"Do Not Be Afraid"
 
Several of the women here at Trinity have been doing a book study on Max Lucado’s book, Glory Days. This book charts the progress and perils which arise when the people of God actually enter the Promised Land.
 
As I was reading the other day, I couldn’t help but think about how this opportunity we have been given with MCCI is not unlike the Hebrews starting their new lives in the Promised Land. For years, we have beaten our heads on the ceiling of 200 people in  weekly attendance, we have tried this and we have tried that and we haven’t really moved any farther along in reaching the Promised Land…reaching people for Jesus, growing them through discipleship so they, in turn, have the desire to reach other people. We have done a little dance, so to speak, two steps forward; one step back.
 
Everyone and every church stumbles. The difference is in the response. We have an opportunity which most churches aren’t given….participating in MCCI. God told Joshua on three different occasions, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed…arise…go”.  We can do that! There is a quote in Glory Days that says “There is no future in the past! You can’t change yesterday, but you can do something about tomorrow. Put God’s plan in place.” God is giving Trinity a new plan. I believe with all my heart that this plan from MCCI is God’s plan for Trinity. Will it be easy…probably not.  Will we have to step out of our comfort zones to make it work…I’m sure we will. Does it mean we might be busier than we have before…I think you can count on it. But, like Joshua, we can put our trust in God.
 
As Max Lucado says in the book…”Picture this…We all have our hands cupped to the curtain of eternity and we listen. Do you hear them?” They our chanting our name…”TRINITY, TRINITY, TRINITY!” They are pulling for us. The men and women who pulled the logs over to build the first log church are cheering for us. The men women and children who lie buried in the cemetery across the parking lot are cheering for us. Your parents, grandparents, spouses & children who have gone before us are cheering for us. And the unnumbered children who are yet to be born are cheering for us. All of them are saying “Don’t quit!” “It’s worth it!” “Try again! With God’s help, you can do it!”
 
And, God says, “Do not be afraid…I am giving you a plan! Arise…put the plan into place. This is your time to do this for my glory”

Mary Beth Woolard