Last
Saturday was a very full of day for me. I had many people on my agenda to Love
1. To be honest, it started the night before when Mindy and I hung out together
after the kids went to bed. It’s our normal Friday routine. Sometimes we
reflect upon the week, sometimes we watch a show, and sometimes the week has just
been too long and we head to bed early. Our date nights are cheap, but
important. As I write this blog, I can’t forget the person I have been blessed
with and called to love first. Ministry is busy, and at times I can forget to
love my spouse as the first part of Love 1. My wife is busy serving others
also, and at times, the day is so full of loving kids and families that it is
overwhelming. Friday nights can be a haven for both of us.
Saturday
morning I woke up early and headed to a cross-country meet with the boys. It
was in St. Charles (blah)! My mid-county
arrogance and annoyance was kicking in with having to drive to the other side
of the universe (well, at least to the other side of St. Louis). Thankfully,
the boys’ race was first, which meant they would be done in plenty of time for
the next thing on my agenda. Jacob and Gavin raced together this time. Jacob
was in first place most of the race. As he started to loose his lead in the
final part of the race, I could feel my adrenaline kicking in wanting to help
him. He still finished second. It is so incredible to see how fast he is,
especially since none of this skill came from me. After he finished and my
heart calmed down, I knew I needed to cheer on Gavin as well. Gavin was near
the end of the pack. To be fair, he is a Kindergartener who snuck into a first
and second grade race. It was certainly a different feeling watching him than
watching Jacob. When I got home Mindy pulled me to aside and asked if I cheered
for Gavin too. I answered yes, but then had to ask myself if I had cheered for
him enough? Was I Loving 1 to both of my
sons?
I
then turned my attention to the funeral, which was now only a little over an
hour away. I transitioned from Word of Life clothes into a collar, and began
rehearsing all the stories in my head and processing how all of the readings
went together. I began thinking about the husband and his two sons and the other
people who would be there, and preparing my heart to lead people in worship and
help them see Jesus. I was asking Jesus how to Love 1 with everyone I came in
contact with at the funeral.
After
the funeral, I headed home to try and rest. As my eyes closed, my head began
preparing for the wedding I would officiate that evening. I began thinking
through the story of this couple and how their relationship developed. I was
also thinking through the history of Jeremiah (from the Old Testament), and picking
out elements to explain in the message that would help make the connection
between God and His relationship with the church, and how that is similar to a
couple who is getting married. At the wedding, I was sitting on a bench deep in
thought when the groom came up to me. He almost had to shake me to wake me from
my thoughts and preparation; I was so entrenched in making sure I was (&
would be) Loving 1 with the bride and groom and everyone I came in contact
with.
Thankfully,
not every Saturday is like this one. But on those busy days, I am deep in
thought about each relationship even more than a normal day. My deep thought is
actually an informal regular dialogue with God. Recently, some people have asked
me to define intentional relationships. That got me thinking about one of the
greatest issues in the church—that often times once we learn something, or sanctification
(which means to be made holy) has done its work, we move on. We unconsciously
assume that others can grasp the ideas in our head, or pick them up just
because they see glimpses of us modeling them. The stories I share aren’t just
pastoral duties; they are stories about what God has taught me about being a
disciple of Christ. If you are a businessman or woman, you could have similar
thoughts on how to do your job and yet care for people. As a parent, it is
undeniable that our thoughts are on our kids’ care, guidance, and discipline.
In
week 2 of our Discipleship GO series we focus on Love 1. How is this different
from intentional relationships, which is a part of our values at Mt. Calvary?
It isn’t any different! Values help describe characteristics we hold up as body
of believers, but Discipleship GO is all about acting on them. Love 1 is asking,
“What does it look like when we act on the faith and values built in us?” In
Romans we hear Paul share with us how to care for those who are weaker. We are
all weaker in different moments, and we all need love. Jesus and His work
exemplifies Love 1. We now share Love 1 by loving those people in our lives. It
can look different in any and every situation, but as we open ourselves to dialogue
with God (who created all mankind) and listen to Him, He will guide us to how
we can love His people.
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