#390 – Showing Up

I’m in Las Vegas again. This time I’m not on vacation with my wife but celebrating my friend, Ron. Ron is getting married next weekend and we’re here for his bachelor party. I obviously don’t believe that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. So instead of having a Hangover type weekend I’m having more of a Man vs. Food type weekend.

I’m excited to be in Vegas celebrating Ron, but it is a little weird. 12 years ago Ron was a 7^th grader and one of my first students. Now we’re in Vegas together for his bachelor party and I’m officiating his wedding next weekend. It’s crazy to think that I’ve known Ron for over half his life. We’ve moved way beyond a pastor/student relationship; he’s one of my closest friends. I didn’t know what God was going to do 12 years ago but what he has done is definitely awesome.

That’s why serving God and being obedient is so exciting. We really have no idea what he’s going to do. I had no idea that a 7^th grade boy who corrected my mistakes while I was teaching would become a great friend. But by God’s grace and providence, investing in Ron has paid greater dividends than I could have possibly imagined. Not because I’m a great leader but because God is a great God.

God is great at doing the unexpected. Sometimes all it takes is showing up and being obedient. When we make ourselves available to God and his purposes there really is no telling what can happen. God may use us in a way we never thought possible or he may use us to invest in someone for over half of his or her life. We don’t have to be great, we just have to show up and be willing to let God be great.

So while being in Las Vegas with a former student makes me feel old, it also makes me feel pretty good. I’m blessed to know God has continued to use me in the lives of old students; I certainly hope he continues to do that for a long time.

How have you seen God be great when you’ve just shown up?