Today is a special day in my family's life. It was on June 1, 2001 that we moved to Albany to plant a new church. We knew from the beginning that it would be an adventure. However we did not realize just how much of an adventure it would be. In so many ways, God has changed our lives through the losses & blessings we have experienced living here in Albany.
As a Bereavement Coordinator, I talk with people every day about their losses. We discuss the "new normal" that was created w/ their loss. Things will never be the same as they were prior to the death of their loved one & so they grieve. They should. Grieving is healthy. And in the process of grieving their loss, they come to realize that this loss has created a "new normal". It is a new sense of normalcy for them.
Like those who have lost loved ones, I too occasionally wish for the past. I enjoyed the security of where we were. But honestly, I would not go back to the way I was. I find that through all of this, we are living in a new day with new thoughts and with new faith and with new dreams. It is a "new normal" for us. And it is a work of God's awesome grace whereby He is transforming us, making us new people. "For we are His workmanship". (Ephesians 2:10). It has been seven years of change & challenge, but He has done & is doing more than we could ever ask for. And it is all because of His divine favor & His infinite love.
And if it is true that changing the world starts with changing ourselves, then my world is on the verge of an earthquake. Our lives will never be the same again. And so we reach forward to the new adventure God has on our horizon.
As a Bereavement Coordinator, I talk with people every day about their losses. We discuss the "new normal" that was created w/ their loss. Things will never be the same as they were prior to the death of their loved one & so they grieve. They should. Grieving is healthy. And in the process of grieving their loss, they come to realize that this loss has created a "new normal". It is a new sense of normalcy for them.
Like those who have lost loved ones, I too occasionally wish for the past. I enjoyed the security of where we were. But honestly, I would not go back to the way I was. I find that through all of this, we are living in a new day with new thoughts and with new faith and with new dreams. It is a "new normal" for us. And it is a work of God's awesome grace whereby He is transforming us, making us new people. "For we are His workmanship". (Ephesians 2:10). It has been seven years of change & challenge, but He has done & is doing more than we could ever ask for. And it is all because of His divine favor & His infinite love.
And if it is true that changing the world starts with changing ourselves, then my world is on the verge of an earthquake. Our lives will never be the same again. And so we reach forward to the new adventure God has on our horizon.
posted by Bruce Pittman @ Sunday, June 01, 2008
1 Comments:
At 5:12 PM ,
The Journey said...
Pastor Bruce!
I'm right there with you! Change & challenge make the past look better than it actually was but so does refinement. When you're in the cooker, it is easy to believe you were better off before but when the Maker's face shines in the purified remains of the scorching heat and the reflection of Jesus shines through... it makes the fire seem barely hot. It is nice to be reminded though (when you are burning) that the purpose is bigger than the pain & transition. Thanks for taking the heat!
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