I have finished the notes for the services Sunday and was just thinking about the effects of what God is doing in my heart.
We are graduating our interns this Sunday and I think about how truly remarkable it is that this group of people has completed a year of training. Think about that... a year of training. We have interviewed and are interviewing people who are considering this program for the coming 12 months and it hits me how hard it is to make a commitment for a year of training. Not just any training, but training to help people who are devastated, depressed, unlovely; this list could go on and on, but it all amounts to helping people who probably can't pay for it and speaks to the amazing God we serve.
People are committing to training that may or may not produces wages.
May or may not result in a position in the church.
May or may not bring much notoriety.
May or may not...
Really this Sunday, marks a spot on the road of the 24 lives that have committed to something we're sure is out there, but we just have to trust God that He will bring it to pass. This spot in these lives shows that they have accomplished something so great that many turn and run from it. It's faith in God, it's leaping the fear that is natural and denying the enemy who wants to make us all cowards.
I can't tell you what these guys will be doing in the years to come. I can tell you that what they have done, what they have allowed God to accomplish in them this past year, brings this thought to the forefront for me - God doesn't necessarily call the qualified, but He absolutely qualifies the called.
I am thankful to God and these 24 people who have completed the Guts Internship, they have reminded me of what it is we have bought into. I look at my wife Sandy, the elders of our church, the staff, the incredible community of people who are leaping fear every day and fighting the good fight of faith, answering the call of God for this generation.
See you Sunday.