Ever since the first Jesus followers were tagged with the title “Christians,” labels have been a point of description and controversy throughout the 2,000 years of our movement.  From Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians to the kaleidoscope of labels birthed by the Reformation, we Christians have created, lived, warred, and died within an environment of labeling each other.

Now it seems as though our denominational labels are not enough.  Granted, this is not new for many of us, but it continues the church’s downward slide to irrelevancy.  For some time now instead of being a Baptist, I must first identify myself as a Cooperative Fellowship Baptist.  More recently within my own Fellowship, I am discovering that this particular layer of labeling is no longer sufficient.  Apparently, I now must identify myself as either a conservative, moderate, or liberal Cooperative Baptist.  So exhausting!

You’re going to need a scorecard, or at the very least a flow chart, for the next part.

One of my mentors and former professors, whom I dearly respect, Dr. Roger Olson of George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor University, recently asked “liberal” Cooperative Baptists, as he described them, to please stop using the term “moderate” to identify themselves within the Fellowship.  He informed them they are not “moderate” in theology nor practice, therefore they are hurting the movement by identifying themselves as “moderate” when they are in reality “liberal.”  How are they hurting the movement, you might ask?  Well, it appears “conservatives” don’t like “liberals” and are threatening to leave.

Confused yet?  Me, too.  Don’t really care?  I’m close.

It is for this reason I am moving ever so close to giving up the identifying labels for my faith altogether.  While I have been a Baptist all my life, the time for me to set down this label may be on the horizon.  What I have discovered as a Christian minister is that current labels are always changing and current labels are never enough.  At some point, even the conservative, moderate, and liberal labels will be divided into other labels because someone does not like the other.  If we extend this labeling process into the future we will divide ourselves so much that only minuscule and insignificant pieces of the faith will remain.  We will be irrelevant to the world.

For the vitality of our faith, we must somehow divorce ourselves from these labels that divide us.  As Paul reminded us, we have “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).  Why can we not understand that we live under a canopy of Christianity where a myriad of ideas are always shaping and molding our faith?  Why can we not open our minds to the reality we are not the creators of truth, but a community of sojourners collaborating to make a more perfect faith in search of it?

More and more, I have been asked what kind of faith community people will find at NorthHaven Church in Norman, OK.  For the last several years, I have been describing our church as an Ecumenical community of faith with Baptist tendencies.  If I am being asked to now define myself and our church with more labels – no matter the label – then I am finished playing the label game.

For those still adamant in deducing Jesus followers to labels, I will gladly return whatever you deem necessary so not to hurt your shrinking movement.  However, I will not return my freedom to be a follower of Jesus as my conscience dictates.  Individuals and groups can tag me and our church with whatever label they like: conservative, moderate, or liberal.  If you do though, please understand this, your labeling is making the church more and more irrelevant to the world.  While we bicker over labels and definitions, the world continues to suffer from injustice, poverty, disease, and a lack of hope.  So if possible please keep your labels to yourself, while our church and others like us attempt to engage the world with a love that surpasses any definitions.

Finally, let me make this statement: I am a follower of Christ, imperfect and fallible.  I seek to understand the Scriptures as best as my imperfect and fallible mind will allow.  I attempt to live out that understanding through missional engagement that I hope honors the Lord I confess.  I can’t stop anyone from labeling what I am or what I do in the name of Christ, but you cannot have my heart, my mind, nor my soul.  Those belong to Christ.

Labels, no thank you!

Space Invaders

God Invades our Spiritual Lives

Romans 5:1-5 and Colossians 1:8-10

October 26, 2014

R. Mitch Randall, DMin.

Is there a difference between our religion and our faith?  Webster defines religion as “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or group of gods.”  Faith, on the other hand, is defined as “having trust or loyalty to God.”  Both seem very valid in our religious faith-walk, but would you agree that it seems the modern church stresses one over the other at times?

