Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped expecting God to actually move. We still believe, we still pray, and we still show up, but familiarity has quietly replaced wonder. The story of Moses and the burning bush reminds us that God did not speak until Moses turned aside to look. Maybe God has not grown silent. Maybe we have simply stopped paying attention. The answer to every fear and every feeling of inadequacy is not found in our own strength or track record. It is found in the promise that God will be with us. Wonder leads to worship, worship leads to surrender, and surrender is where God does His greatest work.

Resources:

Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Wonder-Awe_-Week-1_-When-Did-My-Faith-Grow-Up-Discussion-Guide.pdf

5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Wonder-Awe_-Week-1_-When-Did-My-Faith-Grow-Up-5-day-devo.pdf

In this episode of Leading by Following, Pastor Jody sits down with Curt Mitchell for a conversation about leadership, calling, service, and what it means to make ourselves available to God.

Curt serves as our Director of Facilities at Chapin Christian, but as you'll hear in our conversation, his ministry is about so much more than taking care of buildings.

It's about people.

It's about removing barriers so people can encounter Jesus. It's about leading a team that serves faithfully behind the scenes. It's about learning to distinguish between what's urgent and what's important. And it's about recognizing the moments when God may be opening a door for a conversation, a prayer, or an opportunity to love someone well.

One of the things that stood out to me most from our conversation is this: Your greatest gift may not be your ability. It may be your availability. You don't have to stand on a stage to be a leader. You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to feel perfectly qualified. You can simply follow Jesus, love people well, listen, and make yourself available to whatever God wants to do through you.

In Ephesians 5:1–2, Paul says: “Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love.”

That's the kind of leadership I want for myself, and it's the kind of leadership I hope we're all learning to live out. Follow Jesus. Walk in love. Make yourself available.

In this episode: • Leadership beyond a title or platform • Finding God's purpose in ordinary work • The difference between what's urgent and what's important • Learning to say no with grace • Serving as part of a bigger mission • Being available when God opens a door • Loving people well in everyday encounters • Leading by following Jesus

Learn more at: https://jodyflowers843.org/

Most of us find it easy to pray for blessings but much harder to pray for God Himself. King Josiah's story in 2 Kings shows what happens when one person makes a wholehearted decision to turn toward God, obey His Word, and remove everything that stands in the way of His presence. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God is not waiting reluctantly. He is already running toward us. The only question worth sitting with is whether we are truly turning toward Him.

Resources:

Discussion Guide: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ALTARS_-Week-7_-God-Comes-Where-Hes-Wanted-Discusion-guide.pdf

5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ALTARS_-Week-7_-God-Comes-Where-Hes-Wanted-5-Day-Devotional.pdf