I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

This morning was the first one in awhile that I had nothing to do at church but just be there. I’m usually running out like a chicken with my head cut off, or running the computer for song lyrics, or changing the house lights, etc. I really like to serve that way, to be a part of making Sunday morning run smoothly. And I’ll admit this morning felt oddly different, because I had the sense that “I know there’s something I should be doing right now, some responsibility,” but there was none. It was really nice.

Moving on, as I sat in the service, worshipping with all my focus on the Lord, and then listening to B preach (with having to focus on the timing on when to put a verse up on the projector), an overwhelming gratitude came over me. Church leadership is far from immune from the snares of the natural self — pride, selfishness, drama, etc — and sometimes maybe there is seemingly some unnecessary fanfare, but the heart of the leadership at my church is genuine. They sincerely desire to know God, to live and believe the promises of the Bible, to love and serve people, and to be more like Jesus every day. After seeing so many churches struggle through pettiness and try and weed through human pride, I can wholeheartedly see how blessed I am to be a part of this church.

Like the author of Psalm 27 says, I am seeing the goodness of God in the land of the living. I see God moving in hearts, keeping men and women in a humble posture, continually refreshing and fueling the desire to help people go from death to life in Christ.

Hallelujah, Jesus, thank you for this experience.