Bottled up! That is how I feel today. Over the last several days I have been drinking from a fire hose at the annual Willow Creek Leadership Summit. And now, here I sit here with all these thoughts, feelings, emotions, and promptings bottled up inside me waiting to explode.
Have you every felt this way, bottled up; bottled up with a God given vision that leaves you breathless and filled with passion? The problem is you don't know where to begin? Bulls eye! That is right where I find myself today. Breathless, passionate, ready to run but not sure how to put one foot in front of another.There it is right in front of me. A God given vision from two years ago that I can see with such amazing clarity. I feel as if I am a chained dog longing to be unleashed to pounce upon the mission you have set before me. My teeth are ready, the chain has been opened and yet, here I sit because quite frankly God, I just don't know where to begin. That always seems to be my problem; a deeply seated passion and burning desire to make a difference in the world. But right along side my passion comes a whisper that says something like, "What can YOU do?" The problem is, most of the time I believe it.
But Father, this time I want it to be different. I don't want to settle for playing it safe any more. You O God have called me to this leadership role. You O Lord have allowed me the great privildedge of coming along side you to shephered and inspire and lead those you have called Intersection Church. Father, I want to bow in your presence but then I want to get up and run hard, run until my shoes are worn, run until my legs are burning, run until I have nothing left to give. Run Father until the race is completed and you are there waiting for me at the finish line with the prize. I have made a declaration and I ask you Lord to give me the strength to see it through:
"I declare to passionately pursue Christ, running the race with my eyes firmly fixed on the cross ahead of me. Turning back and surrendering is not an option!"
