“I was Lost” Comments and Followup
I wrote the “I was Lost” posting in the RMC on July 23rd. A lot happened with that post, on two levels, which I will explain as I go.
I attended the church on Sunday, July 22nd, and sat down the first thing on the morning of the 23rd and wrote RMC #31: “I was Lost” (http://rockymountainclimbing-a-diary.com/rmc-31-i-was-lost). Later that day I received a number of emails from various welcoming committees from the Vail Church (http://www.thevailchurch.com/). Somewhere in the responses I sent back to these well wishers, I included a link to the posting. Here is what happened then, in the words of the people who sent them.
First:
Durk,
Your blog was so uplifting for our staff…we read it in our weekly staff meeting. So encouraging to know that He is drawing people to worship Him here. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us, we look forward to watching the Lord use us and you at our lil’ mountain church.
Scott Leonard
The Vail Church
Then I received a call and an email asking if they could use my writing in the following Sunday sermon. From the pastor at the Vail Church, Craig Smith, came this:
Hey Durk,
Craig Smith here with The Vail Church. Just wanted to say thanks for allowing me to share your words this coming Sunday. Scott passed on your blog to me this week and it was so encouraging to read. Thanks for sharing your story. Once a year, we do what we call our “State of the church” address. It’s a time to re-visit the vision God has given us as well as celebrate His good work over the past year. I’d love to share your words with our church family this weekend – they speak well to our desire – that people would meet with Christ each Sunday and leave changed. So, with your permission, I’d love to pass along how God met with you and your wife last weekend. Your words celebrate our God and that’s always worth sharing. We’re glad you came – this weekend we will outline clearly who we are, where we’re going, and how to dive in and serve alongside us in the work ahead. There’s much to be done in this valley and around the globe so we’re anxious to stack hands together and get to work. Your ministry experience is a tremendous blessing – let’s talk soon and figure out the next steps. Let me know how I can be of any help along the way! Grateful for you both…
Craig
To say I was blown away was an understatement. I always understood that I was writing with a purpose. That was always clear to me. God had a purpose for me, though clearly, I wasn’t always let in on the plan. But then I also started receiving great comments from my old friends, mentors and much loved people.
From my spiritual mentor Ed Murray, I received this:
Durk, I don’t often reply to all because of a number of reasons. But I was so touched by your diary this week that I had to let everyone know how much it touched me. I could feel my throat choking up as I read your lead in to the songs and for the life of me I could not even mouth them – you almost had me crying along with you.
God was working that day to make sure you found a good refuge in which to serve him. What a testimony to “God is good” — — —- “All the time” — — —-!
Ed
From Carl Gustafson, an Emmaus Reunion Group buddy:
Good mornin’ brother,
I must admit, I’m not as strong as Ed, I DID cry a bit. This email was topic of conversation this morning and celebrated on your behalf.
Ok, why did I cry? After your email last week, I felt moved to reply but didn’t. Then this one came and I had to do what I failed to do last week.
I too was looking back and found that through complacency, I had fallen away. When things in my life stretched Jennifer and I in every direction, we got tired, worn out and complacent, failing to work on, or even be a part of our relationship with God. I can’t describe, although I know you know what I’m talking about, the hole of void. What had once been a very close intimate relationship was quiet. In short, I was wwwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy off in the weeds. A couple of weeks ago, I showed up Tuesday morning, ponied up, and admitted to the gents at the table, I’m off in the weeds. Their response, “what can we do to help?” Now how’s that for a lifeline? My response, accountability.
From the time of that admission, I jumped back into the relationship. It was quite a shock to the system. I started reading religious books at a fervent pace and committed to teach Sunday School for K-5 journey rooms. This past Sunday, I went to one of my favorite places, the small chapel. I ponied up to the rail, and on bended knee, admitted my complacency and jumped back in the game. Communion, in that small, quiet, chapel was very special as I felt a “welcome back”. Now that’s prevenient grace.
Now to my point…. Believe it or not, I’m celebrating my complacency. That’s right, celebrating it. Why you ask? Because it showed me how night and day the difference is. It’s amazing. Being off in the weeds made me really appreciate how it feels to be on the road and the void in the weeds. See… celebration time. My religious philosophy, “Celebrate everything”. Good or bad.
Now that your back on the road, you know what it feels like. Isn’t it worth investing the work and time into the relationship to stay there? For me the answer is yes.
Remember, when you left, I mentioned the similarities in our walks? Coincidence? I think not. Alpha taught me that there are no such things as coincidence or luck.
Now…….. walk on brother. Remember, just follow the light.
Your brother in Christ,
Carl
I don’t think I needed any outside validation in writing these posts, since I am so certain that I am being guided by God’s hand in all that I write. But still, these comments and the positive use of my writing has further encouraged me to write even more. Or to say it better, I am further encouraged to spend more time thinking, listening and working for God. I am not a natural or gifted writer by any means. So, for me this is work. But I can tell when it flows through my hands, whether I write it in long hand or enter it in with my computer, the work is its own reward. And that God finds a use for it, as he has for these past months, is wonderful beyond my ability to understand.
So I will keep writing and use the encouragement you give me along with the certainty of God’s will in what I am creating to continue to write these humble words to encourage you and lead you closer to Him.