In the era of the modern church movement, the question should be posed do we stress a system of beliefs over a sense of trust in God?   Another way of posing the question is are we more worried about what someone believes about God over their experience with him?  One more way of putting it, do we worry more about what someone thinks about the Bible over experiencing God’s grace and love through their encounter with the church?

Now, before I go further, please hear me.  I am not saying “faith over belief” or “belief over faith” is right and the other wrong.  What I will be arguing this morning is the need for our religious beliefs and our religious practice to be infused by the presence of God.  In other words, both our belief and faith desperately need a God-breathed life into them.  As followers of Christ, the church needs to open our minds and hearts to the invasion of God that his presence might both challenge our beliefs and inspire our faith.

Remember how the Gospel of John begins?

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

God so loved the world that he sent his son to invade the human realm transforming life as we knew it.  In his most famous sermon in Matthew 5, we hear Jesus constantly saying, “You have heard it said…But I say to you.”  The word made flesh tells us very plainly when God invades the world, the world better be ready for transformation, especially our beliefs about him and how we practice those beliefs.

Therefore, as we begin this morning, let us be reminded that God’s spirit fills the room, fills our hearts, fills our minds, and fills our spiritual lives with the mission of transformation as the result.  We are called to be transformed in how we think, how we act, and “yes” how we live.

There is no better place to start this intrusion of God into our lives than talking about how we think about him and how we practice our faith in him.  Writing to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul begins his letter with his deep desire that his readers grow in their understanding of God.

Colossians 1:8-10

8 and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.  9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.

Before we can understand God, we must be open to receiving his spirit.  And when I mean being open, I mean being willing to accept that within all the strangeness and chaos of this complicated and fallen world, there is a divine thread that runs through life maintaining a common decency that can only be ascribed to God.

I was reminded of that thread this very week.

Last Sunday, during all the exciting chaos of the open house, I met a young man brought to our church by one of our members.  This young man served his home country of Afghanistan as a local doctor in Kabul.  When allied troops entered Afghanistan, this young Muslim man assisted U.S. troops as an interpreter.  Once the war was over and American troops started to leave, his life was in grave danger by those considering him a traitor.  Fearful, he sought and received permission to enter the U.S. leaving his home and family behind.

Now, he lives in Oklahoma having no understanding of what his future holds.  We met this week in the Compass Café as he retold his story to me.  Before we met though, God was already one step of us in the most unusual way.  I received a phone call from Baptist News Global, formally the Associated Baptist Press, wanting to interview me about NorthHaven’s interfaith work.  Immediately after hearing from the reporter, I received call from our member and his Afghani friend.  As we met for coffee, the reporter called me ready for the interview.  As I was visiting with him, I said, “Jeff, this is great and all, but there maybe another story you might find interesting and it’s unfolding as we speak.”  He agreed and interviewed all three of us over the phone right then.  After the interview, I posted my new friend’s need on Facebook asking for the kindness of strangers.  Many people shared and contacted me about his situation and waiting to help with a job.

Seriously, how mazing is that?  How unbelievably amazing can God be when we set down our preconceived notions about him?  How often could we see his glory if we dare to think outside our understanding of the world and see it as God sees it?  My new friend is with us this morning.   Thank you for your service and reminding me God still leaps over our understandings to do amazing things.

What if the church opened our souls to receive a fresh breath of life from God?

I can tell you what would happen…with all due respect to the Reformers on this Reformation Sunday….what would happen if the church started seeing the world as he did….the Reformation would look like a Sunday School class compared to the impact God’s invasion would have in this world.  Remember those words from weeks ago, “On earth as it is in heaven?”  Yea, that would happen and God’s justice, God’s glory, God’s hope, God’s grace, and God’s joy would flood the streets and villages of this world.

Writing to the Romans, Paul would conclude…

Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

And this is where we start in this new dynamic in faith.  We start with God’s love poured into our hearts.  Let that settle in for a moment, shall we?  Our faith in Christ Jesus began with love. It was baptized in love.  It was nurtured in love.  It went to Sunday School in love.  It listened to sermons in love.  It was doused with love!  So, why is it the faith that I often encounter these days sounds and feels more like the rigid religiosity that Jesus combated and not the faith in God he championed.  “You have heard it said, but I say to you….”

