"Tallahassee???" was the typical response I received from both family and friends upon sharing the news that my wife Merry Beth and I believed that the Lord was leading us to leave the big city Boston area, and was taking us to the "never talked about before in my life" city of Tallahassee.  In truth, Merry Beth and I were as shocked as anyone else, but we simply trusted and started making the necessary steps to get here.

    Merry Beth of course was happy to return to her home state, whereas I was a little less enthralled, knowing that the transition would be particularly tough for me.  Now Merry Beth being a Florida native, I always knew that living in Florida would be a real possibility someday, but Tallahassee??? - It wasn't even on the radar.   Of all the trips that I've taken to the beautiful Sunshine State, Tallahassee never quite made it on the itinerary.  Many would chalk this up to the fact that Lake Ella is always booked solid during travel season, but really it's because to me, Tallahassee was just a slightly bigger mark on the map labeled "State Capital."  Impressive as this is, it may as well have been labeled "Places I will Never Go."   The next thing I knew, however, I was living in Tallahassee.

    My initial reaction can be summed up in the words of Ron Burgandy when he said, "I immediately regret this decision."  You see, beyond Merry Beth, I didn't know anyone, and everyone I met seemed equally baffled as to how and why they were living here too. On top of this, everything was different, new, and unknown.  Perhaps the most unknown and unsettling thing was why we were even here.  I constantly found myself questioning why the Lord took us to "Tallahassee???"  Though God's answer wasn't immediate, it soon became clear.

    We had started attending City Church not long after our arrival.  One Sunday, sitting somewhere in the warehouse being blasted by a speaker, my heart pounded and continued asking for an answer to the question, "Why on Earth, God, are we in Tallahassee?"  Then, ironically, the answer came in the form of yet another question.  I looked up to listen as Pastor Dean began to preach.  After appropriately praising Tom Brady and mocking his fellow Southerners, he started by asking the audience a question.  The question was ~ "Why not Tallahassee?"  He then described "the domino effect" - how the gospel could impact Tallahassee, and subsequently, the world.  He also noted the impact the gospel could have in the lives of people now, as well as on the future generations that would come to call Tallahassee home.  I can't put it to words, but this struck me to the core.  I had my answer.

    It's been nearly two years since that Sunday service and Merry Beth and I haven't looked back.  I laugh a little when I come across Acts 17:26.  Speaking of all the peoples of the earth, it states that God "marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands."  I left that Sunday service thinking, the time is Now and Tallahassee is the place.  In an instant I was led from wondering why on earth are we here, to knowing there is no other place we ought to be.

    By God's grace and guidance we have come to consider ourselves blessed to be here and to be a part of what God is doing Here and Now in Tallahassee.  To be a part of a church family that recognizes its constant need of the gospel, as well as its need to pursue and proclaim it.  To be a part of City Church that seeks to be by the gospel, for the gospel, and for the City.  We've been amazed to see what God has done in the short time we've been here, and anticipate we will be equally amazed as the future unfolds.  Thanks be to God, and thanks to all of you who make "Tallahassee?!?!?" home.