Remembering the Important Things

I have to be really honest with you (which comes as no surprise to those who know me).  There are times of serious frustration in my life.  Frustration with the system I was born into, raised in, and now work for.  A system known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

As I drove to Myrtle Beach, SC, a few weeks ago, I had conflicting thoughts.  IGNITION had been a breath of fresh air last February in Dallas, TX.  Would the sequel offer more of the same, or leave me wishing I had stuck with the original?

I had recently sat through three days of ministers’ meetings where I had heard more about how to minister to postmodern young adults.  The information was right-on.  I just get frustrated (a common thread) at all the talking.  I like to see action.  I want change and while technically a Gen X’er, I resonate with Dr. Tim Elmore’s description of Gen Y—‘I want to change the world, and I want to do it in a year’ (or less).  Change doesn’t seem to happen like that, though.

I realized several things while in Myrtle Beach, however.  I realized and was reminded that change is happening.  Change that is bringing increased health to our church.  There are some really amazing people working to bring about positive change, too.  Reconnecting with my colleagues reminded me of why I do what I do.

This was the most significant piece for me right now.  I realized that I get so focused on how “the system” needs reformation, I lose sight of the people.  I can’t see the trees for the forest, you might say….

God has called us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  That is the foundation of young adult discipleship, transformation, and ministry.  I don’t know how it is for you, but I lose sight of those two commandments so easily.  I forget so quickly that it is simply about loving well… loving God, loving others.

IGNITION, take 2, turned out to be an incredibly rich and valuable experience.  A much-needed reminder of what ministry is all about:  relationships with an amazing Creator God, relationships with those whom I do life everyday. Glacial movement happens over an extended period of time… and I can trust God to bring it about in His timing.

encountering GOD… the morning after

“Make me a servant, humble and meek….” The words from the familiar song caused me to stop short. The four young adults cleaning the long-neglected, roach-infested kitchen of this downtown Chattanooga home continued, “Lord, let me lift up those who are weak….”

GODencounters in Georgia-Cumberland Conference had concluded the previous evening for all but ten young adults who were part of this “morning after” service project. During the planning phase of Worship as a Way of Life, the team discussed how it’s great to come together to worship GOD at an event like this, but wanted to take it a step further and live out that life of worship through service on Sunday morning.

The journey of GODencounters making its way to Collegedale, Tennessee, was a long one for me. It began almost one year ago when I met Allan for the first time and, over salad and soup at Panera, asked, how can we make a difference in the lives of young adults in Georgia-Cumberland Conference? The idea of bringing GODencounters to Georgia-Cumberland camp meeting was met with skepticism from more than one of my colleagues, and yet GOD kept opening the doors. Joe Horness was available to come lead worship; Sam Leonor was lined up as our featured speaker; a team of pastors and young adults began email dialogue about our theme–Worship as a Way of Life–and what that really meant to each of us as well as to those who would come to this event.

So when everything finally all came together, there was excitement and exhaustion in the air! The worship was deep and engaging, the messages were food and water for my soul, the energy and enthusiasm brought joy to my heart as young adults encountered the living GOD. But by Saturday night when all was said and done and put away, the last thing I felt like doing was getting up Sunday morning and driving downtown Chattanooga. I had no idea that my most poignant encounter with GOD was yet to come.

I had to stop and pull my head out of the refrigerator I was cleaning. I had to just take a moment and listen to the four ladies singing and scrubbing and smashing roaches. “…and may the prayer of my heart always be, make me a servant….” The ground felt as holy as that of the prayer room. The Spirit blew in and whispered to my heart as I witnessed the hands and feet of Jesus in action. GOD. Encountered.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

“Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

Father, may my life be one of worship. May my worship bring joy to Your heart and relief to the oppressed. May I encounter You today in unexpected ways.