More than any time in our history, the church needs to be reminded that we were birthed out of God’s love for us all.  Not a love for just a select few, but a love that reaches out and covers all of God’s creatures.  We are justified not by our beliefs about God but by our faith in him.  God’s grace and mercy has been delivered by the means of his love.  We are justified not by our works, not by our deeds, nor by our beliefs.  We are justified by our faith in him and his ways.  And, our faith is fueled by our love.

Young French Catholic nun, Saint Terese of Liseaux, wrote, “My vocation is love!”

In one of her final written prayers before she tragically died at 28, Terese wrote…”May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”

My dear friends, the time for the church to throw open our hearts and throw open our arms is upon us.  It is time to start understanding God not by the rigid doctrines we pronounce, but by the life we share with him and others.  We need a fresh understanding, a fresh encounter, a fresh experience.  We need to believe that no matter how dark this world gets, no matter how deep the waters rise, God will always be available to offer hope, peace, and love.

In our staff meeting this week we discussed this very topic.  We talked about how life crisis can open us up to fresh new ways of understanding God.  Bryan Partridge said it this way, “If you want to be open to God, be open to the crisis all around you.”  Crisis have way of breaking us apart that permits the spirit of God to finally break through.  Whether we find ourselves suffering at life’s hands or sitting in a country a world away from our family, God wants to infuse our lives with all of his attributes….not just a few.

Ann Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith

“Hope is not about proving anything. It’s about choosing to believe this one thing, that love is bigger than any grim, bleak stuff anyone (or this world) can throw at us.”

In the end, what we discover is that God’s love wins.

What the church needs today is what author Shain Claiborne describes as “God comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comforted.”  We need to rethink our theology in the terms of letting love be our first reaction to people and events, not the last.  The people of God need to think and rethink issues with God’s love saturating every part of our theology and practice.

Let me be even more clear, the era of measuring Christianity solely on rigid doctrinal proclamations is behind us.  The era of creating community based up exclusionary ideology has created empty churches and shallow minds.  Some may see this as a bad thing, but I do not.  I see it at as opportunity.  For when something or someone is empty, be it a church building or a mind, it offers the opportunity to fill it with something else.  Why not God?  Why not God’s love?  God’s grace?  God’s hope?  God’s wisdom?  What we believe will always matter, but if our actions do no match our ideologies then the world will condemn us for the hypocrites we have become to them.

Instead of arguing and manipulating people into God kingdom, I believe Jesus has taught us to love people into his kingdom.  Like the blind beggar and the woman at the well, Jesus demonstrates compassion and love to promote God’s desire for them.  We would do well to to infuse ourselves with the attitude of John the Baptizer when asked about comparing himself with Jesus.  John responded, “He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).”

It is quite simple, the more we decrease, the more God’s presence is poured over us and in us.  And as we discovered last week, when God fills the room, we all rise.  I hope we can agree the old ways of thinking about God have become frustrating, because it seems we were always promoting a faith of “no.”  “No” to this, “no” to that.  I am tired of it.  I’m ready to change the conversations.  I am ready to start saying “yes.”  “Yes,” to God’s grace.  “Yes,” to God’s love.  “Yes,” to God’s hope.  “Yes,” to God’s justice.  “Yes,” to God’s call for me to love him and to love my neighbors.

You want to know what went through my mind this week when I received a phone call about a young Muslim man who had a need?  I can guarantee you it was not the word, “no.”  More than any time now, we need a new perspective of on God and his ways.  More than any time now, we need to start “saying “yes” a lot more so God can saturate our lives, our churches, and the world with his presence.  I’m with John the Baptizer, how about you?

Less us, more Him!

Let’s get ready for transformation!

Amen.

