Dear
Friends
I love how books have chapters. I love how a thought, or a
season, or a life, or an episode gets captured in a chunk of time and then as a
chapter closes, as the last few words are read, we get to pause for a moment
and reflect on what has just happened, but with the eager expectation for the
next chapter to continue the unfolding story.
Well, that's what I feel like writing this. I feel like a
chapter is closing, but that only increases the excitement of the opening few
lines of the next chapter as it continues to tell the story and reveal more of
the plan.
Friends, as I write this last letter to you, it holds with it that bittersweet tension of emotion. Bitter because it carries the pain of separating ourselves on a day to day basis from you who have been family for the past few years, but oh so sweet because what lies ahead are pages about to be scripted, even though the author knows them so well and has planned for this next chapter to be written, for both you and for me, before even the first was put to paper.
Look ahead friends. Look ahead with expectation, with joy,
with freedom, with eagerness and with a willingness to be part of the unfolding
story. Throw your hands into the mix and put them to work, as Paul so
beautifully urges us:
Philippians 3
12 Not
that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make
it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers,
I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting
what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I
press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus. 15 Let those of us
who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will
reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold
true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join
in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example
you have in us.
Southcity has a wonderful call; a call to make known the
gospel throughout the coast both in word and deed. I urge you friends, give
yourselves to this. Building on what has gone before, turn your attention to
what still needs to be built and be a part of the bride that Jesus is preparing
for his return.
Thank you for having given me a place of honour amongst you, and my sole desire is that I have served you well.
My love and affection is with you now and into the future.
Rich
