DOING right stuff is not the end. I’m convinced of it! Believing is our greatest work. But oddly enough, I don’t think this is the greatest thing in the church today. The greatest thing in the church today seems to be results based on doing. Not only results, but results within a structured time frame. I live in this tension. I know. Unfortunately I am guilty of perpetuating it for years. Sorry, Lord.
Though I feel the external pressure to produce results… secretly… shhhhh… come a little closer… I like to wait. I know. Odd, isn’t it? Waiting is not a popular option. We like action. Problem: FAITH is not only proved by action, but also by waiting; what some people call, “doing nothing”. Strangely enough, we assume people who are doing nothing or moving slowly are lazy… a riff in my head that has plagued me much of my adult Christian life.
I was caught in this tension today. Washing feet can actually be demented in my mind into a doing thing instead of a believing thing. As if to think more people served is better than the right people served. Or more shoes delivered is better then shoes delivered in Jesus name. Don’t hear me wrong. We’re kicking some major butt in the numbers category including hundreds of professions of faith. American workers would be proud! We have worked long hours and served between 500 -700 people a day with all of our services. And that is right. We are faithfully DOING the right thing. But there is more. We are also BELIEVING.
The Story…
Bob is an old dude on the trip. I wouldn’t pick him for a team like this, but that only proves my ignorance, not wisdom. He and I had a connection the first night in Bahir Dar. We spontaneously ministered to one another and shared a moment that has made us friends. I’m so glad he walked outside as the old dude to work with me that night. I could’ve done it myself. He knew that. Old dude 101: He knew something I didn’t and acted on it. He represents all I want to be as an old guy one day.
Bob has Parkinson’s. He has a train wreck history. He struggles with the stuff of life. His marriage is on the grow. He wrestles with the flesh. But oh God, he sees clearly! There is life coming out of him. Light is in his heart and it comes out his hands and his eyes. It’s really fun. No grumpy old man here. Praise God! We’re more alike than I would ever have admit. Other than the Parkinson’s and the fact that he’s somewhere over 70, I think we could be brothers…
Bob came for one purpose, to wash feet. And wash feet he does. Not fast…but he washes feet. Honestly, I was tempted more than once to go off on him. “there are hundreds of people to serve Bob! Get a move on!” But Bob doesn’t roll that way. Each foot is in a sense, a hug. (now don’t weird out on me here). He holds each foot in two hands and prays. He listens and God speaks something about this person. Do I get it? No. It’s Holy Spirit stuff. God doesn’t work that way with me. He speaks to me, but not through feet, c’mon!
Bob walks out the door, arm shaking and head moving from the Parkinson’s, a bit out of breath from getting up and the excitement, wet shirt and thighs from all the foot-washing, and finds me in foot-washing store manager mode. Here’s the conversation beginning with Bob:
“I’m washing this man’s feet and I think this a peace man.”
(background…”person of peace” is part of a church planting strategy taught by e3 partners where you wait for God to reveal the person in the community who will help the church planter to gain access and relationship in the community. Developed from Acts)
Me…I correct his terminology…”you mean person of peace. Okaaayy…How do you know?”
(internally…I’m not in waiting and believing mode here. I’m not sure I believed God would do this thing at all. I certainly wasn’t thinking it at the time)
Bob…”I was talking to him and praying for him like I do all the men and while I was holding his foot, God gave me an impression. “
Diane standing with me…wisely told him…”have Mesfin talk to him”
(Bob walks down the hall toward Mesfin and we all move on)
Next day: testimony time. I ask all around the table, “what was your favorite moment so far in the trip?” It came to Jo, another less old dude. He sais, “the moment when I was washing feet next to Bob and God showed him the person of peace.”
I didn’t believe it. I walked down the table and whispered to Mesfin, our church plant coordinator, “is this true?” Mesfin simply sais in his quiet, broken English-Amharic, “this is true, this man is Christian, he welcome us in his home, his family, he invite neighbors to have Bible study. We start next week. New church plant.”
Bob’s testimony, “that moment is why I came.”
What?! Did that really just happen?!
The Lord sais, “Yes, Jeff, that just happened. Long ago, before you were born, this moment was thought about. Bob, this Ethiopian man, Diane, Joe, everyone praying …and you, Jeff. Church plant, yes, but also a season perfectly placed to remind you and the old dude to trust me.”
Awesome, Jeff – all in the precious name of Jesus. Our prayers are being answered by the lives you are touching in oh so many ways – by sharing the love of Jesus. God bless you & your team.
Love, Sue (as I wipe my tears away)