A few nights ago, I had a conversation with Lou Braun. Lou’s been with Adullam for about a year. He came to Denver to play lacrosse for the Denver Outlaws, but quickly realized that God had larger plans for him in regards to full-time ministry, not to mention meeting his fiancee Kim. His change of focus also fit the reality that Lou wasn’t getting to play in all the games. Unlike professional basketball where you can get an ankle injury or be indicted for domestic abuse, and still get paid, in pro lacrosse, if you don’t play, you just get a free hot dog and a few tickets for your buddies.
Well, this last Saturday in New York, Lou was asked to start and took all face offs. He said, he was doing okay, but as the game wore on, the other team scored with about a minute to go. All they had to do was win the last face off and stall and they win. Lou lined up and not only won the face off, but he kept control, ran all the way down the field, and scored unassisted to tie the game. The Outlaws won in overtime!
I thought this was a great reminder of how quickly things can change, simply by “hanging around” and being willing to play. One minute you feel like northing’s going on, and the next minute something of significance occurs.
Most of life tests our faith that God will use us for anything. We work, go to school, keep the yard up, and try to pay off our Visas. The mundane is something we can all count on, yet we always have this hope of significance and impact in the world.
The scriptures are honest with this paradox. On one hand, I Thessalonians 4:11 says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands.” And on the other hand we see normal people doing the very works of Christ and changing the legacy of families and nations.
The lesson in Lou’s story and the story of our faith, screams to just “be in the right spot”, and God will in His timing surprise you with moments of brilliance. Keep folding the laundry, driving the kids to practice; study hard, work with diligence and integrity at work ,and open your life and home to friends. Then expect that God will use your simple life to “win the respect of those outside our faith”.
As I reflect on this last Sunday, I simply can’t get past the incredible privilege we all had to be together and experience the witness of baptism. We had 9 planned “dunks” and one spontaneous baptism. Here’s a list of some of the significant moments.
