Another Moment

Life is made up of hundreds of millions of moments. Some naturally grand and others quite insignificant. Yet each one, when given its proper recognition, chastens its participant to stop, breathe, and drink it in. I’m learning, however slowly, to take these moments as they come.

One such moment happened about two weeks ago, as I once more boarded a plane that would take us to our next speaking engagement. This time somewhere in the great state of Ohio. I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite parts of flying, (other than the obviously delicious, free snacks), is when the plane reaches its “cruising altitude” and the captain alerts all passengers that it is then safe to use portable, electronic devices. That directive really only means one thing to me: music. I love music. It speaks to me and beckons my imagination to follow wherever it may lead. I don’t know if it’s simply the music, or if it is the magical combination of cloudy vistas and beloved melodies, but somehow listening to music while flying has always been one of my favorite things.

So at 30,000 feet; somewhere between St Louis and Memphis, my mind begins to wander, pulled along by a familiar James Taylor melody. What a rich three and a half months it has been here with Axis. A mental slide show begins to play images of schools, churches, students, teachers, parents…each one with a story that in God’s amazing grace I have now become privy to. I smile at the jokes and the silly things I’ve experienced whether it be a learning a cheer routine in Houston, TX or using mac-and-cheese as dip for Tostitos in Seattle, WA. Conversely my heart begins to break as I recall the stories I’ve heard of struggles, suspicions, and sins. I look out the cabin window and witness the passing of another plane. I wonder if there is anyone on board there watching us pass them as well.

These are beautiful memories that I hold. I think back to the five days we just spent in New Iberia, Louisiana. I am hard pressed to think of a more beautiful place that we have travelled to this semester; to wake up in the morning and have my devotions on the dock alongside a lazy bayou; after trips to the Northwest, the sun and temperature there were welcome realities. But more than just the lovely local of Louisiana, (and some of the best food I’ve ever had), we were blessed by such amazing host families once again. Axis would be a much lesser ministry if it lacked this aspect of living life together with people in the community. Because now the story of Axis is enriched by knowing people like the Mahoneys and Prentiss’. And we pray that their stories as well have been blessed, as our lives have connected with theirs.

The day before we left, Dr. John took us out on his boat to explore the bayou. On the back of that boat, there is chair that, (because of its relative height in relation to the others and not because of any real prestige due it), was reserved for who Dr. John called “The Queen of the Bayou”. I’m sure you can imagine who sat there. Yup. Another moment. As we sped down narrow water ways lined by cypress trees and cat-o’-nine tails…my soul welled up with hallelujahs.

What a gift this semester has been. Yes, it has been challenging. I don’t think I’ve ever been so frustrated or proud of myself. It’s incredibly hard to build relationships that earn you the right to speak hard truths into a person’s life, yet with knowledge of having to say goodbye in such a short amount of time. To be constantly “on”, be it physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually is exhausting and there have been moments in which I’ve doubted my ability to just do the next thing. Yet God has blessed every step of the way, with His infinite grace and boundless love. Not because we are deserving of it. But because that is Who He is. GK Chesterton once wrote, “The cross opens its arms to the four winds; it is a signpost for free travelers.” The grace of God is free to all! May the weary sojourner find rest in the One who paves the way before him. As I sat on the plane, gazing out on a penetrating blue sky, faint strains of David Crowder’s “O for a Thousand Tongues” echoes somewhere in my subconscious, calling my attention to the reality of the boundless love of God that would call someone like me, or an organization like Axis, to join Him in pointing others to the signpost of the cross.

Jesus told his disciples, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10). I am reminded of what I have received. How could I hold on to it as if it mine alone? If the very Son of God did not consider His deity something to frantically cling to, and instead took upon himself our broken form in order to present us redeemed before Almighty God, how much more so should I be willing to simply take the glorious free riches made available in Christ and share them with all I meet? Why is the call to deny myself so difficult?! It’s not because I don’t want to share. But there is a fear that somehow in the end I’ll be “used up” myself. To obey God is only as hard or as easy as it is to believe His promises. May my heart be overcome by the truth of God’s great and precious promises, and in turn may I be quick to obey and freely give what I have undeservedly received.

I start up from my reverie to a line from a favorite Rich Mullins’ song,

“Oh you meet the Lord in the furnace, a long time before you meet Him in the skies.

Where you are, ain’t where you wish you was.

Oh your life ain’t easy. And the road is rough.

But where you are, is where He promised to be.

From the ends of the world. to every point of a need.”

As my soul clings to this promise of God’s eternal presence; may my quick obedience surely follow.

I’m grateful for moments like these. Perhaps it was an emotional stirring brought on by a view of stunning clarity coupled with favorite songs. Perhaps. But maybe that’s why I enjoy hearing music while I fly; it stirs up the artist within me. Not necessarily to create. But instead to think beautifully.