The Journey: Finding the Way 12-9-2019

By Dean Foster

The Journey: Finding the Way

             The story has been told of three bricklayers working on the same job, each of whom was asked the question, “What are you doing?” The first answered, “I’m laying bricks.” The second said, “I’m putting up a wall.” The third responded, “I’m building a grand cathedral.” All three were engaged in the same work, but only one had a vision for what he was really doing.

            God Himself provides the motivation and the Spirit to all who seek Him on this epic Journey that we travel.  God alone provides our heart's desire to know Him.  Why then does it seem so few are able to find, embrace and share a vision for what it all means?  I've thought about the great cost God paid to provide and show us The Way to relationship with Him.  Why wouldn't He also offer up the vision to get us there?  That question only led to another: What if He already has?  What if God has already offered up the vision, and now He waits.  We know from scripture that God waits for many more to open their eyes to see all He is and has for them to discover about Him.   Then I thought, as we journey on to take hold of the vision and enter into relationship, we should also remember God waits for those who simply take longer to get out of their own way.    

            While volunteering at the church's county fair restaurant booth I learned that the person who organized and led the fundraiser the last few years wanted to step down from the position.  I was sorry to hear no one wanted to take over for him because the "food booth" as we called it seemed to be a good outreach and fellowship time for the church.  As God would have it, two hours into my first time as a pie server, order taker and ice go-getter, I found myself thinking, "No way God, I can't do that!" (Which is very similar to the way most of my "What have you gotten me into now God?" adventures have begun.  But when God says, "Jump!" what else can you do?) 

            What actually happened is I thought of ways we might update things a little in the pavilion-like booth we rented there on the fairgrounds.  Some paint here, more lighting, maybe add a banner to brighten things up.  Might get the good ol' food booth back to the outreach/fundraiser ministry some members told us it once had been.  Feeling like I had the vision that would make a difference I was all-in.  All-in I would now say, without a clue as to the spiritual lesson and life turning point God had planned for me. 

            John, a brother in Christ at the church and a "Journeyman" long before I came to be one, had started the food booth ministry many years before Sandy and I were members.  God led me to him for help and some instruction about the nuts and bolts of how things should operate. After he told me all I would need about ordering food, what should happen when, etc.  John took me aside.  Then he quietly added, "One more thing Dean…at some point next year when things are fairly busy…you should just stop and listen." 

            Sounded oddly important so it seemed to ask, "Listen for what?"

            "Just stop and listen," he grinned.

            My belief that knowledge is key to success kicked in, "O.K. John, but listen for what?"   

            It's been almost twenty years now, but I still recall this white twinkle in his blue eyes as he finished with a smile,

            "Just stop…and listen." 

            Already thinking of the changes, we could make to liven things up next year I didn't give John's cryptic advice much thought.  The odd comment came back to mind one afternoon the next summer though, when I was back in the cramped prep-cook area.  That's where the Lord drew me close and got me started. That's where He got me to stop, and just listen.  At first, I heard the bells and whistles of Midway rides muffling loudspeaker noise from the grandstand.  Then, inside all of that, there it was! Clearly, somehow apart from everything outside.  Inside…close to my heart, I heard the sound of people in the dining area…and the room was alive!  I was listening to simple, loving, abundant life.  In that little, worn out, rented pavilion that I once thought needed some paint and a banner, there were little ones.  I heard toddlers laughing, squealing as they tried to escape from their parents sitting at the tables.  People were talking, laughing loudly. Somewhere a baby was crying while being bounced.  Teenagers were taking orders, delivering food, doing it well and having fun. The area under that little worn out roof was infused with Love and Joy and Hope and soon I realized, “This…my God…this is Jesus.”  The Christ Himself was filling the room and speaking love into the hearts and minds of everyone there.  It didn't matter what anyone believed or didn't believe; nobody cares when the power of the Holy Spirit is upon us all, the way He was that day.  It seemed we were all tasting of the "someday banquet."  This is the Love; this was God that John wanted me to stop and listen for (Psalm 46:10). 

            I was suddenly and completely humbled before Him.  Most of all I was instantly thankful for what God does when we seek Him first and leave our ideas about vision on the shelf.  Leave our ideas out of it and wait for God's vision to overtake us; show us what He wants us to be and do.  The thought of that old "food booth" just the way it was…no banner, posters, handouts, or paint is with me forever.  All we really had or needed was the love of Jesus.  People were being touched and moved and saved that day. The Gospel was all over that room.   

            Now I can joyfully say that after that I paid little or no attention to how much money the food booth raised for the church.  There were other people who did that anyway.  The truth of it is, when you've heard Jesus in the unfettered laughter of children and friendships begin with words like, "Careful! she's going to spill that!"  you don't need another reason to be there.  You just don't want to be anywhere else.  The vision will take care of itself.  Most of what we need to do as Journeymen is wipe off whatever just spilled on our shoes and get on with loving people. The Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of everything else we need to know (John 14:26). 

            As Journeymen we remember that God is always with us no matter what.  So look around and you'll know He is all you need.  Then you see the Holy Spirit is within every person you meet and see every day, even if they don't know it yet themselves.  And man, when you start listening to and seeing God like that, your days of "just laying bricks" are over!   You know God is using you; and you know that "grand Cathedral" is going up!  "Hallelujah!"