Pastor Lincoln Williams: ‘Blooming Season is Coming’

Lincoln Williams, worship pastor and creative director for New Life Church, is hanging tough. You can read more about him at the church’s website.

What are some ways the COVID-19 outbreak has changed your work life?

COVID-19 has changed things for me in some small and major ways. The small changes have been getting used to the lack of physical human contact and connection — being able to genuinely connect outside of using our phones as we did before all of this. Major influences have included our growth with our eLife Family (Online Extended Family) as well as growing in creative ways to reach people personally.

How about your personal life?

The major influences this pandemic has had on me personally, are in such simple but important ways. It has made me make a choice every single day, Faith over Fear. There are so many things to make us fearful and worried about the uncertainty of our society as a whole. But where there is fear present, there is also faith. We can allow the status of our situation to make us fearful, or push us into a place where we can grow in the midst of darkness. A plant cannot grow if it only knows the darkness of a hole and never receives water. But I find joy in knowing we can water ourselves with good wisdom in this season.

What steps are you taking to hang tough?

The practical steps I have taken during this time have been instrumental to my internal toughness. I have stayed informed by our amazing Governor and government officials; but I have also been more involved with my faith. This time has allowed me to go deeper with my relationship with God. It is through him and his son Jesus that I have truly been able to hang TOUGH in the middle of the valley.

What advice are you sharing with the people you love?

I have been sharing my faith relationship with everyone. It’s interesting that in times like this, we feel more comfortable sharing these truths with others, rather than before COVID-19. But a part of me is thankful for this season. It has put many things into perspective and into discussion for all families who are quarantined together. I truly believe that this season is going to create a strength and an emphasis on the importance of human interaction. Where we were headed into a phase of depending on technology for connection; we have revived the value of human contact. And I cannot wait to see others grow in their treatment of one another after this season has passed. 

Anything you’d like to add?

Let it be known that every season has a time period. This is not forever, this is a season. For sorrow may only endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Be encouraged that your blooming season is coming.