What’s New With You?

Jake asked me, “What’s new with you?”

Nothing came to mind. I was a little disappointed with myself that nothing came to mind. Am I living in a worn-down pattern where nothing is new anymore? This is not good.

I thought about what I could say that would sound at least somewhat new. After a long pause, I began telling Jake about the big dog. Jan and I have temporary custody of a Doberman. This situation is at least kind of new. We have had the dog for a couple of months. We rediscovered how a dog in the family changes your lifestyle. We are happy and sad that he will soon be flying to Hawaii to rejoin my son and his family.  (Can dogs fly?)

Jake and I had a nice talk. This was at the Church Volunteers Picnic, where I had planned to be intentional about getting to know a few members of our community a bit better. I was wearing my best version of extrovert, which doesn’t fit all that well. I’m the guy whose favorite team sport is snow skiing. In this sport, you compete with the opposition, which is yourself. You can play this sport all day and never say a word to another human being. I also like cycling, reading, writing, hiking, and woodworking. Activities that all involve teams of precisely one.

At the picnic, I was roaming around talking with folks. I was looking for common ground and trying to build connections. I wanted to get to know everyone’s story. Jake’s story was one of them.

That evening, while changing back into my introverted self, I once again felt disappointed for not having a ready answer to Jake’s question. Then I heard a whispered shout from God. He reminded me that I had been praying about becoming more and more like Jesus. God has been answering these prayers in all sorts of creative ways. New ways.

That is exactly what’s new with me. Why didn’t I answer Jake’s question with what is going on in my spiritual life? And where better to find common ground with your church community? “You should be telling everyone about that,” God said.  “You should be encouraging others in their spiritual journey,” He added.

God’s correction is such a joy. It feels like freedom and progress. Many new things are happening in my life. God erased my disappointment in myself. My experience is that God is good at using erasers.

When I see Jake at church on Sunday, I can answer his question properly. I can tell him about how God has answered my prayers recently. More often than not, He does this in unexpected ways. Ways that point to Him and strengthen my faith. I can tell him about what I read in the bible that morning and how a new insight rocked my world. I could mention how much fun I’m having as the editor of the church newsletter and encourage him to sign up for the weekly email on the website.

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I used to say I don’t care what other people think. I was thinking about what other people were thinking about me. I embraced the “Go your own way” version of life. (Anybody remember Fleetwood Mac?)

I was lying to myself because I certainly did care what my family, close friends, and those who had an impact on my worldly success thought about me. At that time in my life, God was not a member of this small group.

Now, I care most about what God thinks about me. I’ve taken Jesus' command to seek His righteousness seriously. I’ve changed and continue to change. I find myself caring very much about what other people think, not about me, but about themselves.

What you think about yourself is what I’m thinking about. What I’m caring about. And the words you hear can have such incredible power to transform your mind when it comes to what you think about yourself.

Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose. (Prov 18:21 MSG)

What are the words that I can share with Jake, or with anyone, that God wants me to say?  I’m partnered with God in His project to re-create the world. He wants to use my vocal cords.  He wants to use yours, too.

There is no doubt that the spiritual realm is trying to influence our words. Words that wield incredible power in the great battle of kingdoms. “Our Father … Your kingdom come,” Jesus teaches us to pray. God partners with us to further His agenda.  One way He does this is with our voices. Perhaps the most powerful weapon.

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Here at The Clearing, we have acres of common ground in our love for Jesus. He is changing all of us to be more like Him. First to know Him, then to become like Him, and finally to do the things He did. The barriers that separate us, such as personality, interests, careers, and season of life, are actually essential to the oneness Jesus prays for in John 17. In His kingdom, our love for one another is critical in our commission to spread the Gospel.  This is one of our common spiritual goals.  Our differences are precisely what is necessary for us to be the complete body of Christ.

Jake, let me tell you what’s new with me.

Written by David J. Pontzer