Since graduating in 2002, I have gone from single to married, renter to owner, unemployed to a career, active part of a congregation to church avoidant, independent touring musician to experiential worship leader, and from relationship seeker to house church facilitator. 

One thing you, or at least I, never realized or fully understood in life is how present and shaping God is.  God’s presence, like maturing, is only fully understood in retrospect. I find the transitions are generally the result of the shaping and molding God is doing in your life.

Now many people will argue that what one has become is the product of their experiences and talents melding in a stew of society that is haphazardly boiling.  And while I believe that to a degree, the scriptures tell us that there is nowhere we can be where God is not. So to the conscientious objector to God, I would write that while my passion led me to writing and touring, it certainly did not make it any more probable that I would trip over the stroller of a pastor’s wife who happened to have just finished praying for God to send her a guitarist. Because while the music, touring, and venues all correlate easily, the chance of running into this person at this time on the side streets of Manhattan is easily greater than 200 million to 1.

I believe strings of events like these, much like string theories, can only be explained as having a personality that moves and connects them. Understanding correlation and connections in events is one thought process that is a glimmer on the avenue of the highway of wisdom.

In reflection I can see what God had been up to with all the crazy experiences of my life as they lead-up to that street corner.  There are so many ways wisdom is developed, but it always comes through experience; and the younger you are generally the less experiences you have. That is why it is of the most importance for young people to seek relationships. Seek God first because He is the one guiding your life; as you seek Him He will draw you in and lead you to others who will guide you to His plan for you. 

Lastly for you who are involved in guiding and directing: Seek God. Seek His direction not only for you but for the future He has for your gathering, His church, and the individuals He has entrusted you with. Search for relationships, respect your congregants, and reflect. Be patient, be kind, and protect them with your wisdom, remembering we are all just beggars trying to tell the others where we have found some bread (D.T. Niles).

Ian Heikel is starting a house church in New York City