A Word to Remember
Another Day Along the Way
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Another day,
Speaking to a youth group at their summer retreat was fun. Their words, smiles, laughter, energy: I wanted to borrow the youthfulness they owned.
On the last night when I drove home from the retreat center, I returned with so many thoughts of thankfulness. Teens who turned their lives toward God. Youth saying yes to the One who knows best. Energetic worship, sincere prayers, deep hopes, commitments to be changed.
During my final talk I asked them to pick one word to summarize what God was saying to them. I mixed and stirred it with all of my points for the week, not realizing God wanted me to also find a word - or, more accurately - let Him find a way to send me a word.
One word is not easy. Picking it, settling for it, receiving it. Not easy. I want a story, a paragraph, a sentence. Give me a summarizing statement, a strategic plan, a list of top ten goals. That is what I like. But what I asked the participants to receive and what God instructed me to also do, was this: receive one word to describe what God wants to do in your life.
The one word God sent my way is a good word, a needed word. But it is not easy. Not now, not ever. It is not a simple word to apply in life.
I claim to live that word. My doctrine gives my word a great defense. My God insures that the word is doable. My experience has taught me that I apply the word in life, misplace it, forget it, and search for it all over again.
Your turn. What is God saying to you? Summarize it in a word. Just one. Ask God to help you receive it. I am still asking Him to help me live the word. Trust me, it isn't easy. But it is correct.
And, that's my word. Trust.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
(Psalm 9:10, NIV)
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Another day,
Speaking to a youth group at their summer retreat was fun. Their words, smiles, laughter, energy: I wanted to borrow the youthfulness they owned.
On the last night when I drove home from the retreat center, I returned with so many thoughts of thankfulness. Teens who turned their lives toward God. Youth saying yes to the One who knows best. Energetic worship, sincere prayers, deep hopes, commitments to be changed.
During my final talk I asked them to pick one word to summarize what God was saying to them. I mixed and stirred it with all of my points for the week, not realizing God wanted me to also find a word - or, more accurately - let Him find a way to send me a word.
One word is not easy. Picking it, settling for it, receiving it. Not easy. I want a story, a paragraph, a sentence. Give me a summarizing statement, a strategic plan, a list of top ten goals. That is what I like. But what I asked the participants to receive and what God instructed me to also do, was this: receive one word to describe what God wants to do in your life.
The one word God sent my way is a good word, a needed word. But it is not easy. Not now, not ever. It is not a simple word to apply in life.
I claim to live that word. My doctrine gives my word a great defense. My God insures that the word is doable. My experience has taught me that I apply the word in life, misplace it, forget it, and search for it all over again.
Your turn. What is God saying to you? Summarize it in a word. Just one. Ask God to help you receive it. I am still asking Him to help me live the word. Trust me, it isn't easy. But it is correct.
And, that's my word. Trust.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
(Psalm 9:10, NIV)