Last night, for the very first time in seven years, I participated in NorthHaven’s End-of-the-Summer Muck Fest.  If you are unfamiliar with Muck Fest, let me explain.  Add a barrel full of over-hyper children, sprinkle a few youth into the mix, and include a dash of very immature adults to a recipe of ketchup, mustard, syrup, barbecue sauce, and lard.  Yes, lard!  Then, blow a whistle and let the mayhem begin.

Sound like fun?  No.  Sound gross?  Absolutely.  Ask a bunch of stinky children after a giant food war and they will tell you it was the greatest thing ever!  There is nothing better than running around outside squirting your best buddy or a perfect stranger with a huge blob of ketchup or mustard.  It is a messy, fantastic, gross, and beautiful event.

Muck Fest can be a lot like life.  Have you ever felt like you are on the Muck Fest field, dodging all the nastiness flinging through the air?  Have you ever felt like throwing a big ole’ blob of something at a family member, co-worker, or that guy that cut you off this morning in traffic?  Honestly, we have all felt like that at sometime or another.  Life can be messy!

But in all the messiness of life, both what we take and dish out, there are moments when friends pat each other on the back, laugh hysterically at what just happened, and wait patiently to wash away the messiness of life.  Just as the ketchup, mustard, and lard (took a bit more scrubbing) eventually came clean, we too are offered a way for the guilt, pain, anger, envy, and jealously to be rinsed out of our lives.

The Psalmist was right when he wrote, “Even though I live on the Muck Fest field, even though I have ketchup on my face, even though I have mustard in my ears, and even though I have lard between my toes; if you wash me, I will be whiter than snow” (51:7, Randall Translation).  Life is messy, but we worship and follow a God who can rinse the messiness away.

“As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.  There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”

– Paul the Apostle, Galatians 3:27-28, NRSV

We have all heard this text read before, offering insight into equitable justice in the midst of unjust and sinful systems.  Before a righteous and just God, we all stand equally guilty and equally forgiven as the cloak of Christ is thrown over us.  In return, disciples are called to faithfully demonstrate grace, mercy, and love without biases.

With the tragic events of Ferguson, MO still fresh on our minds, and the talking heads of cable news networks drowning out the airways, I have been mulling over how the church evaluates, reconciles, and engages race.  If we were truly honest with this issue, the church remains thoroughly confused and perplexed when addressing racial issues.

Historically, we have a horrible track record.  In most cases, the church used European expansionism to fuel evangelical fervor in order to rape and destroy ethnic identities.  In my own ancestral heritage, the remarks by U.S. Army Captain, Richard Henry Platt (1840-1924), were recalled with frequency.  Arguing for schools to educate Native American children, the Captain infamously said, “We must kill the Indian to save the man.”

We have failed within other traditions as well, enslaving Africans and profiting from the cheap labor of Asians and Hispanics.  We like to claim that we see others without racial biases, but the reality is we do this all the time.  No matter what the skin color we cast our gaze, we judge, we draw conclusions, and we create unjust systems that are as unbalanced as the world has ever seen.  One only has to look at the racial make-up of the prison system to understand how race remains a neglected issue.

Today, as in his time, the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. still ring loud, “It’s appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.”  Granted, the church has attempted to address race issues in the past but without much success.  For the most part, we are still a segregated and confused community.  The time has come for us to set around an upper room table and seek ways we can break down barriers, understand racial narratives, and move forward as a united community.  One meeting or conference will not achieve this dream, but it can be a start.  More importantly, it will take a lifelong commitment from clergy and laity to seek out ways racial tension can be defused until a new way of relating to one another can be established.  We must do something soon or the racial tension in this country will continue to escalate.

The church must learn to put on the cloak of Christ, which does not shun anyone’s cultural and racial identity underneath.  We are all created by God uniquely and he has deemed us good.  However, if racial biases are truly learned through culture and experience, which I believe, then we need to do some unlearning and create a new path forward.

