“I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand-from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry-forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”
I wonder how many of us live on “crusts of hearsay and rumor” of who God is, what he is like, and what he expects and requires.
Much suffering
It’s not lost on me that Job’s revelation comes after much suffering, pain, and subsequent wrestling and even accusing God.
And so I wonder… Could it be that suffering is the only gateway to firsthand knowledge of our Creator? Could it be that failure is actually the only stepping stone to a deeper understanding?
“In spirituality we learn far more from getting it wrong than we do by getting it right.”
Richard Rohr
The Story
Last week, I heard some unsettling news. News, that if I’m honest, is really none of my business. But, since I genuinely care about those involved, my first response was one of concern. Some old friends, who I haven’t talked with in a while, are on the verge of making a huge life decision. They’re getting married. Under normal circumstances, I’d be happy for them. But in this case, I’m not. I’m troubled.
One of them has just recently gone through (and I’d say, still in the middle of) a pretty painful experience. It’s still very fresh. And so, there I am all alone at the breakfast table having this internal conversation… pleading.
“It’s too soon! You really need to heal. You’ve gotta talk this out with someone. Give it some time. You need to make sure you’ve recovered from all this stuff. Can’t either of you (or anyone close to you) see that this can’t possibly have a healthy foundation? Come on bro, this isn’t wise at this time.”
I just recently finished a wonderful book by David A. Price called The Pixar Touch. In it, the author chronicles the rise of the computer-animation pioneer and follows the founders’ unrelenting quest to produce the first full-length feature animated movie.
For years, Pixar sold computer hardware as it’s core business before getting the opportunity to pursue their dream and passion. What a lesson in patience and “keeping your eye on the ball.”
Every story is interesting and compelling if you look hard enough. I believe we can learn multiple lessons from every book. This one is no exception. Many business and life lessons can be gained from the Pixar story but one encounter stands out. In the past week, there’s been a lot of reflection on the life of Steve Jobs and his impact on culture.
Of course, this book wouldn’t be complete without spending considerable time on the role of CEO, Steve Jobs. His commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005 reveals a man who matured and learned a great deal about what is truly important. This story isn’t about that man. It’s about the much younger Steve Jobs.
The Story
It’s 1986. Steve Jobs has been fired from Apple, the company he founded. Lucasfilms owns Pixar (not their name at the time). All Pixar wants to do is make computer-animated films. This means they aren’t focused on developing the digital sound and video editing systems Lucasfilms wants. Not to mention the boring electronic accounting programs. These are the reasons George Lucas bought them in the first place.
The problem is I’m older now, I’m 40 years old, and this stuff doesn’t change the world. It really doesn’t…
I’m sorry, it’s true. Having children really changes your view on these things. We’re born, we live for a brief instant, and we die. It’s been happening for a long time. Technology is not changing it much – if at all.
These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we might not otherwise. You may have a child with a birth defect and be able to get in touch with other parents and support groups, get medical information, the latest experimental drugs. These things can profoundly influence life. I’m not downplaying that. But it’s a disservice to constantly put things in this radical new light – that it’s going to change everything. Things don’t have to change the world to be important.
I came across this image a few weeks back and included it my daily visual inspiration. I haven’t been able to get away from it. If it’s true that “a picture says a thousand words” then this definitely qualifies.
To me, there’s so much going on here. Two friends who love what they do. Proud of what they contribute to their community. Men of meager means. No fame. But, their faces say it all.
What you value
The quality I see most in this image is contentment. You can see it in their eyes… in their smiles. Others might look on them with pity or disdain, but not me. In some sense, I envy their simplicity. In another, I’ve experienced a measure of contentment the past few years as never before.
It all has to do with what you value and what’s truly important. In ministry, it’s easy to fall into the trap of discontentment because you’re working for a “higher calling”. It’s our justification for always wanting more.
Take Inventory
Are you truly at rest?
Are you really at peace?
Is there a nagging sense that you’re not paying enough attention to the most important things like family and friendships?
Do you feel guilty when you take time for yourself?
Do you feel as though you’re never doing enough?
Are you able to stop and smile at the work of your hands?
