One Year Later: Paying Attention to God's Moments
This month marks an important milestone for me. A year ago, on the first weekend of July, Pastor Madison and I led worship at Williamsburg United Methodist Church for the very first time. Looking back, it is impossible not to see that appointment as one of those unmistakable "God moments"—a moment when God was opening a new chapter for both of our families and for this church.
Some Godly moments are obvious like that. They change the direction of our lives. If we are paying attention and have learned to see with God’s eyes, it is possible to recognize these moments as times when God is leading us somewhere new.
Over this past year, I have become convinced that while those big moments matter, they are only part of the story. Most of God's work happens in much quieter ways.
It has been a wonderful first year. I have learned about this church's heart for serving others and its commitment to making a positive impact in our community and around the world. I have experienced this congregation's passion for meaningful worship, beautiful music, and encountering Jesus together. I've learned the traditions that make Williamsburg UMC unique, met wonderful people, built new relationships, and been blessed by the care and encouragement so many of you have shared.
Together we've navigated difficult conversations, tried new things, made challenging decisions, and planned for the future. We've launched a new worship service while also cherishing beloved traditions. We've welcomed new members, celebrated joyful milestones, grieved heartbreaking losses, laughed together, cried together, studied Scripture together, and prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide us.
As I reflect on this first year, I keep returning to our churchwide study of Acts this past spring. Throughout Acts we encountered a God who was always on the move—calling ordinary people, opening unexpected doors, breaking down barriers, and inviting the early church to join in God's work. Again and again, God's people had to pay attention, recognize what God was doing, and have the courage to follow.
That same invitation came into focus again during our June Church Council meeting. We began by asking a simple question: "How have you encountered God during the past week?"
I shared how one of my sons reminded me to slow down, breathe deeply, and trust God during a stressful moment. Others shared stories of friends who offered encouragement at just the right time, communities that surrounded them with care, unexpected phone calls, and moments of courage that could only be explained by God's presence.
None of those stories would make headlines. Yet each one pointed to the quiet, faithful work of God.
It reminded me that while coming to Williamsburg UMC was a big moment in my life, the smaller God moments are no less important. In fact, they may be how God most often chooses to shape us. God is present not only in life-changing milestones but also in ordinary conversations, acts of kindness, answered prayers, unexpected encouragement, and quiet reminders that we are not alone.
Sometimes we unintentionally place our faith into compartments, acting as though God is present only during worship, Bible study, or prayer. But Scripture tells a different story. The Holy Spirit is always at work—in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, relationships, and everyday routines. Learning to follow Jesus means learning to notice.
So as I begin my second year at Williamsburg UMC, my prayer is not simply that God would continue doing great things among us. My prayer is that we would become people who pay attention and to share these moments with each other, with our families, and with our friends. And, maybe most importantly to our world today, to share these thoughts and moments with people who may be outside of our circle and who might need to hear that story to give them hope. I pray that our eyes would be opened to recognize both the extraordinary moments when God clearly redirects our path and the ordinary moments when God's grace quietly sustains us day after day.
God is up to something in and through Williamsburg UMC. I have no doubt about that. The exciting part is that some of God's greatest work may not come through dramatic announcements or major milestones, but through countless small moments of faithfulness that, over time, transform both our church and our lives.
This week, I encourage you to slow down and ask yourself: Where have I seen God at work recently?
You may discover that the God who brought you to this church—or who has faithfully kept you here through the years—is still speaking, still leading, and still showing up in ways both great and small.
May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts ready to follow wherever Christ leads next.
In faith,
Pastor Brian