The Faith of New Beginnings

Today was the day - the day we have not been looking forward to, but then again we have. Does this make any sense?? You see, Mike’s last Sunday in the pulpit at Centenary United Methodist Church in Chase City was today. We have known about this for 2.5 months, and that is wayyyy too long to wait for separation, but it is the Methodist way.

I took a picture of the lake and clouds as we crossed the bridge for the last time on Sunday morning. Some may question why this drive has made such an impact on me. It is because God has used it so many times to show me what He wanted me to write in a blog message to you. It has been my “routine” for 2 years on Sunday mornings and Tuesday mornings for the puppet ministry with the PreSchool.

I studied the scenery along Route 49 - such familiar scenery since I traveled it when I grew up in Clarksville. There were many Sunday afternoon drives to Chase City to visit family and relatives. I like the open fields and farm homes. We will have a different route now as we travel toward South Boston. I’m sure I will come to love these open fields and farm homes too.

Mike had a difficult assignment this morning in leading the worship service. He sang. He prayed. He preached. He led the congregation in An Order of Farewell to a Pastor. Yes, there were some tears, but we have been very attached to this congregation so our hearts were being tugged on quite a bit.

His message was entitled “New Beginnings”, coming from Genesis 12:1-3:

Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,

From your family

And from your father’s house,

To a land that I will show you.

2

I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you

And make your name great;

And you shall be a blessing.

3

I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

His question to us all was “What is Faith?”

“Faith, quite simply means trusting in God and what He has told us. God has revealed Himself to us. He has given us truths that we are to believe. He tells us to trust Him even, or especially when we cannot see the outcome, result, or even the next step. Without faith, we cannot please God.”

He talked about Abram and Sarai and what faith it took to follow God’s commands to go to a land which they knew nothing about and what faith it took to think that Sarai could birth a child in her 90’s?? They had a choice to make.

"Abraham and Sarah trusted in God to fulfill His promises, whether they saw these promises delivered or not in their lifetimes on earth. That is faith."

As we said our tearful “goodbyes” and made our last visit with some dear friends at their home, I looked at the sky and beautiful clouds as we crossed the lake into town and wondered what storms/rain/beauty they hold for our future.

I write these words to create a reminder in all of us that we ALL need to operate on a faith journey. Each of us will end certain seasons and begin new ones. Let us be open to how God wants to use us - maybe in ministry; maybe in taking a new friend to lunch; maybe in sitting on a friend’s porch rather than going out in public just yet; maybe in calling that friend you haven’t spoken with lately.

I think Mike’s final words at Centenary bare repeating to all:

“Even though Rachel and I are leaving, there is One who remains constant – Jesus Christ. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, allow Christ to guide you. “

We are looking forward to serving and worshiping at Mt Cana UMC, right outside South Boston. May God bless our time together to serve Him!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel