12 Stones

'While I wish it were otherwise, in my experience, most of us males, at least in the US,  never come to the end of ourselves.  Life seems to be 'working' for us without much reference to Jesus. 

Mr Jones’ Farm
Dear Friends (of all spiritual stripes),When I was a youngster, one of my favorite visits was to the farm of Mr. and Mrs Jones.  (not their actual name).   It was located just outside of our small town in northern Illinois.  We would hunt there, we would fish there, and we enjoyed many Thanksgiving meals there.         Mrs. J was a fabulous cook, and their farm provided many formative memories for me, for which I will always be grateful.  One of my favorite activities while on their farm was fishing in one of their two ponds.       We would catch small bluegills using nothing but a worm, a bamboo pole, and a bobber. Sometimes we'd get in a rowboat and float our way around the pond in search of larger fish.     Why do I bring this up, you ask?Have you ever seen a still pond, either early in the morning or late in the day?   It is such a serene and peaceful experience. The water is as smooth as glass. Truth be told, I would sometimes grab a rock and toss it high into the air, only to watch it enter the pond with a big splash. I would then quietly stand back and watch the circular wave or ripple that would result, widening as it went, eventually making its way to the shore.     Looking back, I now realize that the ever-expanding ripple is a good depiction of what God wants to do in each of our lives.  That's what we mean when we pray, 'Thy Kingdom 'Come.’   In other words, we are praying,  'May your reign or rule over me and our world, expand.'     Just the StartWhile I wish it were otherwise, in my experience, most of us males, never come to the end of ourselves.  Life seems to be 'working' for us without much reference to Jesus.

However, those for whom life 'stops working' are far more likely to surrender themselves to the One who gave His life for them.   For such men, 'Coming to Jesus' is no longer a throw away punchline but a life-altering reality.  It's often starts out messy.   While their words may vary, the sincerity, disillusionment or even desperation behind their surrendering prayer, doesn't.  It often goes something like this:      'Jesus, I am not even sure you are there, but if you are, please show yourself to me because I need help.  I don't like who I've become and where I am heading.  What's the point of life, anyway?'     Others begin with something like:

'Jesus, if you're there, like my friends say you are, I'd like a reboot.   Life seems like little more than an endless game of Trivial Pursuit.   Is this it:  Running from one novelty to another until we die a death of boredom?    If there IS more, you seem like the one I should turn to for answers.  I don't wanna spend my life on trivialities.   I'd like you to become more than a hobby, but I'm not sure how to begin. I need help.       When that happens.....when that spiritual transaction takes place, something significant gets underway.    From that decisive moment onward, the stone enters with a splash.   At that precise moment, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the lives of these men and begins to go to work.   He does so, persistently, quietly and yet significantly. His misson?  To expand Jesus' rule in their lives, even into areas that they'd assumed were  beyond redemption or, perhaps, so seemingly insignificant as to be of little interest to God. 
It’s as if Jesus is the stone and their lives are the pond.  As that circle widens, enveloping greater portions of the pond, so the image of Christ begins to show itself  in ever-expanding ways in the words, actions, priorities and habits of these men.    I've seen it happen a few times in my life, and it always leaves me (truly) in awe.    Have I ever come to the end of myself?   To whom or to what do I turn from there?   Warmly,Greg


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