Anchored Even in the Unknown

For anyone who is reading this and will be attending AKC26 in March, you will be getting an insight into what to expect from the main sessions.

For anyone reading this who is not attending the conference, stop reading, register for it, then come back to read the rest of this and get an insight into what to expect from the main sessions.

Our theme this year, Anchored in Celebration, is fitting as we celebrate 10 years of AKC impacting kids’ ministries and the lives of those in the work in them.

Let’s be honest, though. Both ministry and life are filled with moments that are less than celebratory.

The idea of being anchored in an interesting one. It gives a sense of needing to be steady in the unknown, like a boat in a storm being rocked uncontrollably yet staying firm because it is anchored to something stronger.

But the question is, how do we do that when life is filled with so much pain and tears?

When I read the Bible, I see verses that say we are to:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always want to do that. In fact, if I had written I Thessalonians, it would probably sound more like:

“Grumble always, complain continually, praise God in the good and argue with Him in the bad; for this better resembles the human experience.” (I Opinions 1:1, Brad Standard Version).

David in an interesting Old Testament figure. He was a man who lived his human experience for all its worth, and found that the only way to make sense of it was to live a faith filled life within it.

In Psalm 30, he writes about things like being in the depths, having enemies, needing help, and feeling dead, but follows those up by telling the reader to “Sing the praises of the Lord [and] praise his holy name…” (Psalm 30:4, NIV).

Then he adds a line that truly captures my attention when he writes:

“…weeping may last for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5, NIV).

Did you get that?

David gives value to the reality of the human experience being one of pain and tears.

But then he also gives reality for the reason to celebrate in God’s favour and love (Psalm 30:4, NIV).

Maybe that’s what it means to be anchored in celebration. It’s not about what is going on around us, but rather more about Who is with us in it all.

One Who is stronger than our storms. One Who understands our pain and holds our tears. One Whose love is worth celebrating.

Before you get to AKC26, take time to reflect and see where God has been your anchor, then celebrate with Him.

See you in March!