[Written by Stephanie Vander Noot, Building Campaign Director]
If you know me, you know that I am a huge fan of The Chosen – the first ever multi-season series about the life of Jesus. The story of Jesus is told through the eyes of those who encountered Him. The title of this blog post is from a scene in the show: Jesus and his followers (so far) are passing by Matthew’s booth when Jesus stops to call Matthew to join them. Jesus can barely get the words “Follow me” out before Simon protests – “I don’t get it,” he says. “You didn’t get it when I chose you either,” Jesus responds. Peter goes on to say, “But this is different. I’m not a tax collector.” Jesus shuts down Peter’s arguing by saying, “Get used to different.”
Over the years, members of Cross Creek Church have had to get used to different in many ways. I can count at least 6 different venues that housed our congregation over the past 12 years! Maybe you have been asked to fill a particular role at Cross Creek that was unfamiliar to you due to the need for “all hands on deck”. I would have never planned myself to be a part of a church plant, until God clearly orchestrated things so that it was obvious that is where we as a family were called to be.
Of course, the scene from The Chosen is a dramatization, but Jesus actually did say “if any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24 NLT) See? Surrender. And get used to different.
Now we find ourselves in the season of Lent, in a season of Church Building Campaign, in a season of more getting used to different, lean into the Holy Spirit leading you. I honestly identify with Simon, reacting by arguing with Him and relying on what makes sense to me. Jonathan Roumie, the actor who portrays Jesus, recently shared this testimony:
“I had to look at everything that I had achieved and not achieved at this point in my life, and realize that unless I invited God into my career, no matter what I did or how hard I tried, my career wasn’t going to move forward because He did not want that to happen without Him.” 1 Three months after he made the decision to surrender his career to God, Roumie was cast in the leading role of The Chosen.
Cross Creek Church, as a building and as a body, will not be able to move forward without Him. “We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:20-21 NLT) May we continue to surrender to His way, to a greater and greater degree, and witness His faithfulness in new and greater ways!
To watch The Chosen, go to https://watch.angelstudios.
