Letting go and taking hold

Letting go is hard. Light of the Lakes has begun to talk about creating a missional focus for the budget, specifically taking a percentage of all that we get in giving and moving that on to different causes, both locally and globally. It is not an new idea, one that many churches do, but it is hard sometimes to make the first step towards it. Light of the Lakes is doing so not based on the knowledge that we have the money, but on the faith that God will provide for us. It is not a financially sound move, but I believe it is a faithfully sound move. Perhaps it is too much of a stretch, but I liken it to the Kierkegaardian leap of faith, moving us beyond what we know into an uncertain realm where we just have to trust in God. It is hard, for someone like me who obsesses about numbers and takes comfort in logical certainties, there is no certainty in a budget based on faith. The challenge is to let go of our desires for control and certainty and instead move into an area of trust and faith, because that is where I believe the church is meant to be. it is a hard journey for me and for others, but one I recommend as part of growing in faith.