Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Faithful.

The relief broke across Tommy's face as the last bell rang in the freedom of the weekend. Knowing his friends would be waiting by his locker to discuss the plans for tonight's festivities, he quickly squeezed through a narrowing crowd and headed for the stairs. Not that he hates his friends, but he just didn't want to put out another explanation for why he didn't want to hang with them tonight. Instead, he planned he would visit his grandpa Paul for some advice, which at this point in time, is something he is desperate for.

After numbing his phone to silence, Tommy reviewed the texts from the guys before knocking on his grandpa's door. The messages were brief and to the point, "Where did you go after school?...We're goin to the same spot...U comin?" Not responding seemed to cause some further tension with the guys as the last few texts grew a bit more hostile, "Why u blowin us off?...Seriously bro, stop being weak...It's whatever then." Obviously communicating disappointment in Tommy, the guys were consistent in playing the part of the tempters, testing his commitment to his apparent "call."

Closing the phone and knocking on the door, Tommy was ravenous for just a sample of peace. Appearing glossy from the misshapen glass panes, grandpa Paul was a welcome sight. After the usual greetings they moved purposefully down the front hall into grandpa Paul's study. Wise as all grandpa's seem, he sensed Tommy's heart was heavy and allowed him to speak, bearing all the conversations and encounters he has had since his "talk" with God. Strangely, Tommy thought to himself, Paul was completely fine with the whole ordeal when he finished speaking; even after describing how he thought God was calling him to get more involved in the ministry at Big Sky. They both sat in silence as Paul gathered his thoughts before giving Tommy the skinny on what he believes in going on:

"First, Tommy, you need to understand that when you're dealing with the things of God you're dealing with something extremely personal and complicated. It's personal in that no one on the outside can possibly understand all that is going on inside your heart, mind, and soul. It's complicated because no one can truly understand the ways of God and how or why he does the things he chooses. Simply put, he acts and we respond either faithfully or unfaithfully. Ironically, it seems simple but we as people have a very hard time accepting this simple reality. When the time comes for us to choose, it is often quite difficult to accept the pain, suffering, and great loss that comes with being faithful. On the other hand, to remain unfaithful seems to be the most natural choice in the world this side of the Fall. My advice to you is to pray; pray deeply, earnestly, and keep focused. Don't lose sight of the vision God has placed in your heart. He has set you apart from your past for a reason, trust in him and believe that what you're going through right now will in some effect be for your good in the future. Be faithful."

Blown away, all Tommy could do was let his mind immediately dwell on the things of God and what it would look like to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. "I don't know where to go from here grandpa," Tommy says still shell-shocked. "I mean, my friends are waiting for me to return to my 'normal' self so we can continue on like business as usual." "I want to be faithful, but the fight coming in the distance seems to be just too tortuous for me to endure." Leading him back down the hall and out the door, grandpa Paul straightens Tommy eye-to-eye and says, "Son, the fight is already here. Pray and be faithful."