August 28, 2026

Do you remember that feeling of the back-to-school season as a kid? Not the feeling of dread. I’m talking about the feeling of anticipation. I grew up in a family where you didn’t get new shoes very often. But every now and then we got new shoes when the first day of school rolled around. I remember the feeling of anticipation as that first day neared. I couldn’t wait to wear my new shoes. I’d keep them in my room in the box right up to that day. With each day that passed I’d open the box, take them out, turn them over in my hands, smell the new shoe smell, and then put them carefully back in the box. The excitement of strutting down the hallway at school with pristine new shoes made the anticipation of the coming new season energizing!

As an adult, it takes a lot more than new shoes to energize me at the changing of one season to the next (though, I do love a new pair of shoes)! The weather might start to change, the wardrobe might start to vary, the schedule sees a shift, but how do your life and priorities change? Does your heart and your apprenticeship to Jesus take new shape? What would it look like for that to happen in your life in this next season?

Jesus met with a guy once who had that same question put before him. In John’s Gospel he tells the story of the secret meeting that Nicodemus requests to have with Jesus. He asks for the meeting to be at night because Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council. If it were found out that he was fraternizing with the likes of Jesus, he might get some backlash. He had much to lose. He also had much to gain.

John 3:1-3 says, "Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

You see, Nicodemus was sensing a potential coming change in the seasons. There was something about Jesus that intrigued him. If Nicodemus (or the whole of Israel) were to walk down that road, everything would could change. Nicodemus was curious but not yet committed. Jesus’s interaction with Nicodemus reveals the level at which Jesus anticipates and expects a change in the lives of those whom he calls to be his apprentices.

Jesus goes on. 19 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."

Jesus has ushered in a brand-new season of human history. His mission of reconciliation is to be accomplished through his disciples and his Church. This requires apprentices who are sold-out, bought in, and wholly committed to partnership with him! He tells Nicodemus: It’s pretty black and white… dark and light… I want you with me, but you must choose.

As we look toward the fall ministry season beginning at White Oak in the coming weeks, what might you anticipate? What do you want Jesus to do in you this fall? Are there changes in your rhythms, priorities, and habits that will give you more time with Jesus? What can you put aside and take up that will turn your heart toward serving and meeting the needs of others? Sharing the love of Christ with your neighbors, coworkers, classmates, or friends? What did Jesus do that you want to spend more time doing?

The fall season is coming. I am praying that you anticipate it and that the things Jesus will do in and through you will energize you as you obediently step into them!

Putting on the new shoes,

Nathan

Nathan Hinkle

Lead Pastor

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