September 7th, 2024
by Matt Miofsky
by Matt Miofsky
Last weekend was my 47th birthday (thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes!). After a busy month of moving kids around and getting them settled in new places, we are falling into a new routine here at the Miofsky house. It is quieter and, well, just different. I find myself missing the way it used to be, and not yet adapted to the way it will be. If I am not careful, it is easy to focus on the past and what is lost. Transitions can be like that.
You might be in transition, as well. Something old is changing or ending. Maybe like us, your family is changing. Maybe you are just beginning a relationship, or one is ending. Maybe you are starting at a new school or graduating from one, starting a career, or changing one. Transitions, even good ones, can be tough because one thing is ending but what is new has not yet fully been revealed. We are sort of stuck in between what used to be, and what will be.
In his letter to Christians in transition, John says,
"Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is." - 1 John 3.2
Here, John speaks to the feelings many of us have when we are in transition. We are no longer something old, but what we will be has not yet been revealed. Yet, John tells us that there are a few things we can count on. We are God’s children, and because of that, we can know that God has something prepared for us. We just must keep moving forward and practice patience as we wait to see what will appear.
For me, this means resisting the temptation to focus on what used to be and instead begin envisioning, planning for, and preparing for the season that is unfolding. Change can be seen as scary and dangerous, something to be resisted. Or, change can be seen as an opportunity for something new, and therefore welcomed. Much like our faith in God, change requires a faith that something new is emerging for us, even if we can’t see it yet. For my part, I am excited about this new season and eager to see what these transitions will mean for me. If you are in transition as well, I hope you see it as an opportunity to change, learn, and grow – and something to be welcomed.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. This weekend, I am starting a new series called Worth Sharing. In this week’s sermon, I will tell a really cool story about what can happen when we share an invitation with someone else. This is a perfect time to invite someone in your life to join you at The Gathering. You can share the invite with them on social media or hand out one of those invitation cards you received last weekend. Don’t just tell someone about church, invite them to come with you! You may be surprised at what it can lead to!
You might be in transition, as well. Something old is changing or ending. Maybe like us, your family is changing. Maybe you are just beginning a relationship, or one is ending. Maybe you are starting at a new school or graduating from one, starting a career, or changing one. Transitions, even good ones, can be tough because one thing is ending but what is new has not yet fully been revealed. We are sort of stuck in between what used to be, and what will be.
In his letter to Christians in transition, John says,
"Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is." - 1 John 3.2
Here, John speaks to the feelings many of us have when we are in transition. We are no longer something old, but what we will be has not yet been revealed. Yet, John tells us that there are a few things we can count on. We are God’s children, and because of that, we can know that God has something prepared for us. We just must keep moving forward and practice patience as we wait to see what will appear.
For me, this means resisting the temptation to focus on what used to be and instead begin envisioning, planning for, and preparing for the season that is unfolding. Change can be seen as scary and dangerous, something to be resisted. Or, change can be seen as an opportunity for something new, and therefore welcomed. Much like our faith in God, change requires a faith that something new is emerging for us, even if we can’t see it yet. For my part, I am excited about this new season and eager to see what these transitions will mean for me. If you are in transition as well, I hope you see it as an opportunity to change, learn, and grow – and something to be welcomed.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. This weekend, I am starting a new series called Worth Sharing. In this week’s sermon, I will tell a really cool story about what can happen when we share an invitation with someone else. This is a perfect time to invite someone in your life to join you at The Gathering. You can share the invite with them on social media or hand out one of those invitation cards you received last weekend. Don’t just tell someone about church, invite them to come with you! You may be surprised at what it can lead to!
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2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
2023
January
February
Explore - Week 1Explore - Week 2Explore - Week 4Explore - Week 3God is Leading Us Forward // M-Note 2.3.23SENT: Week 1 Discussion GuideSomething To Try This Weekend // M-Note 2.10.23SENT: Week 2 Discussion GuideSENT: Week 3 Discussion GuideWe're Doing Something Big! // M-Note 2.17.23Lent Devotional Day 1Lent Devotional Day 2Lent Devotional Day 3SENT: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 4Lent Devotional Day 5Lent Devotional Day 6Lent Devotional Day 7
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