From This Place

As we turn 10 this past week, Pastor Tyler parallels the transformational story of ASC to that of Jacob's transformative journey from Bethel to Peniel and back to Bethel in Genesis 28-35, offering us a profound theology of place and purpose. We discover that the locations God calls us to aren't mere backdrops to our calling—they are integral parts of it. Just as Jacob encountered God in an unremarkable place that became sacred, we're reminded that our own neighborhoods and cities are ordained spaces where heaven meets earth. The message challenges us to recognize that consecration must precede commission; before God sends us out to do great things, He first calls us back to Himself to deal with our idols and transform our hearts. Jacob's wrestling match with God becomes our model for persistence in faith—refusing to let go until we receive the fullness of God's blessing. The call to 'lead with a limp' resonates deeply, reminding us that humility born from struggle makes us more effective servants. We're invited to mark this moment as an Ebenezer, a stone of remembrance declaring that 'thus far the Lord has helped us,' while simultaneously committing everything we have as first fruits back to the One who gave us everything. This isn't about building organizations or achieving success metrics; it's about joining God's transformation of all things, starting with our own surrendered hearts.