Last Sunday was a difficult day in some ways and a day of praise in others. Pastor Laura of The Way Middleton announced to the congregation that our small church would soon be part of Christian Faith Center (CFC) in Nampa. Our new name will be CFC Middleton.
The transition will begin in a few months and probably take a few months, with an ‘unveiling’ sometime in early Autumn. The goal of both churches is to reach Middleton with the Gospel of Christ Jesus. There is both a sense of excitement and the grief that comes with change – even good change.
I truly believe this is an answer to years of prayer for our church and our community. I believe it is of God. But … I still must recognize that as I see the familiar give way to something different, I will mourn the loss.
The morning after the announcement my daily verse was a confirmation from the opening verse of Isaiah 25:1: “Yahweh, You are my God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.” [HCSB]
“Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.” Long before I ever came to that little church in Middleton, long before we changed the name to “The Way,” long before we ever prayed for revival, for souls, for our church and city, long before … God had plans formed according to His perfect faithfulness for what would happen there.
God did not quite answer in the way I expected Him to, but then it is my responsibility to fit into His plans, not His responsibility to fit into mine!
LORD, I will exalt You, I will praise your Holy Name for all You will accomplish in our Middleton community. And in my own heart. Amen
