Three Inconvenient Conversations

Today is my day of the week to go to a coffee shop near downtown for a couple of hours and read, write, and listen. When I woke up the rain was pouring down and the sky was dark- perfect weather for hunkering down with a warm cup of coffee and writing. It was going to be the perfect morning; timed to precision, full of purpose and meaning.

I had plans.

I was going to read through on of my books, reflect on it, and write a blog post. Have a creative outlet. Maybe get to some scripture, do the email thing, and break for lunch.

God had other plans.

I had three long and significantly transparent conversations today with three different people in different stages of life. I have so much to consider and reflect on. So much more than if I had read my book.

One conversation was with a young man enrolled in a college in town. He was just starting out. He was talking about a class that just light up his passions, and we chopped it up a little. One conversation was with a young man (but a little older) who graduated college a year ago. We talked about his time in Kazakhstan and his passion to reach Muslims with the Gospel. He was a psychology major but not sure what he was supposed to do with his life since graduation. And one conversation was with a married man in his thirties who was a church planter. We talked about the mission of the church and being in our communities where we could actually get to know the people we are trying to serve. It was great listening especially to the younger two as they talked about their view of the Church and their take on things. I wish we could have talked even longer actually.

I have been praying and waiting for a day like today for a long time. In fact this is why I come here once a week!- to be present for these moments. I want to be available to have these kinds of connections with people so that I might get to know the people in my city. I don’t want to be one of those pastors that is so consumed with the tasks of taking care of the “flock” that he doesn’t have time to be around others him that aren’t a part of his church.

I realized afresh today that I learn so much by listening.

My hunches are confirmed. My misinformation is corrected. My assumptions are challenged. My beliefs are sharpened. God speaks. All by submitting my schedule to God’s Spirit and taking time to simply listen.

My heart is to empower young adults to lead the Church. I want them to feel like they have a voice in a community that they often feel like they don’t. I want them to move from complaining about the Church to being part of the change they want to see. God wants to use them right now. Most importantly, I want to see Twenties absolutely enamored with how glorious God actually is- above all glorious things!

I don’t exactly know how to accomplish that, though I have some rough ideas. I know I want to have more conversations with young adults. I also know I want to meet more young adults that want to take up that challenge of being a part of something great called the Church.

I am glad God rescheduled my day and changed my plans so something meaningful could happen. I am praying that he will direct me to those young adults that are truly willing for God to do the same to them.

Advertisement