Sitting here on the precipice of a job interview for a job that requires no degree, and pays accordingly, with tasks that seem to the world as menial and below my qualifications, I find myself contemplating the interesting circles of life and living that have touched my heart. If I land the job, I will be walking in the footsteps of one who was once a young man's mentor, Larry Killion. Larry and his lovely wife Francine were my youth pastors in my pre-adult days and I found myself attending his funeral about a year ago.
The purpose; the circle of life once again touched mine, but in a way that connects life, it's meaning and purpose, in ways that one without a connection to God, would miss. For at Larry's funeral, the pastor shared with the many Lowe's employees who attended, that 'they'd been duped'. For the reason why so many (over 20 Lowe's employees) attended his memorial was to discover the reason that compelled them to receive the grace of this man...his love for Jesus and the care sent their way caused by Larry's relationship with His savior.
It was a powerful testimony of a great man, doing his best to honor God with all his heart no matter where his Master would choose to send him. And God sent a musically talented, incredibly humorous, multi-credentialed and wise man to be an appliance salesman at Lowe's. God allowed Larry to be His voice into that store, with his customers, providing for Larry and Francine's needs along the way. And now, as I prepare for an interview at Lowe's, in similar stead, I am humbled and honored to have been connected with a man whose life served and continues to serve as an inspiration to me.
I have applied to Taylor Guitars, as a facilities maintenance guy, only to get a 'thank you' note in reply. And now, Lowe's has a facilities service job and is interested in my credentials. I have applied to numerous jobs all across the nation with no success. The job I am applying for is part-time and, at this point, I feel compelled to press forward here. It makes no sense, it surely isn't what the world or it's people normally would choose. But just like Larry, when we march to the drum beat of a powerful God, nothing, no job, no call is below us.
I know that my 'humility' badge could use some polishing. A man with many talents often needs a course correction throughout his life and I continually am in need of such. Pride, personal pride, can derail a train faster than a truck crossing and stopping in it's tracks. As I look to my savior, Jesus, He is God himself, and He gave up staying 'comfortably' in heaven to limit Himself to a body, trapped in time, admired and worshiped by some, but beaten and abused by most. What god would choose to do such a thing? And for what purpose?...So that we could see first hand the amazing grace and love of a real God who really wants us to understand that on the day of our birth, an eternal life began; one that will find it's final destiny with Him or hopelessly lost in torture.
When I think of God, living as the pure and complete example of humility, I am humbled. My life is no where near this pride exempt example; yet I long to be such and it seems He is leading me there.
Should I get the job, I will be the best facilities services guy on the planet. I will engage customers with the hopeful, friendly heart He has given me. As I watch, most of the employees there (and I shop there many times a week these days), it strikes me that frequently as they walk around the store, they lack joy and zeal as if distracted and 'unappreciative' of their job. I can't imagine Larry ever being such, nor can I imagine myself being such either.
So, in the circle of life and living, my heart is now connected to one who showed me the way, Larry Killion, as well as the one who shows us His way, Jesus Christ. I will be eternally thankful for Larry in my life, then as well as now, living as a part of my heart, still investing in me. But the wonderful part of this all, is that he pointed to and always will do so, to the one who brought ultimate meaning to his life, Jesus Christ.
I'll see you soon, Larry, and maybe then we will have some great stories to share about the power of God being unleashed through some ministering saints at Lowe's.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Faith, Hope, Assurance
What is faith, and what is it good for?
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
I am a man who lives and asks questions. In this one passage, many are raised...
Here's what I have come to discover as I press through this adventure called life.
What things am I hoping for?
I hope to live a life that is much larger, and more benevolent than personally capable. If I were to accomplish such a task, it would be demonstrated by significant contributions into the lives of many, partnering with them as one who inspires them to do the same.
Where can I find assurance that what I hope for are best for me?
This question of assurance strikes me at two levels.
One is the present, day to day level assurance, with the other looking to the horizon as I sail toward it. For if I have hope, that must mean I do not have it yet. Assurance? I am assured that meaningful employ (I do not have a job and have not had one for a year now) will occur. That does not mean that there isn't anything to do today. There is 'work' to do today, just not the predicted jump in the truck and drive to the office kind of work.
The second is the future, both near and far; The essentials of assurance and desire I find residing in my soul, beyond today and even beyond the end of my earthly life. Immediately beyond today, will be finding work. But is work the significant fulfillment of life? Hardly. I am assured that I am a husband to my beloved, a father to my children, a friend to my friends and a caring shepherd to anyone who may need care. I am assured that these will continue forward until my earthly demise, which brings the final assurance, that as I walk listening to The One who provides such assurance, I am assured of never ending rest from 'hoping', for one day my hope will transform into glorious acquisition of peace. It will be a wonderful, unending respite with absence of struggle and angst. Each 'day', every decade century and millennia filled with peace.
And, I find this assurance as I engage in relationship with God. For those of you who haven't experienced such, this may all seem like gobble-dee-gook or even like wishful thinking. I can state with confidence that I have absolute assurance of this faith I proclaim. It isn't the hollow 'going to church and going through the motions'; It is in the doing as Jesus Christ did as He walked the earth. The amazing life that not only performed miracles and spoke with such authority, but who finished with the unthinkable, taking the depravity of all that is me, taking it upon Himself with the single requirement of my submission to humble myself and engage Him in conversation, trusting in His way toward eternity.
If I can't see things, how can I have 'conviction' or discover them?
