You are my son

Let me tell you about this hero.  Ethan is 5 now - nearly 6.  He's hilarious, beautiful and smart.  He's the world's greatest oldest brother - and has the world at his feet.

Last week my wife and I had a couple over to dinner after he (and his little brother and sister) had gone to bed. Just as we're serving food he rocks up in the dining room asking for a drink - he didn't know we had guests over and when they greeted him he was terrified.

I'm standing near Ethan so I pick him up and hold him close.  Ethan buries his head in my chest and looks for the world to swallow him up.  I feel for you little man - I've been there - we've all been there.

Except this time your dad's got you safe.  I introduced him like this:

"Hey guys this is Ethan.  He's amazing.  He's so big he's nearly six now.  Did you know he is so clever - he even got 6 on his spelling test this morning.  He's my biggest boy and I'm so proud of him."  Or something equally gushing and cringe-worthy.

Except he didn't cringe.  He didn't hide even more.  He jumped down to show off his spellings, talked about his day at school and his computer game and his little brother.  He came out of himself and our guests got to see the 'real' Ethan.

I wonder if that's how Jesus felt when the Father says "this is my son - I love him - I'm proud of him"?  As Christians we have the same status as Jesus - so maybe today - if you're struggling to show people the 'real' you the solution is not another social media update, drink or label.  Maybe just maybe the solution is stopping to let yourself hear God your Father whisper

"You are mine.  I love you.  I'm proud of you."

It worked for Ethan.

Salzburg - the 3rd story

I constantly live my life in two stories.  In one story I'm boss - nothing happens outside my will.  In one story I'm hopeful - I have no idea what will happen but I trust it will turn out OK.

In the first story I'm sending a team of students to Salzburg in March.  Inspired by Fusion's 'Escape & Pray' initiative I'm committed to letting the blessing God has poured on our church impact on the European church scene.  I'm excited about the idea of linking Christian groups across the continent to serve students who are becoming increasingly internationally mobile.  I'm convinced that a cross-cultural mission partnership for our students will increase our boldness in sharing faith back home.

In the second story I have arranged transport and accommodation but little else. We're going over the top in faith.  I don't know if we'll be able to minister God's healing, grace and truth on the streets of Salzburg - but I know we can't if we're not there!  We have an invite from a Catholic group called Loretto but I don't know how to connect people with church in Salzburg - but I know we can't if we're not there.  In fact I don't know anything much about out time there except that we will pray our hearts out, serve our butts off to make Jesus famous in Salzburg - and that we can't do that if we're not there.

But maybe there's a third story?  Maybe there's a divine narrative that we connect with through faith not risk assessments?  Maybe there's an adventure to be lived, a set of assumptions about church to be shaken and new story to be written?  And what if we're invited to join by trusting the master storyteller??

I want to live my life in the third story - not one where I'm struggling to control details, or one where I'm pretending to understand what's happening - one where I admit I have no idea, that there is a master storyteller and my place in the story is determined by my willingness to trust him exactly where I don't understand why.

I don't understand why we're going to Salzburg - but I trust there is a third story, a master storyteller and that he rewards those who seek him in faith.  And we'll never know if we don't put ourselves in the game.