Will... of God
Sunday, August 14, 2005
There's a Story Being Written
I read a book recently, and I was impressed by how the author had just happened to live at a variety of places that later became newsworthy. In the course of his life he had met people before they were on the national radar screen, and was able to go back to them after their '15 minutes of fame'.
I wonder sometimes if that's what's happening to me. I blogged earlier about how God seems to gather a pool of people together in preparation of doing something new; and I can't help but notice that I seem to get the opportunity to work with some over-qualified people for the positions they hold in the kingdom of God at present.
Whether that be the middle aged woman who has started open air services in the middle of a drug infested neighborhood, or the school teacher who has singing talent that is far greater than how it is being used, or the former educator who now works in the Pentagon, or the pastor in the middle of nowhere who has developed a very successful youth sports program, or the drummer that no one knew could play drums, or the middle aged guy who felt God calling him to learn to play the guitar, and is now our bass player, or one of the many still evolving stories of talent beyond its current use level; I am stunned by how many people I know who are equipped to play the game at a much higher level than they are currently being used.
When I read a book where the author seems to have lived a custom-fitted life to be able to tell a particular story, I wonder whether the author ever got a glimpse, ahead of time, that his life was on such a path.
I wonder, as I live my life, surrounded by people who have the abilities to impact eternity, if maybe I have the privilege of a front row seat to the next great story of revival and renewal of God's Kingdom here on Earth. ¶ 7:55 PM 0 comments
I read a book recently, and I was impressed by how the author had just happened to live at a variety of places that later became newsworthy. In the course of his life he had met people before they were on the national radar screen, and was able to go back to them after their '15 minutes of fame'.
I wonder sometimes if that's what's happening to me. I blogged earlier about how God seems to gather a pool of people together in preparation of doing something new; and I can't help but notice that I seem to get the opportunity to work with some over-qualified people for the positions they hold in the kingdom of God at present.
Whether that be the middle aged woman who has started open air services in the middle of a drug infested neighborhood, or the school teacher who has singing talent that is far greater than how it is being used, or the former educator who now works in the Pentagon, or the pastor in the middle of nowhere who has developed a very successful youth sports program, or the drummer that no one knew could play drums, or the middle aged guy who felt God calling him to learn to play the guitar, and is now our bass player, or one of the many still evolving stories of talent beyond its current use level; I am stunned by how many people I know who are equipped to play the game at a much higher level than they are currently being used.
When I read a book where the author seems to have lived a custom-fitted life to be able to tell a particular story, I wonder whether the author ever got a glimpse, ahead of time, that his life was on such a path.
I wonder, as I live my life, surrounded by people who have the abilities to impact eternity, if maybe I have the privilege of a front row seat to the next great story of revival and renewal of God's Kingdom here on Earth. ¶ 7:55 PM 0 comments
I Have a Friend
I have a friend. That statement alone resonates with the grace of God. But that's not the point of my story.
I have a friend. We couldn't be less alike. He is tall and I am short. He is thoughtful and measured in personality, I am moody and quick to respond. He tends toward peaceful solutions, I tend toward expedient victory. He is a teacher, I am a proclaimer. He is educated, I am not.
It took a while for the two of us to become friends. The catalyst was a Friday morning breakfast group that started with around ten members and has evolved over a couple of years to a very trusting group of five men. We meet every Friday at 6:00 for breakfast. No reminder cards are sent out, no one tries to make anyone feel guilty if they miss a meeting; but most weeks, all five men are there.
These men are my external conscience. With them I can be honest, and from them I can expect honest constructive input. We don't always agree, but we trust each others' hearts. We don't pretend to be happy when we're not and we don't try to become cookie-cutter impressions of each other.
Simply, we are middle aged guys who meet together one a week because it has become important to us.
Some weeks very little is said. (Those are the weeks I'm not there). Some weeks wounds are opened and some weeks healing takes place. Some weeks we talk about our kids; some weeks we talk about our wives; but every week we talk about and work toward being transformed into the image of Christ.
Once, when I was having a particularly difficult time in church, one of these men called me and asked me out to lunch. It was nothing special in the scheme of things, but it reinforced to me my value to him even though I know he didn't agree with a decision I had made.
And so, this is the incubator from which the friendship I mentioned earlier was birthed.
Today my friend, the one not so much like me, preached at our church. He taught the gospel without compromise and declared the Lordship of Christ with understated style. He presented the gospel in a way that was inviting without being weakened. He spoke directly about shortcomings without inciting defensiveness.
Today, he made me feel priveleged to be able to say, "I have a friend."
But it goes further than that. Today, he reminded me how priveleged I am to be able to say, "I have four friends". ¶ 6:59 PM 0 comments
I have a friend. That statement alone resonates with the grace of God. But that's not the point of my story.
I have a friend. We couldn't be less alike. He is tall and I am short. He is thoughtful and measured in personality, I am moody and quick to respond. He tends toward peaceful solutions, I tend toward expedient victory. He is a teacher, I am a proclaimer. He is educated, I am not.
It took a while for the two of us to become friends. The catalyst was a Friday morning breakfast group that started with around ten members and has evolved over a couple of years to a very trusting group of five men. We meet every Friday at 6:00 for breakfast. No reminder cards are sent out, no one tries to make anyone feel guilty if they miss a meeting; but most weeks, all five men are there.
These men are my external conscience. With them I can be honest, and from them I can expect honest constructive input. We don't always agree, but we trust each others' hearts. We don't pretend to be happy when we're not and we don't try to become cookie-cutter impressions of each other.
Simply, we are middle aged guys who meet together one a week because it has become important to us.
Some weeks very little is said. (Those are the weeks I'm not there). Some weeks wounds are opened and some weeks healing takes place. Some weeks we talk about our kids; some weeks we talk about our wives; but every week we talk about and work toward being transformed into the image of Christ.
Once, when I was having a particularly difficult time in church, one of these men called me and asked me out to lunch. It was nothing special in the scheme of things, but it reinforced to me my value to him even though I know he didn't agree with a decision I had made.
And so, this is the incubator from which the friendship I mentioned earlier was birthed.
Today my friend, the one not so much like me, preached at our church. He taught the gospel without compromise and declared the Lordship of Christ with understated style. He presented the gospel in a way that was inviting without being weakened. He spoke directly about shortcomings without inciting defensiveness.
Today, he made me feel priveleged to be able to say, "I have a friend."
But it goes further than that. Today, he reminded me how priveleged I am to be able to say, "I have four friends". ¶ 6:59 PM 0 comments
