10 crazy days

So today my life returns to some semblance of normalcy. The last ten days have been crazy, relaxing, and interesting.

It all started last weekend when a group of ten teenagers, another adult, four children, and I, jumped into two vans and traveled to the middle-of-nowhere in Ohio for a teen retreat. I was the speaker for the weekend and had a great time. While it was a bit stressful to be speaking for God to all of these teens, it was a good retreat. I made some new friends, saw some old friends, and even had a chance to play football again. I was reminded that God can even use a guy in mid-life who has had his share of failures and struggles. I am glad we have a God that doesn't give up on us.

On Monday of last week, my family and I climbed into the Vibe and headed off to northern Michigan. We stayed in Mackinaw City and spent much of our time reading and relaxing. Michelle spent the mornings teaching Matthew and we looked for various activities and adventures in the afternoons and evenings. On one afternoon we visited a museum for Ojibwa history. The Ojibwa are a tribe of Native Americans from that region. As we walked around the museum, I was reminded that white Europeans were not the first ones to reside here. Hundreds, if not thousands, of years before Columbus sailed across the ocean blue, the Ojibwa and other tribes lived here.

It was embarrassing at times to think about how we treated - and continue to treat - those who first lived here. What is most embarrassing is to consider how many Europeans used God to justify their behavior. They would argue that through Manifest Destiny that God gave this land to them. And in the process, they killed and relocated thousands upon thousands of human beings created in the image of God.

It is amazing to me how many times God is used as an excuse for mistreating another group of people. It has been going on for thousands of years. Exhibit A is the Middle East. Different groups have been killing each other for generations because they believe that God meant for their particular group to have that piece of land.

What would happen if we would fight as hard to protect every "temple of the Holy Spirit?" What if, instead of fighting for land, we would fight to save every person, who is created in the image of God? I wonder how often God must look at us in frustration as we mistreat one another while we use His name to justify it.

My vacation ended and I returned home. And as usual, the Rochester Church is a place where my faith is recharged and my hope is renewed. At Mosaic service on Sunday morning, Vicki Lindsey sang "My Redeemer Lives" with the rest of the praise team providing backup vocals. We also had a great lesson from Josh Graves about getting closer to God. And we prayed over Liz Trainor, a young lady who would have been deserted by many churches by now. She is in the midst of a challenging journey. God is working in her life, but it is messy at times. I am proud to be a part of a church that is willing to get messy to serve Jesus.

And so my ten crazy days have come to an end and life is back to normal. But "normal" is crazy, too. It all comes with the package when you sign up to follow Jesus. As Mother Teresa said, "Following Jesus is simple, but it's not easy."

shine!
Jason