During a recent trip, I had the misfortune of arriving at the airport at the exact time that the local cruise ships’ buses were unloading all of their passengers to embark on their journey home. The airport was crazy busy with people everywhere so I chose to sit for awhile in hopes that it would soon settle down.

There was one sight that caught my attention. There was a small boy about the age of 6 walking with his dad. His father had his hand resting on the young boy’s shoulder gently guiding him through the sea of people. But this little boy was not content with his father’s direction. “I want to do it myself, dad.” He would try to escape his father’s gentle touch to race ahead saying, “I want to go this way, dad!”

Over and over, dad would respond kindly with, “It’s okay son, I see where we’re going, we’ll get there don’t worry, don’t rush.” It struck me in that moment, how much I was like that little boy. How often had I said to my heavenly Father, “Stop, I want to go this way, I want to go that way.” Or the countless number of times I’ve tried to run ahead of Him. In each of those times, I had forgotten that my Father sees above the busyness, above the chaos. He knows where I’m going and He knows the best way for me to get there. Sometimes, I just need to be patient and allow His gentle hand to direct my steps.

Church, may we be encouraged this week as we hold tight to the truth that our Heavenly Father is guiding and ordering our steps as we strive to fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives.

Blessings,

Pastor Kristen

Hello Sawgrass Family,

Over the last several weeks, we have been walking through the 11th chapter of Hebrews, most commonly referred to as the Hall of Faith. Along the walls of this hall, we are introduced to people of faith through only a snapshot of their lives.  This snapshot gives us a picture of what God deemed to be the best depiction of their life of faith.

In a painting called, ‘Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem’, the painter, Robert Haydon created a scene with Jesus riding on the donkey into Jerusalem. In the crowd are some of his contemporaries. Voltaire, a philosopher known for his criticism of the church, was painted in as a smiling scoffer. The poet John Keats was painted with a bright, amazed face in the background. William Wordsworth was pictured as a devout man, a disciple. Others he knew, were painted as detached observers just watching it all pass by.

Think of Christ in our world today. We are in the crowd that watches Christ coming into our world, and into our lives and circumstances. Let’s think of ourselves and our actions and our attitudes. Where would we find ourselves in that picture? What would be the best representation of our habitual conduct? Would we be the detached observer? Or might we be the ones with bright amazement on our faces?

Sawgrass, let’s commit and encourage one another to shine with amazement as we seek the work of  Christ entering into our day to day happenings. Let's reflect the glory of our Savior in all things!

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. - Hebrews 11:6(NASB)

Blessings,

Pastor Kristen

Hello Sawgrass Family,

I write this note from high above the hustle and bustle of New York City streets. It’s a time of meditating on the verses from our By Faith sermon series, while reflecting on all that I saw today. There was hopelessness and sadness among the bustling traffic and bold lights of Times Square and yet God’s goodness was still breaking through like a ray of sunlight in a dark sky.

He was present with the father who was helping his young son deliver food to the homeless man everyone else was ignoring. He was present in the kindness to help another cross the street. He was present in the friendly smiles and conversations of strangers. He is always there, waiting for us to seek Him out.

Praying Hebrews 11:6 for each of you this week. Praying that you see Jesus working in you and through you. As you seek God throughout your week and discover ways  to love in a way that matters, may our Father reward you with glimpses of Himself. May you receive the peace and wisdom of knowing that you are His and in His will.

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”-Hebrews 11:6

Blessings,

Pastor Kristen