Anyone ever created a sentence in their mind only to hear it come out totally jumbled?  For some reason, that very scenario has been happening to me a lot lately.  Just yesterday, I told a story from my childhood, only to get the phrase, “Bump on a log” jumbled to “Stump on a log.”  It sounds like an easy mistake that anyone could make, but my problem arises when I never catch my mistake in time.  In fact, this genius decides to make the mistake over and over again.  Thankfully, there is always someone who graciously corrects me after the sermon.

Like I said, this has been happening to me quite a lot lately.  Honestly, I am hoping my new found word-jumble has to do with the stress of opening the new building or the conversation I had that morning about grinding a stump from someone’s front yard.  However, if I am truly honest, down deep inside I am beginning to realize my mind is getting more and more crowded with life, conversations, deadlines, projects, responsibilities, and words.  Oh, the words, so many words!

At the end of an exhausting day, there are times all I want to do is pour myself into a comfortable chair, sit quietly, and just be.  No distraction.  No deadlines.  No lists.  No words.  Just me and a divine presence.  The Psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (46:10).  The Hebrew word for “be still” is raphah, meaning “to become helpless.”  Therein lies the struggle.  I have such hard time becoming helpless.    If only I could pour myself into God’s arms where he awaits to hold me, offering his strength, his stillness, and his peace.  Thankfully, even though that day is not today I know that day is coming.

My words may be jumbled these days, my thoughts may be bouncing off one another in my mind, my heart may be racing while I run life’s course, but I know there is a day soon coming when I will pour myself into the presence of God.  There, he will hold me, empower me, and prepare me for another stage.  Even though my words may get more jumbled with time, I know I serve a God whose Word is always perfect even when my words gets jumbled.  Even when I don’t make sense, God always does!

Dear Public School Teacher,

In Norman, this morning, students and parents were frantically preparing for another school year.  Lunches were packed, clothing choices were discussed, and bets were laid down on whether we would be late for the first day of school.   Thankfully, for the most part, we seemed to do just fine as I watched my two students make their way into your buildings.

As I watched them enter your hallways, I wanted to remind you how much I appreciate everything you do for my two students.  From cutting your summer vacation short so you could prepare your rooms, to those times you will be staying up late grading papers, I just wanted you to know that my wife and I appreciate the extra effort you make.

There are moments being a public educator can be discouraging.  Public education in Oklahoma has fallen on hard times.  For example, I recently discovered that Oklahoma is near the bottom of both spending per student ($7,912, compared to the U.S. average of $10,938) and average teacher salaries ($44,373, compared to the U.S. average of $56,103).  For a state that prides itself in supporting our own, our actions sometimes do not match our words.

In addition, as a son of a public educator, I know we parents can often times sound as though we are ungrateful wretches.  Parents can be guilty of spouting off condemning remarks before we know all the facts.  Our students tell us that you don’t like them or that you are sooooo unfair.  Please know that when we come to your classrooms we will make an effort to speak calmly and not rush to judgment, but we would ask the same of you.

Finally, let’s agree we are on the same team, wanting the best for all of the students, not just mine.  We know you have one of the most difficult, but most important jobs in America.  Therefore, we want you to know we are here to support you and our students.  Even though our culture seems to always be shaking our fists in your direction, please know these two parents are reaching out with open arms and outstretched hands.

Thank you for educating my two students and going the extra mile for your profession.  My wife and I are committing ourselves to pray for you and your colleagues everyday, so please know you are in our thoughts.  On this first day of school, we leave you with the two most precious valuables we have in our lives…our children.  Please take care of them and educate them as only you can.

We are eternally grateful for you!

Blessings,

Dad of Two Students

Watching the events unfold over the last few weeks in Ferguson, MO, I have been hesitant to write about the situation.  From the death of an unarmed young man to the violence erupting afterwards, I have had a difficult time drawing any conclusions except that prayers are needed and a hope for peace should be the focus for the future.

