Glorify Who?

On the second week of the Career Impact coed Bible study, we dove into Piper's book, "Don't Waste Your Life". Mr. Moon did a great job leading discussion and keeping us on track with Piper's testimony.

While the main questions of course circled around the word "wasted", the idea of glorifying God stood out as a key aspect of what is or is not considered wasted. The Westminster Catechism (a goldmine of Biblical truth applied) describes the chief end of man as "to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever". The idea of how to prevent a wasted life was discussed in several ways. Taking opportunities God gives us to do various good things. Making wise decisions in light of the big picture, and God's word. I don't remember any others discussed off hand. All true and yet so much more. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the passionate pursuit of glorifying God in an unwasted life.

"I've WASTED it" was the powerful quote in Piper's book of an old man who wept bitterly as he realized a wasted life in light of his newly found purpose through Christ. Though not very comparable, it reminds me of last weekend.

I struggled greatly with the decision to participate in an activity one evening knowing that there was a slim chance that I would in any way glorify God by doing so. I managed to fit in everything that needed to get done in that afternoon so I could go, and rushed out to the event. I left early enough to get the sleep I have been coveting greatly recently, and felt at least a bit satisfied that I had not disgraced God's name with my actions (hopefully).

Driving home though, it occurred to me what a waste it was. As I finished jogging earlier that afternoon, I ran by my neighbor blowing leaves (yes, leaves already) into the street (don't get me started on that). "Too busy to talk", I though to myself. Driving back home, I remembered all the times my neighbors, Rodney and Katie, had spent time trying to develop a relationship with him. He has several children, and was recently divorced from their mother, who then of course had to move away. When she was around, he stayed at home on welfare while the mother worked many odd hours. Rarely do you see him outside. Domestic disputes became somewhat public when the police showed up a couple of times. From conversations with the children it was clear the kids were put in situations where one parent wanted to make the other look terrible in front of them. He has many issues, but still is willing to wave and loves to talk to neighbors as they pass by, which means - opportunity.

These kids play outside every once and a while. If you're doing something outdoors, they like to come over and watch what you're doing. The oldest girl (11ish?) will cling to my arm tightly, staring at me with a sad, needy face, and I don't even know her name. That night, as I was leaving for my social event with the group (or pocket), the father of those children was inside, and the 9ish year old was sitting on the curb all alone. I was in too much of a hurry to think of it when I left, but had all the time in the world to think about her on my way home. That girl is learning her own way to deal with life's trouble. She's probably hurting ALOT inside right now, but will learn to bury it deeply over the next 20 years until, as a grown woman, she will be afraid of real, deep and vulnerable relationships with other people, grasping for attention and happiness in whatever way she's found most effective for getting through life. The sad thing is that it is so common these days, most people will see her life on the surface as normal either out of ignorance, or because they did the same thing.

I cried on the way home because I left this situation, with all of it's own sadness, pain and opportunity to share God's love, in pursuit of what I already suspected would only be an opportunity to watch the group boisterously discuss how they "encouraged" each other the last five weekends together, and how they plan to "encourage" one another the next five.

My sadness isn't so much the one missed opportunity, but the heart I have that strives to glorify myself in distractions, entertainment and yup even in keeping myself busy in ministry (like alot of us) and the many people who are happy to provide these predictable distractions almost every other day.