Fracture of an Inch
Apparently, this gap isn't supposed to be here.
Garage door springs are under enormous tension, but this one was replaced 6 years ago with the promise of a 20-year coverage. What gives? Check this out.
Do you see those rectangular holes under the cable? Long story short, the tech who repaired our garage door spring 6 years ago attached it on this wrong holes. Literally just one inch off, and a promised 20-year spring snapped due to the tension in just 6 years because of it.
Gets me thinking: Where is my foundation off, even by just inches, and how much harder are the springs in my life having to hold on because of it?
Hold that thought.
These last few weeks have been truly incredible. Grace and I returned from one of the best retreats we've been part of, writing music with 35 beautiful human beings from the US, England, and Scotland. I had the joy of teaching one of the sessions, we both led worship for the second session, and we were able to invest in the lives of these artists (many of whom are worship leaders in their own churches, meaning the impact of these few days will ripple into the lives of many others, too).
I absolutely love what Grace shared with the group on our final day:
"During meals, we sat by the most incredible view, but I was captivated by each of you. In the midst of such beauty, you were what I wanted to drink in. Your stories. Your hearts. Your passion and your creativity."
While everything in me wishes I could bring those mountains back home, it's the stories and songs and shared conversations that I'm even more grateful I get to carry with me. So many people worth highlighting, but for today I'll share about just one:
Destiny.
In just the couple days we were all together, she co-wrote 8 songs(!), bringing her tally now of having officially written over 1500 songs(!!!). Her goal is to break Fanny Crosby's record (between you and me, Ms. Crosby doesn't stand a chance)!
You can find her music under the name Destiny Joy Sings on youtube, and here's a video we took in the Smokies of our song (with Destiny on violin)!
I've been reduced to tears on multiple occasions the last couple weeks thinking about Destiny. Her feedback is so thoughtful. Her joy is just infectious. And I couldn't be more thankful for the community who were all gathered there, making room for one another, leaning into each other's gifts, and celebrating each one for exactly who God's made us to be... which brings me back to the fracture of an inch ala my garage door.
I've experienced the tension and pressures in the church planting world.
I know all too well the numbers game pastors get caught up in.
I am keenly aware of the posturing and placating that many creative communities lose themselves in, both on or off social media.
But what United Adoration is doing is just so different, and what a gift it has been to join in this work... moving the cables down an inch, taking the lower seat, and finding Christ there with the towel wrapped around his waist. This is the community you're helping build too—through prayer, monthly giving, commissioned paintings, our shop, and more.
Thank you for joining in the work.
I put together a Spotify Playlist (still being added to) of several songs by the songwriters who were at Eagle Rock a couple weeks ago. 10 hours of music and counting, if you're interested!
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