It Is a Strange Thing

It was a wonderful time to kick off the fellowship in earnest.  We met everyone else from Countryside at Sisley's Italian Kitchen.  The air was thick with genuine interest and kind sharing.  From before we even entered the restaurant we received a warm greeting and welcome from Bryan Chandler, we got to know each other better and then we received a name-the 'Fellowship Of The Wheel'. We learned what pastor has serious agility skills in recovering small-denominations of cash from a highway in the wind and whom among us were surprised that when you order an entree it might be served with a cutting board filled with fruit.  Then of course there were many photos shared of our families and lots of discussion about what today would be like.

Then it occurred to me, what a strange thing this is.  We are all adult men.  Stable in our rhythms and actions. Our time is typically consumed with the family, work then all of the various actions to keep things repaired and maintained at our homes and then worship.

What a strange thing to disconnect from the lives that consume us, carve out the time and attend such as this.  What a strange thing it is for the wives and families that support us for where we are at this moment.  When you consider the extent we have been changed to the point that we long to be here it is surely strange to the world.  Outside of these ancient Words, the Words we seek to grow in knowledge and their sovereign effect-this is not possible. Through this knowledge we seek to honor Him, to glorify Him more and more.

There will be 12 hours a day of teaching that will overwhelm our minds in waves.  It will be weeks of listening to MP3s on long commutes before we really get to understand what we will be taught.  If that is all this was here at Grace, we might be prone to pride and vanity.  What a brilliant form this all takes at Grace Community.  In addition to the teaching, we move about in rivers of volunteers.  Like us they took vacation and sacrificed their time.  They do this on one level to serve us.  They are everywhere; cleaning, serving, moving, stacking, guarding and through it all, they are so bright and so cheerful.  

Last year John MacArthur started the session off, telling us that for the weeks prior, every one of our names were known by members that were praying for us by name.  Hard to explain how that feels when you learn of such a kindness and mercy when you are not prepared for.  What is in my mind here at year three is that the care and love of these volunteers will be the single greatest message glorifying God I hear.  A message that will work to humble us and move us toward better service and to not be puffed-up.

The central joy surrounding being here is defined by these times and these experiences over the next three days, starting in a few hours.  Updates soon.