you aren't as important as you think you are. The End.

This is a devotional I wrote for my church's 40 days of lent. I decided to share it with all of you too.

Mark 4:26-29

He also said, “this is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain-first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

News Flash: You aren’t as important as you think you are. The end.

Just kidding.

Seriously now, we all think we are so darn important. I was taught that since kindergarten. The message we hear over and over goes something like this, “You are special! Just like everyone else.” A survey I read recently said that teenagers have a huge sense of importance, and directly related to that, they have a huge sense of failure. The expectation that “you are special” puts tons of pressure on our shoulders to be important. That can be overwhelming!
Here in Mark 4 I hear Jesus telling me to relax. Because whether I’m up and about, or laying sick in bed, HE is out doing HIS work. It’s His kingdom to build, and He is. With me, or without me. Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t an excuse to stay in bed and avoid going out there and getting your hands dirty. It’s an invitation to do exactly that! Jesus invites us to partake, to play a role in his Kingdom, but to remember that it’s just a role, and it’s His show.
The Holy Spirit is out there right now bringing the kingdom of God to earth in the hearts and minds of people everywhere....care to join Him?

Apprentice of 'Splode-sation

I wear a jacket around the community with the words "Youth Worker" on the back. This way when I'm seen in public hanging out with teenagers the adults know that I'm a positive influence and not a drug dealer. It describes what I do and is a great conversation starter in the grocery store line up or while waiting for the elevator. I like my jacket even though it is four hundred sizes too big for me.

Sitting at home thinking about Jesus I wondered what he would have written on the back of his jacket if he had one. Would it say "Hope"? How about "Life"? Maybe be even "Disturber of the peace". Other words come to mind as I think about who Jesus has been to me in my life. Words like "Healer" and "Friend" and some word I can think of but has something to do with that feeling you get when you cant stop laughing. I want to say "Joy" but that word seems so....flat. I'm talking about that sensation of sides hurting, tears streaming, can't breath, can't see, choking on laughter explosion feeling. Maybe I'll make up a word...umm.. 'splode-sation.
It's my 'splode-sation to follow Jesus and so maybe I should change my jacket to something more like his? "Follower of Hope" or "Fan of Healer" or "Stalker of Life" .
There is more to it then that though. I want to be like him. So I could be "imitator of the disturber of the peace" or "apprentice of 'splode-sation".
Those are getting to be a bit long. I'll stick with "Youth Worker". If you have an idea I would love to hear your comments!