Last night I attended the Savannah River Baptist Association Annual Meeting, my first as pastor of Port Royal. My initial impressions are mixed. I liked some of the things I saw. I did not like some of the things I saw. These meetings are fairly predictable. I’ve attended and moderated enough of them to know what will usually happen. Reports are given, officers are presented, and budgets are adopted. This year, instead of an inspirational message, updates were given from some of our churches as to how God was blessing their ministries. I found this encouraging.

Normally, I find the business part of these meetings the most interesting. Sounds funny, I know. I enjoy that kind of stuff. Something was different for me last night. The music during the worship sessions was outstanding. The songs that were chosen were right on time and stirred my heart. Of the many songs that were done, one stands out. That  song is “You Never Let Go” by Matt Redman. The chorus goes like this:

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

I kept thinking to myself how appropriate that song is for this time. Some of our people have deep burdens on their heart and life. This was a powerful reminder that God, regardless of what we may be going through, does not let go of us. As I look out on the bay while I write this, I can see boats with anchors out. The anchors are holding those boats in place, not letting go. Our God is that anchor in our lives. He holds us. He helps us. He keeps us. He protects us. He provides for us. He doesn’t let go. Our worship time last night was a welcome and needed reminder.

Something happened at the associational meeting last night. I arrived believing I knew what the night was going to hold for me. I left thankful that God can use the seeming predictable times in life to show Himself to us.