Seasons
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecc. 3:1 ESV).
Changing seasons are a natural part of life, present from the beginning. God created the very stars in the sky to serve “for signs and for seasons, and for days and years…lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth” (Gen. 1:14-15). By His design, some of those seasons are warm, bright, and fruitful. Others are darker and cooler, with less obvious growth. We welcome the change in seasons that brings crisp autumn air or spring’s sunlight, just as we anticipate an exciting new job opportunity, a blossoming romance, or a growing child. Other changes, though – difficult times at work, the loss of a loved one, or the end of innocence – not so much.
Yet under God’s reign, every season serves a purpose. Israel’s wilderness wandering was a time to be taught by Moses how to be God’s people before Joshua led them into receiving God’s promises in the conquest that followed. Through His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated what an abundant life of loving God and loving each other is really all about. Then led by the Spirit, Jesus’ apostles went out and proclaimed how He makes it possible for our lives to become that way, too. In every instance, there were bright days and dark nights, delightful progress and painful failures. All of it advanced a purpose: God’s. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
The years of 2018 through 2023 have proven to be such a season in the life of the Georgetown Church of Christ. Some changes have been exciting. Others, painful. And God has worked through all of it so that we might be “conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:29). That’s what happened in each of the 48 times in this season when someone was baptized. Men and women, younger and older, black, white, Hispanic – immersed in baptistries and swimming pools, rivers and oceans – they all began a lifelong journey of becoming like Jesus: “buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). Many of them are growing and bearing fruit right here. Others God has sent elsewhere – in our region; in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Connecticut; and as far away as Montana and even Germany. (A few have also wandered off, needing found by their Good Shepherd and joyfully brought home.)
All of it has been part of this season. Some planted, others watered, but God gave the growth (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6). Even as the current season ends, seed has been sown that will sprout and grow in the future in ways we don’t now know (cf. Mk. 4:26-29). If our aim continues to be to do God’s will and accomplish His work, more harvests will come, and we will rejoice (cf. Jn. 4:31-38).
Go Make Disciples
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20 ESV). Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus became King. God has given Him all authority – in heaven and on earth. He isn’t just King of what happens after we die, nor is His rule limited to Sunday mornings.
Accordingly, we aren’t “Christian” simply because we agree “Jesus is the Son of God.” He calls us to discipleship – to being His completely devoted followers, united with Him in baptism, and becoming more like Him every day. Churchgoers everywhere are familiar with this “Great Commission”; living it is less common. Because disciples don’t just study Jesus’ prayers: they learn to pray like Jesus. They watch Jesus encourage an outcast, comfort the mourning, and wash dirty feet – then they go encourage, comfort, and serve like Him. Our lives change when we really follow Jesus – and we can’t help but to share Him.
Over the past five years at the Georgetown Church of Christ, we have learned that this sort of Jesus-style discipleship can happen in a church building at regularly scheduled times. Yet, it happens more often in office breakrooms, restaurant dining rooms, and book clubs with friends; at the gym and around the family table; over video calls and on the beach.
God has used tools like Discovery Bible Studies – a simple approach to understanding, applying, and sharing Scripture – to change lives. With its sharp focus on applying the teachings of Jesus, Mission 1 discipleship training has ignited faith. Then creative events like our Ladies Fellowship or Timothy Retreat fan it into flame in fresh and exciting ways. Men and women, adults and young people, the recently baptized and lifelong churchgoers have experienced discipleship – and many are now discipling others.
Because when King Jesus reigns, text messages with links to sermons or daily devotional videos shared on Facebook are seed sown – even before they are played! An impression is made when you care enough to share. A picture of our diverse, loving church family speaks volumes. So does a group wearing those matching black “Georgetown Church of Christ – Go Make Disciples” t-shirts while out doing good. A Scripture thoughtfully shared on a beautifully designed card brings life. A small kit of essential items shared compassionately with someone in need spreads love. A heartfelt note sent to a new neighbor opens a door.
When Jesus is King, every effort matters: He is with us.
Pray Without Ceasing
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18 ESV). Ever wonder what God’s will for you is? This. Maybe that seems too simple or impractical: isn’t prayer just how you bless food, close meetings, or get children ready for bed? Sadly, some Christians limit their view of prayer to a public speaking role at church or a way to convince God to do something (cf. Matt. 6:5-8). Yet, there is power when God’s people pray (cf. Jam. 5:16).
Jesus believed that so strongly He would rise “very early in the morning, while it was still dark” to pray (Mk. 1:35). After physically and emotionally exhausting days of teaching and healing, He’d “withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Lk. 5:16). Privately before big decisions, with His closest friends before major moments, and in the presence of hurting people needing to experience God’s love and power – Jesus prayed (cf. Lk. 6:12-13; Lk. 9:28-29; Jn. 11:41-42). He personally found in prayer the strength to do God’s will – and even to forgive His killers while they killed Him (cf. Matt. 26:36-46, Lk. 23:34). With His dying breath, Jesus prayed (cf. Lk. 23:46).
After His resurrection and ascension, His first followers understood the assignment: right away, men and women “with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14). Prayer was an essential element of their new lives (cf. Acts 2:42, 3:1). They prayed in response to challenging events and gained boldness (cf. Acts 4:23-31). Prayer was the event, gathering for that sole, earnest purpose (cf. Acts 12:5, 12). Through their fasting and praying together, the Spirit’s direction was discerned, leaders committed, disciples strengthened, and doors opened to God’s Word (cf. Acts 13:1-3, 14:21-28).
