I'm sitting in Inman
Perk Coffee on the square looking for some inspiration. I love writing but lately I've been having
trouble finding something I really want to write about. So I glance up at the art on the wall beside
me. A dead tree filled with birds, the
painting overflowing onto the picture frame.
I sip on my chai latte and feel the crisp autumn air come through the
door as someone walks in. On the
opposite wall is a chalk drawing of a distorted feminine face crying and a
caption that says "I only ever wanted love." Inspiration.
So I turn to the
book of Philippians. "One thing I
do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead… do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if
there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have
learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the
God of peace will be with you."
Well I'm not having
any problem thinking about what lies ahead right now. Tomorrow begins a four day backpacking trip
through the wilderness of the blue mountains in South Carolina. There will be 40 people split into 5 groups
on five different remote trails. I am
responsible for the planning and facilitation of everything. I hope nobody dies. After that I will be moving into my trailer
home with 5 other people as an AIM CGA "House mentor". At the same time I'll be getting everything
ready to move to India, recruiting two or three more people for the India team,
and helping with church planting and trailer park ministry here in GA. Plus I need to be at 90% of my monthly
fundraising goal of $1500. And now I'm
wondering where the line between "straining forward" and
"anxious" is.
But seriously, as I
think about what lies ahead; all the things in my future that God is bringing,
all the truth, justice, purity, loveliness, and excellence; the excitement of
planting churches in India and watching Jesus transform lives and bring peace
and honor to destitute places, I feel like God is with me. And I guess even without a ridiculous story,
or crazy breakthrough, or life-changing chalk art, I feel inspired.
