Ordered Steps

    So, as I continue on the journey of planting/founding Radiate Church in Columbia, SC I want to share with you some advice and thoughts that may help you on your journey of ministry or church planting. Here is the beginning of our Journey Together.
   As my journey began, I ran through a myriad of emotions and thoughts. Where? When? How? Why? I was going to leave a church/youth group I loved dearly. I had invested more in that group of teens and church than I had anywhere else, and I loved them. I didn't WANT to leave, but I was facing frustration (not with people, within me), confusion, and at some points burnout - for no reason at all. What was the deal? Why was I doing that?
   I began to feel a tug and call to leave and plant a church. Something I had considered and prayed about before, but it was more fun to entertain the THOUGHT than it was to actually act on the CALL! As I was praying and feeling this tug, I began to understand something - ACTION is what brings a thought to your call! See, I believe that we think about a lot of things, that are actually our call - and we think on them so much because it's part of our belonging and becoming. And through the thought of planting, and through the burnout, frustration, confusion and tugging I learned something - God NEVER stops ordering the steps of those that follow Him.
    Jesus says in Matthew 16:24 - "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." - There are a TON of messages/thoughts on this passage, but for me in this time, this is what that scripture meant. As I take up my cross, as I choose to follow Him - there may be bumps, there may be hurts, there may be confusions... but as long as I'm following Him, while carrying my cross - I'm following in His footsteps and He will never stop ordering them. He carried a cross, I carry a cross. He hurt, I will hurt. He cried, I will cry. He was attacked, I will be attacked. His steps were ordered, my steps are ordered.
    If I were to tell you that this was something I never struggled with during this journey I would be blatantly lying to you. Because truth be told, I do struggle with it. I struggle with financially hurting, I struggle with decisions, I struggle with confidence...why? Because I'm me! But, at the end of it all, I may struggle with those things, I can be still  in His rest, peace, and love.
   He ordered the steps of the Israelites as they walked the wilderness with a pillar of fire and a cloud. Why? Because he wanted them to feel, see, and encounter His true provision and guidance. In this step, your faith will be stretched, your ability will be tested, and your love will be tried... but in the end - YOUR STEPS ARE ORDERED! Rest in that - and only that.

Father, I pray over the pastor, leader, and/or church planter reading this today...I pray peace, comfort, strength, and understand over them. Order their steps toward the dynamic destiny you have set for them in such a way that they will rely and lean on You and only You. Today, Lord, we lift it all up to You and declare that we are simply your work and vessel - nothing else. Use us greatly!