Those who come to me usually like that about me because it is what they need. I have seen God over the last few years really working on my sensitivity. I have seen Him putting me around certain people and in certain situations where sensitivity is needed and yet I am unable to bow out and simply pass it on to a pastor who cries. The other day my wife and I were flipping channels and for some odd reason she had the remote. I wasn't completely paying attention, I was in one of those TV comas, but we ended up landing on the very end of Mr. Hollands Opus. We sat there and watched the end, you know the part, he walks up on the stage in front of all this former students, grabs the musician's wand and as he fights back tears, begins to conduct his life's work. It is a stirring peice, as I am watching it I feel eyes on me.
I turn and Lori is watching me, just waiting for me to cry! It turns out she stopped on the this particular part on purpose to see if it would make me cry! The Nerve! She said to me, "I want to see you cry." I didn't cry, but assured her that I would probably ball like a baby at her funeral and she could pile that on her plate of satisfaction along with everything else Jesus had already given to her.I was thinking this morning. We all have labels. Some of them are good, some not so flattering. As I read Ephesians 4 and 5 this morning I was reminded that we are not to be labeled by the things of this world. The letter was written to a people who had grown calloused to the things of God, in other words, they had lost their sensitivity to the things of God. In verse 3 of chapter 5 of Paul's letter to Ephesus he says, "But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints." In others words, if someone were to talk about you, these things should never come up. He is very clear that we have been all these things and more, but have been rescued from that and given a new name, a new identity. Now we are to be named with the things that are named with Christ.
I don't know about you, but I have to quiet some of the noise of my life in order to regain some of my sensitivity. I need this on a regular basis, I have a time weekly for this but sometimes I pass up on it and God has to slow my life down in other ways for me to get it. This week it was a cold or something. It has completely clogged me up and left me with no ability to sing or talk, just type. Slow down, Jeff. Plan some time for nothing. Call it whatever you want. "Inspecting the Vinyl Siding," "Watch the grass grow."
What are the things that label you from the world? What are your bad habits? What is your answer to them? Your plan? Do you lie a lot to make yourself sound more important? Do you steal things from the people closest to you and call it borrowing? Do you download illegal software or take advantage of company software for personal gain without permission? Do you cheat on your taxes? I have been guilt of most all these at some point. Burning someone's cd verses sticking it down your pants at Walmart might make you an "Uncommon Criminal," but a criminal none the less.
SUPPORT UPDATE:
Team we are getting there. I am just over 70%. I think you guys are like me, you need a reminder to send it in. 70% is a close number but not quite there yet, so if you are planning on joining up now is a great time to send in your cards or contact me and let me know what you need.
PRAYER UPDATE:
Lori and I have been sick for the past week. My throat has been the biggest issue that and whatever makes mucus in the body working overtime. I had to bow out of a worship leading opportunity this past weekend. Hayden and Julia luckily jumped in for me and it went really well. We have rehearsal Wednesday night and my throat needs to show up.
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