If it’s good enough for an apostle
Take a look again at the image above. Soak it in. Slow down. Take a tip from one of the most driven figures in the Bible, Paul, when he said:
Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
God becomes human, a real human being. While we exert ourselves to grow beyond our humanity, to leave the human behind us, God becomes human; and we must recognize that God wills that we be human, real human beings.
Ok… “problem” is not the right word. There’s nothing wrong with bucket lists. In fact, a bucket list is something I believe you should take the time to think through and draft. But having a list is the easy part. The problem with bucket lists is that most of the time they are just that… lists.
There are many challenges when I look at my bucket list. And not just my list. You all had quite a few big ones on the list as well. Here’s a sampling (of items sent in by you):
“You don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.”
Edwin Louis Cole
If you follow me on Twitter or are a regular reader here, then you know I’m a big fan of People of the Second Chance. Right now, they’re in the middle of a series asking the question “Who Would You Give a Second Chance?”
POTSC is launching the NEVER BEYOND Poster Series: 25 posters representing well known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be displayed as a touring art exhibit.
Grace is Provocative
Because they’ve included figures like Casey Anthony, Mike Tyson, Darth Vader, and a KKK Klansman, the art series is provocative to say the least. But, I don’t think it’s provocative because of the people they’re choosing to highlight. It’s provocative because radical grace itself is provocative.
“Who does God love more? The murdered or the murderer?”
I spent last week driving up and down the length of my state. I was working on some commercials for the Department of Tourism. I had a blast. I met new people. Worked with a new crew. Saw places I’d never seen before. After 1400 miles, our final destination for filming was Gulf Shores. We wrapped and after a late night at the karaoke bar (I’ve got rap skills) I headed to bed.
I was out of gas…
On the way home, I stopped two hours into my trip to fuel up only to realize I left my wallet at the hotel. The nearest Wells Fargo was forty miles away and I was on empty… in the middle of nowhere.
Have you ever been in trouble? Ever been stranded? Have you ever had one of those “what now” moments? In those times, it’s usually never “what do I do” that gets the job done. It’s almost always, “who do I call?”
A couple of phone calls, twenty minutes later, a bit of embarrassment and my tank was full. I called a friend who called his dad. Before he left, he mentioned that work was slow and asked me to pray for his situation. Just the day before, I had texted a friend of mine asking for the same.
Because of my relationship, I didn’t go without when caught in a jam. I’ve been blessed with some incredible friends. And, I’m convinced there are few places in the world I could go and not have the safety net of relationships if needed.
It doesn’t matter what you need
Your relationships are your greatest resource. They are more valuable than money or clout. More valuable than fame or success.
Your relationships are your greatest resource. They are more valuable than money or clout. More valuable than fame or success.
Do you need:
wisdom
finance
laughter
a couch to sleep on
comfort
perspective
someone to carry the casket
accountability
companionship
someone to watch your dog
prayer
a ride to the airport
someone to cry with
correction
permission to feel angry
Who’s on your list?
Of course, the purpose of relationships isn’t just about ifilling a need. But, that’s for another discussion. The point is, it doesn’t matter what you need, you will find the answer in your relationships. This means, you better cultivate some deep ones.
A good question to ask yourself is: Who’s on your list when the poo hits the fan?
A much better question to ponder is: Who has you on their list?
What do you do when your dream dies? When it’s obvious that all you’ve worked towards isn’t going to come to pass. One day you realize, you’re just not good at what you’ve been pursuing. You’re not built for it. It’s not a natural strength. And now, you find yourself depressed and asking, “What’s next?”
In it, the author explores how the City of Light attracted hundreds of Americans between 1830 and 1900 — including household names like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Samuel Morse, and Mark Twain – and in turn helped shape American art, medicine, writing, science and politics. Set in Paris, it is a brilliant perspective on American history.
Morse Code
One of the characters I’ve appreciated following is Samuel Morse. I was unaware that Morse had his heart set on becoming a world-class master painter since his early days in college. And, even though he had a measure of success painting portraits, he failed in his ultimate pursuit.
Gallery of the Louvre by Samuel Morse
He had travelled to Paris to learn from the masters and spent everyday for two years working on The Gallery of the Louvre. It depicts many of the Louvre’s great paintings on a 6×9 foot canvas. Morse sold it for far less than he was hoping.
