All Or Nothing
The title may be a bit confusing as to how I've used it in the past. Usually when I speak of "all or nothing" I am referring to my overpowering disposition to act or think one way and one way alone. But in this case, I am using it to say a bunch of things I'll never say on this blog if I don't right now. So here goes...
First, I bought a Mac. Yep, I have become one of those guys...
You know, the "I've loved Windows and PC's all my life, but now I'm cooler-than-cool because I own a Mac" guy. And a MacBook at that. No more of this computer-on-a-desk deal. Talk about a conversion: Windows desktop to Mac laptop. My life has been turned upside down.
On top of that, I also got a free iPod. I've wanted one of these silly things for years. Now I can finally load ALL of my sermon downloads onto my iPod (pronounced EE-pod) and play them in my new...
Car. Yes, I said new car. I'm still ashamed. I traded in the beautiful 1995 Chevrolet Camaro, t-tops and all, for a four-door family sedan. I am now the (someday I'll insert proud) owner of a 1998 Honda Accord EX. I took it in on trade at the dealership from an elderly man and it only has 40K miles on it. It's a gem of a car to anyone else, really, but I'm still coping. At least it's got alloy wheels, a sunroof, and leather interior... otherwise, I just don't know. So why did I do it, other than the fact that I'm a raging opportunist? It's part of growing up. I mean, the Camaro was getting old, increasing beyond the number of miles any sports car should have, and was impractical. And most importantly, I'm not a kid anymore. Toys are for children, and children like to entertain themselves. Do you understand this?
So these have been some major changes in my life, but not the biggest. Computers and cars are petty when compared to your dreams, right? I mean, there are some things that are set so deep in your heart the things of this world just don't compare. I don't know when my heart was or why it has been stirred in this way, and I never thought my dream would come true so soon. But I've always wanted to start a campus ministry to college students. And, somehow, by the grace of God that's exactly what I'm doing. I am heading up what is called "ClearNote Campus Fellowship: A missional ministry of Church of the Good Shepherd." For years at IU I (though not alone) was a planning and strategizing a ministry to reach college students and now that's what God has given me to do. I am completely humbled because I never thought it would happen, at least not in this decade of my life. I think I'm way too young, inexperienced, and idealistic to take up such a task, but under the guidance of the pastors and elders the Lord will shepherd me.
I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. Aren't you?
