Let's Pray

Saturday night here in the homestead. Energy is high here - we are eagerly awaiting the birth of Williamson number 5 - our third precious child. I can't believe that within a few days I'll be leading a family of five.

There are a lot of things going on these days that I have trouble believing. I can't believe how quickly time has passed. I've been married to Rachel for six years, Aisha Grace is...huge, breathtakingly beautiful, and freaks me out with how much she is growing up. Gabriel is a growling, belly laughing, spaghetti throwing, bug squishing, stick sword wielding masterpiece with a killer smile and great motorcycle sound effects.

As I'm writing this, there are a few ladies gathering in the living room by the fireplace discussing another baby that's about to make its debut as well. It doesn't seem like that long ago that Pathways Church didn't even exist in my mind - that is beyond the faintest whisper in my ear and tug on my heart.

I'll never forget just over a year ago I was in Oregon. Praying. Agonizing, really. Suddenly in my mind, I saw myself like a newborn baby. Naked, helpless, umbilical cord still attached. As I watched, the cord was clamped and cut. This spoke to me deeply then about the painful detachment I was feeling from the place I had called home for years. Seeing myself lying there helpless now, I spoke up to God. "See, Lord. What am I supposed to do? How can I do anything for you? How am I supposed to get to where you are sending me?" Just then I heard the Lord reply, "I'm going to pick you up and carry you exactly where I need you."

That vision set the stage for the attitude we've carried throughout this entire process. God has blessed us in ways that our earthly minds might twist to create some inward feeling of confidence in our flesh - some feeling of having graduated from utter dependance as an infant. Throughout this process, we have celebrated major victories. We rejoice for a moment, breathe deeply, look at the mountain ahead of us, and remember that all these things are simply a sign that we are being carried in the arms of someone who knows what He is doing.

There is an energy in my spirit - kind of a butterflies feeling mixed with the same excited anticipation I used to feel as a kid the night before a trip to a theme park. Over the next several weeks, we are anticipating miracles on several fronts. We'll be solidifying our launch location. We're kicking off weekly 'preview' services. We're bringing on a worship leader. We're beginning a fund raising campaign in which we've got to raise a lot of money.

Outwardly, we are standing tall. We are boldly broadcasting our vision, fearlessly plowing forward, confidently making tough decisions, and loudly proclaiming truth to people who are far from God. Inwardly, we are a naked, helpless child in the warm arms of his Dad.

I ask you to join us. If you're reading this, there's no doubt you know us. Hopefully you love us. Possibly you feel some sort of joy and kindred connection with what God is doing here. I wouldn't be surprised if you did - that is the way the Spirit works! As we watch each other journey onward to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of us, there is an inward, divine joy that springs up from the same Spirit that flows in the depths of all of us and taps into the joy of a very proud Heavenly Father watching His children.

Join us in being strong. Rejoice with us. Plow forward with us. Tell people about what God is doing here. Be filled with the same fire and restless passion that propels us forward to reach a hopeless world.

Please, join us in being weak. Join us in holding Abba's hand. We have a lot of decisions to make, a lot of money to raise, a lot of puzzle pieces to fit together, and an enemy that wants to destroy it all. We have a precious baby about to enter the world, and a Momma that is going to need incredible strength to handle three little ones. Pray with us. Fast with us. Unite with us under the banner of "desperately needy".

There will be a lot to say over the next few months. Regardless of what details emerge, I know we'll be rejoicing - He's taking us right where we need to be.

I surrender all

Jeremy