Remembering God's Goodness & Finishing Well
By Donna Boisvert
This past Sunday at Sequoia, we had a celebration!!! It was a beautiful opportunity to remember how faithful and good the Lord has been to His people of Sequoia. We see His Hand on our lives and how He has worked through this beautiful church over the years, for His Kingdom purposes. My transition out of full-time Pastoral ministry, after 21 years at Sequoia, provided a perfect opportunity for us to glimpse back, to acknowledge what God has done, and to gaze forward in celebration for what He will bring next, as we all continue to be faithful. "But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago." Psalm 77:11
We have lived in the goodness of God and remembering that goodness is a biblical principle we see lived out throughout the Bible. I believe taking time to look back at key seasons of our lives is essential to spiritual and emotional growth. It helps us to be thankful, to appreciate God’s goodness and faithfulness, and allows us to mature, as we permit the Lord to use past experiences to grow us and move us forward in our journey with Him. As well, remembering provides the hope and assurance that God has a plan and purpose for us, a call that is lifelong. In this season of transition in my life, while my roles may change, my call remains the same, to live surrendered to the Lord and be ready for His next deployment. As David Jeremiah says, “God wants us to stay faithful and focused until we are finished!”
Jesus prayed in John 17:3: "And this is the way to have eternal life-to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began." Jesus prayed this for himself, His disciples, and for you and me. Let’s finish the work He gave us to do and to Him be all the glory. God will use our lives to demonstrate to others the hope and purpose we have, as we live for Him. Given this calling on our lives to love God and love people always, it makes sense that retirement is only a first world cultural concept that does not fit well within the Kingdom of God.
There is only one place in the Bible where retirement is mentioned. In Numbers 8, we see the Lord instructing Moses that the Levites were to serve until they were fifty. Then, at that time, they were to step back from their Tabernacle duties to allow the younger men to serve. This was more than likely a practical instruction, as the younger men were better equipped to carry the Tabernacle items through the wilderness. However, the older men did not stop serving God and His people, but instead they were put on “lighter” duty. In fact, as they continued to serve in a different capacity, they became mentors and advisors to the younger folk.
As I watch my beautiful husband with his young Crew and as I journey with younger women, it is so clear to me that this is our lighter calling and natural next step, as we walk out the rest of our days with God and others. "Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me." Psalm 71:18
What a wonderful journey and I am so thankful for God’s strong call on our lives. What an honour it has been to serve the true King and His people. When I think of finishing well, I will remember, Sequoia, your love for us, the extravagant blessings, and beautiful celebration you held in our honour. Thank you, Church. Words escape me and I am so very thankful, humbled, and blessed by your generosity and service to us. You planned every detail as unto the Lord! Thank you, Ryan and Vanessa, Heather, Jeremy and all our teams and peeps that took such care to plan and ensure that Sunday was a God honouring and memorable celebration. The Lord was so glorified as Ryan shared from Isaiah 41:8-10 what it means to be Chosen to Serve and as a team, you modelled, both practically and spiritually, what it truly means to finish well. I love you so much, dear Church. May you continue to be filled with the love and faith that comes only through Jesus Christ.
With Deepest Love in Christ,
Donna (Mike & Matt)
This past Sunday at Sequoia, we had a celebration!!! It was a beautiful opportunity to remember how faithful and good the Lord has been to His people of Sequoia. We see His Hand on our lives and how He has worked through this beautiful church over the years, for His Kingdom purposes. My transition out of full-time Pastoral ministry, after 21 years at Sequoia, provided a perfect opportunity for us to glimpse back, to acknowledge what God has done, and to gaze forward in celebration for what He will bring next, as we all continue to be faithful. "But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago." Psalm 77:11
We have lived in the goodness of God and remembering that goodness is a biblical principle we see lived out throughout the Bible. I believe taking time to look back at key seasons of our lives is essential to spiritual and emotional growth. It helps us to be thankful, to appreciate God’s goodness and faithfulness, and allows us to mature, as we permit the Lord to use past experiences to grow us and move us forward in our journey with Him. As well, remembering provides the hope and assurance that God has a plan and purpose for us, a call that is lifelong. In this season of transition in my life, while my roles may change, my call remains the same, to live surrendered to the Lord and be ready for His next deployment. As David Jeremiah says, “God wants us to stay faithful and focused until we are finished!”
Jesus prayed in John 17:3: "And this is the way to have eternal life-to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began." Jesus prayed this for himself, His disciples, and for you and me. Let’s finish the work He gave us to do and to Him be all the glory. God will use our lives to demonstrate to others the hope and purpose we have, as we live for Him. Given this calling on our lives to love God and love people always, it makes sense that retirement is only a first world cultural concept that does not fit well within the Kingdom of God.
There is only one place in the Bible where retirement is mentioned. In Numbers 8, we see the Lord instructing Moses that the Levites were to serve until they were fifty. Then, at that time, they were to step back from their Tabernacle duties to allow the younger men to serve. This was more than likely a practical instruction, as the younger men were better equipped to carry the Tabernacle items through the wilderness. However, the older men did not stop serving God and His people, but instead they were put on “lighter” duty. In fact, as they continued to serve in a different capacity, they became mentors and advisors to the younger folk.
As I watch my beautiful husband with his young Crew and as I journey with younger women, it is so clear to me that this is our lighter calling and natural next step, as we walk out the rest of our days with God and others. "Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me." Psalm 71:18
What a wonderful journey and I am so thankful for God’s strong call on our lives. What an honour it has been to serve the true King and His people. When I think of finishing well, I will remember, Sequoia, your love for us, the extravagant blessings, and beautiful celebration you held in our honour. Thank you, Church. Words escape me and I am so very thankful, humbled, and blessed by your generosity and service to us. You planned every detail as unto the Lord! Thank you, Ryan and Vanessa, Heather, Jeremy and all our teams and peeps that took such care to plan and ensure that Sunday was a God honouring and memorable celebration. The Lord was so glorified as Ryan shared from Isaiah 41:8-10 what it means to be Chosen to Serve and as a team, you modelled, both practically and spiritually, what it truly means to finish well. I love you so much, dear Church. May you continue to be filled with the love and faith that comes only through Jesus Christ.
With Deepest Love in Christ,
Donna (Mike & Matt)