The journey through my first book continues with an excerpt from chapter 9 which talks about how we got our joy back at New Life after a season of darkness and tragedy. I would love to hear your thoughts about this very important topic.
The proceeds from Fear No Evil will help support the Dream Centers we are opening here in Colorado Springs. The book releases April 26th on Amazon, but you can pre-order Fear No Evil here.
There is a reason that every car manufactured in this world has a small rear-view mirror and a large windshield, which is that you and I are supposed to be far more focused on what is in front of us than on what it is we have just passed. But there were times after the shooting when New Life had the two fixtures swapped. We allowed our windshield to become tiny and our rear-view mirror to captivate our every thought. And so one final joy-robber I want to mention is this: beware of your life’s windshield becoming dangerously small.
Whenever we allow the forward-looking, future-oriented, front-windshield work yet to be done to eclipse that magnificent work that is being accomplished all around us, we miss real blessings that God is trying to pass our way. What’s more, we give the enemy of our souls a foothold as he works to deflate our hearts.
Satan loves nothing more than when you and I fixate on our past. Don’t give him that kind of satisfaction! Focus on the good you see happening, and on all that lies ahead. For us, one simple way this idea got played out involved engaging in our “Summer of Serving.” Despite the two cataclysmic events we’d walked through, we called the church to rally together on behalf of our city, we prayed fervent prayers asking for direction, and then we worked to meet as many needs as we could possibly find. We planted gardens and repainted walls at the downtown rescue mission, we lifted the spirits of home-bound elderly men and women who craved community, we cooked and delivered meals to families in need and more. The acts of service didn’t equate to quick progress in terms of our emotional healing, but they did help us shift our focal point from our own pain to the needs we could actually help meet. And by taking that one small step of faith, our church was reaffirmed in our belief that God would use us in days to come to serve the poor, plant new churches, and catalyze transformed living in people whose paths we crossed.
April 1, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Hi Pastor Brady,
After a season of loss, I know more than ever that Jesus, Yeshua is I AM THAT I AM. Some things you learn by walking it out, or by walking it out with someone close, which truly is what discipleship is, walking along the road with Jesus or others more mature. As my sorrow is turning to joy, and darkness to light, I realize that there is a time, a season, a purpose for everything under heaven. We must live in the season we are at to fully embrace the lessons of that season and to move forward in wholeness, and full restoration. The Lord heals, comforts, and leads in the darkest valley, but He also redeems and restores, making all things beautiful in His time, not ours…..I think the process requires, humility, submission, trust and obedience…..that in time all will be restored, and not necessarily in an earthly realm….Many of the saints of old did not see the fulfillment of all dreams in their lives, but looked from afar….this is why hope is so critical to our moving through the dark places, with our eyes lifted to His gaze and to heaven…..be blessed New Life church….Joy will come, Believe NLC….kathy
April 10, 2011 at 8:39 am
Pastor Brady,
God never ceases to amaze me with the men and women he calls to leadership in these last days. (I know you left Gateway and Texas but there is something special about that state for anointed pastors.) I truly appreciate genuine pastors and leaders with substance, courage and Godly character. Thank you for listening, trusting and obeying God’s will and call on your life. May your horizons be blessed double-time.
Keep the momentum flowing,
Maria Clair