Six years ago I was a junior in college. One night after FCA I walked up to a guy named Dustin Willis who was speaking. I had heard about a church he was starting in Columbia that was going to be focused on 1) really being a family and 2) loving & serving the community. A “Jesus-centered family on mission with Him.” I was immediately on board.
So I introduced myself, and just point-blank said: “I know Jay Hendricks & Josh Garrett are coming to Columbia this summer to intern with you guys. Can I come too?”
For some unknown reason (but evidently inspired by the Holy Spirit), he said, “Sure!”
The rest, as they say, is history.
The past six years have been incredible, to say the very least. Our church uses the term “family” a lot, and the weird thing is, we mean it. I can’t describe how beautiful it is with words. I’ve tried. Sometimes it moves me to tears.
And today, Dustin packed up his family & drove to Atlanta to serve in a new role with the North American Mission Board to help plant more healthy churches. That makes me very sad, but also very happy. Sad/happy if you will.
As I look at this picture that Dustin tweeted earlier today, it brings up so many memories. Our church family basically started in that back yard over a corn-hole set, so it’s really sad to see a for sale sign in the front. But through all of this, I’m reminded of a few things:
FAMILY IS SO WORTH IT
It’s worth sad goodbyes and see you laters. So many people are so transient these days, resistant to anything resembling roots, always on the move.
But roots are worth it, even if you live somewhere for a short time. Relationships are worth it. What’s better than friendships so close that you shed tears when someone tells you they’re moving away?
SPREADING & SENDING
If we are really a Jesus-centered family on mission with Him, then we can’t idolize family above all else. It’s good. It’s really good.
But it’s not ultimate. It can’t be everything. It’s not about selfishly keeping what we have–it’s about spreading what we have. Inviting new people into the family. Spreading and sending.
I have to admit, I don’t always smile during the process. I pout a good bit. I tell friends like the Willis’s, the Davis’s (now in TN) and the Disbrow’s (now in Korea) that God probably wants them to stay here. That He told me in a dream. That they should reconsider. But then I finally huff and say, “Okay…I’m on board. I’m sad/happy.”
So yeah. I’m sad/happy tonight.
Sad that a very dear friend is moving four hours away. I’m gonna miss that man. A lot.
But, I’m happy that the Kingdom is spreading. And of course, that’s what’s most important.
We can sit around and enjoy family forever one day. But until then, there is work to do.
Lots of people need an invitation to God’s family.
Can’t tell you how much this speaks to me right now, Brandon. I appreciate you sharing your heart- it’s awesome to see how you’re not taking a selfish attitude with those who see a need to “spread out” in ministering to the world around us. Sweet stuff.
Thanks a ton Stephen, glad it was helpful!
I was subbing at a school that used the phrase “A community so complete they never want to leave, a calling so compelling there’s no way they can stay.” I think it’s easy to desire the community side of that, but I love that this group of your friends is passionate about walking in their calling, even when it takes them elsewhere. Great post.
Wow what a great way to put it. Thanks Thea.
Pingback: http://criminalbackgroundchecked.com/
Pingback: go ourmidland
Pingback: cell phone lookup
Pingback: reverse phone lookup
Pingback: cell phone lookup free with name
Pingback: single mother scholarships
Pingback: scholarships for college students|scholarships for college students in texas|2011 scholarships for college students|scholarships for college students in california|scholarships for college students 2011|easy scholarships for college students|grants and sn
Pingback: government grants for single mothers
Pingback: free grants for single mothers
Pingback: scholarships for single mothers in texas
Pingback: scholarships for single moms
Pingback: Goozle Zone
Pingback: bad credit loans
Pingback: ultimate power profits
Pingback: aqiqah
Pingback: payday loans online
Pingback: lida
Pingback: Austin roofing
Pingback: JAM TANGAN TAG HEUER
Pingback: crear sitio web
Pingback: Austin roofing
Pingback: post apocalyptic film
Pingback: roofing Austin
Pingback: cash advance
Pingback: googlezerlunited
Pingback: Toothache
Pingback: directory
Pingback: gonorrhoeae
Pingback: cheap loans uk
Pingback: personalized laptop bags
Pingback: mjmoscxlu
Pingback: lawyer
Pingback: ZigZag
Pingback: Jeff Johnson
Pingback: team building activities
Pingback: Promotional Products
Pingback: da vinci surgical robot, da vinci lawyer, complications from da vinci, robot surgery, da vinci hysterectomy,
Pingback: new york asian escorts
Pingback: model train
Pingback: Leia Elchert
Pingback: hale industriale, spatii comerciale, terenuri
Pingback: Secured homeowner loans
Pingback: Emma Votaw
Pingback: Alex Faughn
Pingback: Larita Bivings
Pingback: Contemporary Lighting
Pingback: human rights watch
Pingback: Find out more about internet marketing company
Pingback: Eduardo Mainer
Pingback: montanaro.asia
Pingback: Marisha Cailler
Pingback: Clair Dundlow
Pingback: jfd98ayhcim
Pingback: Cleveland Pecore
Pingback: plastic surgeon in atlanta
Pingback: Sterling Tela
Pingback: Darryl Samy
Pingback: Napoleon Scoby
Pingback: catalogue halle aux vetements
Pingback: Shanell Volle
Pingback: Darren Hiester
Pingback: Kory Bro
Pingback: Cherly Osterhaut
Pingback: Antoine Greaver
Pingback: edu backlinks
Pingback: Norman Solomon
Pingback: web design barrow
Pingback: Yi Popejoy
Pingback: http://articledirectory4.info/article.php?id=6051
Pingback: Roberta Benzel
Pingback: Jenifer Wesselhoft
Pingback: Man Davda
Pingback: Charlyn Muegge
Pingback: Terrell Schlick
Pingback: beauty blog
Pingback: bgdfgdfgdfgdf
Pingback: Latonia Grantier
Pingback: Lonny Hassenger
Pingback: Lai Bajko
Pingback: Peter Vancampen
Pingback: Eldon Quarry
Pingback: Jim Dannatt
Pingback: estate agents glasgow
Pingback: Taren Baize