The meaning of Christian faith and the cost of discipleship

This particular entry is dedicated to the body of believers that has been Cornerstone Community Church, both past and present. I pray that these words go from my heart to yours.

I've been a Christian for just over seven years and a part of my church for almost ten. My life in that time has been, and still is, a process that is taking me toward spiritual maturity. In fact I think I've finally just recently really begun to realize the significance and meaning of the mission statement of Cornerstone Community Church: To enable unchurched people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Once upon a time, I was one of those unchurched people, knowing that something was missing from my life but not knowing what. One day I was beckoned to begin coming closer to God, to begin a relationship with Him, through what was then the newborn body of Cornerstone Community Church. Upon being readily accepted into the body of the church I knew I had found the path to faith in Christ and a family to share the road with. What I have come to see with my own eyes is a family of believers to spend much of my life side by side with in worshipping God and growing old with.

However, being a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ has begun to take on the deeper spiritual meaning that I believe God intended. I am nearing the end of an educational endeavor to earn a degree in ministry. That means more than ever that it's time for me to direct my vocational efforts toward fulfilling the purposes of God rather than a worldly employer with vision focused only on what you can see and feel here and now to make a profit.

God has opened my eyes with focus on the future for the purposes that He has in mind for me. Will He call me to devote more time and energy to ministry through writing? Am I destined for ministry involving direct or indirect spiritual warfare? Some kind of spiritual counseling? Perhaps the mission field? I've even sensed the possibility of one day stepping into more of a leadership role (a concept that, if I had less faith, would scare the daylights out of me). He has told me that I and my family need to be open to relocating in order to serve in the capacity He has for me. At one time, the thought of picking up and moving away from the church family I have grown into and grown to love dearly would have broken my heart; even now it's kind of scary to think about, but at the same time, as a Christian, my life needs to be one of obedience. While I haven't had a strong sense of God specifically calling us away, if He says it's time to go, then that's what we will do and trust Him to continue to take care of us along the way.

In light of the mission statement of Cornerstone, I see now that especially for those who want to actively pursue a path of positive spiritual growth, the C-Stone church building is not just a place for its people to gather for worship. Rather, it is a training center that teaches believers to do the will of our holy God, to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to follow daily the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As Christians and members of Cornerstone Community Church, we can make Cornerstone our home church, but we must be willing to obediently go where God wants us to go. That's why Jesus told His disciples then and now to "Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations . . ." (Matt. 28:19).

A last thought from my heart and that of my family to the body of Cornerstone, both past and present: although I have not known some in the church as well as others, so many of you have touched our lives and become our family in every sense of the word. I have enjoyed much laughter and shared a few tears with you, and whatever God calls us to, you will always be a cherished part of my life that I will hold in my heart forever. I take great comfort in knowing and looking forward to the reality that our futures will come together someday in eternity. I love you more deeply in my heart than I thought was possible until our God showed me how. May He bless you and keep you, day and night, until we are home with Him.