Pig-Pen.He was just misunderstood....

So, this morning the sermon at church was on "Is Jesus being made known by our existence?"

Are we shining the light of Christ through our words and actions?

As the preacher began his sermon...I wondered how he was going to take a topic that is common and make it new or fresh. He is working on a series title "Disciple" and it is a deep look at what a true follower of Jesus looks like.

He began with a visual analogy that I absolutely loved immediately. It was simply a new twist on a perspective that hit me in the middle of his sermon, and which I still am churning around in my brain.

He said this, "The apostles where in his midst and followed and studied Jesus closely. They followed him so much that they were covered in his dust, consumed in his teachings and his work."

I in my mind immediately equated this with Pig-Pen, the wonderful Peanuts character. Pig-Pen was depicted as a boy who was always consumed by a cloud of dust.

Then my mind skipped around to the notation and idea of how awesome it would be to be covered in the dust of Jesus Christ. Then, I thought back to my experiences in serving God's Kingdom. This idea struck me...we often find ourselves covered in sweat, dirt, and even tears when doing Kingdom work. I remember coming back to the mission house in Guatemala daily covered in dirt...so much so that my feet did not look as if they would ever be fully clean again. Maybe this is the picture of Jesus and his apostles that I needed to fully comprehend today.

So, my point I guess is that service in the name of Jesus comes with dust and dirt.

Jesus even uses mud to heal a blind man in John chapter 9. So maybe Pig-pen was just misunderstood in the Peanuts comic strip. He took a lot of ridicule for being dirty and this is the plight of the true radical Christian who is seeking to follow Jesus.

In my walk and service I should look like Pig-Pen....to be completely covered in the dust of Jesus' work. In the comic strip at one point Pig-Pen cleans up for a party and no one recognizes him...so let that be my prayer that I am not recognized when I am not covered in the work of the Lord. Let my actions and words shine the light of Jesus!

Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." - Luke 10:2

Impact

Today was a good day...in the midst of the crazy school day one simple discussion with a student confirmed my reason for being an educator.

Charles called across the hallway to me as I was headed to take my place in the hall for lunch duty. "Ms. Jordan...." and I simply responded with, "Charles how are you?" I was completely unaware of what would be the answer to this question. This goofy grin appeared on his face. He said, "Ms. Jordan do you know that today is a month since school started?" I responded with a quick yes, and thinking to myself of course I know exactly how long it had been and wondering at the same time what point he was trying to make. He then said, "I have not been in trouble once this year and this has been the longest I have ever went in school at any level without being suspended. You taught me so much last year. I have a 110 in Geometry because of you." Talk about catch me off guard.

So a little of the back story, Charles had me last year and he isnt exaggerating with the fact that he constantly found trouble. I pulled Charles aside one afternoon and simply asked him what he wanted out of life and high school, what his goals were after he graduated. He told me he wasnt sure and that he hadnt given it much thought. It didnt matter he would probably drop out. I had no idea that day the impact I was making by simply showing interest in his life. He suddenly changed his work ethic in my class, not complete perfection, but he pulled it together and passed my class. He wasnt suddenly an angel or a perfectly behaved student, but I saw progress.

Before today...Charles had said hello or waved at me in passing in the hallway but that is not uncommon from my students. It shocked me the excitement and pride he had in himself. He shows only this tough exterior, and suddenly his punk rock bad boy image complete with anarchy symbol earings melted away and he showed me simply himself. His pride and new found success looked so good on him...he just had a joy that I never got a glimpse of before today.

This and soley this is why I want to teach....It isnt about Algebra that is for sure.

I thank God for showing me how he works daily and the impact my every movement and discussion can have on those around me. I pray that Charles doesnt lose that self-worth and pride, and that I or others can continue to push him to see his potential.

The things I can not control and the things I can....

How do I allow myself...to be so fooled. Why do I act so blindly? Am I that niave? Am I just a pawn? Do I not think for myself? I tend to view myself as educated... lately I second guess that. I really am struggling right now. Everytime I turn I just get blindsided. Do I know what I want out of life? I used to think so...I just simply need to be honest with myself...which even my integrity has been challenged lately and that is such a deep blow to me.

I flipped open my bible and the following is what it spoke to me. Such great verses. Proverbs 4:20-27

"My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure,
Do not swerve to the right or the left;
turn your foot away from evil.


I think what I have taken from my time with God lately is that I am too consumed with things that I cant control. I drown in this sea of guilt, doubt, worry, and it isnt intended for me to go there in the first place. I end up off the path and learn things the absolute most difficult way, by either taking my eyes away from the place they should be focused or trying to deal with things on my own terms.Which I have found never works out for me. Why am I so stubborn/hard headed?


PSALMS 25: 16-22
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprighteousness preserve me,
for I wait for you.

Reedem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.

This is my cry. Why does music speak so much truth? Maybe it breaks down barriers and speaks to us in ways we simply cant explain. Anyways this song is on repeat right now.

Todd Agnew "If I could just sit with You awhile"

'If I could just sit with You awhile, if You could just hold me
Nothing could touch me though I am wounded, though I die
If I could just sit with You awhile, I need You to hold me
moment by moment, 'till forever passes by'