On the back burner…wandering the wilderness…the dry areas of dead churches…many of you have been there. When I came back to Arizona, somewhat unexpectedly and suddenly, I couldn’t find a church home. A family where I was celebrated, not just tolerated.
Some of the congregations I sat with made me feel like I was in an old rowboat stranded on the shore far away from the river. While being encouraged to help bail out buckets of sand from the boat, I was regaled about how glorious a past visitation God was.
Some were lively and the presence of heaven was near, but endless programs, events, multiple works, (“don’t forget to sign up for the nursery, usher, prayer team, ect.”), seemed to take pre-eminence and the overall “business” washed away the personal and sacred connection I was hungry for.
Now, don’t get me wrong here, I know first hand that “Church” often times is spelled “W-O-R-K” and that there is a lot to do while it is still “day”. But I’m not interested in filling up a to-do list and launch out without God’s wisdom, anointing, presence. I know where that leads and it is an empty, dry, frustrating place.
My first tentative visits to House of Mercy, (recommended by a friend I respect), were spread out over time. About my third or fourth time, I realized I was sitting under a open heaven. How did I know?
Answers without asking came at a rate that made it hard to write down fast enough before the next one came. Insight and understanding came in waves, (rinse and repeat). Spiritual internal musings that occurred to me on my drive to the service would be touched on by Lisa or Joyce during worship.
I became a regular, (leaving my wife at home as I was still at the cautious stage), until one day she asked me, “Why won’t you invite me to come with you?” At that moment when she asked to be included, I realized that in the back my heart I had already decided that this was a safe place to go, to grow.
Since that time, I’ve watched both my wife and I grow in creativity, opportunities, open doors, and(most important) maturity. Of course there also came the prerequisite opposition that comes when you give more of yourself to heaven’s priorities.
I could say a lot here about the leaders and staff at House of Mercy, and how much they have done for my wife and I, but I know they would just point to Jesus, because that’s where all good things come from. They (leaders and congregation) have, and always will have my enduring respect and love.
David the custodian