At the Georgetown Church of Christ, we have sought to grow in this since 2018. We’ve had Bible studies, training sessions, and prayer breakfasts devoted to not just talking about prayer but praying like Jesus together. Participating in community events like the National Day of Prayer or hosting our own prayer vigils, we’ve sought to grow into a people devoted to prayer. Instead of saying, “I’ll pray for you” (and forgetting to), we are becoming people who pray on the spot, in the hearing of the person in need. We’ve paired off to affirm each other in uplifting prayer and gathered in small groups praying and fasting over painful challenges as well as exciting opportunities to advance Christ’s kingdom. Through it, family relationships have been strengthened, bonds between Christian brothers and sisters forged, servants set apart for important work, and doors for doing God’s will opened.
But we’re not done yet. We still have room to grow. We need still more brothers and sisters regularly engaging in this kind of heartfelt, relational, Christ-like prayer. We need God’s will to be done still more on earth as it is in heaven.
Way in the Wilderness
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isa. 43:19 ESV).
Unprecedented. Challenging times. Abundance of caution. None of these turns of phrase originated in 2020, but they will forever be associated with the global pandemic that began that year. None were spared its devastating effects. Beyond the obvious impacts to life and health – with many still mourning the death and disability it wrought – the enemy used the scourge of COVID-19 to dramatically accelerate the fraying in personal relationships and societal bonds while simultaneously stirring economic turmoil and political strife. Markets and supply chains still haven’t returned to normal. Students still lag academically. Church attendance is measured as “pre-“ and “post-COVID”.
While God addressed ancient Israel through Isaiah when literal exile loomed, many Christians today feel like we have been wandering in the wilderness. It’s impossible to reflect on the past five years without acknowledging just how harsh this desert has been. Yet, even in such an inhospitable climate, it is equally undeniable: God has been doing a new thing. Ways have been made. Rivers of living water have flowed.
Don’t believe me? Ask yourself: how many church services have you livestreamed? Until recently, if you were sick, traveling, or shut-in, you simply missed out on the corporate life of the church. While it is indisputably a poor substitute for gathering in-person, a new opportunity to connect now exists. At the Georgetown Church of Christ specifically, “daily devos” have become part of our vocabulary: videos, podcasts, and blogposts equip us to grow more like Jesus and share Him more readily than ever before. This season presented us with the opportunity of becoming more like the bold believers of the first century (cf. Acts 2:42). And many are, as young faith ignites and new leaders develop.
If not for COVID-19, would our congregation ever have delivered dozens of care packages to sick people or hosted not one but two prayer vigils outside of our local hospital? Would our children have graffitied a doctors’ office with encouraging Bible verses or our adults showered an entire graduating class with cards? Even apart from COVID-19, who would ever have included on a five-year ministry plan: serving food to an IT team working round-the-clock in response to a ransomware attack; sharing the gospel with multiple inmates (especially when visitation wasn’t allowed); or leading people to Jesus through loving actions at a funeral? Who would imagine a small-ish church in coastal South Carolina directly impacting headline-grabbing global events like the collapse of Afghanistan’s government or the war in Ukraine?
God would. Because ultimately, He is the one doing a new thing, making ways, and pouring out rivers. Our challenge – and His invitation – is to perceive it.
With Reverence and Awe
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29 ESV).
Worship isn’t a service you attend, but one that you offer; not somewhere you go, but something you do. Christians do not gather on Sunday mornings to be a passive audience for a performance by the most talented members: we gather to personally worship God with gratitude, reverence, and awe.
And what is that if not emotion? Sometimes we overcompensate for American churchgoers’ consumeristic tendencies by acting as though our feelings have no place in worship – but that’s wrong. The great commandment of Scripture is for us to love God with all that we are: heart, soul, and might (cf. Deut. 6:5). Placed right in the heart of our Bibles is a God-breathed songbook that meets us in whatever emotional state we are in and invites us to bring it to Him in worship. He deserves it, too. How could you not smile when you remember all the good God has done for you? What could you do except weep as you remember all the painful moments through which He stood by your side? Worship, done right, transports us. We are invited through a door into heaven! No matter where we are or what we are going through, we get to experience God’s presence now.
At the Georgetown Church of Christ…we haven’t mastered this yet. But we’re learning. Since 2018, we have learned new songs – All to Us, Oceans, Join the Song, Shield About Me, O Praise the Name (Anastasis), Goodness of God, and many more – that stir our hearts with words lifted right out of Scripture. We’ve rediscovered hymns with timeless power – like Be Thou My Vision and Jesus, Rose of Sharon – as we practice submitting to one another out of our reverence for Christ (cf. Eph. 5:21). Then God sent us musicianary Keith Lancaster to lead us through a Praise and Harmony Songfest weekend. Not only was an all-time record set of 173 people worshipping in our building at one time, but it stirred us to strive for 100% participation and worship that seamlessly flows with celebratory energy.
And who exudes that energy better than our children? Much like the children in the temple cried out praising Jesus upon His triumphant arrival, our aim has not been to separate or distract our children on Sundays but to integrate and engage them (cf. Matt. 21:15-16). Our Primary Praise class helped us to make great strides with that, teaching our elementary school age students the fundamentals of singing and instilling a heart that wants to praise God in our assemblies – not to mention in our homes, beaches, nursing homes, and even parking lots, as our different events provided the opportunity.
This is what God has done. This is the unshakable kingdom we can and should be so thankful to receive. To God be the glory. Praise God.