I’m on a roll. I’ve made a series of really good decisions lately. Do you ever feel like that? It’s like being in the zone on a basketball court. In other words if I’m on your team you want to get the ball to me because every shot is going in.
My season of right decisions started about the time we decided to go to South Padre Island, Texas, USA in early December. The catalyst for this decision was learning how to surf—that and we wanted to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary in a special way. I like to work but it turns out vacations are good decisions.
Then about three months ago we decided it was time to get another dog so we got Captain, the world’s greatest Rough Collie. He was a good decision.
About four weeks ago, I made a Sunday night decision to go to the ER because of some chronic health issues, and it turned out I needed a serious oil change. So I’m on a roll and that’s good because the Blonde and I are thinking about what’s next.
Life is, however, not always lived in the “zone” is it? I have not had too many regrets in life until the last few years and now I’m like, “Whoa, dude, you have been a major screw up.” Pride can be a major roadblock. I’m like that kid who was told to go sit in a corner and said, “I may be sitting on the outside but I’m standing on the inside.”
Some decisions I have made didn’t turn out to be good and I wish I could press reset. But when I think about how I would do these things differently I don’t have a better solution, so maybe we just do the best we can in life.
I’m compet it ive so “just doing the best we can” sounds like coming in second place is okay and ever y thing in me screams second place is not okay. I coached a jillion Little League baseball games for both of our boys (now men) and every time a kid struck out and I heard a mom yell out from the bleachers to her little boy it was, “Okay” I wanted to spit or cuss and sometimes both (not really because preachers don’t cuss). Striking out is never okay (be a two strike hitter, put the ball into play).”
I’m scared of becoming complacent. I’m a radical grace guy but I am sensitive to works (James 2:26). I’d like to rest in the work of Christ and I do but that work compels me to be about mission and purpose. I look around and there are not many joining me in mission and purpose. I know that sounds like that pride thing, but maybe I just feel like Elijah and I think I’m the only Christian left, but God says, “Kenny, there are still 7,000 that are busy about my business.”
Most Christians will die without ever leading someone to the Lord, does that make sense? Something is inherently wrong with that statistic. This is where I get stuck. If we all act like crazy people telling people about Jesus, they will think we are crazy but didn’t they think Jesus was crazy (Mark 3:21)?
There is a temptation to become lazy with our faith and cheapen grace and go, “Oh well, it will all work out in the end.” About that time you should feel God grabbing the reins and jerking your head back and that never feels good, so what’s the answer? I don’t really know and that really bothers because I don’t think God is playing hide and seek but seek and find.
God spoke to me today, but so often what He says doesn’t make sense or at least it’s not what I want to hear. He told me some things that are happening around me are okay and that I don’t have to be uptight about them. But uptight is what I do best. Can you hear God shaking His head?
He told me to tell you that.
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