August 2009
20 August 2009
Last Saturday I had the enjoyment of picking up trash along
interstate 81. Our church is responsible for a two mile stretch right
next to the campus. It was a muggy Saturday morning when our little group
headed for the highway. What a learning experience.
Stuff I learned picking up trash along an interstate: Eighteen wheelers are a blessing while working in 90 degree heat with high humidity. We have some of the highest truck traffic in the country. Usually, I consider these behemoths a nuisance while driving. But they create a constant refreshing wind when you are along the side of the road. The wind not only cools you, it keeps the knats away. I’ll complain less about truck traffic. What may be a pain in one context is a thing of beauty in another. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
I was amazed that the road was not covered with trash right from the start. That is because our faithful teams have been picking up trash along this road for years. There was not much “big stuff” to pick up. But that reminded me of another lesson. Most Christians are successful at eliminating the “big trash” from their lives. However . . . what we did find along the road was hundreds of small items. They are not visible from the highway, going 65 miles an hour, but they are there nevertheless. If enough of this stuff piles up, it would certainly be noticed. It would also be much more difficult to pick up than big stuff. Just because you’ve eliminated most of the “big trash” from your life, don’t stop seeking the little stuff. Get rid of it too. Otherwise, it piles up and becomes very difficult to eliminate.
The ministry team leader for this endeavor is actually an entire family in our church. They have been faithful with this ministry for a long time. They hit the road together, as a family, several times a year. What a blessing. They reminded me that so few families ever serve together. We miss such a blessing and a learning experience when we don’t serve together.
I could go on, but there is one final lesson I’ll share. Since cleaning “our” section of the road, I’ve taken notice of “other” groups sections of roadway. My first inclination is judge their cleanliness with ours! Oh, how quick we are to judge others when we get a little trash cleaned up in our own lives. Heaven help us!
Well that’s my story. My suggestion: if you’re not serving your community
in some manner on a regular basis, get with it. Christ followers are saved to
serve, not the other way around. Serve with your church family. Serve
with your own family. Don’t be worrying about everyone else’s trash. You’ve
still got plenty of your own.
Sharing the Journey, Pastor Don
12 August 2009
Today would be my fathers’ birthday. Although he died 27 years ago, I still miss him. Isn’t that amazing? How can your relationship with someone be so profound that you still miss their presence 27 years later?
I remember putting my hand in wet concrete once when dad was building a new patio. As long as that concrete was there, the impression of my hands remained. The people whom we love leave a permanent impression upon our lives. As long as our lives remain, so does the impression.
Dad taught me how to fish. He taught me how to change the oil and the brakes on my car. He taught me how to keep a garage orderly and clean. He taught me how to treat my wife. He taught me how to work hard and smart. He taught me the value of persistence. He taught me how to suffer with integrity. He taught me that nothing is impossible with God. He taught me that the most debilitating of diseases cannot stop one from changing the world through prayer. Anyone can pray anytime and prayer changes things. He taught me how to love my children. He taught me how to make mistakes and go on anyway. He taught me that God forgives. He taught me that death is only a short passage to real life.
No wonder my dad made a lasting impression on me. I hope I can do the same for those whom God brings across my path.
How about you? Do you think about the impression you are leaving upon the lives of those God brings into your network?
There are those who did not leave such a good impression upon me. Their images are also forever etched in my mind. I remember that I had one boss who found out that I had become a Christian. He was supposed to be a Christian too, although I think it was just a religion for him. He used to greet me with “f . . . you” every morning for work just to see if he could get a rise out of me. Amazing, that scene is still etched in my mind 33 years later. It is sad to think that someone can have an equally negative impact upon your life year after year.
So once again I ask, “What impression are you leaving on the folks God brings across your path?” Jesus left such an impression upon His followers’ lives that they went to their graves living out the lessons He taught them. I’m doing the same with the lessons dad taught me.
I hope someone will write about the POSITIVE impression you left on their life after you are long gone from the world. Why not start placing your hands in the concrete today with as many people as you can? Who knows, maybe they could write a whole book about you!
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don
7 August 2009
I was working out earlier this week with my trainer. The particular machine we were using allowed us to look into another area of the gym where a number of senior citizens were working out with another trainer. This trainer was very young and doing a good job. However, she was rather quiet and methodical in her approach to helping the folks exercise.
My trainer, who also owns the gym, remarked that this young trainer is a very good trainer, but her style is low key. He went on to explain that the other trainer for this group would have this group hopping right now. She is very upbeat, encouraging, and active with the participants.
He then turned to me and made a rather profound statement. “The leader sets the pace. If the leader is quiet and methodical, then the participants follow suit. They don’t get as “fired up” and work as hard. But if the leader is excited and motivating, the trainees work harder. The leader sets the pace.”
Wow! How true that is in any context. When mom and dad are excited about something, the kids get excited. When the boss is enthusiastic and involved, the employees follow suit. When the teacher is excited about teaching and their subject, they get the students excited about learning. The leader sets the pace.
However, what many people don’t realize is that they can become a leader in almost any context. One excited, hard-working individual on a work team can get everyone fired up – even if they are not the “official” leader. One person doing their job with enthusiasm and commitment to quality becomes the leader of the group. One player on the team can set the pace for the entire team – and they don’t to have the title . . . “leader.” They just lead by example.
Jesus talked about these people. He said that they are “salt and light” wherever they go. They set the pace. They give it flavor. They make people “thirsty” for more. They light the way. They see ahead when everyone else is stuck in the mire of now.
So what kind of person are you? If you are a follower of Christ, you became a leader when you claimed Jesus as your leader. He made you a leader by proclaiming that you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Do you infuse your home, your work place, your team, your class with enthusiasm for their job, their purpose? You can. Everyone can. So get with it!
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don