With that said, I recently read an article by Rev. Terrell Carter, an African-American pastor and scholar living and ministering in St. Louis, MO.  His words are profound for many reasons, but mostly for the wisdom he demonstrates in grasping the multi-layered dimensions of this situation.  His emphasis is right on target: (1) we need to analyze the situation with a broad educated reason, (2) respond in love and compassion, and (3) acknowledge the spiritual battle that rages before our eyes.

Here is his excellent article at EthicsDaily.com

Rev. Carter has given us a vision to move forward in a very positive and Christlike way.  While justice will be pursued by those directly involved in Ferguson, as a Christian community we are called to respond with the attitude, words, and actions of our Lord.  Therefore, when we find ourselves in a conversation this week about the events in Ferguson, let’s make certain to heed our words and respond as though Christ, himself, were standing next to us.  In other words, let’s be Christian!  

#PrayersforFerguson

When I was growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, my dad listened to talk radio on KRMG.  On occasion, when I was not staring out the window dreaming of hitting three home runs in a World Series game, I would tune into the talking voice blaring from the speakers of my dad’s 1966 Mustang.

There was one particular voice I enjoyed much more than others.  Paul Harvey taught me every story had a backstory and surprise, if only we were patient enough to listen for it.  He told of kings, presidents, authors, missionaries, and many other famous people who had influenced the world.  As he closed each segment, he would end it with his signature catch phrase, “And now you know the rest of the story.”

This past week, one of my mentors, Dr. Roger Olson (Professor of Theology, George Truett Theological Seminary), wrote an interesting article about selective memory in religious history books.  He pointed out that many history books exclude “the rest of the story” when it comes to historical figures.  We baptize history in many cases, retelling it to suit our desired arguments.  History, like life, is a messy endeavor doomed to be misjudged if not assessed from many different vantage points.

Even when it comes to life, we often forget there is a “rest of the story.”  We like to jump to conclusions, render skewed judgments, and voice opinions before truly knowing the full measure of a person or their story.  We have turned into a culture that does not take time to listen, time to ingest, or time to walk around in someone else’s shoes.  We often jump ahead of ourselves to render the credibility of someone and their situation based upon our own preconceived ideas and limited knowledge about the circumstances.

The disciples asked Jesus one time, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Their question reveals the cultural and religious bias the disciples possessed.  They believed the man’s predicament was brought about by his own personal sin or the sins of his parents.  Jesus tells them they misjudged the situation and the man.  In other words, they did not know the rest of the story.

In a world where people have unique and personal narratives that demonstrate the worst and best of humanity, we would be wise to listen before we jump to conclusions.  We would do well to research and discover all perspectives before drawing conclusions based upon selective knowledge.  Or, as Paul Harvey used to say, “Now that we know the rest of the story,” maybe we can be understanding and empathetic to other’s circumstances.  We will not always agree, but maybe we can speak with a little less venom.  More than anything these days we need more listening and understanding; and less of biased and unfiltered opinions.  Before we speak, before we judge, let’s make sure to get “the rest of the story!”

It was a cool October night in New York City, but at Yankee stadium things were heating up.  It was game six of the 1977 World Series and the New York Yankees were hosting my favorite childhood team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Yankees were leading the best of seven series, three games to two, when they returned to New York for what would turn out to be an electric night for Yankee fans and a tear soaked pillow night for one little Dodger fan.

Reggie Jackson played right field for the Yankees and had an incredible series with two home runs already to his credit.  However, he saved his very best for game six.  Jackson connected three times hitting three home runs in one game, leading the Yankees to yet another championship.  Cheers sounded throughout Yankee Stadium, “Reggie! Reggie! Reggie,” as number 44 rounded the bases soon-to-be the World Series MVP.

Yesterday, I turned 44 years old.  Recently, over the last few years, I have used the days leading up to my birthday to reflect and contemplate on the past year.  In addition, I look ahead to the new year that awaits.  Most of the time, I feel good about another year under my belt and look forward to what will come as another year rolls over.  However, this year I feel introspective and challenged (could be due to Robin William’s death).

