This is hard! 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 reminds us that weak, low, and despised are qualities God looks for, and he chooses these qualities on purpose…for a purpose.

After reading this passage we might know, in a sense, that God loves to use the weak and broken. We may find encouragement when we read about underdog victories in a Bible story or missionary biography. As a pastor, I often teach others about it. But when this becomes personal, it’s almost always unpleasant and uncomfortable when God wants to highlight our weaknesses. Which is why I have occasionally wished that God would have chosen someone else for this assignment. I’m just incapable of the task.

However, in growing dependance on Him, I fully trust that He has a strategic purpose for this assignment of planting and pastoring Awakening Church. One that, if embraced, will transform my weaknesses into a source of joy, instead of shame.

As I reflect on my past assignments, I’m reminded that the greatest thing that God is continually teaching me is to trust Him more. Which means that God would never call me (or you) to any kingdom duty I am capable of pulling off on my own. When it comes to doing anything that is intended to display God’s glory, declare his word to a resistant culture, deploy on mission to see others discover Jesus, “Who [in the world] is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:16).

Weaknesses are necessary qualifications for God’s servants to reiterate the fact that we are not sufficient. Our weaknesses…the very things we struggle with and are embarrassed about…are a critical part of the mission He gave us. They are part of God’s strategy to reveal himself to the world. It’s through our weaknesses (more than our strengths) that God demonstrates that he exists and rewards those who trust and seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

My weaknesses urge me to press deeper in my faith. The times in my life when I’ve asked the hardest questions, when I struggled the most, and doubted God’s presence and abilities was when my faith grew the most. 

The depths of God’s love can often be known best in the depths of despair.

Our weaknesses are a significant way in which God’s strength is continually revealed to the world. Because in our weaknesses, people can see that the only strength we have comes from God.

As God teaches me to depend on Him, nothing helps me grow in dependence like the desperation that comes from an assignment that can’t be done without Him. The faith of Awakening Church is being strengthened as we grow closer to Jesus and live deployed on mission in Seattle. 

2019 is off to a great start as we engage our community with The Good News of Jesus. The relationships that are developing and the opportunities for serving, teaching, and expanding our reach are encouraging. We have engaged more through volunteering in ESL classes, starting a new women’s bible study, expanding our existing City Groups, and serving the homeless community.

This past week my Chinese friend, Jin Lin, stopped me after an ESL bible class that I was teaching. Jin Lin is not a believer, but about a year ago I encouraged him to begin reading a chapter of the bible each day and to pray for God to reveal himself to him. Much to my surprise, he had been reading and asking God to reveal himself! He mentioned that he often has a difficult time understanding parts of the bible and wondered if he could come by my office each week after class to talk about what he had read. “YES!,” I replied, “of course you can.” He was hesitant to ask because he knows I have a busy schedule. But I explained to him that I would cancel just about anything on my calendar to spend that time with him. 

My favorite day of the week is Sunday…but not for the obvious pastoral reasons (and not football). Each week we have a core team prayer/praise time 30 minutes before our worship service. During this time I share what God has been up to in and through my life over the past week. We go around the room and others share about the activity of God in their lives and ways we can pray for one another. It’s the most encouraging and motivating time of the week to see how God is using Awakening Church in our city. Each one of us is incapable of the task that God has given us as ambassadors for Christ. We all have weaknesses that are driving us to a greater dependence on Jesus. It’s through these weaknesses that God is demonstrating that he exists and rewards those who trust and seek him!

Thank you for your partnership with Awakening Church. The gospel breakthroughs and transformed lives are a direct result of your faithfulness in praying and financial giving. We are reminded often as we pray for our partners that we are here because of the call of God on our lives and the faithfulness of His people.

Please continue to pray for these specific things…

• Our family as we search for a Sunday morning helper for our daughter that would allow Kathy to engage in greater ways.
• Feb. 3-13 we have a team headed to India to teach at a pastors retreat, preach in several Indian churches, and host multiple prayer meetings in 3 difference cities with our ministry partners.
• Faithfulness in equipping people for ministry and growing Awakening Church in a healthy & God-honoring way.