Have you ever been in a hurry when God wasn’t? I sure have! Let’s face it. Most of us aren’t very good at waiting. We don’t like waiting in traffic. We don’t like waiting in line at the grocery store. We don’t like waiting at the doctor’s office. We don’t even like waiting in a WAITING room! We want answers. We want results. And usually, we want them NOW!
But have you ever noticed that God doesn’t always seem to operate on our timetable? Sometimes we pray, and the answer doesn’t come right away. Sometimes we step out in faith, and instead of seeing immediate results, we encounter obstacles. Sometimes we do everything we believe God has asked us to do, and then…nothing seems to happen. And we find ourselves asking, “God, what are You waiting for?”
I think we’ve all been there. And quite honestly, with everything going on with my mom’s health right now, I’m living in one of those seasons myself. Waiting for answers. Waiting for direction. Waiting to see what the next steps will be. It’s a reminder that trusting God isn’t always easy, especially when the future is uncertain and the answers aren’t coming as quickly as we’d like. But here’s something I’m learning all over again: just because we’re waiting doesn’t mean God isn’t working. I love what Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.” Notice those last three words: its own time. Not necessarily MY time. Not necessarily YOUR time. But God’s time. And sometimes, that’s the hardest part of faith.
Last Sunday, as we continued our Thrive series, we talked about “Planting In Faith.” But here’s something every farmer understands. You don’t plant a seed on Monday and expect to harvest a crop on Tuesday! There’s a season of planting. And then there’s a season of waiting. And during that waiting season, even when you can’t see anything happening above the ground, something important is taking place beneath the surface. Roots are growing. Life is developing. Something is happening that you can’t yet see. And that’s a beautiful picture of the Christian life. Sometimes God is doing His greatest work in places we cannot see. Sometimes He’s preparing circumstances. Sometimes He’s preparing other people. And sometimes, He’s preparing US. I’ve often said that God is far more interested in changing us than simply changing our circumstances. And maybe that’s one of the reasons waiting is such an important part of faith. Because God often has to do a work IN us before He does a work THROUGH us.
This Sunday, we’re going to continue our Thrive series with a message called “Waiting In Faith.” We’re going to talk about what we need to REMEMBER while we’re waiting, and what we need to DO while we’re waiting. Because here’s something I don’t want you to miss: waiting on God doesn’t mean doing nothing! There’s a big difference between waiting passively and waiting in faith. Faith keeps praying. Faith keeps serving. Faith keeps obeying. Faith keeps trusting. Even when we can’t see the results yet. And I believe that’s a word many of us need to hear right now.
And Coastal, speaking of waiting, can you believe we’re now just TWO WEEKS away from Sunday, November 8th – THRIVE COMMITMENT SUNDAY! I truly believe this will be one of the most significant Sundays in the history of our church! And I want to encourage every person and every family who calls Coastal home to begin making their final preparations. Remember, we’re asking everyone to bring TWO things that Sunday:
1. Your First Fruits Sacrificial Offering. This is your initial, above-and-beyond gift toward Thrive. And I’m challenging every person and family to prayerfully consider making the largest sacrificial offering you’ve ever given.
2. Your Three-Year Commitment Card. This represents what you believe God is leading you to give toward Thrive over the next three years, above and beyond your regular tithes and offerings.
I realize that’s a BIG challenge. But I believe we’re standing at a BIG moment in the life of our church. And big moments of faith often require big steps of obedience. Remember, there will be no separate Annual Christmas Offering this year. Instead, 10% of everything given to Thrive will go directly to Missions and Outreach! So even as we’re preparing to expand our facilities here at Coastal, we’re continuing to expand our reach beyond our walls. Because, as I’ve said throughout this entire campaign: Buildings are tools. People are the purpose. We’re doing this for the ONE more person who needs Jesus. The ONE more child who needs to hear the Gospel. The ONE more family looking for hope. The ONE more life that can be changed for eternity. And I believe that’s worth sacrificing for!
As we continue our 40 Day Fast, I want to challenge you to really lean into these final two weeks. Pray. Listen. Talk with your spouse and family. Spend time in God’s Word. Ask God what He wants you to do. And then, be willing to take the next step of faith, even if you can’t see the entire picture. Because here’s what I know after 36 years of watching God work through Coastal: We don’t always get to see the harvest immediately. Sometimes we plant seeds today that won’t bear fruit for years. Sometimes God asks us to take a step of faith long before we understand how everything is going to work out. But over and over again, I’ve seen Him prove Himself faithful. And I believe He’s going to do it again.
