Have you ever asked the question, “What was I created to do?” It is a dangerous question because it really causes you to seek out your Creator to understand why you were made (Kingdom purpose) as well as seeking to know yourself (talents & passions). I say that it is dangerous because the answer to the question might lead to huge changes in your life and lifestyle. It was asking that question in 2002 that led me to leave a great job in a great church to risk planting a church in a state and an area where I know nobody outside of my wife’s family. However, amidst the risk there is a sense of this idea of redemption - I am being used in a way in which I was created for.
Redemption is captured when we understand that life has MEANING - even amidst the STRUGGLE, when we are being restored and the world around us is being restored to God’s original intention.
Do you have favorite REDEMPTION snapshots? I think that my favorite comes from my friend Geoff Olds here at Pathways. I will never, ever, ever (many more ever’s here) forget when he stepped out of the baptistry after publicly confessing his commitment to Jesus. He collapsed to the floor and wept the most beautiful tears I can ever recall seeing. After a moment, he looked up at me and said, “I am soooo happy.” That is a REDEMPTION snapshot - Geoff finally understood his Creator’s love for him and was restored to His original purpose - to be in relationship with his Creator. Thanks for that picture Geoff - it will live with me until I die!
I’d love to hear from you about favorite REDEMPTION snapshots. Pictures of the world being made right.
January 18th, 2007 at 8:10 am
In the summer of 1961 I worked on the “Garbage Crew” at Serria Christian Service Camp in central California. Actually, we were the dining hall people - dishes, floor, trash, etc. One of the girls on the crew was Mary Lou Lamb. She was a gifted singer who had won awards in high school, but came from a very disfunctional home. On the day we were packing to leave I said, “Mary Lou, our summer is over, we get to go home today.” She looked at me and went running into the forest. After a while I decided I had better find her so she didn’t get lost. After about thirty minutes of searching, I heard her before I saw her. She was standing in a forest clearing, face to the sky singing “The Lord’s Prayer.” She had no idea I was there, it was just her and God. Her home life was a mess, but she knew Who had redeemed her. I have not seen Mary Lou since that day, but I can still see and hear her forty-five years later.
January 18th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
As old as I am, I have a lot of stories and interaction between God, and myself. As Jacob wrestled with God, so have I, and still do at times until I remember who really is in charge. And Whose will be done. I am coming around however, as I, (like John the beloved) lean in towards our Gracious Savior, Jesus, to hear His soft voice in the ear of my heart. Thank you Lord!
Many of you don’t know me, but may have met me in Pathways or at a function of the Church. You may think I am easy going and devoted to God, and, as of now this is so. But rest assured it has not always been that way.
The most important ideal to me in my relationship to God and to an understanding of what He is about, along with what His desires for me are, fall in the line of LOVE.
A time in my past, I asked to be like David—A Heart For God. Then I wanted the vigor of Paul and his endless devotion in proclaiming God, His Kingdom and His doings. I often wish I could have the patience of Moses and his wisdom. I thought towards being like Elisa, the mighty prophet dedicated to God and His cause. Oh, but John the Baptist would be a good role model in announcing repentance and to be baptized. But, I mostly wish for the understanding and devoted heart and mind of the longest living disciple we read about in scripture. The one who literally rested his head on the breast of Jesus at the last supper. John the beloved as he truly knew and wrote of God’s Love.
I know scripture states that with all gained but not love, as a sound, here now then gone forever, there is nothing. This is well, but not the main reason for my desire to know God’s Love.
Everyone loves a puppy or kitty, but what happens when they grow to maturity? Some are not so loved. And of course a baby is loved and revered as precious especially by its mother. So—in my life—as a less than 3 months old baby—I could never understand how my mother left me with a baby sitter, never to return in my life again. What had I done to dismiss the love a mother should have for her child?
Raised in foster homes, as my dad was a prisoner of war, Japan, for 3 and a half years. He was in and out of hospitals during my more formative years. When I did return to live with him it was truly an unloving atmosphere. I was given broken ribs, back, face, a punctured lung, stabbed with knifes and screwdrivers, and this list goes on. Dad loved with the idea that he provided, but I never, till his dieing day, remember hearing him say, “I love you.” I am assured, through yet another lengthy tale, that dad will have eternal life when the time comes, with the giver of all life.
I was attending a Catholic school at a very young age, and asked what the Bible was all about. Sister Jude told me, that it was a book of prayer and not to worry about it as it was not for me. So—I took a bible, without permission. Soon I was caught and in much trouble but in the time I had read that there was someone who loved me unconditional. I wanted to more about this! WHO COULD LOVE ME?
I was in the Navy (nuclear submarines) for 10 years but before that, 3 years in the Army and it was in this boot camp I dedicated my life to God and was baptized.
In college I met and married the girl of my dreams. As in all relationships, married and with God, there where better times than others (struggles). Since I was a worldly man and had never grounded myself to the Lord, back and forth, trying to have it my way, always, I did what I regretted from the very second I signed the papers. After 17 years of marriage, I divorced my wife, and for no real reason (especially biblical reason).
Here now lies the just of this writing. As I instantly knew I was wrong in my doing I devoted my life to the pursuit of restoration of a covenant between man and woman and between God and me. I was so wrong as God had given me a woman who really loved me, but not knowing or not thinking I deserved this love, I made a terrible mistake. I would surrender to God in the morning and by noon I would do it my way. It took a year of kneeling and surrender before the Grace of God restored this wrongdoing. I am still on my knees and wish and pray only for His will to be my will, like in John 17.
As this is so lengthy, I will shorten by saying God truly restored, as with Job, the wrong I committed. He returned to me the love He wanted me to have from the beginning. We have been married for over 31 years now, and learn everyday from the day before. But I mostly thank God for the REDEMPTION he so gave to me in 2 relationships, one with my wife and one with Him!
May I never forget and always be Thankful!