Wow

Yesterday was one of those days that I hope that I don't forget for a long time, if ever. Last week I was given something to oversee, something near and dear to my heart. It took a few days before I had the guts to actually make the phone calls that were required. From where did the fear rise up in my belly? I believe that the more accurate question is from whom did the fear rise. It's certainly not from God. It's not his desire that I shrink back in fear from the phone or from someone, a mere mortal, on the other end. I made the call to the Township of Voorhees my church's name touches the ear of the mayor, the township administrator, the deputy chief of police, and the director of economic development/director of park services, all within 24 hours. What is amazing about the whole thing is that they don't know us as a media-whore church. They see us as a church that simply wants to give cookies to kids. They see us as a church that wants to feed the police department to simply say thank you. What they see in us is simply Jesus. Profoundly Jesus. Perhaps they cannot put a name on it. Perhaps they cannot put a label on it. One day they shall.

The gospel is profoundly simple. It is we who complicate things by trying to look smart, to look dapper, to do the right thing. Jesus didn't walk around speaking 3 point sermons to the people who looked like they needed a good pat on the back. Jesus didn't seek out only the poor and destitute that could get his face on the news. Jesus didn't court people to help get his word out. Jesus went around being Jesus, touching those in his path that the Father wanted to touch, and somehow the word got out. Even when He told them to be quiet and tell noone. Proufound. Simple. Mind-blowing. Would I have the integrity to tell someone who was miraculously healed to be quiet, go and tell noone? I hope so. Can I guarantee it? No. I cannot not tell people how awesome God was to me yesterday. I want God's name to be famous throughout this land and the rest of the world. I want everyone who has been touched by God to stand up and shout it from the mountaintops. I want to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.

For now, I'll be handing out cookies, next to the cider and hot chocolate guys, serving up sandwiched to the police department. I'll let God handle the rest.