When I was eleven years old, my family visited Disney World. It was my parents, my five year old sister, my granny and myself. I was so excited to see the Magic Kingdom for the first time; to see the Disney characters; to ride the tea cups and most of all ride Space Mountain, a roller coaster in the dark! As we approached the line for Space Mountain, the warning sign spelled out who could not ride the coaster. That sign eliminated my Dad, my Mom, my Granny, and my sister in one swoop. I was devastated as suddenly my excitement was dashed. Fortunately, a man in line with his daughter, took pity on me and offered to let me go on with them and my parents relented. My excitement returned.
Unlike the roller coasters at Hershey Park or Kings Dominion, where you wind through what seems like an endless maze to get on, Space Mountain took you through various displays of what future earth may look like. It was a great way to keep you entertained as you waited your turn, but for me my excitement was slowly turning to uncertainty and fear of what was to come. When finally our turn came, fear quickly took over as I looked at the two car ride and realized that I would be sitting by myself. The man and his daughter climbed in the back car and terror hit as I climbed in the front seat. There was NO turning back now! The cart slowly traveled through various bright tunnels, but at the end of those tunnels, we plummetted into pure darkness. I don't remember if I screamed or even breathed through the ride but I do remember the exhiloration and fear as I wondered what was coming next as we sped through the darkness. When the ride stopped and we got off, my body was shaking with excitement! I had survived the unknown!!
I'm kind of feeling that same mix of emotion right now. Excitement of what is to come but some fear of the unknown. The difference is, this adventure is not about an amusement park ride, but is about bringing change to a community that is hurting. The control of this ride is not someone pushing buttons or flipping switches but is controlled by the Spirit of God flowing through the people who are called to go. This is a mission for God. Mark 16:15 Jesus tells us, "Go into the all the world and preach the good news to all creation." All the world, doesn't just mean missions to forgein countries but is as close as our own backyard. Edgewood, is my backyard and frontyard and this is where God is going to make tremendous change.
I had the pleasure of attending a meeting at my church home, Mountain Christian Church, where it was unveiled the plans for a new campus, right in the middle of Edgewood, opening in September of this year! I have lived in Edgewood, for almost 20 years. I've raised my family here and my grandchildren live here. Even prior to moving to Edgewood, I would visit family here every weekend and this is where I call home. That is why I am so excited about this campus. I've seen my community change over the years and in all honesty it hasn't been all good, but I believe that Edgewood is not the exception, but is meerly the community whose troubles are the focus of media and gossip. I will agree that the troubles that plague Edgewood are sometimes violent, but other areas of the county experience crime as well, they just don't make headlines. I look at this community like a child who has grown up never seeing the good in themselves. When all they hear is the bad, they figure, what's the point in trying anything different. It's time that the people of Edgewood, the children, the teens, the single parents, the struggling families, and the elderly, feel what real love is all about. That is what this new campus will bring to this community through the programs that will be offered and of course weekend worship.
This is not going to be an easy undertaking, yet nothing ever worth while is, but with the commitment of anyone who feels called to serve in Edgewood, tremendous leadership and the Spirit of God as the guide, I predict a new Edgewood. I must admit that my fear of this also has to do with some selfish hesitation. I have been a part of the Mountain Road campus since 1998. I have many, many dear friends that I consider family that I look forward to seeing every week at worship. Leaving to serve at the Edgewood campus, would mean leaving them behind. But I am reminded in Luke, what Jesus has to say about that. Luke 18:22, "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brother or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
I have been praying over the past year for God to reveal to me what He wants me to do. He had appeared eerily quiet in answering that prayer, yet my heart kept turning to service in Edgewood but I didn't know how or when. Then, in His perfect timing, this campus was birthed; answer to my prayers. Some who read this may have been praying for the same kind of guidance or perhaps you haven't really thought about it until now, but what I encourage you to do is be specific in your prayer. Ask God if Edgewood is where you are needed; ask Him to reveal where you can serve and then ask Him to give you a willing heart to accept that calling. If this is not where you are called to go, then I ask that you continue to pray for this community and its people,for the leaders of the church and those who will be going; but mostly pray that God will be glorified in all of this.
I know this has been a long blog, but I couldn't contain my words and if you will indulge me for a few more moments, I would like to leave you with one more scripture that I believe is what we are called to do in Edgewood. Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven."
Until next time, I have my hands in the air with excitement and this glorious ride begins. I hope you'll get in line and enjoy the ride!
God Bless,
Cat
