The truth is, only one out of ten billion of us will ever be remembered by history. There will always be the occasional Cleopatras and Napoleons recalled by later generations, but of the billions of people alive on the earth today, less than one-half of one percent will be remembered two hundred years from now. To organize your life around the off-chance that you'll be that one in ten million seems about as stupid as buying a lottery ticker and expecting to win... History is littered with kings and queens and even popes who now rate nothing more than an obscure footnote in obscure history books that nobody reads.
That's a humbling thought, isn't it? As I make preparations for seminary and think about where that road may lead, it gives me great pause. Too many preachers' kids are turned away from the love of Christ by the loss of one or more parents to vocational ministry.
"The cause is too great."
"They can't do it without me."
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
All lines I can hear myself saying... All lines that betray deeper thoughts: My identity is in the work; I think I'm more important than I am; I can twist scripture, take it out of context and away from the great themes of the Bible, and manipulate it to justify my actions and desires.
Scary.
Here's the truth: The kingdom's advance is a great cause, but so too is its advance in my family. The sovereign God is running the show, has been since the beginning, and will continue to do so long after I'm gone. And I need good counsel and friends asking hard questions about my time and my priorities.
Father, I so want Peyton to walk with you, to have a heart fully devoted like David. You are too good, too awesome, too loving for me to jeopardize her knowing you by succumbing to lesser desires. Show me how to work for your Kingdom is such an attractive, authentic way that she praises you all the more.
Posts
Karl, I really enjoyed this post...thanks for sharing what God is teaching you!
ReplyDeleteThe mind is like a parachute........It only works when it is open!
ReplyDeleteKarl I think you could safely land the space shuttle.
Wayne
The best reality check is to listen to your wife and free her to be honest with you (though I can't imagine Rayna needing you to do that!). I remember Drew's first semester in seminary when he got so involved in school that I felt second and unappreciated - after all I was putting him through. So, I forthrightly told him - I do not want to be your mistress and maid, I want to be your wife. You are going to have to change something or you will loose me. They key was I didn't wait for years for resentment to build, but helped him out right away. Rayna will be your helper in that way for your marriage sake and for your daughter's sake.
ReplyDeleteRayna and Karl are much like Sharon and Wayne except Karl is better than Wayne in many many ways. Karl has wild wisdom and fastiviousness where Wayne has flying luck (God given luck or providence)The Lord used me to create Rayna and son Adam. I feel blessed to be used by God I was always prowd of my accomplishments but now I realize the Lord gives all talent all oppertunity and all circumstance. All I have acheived all that I can boast about I owe to the Lord. I hope and beleive that Karl and I and the Lord are on the same page.
ReplyDelete