A Lesson Learned??

The Hermitage

April 9, 2019

I had planned to share a different meditation this morning, but then God got my attention. When He presents the same concept in several different ways, I don’t know about you, but I begin to pay attention.

Several weeks ago, Chris and I took our RVs to COTA (Circuit of the Americas, Austin, TX) to see the inaugural weekend for Indy Car racing.

A couple of guys from Arkansas parked their camper next to Chris. After they spent some time setting up their campground, as is the way with RVers we quickly struck up a conversation while they cracked open the beer cooler and began enjoying the afternoon.

While Chris was talking to one of the guys several others drifted by, stopped, and, as is the way with RVers, joined the conversation. Somehow the other guy, whose name I confess I can’t remember--let’s call him Dan--and I were sort of off in our own space and struck up the usual conversation...the weather (looks like rain); first time here? (yes--for both of us); the track (amazing, isn’t it?)

And then the conversation began to drift, as it seems my conversations do so often. But this time I was not in charge of the direction. God was--as I hope He always is.

Some way or another, I really don’t know how, the conversation began to explore the beauty of creation. This, in spite of the fact that we’re nowhere near any place that might be called “beautiful,” unless you’re into steel and asphalt...which, having an architectural background, I know can be beautiful in their own way, but...

Then came “The Lesson.”

The Arkansan pulls the tab on another cool one, and God begins to teach me things so central to what I need to understand about my new “ ministry of presence” that it almost took my breath away.

First lesson...it’s an old cliche, but—don’t judge a book by it’s cover. When the guys pulled up, parked their rig, set up camp and started a marathon on a case of beer, my first thought was, “It’s going to be a rowdy night tonight.” Instead, as we talked he turned out to be a really gentle, friendly, down to earth kind of guy. The kind you’d be proud to call your neighbor and friend.

I can only quote about two dozen scriptures that show Jesus really wasn’t interested in being politically correct or running with the right crowd. Wonder what this portends for the future of my new “ministry of presence?”

Second lesson...evangelism.

Now I’ve taken practically every course on evangelism that was available during my active ministry. Evangelism Explosion? Sure. Even taught it to my core evangelists at Rez. Four Spiritual Laws? Not really fond of it, but I guess it has its place. Friendship evangelism? Yep. Got that one mastered.

—-or do I?

As our conversation drifted to the beauty of creation, he quietly says, “I don’t know what you believe, and I don’t want to offend you, but I can’t understand how anyone can look at all of this and not believe in God.”

Bam! In my ego driven state, I’m supposed to be opening up a conversation on religion with him. And I guess I probably would have in the next day or two. But we’ve know each other for maybe fifteen minutes and he’s offering me the Gospel!

What a marvelously gentle, non-invasive way to share your faith. I can guarantee I’ll use it in the future! I may never meet him again, but I’m grateful he followed God’s leading and gave me some very valuable lessons.

Reflections

As I look at this meditation, it’s complete in itself. Except…

I pondered the lesson for a few days, gave thanks to God for the experience, and added it to my list of meditations to share some time in the future. Then, filing it away on a Vault shelf, it became another “Round tuit.”

Until last Sunday.

I’ve become a “virtual” member of the congregation Chris and Stephanie are attending. For lots of reasons (excuses?) I don’t go with them, but, since the church televises the Sunday services I usually watch.

What was so different about this Sunday? Not much really. Good worship music. Very different than I know...but I’m almost 20 years out of touch with contemporary Christian music. And one of my “excuses” is they play it so loud it hurts my ears, and it doesn’t seem respectful to wear earplugs.

Then came the sermon.

Jason, the senior pastor, really has some great sermons, if you don’t get sidetracked by his delivery style. (Hmmm. style much like mine except a little more Baptist. But then I really used to tick off one of our conservative next door Episcopalian neighbors with my worship and sermon preferences.)

The topic this Sunday, titled “Be Ready” was from Acts 8: 26-35--Philip witnessing to the Ethiopian eunuch. And Jason framed it about being ready to follow God’s leading. If we don’t, we may miss an opportunity for which we may never get a second chance.

I’m not going to go through all of it because you might as well listen to the sermon. I recommend it if you’re interested:

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http://www.1910church.com/message.aspx?parentnavigationid=41187&messageGuid=ae64c28b-f263-4e48-9966-fb2c1992d1eb&episodeguid=c852a9a4-5f41-4ab6-944b-5dfd937cea48

Click on the Media title “Be Ready” --------------------------

But apparently twice is not enough to get something through to me.

As I’ve said before, I listen to “Our Daily Bread.” This morning I got my tea, settled in comfortably, clicked the link from my email and…

Acts 8: 26-35

Let me give that to you again:

Acts 8: 26-35

That’s right. Philip and the Ethiopian.

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http://cdn.rbc.org/odb/2019/04/odb-04-09-19.mp3?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ODB%20040919%2001&utm_content=

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BOTTOM LINE:

Do you think God’s got something planned for my yonderin’?

Just as importantly:

Do you think God’s got something planned for our Journeys together?

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Till then….

Thanks for Journeying with me.