Inspire Me!

Inspire Me!

A few months ago a good friend pointed me to a website for pastors that provides perspective and encouragement.  As I read through the article, I found hope and inspiration for life.  That’s pretty important, because if we are going to inspire anyone, we have some measure of responsibility to get inspired ourselves.  I like being around inspiring people, and I like to inspire others.  However, when I’m running near empty, not only is there little in the tank from which I can offer inspiration, but I tend to be a bit of a downer.  As your pastor, I want Lakeside to be a place of inspiration for you.  I want you to be so inspired by our times together, that you not only leave filled up, but you go inspire others.  And you want to invite others to come and be inspired too.

The source of our inspiration is Jesus, plain and simple.  Not just good teaching, or wonderful fellowship, or vibrant singing –though these are an important part.  In fact, these all point us to the Source of our inspiration.  Inspiration cannot be manufactured by ‘shock and awe’ programming, performance, or personality.

Have you noticed how many people in life today look SO uninspired?  Empty of hope, purpose, and joy, their faces reflect the reality not only of the physical, social, and economic condition, but also of their spiritual condition.  If only they knew the Source of our inspiration!  Recently an area pastor shared with me that his church had gathered some current demographics for our area.  I jotted them down on my iPhone so I could share them with you.  Approximately 181,000 people live within a 10 mile radius of Lake Stevens.  In the next 5 years, another 29,000 will join them (us).  According to the statistics shared with me, only 35% of those people claim any religious affiliation at all.  I imagine only a smaller percentage of that 35% find real inspiration in Jesus, and are committed to a local gathering of believers.  These numbers represent many people who long to be inspired by something outside themselves.

We’ve offered a tagline for Lakeside:  “A Jesus-centered, faith community offering love and hope to the world.”  When I really think about what this can mean, it inspires me.  I think this line both describes who we are these days and who we are becoming, and I really like that.  If we were to tease this out a little more, we might say that as a gathering of people who love Jesus, we are connected upward in worship; connected together in community; and connected outward in mission.  I’m inspired when I am with you:  it’s what keeps me moving forward when things get difficult.  I’m inspired when we get to worship Jesus together:  my spirit is lifted into His presence and I am able to unload all of my pain and problems in His presence.  I’m inspired when together we discover ways to communicate Jesus’ love and hope:  and I believe that Jesus will pour out incredible blessing on a church that He can fully trust with His mission.

No one today comes to church looking for a ‘little dose of faith.’  We need as much of God as He will give us.  I think we find that inspiration in the ways I’ve described above.  Hebrews 10:24 suggests:  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  So, how can we better inspire one another?  How can I inspire you?

Glad to be your pastor,

-Pstr E