“We’re on the road. Thank you Decatur. Love you all!”
That was the first Facebook post I read this morning. It was from my friend, Tom Smith, whose last Sunday as Pastor of Music and Worship for First Baptist Church of Decatur was yesterday.
He’s leaving his dream job at a really good church close to extended family to go be a bi-vocational Minister of Music at a small church in a small town in the mountains of Colorado.
Does that mean that his dream job at FBC Decatur wasn’t where God wanted him to be for the past two years?
Of course not!
God’s plan for us is usually not focused on a destination—at least not in this life—but on a journey.
God's plan for us is usually not focused on a destination–at least not in this life–but on a journey. Share on XAs Tom has publicly shared over the past month or so what God is doing in his life, he has mentioned on more than one occasion that there came a time in his life that he surrendered everything he had to Jesus and said, “I will follow You.”
So, this morning, Tom and Tiffany and their kids headed for Colorado with a moving truck full of stuff and hearts full of gratitude for what has been and anticipation for the next part of the journey.
But, let me tell you another reason that Facebook post that got my attention this morning. Tomorrow morning I will be in the staff meeting of FBC Decatur for the first time as their interim minister of music.
Wednesday evening, I’ll lead the choir rehearsal for the first time.
Next Sunday morning, I’ll stand up on the platform with the choir, band, and worship team and lead this great congregation in worship for the first time.
This just got real.
I’ll still have my day job as Executive Director/Lead Strategist of Harvest Baptist Association and all that entails.
But for the next few months, I’ll be helping this church get ready for the next full-time Pastor of Worship and Music.
In many ways, I’m returning to my roots.
I sang my first solo in church 55 years ago. I started going to sing in churches other than my own 45 years ago. I became Music Director of my home church 43 years ago. I started directing church choirs 36 years ago.
In other ways, I’m headed into uncharted waters. Much of the technology that I’ll be involved with in this church had not even been invented when I was doing church music as my primary ministry. Many of the songs I’ll be leading over the next few months are songs that I don’t even know yet!
And I’m stepping into a role that has been filled by an incredibly gifted young man whose ministry significantly impacted this congregation over the past two years.
This just got real.
But, here’s something I know: I can help this church because I understand my strengths, I know how to learn new skills, I know how to listen, and I understand my role on the team.
I get to help this church walk the next part of their journey until their path intersects with the person whose next chapter will unfold in Decatur.
One of the best ways to discover your amazing is to tell Jesus, “I will follow You.” You never know where He will lead, but you can know His dreams for you far exceed your own.
Be amazing today, my friend.
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