Word of Week: Wow
Some days are “wow” days. I’m thankful for “wow” days, because so many days this side of heaven are challenging and difficult. So many of them leave us in the Psalms that ask the big questions of God - lament and sorrow - an honest sense that God has left us for this moment. So “wow” days are days to pause, be in awe, and say thanks. Sunday, February 5, 2017 was a “wow” day for me at Grace Community Church. I sensed the nearness of God in the early service as I looked in the eyes of His people and handed out the wine. Rest from Christ was offered and received. Tears were shed. Beautiful words and music were being sung over those who took the bread and wine…
Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
But there were more “wow” moments. Tag Tuck did an excellent job in both services unpacking the Tuck family’s calling to plant a church on Pantops Mountain. The passion to reach the 74% of the “nones”- people who are without a current religious affiliation - is driving this calling. Did anyone else think about how awesome it is that God is already fulfilling the GCC value, “We don’t exist for ourselves.” Wow! God is good.
After singing the truth that “Faith is Rest” to one another in the songs, we got to sit on that truth in God’s word and experience the rest of Christ as we believed on him freshly.
But wait…more “wow” moments…after the 10:45 service we gathered to pray for Peggy and Fleming Straughan, and to anoint her with oil in the name of the Lord. We read James 5:13-18 and then several different men and women prayed before we anointed her. A sizable crowd of prayer partners were praying over a treasured member of our family, a daughter of the King of Kings, and beloved of us all. A silence came on the whole room as the prayers were offered. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. His presence was very obvious. I was filled with awe and gratitude for His love for His church, and am even now as I remember it.
So, Father, Son and Holy Spirit…. Wow! Thanks so much! Fill us anew, even today!
In Him,
Don