We’ve just returned from two weeks in Todd, NC. It was by every measure a wonderful vacation – second only to my honeymoon. I have never taken a two week break before, so this was a first for me. I heartily recommend it. Below are just a few reflections from my time there:
- “…the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord,” read the words from Psalm 33:5 one morning in the Daily Office. As I meditated on the Psalmist’s declaration, I was sitting on the back porch of a mountain cabin on a cool summer morning, looking out onto mountains scattered with dairy cows and barns, lush forests, and the ancient New River. The New River is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world. For all these years, those waters have descended from NW North Carolina into Virginia creating beauty, bringing life, reflecting the steadfast love of God. As rivers shape their landscape and carve into it over time, so too does the love of God, over time, change us and mold us. It is God’s love that carves out the contours of a life of trust and faith.
- “It’s not about me,” was a phrase that echoed through my thoughts and prayers as I was away from church at a time of need. In God’s faithfulness, the Body of Christ responded and incredible ministry happened. Praise be to God, this ministry is not mine at all, it is the ministry of Jesus Christ. According to his riches and great mercy, I get to participate with him. There were two important take-aways: 1) the ministry of Christ is not contingent on me 2) nor is my participation in it the core of my identity. The deepest and truest discovery a man can make is when he realizes he is not what he does. Rather, identity emerges from relationship – relationship with the God who made him, who knows him, and who loves him. I am first and foremost Abba’s child. I am beloved by God. How beautiful! Why would I want to be anything else?
- Families are like fine wines – they need time to mature and develop. My family needed time and this vacation was a Godsend. We have been excruciatingly busy these past five years. Since leaving graduate school in 2005, I entered full-time ministry in the church planting context and Martha started her own business. These past few years have been about starting and building. We’ve grown in some incredible ways. But it was high time that we pull the plug for a couple of weeks of rest. It was appropriate that our vacation was a pilgrimage of sorts back to the NC mountains where we first met. It was good to get back and to bring our kids with us. There was such a sweetness in our time together. The grace that was made available to us made this vacation seem truly sacramental. Glory to God!
- Around the camp fire in Todd
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