REPEAT Reflection

Last evening, we had our first outting with our mid-size group for a new ministry called REPEAT (or repeating Christ's life through our own). As I was sitting in my lawn chair recovering from an intense game of angleball, I realized how special things truly are for this group of people. I found myself feeling an emotion of unexpected joy. Sitting in that lawn chair and watching the others around me, I couldn't help to think what a great opportunity this is for everyone involved, and everyone yet to join.
For the first time in my life I am surrounded by people who really love and care about others. They are people that have my back. They are people that I can have a talk with on just about any topic. They are people that would put down everything that they are doing just to help one another out. They are true friends.
We had dinner, played angleball, and just hung out. There was no dependence on alcohol, or loud "party" music, or going out to the bars, or any of that junk that doesn't really need to be in our lives. The noise of the night was conversation, laughter, fun, and most importantly...love.
What is amazing is that we were all drawn here for one thing...God. Even though I cannot comprehend it, this was all in the plans God created for Megan and I. Who would have thought, oh say three years ago, that I would be in a leadership position in a 20's ministry? I sure as heck didn't and sometimes I still do not think I am up to the task. Deep down inside of me I have this itch. An itch that just won't go away. I think that I have it somewhere inside of me to effect a lot of people in the name of Christ. I do not know how. I do not know when. I do not know why. But there is a passion inside of me that is burning like I have never had before. Things have changed in my life for the better. I have friends that I truly love and love me right back. I have a closer relationship with my family because of the lessons and teachings I have learned about. I have an appreciation of not knowing what is coming next. Now, some of you might think that is a bad thing, but it truly is the best thing I could have asked for. I put all of my trust in God. Sure, bad things are going to happen. Things will break, words will be said, friends and family will pass away to be with the Lord. But not knowing and not seeking those answers is a great release. I feel very fortunate to have lived the life that I have. Great childhood, great family, great learning lessons, great schooling and career choice, but what I love even more is how I was directed on to the path of God. I really feel as though my Mom was called to work at Kohl's just so that I would meet Megan and be called to Christ. I also feel that I am the director of my own family's faith. I hpe that my life can be an example for not only them to follow, but anyone that I meet that is interested in God.
I never thought I would be in that position. Before, i just thought that God was God and that was it. I just thought that all good people went to Heaven. But Chrisitianity is like anything else, you have to practice at it to be better. I have never and will never say that I am better than anyone else because of it, but it helps me to live an unselfish life knowing that each day is not my own.
See there are a lot of things that can be thought about when you are sitting in a lawn chair on a summer's night surrounded by a group of people that are full of life and love. This experience has drawn me so much closer to other people. I am totally different than I was before in terms of my approach with my own personality. Before, I would have been the shy guy in the corner that only talked when someone else came up to him. Now, I am that guy who goes around and talks to as many people as possible. I want to get to know them. I want to be there for them. I want to be their friend. It is amazing how the Lord works, and I hope that deep down inside of you...you want to feel that too.