While in many ways we are just beginning, the journey to plant Eastside Christian Church has already proven to be one of the most exciting and challenging experiences of our lives that is sharpening our convictions and deepening our faith. The invaluable lessons learned along the way have inspired six core convictions, the values that shape the way we live and serve God.
We hold these core values closely because they are a direct reflection of the way we have experienced God’s power and provision as he leads us to plant Eastside Orlando. A few of these values are the natural overflow of the pursuit of God’s calling while others have been realized only through his gracious and gentle rebuke.
Such is the case with our value “take action.”
While I anxiously anticipate all that God can accomplish through a lifetime of faithfulness I often find it difficult to take a step in his direction until I’m sure that I can perfectly navigate whatever comes next. My desire for perfection often paralyzes my progress.
Carey Nieuwhof recently wrote “Conditions will never be perfect for you to act. Fear disguises itself as perfectionism.”
It has taken me a long time to realize that my desire for perfection is deeply rooted in a fear of failure, the fear that I might ruin what God has entrusted to us.
Through his grace God is teaching me to take action, realizing God can fix our mistakes but he cannot fix inaction. I’m not suggesting that we should make reckless decisions expecting God to clean up the mess. On the contrary, I believe that our confidence to step into the miracle should always be the result of leaning in and seeking God's direction. However, once we are confident in his calling we must take action or risk forfeiting the miracle.
Even our mistakes have the potential to be the platform for God’s greatest miracles.
As Joshua was leading the conquest of the Promised Land, driving out the inhabitants before Israel he made a monumental mistake. The people of Gibeon, an enemy nation, tricked him into making a treaty with them.
The men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them… (Joshua 9:14–15 ESV)
Not only were Joshua and the Israelites prevented then from driving the people of Gibeon out of their land, the covenant positioned Israel as their allies. When Gibeon was besieged by neighboring nations Joshua was obligated to assemble the army of Israel to provide protection.
Just when it seemed like Joshua’s mistake would lead to catastrophic consequences for God’s people, God performed one of the most incredible miracles in all of human history. While Israel was driving out the nations before them…
…the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel. (Joshua 10:13–14 ESV)
God delivered Israel from Joshua’s mistake in such a powerful way he extended the day to guarantee victory, setting the stage for one of the greatest miracles in human history.
Scripture is saturated with stories like this that call God’s people to lean in and take action! Even our greatest mistakes provide the platform for God’s greatest miracles. He is ready and able to accomplish immeasurably more through his people when we take action!