Once upon a time, there lived a college student in Virginia. On one Tuesday afternoon he had some time to kill before class, so he decided to check his mail. There was something in the box, but that wasn't anything special. It was probably just another paper to read quickly and toss in the recycling. Not quite. It was a stamped envelope with his address neatly written in the center and no return address in the corner. Suspicious.
The note was almost a full page long and written in pencil. His first observation was the tiny print. Most of the capital letters didn't even reach up halfway up to the line above! And it was college ruled too! Still the print was very legible and the letter very easy to read. A date was written up in the top corner, "March 19, 2009," last Thursday. And the signature at the end was simply: "Someone who believes in you." Very suspicious indeed.
He began to read it: "I don't mean to scare you by writing to you out of the blue, but I've been watching you." Wow, that's just great, he thought. At least the mysterious writer knows that this is weird and hopes they don't come across as a creeper. Well intended, but this first sentence fails.
The note continued to tell him that although the writer doesn't know him all that well, what can be seen has been appreciated. It reassures him that he makes a difference and that people admire him and value what he says. It lists a few observations of his traits that other people wish they had, ending with "your desire for God." Following that is a quote from the book of Ephesians. It's Ephesians 1:15-19 from the Message. And the writer of the note insists that Paul is writing directly for him.
"That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—-every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask-—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!"
Woah, really? I don't deserve this, he thought. Someone thanks God for me? And they ask for all of these things for me? I'm a broken sinner who is filled with questions and doubts. These traits that others see rarely show themselves to me.
The end of the note was simple and encouraging. "Don't be discouraged--God is doing a good work in you! He is using you and people are noticing. At least I am." Again with the creepy last sentence, but thank you. Now I have no idea what to do, but it's nice to know someone would go through this effort to encourage. Someone loves me and cares for me and wishes to show it, even if it is anonymously. I'm sincerely grateful.
The world needs more of these stories. It needs more people with the boldness to get out there and encourage others, especially people who don't think they need or deserve encouragement! We need people to pray and care and love, no matter what reaction they receive in turn. We need people who believe in us that don't remain silent. Thank you, whoever you may be.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Choices
I read Jeremiah 26:14 tonight and I asked myself at what point does submission lead to passive apathy. Skipping a lot of what I wrote, this is what I ended with. I know I haven't posted for a while, but this seemed worth posting.
It's better to choose not to choose than to just not choose at all. It's better to submit or surrender your choice than to deny or ignore the fact that you have one. Basically, the outward actions of submission and apathy look very much the same. It's the hidden attitudes behind those actions that are different. Like in most situations, forgetting the attitudes behind actions can lead to false assumptions about the meaning of those actions. Watch your choices and be careful not to judge others for their choices too quickly.
Questions? Am I making any sense? I could write more.
It's better to choose not to choose than to just not choose at all. It's better to submit or surrender your choice than to deny or ignore the fact that you have one. Basically, the outward actions of submission and apathy look very much the same. It's the hidden attitudes behind those actions that are different. Like in most situations, forgetting the attitudes behind actions can lead to false assumptions about the meaning of those actions. Watch your choices and be careful not to judge others for their choices too quickly.
Questions? Am I making any sense? I could write more.