Friday, May 12, 2006
Rock Solid
I had my Rock Solid group tonight. Rock Solid is the kids program that I work with on Friday nights. I have these three year 8 girls that I work with in my group and today was the scavenger hunt night (or car ralley as they call it here). I like my girls amongst their silliness and drama, their great ability to blow anything up and make everything a very big deal. They're typical 13 year olds and they think every guy thinks they're gorgeous and flaunt it tremendously. Don't see me complaining here, I find it hilarious to be around them and truly enjoy the company. We were constantly on the look-out for "hott guys", while trying to beat the year 8 (same age) guys team doing the scavenger hunt as well. Anyway, we stopped at our 5th out of 6 stops and after our activity we were given our puzzle piece and a candy bar with instructions to give it to someone we saw. Guess what- GREAT excuse to now talk to a "hott guy". We had to drive through Homestead Lane, the road I live on, to get to our final stop so we were on the look-out for University boys. That's when the funniest thing happened. I mean "funny" by God's great ability to confirm promises with a great sense of humor. You see, Tyler was walking down the road and the girls instantly said "HOTT GUY!" and jumped out. I told them to call him Tyler and they walked over and said, "Hey Tyler" and gave him the candy.
Tyler- this guy I've prayed for since the day I met him, probably more consistently than anyone I've prayed for before. This guy that I truly believe will know Jesus someday. He's this great guy that has so much going for him, the guy that if fixed on Jesus would be the kind of Christian guy that actually is supposed to be, not softened and tamed, but admired and confident. I don't know if he hurts, don't know what he loves or makes him laugh, don't know much of anything actually, but I hope he will someday know the same God I know. I have this flower that's in my Bible for Tyler in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me." I use dried flowers to remind me of prayers or promises that God gives. As I drove back to Ilam Village tonight I found myself praying that God would knock harder. This may seem silly to you or humorous, but I'm quite serious about it. To knock so loudly that he would have to hear and be willing to open his life to Jesus. I wish I could be apart of his life when his conversion happens. I don't think this will be the case, but I'll forever stand knowing that he will know my Savior someday.
I read this yesterday and it very much brought me to a standstill. "Woe to those..who say: Let Him be quick, let Him speed His work that we may see it" (Isaiah 5:18-19). A great struggle we have as Christians is needing immediate results from our work. Yet, woe to those. Who are we to ask God to work in our timing; To give us numbers of people "we saved"; to break through quickly into a life that is built on lies; to ask for miracles to believe; to ask for signs when we are uncertain? Who are we to judge whether God is "working" in this world today? We are not asked to question, we're asked to believe. Jesus could not do miracles in His hometown because of their lack of faith. (Matt 13:58) What if this same principal holds true today? What if, we are indeed the ones holding back the light of the Glory of God?
Tyler- this guy I've prayed for since the day I met him, probably more consistently than anyone I've prayed for before. This guy that I truly believe will know Jesus someday. He's this great guy that has so much going for him, the guy that if fixed on Jesus would be the kind of Christian guy that actually is supposed to be, not softened and tamed, but admired and confident. I don't know if he hurts, don't know what he loves or makes him laugh, don't know much of anything actually, but I hope he will someday know the same God I know. I have this flower that's in my Bible for Tyler in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me." I use dried flowers to remind me of prayers or promises that God gives. As I drove back to Ilam Village tonight I found myself praying that God would knock harder. This may seem silly to you or humorous, but I'm quite serious about it. To knock so loudly that he would have to hear and be willing to open his life to Jesus. I wish I could be apart of his life when his conversion happens. I don't think this will be the case, but I'll forever stand knowing that he will know my Savior someday.
I read this yesterday and it very much brought me to a standstill. "Woe to those..who say: Let Him be quick, let Him speed His work that we may see it" (Isaiah 5:18-19). A great struggle we have as Christians is needing immediate results from our work. Yet, woe to those. Who are we to ask God to work in our timing; To give us numbers of people "we saved"; to break through quickly into a life that is built on lies; to ask for miracles to believe; to ask for signs when we are uncertain? Who are we to judge whether God is "working" in this world today? We are not asked to question, we're asked to believe. Jesus could not do miracles in His hometown because of their lack of faith. (Matt 13:58) What if this same principal holds true today? What if, we are indeed the ones holding back the light of the Glory of God?
