I've rediscovered my divine wiring. When I went to Bible College I planned to travel full time as an itinerant evangelist. I had an itch to travel. It seemed glamorous.
After spending my summer in 1999 criss-crossing the country and preaching seven to eight times a week, I realized God had designed me to build something that would transform a city. Almost seven years later, I'm glad to call Metro Detroit home.
The past few months have confirmed that decision. My travel schedule has been busier this spring than at any other time during 5 years of church planting. I have to admit that it's a bit of a relief to step into someone else's ministry as a guest speaker for a service or two. For that moment I worry about speaking. Someone else worries about building.
But without something to build I'd get bored.
I enjoy traveling but I'm called to build Church of the King and launch a church planting movement in our city. I want to be a good steward of the gifts God has given me, so I'll remain willing to walk through doors that God opens for me. But when those opportunities are over, I'll continue to look forward to the descent into the DTW Airport.
Churches aren't built from airport terminals or hotel rooms.
I want to pour my life into people. I want to pour my life into this place. I want to pour my life into a ministry movement that will still be producing transformation long after I'm gone.
I want to know the thrill of seeing people grow, even if getting there means I feel the agony of seeing some fail. I want to be here in September when Church of the King turns five. I want to be there next March when The Oaks turns one. I want to be there when The Oaks launches their first baby and makes us a grandparent.
I dream of longevity. I dream of building something that will last.
More than blowing in just to burn up and burn out, I want to burn for forty years without burning up. If God can do it for a bush, can't He do it for a man?
My friend Jason Patterson can have my frequent flyer miles. I want to keep driving the half-mile from my house to our church.
Someday God will ask me to pass this dream on. When He does I want to hand it off without regret. I want to know that I spent myself to see Detroit renamed. I want to be sure that I didn't waste time, take a shortcut, or run away.
They say Jesus never traveled more than 30 miles from the place where he was born. My church planting dream was born in and for Detroit. I can spend the next 30 years living within a 30 mile radius of where I do now and have four million people as neighbors.
Where else would I go?
What else could I do?
In San Diego I could golf year round. In San Antonio I could learn Spanish. But only in Detroit can I live out God's dream for me. Waking up in Maui to heavenly weather may be good enough for some. I'd rather wake up to heaven's approval, and for me, that place is right here, right now.
I'm hooked. I'm here.
I'm home.
Woah, that's passion... good stuff.
Posted by: Tiffany | May 09, 2006 at 01:30 AM