A retreat at the cross

We had a whole slew of differences.  We had a gymnastics coach, an interpreter for the deaf, and a tree trimmer and a fence builder.  We had a hair stylist, a production manager, a history professor, and a guitar salesman.  Few knew the same occupation.  We studied, we sang, we prayed and told stories of God.  We played ping pong, dominoes, charades, and ate loads of brownies and popcorn.  All the while, the Lord knitted people together.  Some of us arrived without knowing each others’ names.  And as we spent time together, our roles did occasionally change.  The gymnastics coach led line-dancing for those who wanted to twirl while they sang.  Our friend who was trained as a social worker became an on-the-spot marriage counselor.  Our science teacher became a dramatist.  Some speakers became listeners.  Our differences became likenesses as we served each other.  We heard how our friend who had been a drug addict found peace through knowing Christ.  We heard how one friend had once preferred aloneness but now found the company of people enjoyable and helpful.  One who had felt outcast was blessed to find acceptance now.  And I’m pretty sure none of us knew that our friend who is blind had an enjoyment for playing drums, and the fact that he felt the freedom to pick up the sticks to play with the band that night inspired us all.  …  The Lord has all kinds of reasons for bringing people together.  Those unemployed by society’s standards can be wonderfully employed by the Lord—no paycheck required.  Our cook may keep cooking.  Our teacher’s assistant may still work at a school.  Our nursing student may practice nursing for 30 years.  But no matter our formal training or lack thereof, the Lord has additional roles in mind.  The Lord loves to use people who are willing to follow Him and deny the what-if’s that torment the human brain when we don’t know the whole scope of a task.  He’s looking for people who will risk their human embarrassment to delve into a role He may not entirely reveal at the beginning.  He loves for us to commit to Him without looking at our bank accounts and for us to prioritize His desires higher than our own comfort.  We can find peace in knowing the Lord holds us in the palm of His hand, and His hand does not falter.  In fact, He has inscribed us on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:15).  Our common ground with people is the cross of Jesus Christ, and it’s exciting to see how God connects people with Him in mind.  More important than what we do is who we are as children of God.  Ours was a wonderful weekend retreat.