If one is born blind, he/she must find new ways to 'see'. One can read via braille, or be led through a house by a friend until he/she knows it well enough to move through it as long as they have the remembrance of where they are in the home. That is, until someone puts something where it doesn't belong and then it goes missing, or becomes a stumbling block. How often it is, that even us, blessed with sight, still find ourselves tripping over things in our own homes, and automobile accidents. Of course it would be ludicrous to jump into a car driven by a blind person. Wouldn't it be ludicrous to jump into life with a bunch of blind people?
For me, I have come to discover that my conviction comes from my relationship with The Master Designer of it all, and yes, I must admit, I am far from perfect, continually growing in grace as His representative here on this planet. I have been one touched and healed by Him for His purpose as the Bible speak of during the earthly period of Jesus' life. I continue to find direction and grow as He leads and we talk. Just as my marriage grows deeper and deeper each day, my 'friendship' with God does as well.
Where does my 'faith' rest? And do I have the assurance and conviction spoken in this statement?
The evidence of faith in my life has been uncovered as I walk and 'tested' my miniscule faith in the early days. I was looking for 'the real deal', nothing silly or hollow, the true God who inspired the likes of Mother Theresa, Issac Newton, and Billy Graham. When I ponder the lives of King David, Moses, Paul, Peter and others in the Bible, I am struck by how imperfect their lives were, yet still God used them and motivated them for His good.
My faith, hope, assurance and conviction is found in God because of the real evidence of His work revealed to me through my study of history, and study of my life as it unfolds with Him. Prayer works because God works. I am good because of the good He does through me. I can be a friend to those who have few because He helps me and in fact calls me to do so. I can live a life more potent and powerful than anything I can muster because it is the God I serve who does greater by His might, today and for eternity.
Where is your hope, faith, assurance and conviction found?
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
I am a man who lives and asks questions. In this one passage, many are raised...
Here's what I have come to discover as I press through this adventure called life.
What things am I hoping for?
I hope to live a life that is much larger, and more benevolent than personally capable. If I were to accomplish such a task, it would be demonstrated by significant contributions into the lives of many, partnering with them as one who inspires them to do the same.
Where can I find assurance that what I hope for are best for me?
This question of assurance strikes me at two levels.
One is the present, day to day level assurance, with the other looking to the horizon as I sail toward it. For if I have hope, that must mean I do not have it yet. Assurance? I am assured that meaningful employ (I do not have a job and have not had one for a year now) will occur. That does not mean that there isn't anything to do today. There is 'work' to do today, just not the predicted jump in the truck and drive to the office kind of work.
The second is the future, both near and far; The essentials of assurance and desire I find residing in my soul, beyond today and even beyond the end of my earthly life. Immediately beyond today, will be finding work. But is work the significant fulfillment of life? Hardly. I am assured that I am a husband to my beloved, a father to my children, a friend to my friends and a caring shepherd to anyone who may need care. I am assured that these will continue forward until my earthly demise, which brings the final assurance, that as I walk listening to The One who provides such assurance, I am assured of never ending rest from 'hoping', for one day my hope will transform into glorious acquisition of peace. It will be a wonderful, unending respite with absence of struggle and angst. Each 'day', every decade century and millennia filled with peace.
And, I find this assurance as I engage in relationship with God. For those of you who haven't experienced such, this may all seem like gobble-dee-gook or even like wishful thinking. I can state with confidence that I have absolute assurance of this faith I proclaim. It isn't the hollow 'going to church and going through the motions'; It is in the doing as Jesus Christ did as He walked the earth. The amazing life that not only performed miracles and spoke with such authority, but who finished with the unthinkable, taking the depravity of all that is me, taking it upon Himself with the single requirement of my submission to humble myself and engage Him in conversation, trusting in His way toward eternity.
If I can't see things, how can I have 'conviction' or discover them?
If one is born blind, he/she must find new ways to 'see'. One can read via braille, or be led through a house by a friend until he/she knows it well enough to move through it as long as they have the remembrance of where they are in the home. That is, until someone puts something where it doesn't belong and then it goes missing, or becomes a stumbling block. How often it is, that even us, blessed with sight, still find ourselves tripping over things in our own homes, and automobile accidents. Of course it would be ludicrous to jump into a car driven by a blind person. Wouldn't it be ludicrous to jump into life with a bunch of blind people?
For me, I have come to discover that my conviction comes from my relationship with The Master Designer of it all, and yes, I must admit, I am far from perfect, continually growing in grace as His representative here on this planet. I have been one touched and healed by Him for His purpose as the Bible speak of during the earthly period of Jesus' life. I continue to find direction and grow as He leads and we talk. Just as my marriage grows deeper and deeper each day, my 'friendship' with God does as well.
Where does my 'faith' rest? And do I have the assurance and conviction spoken in this statement?
The evidence of faith in my life has been uncovered as I walk and 'tested' my miniscule faith in the early days. I was looking for 'the real deal', nothing silly or hollow, the true God who inspired the likes of Mother Theresa, Issac Newton, and Billy Graham. When I ponder the lives of King David, Moses, Paul, Peter and others in the Bible, I am struck by how imperfect their lives were, yet still God used them and motivated them for His good.
My faith, hope, assurance and conviction is found in God because of the real evidence of His work revealed to me through my study of history, and study of my life as it unfolds with Him. Prayer works because God works. I am good because of the good He does through me. I can be a friend to those who have few because He helps me and in fact calls me to do so. I can live a life more potent and powerful than anything I can muster because it is the God I serve who does greater by His might, today and for eternity.
Where is your hope, faith, assurance and conviction found?
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