One Innocuous Decision 10 Years Ago Changed My Life

In December 2012, nearly 10 years ago, Jamie and I and our family started at Steveston Christian Church (which became Lighthouse Church Steveston, which became part of Church at the Hub). We had been married less than two years, our kids ranged in age from 6-15 years old, and we commuted every week from North Vancouver to Lord Byng Elementary School's gymnasium so we could "fill the pulpit" (i.e. minister on Sundays) until SCC found a new pastor.

It was supposed to be for one month only.

A few months later I officially became the pastor of the church, and soon after started writing (sporadically at first) weekly reflections for the church family. One of the first ones I sent out went as follows:

Welcome to another day. It's a bit chilly here in Village Books and Coffee as I write to you, my church family, but I am warming up with some assam tea with honey and milk (my British heritage will not let me put cream in tea!). As I look outside at the grey and overcast morning, I spy the very first restaurant in which Jamie and I ate here in Steveston. At the time we were simply Steveston visitors, preaching at SCC for only a month. Now, a year and a bit later, we call Richmond home, SCC our church family, and Steveston Village our parish.

Who knows where the small events in our lives will lead? There may be something small going on in your life right now, but that small thing could lead to monumental, God-ordained change. Are you and I willing to go there with Him - to that unknown (to us) place?...

I wrote those words after being in Steveston for a little over a year. Now, 10 years later, I could write the exact same words with a name change, and they would ring as true today as they did then.

I had no idea that saying yes to coming to Steveston for a month would lead to a beautiful life with you. I had no idea the Hub would exist, nor Church at the Hub, nor all the deep friendships that have been built over the past 10 years in church and in the Village.

Even though preaching at Steveston "for a month" seemed like a small thing, it led to something big, beautiful, deep, and rich, the result of which Jamie and I could never have pictured in our minds ten years ago.

The reason I share this with you is because it emphasizes the importance of listening to and obeying God even in the small decisions we make.

God is always on the move. The Hub is the result of God being on the move. Church at the Hub is the result of God being on the move. As God's presence saturated Lighthouse Steveston and Gather Steveston, he led us to this place, together, and my participation in this beautiful story came as a result of a small decision ten years ago.

Similarly, because God is still on the move, those seemingly innocuous choices today can lead to unforeseen, momentous results. We never know, so we listen to Jesus and obey the leading of his Spirit in our lives to the best of our ability, even in the small stuff.

"If you are faithful in little [steps], you will be faithful in large ones."

~ Jesus, in Luke 16:10

PAUSE and REFLECT: As written almost ten years ago, "There may be something small going on in your life right now, but that small thing could lead to monumental, God-ordained change."

Our job is not to try to discern what small thing is actually a big thing. That will always remain unknown to us, as it should. Rather, our job is to do our best to listen and follow. Or, maybe put another way, our job is not to sweat the small steps ("Is this an important decision or not"), but be faithful in the small steps ("Your will be done").

Does this mean we have to stop and pray before every decision we make (e.g. should I park in this spot or that spot)? Of course not. That's impossible, inane, and trite. The invitation is for something much more powerful.

Because God's presence saturates our lives, we do not need to rush in and out with a quick "help me" prayer (even though that's a biblical prayer!). We can sit, soak, listen, and be filled with love and the desire to do his will.

As we experience union with God in our daily lives, his presence naturally affects our decision-making. Gut decisions in the moment can be God-inspired. Logical thinking and rational decision-making can be steeped in God's wisdom. How? By spending time in God's presence even before being tasked with making a decision.

Of course, we still pray for guidance when given the opportunity, but we can always carry with us a listening ear and a surrendered will, which only happens through communion with God.

Today you will take small steps, and those small decisions may lead to a large, beautiful life. How might you ensure you're in the best posture possible to listen to and obey Jesus?

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Photo by Joao Tzanno on Unsplash