how did this all start?

by Rick Horton - September 2001

So what was it that happened almost two years ago? Did a few people have the same heartburn at the same time? Did someone somewhere put on a huge conference that inspired, moved and motivated hundreds to make things more "post-modern?" Was it some advertising campaign that so influenced the individuals and groups to put aside career plans and change the whole direction of how they would do life? Or was it something the Spirit of God had been longing to for years and in response to the "prayers of the saints" He was able to draw out (or "call out") those who were ready? I know that without a doubt we would all have to agree it was the latter. It was and continues to be the very hand of God, a thought that even as it falls off this page throws me into a mound of emotion, tears welling up, a lump in the heart and a smile on my face because no one gets any credit but God.

Just yesterday a friend and I were talking over coffee and he shared another story of what God was doing in the life of an acquaintance and the house churches he is connected with. As we hear more and more of these stories they all start in the same way, "Almost two years ago . . ." "A little over a year and a half ago . . ." "God started shaking things up in my heart about twenty four months ago." I can't help but wonder what Jesus had put in the water, or if we had finally allowed Him to turn into wine again so we could say, "You saved the best for last." I'm not trying to be prophetic or profound I simply know that I feel this way these days. After over fifteen years of full-time ministry and a great church planting experience, this past two years of wrestling with what Jesus was asking me to be has truly been the best years of my life. Not knowing what to do, how to do it or even fully why (except for the fact that it is where we believed the Holy Spirit was leading us) we need to be the church that met in our home gave opportunity for change that was necessary. For me this season created a greater passion for truly loving God with a natural overflow of deeply loving people. These two things I was convinced were part of my former life, yet with motives that were less than honorable. It's crazy when I think about it. Still it proves again the grace and mercy of our God.

So the journey continues for us all. The challenge will be to remain humble in our proceedings; continuously giving credit and honor where it is due and leaving judgment and criticism as far from our lips and "pens" as our foot is from our mouth. Enough said. We are in this together and God only knows where He is taking us.