There is a freedom in not having all the answers.

There is a peace in not having to explain.

Early on in my ministry career I felt like I needed to have all the answers – not in arrogant "I have all the answers" way – but in a compassionate "I can say the right thing to get you through this struggle" sort of way.

Part of this was the feeling that I needed to defend God so that following Jesus made sense.

And then I realized several things.

First, God doesn’t need me to defend him.

Second, following Jesus, more often than not, doesn’t make sense.

And when I figured out that it was OK to question, OK to be angry at God, OK to tell someone: "You’re right, the pain you feel does suck."  (By the way I use the word "suck" as an expression of something devoid of life and breath, something that is nonsensical – the absence of being filled – as in sucked the life right out).

I know we approached the weekend with a certain set of expectations.

The best thing about the entire weekend is that God was present among us – giving is clarity, discernment and vision.

Monday’s is usually a difficult day for ministers.  "Never quit on a Monday" is a phrase born of such a reality.

Well today it’s Monday and I can’t wait to meet up with God and follow behind him as he leads.

I have never been more proud of a group of leaders than I have this morning here in Stockton, California.