The Goings on and Work of Sam Mahlstadt

The morning after our third Saturday service, my brain is in overload. There are so many things that I know we could have done better. My mind is full of things to improve on and continue to develop. It is hard for me sometimes to lay it down and move on, because I am so focused on creating an atmosphere of worship that transforms lives. I know that the programming and implementation is essential in our culture, but at times I struggle with the service overriding what the service is about. I know that we live in a multi-media culture where people can drift and lose focus quickly. Because of this, we utilize creative media to engage our audience, and lights to help set an atmosphere of expectancy and reverence. But if we stop there, we have totally blown it. The entire service is to point people to Jesus. Our lights and videos and greeters and activities are all for not if people aren’t encountering Christ. Last night was one of those nights that we can improve from, but it was also one of those nights where people undeniably came into contact with the presence of God. We closed the service out with communion, and it was powerful. With one soloist singing “Lead Me to the Cross” and an artist creating a charcoal drawing of Calvary, the communion experience was incredible. It was a humbling experience to serve communion to our congregation, and it was a pleasure taking the communion elements with them.
I struggle with the temptation to let the God-projects that are on my plate take place of God. I love how Paul puts in in his letter to the Roman church in the message translation. He says warns the church of Rome about where the Israelites missed it. He tells them that the Israelites were so self-absorbed in their God-projects that they missed God altogether! I wrote in my journal the week before our first service. “This rings in my ears like a stern warning. As I struggle to stay in the Word, but love immersing myself in books about the Word, Paul is warning me to not lose God in my God-projects. ” I face everyday the choice to know God more fully through His word, or act as if I have arrived, and continue on with my God-projects. I pray that I never get to that point where I feel like I don’t need more of God in my life.
God help me today to maintain my focus on You and not on my God-projects. I want You, more of You, all of You! Take all of me on this journey. I submit and surrender if You will take all of me and give me You.