Surfing the North Coast

Yes, that's right, two days ago I was looking good in my wet-suit (pictures forthcoming), staring at the biggest waves I've ever attempted to ride. I was in the coastal town of Portrush with around fifty youth and leaders from Whitehouse Presbyterian Church, away for a weekend retreat. The surf was easily six feet, approaching eight or nine on the bigger waves, and I was stunned. Of all the things I expected to learn here in Northern Ireland--patience, humility, how to handle responsibility, how to better adapt to foreign cultures--surfing was not on the list. But the Lord moves in mysterious ways, that much is certain.

The youth were from different groups connected to the church--Contact Club (youth group), Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade (similar to scouts in the US)--and so everyone (like me) had many names to learn. We played hilarious games, sung praise songs, pursued a scavenger hunt all around the small vacation town, and generally had a great time getting to know one another. For someone like me, attempting to become a part of a community in a foreign culture, the weekend was a huge boost. The youth seemed very accepting of new leaders, and I feel like I'm connecting with lots of the guys already (some late night missions involving pillow fighting may have helped). One week ago I led my first youth group meeting, planning the games and songs and giving a short talk at the end. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was a visitor--a welcome one, but a visitor nonetheless. This weekend helped to solidify the reality, perhaps for the youth but definitely for me, that I'll be more than a visitor for the next year. I feel the beginnings of real friendships forming, and I see small but encouraging signs that I am starting to become part of this community.

Already I see opportunities for growth and ways that I can contribute to the church's mininstries. Some of those possibilities are (as always) simply delusions of grandeur, while others are actually talents that I may be able to offer. Of course the first problem is discerning between the two. The second, related problem is actually being able to see my talents as gifts--undeserved abilities generously bestowed upon us all, that we may, in some miniscule way, use them for the Glory of God. Even with the slightest hint of "success," my pride takes over. I forget so easily that God is the master builder, the ultimate author of changed hearts and transformed communities.

I am simply a worker for his Kingdom, and in that I can find liberation. Because of that I can go to work everyday knowing that the Lord has tasks prepared for me, confident that he will work good despite (and through) my failures. In His grand scheme my idea of success or failure means very little, for my perception is so very limited. All I can do is trust--trust that all He asks of me, He will provide in himself. So far the Lord has been supremely faithful in that promise, and I have no reason to doubt things will change now.