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September 16, 2007
Sweet Dreams
It only takes the tearing open of a packet of Sweet Dreams, as I did just moments ago, and I am instantly transported back nearly 20 years to the upper peninsula of Michigan and InterVarsity's Cedar Campus. I am an undergraduate, and the pine trees and close fellowhip and worship remind me and my brother of our boarding school. And my heart sings.
It is also a time characterized by the enthusiasm and hopefulness of youth, of catching a vision for the coming school year, of bringing Christ to the campus. It is idealistic and big. We work hard like corporate managers, filling up pages and pages with vision statements and plans and pinning up each sheet as we complete it on the wall around the room.
It is a remarkable picture to me now. Somehow, my life did not go down that path, of being immersed in full time ministry just out of college with InterVarsity or elsewhere. I think if I had been asked I would have strongly considered staff. But nobody did. Instead, it meandered through indecision and false starts, both educationally and personally.
Now, I am more interested in ministry occurring through the Church than the paraChurch. In fact, theologically, I believe that should be the ideal, but still I see a place for the paraChurch when the Church is not doing its job, and that certainly is often enough.
Still regardless of where I may work, whether in the church or a paraChurch ministry or in secular employment, I want to have that sense of expectancy again, of wanting God to act, even while being afraid that he actually might show up, of working hard in context of friends. Yes, that may be what the scent of chamomile, hibiscus, peppermint leaves, rose blossoms, spearmint leaves, spice, and orange blossoms may really be doing, piercing my soul with a sense of expectancy, long remembered, needing to be refreshed.
Personal Growth or Lack Thereof | By jackdas | 1:16 AM
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Comments
"... I want to have that sense of expectancy again, of wanting God to act, even while being afraid that he actually might show up..."
Amen brother! My life has been so different than I would have planned... it is exciting and scary to be in the Lord's hands but my heart is sure it is the safest and freest (is that a word?) place to be!
Posted by: Tanya at October 2, 2007 12:35 AM
