And...The Answer Is.....
"What has God been schooling and equipping me to do?"
It is a good question. And it continues to have a hold upon me. The answer needs to be discovered.
The speaker tonight talked about the rapid change that is taking place in the area where I live. In the last 20 years, our County has transitioned from a sleepy, rural area into an affluent, multi-cultural suburbia of over 700,000. Twelve years ago it was 98.5% Anglo. Now, it is less than 50%! That is an amazing transition! I can only imagine how difficult it must be for those who grew up in a sleepy little town, only to awaken one day to find it almost unrecognizable. And now we're experiencing "white flight". The affluent and retirees are moving further toward the mountains and away from Atlanta. I guess it is understandable to tire of the noise, traffic, confusion, and change, and seek to move where life would be simpler and golf course readily available.
The speaker was focusing upon the attitude of our churches toward such change. Our leaders and most dependable supporters, the ones colored like us and most comfortable to us, are moving away. The folks next door no longer look like us, and church attendance is not part of their culture. So, what do we do about it? The change is inevitable. The place will never be the same. What do we do? Flee? Fight? Or, embrace the change?
Like I said, it is a good question for the church. It is also a good question for my life.
I feel there is a metamorphosis going on in my life. The difference is significant from ten years ago, or five, or even two. What has God been schooling and equipping me to do?
I've got a good 20 years of involvement in full-time work left. At least! Significant things have happened that I believe have been an intentional part of the equipping process of life. Not accidents, but integral to God's schooling process. Given the unique person God has evolved me into being at this time, and the process that yet continues...questions emerge. What do I do? Where? Life has closed some doors, and I'm becoming comfortable with that. But why settle for "safe"? There is significant service yet to be rendered. How?
One would think by now that life would be clearer. And I guess for many such is the case. Sometimes I envy those who seem to have smooth, consistent, and successful sailing through life. It just does not seem that easy to me. But, then again, as much as I would like to have security and safety- and those are important traits whenever I view life through the lens of the conventional- I've got to believe that energy and zest and essential joy just are not to be found in conventionality. So, guess I choose to keep on brooding, and plodding, and wrestling with life.
Maybe, I'll awaken one day to find myself 80-years-of-age and still seeking my place in life. And if you happen to be visiting the nursing home that day, and find me, then spare me the sympathy and platitudes. It's a mighty fine journey, this life of mine, and I'm pretty sure I'll not live to regret it.
