All of Life is Sacred

Prior to 2005, I spent much of my time in the work of church planting- in various forms and roles. Durig that season, which lasted 5 years or more, I never doubted that God was behind the work I was doing. I had no difficulty asking Him to bless the work that I had put my heart, mind and soul into.

Now I find myself in a very different season of life; being a husband, a father, and the owner (along with my wife) of a new and growing business. I have to say that in this new season, I have been surprised by the degree to which God is encouraging my efforts and blessing my endeavors. When I was a church planter I never questioned how much He was behind me. I can't say I felt exactly the same as I entered this new chapter.

And yet- now that I've walked this path for a little while- I am convinced that He is fully behind these new responsibilities- as much so as He was the old ones. That is to say, that any vestige of the old sacred/secular dichotomy has been completed obliterated in the experience of this new season. God is for me; that hasn't changed.

However, my point is not to say that He is completely for me regardless of what I do- although that's true (within certain parameters of course). My point is that He is the author of this new season. I feel as if I am very much in the center of His will. In terms of character formation- which is the real goal in this life, there's no doubt in my mind that I've already been forced to grow in ways, that church planting never demanded of me- though it too had its challenges to be sure.

"All of life is sacred and potentially Spirit-bearing" - so the ancient Orthodox saying goes. This new husband, new father, and new businessman is finding that to be very true here at the onset of the 21st century.