By Gordon MacDonald
I am romanced by the simple phrase by which Charles de
Foucauld (1858-1916) chose to define his life:
Present to God; present to people
In the morass
of mission statements and pithy slogans designed to identify the passions of
organizations, churches, and individuals, I think I like this one best. In
recent weeks I've tried to awaken to it each morning.
Being present reminds me of the experience my wife,
Gail, and I once had while on a walk in a Swiss alpine valley. We had come upon
a farmer and his dog who were rounding up a large herd of brown cows (the ones
with the huge bells around their necks). The farmer would point to a spot out
on the edge of the herd. The dog would race in that direction, then suddenly
stop to look back to get a second command. The farmer would sweep his hand to
the right or left, and the dog, now furiously barking, would drive the cows
wherever the farmer was willing them to go.
Then the dog would tear back to the farmer's side,
sit, breathing hard, and look up waiting—almost impatiently—for the farmer's
next order. For some reason, that picture of a dog that is so present to his
master—ready to respond—shows me what it must mean to fit de Foucauld's definition
of life - Present to God.
Present to people? Harder or easier? I find it easy to
be present to attractive people, advantaged people, visionary people,
intelligent people, likable people. I love being present to people who like me
and find me witty and charming. My grandchildren fit this category.
But present to people who are weak, poor, sick,
grumpy, unreliable, unthankful, disrespectful? That's another story. My
instinct is, all too often, to be absent to them. And it's here that my
character and call get challenged every day. Sometimes I win; often I lose in
this being present business. Because being present to people means that I must
listen extra carefully, listen, and then respond. And that can be inconvenient
and too taxing.
So I like de Foucauld's phrase that reduces complex
issues and busy schedules to six simple words
Present to God; present to people
During this season of Christmas craziness try to remember these six words.
THINGS
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….
GBACE
Conference with Dr. Chuck Lawless, January 24, 2019 at Salem Baptist/McDonough
- http://www.gbace.org/annual-conference.html
Resources
to help develop your church’s stewardship generosity - https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/generosity
FOR
CHURCH LEADERS: FREE
shipping on all books, Bibles, and church supplies (over $50) from your
friendly LifeWay store? Check it out! https://buff.ly/2vlPn3I
FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Adult Group Box for
starting new groups - https://www.lifeway.com/en/bible-studies-for-life/adults/group-box
FOR
CHURCH LEADERS: Reconnect - Use this
simple but effective way to reconnect with those members who have dropped out
or are not connected to a Bible study group. https://buff.ly/2LMD0AD
FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Balanced Discipleship Plan: A Catalog of
Studies to Develop Disciples - https://buff.ly/2Gv3CY6
FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Gospel Foundations - https://buff.ly/2MXGCow
FOR
WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Psalm 23 by Jennifer Rothschild - https://buff.ly/2SrLKAt
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WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Ministry to Women Handbook - https://buff.ly/2q5Grd3
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WOMEN’S MINISTRY: What Matters Most by Karen
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FOR
MEN’S MINISTRY: Sign up for the LifeWay Men’s Newsletter - https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/ministries/men
FOR
MEN’S MINISTRY: Johnny Hunt Men’s
Conference, January 25 & 26, 2019,Begin making your plans to host a simulcast at your church
or in your home. - https://buff.ly/2TKHIUF
FOR
MEN’S MINISTRY: Unstuck by James McDonald - https://buff.ly/2vxsLty
FOR
MEN’S MINISTRY: Kingdom Disciples by Tony Evans - https://buff.ly/2GlN9SW
FOR
STUDENT MINISTRY: Gospel Foundations for Students - https://buff.ly/2MXGCow
FOR
STUDENT MINISTRY: Resources for True Love Waits - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/true-love-waits
FOR
FAMILY MINISTRY: Reaching the Next Generation - https://buff.ly/2AMJ8se
FOR
KIDS MINISTRY: 2019 VBS Jumpstarts, go
to one of the 9 meetings around the state, January 17-24, 2019 - https://gabaptist.org/vbsjumpstarts
FOR
KIDS MINISTRY: 2019 Kids Ministry Summit at Jekyll Island, February 7, 8, 2019
- https://gabaptist.org/event/kids-ministry-summit/
FOR
KIDS MINISTRY: 2019 CentriKid Camps - https://buff.ly/2CWQQjG
FOR
KIDS MINISTRY: What does it Mean to be a Christian - Here's a
brand new resource to help children understand what it means to be a Christian.
https://buff.ly/2NVCqBN
FOR
KIDS MINISTRY: Kid Event Pro – An online Kids Ministry Event Planning
system - https://buff.ly/2PaMurS
