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Your life is unique.

The last couple of weeks I have been reflecting on some challenges that we have faced.  Nothing that any of you haven’t found yourselves in, but challenges nonetheless.  Yet, I found myself reflexively thinking as I look at my oldest son cheerfully running around the house singing, knowing that he too will face challenges.  Instead of meddling in the murky waters of pessimism because of an obstacle, I chose to smile, knowing that in the midst of obstacles, God is present - as I will be for my two boys.  As I look at my boys, who I love more than life itself, I found myself seeing life through their lenses, as maybe God does.

As God is there for me, I will be there for my boys as they run through life’s maze…

to encourage them…

to help pick them up when they fall…

to walk them through painful moments…

to celebrate high moments in life…

to love them when they have made a mistake…

to embrace them when they have been hurt…

and to celebrate their uniqueness as God does.

3 Things to remember:

1.) We have a purpose in life

2.) We have been made with a distinctive touch

3.) In the vastness of God’s creation, your birth and your reach IS something unique

Celebrate life, in the midst of curve balls.  Embrace God’s unwavering grace.

In the end, the very fabric of who you are and who you are becoming is wrapped up in the reality that YOU ARE UNIQUE.

A few months ago I did a talk, where I talked about how precious life is…how fragile it can be.  How important it is to savor every moment, especially the time you have with your kids.

A woman named Mary Jean Arian wrote a little piece called “Gift From a Hair Dryer–Reflections of a Mom as She Combs Her Seven-Year-Old Daughter’s Hair After a Bath.” And somehow, it kind of captures what a precious thing life it.

“Comb and dry. Comb and dry. ‘Soon, I won’t be able to do this anymore,’ you say to yourself knowing that the little straight bob must inevitably yield to grown up coiffures and ugly curlers. What will she be like at 14? Where will her hair be blowing then–at 16 and 18? Do you suppose boys will love to watch her hair blow as you do now? And some of them will feel it on their faces. And one of them will marry her and her hair will be spread under the veil, and then, spread out on his pillow.

“And oh, you hate him a little and wonder where he is at this moment, whether he’ll be good to her. They will grow old together. And the gold-brown hair will be gray. And you will be gone. And then, she will be gone–this very hair, that now, your fingers smooth. And all the tears of the world swim for a second in your eyes as you snatch the plug out of the socket suddenly, and gather her into your arms, burying your face in the warm hair, as if you could seal this moment against all time.”

Life can be risky.

Recently I gave a message at The Orchard, where we grappled with this idea that our…

…faith walk can be risky

…trusting can be risky

….loving others can be risky.

A little recap on what I talked about:

1.  As a player in the Game of Life, we have POTENTIAL

Each one of us has been wired with potential.  Each of us have been uniquely created by God with passion, creativity and desires.  You see, to believe that He has made you uniquely (ie: Psalms 8: 3-5), and with a distinctive touch, is to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual life.  In other words, in the vastness of God’s creation, your birth and your reach IS  something unique.

2.  Getting in the Game requires RISK

This year, as we enter the game to pursue a life bigger than ourselves.  Some of us have dreams inside that are bigger than ourselves.  What we discover in the game of life is that we cannot live a life worth dreaming about unless RISK is involved.

It is interesting how we talk about faith, as though it is the elimination of risk, rather than the promise of it.

I think people have this notion that when they become a follower of Christ that the game of life gets easier (brotha please!)…that it is devoid of ambiguity…void of uncertainty.  How can we think that faith is the opposite of ambiguity or that faith is the opposite of uncertainty or that faith is the opposite of mystery?

We looked at 1 Samuel 14…where Jonathon picked a fight with the Philistines.

3. The Game is not OVER

Sometimes we get stuck in a moment. A moment where we fail.  A moment where we are disappointed.  A moment where we are wounded, hurt or betrayed.  A moment were we betrayed, hurt or wounded.  Sometimes we get stuck in a moment.

Some of you might have failed, blown it, and you’ve made mistakes.  You have a feeling of inadequacy and tremendous guilt.  I would submit that there is this thread throughout scripture that suggests, THE GAME ISN’T OVER.

This year, as we jump into those places and spaces that God moves us into…how are we going to risk more?  God invites us on this journey filled with risk…but…but…in the midst of that opportunity we have an opportunity to experience hope, joy, love and a full life!

I wonder if your most significant moment was waiting for you right now and you recognized that faith was now translated to courage, guts, risk, and even danger…what choice would you make?  Maybe it translates to one final word…TRUST.

Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing.”

Are you going to jump into this game of life?  Are you going to allow disappointment, hurt, wounds and suffering to deter you from risking more?

Maybe God’s words for us this year is simply…

…IT’S YOUR MOVE.

saturday night we had the chance to dedicate little george, at the orchard.

it was nice having family and friends there to be a part of this special event. george was taking it all in…sleeping…eating…sleeping…eating… you know the drill.

right before we came to the church i was getting george ready. my wife and sister-in-law wanted me to slip all these different outfits on him, to see which would be best. i felt sorry for the kid!

(btw: apparently they didn’t like my idea of letting him come in a diaper and sunglasses.)

at any rate, the ladies finally decided to go with the blue boat shoes, khakis and brown sweater. what i loved about the outfit the most was the t-shirt underneath his sweater, which said, “chicks dig me.” (i know…i know…maybe a little too edgy for his first on stage appearance at church. btw: please don’t email me telling me that i am a bad dad for letting him support that t-shirt at church.)

here is a picture right after the dedication (look how alert my son is… )

(thanks chris for letting us use your camera!)