Occasionally I am blown away by things people do. Regrettably, there are times when the source of my amazement is something incredibly inane that someone has done. And truthfully speaking, when this is the case I am more often than not the culprit!
But many times I have witnessed something so thoughtful or so sacrificial that I have been seized with a sense of awe, wonder and gratitude. The biblical word is glory.
For example, there was the little church in northern Virginia, Ketoctin Baptist, that was saving money to install indoor plumbing for the first time since 1751 when the church was founded. Their goal had almost been met when Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast leaving thousands of people devastated. The members of Ketoctin decided they had been waiting more than 250 years to go to the bathroom, so they could wait a few more. They sent their entire indoor plumbing fund to Katrina victims. In the midst of the storm's troubling aftermath, I was granted, by their kindness, a sense of the peaceful presence of Christ at work through them.
More recently, I was blown away by the open-hearted generosity and kingdom vision of the Highlands Fellowship, a Baptist church in Abingdon, and their pastor, Jimmie Davidson. When Jimmie heard that Kay and Rick Warren were coming to share their burdens for AIDS victims and their plans for “P.E.A.C.E. in 21-C,” he decided to see what he could do to help.
Before all was said and done, this pastor and church had committed themselves to paying the registration fees for two key leaders from every Virginia Baptist church willing to send them to the 21-C Conference. Once more, I was overcome by a sense of the Holy One working through them to bring about his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. I sensed God's glory.
I should not have been surprised at their response. This is the pastor, after all, who approaches things differently. On one occasion, the neighbor couple across the street from Highlands worship center called the police because the youth were raising such a ruckus at one of their get-togethers. Most pastors might have been angered by this apparent expression of hostility.
But Jimmie took time to pray with the church leadership before reacting. He remembered that the neighbors had been trying unsuccessfully to sell their home and that they had discounted the asking price because the house was surrounded by Highland's beehive of activity. He decided the neighborly thing to do was to buy their house for the full value.
The couple who, hours before, had been seething with resentment toward the church suddenly was awed by this unexpected expression of good will by these Highlanders who understand what it means to be ambassadors for Christ. Glory!
The house—huge, lovely and modern—would have made a striking parsonage. But they turned it into a Global Glory of God House. Civil and religious leaders from all over the world are invited to come to this house in Abingdon, Virginia, where they spend a few days learning about the P.E.A.C.E. plan that Rick Warren has shared. Not only are they invited, but 140 leaders from all parts of the world have actually come over during the past three years. I am awed. To God be the glory.
But as recently as Friday evening I was blown away again. All of us who were anticipating Rick and Kay Warren's presence with us for the 21-C conference were really excited about the possibilities for Virginia Baptists. When we learned that Jim Warren, Rick's brother, had died unexpectedly we were grieved for the family. With compassion for them, we affirmed their need and desire to be with their family at such a time. Anyone who has experienced such a tragedy understands how the waves of grief overwhelm us at these times. Admittedly though, we were also somewhat disappointed that our hopes and expectations would not be realized.
Despite the personal grief and emotional shock he felt, Rick took the time and invested the emotional energy required to appear before a camera for slightly over an hour-and-a-half to provide a personal word to Virginia Baptists. I was literally overcome. What an amazing sacrifice to do such a thing at such a time. What a gift to bestow on kingdom partners! As I watched, knowing something of what he must have been feeling at the time, I sensed once more the presence and peace of the Holy Spirit. The glory of the Lord was upon me.
As I have reflected, I was blessed not just by the information he gave—as encouraging and enlightening as it was. I was blessed, even more, by that holy presence that overwhelmed me like a tsunami when I realized the sacrifice that had been made for Virginia Baptists by this holy man of God. (I know he's not Jesus. But, Jesus seems to get a lot of talking done through him!)
This has caused two further insights. First, I hope to be the kind of person who blows people away with unexpected kindness. I want to have people, regardless of what I may have led them to expect of me on previous occasions, to be awed by the sudden appearance of Christ in my actions. We human beings are made more noble and more holy when we sense the presence of Jesus in others. I want to bring glory.
Second, if the sacrifices of other human beings creates in me this kind of response, how much more awe, wonder and gratitude are created in me when I rightly understand that greatest of all sacrifices—that most noble of all deeds. Despite the shadow of a cross before me, I am filled with the love, the joy and the peace of Jesus' presence around me.
Now that's what I call a global glory peace plan.