One thing is for sure: churchlife is full of surprises.
Before closing out 2009, I have to write about a man who is being transformed by churchlife and reminding us all why we exist.
His name is Todd.
Todd developed a relationship with Greg as a customer at LanSharx (a video gaming business that Greg owns). Greg had mentioned him to me a few times and slowly began to invite him to several of our meetings.
Todd couldn't get enough.
He was soon part of everything, even more consistently then folks who have been part of churchlife here for years. He just could not get enough of the Lord through His people.
And then he began bringing his wife.
Adelaida is a wonderful woman with a sweet spirit, but I must admit that no one knew exactly how to react the first time they met her and saw that she is missing one arm and only speaks spanish. These, of course, were minor details that Todd did not feel were necessary to mention.
And so explains the Todd.
Soon, Todd began describing the way his relationship with us was changing his relationship with God. He felt like he was encountering a living God and an indwelling Christ for the first time. And this change was so powerful that Todd asked to be baptized. He asked Michael to do it and we all met at Larry and Linda's to baptize Todd in their backyard swimming pool.
After his baptism, Todd emailed the church the following:
I just want to thank everyone. You have shown me the way to The Living God with the Life that Jesus has shown through you. I have found my place of belonging for the first time in my life. For those of you who don't know the back-story to that, just know that You have filled my deepest desire and shown me that it is both through you to Him and with Him and with you. I love you all. You bring me great joy and peace. I am looking forward to our journey together. I pray His blessings for you all. Thank you. We are the Body and the Bride and I am both humbled and overjoyed to be joined with you. How great is He and his Love !!!!!
Before 2009 ends, I want to say just how blessed I am to be part of churchlife with people who want to journey with God together, in and out of meetings, in and out of homes, in and out of each other's lives. Humbly, I believe we are becoming what God is really after on this planet: a people who love Him, love each other, and express Him in community. I believe that we, in Waco, Texas, are experiencing God's eternal purpose for this world. I know it's messy, I know it's imperfect, but it's real, and it's Christ.
And the gift of Todd has reminded me of all that.
To see a photo gallery of Todd's baptism, click here.