My Own Way of "Chasing Slow" {...the sweetness of church life...}
If you haven’t been to Harvest Church in 3 or 4 years…you haven’t been to Harvest church.
Oh, for real. It’s not the same place. Not outside. Not inside. Not in its atmosphere, or its people. God has been gathering those who resonate with the New Covenant Gospel from the east, west, north, and south…from England and Sweden, from Washington State (no, really…they moved here…to go to church here), from New Mexico and from across our “Maker’s City” of Knoxville.
Pandemic be damned. (I promise, that is not gratuitous swearing. I really mean it.)
We are growing so beautifully…because our goal is not “growth”. Our goal, as stated by The Preacher (my husband) is health. I can’t get over what the Holy Spirit is doing in our midst.
…one of our good friends, and literally one of our neighbors. His name is Derek, and he serves relentlessly, with such a presence of God on him! If you come through our front doors, you will be greeted - in the deepest voice you’ve ever heard - by this dear one.
But tonight, I simply want to share what church life means to me, on a very personal level.
As an artist, I can't make art that resonates with others, if I don't resonate within my own self. In other words, if I don't “live the life of an artist”, my creativity becomes knock-off, wooden, safe, and the same as it has always been.
For me, every time I go up the steps of #harvestchurchknoxville, I know I am actually slowing down to live an authentic life, instead of just talking about "chasing slow". I know I will encounter Jesus through real people in real time. There is no substitute for authenticity. I can't slow down, make time, give and receive, and soak in Presence second-hand. I have to physically show up.
You could say that because I'm the preacher's wife, I "have" to show up.
If you think that for one minute...well...you don't know me, do you? I've been a lover of Christ's “body” and “bride” (two Biblical metaphors for “church”) for as long as I can remember - and the depth and grit and soul and joy and heartbreak that comes with forging relationships with people in ONE local church - the same church, for almost 30 years, has made me who I am today.
I wouldn't trade it for any other lifestyle. God's my witness on that one. It is the most creative, flourishing life. Why? Because God promised if we stick and stay, that is the inevitable result.
“Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,…”
There are many people on Instagram who follow me for my #SundayOOTD , “Sunday Selfie Posts” alone :)))
I owe much to this one, grounding, deepening, soul-stirring discipline: physically gathering my flawed self with flawed friends on a Sunday. God somehow turns water to wine, every dang time.
You could say that what I do today is an investment into my own development as an artist. But of course, it is so much more. You could say that being a die-hard celebrant has kept me flourishing well into my older years.
You'd be right. Nothing pleases God and hones your gifts like The Gathering.