Don't LOOK BACK!

Front Page of the KC Star this morning-the story of my pastor and his resignation. Although I already knew-I guess reality had hit and I'm just not ready to let go. Through my tears I began to get ready for church, wondering in my heart and mind what our 1st Sunday would look like without him being up front. How would this affect our church body? What's next? How do we move forward in all of this? Questions bombarded my thoughts. As I was driving to church I heard God speak very loudly and clearly-DON'T LOOK BACK!

You see when I start reflecting on how God has used this man, Joey Butler, my pastor to spur me on to all God has for my life I break. I have had many wonderful leaders in my life. Many men and women of God who have had an integral part of my journey with Christ and have helped me take significant steps in my walk...coming to Gateway Church 5 years ago was life changing for me. I was taught how to find my identity in Scripture, I was empowered to discover and do what God has made me to be, I was given incredible opportunity and I have grown greatly under Joey's leadership. I've never had a pastor so unique as Joey-I appreciate so much his out of the box thinking, teaching and living. In light of the changes taking place-I get very overwhelmed and selfishly sad as I look back...I grieve, I cry...I'm not ready to let go. And I hear God say again-DON'T LOOK BACK!

When I look forward and see the beauty of the news-I rejoice for my pastor and his family-God is giving them time to have together...looking even further ahead and trying to view things in light of eternity I rejoice that Joey will be one day {as we all will be} in the very presence of Christ. I'm reminded that it doesn't get any better than that and that is truly what our lives here on earth are about...right? When I step outside of my human thinking into His eternal thinking I truly rejoice...and I have to admit I'm a bit jealous.

The message at church today was timely-moving as the Spirit leads-not stopping when we are stirred. Part of the message led to Philippians 3 and there it was again-DON'T LOOK BACK!


I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:12-14 NLT)


I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. (Philippians 3:12-16 MSG)

God has done great things through my pastor and I have no doubt that He will continue to do so and if anything, Joey has inspired and motivated me to keep pressing on, never settle for less than total commitment to Christ...no matter what obstacles come.

Life is short and I for too long have been looking back...when the BEST {eternity with Christ} is yet to come. Someone said once that in light of eternity our life on earth is merely 7 seconds long. SEVEN SECONDS. Today God has challenged me to take ALL the lessons I have been taught by so many great leaders-especially Joey Butler-and make sure that I'm not just looking back "reminiscing" about them but truly to LIVE THEM OUT LOUD!

So for me "I'm off and running-and I'm not looking back!" {and I'm so incredibly grateful for my pastor who has literally shown me through his life what that looks like!}