No ordinary post

Told you they were beautiful..

Ian, who has been my pastor for the last 10 years, is headed on a new adventure soon.  I say my pastor, yet he is quite simply my friend.  I'm sad, happy, confused and profoundly grateful all at once.  

I suppose I’ve taken for granted the privilege I’ve had of listening to his wisdom—delivered with levity and rhetoric through ever so many Monty Python clips (What, the CURTAINS!?).  Each week, he makes me think, laugh and sometimes cry. 

God called this incredible man and his incredible wife to a life of unbelievable sacrifice, giving them gifts and abilities I have a hard time comprehending.  The two of them have taught me more through their example than I can grasp (or attempt to put into words) about what it means to live a holy, transformed life.  What it means to love God...not the cheesy, bible thumping, preachy kind of God love either.  The real, deep, authentic, heart wrenchingly beautiful kind of loving God.  The kind that Jesus talked about when he said "love your neighbour as yourself"...and the kind He showed us on the cross.

Perhaps the most inspiring thing they showed me was how to dream a God sized dream. They, like so very few, weren’t afraid to chase theirs...  It was scary, huge, involved a move to another country, leaving a comfy job, security and any sense of personal space behind.  They chased it.  Passionately.

For me. 

Oh you think that’s self absorbed, I’m pretty sure if you asked them they would tell you that their vision was to plant a church that would reach lost people and change their lives. 

They did that.  For me. 

The only words I can think to speak in this moment are words of profound gratitude…of hope…because I learned from the very best in His kingdom. 

Ian, Kathleen, Caleb, Josh, Noah, Netty… I kneel before the Father…I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

I can’t wait to see what he’s holding in store for you my friends, whatever it is, it’s going to be amazing.

PS…Yes, you legalists, I know this is more than 100 words.  Some people are just worth it.  My blog, my rules J