The Well Palmdale, CA

Music can bring back all sorts of memories...of times, places, friends, important events...today that happened to me.

So today I ate lunch at home and Sarah wasn't at home, so I decided to turn on the TV to check out what was going on over in Beijing.  Well, a commercial came on advertising one of those CD's that just has a bunch of different groups and songs on.  Usually, I pay no attention to these commercials...they're usually just noise to me.  Well, they kept playing a bunch of songs that brought back all sorts of memories for me.  You see, many of these songs were popular when I was in college.  During my college years, I spent many of my summers painting houses, condos, fences, and anything that needed a new coat.  Almost all of my work was outside up on ladders or on a roof somehwere.  One of the ways we passed those hot summer days at work was playing an old radio that was covered in paint.  There was typically only one station that we could all agree on and that was the alternative station. 

Well, if you've ever listened to a radio station for more than a half hour, you notice that they really don't have a lot of music to choose from.  I heard an interview one time with a former president of a large radio corporation who said that almost every Rap, R & B, Alternative, and Pop stations typically have no more than around 9 songs in their daily rotation.  Needless to say, our summer days up on ladders had a soundtrack that often repeated itself over and over again. 

As I heard those songs replayed on that commercial a number of memories of my days spent in white Dickies and an old hat, paintbrush in hand.  It was one of those moments where you reminisce and even miss "the good ole' days".  I remember riding around in my Jeep, hanging out with my brother and my friends, and having that carefree feeling that comes with being 20.  After a quick wave of memories, I quickly remembered that those days weren't as great as I remember.  I worked 18 hour days (most of which was spent in 90+ degree heat with 90% humidity), my Jeep was always broken, no matter how much money I made I was always broke, and most of my days were spent alone at work and then I was really too tired most of time to hang out with anyone.  Far too often our "good ole' days" aren't as good as we remember. 

Despite all of that I think that there is something to those sorts of memories.  Those experiences, people, and situations have all shaped who we are, and how we live today.  Even though my Jeep was always broke, Sarah and I still want another one.  Even though I spent most of my days alone, I made many friends whom I still keep in contact with.  Even though those days were tough, they shaped who I am today.  The quesiton I wrestle with as a Christian is "How am I being shaped today for my tomorrow?"  I wonder as a pastor if what we are doing as a church will cause us to look back years later with joy and a smile on our face because Christ shaped us in profound ways.  If that is truly going to happen, it isn't going to come from hearing a song we used to sing, or seeing a guy with a faux-hawk, or installing forest green carpeting in our homes.  It's going to happen in our interactions with the grace of Christ...it's going to come by allowing Christ to shape us. 

We are embarking on this amazing journey together.  I've had other pastors and other Christians call me crazy for doing what we're doing.  They don't understand why I and a church full of people would take such a risk.  Yeah, somedays are tough...some sacrifices seem like they are just too big to make sense...but they all have a purpose greater than we can even comprehend...because Christ is shaping us.  We do all of this for the sake of those who don't know Christ...so that they might know His love and grace and the life that He gives.  

I pray that when you come across a passage of Scripture that has recently been unpacked for you, or you hear a song we've sung recently, or you get into a Community Group for the first time in a long time, or even come across forest green carpet, that you reminisce on the joy that you found in Christ calling you to such a crazy mission...and how that has shaped you and your faith for the rest of your llfe.

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