New Seasons
By Jake Graybill
[Note: Since writing this at the end of August, Jake and his wife Sydney welcomed the arrival of their first child, Henry, on September 5!]
Hello church family, my name is Jake Graybill and I am the new Student Ministries Director here at Creekside. My wife and I have recently moved here from Southern Indiana. We are both excited to be here at Creekside and in Gainesville, and are incredibly thankful for the ways in which you have welcomed us here.
With the birth of our first child quickly approaching, along with starting a new job, moving to a new city, going to Gator games, and meeting new people, the idea of a new season has filled my mind. Specifically, I am both excited and anxious about what this next season holds. With the start of a new season in the life of my family beginning, I am tempted to fall into a few traps.
I, like many of us, have expectations, hopes, and dreams concerning what’s next in my life and am tempted to hold tightly to these. In turn, we often attempt to control our lives to ensure these dreams become reality. And regarding the things that we can’t control, we simply worry about them until we figure out a way to gain control or are driven to a place of panic and despair.
However, this is not the life God intends for us to live. We do not have the power to control tomorrow, nor should we. Jesus, regarding our worry, in his sermon on the mount points to the great care God has for his creation, especially his people. Because our Heavenly Father cares for us, Jesus says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
While new seasons, and the hope of tomorrow can bring excitement and worry, we are not meant to focus on what’s next. Rather, we are to trust in our good father, that He will provide for us, one day at a time.
So in this new season, I am excited not necessarily by hopes and expectations (although a winning season by the Gators would be nice), but more by what my life might look like as I grow in a daily trust in God. I am thankful to be walking with you as you seek to do the same.
In Christ’s love,
Jake
[Note: Since writing this at the end of August, Jake and his wife Sydney welcomed the arrival of their first child, Henry, on September 5!]
Hello church family, my name is Jake Graybill and I am the new Student Ministries Director here at Creekside. My wife and I have recently moved here from Southern Indiana. We are both excited to be here at Creekside and in Gainesville, and are incredibly thankful for the ways in which you have welcomed us here.
With the birth of our first child quickly approaching, along with starting a new job, moving to a new city, going to Gator games, and meeting new people, the idea of a new season has filled my mind. Specifically, I am both excited and anxious about what this next season holds. With the start of a new season in the life of my family beginning, I am tempted to fall into a few traps.
I, like many of us, have expectations, hopes, and dreams concerning what’s next in my life and am tempted to hold tightly to these. In turn, we often attempt to control our lives to ensure these dreams become reality. And regarding the things that we can’t control, we simply worry about them until we figure out a way to gain control or are driven to a place of panic and despair.
However, this is not the life God intends for us to live. We do not have the power to control tomorrow, nor should we. Jesus, regarding our worry, in his sermon on the mount points to the great care God has for his creation, especially his people. Because our Heavenly Father cares for us, Jesus says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
While new seasons, and the hope of tomorrow can bring excitement and worry, we are not meant to focus on what’s next. Rather, we are to trust in our good father, that He will provide for us, one day at a time.
So in this new season, I am excited not necessarily by hopes and expectations (although a winning season by the Gators would be nice), but more by what my life might look like as I grow in a daily trust in God. I am thankful to be walking with you as you seek to do the same.
In Christ’s love,
Jake