DAY 23: "Amazing, Actually" by Daniel Monaghan

DAY TWENTY-THREE: "Amazing, Actually" by Daniel Monaghan

Amazing. A word that we throw around quite casually and carelessly. During the recent Olympics it was used almost incessantly. Michael Phelps! Amazing! Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin! Amazing! Usain Bolt! Amazing! That Opening Ceremony! Amazing! Perhaps that casualness is why I am reluctant to use the word ‘Amazing’ in describing the birth and growth of The Church at Trace Crossing or especially my own involvement in TC2. But I find myself using that word over and over again.

It was two years ago (Wednesday, September 20, 2006 to be exact), that I acted on a decision (a commitment, actually, more to myself than to God) to show up at the furniture market to see if I could find a group of people (of whom I knew a total of one) who, over the past few months I had discovered, were in the process of beginning a new church. Amazing. I had first heard in the early spring that there were a few folks meeting and praying about starting this new church, but what lead me to make this decision?

In early summer I had received a message on CD that someone close to me thought I ought to hear. I listened and was positively impacted. Amazing. (I have heard LOTS of messages on CD) But I took no further action at that time. On August 29, I received an email containing a link to a blog by an unknown (at least to me) blogger – “coincidentally” the same person whose message was on the CD. The sender HIGHLY suggested I read the blog (Ancient Road, Modern World). I did so immediately. Amazing. (If you have not read it, you must!) I was overwhelmed, although my response to the sender was a quite-understated “got it fine…good read…who is this guy?” The sender responded with “This is the pastor the people … have called for their pastor. This is the new church name. The Church at Trace Crossing. He will be here Sept 24th.” Amazing.

This immediately sent me off on a series of ‘Google searches’ over several days, which led me to Brook Hills’s website and to Sophie’s blogspot – BooMama! After reading all that I could and exchanging a coupla emails with Sophie on September 15, I got an email from Kevin Wood and from Brad Mikels. With what I had read and heard I told Sophie and Kevin that I intended to show up the following Wednesday at the furniture market. I did. Amazing.

As I drove around the building a coupla times, just about deciding to leave, I finally saw a few cars. I told the lady that I saw as I pulled into a parking spot that I was looking for some folks starting a new church, to which she said “you’re in the right place”. Amazing. Michelle Taylor could not have spoken more accurately (perhaps even prophetically). The next person I met was a ‘big, burly’ young man, I guessed of about 30 years, who was keeping several young children, outside at that moment. Amazing. (Michael, I don't think I have ever told ya just how much that impressed me, but it really did!)

Going into the room where we were to gather, I met several more folks – with none of whom I had any previous direct connection, strangers you might say, but somehow they really weren’t. The first clue I really had of ‘something happening here’ (any ‘70’s kids out there?) was when a couple of the couples were talking about a single mother that the group had been helping with basic needs – yes, including school supplies! (I seem to recall saying to myself – YES!!) I think there were probably approaching 20 people that night – I didn’t meet everyone.

As I sat there listening, not saying a word, quite naturally, I was totally overwhelmed. I just sat there, and coming as close to actually hearing the Voice of God as I ever have, heard Him say, “I am doing a work here – in, with and thru these people!” Amazing. AND, on the drive home that night, “YOU are to be a part of this!” What? I don't know any of these people – the only one I knew was not there! But He was clear. Me, THE stranger part of this new work? Amazing.

You see, God had been providing me a ‘divine discontent’ for several years. I had told my pastor a coupla years earlier that I was just so tired of “playing church” (a phrase that would resonate much more as time went by) Later I would tell him I just could NOT play church any longer, and had been telling close friends for the same few years that I was feeling that God wanted me in a new work - didn’t have a clue what that meant. That night, I got the Clue! Amazing.

Now, two years later, to see what God continues to do in that new work is, well yeh – Amazing. So many people having been drawn by God to this new work. So many people NOT ‘playing church’. Not even ‘doing church’. But BEING THE CHURCH. Being Jesus to people. So many people with the freedom to worship God so passionately (Loving God). So many people reaching out to those in need – spiritually, emotionally and yes, physically and materially (Loving People). Not with condemnation. But in Grace. In Love. And not just to those who look like them, or dress like them or live by them, but to all. To all. Wherever, Whenever, and yes Whosoever! Loving, Living, Leading…’So many people, One passion’ is not just a slogan, it is fact and mission and well…

Amazing, Actually

My prayer for Trace Crossing:
Gracious Father, Enduring Friend, would you allow us always to be amazed by your Grace and that you would use us as instruments of that Grace to those around us, never condemning but always reaching out. And would you allow us to be continually amazed by your Love. Make us channels of that Love and never allow us to become complacent, apathetic or passive… Continue to help us recognize your Great and Awesome Being, to worship you appropriately and passionately…Continue to make us always sensitive to your voice, and make us bold always to follow your lead up close…wherever, whenever to whomever…