Ch-ch-changes…

The two images above are from the same general location, two weeks apart… (photo credits to Smoky Mountain Grocery on Wears Valley Road in Sevierville, TN btw – they have killer Instagram photos all the time). Anyway, this was a striking revelation for me this morning as I sat on my couch, in deep, deep thought about the future and what God holds for me and my family. I’d be a liar to tell you that the year 2020 hasn’t “2020’d me” like it has everyone else. It’s been full of surprises, some good, some bad, some making me question a lot of things – but just bizarre for the most part.

The revelation hit when I was “stuck in the scroll” as we call it in our house, looking through IG when boom, this picture hit me in a weird way. A way that almost said “Yo, it’s God… check this out – this is a quick change eh?” The first image is one straight from my iPhone, taken about two weeks ago, maybe three I lost count, in the Wears Valley area. The bottom one is from yesterday – and geez just look at the change. It’s as if God said, “Ahem… see what I can do?”

This is just what I needed to hear – but now it’s up to me to actually do something with it mentally, you know, put it into action. Like I said, 2020 has been rough. As one who is fully support-raised for SEMO South Fellowship of Christian Athletes , it’s been a trying season. Not only the financial fundraising struggle (i.e. we had a fundraising banquet scheduled the month Covid hit) but also the battle to be back on campuses as normal. Ministering to 30+ campuses isn’t difficult to do during normal times – but these circumstances have mentally worn me (and my teammates) flat out at times. I knew what I was signing up for btw, that’s something I’d do again – what I’ve seen God do in 3.5 years at FCA has been amazing. None of us signed up for Covid though right?!

Blah, blah, blah Josh, it’s been hard on all of us! Yep. Agreed. Sorry that is has been tough for you, too. But here’s where I’ve landed today. For starters, I haven’t studied my Bible yet (fail in my opinion). I haven’t prayed yet I don’t think (perhaps I did without realizing it). But I have heard from my Creator pretty loud and clear – and it was this: “Changes are good. Some changes aren’t so fun, or maybe good in your opinion. Changes happen. Changes go unnoticed. Changes are really noticeable at times. Changes are necessary. You need to change Josh.”

Here was my mindset a few weeks ago: How do I minister if I can’t be on campus. How do I DO my job if I can’t be AT my job – or at least where it generally takes place.

Without notice, I had a coach swing by my house to talk deep stuff. It was great. I felt like God set that up. I could have missed it.

A coach’s wife dropped her kid off to church and we hashed out life and its’ questions for a good minute. Refreshing for both of us I’m betting. Just recognizing insanity is good for the soul I think. But, I could’ve missed it.

A few weeks later, I got to join a few of my brothers in sisters in Christ to host Fields of Faith – hundreds of people there, too high for me to count (I tried…) – and God showed up. Eight kids said they wanted to start a relationship with Christ. I could’ve missed that due to all of the prep work, stress that goes with hosting an event, etc.

Days later, I remembered a scheduled chapel service I was supposed to speak at… Checking in with the coach if it was still possible, he not only said yes, but gave me a platform to share the Gospel – boldly. God definitely set that up. But, I could’ve missed it.

Tomorrow, I get the same opportunity, but this time at a different school, with a different group of kids. And, if I am not prepared, I could miss it.

Saturday, the next big fundraiser for SEMO South FCA , is another chance to be present in God’s plan. We’ll have a few dozen guys and girls out blowing up some clay pigeons at our sporting clays event. Each time we encounter others, God can change hearts if we’re just clean vessels to share His Good News. I could miss it.

Bibles… boxes of Bibles are going out. Coaches Bibles are going out. Some 3D Coach material is going out to help coaches lead the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of sport. Huddles are still gathering, just in different spaces and sizes. Coaches are still available, just in a different manner. I talked to like 15 of them in one morning – the grind is real in 2020. But so is the Gospel and the peace that passes all understanding.

Scripture says that God’s thoughts are too high for us to understand. And I believe that. I don’t know how He physically changes the color of every single leaf in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park… but He does. Every. Single. Year. Then those leaves fall to the ground and crunch beneath our feet. Wither away. Get snowed upon. And soon after, when we aren’t recognizing change, new green ones appear. And the cycle repeats – and change happens. What changes is He asking of you during this season?