Submitted by Pastor Bill Hargis, Rock Port and Watson United Methodist Churches

A God moment is a personal encounter, where God’s purpose, presence, and love is revealed. An aha moment is a moment where you suddenly understand something, realize something important, have a good idea, or find the answer to a problem. My example of an aha moment is candy corn. Someone tried to convince me this stuff is good. But I suddenly understood something of importance . . . aha . . . the problem is, it isn’t good!

I’m an outreach guy, meaning, I am not content sitting behind the church’s door, waiting for visitors. “I look upon all the world as my parish . . . this is the work I know God has called me to do.” (My hero, John Wesley, June 11, 1739). I like to get out and visit, I like new ministries, I like new opportunities for worship. I love to see people getting excited about God, and looking for different ways to reach our communities.

Last week I experienced (not the first time) what I will call a Peter moment. This is when you do or say something really stupid, and Jesus has to correct you. During my morning prayer and meditation time, I decided to ask God, “Why aren’t You growing the church? I’m doing everything I can. I’ve asked for a revival of the church for at least two years. I’m opening the doors early, and staying late. Every Sunday, I’m pounding home the fact, as Christians, we’re supposed to be doing, not sitting. Attendance is rising but more is better. So what’s the problem?”

Here’s my God moment, “Get behind me Satan, you are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.” (Matt:16:23, CSB). I don’t know about your church human, but MY church is fine. Who is this who obscures my counsel with ignorant words? (Job 38:2). I need to point out people, ignorance can be fixed, stupid is permanent.

The aha moment came right after that. I was reminded of what the churches in our community have done together. Two community worship services, and a shared Christmas Eve service. This year, during Lent, we will be rotating between our churches, as we gather at 5:00 p.m. every Sunday for worship and fellowship. We’ve come together as a community to host Eagle Lake camp for our kids. Once again this year we’ll share VBS.

God sees things in a totally different way than we do. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. This is the Lord’s declaration.” (Isaiah 55:8). God doesn’t see the United Methodist Church, He doesn’t see the Baptist Church, the Christian Church, the Community Church or the Lutheran Church. God sees His church, the body of Christ. God’s church is doing fine folks. Together, just as we should be, God’s good news is being spread. We are coming together as His church, making ourselves better disciples, so we can make disciples. Let our prayer be that we see things the way God sees them.

Happy Valentine’s to my wife and partner in ministry, I love you very much. Guess who else I love?  All of you and there’s nothing you can do about it.