The blessing and the challenge

Almost against my will, my boss drug me to a Christian college conference in Atlanta. I'm not particularly fond of the capital of Georgia (no offense, Amanda!) and I'm less fond of attending meetings I think won't benefit me, so I had a lousy attitude about being here. And when you add in the fact that I had to get up at 3 a.m. and change planes to arrive in time for a 3 p.m. meeting about research findings, I was one grumpy gus.

The Lord indeed works in mysterious ways.

I've been in a spiritual holding pattern lately. Oh, I know I'm going to heaven, but the spiritual growth part of Christianity always evades me. I want to be more like Christ, but I always find myself more like the Pharisees: full of judgement and short on grace. In other words, most of the time I totally miss the point.

As you can imagine, that's particularly challenging given my profession. I feel blessed to have what is, in essence, a ministry position. I know what I do impacts the Kingdom in a small way, and it's not a calling I take lightly most of the time.

Instead, I find myself bogged down in the mundane, making time for making spreadsheets and giving up quiet time for Bible study and prayer. And I know better. Just as I know chocolate temps me and going to the gym is necessary, I know that my journey toward becoming more like Christ will never be complete. Yes, salvation is finished. Supplication is not. But oh how I take my Lord for granted.

But thankfully he still seeks a relationship with me. And he still reaches out to me.

Tonight I found myself sitting in a room with 1,200 people who work at Christian colleges. And during that time the band Watermark led worship, singing one of my favorite songs, "Hosanna." After that we heard from Rich Stearns, president of Worldvision, who reminded us that Christians are called to be salt and light. And we are called to preach the Gospel to all nations, including those who are ravaged by poverty and disease and hunger.

2.5 billion people live on less than $2 a day. I have so many blessings in my life and I take so much for granted. Like medical care and food and shelter.

I am challenged to think of others. And I am blessed to be a child of God.

Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You
- "Captivate Us" by Watermark