Romans 8:28 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
If you’re a movie buff (or just plain bored), you’ve gotten caught up in scrolling through the special features included on DVDs these days. All the usual suspects are present: commentary, interviews, out takes, and the blooper reel. Perhaps the most fascinating though is the behind-the-scenes footage. Most times, we watch a film and think of a handful of headlining directors, actors, and actresses who splice together a masterpiece. What we don’t realize until the credits and behind-the-scenes features roll is the hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of people involved in delivering a film to the silver screen.
The same thing happens in our walk as believers. Take, for example, another of John’s stories from the current message series. While still a youth pastor, John got the dreaded “we-need-to-talk” request from his pastor at the time, Jamie Mathews. Fearing the worst (being fired), John approached reluctantly, already thinking about what he was going to do next. Instead of being fired, however, John received a surprise - God had moved on Jamie’s heart to step down as pastor. Further, he was led to follow John into whatever ministry capacity the Lord was leading him. John then shared with him what the Lord had been placing on his heart and on the hearts of many others. And the rest, as they say, is history. Or in this case, the history… of Refuge.
What this story so vividly imparts is the way God works out his “stories” behind-the-scenes and with many different characters. Dozens of people, with a million different stories, who had been crying out for a church that was real and different. Many who were in churches but who sought an end to the slavery of men’s rigorous religious standards. Others who were struggling through countless issues. But God, ever the Creator and creative director and writer, was weaving Refuge together like the plot of a captivating novel.
Everyone playing their small, but all important role so that a story - the Gospel story - could be shared and spread throughout the Delta.
