They Aren’t Just Chacos

I love how my God is a relational God, and I don’t just mean “relational” in the sense that he died for me and now calls me friend. That’s great but it gets better. It gets better because he not only calls us friend but also works on making our friendship closer.

You know how when you really start getting into a relationship? Especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Not only do you know you are in a relationship but your thoughts begin to become consumed with that other person. No longer do you think “Hey this is a great cheeseburger!” you think, “Hey this is a great cheeseburger, I wish (Insert name probably already in your head) was here to enjoy it with me!”

What I’m discovering recently is that those thoughts aren’t just for me to have towards God as evidence of my love for him, but they are thoughts that God continually has for me. He really does enjoy me more than I do him, and he is more proud and more satisfied with the man that he has made me than I am. What a great Father he is that he compels me to love him and doesn’t demand it. How awesome that he only expects me to love because of the love he has already given me. I don’t have to conjure up feelings or work hard at earning gifts because I already have them, I just have to choose to believe what God already believes about me.

I didn’t really mean to go on that tangent, but this blog has taken forever to write and that’s all that has come naturally so far.

This has been a crazy last week or so to say the least. We have just raised up the new squad leaders that we will leave in leadership at the beginning of May. This transition has been one of the hardest and rewarding of my life. I am so thankful that God relates to me in sometimes ridiculous ways that keep me sane and constantly remind me that God cares about the small things. That is why I would like to share the following…

If you know me well you probably know that I value loyalty when it comes to the physical things of this world. I love my 89′ Toyota pickup that I bought at 15 and probably won’t be convinced that there is a better brand on the road. I will wait long periods of time or drive unnecessary distances to by my gear at REI because of their amazing customer service. I will choose Taco Bell over fine dining any day because of how it was there for me in my college years of late nights and cheap spending (that really hasn’t changed I’m just a missionary now instead of a college student). I still don’t understand why you would pay more?

You also probably know that another loyalty I have in this world is with my Chacos. These bad boys (picture up to the left) have been with me for almost 6 years. I met them freshman year of college at a 75% rack and the rest was history. For real though, they have trotted around to over 15 countries and probably have many stories to tell about the dangerous and dirty streets of this world if they could only talk.

 I began to realize that their straps, soles, and time here on earth were wearing thin (aka, I didn’t want to waste the time and money getting them fixed and sent back…again). I reluctantly ordered a new pair and had my coaches bring them to me during the Nicaragua debrief. As expected they were delivered and ready to go for my new adventures. What I didn’t expect is that I couldn’t bring myself to put them on. I ended up carrying them around in my bag just hoping my old ones would finally give out, or get lost, or I would have some excuse to leave them behind. This didn’t happen and for a month I was stuck in limbo and indecision neither investing in my old season or my new one.

My lack of decision caused my new Chacos to become dead weight and my old ones to further lose their dignity dragging and flopping around. At the end of the month I finally had to make a decision, I had to make the transition. Here is my story of transition in 5 easy steps for your convenience.

It’s never easy to start because it seems so far from the end result but it has to happen. It’s so crazy how I have found myself recently not wanting to move anywhere because I don’t know how to get to where I want to be. It is a paralyzing fear. I have come to realize that the first step in transition doesn’t have to be in the right direction we just need to move. God will determine your path. I didn’t have a game plan for pouring into our new leaders but that didn’t matter. I had to make a move and start regardless of my preparation.  

2. The Switch Off

At some point the old and the new have to cross paths. Our immediate reaction is to make this as quick as possible because it hurts or it can be awkward. We need to take time and let mourning or emotions have their full effect or they will likely come back at a later time. This month spending time with the new squad leaders isn’t the easiest but it is setting an amazing foundation for the rest of their year and the rest my life.

3. Let it Lie

Stop…take a breath…take a good look… spend some time in thankfulness to God for what he has done. Don’t walk away from this time until you really believe he is going to do greater things in this next season of life. You never want to revisit a grave or past place in a spirit of regret, only with an attitude of anticipation for the future knowing that doors need to stay closed. It hit me the other day how weird it will be when my authority will be taken away at the end of the month. I have to believe it’s best because God has so much more in store.

4. New Life

Eventually you just gotta put on the new. Not only put it on but wear it like you know what you are doing. God doesn’t want us to be timid with the authority he has given us. Many people mistake disobedience for humility and take the “I need to ease into it” mentality. Our new leaders have really taken ownership and they look good doing it! If you ask they would tell you they have no idea what they are doing, but I would be concerned if they did. God loves us to be in situations where we have to depend on him.

5. The Stamp of Apprval