More Light Needed

Wow!  My little plant is going gangbusters!  About 2 years ago a friend gave me a plant start from his Rex Begonia (Erythrophylla) plant with just 3 little leaves on it and it was rooted in water.  So, I bought my little begonia a new pot with good soil and put it on my kitchen counter so that I could make sure to give it plenty of water as it was started in just water.  I was told that it needed more than usual as it was used to living in water.  It did well and began to put out new leaves.  Needless to say I was very encouraged.  After the first year though I noticed that it was still putting out new leaves but they seemed a little frail.  I needed to remove some of the mature leaves once in a while, but it still looked pretty good and like I mentioned it had new growth. 

Last month I needed the counter space in the kitchen, so I put it in my master bathroom window that got bright diffused light all day and after 4 of weeks in the direct light location I noticed that it began to get more new leaves and the mature leaves were just more healthy looking and just beautiful!  Well, this morning it caught my eye and I began to count all the baby leaves popping out and there were 8 new leaves on it!!  As I thought about how wonderful this plant was doing, I pondered how it just needed more light and how when we are exposed directly to the Light we begin to produce more growth as humans.  The verse that came to mind in that moment was Jesus’ words in John 8:12 “Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The past 6 years have been a time of transition for me as I was working with our second interim pastor and then Chris was hired as our new pastor almost 5 years ago. I have had the privilege of working in our church office for the last 19+ years and have now worked with 2 full time pastors and 2 interim pastors over that time.  They have all been great to work with and my life has been enriched in this job in so many ways.  Working with our second interim pastor I had a word of encouragement from him, he said to me “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable”, the he told me of how many people walk close to their calling but never in it.  Those words stayed with me and rang true in my heart.  He also asked me to lead in Communion and I was able to allow God to speak through me in that way and I’ve served a few times since.  Communion is a very special and meaningful time of worship to me and I am humbled to serve in this way.

This time has also been a time of learning to trust God in a deeper way and to discern what He is saying.  Funny, how I think I know how to trust but then new challenges arrive in life that expose lack of trust and growth that is needed.  Working with Chris, our senior pastor I’m learning to rest in Christ and be grateful for his presence in a more slowed down pace of life.  I’m learning to wait on the Holy Spirit to lead and then obey what he says in a deeper way and being still in this season and knowing that God is in charge. I’m now serving in a greater capacity in the AVA ministry as a regional coordinator, training women to be advocates for victims of abuse and speaking in regards to this.  I was asked to preach at Heartland on a Sunday in May with plenty of time to prepare.  It was scary but the Lord spoke to my heart that very morning that Chris asked me to speak.  He told me that Chris was going to ask me to speak in May.  So I was prepared and was able to work through my fears with the Lord before I was asked. He sure knows us fully! I can say that without the encouragement that I was given from Pastor Dave 5+ years ago, I’m not sure I would have accepted.  But God has been with me in amazing ways throughout my life and I continue to learn to trust him.  He is so gracious to me.  He NEVER gives up on us!  So the more that I am in the Light, the more fruit he can produce in my life.  It’s his job, but it’s mine to be in his presence.  And he says to us in Matthew 5:14-15 - “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”  Let’s live in His light and then be the light to this world!