KWAM JANUARY 2009 DAY 03

Saturday, January 3

It never ceases to amaze me the way a group of virtual strangers can become so bonded after such a short time together in the Lord. It is one of those miraculous aspects of true fellowship. Not “hanging out with friends” and calling it fellowship, but the true commonality we have because of our individual link to the Lord. When like-hearted and eager-to-learn-about-God people spend time in the word, sharing their reactions and thoughts with one another, a closeness develops. That connectedness and spiritual affinity can become as strong in three days as might take months in a normal relationship. It was no surprise, then, that the laughter and “goofing-around” and relational noise were much louder today than the other days.

My day began early, as usual. After finishing my get-up-and-get-ready-for-the-day routine, it wasn’t quite 5:30am, so I called the local Starbuck’s to be sure they were open before walking the several blocks for my coffee. Yesterday, I had asked one of the KWAMmers to wrap a muffin in cellophane for my breakfast today. I was so happy to have the chocolate Costco muffin to go along with my coffee as I read the NY Times! Ah, the little things that put a contented smile on my face; such pleasures that come only on occasions like that!

While walking to Starbuck’s I realized that it is on the other side of the big Macy’s and mall from the IKEA store. I remember several times in past years when I was in or near Burbank and walked/shopped IKEA and the mall—but from the other side. There is a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream place nearby where I’ve purchased ice cream cones for myself and various friends through the years. It was an interesting realization to discover that my ministry locale in 2009 was so close to ones in the past. I loved sensing the connection through the years, just a few days into the new year linking 2009 with great memories.

One of the gals at KWAM is in culinary school, and in conversation I asked her why no good bread is baked in America, as opposed to Europe. She claimed to bake good bread and offered (with some pressuring from me) to bake bread for us. Sure enough, she did, and it was great. I think I personally ate nearly a half-loaf of warm French Bread with butter. That plus another small cup of Java, and I was set to go for the morning session!

Evan asked everyone to move from the chairs they had been occupying for the last couple days, shifting the dynamics of the group and bringing freshness to something as simple as people’s proximity. It was great! I continued exploring chapter 3 of 1 Timothy—the passage that begins with encouraging words: “If anyone aspires to the office of an overseer, it’s a good thing!” Longing to be a person of spiritual significance and influence is NOT a proud thought or desire. I suppose it can be—if I want to be big in others’ eyes and receive kudos for my work. But most believers don’t have a trouble with being proud and thinking too highly of themselves; most struggle with feelings of inferiority and inadequacy.

The myth is that some are called as leaders and the rest are not. This verse challenges that perspective. Becoming great in the kingdom is a matter of choice—and following simple patterns. Think of spiritual headship/leadership more as a direction toward which to walk, than as a destination at which to arrive. Just as I am in the process of maturing in my spiritual life, so I can be moving toward leadership. Am I mature in Christ? I suppose so—somewhat, but I would not want to say that I have arrived at maturity. At what magical moment does a believer become a mature believer? Hard to say.

Likewise, at what point along my journey did I become a leader? Spiritual leadership is available to anyone who aspires toward it. Paul’s advice to Timothy in chapter 4 echoes that possibility, and the pathway toward it: be an example and pay close attention to your walk; if you keep growing yourself, you will influence and secure others in Christ. That is the simplest description of a spiritual leader—someone whose personal witness influences others and introduces more of God’s liberating ways of life into theirs.

Spiritual leadership is the noblest of all aspirations. How tragic that the church-at-large has made such a future off-limits (or, at least, out of reach) for most believers.

After lunch, Pastor Rick, who is the senior pastor of MCC, spoke to us, and it was astounding how many of his points/examples were almost verbatim what Evan and I had been sharing. None of us collaborated or agreed on themes before KWAM. God just spoke to Rick the same things He had spoken to Evan and me. Talk about confirmation—and a very, very clear message to each KWAMmer!

[On a completely side note, may I say (as a father) how pleased I am to see/hear that the spiritual leader of one of my kids has a heart and ministry perspective so close to what I want my kids to have. We parents can certainly influence the way our children come to view the Kingdom of God and their place within it, but without reinforcement from their after-us spiritual leaders, they will lose lots of what we taught them.]

We ate dinner at a local all-you-can-eat pizza place. Let’s simply say we did!



My final session after dinner consisted of a prophetic word to them from the Lord. I sensed it went very, very deep into their hearts. As I slipped away, knowing my job was done at KWAM, but that Evan and the group were going to be carrying on as believers like us have been doing for centuries (one generation to another), I rejoiced in God for the privilege of having even a small part in their lives…

Ten minutes later (7:45pm), I was sitting in my hotel room (in my sweats), reading my Bible (before I got too sleepy to read) without the slightest trace of anything miraculous, spiritual or significant around me. So ordinary, the noises of hotel doors opening and closing. The traffic sounds. The less-than-attractive window shades that didn’t come together evenly (or completely). The two Mandarin oranges I peeled and ate. The TV control that helped me find and watch the end of one of the NFL Playoff games. The particularly ugly carpet (who picks these colors—teal and maroon?). The green numbers of the clock-radio that read 9:16, giving legitimacy to my sleepiness and granting me permission to call it a night.

I crawled beneath the sheets, lay on my back and arranged my pillow. Nothing extraordinary was happening here. Five blocks away, a number of young adults were communing with God and making plans that will affect their lives (and others’) forever.

Full circle. Do you see it? Reread my first journal entry of this trip, my thoughts before the event: And who is the “chosen” instrument who will fill the role of minister? Me!?! Dazed by all the paint fumes from painting so many days (all day yesterday) inside our newly remodeled home. The guy who has been eating treats regardless of their hydrogenated oil content. The slug who hasn’t read his Bible regularly for many days. Ordinary. Failing. Tired.

There’s no pixie dust on us before we go to minister; and there’s none on us afterward. The lack of spiritual residue beforehand never means nothing is going to happen, and its absence after the fact does not mean nothing happened. Both are simple reminders that it is all God’s grace; none of it lingers where we might be tempted to confuse what is His with what is ours.