From the desk of Pastor James.

I don’t normally take the opportunity to address everyone that receives ourPastor’s Devotion, but I have had a few thoughts that I have been weighingfor some time, and so I thought I would share the word in my heart that itmight challenge you as it has challenged me.

Have you noticed that the military does an excellent job at promoting fornew recruits? If you go to the movies at all then you have no doubt seenthe pre show commercials of the exciting, courageous adventures that awaitnew recruits. If I hear the song “Citizen Soldier” one more time I think Iam just going in and sign up for the reserves. Not seriously, but it is veryinspiring song and plays upon the desires for us all to be courageous andfor our lives to have meaning and purpose. The reason I say this is, Iactually knew someone who joined the military because the commercials madeit look so exciting, and after ending their service they were pretty disappointed and felt there experience was a little less adventurous thanthe actors on the commercials made it appear to be.

Wonderful story Pastor James, but what is the point?

Well to make a short story longer, the story actually began about six yearsago at Bob Evans on Maxtown Road, Westerville, Ohio.I would have still considered myself a newlywed. I finished bible college (Elim Bible Institute/ Elim.edu), and my ministry internships, and I waslooking for a job to take on the world. I was like a fresh recruit justout boot camp ready to take on my mission. I had several interviews acrossthe country for positions, but no offers on the table. I was pretty discouraged that I did not have a direction to go. Then I came across an opportunity in my own back yard that I found posted on the internet for a children’s pastor. It was not long after I forwarded my resume that Ireceived a message to give Pastor Holman a call. From our firstconversation I was convinced that the man I spoke with was excited aboutlaying down his life for the ministry.

Within about a week my wife and I met Pastor Holman and his wife Tammy at Bob Evans for an interview to see if New Hope was the place where we were to serve. That night I realized I had found someone to serve who shared so closely the same vision andheartbeat for the ministry. Well that is a good beginning to a wonderful life story so how does it end?

I thought I had found the right place for me to serve. I was convinced of it then, but now I have come to see my error. I am not saying that therewas an error in me serving, no but I came to SERVE, but I AM ACTUALLY THE ONE THAT GOT SERVED. I came with a mission and goals and dreams and passion! Oh God let me serve you was the cry of my heart!

Since I came here almost six years ago in March I am the one that has been served. You don’t understand I came with the mindset that I had to have it all together since I would be serving and I could not let Pastor Holman see anyof my inefficiencies; feeling that I would be disqualified from servingunder him.

Well I have found myself time after time sitting in his counseling office located where ever there is a Starbucks confessing my weaknesses and to my surprise he never, let me repeat, never rejected me.

He often apologized and asked if he was being too hard on me and I never understood that because I always saw him as gentle and not that his words were easy but they were coated in genuine love. I have never felt so safe spiritually than I have in the warm counsel of Pastor Holman.

I have cometo know the reality of the psalm the lord is my shepherd and that he leadsby still waters. God has revealed his shepherds heart through PastorHolman and has helped guide the ragged ends of my soul to still waters.

To be honest this brings me to one of my great fears. How would I live and who would guide me spiritually if my Pastor was to pass on. It honestly scares me. I run to my pastor for everything and he is always there. Nomatter how big or how small he is always so sensitive to the need. I don’t know who I would go to if he were gone. This has literally been a panic for me.

But Pastor Jim, God will guide you. I know he will, but I also have cometo know He desires to do his guiding through his people. I have now come to really understand the scripture that says “you have many instructors in Christ but only one Father”. Paul spoke this of those he had fathered in the faith.

My question for you is what would you do if your spiritual father was nolonger in your life? Maybe your spiritual father is not in your life right now and you just have instructors, but not a father who can personally teach the way to live and to love you into living right.

My reason for this challenge is not to appreciate a man but to appreciate what God wants to do in your life through someone else and then maybe to someone else through you. I came to serve and really don’t know to what extent I have, but I do know I have been served far more than I will ever deserve.

Have you been served?If not I know the table is ready.

Blessings, Pastor James Smith

New Hope Community Fellowship

www.newhopecommunityfellowship.com