For so many years, I felt like number 44 running around the bases enjoying life, celebrating achievements, and planning for the future as a possible MVP.  Yet, as I find myself rolling into midlife, I have discovered that my future my be quite different from the one I dream.  This doesn’t mean we should not dream for lofty things, for some dreams have changed the world.  It does mean however we mustn’t let all of our dreaming get in the way of what needs to be accomplished today.

Over the years, at my birthday, I have come to some sobering realities: (1) I will never hit three home runs in a World Series game, (2) I will not write the next great American novel, (3) I will not own my own private jet, (4) I will not score under 80 in golf, and (5)  I will not grow to be six feet tall no matter how many vegetables I eat or how long I hang from a metal bar attached the door of my bedroom.  I am me and that is okay.

While these “realities” have been hard to swallow, I have learned some other things about myself that will hopefully ease the pain of middle age: (1) Don’t put off tomorrow what you can accomplish today, (2) What you don’t accomplish today can be accomplished tomorrow or the next day, (3) People are more important than to-do lists, checkmark, (4) Everyone has a story and if you choose to listen they are usually really good, (5) Love is spelled T.I.M.E., (6) Count to ten before you speak or hit “send” and count ten more times just to make sure, and (7) Life is flying by at supersonic speed, so STOP, LOOK AROUND, AND ENJOY.

In conclusion, while I have come to the realization I will never hit three homes runs in a World Series game, I do still dream of running around the bases one last time heading for home.  But instead of thousands of fans cheering my name and calling out for 44, there is only one man waiting at home for me.  His outstretched hands reveal his scars, but his smile gives me all the hope I could ever want.  He is waiting for me, but he has always been with me.  He has been my biggest fan.  My trainer.  My coach.  My manager.  With him, no matter what the future brings, I have always known things would be okay.  As I get closer to home plate, he smiles through his beard and whispers, “Well done, well done.”

Last night when my sixteen year old son found out about the tragic death of comedian, Robin Williams, he posted on social media, “Good Night, Vietnam.”  I thought his words were an appropriate tribute to someone who brought so many smiles to so many people, but personally struggled with demons that he could not conquer.

For much of his life, Williams battled with severe depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse.  The Washington Post this morning ran a story detailing the difficulty many comedians have with depression.  In the article, they cited Arsenio Hall speaking with Whoopi Goldberg in an HBO Documentary, “You always hear that comics, the best of us, come from pain.”  In William’s case, he was an incredibly talented comedian that brought so much joy to others, but harbored a darkness that many of us cannot fathom.  

His death has reminded me how much more sensitive and vigilant I need to be when I encounter people struggling with depression.  It is difficult to always know the symptoms of depression, but making myself more engaged in other’s lives is a good start.  The better I know a person the more sensitive I can be to their emotional needs.  Educating myself is a good start.  Here is a good article I found through a colleague of mine that addresses bipolar disorder and suicide.

Also, I want to be more vigilant about helping people who battle with depression.  So often, our world reacts to depression in a negative way as though the real problem is with the person not their illness.  This kind of attitude only makes the situation worse and heaps on more reasons for a person to be depressed.  We need to be more vigilant in providing professional counseling, coaching, medical treatment, and empowering those in our midst with love and support.  We don’t need to belittle them or put them down for their struggles.  We need to act more like Jesus, offering a loving and healing hand.

At NorthHaven Church, we have been talking for some time about the need in our community to provide a ministry for those individuals and families who struggle with depression and life struggles that lead to depression.  The NorthHaven Care Network is currently working on some ideas that will possibly launch a new ministry that will provide the support people need.  Please be praying for us as we seek out the right ministries.

Finally, on a personal note, one of my favorite Robin William’s movies is “Dead Poets Society.”  Williams, playing poetry teacher John Keating told his students, “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”  Indeed.  Thanks Robin for all the laughs and wise words, you will be dearly missed.  To all those suffering from depression today, please know you are loved and cared for by someone.  For all us who walk through life not knowing, but suspecting, offer a hug to someone today.  You never know, it might just be what they need.