This is a Big Weekend. Not only is it one of the biggest weekends for all people around the world who are followers of Jesus Christ, it is also special for an additional reason. Thirty-eight years ago, (April 19, 1987 on Easter Sunday) my wife Linda and I had the privilege of being spiritual mid-wives. We helped God birth one of His churches, Cape Christian.
Along with Two Other Couples, we locked our arms in a common vision to reach young un-churched families. Starting the first church in Cape Coral, Florida that was entirely focused on using contemporary worship music, down-to-earth messages, and relevant ministry to inspire and transform families, we have been Loving God and Loving People for nearly four decades now. This weekend, approximately ten thousand people will gather at our ten services on two campuses to worship the Resurrected Christ!
The Most Frequent Question that my wife and I have been asked over this past year as our weekly worship attendance has soared to over 6,000 people on a regular basis, is this one: “Are you surprised?” Our response has become standardized. “Not surprised. Always in awe.”
I’m Not Surprised. The longer I walk in the footsteps of the Waymaker, the more I see His power and ability “to do exceedingly above and beyond anything I could ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). God has always blown through ceilings His people have constructed. The Bible is full of examples. I serve an amazingly big God. So why should I be surprised when God shows up and does something that He gave us dreams and visions of and we saw elsewhere, planned for, prepared for, and intentionally worked toward?
Always in Awe. I’m in awe that I am seeing a long-time vision fulfilled. I acknowledge that is way too rare in my profession. I’m also in awe that God would use me…a farm boy who went to a three-room country school in Oregon. But when I pause to think about it, God has always used teenage virgins, carpenters, shepherds, fishermen, tax collectors, grape-stompers and other ordinary people. Yet, I’m in awe He has worked through us.
So, on this Easter Weekend, I will continue to live with awe at God’s resurrection power to radically transform lives and change the legacy of whole families for many generations to come. He’s been at it right before our eyes for decades now and why should I ever be surprised at His goodness and grace.
Have a blessed Easter!
Dennis
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