February 10, 2006

Dear family of WCPC:

This week is something of an anniversary of sorts for Jullie and me. It was exactly one year ago that we first came to The Woodlands. Your PNC invited us to visit the area, for me to preach at Spring Branch Presbyterian Church (several members of the PNC had already heard me preach in Marietta, but not everyone on the committee), an opportunity for Jullie to have a tour, and for us to have several interviews, both formally and informally over the course of our two-day visit. Afterwards both Jullie and I felt good about our experience and several weeks later we were delighted that the committee felt the same. Though my official anniversary as your pastor won’t take place until June 1, this weekend is loaded, for me at least, with much meaning.

Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make. At one point as I neared graduation from Union Seminary I considered staying for another two years to receive a Masters of Theology degree. I reasoned, and very soundly, that I would probably never be able to pursue such a degree after I entered parish ministry. It was a strong consideration, but I made the choice to pursue a call in the local church. Had I made another choice, to continue my studies, I never would have gone to Palm Harbor , Florida . I would have never met Jullie. My life today would be very different than it is. I’m grateful for the choices I’ve made and didn’t make.

Of course not every choice, not every decision proves to be the best. It’s easy to look back at bad choices, bad decisions, some which might have looked attractive at the time but turned out differently, and others, which we knew from the beginning weren’t the right choices.

The good news, at least I find this to be good news, is that if we are in His hands, we really can’t make the wrong choice. Because God is at work in all things (and note the word “all”), as Paul writes to the Romans, to make us into disciples who look like Jesus. He isn’t just at work in the right choices we make, the right decisions; He is at work even in the wrong choices, even in the wrong decisions. Often, at first glance, we may not be able to see how God is at work. But He is. Never doubt that, no matter what you are facing right now. In the hands of an artist’s broken glass can be used to create something beautiful. God is such an artist with our lives.

Jullie and I are grateful to be part of this family of faith. We are pleased with the choice you made and with the decision we made. What continues to encourage me daily is the energy and vitality of this growing family of disciples. I see that energy expressed each and every Sunday, as we gather for worship, study and fellowship. I see that vitality demonstrated as the church is sent forth into this community and beyond to bear witness to Jesus Christ and His claim upon our lives. I’m glad the choices we have all made have brought all of us into this family of disciples.

I look forward as always to seeing you on Sunday! My focus will be on the nature of love. Love is a choice.  

See you on Sunday!

David Jones