Into the Unknown: A Christmas Reflection

I wonder if they felt this way too.

Journeying to Bethlehem with a gnawing sense of uneasiness, masked by a tremendous amount of anticipation. Unsure of what would meet them there, but certain that was where to go.

What if they were wrong?
What if it was a journey to nowhere?

I wonder if this is how the wise-men felt. And as they followed a star in search of the King, did they ever question whether He would really be there?

It's a few days before Christmas as I write this. And as I sit at our dining table (a recent gift from some wonderful friends), a Christmas tree softly glowing to my left, I have a few silent moments to reflect. And I'm drawn to this tension between uneasiness and anticipation.

Following God Into The Unknown

Because if you had asked me in January what I thought I would be doing at the end of the year I definitely wouldn't have told you that my family and I would be celebrating Christmas in our new condo in Langley, BC.

But here we are.

I also wouldn't have said that I would have left my full-time ministry position at an amazing, Spirit-filled church in Downtown Vancouver.

Yet, that is also true.

And I also could not have told that we would do all of that and more because God is calling us to church planting.

Again—true.

You can likely see the sense of uneasiness developing. We could too as we followed God's lead through each new step this year. Each time it has been like jumping into the dark unknown. Or an unmarked road with just enough light to put one foot forward.

So yes, there's a bit of uneasiness as we continue on this journey with the God who continues to call us forward.

I want to have the plan.
God wants us to have Him.
I want to see the finances.
God wants us to see Him.
I want to stop worrying.
God wants us to keep trusting.

Signs of God's Faithfulness

Yet I have to tell you, I wouldn't have it any other way. Because with the uneasiness of faith, comes the anticipation of God's faithfulness. And friends He has been beyond faithful to us with each new step we've stumbled through with Him. I can't wait to tell you more of the story as it has played out and as it continues to play out.

For now, as we make Langley our home and continue to wait on God for each next step, He has made one thing very clear. We don't need to worry whether or not He'll be here. Because He has so clearly gone before us. There may not be a bright star shining in the sky, but we've seen and experienced the signs.

So as we celebrate Christmas this year, a few moving boxes still lingering around, we also feel the great anticipation of all that is to come this next year.

What stories will we become witnesses to through the individuals God brings into our new home? How will we get to see God provide as we seek first the Kingdom? How might Jesus want to give us more of Himself in this next season? And, who might we get to see God bless?

The Light of Christmas

And the reason we're going down this road? Well, that's simple. As one of the passages typically read around this time of year says,

"The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
a light has dawned
on those living in the land of darkness.
...
For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:2, 6

And we can't think of a better way to spend our lives, than following that King, and introducing others to the one known as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.

So from the Harrison family, Merry Christmas. We can't wait to bring you along the journey, beginning in the New Year. If you haven't yet subscribed to receive our updates, be sure to do so below.

Merry Christmas,
Nathan Harrison