Dreams and Roses

When I was younger, I wanted to be a professional basketball player. And a police officer. And a doctor. And the President of the United States.

I'm a pastor.

I used to think there was going to be this day where all of a sudden "life started". As a child, I assumed that I had to spend my adolescence "training" for that big day. I would start with elementary school, finish high school, go through college and then suddenly my life would begin.

I'm still waiting for that day to come.

Being a Christ-follower and especially working for a church, you start to hear a lot of "churchy-lingo". To be honest, it gets kind of frustrating. I don't even know what all the fancy words and phrases mean.

There is one particular phrase that I often hear:

"I just want to know what 'God's will' is for my life!"

In non-Christian terms, I think that phrase means:

"What do I have to do to 'start life'?"

Whether you claim to follow Christ, don't believe God exist, or find yourself somewhere in the middle, I think it's safe to assume that we all are searching for the meaning of our life. We all ask the same questions; "Where should I go to school?", "Where should I work and live?", "Who should I marry?", and "What is the point of my life?" Most of us are just hoping to "start life".

I'm beginning to wonder if that day will ever come.

I remember one particular weekend I was staying in Carson City, Nevada while visiting my aunt and uncle. During my stay, I received a phone call from a church in Anchorage Alaska, offering me a job as a Music Director. Taking the job would mean I would be getting paid more and offer me an opportunity to grow in my career.

I spent that whole weekend wrestling over my thoughts, trying to figure out if that was what I was "supposed" to do or not. During the last night of my visit, I was sitting with my aunt in the living room, over looking the beautiful city lights, when she turned to me and asked me a question that forever changed my life;

"Jerrad, when will you be satisfied?" she asked.

Up until that point, I'd spent my whole life dreaming about my future. I think I get it from my dad. I had spent hours upon hours, years upon years, dreaming about my future job, wife, family, career, and successes. I'd set goals and made life changes to reach those goals.

When would I be satisfied?

At what point would I feel complete? When would I feel like I accomplished everything I was "supposed" to accomplish? When would I know that I found "God's will" for my life?

There is a book in the Bible called Matthew. During one point of this book, Matthew tells his readers of this story about Jesus teaching the people to not worry about tomorrow. Jesus says things like, "Do not worry, saying things like, 'what shall I eat?' or 'What will I drink? or 'What will I wear?"

I wonder if Jesus were here today if he'd say things like, "Do not worry about tomorrow, asking things like, 'Where should I go to college?' or, 'Who should I marry?', or 'Where should I work?'"

I wonder if Jesus would remind us of the things happening around us.... today.

Things like the AIDS crisis in Africa, or child soldiers in Sudan. I wonder if he would remind us about the families in our cities who go to bed hungry and cold every night, or our neighbor who is struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. I wonder if Jesus would remind us that our classmates and co-workers, despite their belief, are His children and that He needs us to show them some of His love.

I guess through all this I am learning. I'm learning that "that day" will probably never come.

And that's ok.

I'm learning that maybe God isn't so concerned with what degree I get, what company I work for, or even who I marry. I'm learning that God is concerned with how I treat my classmates, no matter what school I am at. I'm learning that God is concerned with how I serve my co-workers, no matter what company I work for. And I am learning that God is concerned with how I faithfully love my wife, no matter what the situation.

Maybe today, as you feel compelled to think about tomorrow, stop and "smell the roses". Realize that today is a gift that might not be here tomorrow. As you go through today, look around you. Serve those in need today. Feed those who are hungry today. Listen to those who need to be heard today. Love those who God has placed in your life today. Laugh with those who need a smile today. And most of all.... learn to be more like Christ today.

Cause really, that is what we are "supposed" to do.

Thanks for listening.