The Heaven's Declare...

It's only July 21st and this summer has been a summer of ministry like I have not experienced.  There have been days of stretching, days of filling and days of pouring.

God's grace has required more.  He has stretched my willingness, challenged my motives and revealed my shortfalls...all for His glory.

God's grace has given more.  He has opened my eyes, softened my heart and filled me with greater discernment...all for His glory.

God's grace has been poured out more.  He has caused some to desire Him, shown His people greater depths of His fullness, and has placed a constant flow of servants in my path to pour my heart into...all for His glory.

This summer has had plenty of struggles, plenty of victories and plenty of circumstances that were and some that remain uncertain.  Closing out a couple of months of ministry unlike anything I have experienced...I share this picture.

This picture (taken by Jason Carlton) captures the essence of everything experienced this summer.  Six months ago as I was praying about how God would desire NEXT camp to spend it's Tuesday night, I desperately hoped for an avenue to describe the glory/majesty of Christ.  After a few days of prayer, a verse popped into my mind that would decide our Tuesday night plans, "The heavens declare the glory of God..." (Psalm 19:1). We would spend the evening under the stars in a time of worship with song and Scripture.  For six long months, the major thought was, "God, let there be clear skies...otherwise this night will never work."  In the end, the stars serve only as a reminder of the lesson learned this night.  

You see, this same Tuesday we lost electricity at camp 30 minutes prior to worship.  As we adjusted the worship and preaching time to be held outside on a hill, there was no concern as to what would be done after the sun went down.  God's people were at peace as the plans God had given for the night were the ONLY plans that could have happened without electricity.  For six months I was concerned about clouds in the sky...but in hindsight, God knew that the lack of electricity would steal the show.  

We are all going through a lot in our lives, we have many reasons to fret and be concerned.  We think, "If only this one thing will work out, then it will be okay!"  Allow these stars to remind you of the lesson I learned Tuesday night.  Whether God's grace is stretching, filling or pouring you out...It is not about you, but it is all for His glory.  

His plan is good, perfect and complete...the details have been considered and accounted for before you knew a thing.  The heavens truly do declare the glory of God...find peace in your place as you gaze into the skies tonight.