“A greater hand is at work in this than our own.” That’s a quote from Marguerite Mizell to Joe Alexander in the midst of the “Building on the Cornerstone” capital campaign held almost 25 years ago. As we find ourselves in the midst of numerous endeavors with so many people putting in so much work toward achieving the goals set forth by our Long Range Plan, it’s important to hear Marguerite’s words echoing through the soul of our church. 

With our Building Task Force working to calculate a more precise number for our construction costs in the midst of an inflationary economy; with our Capital Campaign Steering Committee pressing forward in the face of numerous economic challenges; with our APNC working hard to discern who God is calling to join us in ministry to reach out to those moving into our neighborhood; with our Communications team working on a marketing plan to let the secret out in Dallas about our great church; with a Nominating Committee inviting people to consider being elders in the class of 2011; with so many people working so hard, it’s important to be reminded by Marguerite’s words that our future lies in hands far greater than our own.

Yet I’m reminded of all Marguerite did in her life to further the cause of God’s kingdom breaking into the world. She was not one to sit around and wait for God to do something. In 1921, at the age of 28, she boarded a boat and set sail for China, subsequently spending 35 years in the mission field. To quote our history book, “If any member of First Church has come close to being the church’s resident saint, it is probably Marguerite Mizell.” While she understood the greater hand at work in all things, she certainly put her hands and heart to work in amazing ways throughout her life.

This Sunday, we turn to Exodus 3 and the call of Moses.  Speaking to Moses from the burning bush, the Lord says, “I have observed the misery of my people … I have heard their cry … I know their sufferings … I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians … I will bring them up out of Egypt …I will give them a land flowing with milk and honey.” Then the Lord says to Moses, “Now YOU go and tell Pharaoh, ‘Let my people go.’”

Isn’t that wonderful? This passage tells us a lot about how God works.  What would have happened if Moses said, “No?” Though he tried many times, God eventually persuaded him to respond to God’s call. While I cannot subscribe to a theology that says, “If it is to be it’s up to me;” and while I take great comfort in Marguerite’s reminder that a greater hand is at work in all that is unfolding in the life of First Presbyterian Church; Exodus reminds us that the One behind that greater hand working in our world invites us all to be a part what God is doing. 

In the coming weeks, through our stewardship campaign, our capital campaign, the start of a new Sunday school year, the kickoff of youth group, countless people will join God’s greater hand to be a part of what God is doing in our world through First Presbyterian Church. I am so thankful to be part of a church filled with people willing to answer God’s call for their lives.  

In Christ,
Joe