Galatians 6:9 says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” I love that! At just the right time. Not our time. God’s time. So don’t give up praying. Don’t give up trusting. Don’t give up believing. And don’t stop taking the next step God has placed in front of you. I can’t wait to see you Sunday as we talk about “Waiting In Faith.” And I can’t wait to see what God is going to do through our church on November 8th! Healthy things grow. Healthy things THRIVE. I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I can’t wait to see you Sunday!
Thriving Together!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! TODAY, Friday, October 23rd, 3:30pm-6pm. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
The Boutique Sort & Stock: Come help sort & organize all the clothes we distribute! Monday, October 26th; Monday, November 2nd, 10:30am-12:30pm. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
JFM Fellowship Activity & Devotion: A fun project for kids! We’ll serve at Joseph Floyd Manor (JFM), a public housing facility in Downtown Charleston, playing BINGO with the residents. Monday, October 26th, 1:30pm-3:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Brighton Place Fellowship Activity & Devotion: This project will allow us to spend some time with the residents and get to know them better through a lively game of Chair Volleyball and devotion. Kid Friendly! Tuesday, October 27th, 1:30pm-3pm. Meet at: Brighton Place, 1429 Orleans Road.
Sweat & Serve: Come help unload the Coastal Box Truck filled with our weekly food pickup! Heavy lifting required (40+lbs). Wednesday, October 28th, 9am-12noon. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
The Market Organize & Prep: Come to The Outpost and help keep the Market stocked and organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Wednesday, October 28th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
Sewing Project: Sewing experience not required! Come and acquire a new skill while helping others in the community. This team of volunteers will work on zippered pouches, lap quilts, and blankets. Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, October 28th, 5pm-8pm.
Brighton Place Tailgate & Clothing Distribution: Come help put on a Tailgate supply clothing for the wonderful residents of Brighton Place! Wednesday, October 28th, 6pm-8:30pm. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
Serving in the Market & the Boutique at The Outpost: Coastal feeds and clothes an enormous amount of people. Come to The Outpost and help serve our community (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, October 29th, 10am-2pm. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, October 30th, 3:30pm-6pm. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
Ronald McDonald House Meals that Heal – Breakfast: Ronald McDonald House provides a “Home-away-from-home” where families stay while their children undergo extensive medical treatment. The Meals that Heal program provides a much-needed support service to families taking care of their sick children, who often don’t have the time, funds, or energy to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal. Ages 16+. Saturday, October 31st, 7:30am-9am. Meet at: 81 Gadsden St, Chas (Downtown Charleston).
As always, if you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday or sign up now on our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones. - THRIVE 24-HOUR PRAYER VIGIL – NOVEMBER 5-6! As we prepare for one of the biggest Sundays in the history of Coastal, Commitment Sunday, November 8th, we’re calling our entire church family to come together in PRAYER! Beginning Thursday, November 5th at 7:00 PM, we’ll kick off a 24-Hour Prayer Vigil, setting aside time to seek God’s guidance, provision, and blessing over this next season of ministry.
We believe that great moves of God begin with prayer! So we’re asking you to sign up for a time slot and help us cover these 24 hours in prayer. You can SIGN UP HERE, and then please indicate on your Connect Card this Sunday that you’ll be participating with us.
Before we take our next BIG step of faith, let’s get on our knees together! We can’t wait to see what God is going to do! - Spring is a fresh opportunity to build friendships, grow in your faith, and help others find community—and we’d love for YOU to be part of it! Whether you’re considering leading a Life Group for the first time, currently serving as a leader, or ready to lead again, we invite you to volunteer to lead a LIFE Group this Spring. Your willingness to serve can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life and faith journey. Sign up on Sunday on your Connect Card or email Pastor Scott scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org to let him know you’re interested!
- Interested in going public with your faith through Baptism? Sign up on your Connect Card or on our website to be baptized any Sunday or at our next Beach Baptism (“Polar Plunge”) on Folly Beach on Saturday, November 21st at 10am.
- OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – DON’T FORGET YOUR SHOEBOXES!Just a friendly reminder to pack and return your filled shoeboxes to Coastal by Sunday, November 22nd! If you didn’t get one of our 1,500 boxes, no problem! Simply purchase a shoebox or use one of your own, fill it with gifts and supplies, and bring it back! Every shoebox is an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with a child around the world. Let’s make an eternal difference, one shoebox at a time! For more information, visit Operation Christmas Child.
P.S. Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday, November 14th, from 9am-12noon, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card (let us know if you need childcare). Breakfast & childcare provided!
