Month 5: Ebb

I think it is interesting to research the origin of various sayings.  Especially ones that if you knew the meaning of you would probably stop saying (i.e. "rule of thumb").  There is a saying that I have been thinking of a lot this month-ebb and flow.  It describes water movement, usually from the sea, that characterizes the rushing in of the tides towards the shore (flow) and the reflux action that takes the water away (ebb).

I told everyone in Facebook land that there wasn't any reason that 2013 couldn't be the best year of their life and I also applied that challenge to myself.  2013 started off with an amazing "flow" for me.  The donations and pledges were flowing in and the total raised for Water for Water for the year was growing so fast.  I was in the Word every day.  I prayed for so many people so often.  God was working through me as a husband, father and employee.  However, May felt like the low point of the ebb, or decline, of excitement and energy in so many areas of my life.   But I was never discouraged...

Instead, I realized that now is when I continue preparations to finish strong.  We all want to finish strong, but we have to prepare for it.  When I was training for my first marathon back in 2004, I would tell myself on my long training runs "today is the day I finish the New York Marathon".  The rationale was that engaging in the long training runs, and they were hard, prepared me to finish the race when the day came.  And I did.

Frankly, if I allowed this current lull to continue, then in November or December, if I were to catch up on my "Bible in a Year" plan, pray an hour more everyday, and receive $20,000 in donations, well, I think I would be selling the experience short and not be experiencing the height of God's blessing. Now is the time I prepare to finish strong.  It's not the sprint at the end, but the perseverance in the hard times that makes finishing strong even possible and allows us to experience the full blessing of the race.

I don't think I have ever quoted The Voice (the Bible translation, not the TV show) in any sermon, lesson or blog, but I think the phrases it uses are applicable to this point, when we look at how it recounts Romans chapter 5:3-5:

We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance,which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness. And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love.

Giving up all drinks but water for a year is hardly suffering, but the words ring true in my heart right now.  If you are having a hard time, if you are experiencing suffering or difficult uncertainty, I pray that you are encouraged by the certainty of the future experience of God's goodness.  God is going to give clean water to those in need.   And that is good.  God is going to restore this earth through His Son.  And that is good.  And when that perfect day comes, we will forever experience a flood of love that has no ebb.

Month 4: Team

I was sitting around this weekend thinking about some really great ideas for the May installation of Water for Water 2013, when I realized I was a little late in getting the April one out.  Ooops.  I guess belated is better than benever.

I was enamored in April with the concept of a team.  As I researched the subject, I learned that a group of people may not necessarily be a team.  The difference is that a team requires the individual members to have a common purpose.  I watched my oldest son participate in his first organized sport in April, soccer.  He played defender a lot and it was amazing to see him and his co-defender and the goalie raise their hands and jump when the team scored a goal.  He didn't care that he didn't score it.  He wasn't looking off at the trees wondering what was for lunch.  He was zoned in on what the other portion of the team was doing- and the celebration was communal.  

As I thought about the concept of a team, I saw examples popping up all around me.  I saw a church community to come together to pray and celebrate the life of a beautiful baby girl when the first week of her life was filled with unknowns about her future.  I saw a group of people praying and preparing to embark on a mission trip to Ethiopia.  I met a team of citizens that organizes an annual small race to help raise money to fight cancer in a growing midwestern town.  Every example I witnessed was the very definition of a group of people with a common purpose.

If you want a handbook for how a team can be successful, look no further than the second chapter of Paul's letter to the church in Philipi.  He writes:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

That verse can make any team successful, whether it is a sports team, a community team, a family, and even a marriage.  I've told you how I had reflected on the concept of a team in May, but I haven't told you why.  Water for Water 2013 has now raised $6,526.30 year to date.   Our goal is to reach enough to build a well.  But even if we don't, I am truly humbled by this team.  Family members, people from church, co-workers, anonymous people from the internet who I have never met, clients, even a coffee shop (think about the irony of that...) have all partnered and given their support of this cause-to give clean water to those who don't have it.  Not just financial support, but prayer, encouraging words, even reading this blog-it is all part of the campaign.  Everyone, at least in this limited context, having the same mind, same love and thinking of the interests of others above their own.  I am proud, humbled, excited, grateful and enamored to be a part of this team with all of you.  It is beautiful.  I hope you will all raise your hands with me when we score the goal...