I agape U?

In one of the greatest Superbowls ever played, the Dallas Cowboys were beaten by the pittsburg steelers. One of the key players for the Steelers was Lynn Swann. Swann was asked how did the Steelers beat the favored Cowboys. Swann said that "both teams were presented with oportunities to make great plays... we simply seized more of them." We like to choose the opportunities we want to sieze. Like I stated in one of my other posts, we like to be the one that chooses who we show kindness to and who we want to love. I have found that much of the love that we exhibit is simply "Phileo" love...The love that is "Brotherly". This is the kind of love that we choose. We choose the people that look like us, who sound like us , who believe like us and who is easy to love. I have found myself loving people around me because it is easy. What is hard is the "Agape" love.....the love that God loves with. I kid myself when I treat other christians with love and call it agape (though at times it is)... no it's not! Agape is when I love a person who has nothing to offer me... they may even treat me rude. The love that Paul talks about in the love chapter of 1 Corinthians is rarely exhibited and misunderstood....in my opinion. We miss opportunities to win people to the kingdom because we can't get over ourselves. Even in our good intentions we can still market the church for the people we want..... I may be kicking a dead horse but I think we might win if we pay attention to the opportunites that present themselves.

Meeting

Went to a youth camp planning meeting with the state youth director and his secretary. We discussed schedules, staff and theme. I came away from the meeting like a lot of meetings like this feeling the burden of youth camp, feeling the honor of being part and feeling the excitement of anticipation. I am also amazed at the amount of work it is and the details that many people do not realize that goes into facilitating events like this. I always had the perspective of someone showing up on day 1 of the event to work and serve. It was only within the last 3 and a half years that I have seen the pressure that is on the state youth director and the board in dealing with lethargic leaders, changing culture of kids who don't value "Camp", the cost, the liability issues that come with events this size (the liability and legal issues have grown, ie. background checks, insurance, etc.), half hearted attempts by some who don't see the effort behind the scenes. Above all this, there's the pressure of helping make camp an impacting time for the kids. In helping with Winterfest, teen talent, youth camp and other state functions, I have grown to love and respect our leaders. The experience has helped me as I lead the church I pastor in the things that we are doing now.

As a pastor, It is difficult dealing with people who follow from a distance and are quick to criticize motives, effort, methods and strategies (doesn't happen very often). As I have followed the direction of the state youth director, I have tried to apply what I desire to see in people who follow me. We all have to follow someone, we are all accountable to someone. I can't complain about nobody following me if I struggle in following those over me in the Lord. I have seen our state youth director exercise tremendous patience, restraint and Godly character in dealing with all these issues.