New Beginnings…

// January 4th, 2010 // EVERYDAY LIFE

January 1 kinda came and went.  I went to bed 2 hours prior so I pretty much left the new year to arrive on its own.

Newness, hope, and beginning has been sort of a running theme with God over the last year or so.  Life has changed alot.

But I think a simple mark of following Christ should be newness.

Think about what Jesus said: Old to New, Death to Life.

Could death to life be any different?  It’s drastic.

And I think the mark of following Jesus is not a one time change, but a perpetual newness.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Yes there should be a beginning change.  But there should be another change.  And another change.  Glory is one thing, but another glory or an increase in glory?  It’s fascinating.

Is death to life still happening for us?  Is New from Old still happening in us?  It should be.  If there’s not drastic change then we’ve somehow settled.  Somehow Christ is not manifested in us yet.

—

Besides that, I’ve gotten the opportunity to see changes externally as well.  God’s really changed the way ministry looks for me these days.  I’m appreciative of all that I’ve experienced thus far and the fact that God’s totally dropped my jaw many times over.

Now is such an amazing time because after so many years of saying that I wanted to see the next generation get it, own it, and advance the Kingdom of God, I’m now getting to experience that.

In starting a new church, one of the most important things was having a team, a family to share it with.  No more lone rangering it for me.  & over the last quarter of 2009, God granted that desire with some phenomenally gifted young men who have a passion for Him and a passion for this community.

One commitment that I’ve made going in to this thing is a commitment that is honestly missing in a lot of churches.  Most youth guys I’ve known (and still know) have a longevity of about 24 months max at any given place.  That’s unfortunately the norm in ministry.  It’s not a leadership thing or a lack of gifting or maturity.  It’s a relational problem.  How many people would say, “Hey, I’m going to make a commitment to you personally.  I’m accountable for your life.”  Not that many.  And I think that’s the problem.  If there’s safety & security in relationship, there can be honesty, change, discipleship, frank discussions, growth, and longevity.  And we simply don’t have time for these things anymore.  Or we’re just not willing to make those kinds of investments.

If you’re pastor that’s reading this, it’s your job description to love & give your life for your people.  Don’t hand them a Maxwell leadership book if you’re not going to commit yourself to them.  Your accountable for their life.

—

So for me this has been pretty phenomenal – getting the opportunity to come alongside, to mentor, nuture, to give permission to the next generation to do what they were made to do.

Who thought this could be so fun & graceful?

—

Lastly…Christmas…

On the way to bring some gifts & hang out with some homeless friends in the area, Jessica asked me if she could run in to Rite Aid. Yes, it was open on Christmas Day & I feel it’s wrong to shop in places that keep people from their families on holidays…BUT Jessica needed something, and I’m smart enuff not to argue.

She was inside forever & I was thinking: “That’s some kind of line in there.” Eventually she walked out & I pulled up the car to pick her up. She handed me a small gift bag & said, “Merry Christmas!” I was like, “What kind of overpriced gift comes from Rite Aid?” I opened the bag & found this. She had a hunch. I was amazed. Then it crossed my mind that I might have urine on my hand with no way to wash it as I made my way to the party.

Leave a Reply