Next week I’m heading up to Santa Cruz to speak at the JEMS’ Mt. Hermon Inter-high youth camp.

I’ll be honest.  I want to be funny, insightful, deep, smooth, spiritual, convicting, well-liked, and down right - ‘really good’.

Earlier today, as I reflected on my “pure motives” (sarcasm), I was reminded of Paul’s statements in 1 Corinthians 2.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn’t use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God’s message. For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you.  I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.” (my bold and italics added)

I wish I could say this inspired me.  It didn’t. Rather, it paralyzed me with fear.

It awakened me to the reality that my desire to be everything that Paul wasn’t, will hinder me from being everything that Paul was.

John 3:30.

Whenever I find myself on a journey, all I can think about is getting to my destination.

Yet whenever I arrive to my destination, I always wish that I would’ve taken more time to enjoy the journey.

Last night, another chapter in my life came to an end (NW Youth).

As the kids thanked and encouraged me, all I could think was…

“I wish I would’ve taken more time to enjoy the journey.”

At 8:13 am…I wrote this in my prayer journal: “Open up doors for me to meet new people and help me to be intentional in getting to know them.  Bring people who you want me to serve into my life and give me the discernment to know you are at work. “

At 11:55 am…two kids from the neighborhood came to the door asking if we had any work they could do in order to earn money for pop-warner football.  Being somewhat impressed (their willingness to work) and somewhat annoyed (I was in a rush), I gave them $10 bucks and quickly shut the door.

At about 4:30 pm, as I thought about those two kids, I remembered what I prayed.  Too late.

Sigh.

Adam Lambert is gay.

Did I want him to win American Idol?  Yes.

Would knowing this before have changed that?  Nope.

Does being gay make someone less of a singer?

Does being a Christian prevent me from supporting someone’s who gay?

I had a the privilege of hanging out with 15 or so young men and women from ou church this past weekend.  While catching up with them, I discovered that over the past few weeks, “they” had been to…

Phoenix (obviously)

Los Angeles

Chicago

Las Vegas

Portland

Washington D.C.

Italy

and Thailand.

I was blown away.

The world is truly at our fingertips.

What a privilege…

What an opportunity.

Matthew 28:19.

Being around church for quite some time, I’ve become accustomed to receiving “anonymous” prayer requests either through random notes or via a third party.

Now I’m not discounting the requests being made or the pain and desperation that lie behind the requests.

Nevertheless, whenever I receive one, I can’t help but ask the question, “What’s the point?”

You want someone to pray for you, but you don’t want anyone to know who you are?

Well then, how are we supposed to pray for you?

Prayer is coming before God and admitting you desperately need Him.  It’s an act of pride humility.

Asking others to pray for you is admitting to others that you’re struggling, afraid, tired, anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, in desperate need of God AND in desperate need of the support and encouragement of others.  It’s also an act of pride humility.

So if you’re crying out for the strength and support of others, why hide your identity?

How will it help you?

How will we see you if you don’t step into the light?

How will we encourage you if we can’t see you?

How will we love you if we don’t know you?

see 1 Peter. 5:5-6.

Last night at VBS, as I sat in the pews of the church, observing the kids worship with Karly on my lap, I was reminded of the immense privilege and responsibility of raising a child.  As she stood there intrigued with curiosity, I couldn’t help but think how much I wanted her to fall in love with Jesus. 

I had an overwhelming sense of desire to one-day see her experience the fullness of His love; worship Him with all her heart; serve Him with compassion; and lead others with courage and conviction.

I found myself embracing her in my arms, and pleading with God to lead her to Himself.

I now know what Paul meant in Romans 9:3.  I can’t say that about anyone else in this world, but I can say that for Karly and Katey without flinching. 

“God, help me to love my girls the way you love them.  Draw them to you. Fill them with your grace, love, and joy.”

Amen.

I feel so foolish the way I’ve been living my life.  At the same time, I feel so relieved (because I don’t have to live foolishly).  Listening to the song “Thank you for Giving to the Lord” (the Jon Yee version!) reminded me of what’s really important.

Theologically I know this.  Yet, in my reality, I often forget this and find myself pursuing the menial things in life instead; which is ironic because its often the pursuit of menial things (image, popularity, wealth, possessions) in life that bring us the most stress and anxiety, while the pursuit of what’s truly important is relatively easy and stress-free.

The reason: making a difference in someone else’s life (what’s really important) by simply loving them is often times impossible to measure.  The impact we make is really not up to us.  It’s up to God.  All we can do is trust Him and trust the work of Jesus carried out by the Spirit.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

God determines the outcome.  God causes the growth.  God is the one in control.

I don’t have to worry or stress about anything.

So if pursuing what’s really important is stress-free yet impacts eternity, why do I often choose to pursue the menial things in life that bring me stress and worries instead?

I’m a fool.