“i’m freakin’ out…”

I said hi to a guy in the atrium today prior to the first service. I said, “How ya doin’ man?”

He replied, “I’m freakin’ out!”

I asked, “What’s the matter? Is everything okay?”

He said, “Everything’s great! I’m freakin’ out in a good way. See, I invited my grandkids’ mom to come to church. She’s never been here…I’ve been inviting her for 14 months. 14 MONTHS! And she finally said yes! Today’s the day. She’s coming and bringing the grandkids…and she’s bringing a couple friends, too!”

I looked at his face. He was beaming! He couldn’t contain his joy. Someone he cares deeply about finally said yes to coming to church. His heart is filled with hope. Wanna know what that hope was about? He’s got hope that the good news of Jesus Christ that forever changed his life is going to connect with his family the way it did with him. I know this guy. His life is forever changed—in a big way because two years ago he began a relationship with Jesus Christ. And he can’t help but share his good fortune with those whom he loves.

Here’s what this says to me:

1. Don’t ever give up. There are no “lost causes” to God. The Bible says that God is willing that none should perish. Keep praying. Keep investing in others. Keep inviting them. One day they may say, “yes!”

2. We can’t ever forget that every single Sunday at NewPointe, someone like the guy I talked to, has someone coming who finally said yes! And he’s counting on us to knock the ball out of the park in every way possible. There’s so much at stake every single Sunday.

I love the fact that I get to be a part of a church where people who haven’t been in church in a long time (or maybe have never been in church) are coming EVERY WEEK! How cool is that?! Most churches don’t get to experience that on a weekly basis.

God has chosen to entrust NewPointe with the care of these people who matter so greatly to him. Man, I just wanna be a good steward of what God has entrusted us with.

So keep inviting. Keep praying. Keep knocking it out of the park every week. People matter to God…so they matter to us, too!