day of prayer for us during this time. Throughout the day, people came together to ask God for His direction in this situation. It was during one of those recent prayer times that I felt the Spirit direct me that we were moving from a time of caution to vision. God has given us His direction for the purchase. Now we look to His vision for the future.

The vision is all about life change. It is about the stories of people who will have their hurts healed and hopes restored. It is about families that find peace. It is about children who grow up with purpose. It is about sharing with the community and engaging the globe. It is finding opportunities to be a part of something bigger than ourselves: God's Kingdom. It is each one of us realizing that by changing lives we can change the world.

1360 Conant Street is merely a building. But God is giving to Calvary a vision to see this building become a place of tremendous life change. As a church, we are humbled to be a part of what He intends to do.

www.comingsoonmaumee.com