The Well-Rounded Man

I'm the Prince in the pink tights and the crown...

When I was in youth ministry people used to ask me all the time how it was that I could get along so easily with so many different types of people. They knew that it never mattered to me what a person's interests were or what their personality was like, I could always find a way to talk to them. While the opportunities are much fewer at this point of my life, that is still something that comes easily to me. And lately this question has been heavy on my mind: Is it possible for those growing up in our world in 2015 to turn out like me? Now I know that sounds both presumptuous and narcissistic (and it may well be), but stick with me. It is entirely possible that we don't want anyone to turn out like me, but that's not really my point either. Here's the deal. We live in an age of specialization and compartmentalization. Our society puts an emphasis on learning particular skills and hanging with a certain crowd. Young people learn early on to focus on the things they are good at and not worry about branching out into areas that don't interest them. Play one sport so you can become great. Focus on being a math & science nerd, or hang with the literary geeks. Be artistic at your own risk- that comes with a certain reputation and little hope of a decent income in the future. Writers are encouraged to write in a specific fashion so that other writers will approve of their work- sometimes rather than the readers.. We are teaching students to impress the people who are just like them. And whatever you do, find friends who are like-minded and learn to speak their language. Be a specialist in all you do, and that will lead you to greatness.

Here's where this post becomes all about ME. When I graduated from high school one of my teachers wrote in my yearbook that I was "one of the few people I have ever known who truly made the most out of high school." Why would Mr. Wolfe write such glowing words about little ol' me? At the time I didn't really get it, but looking back I can't argue with the Wolfe! The reason he wrote that epitaph is that I was indeed a well-rounded man. Let me brag for a minute- or maybe two. In my middle school and high school years I played just enough sports to have a connection with the athletes, almost all of whom I played baseball with in the summers. The most important social group in my life was my church youth group. I was a good enough student (with the exception of math!) to be in honors classes and be able to call the class "geeks" my friends. I sang in the school chorus (an athlete in the chorus WAY before Glee) for 3 years. My senior year I had the lead in 2 different plays (including the school musical- see picture at top) and was the Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook. I was not GREAT at any of those things (well...maybe the musical) but I enjoyed all of them, and more importantly, enjoyed the people I got to know through each phase of my high school career. I had friends in nearly every social group in the school and knew how to communicate with all of them. Though not nearly as cool as Ferris Bueller would be a few years later, I like to think our school secretary might have said this about me at some point, just as Grace the secretary said about Ferris: "Oh, he's very popular. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, d*ckheads - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude." I learned the value of every person and ways to communicate with people who disagreed with me. And most of that education came about because I didn't know enough to specialize.

Me again. All things to all people...

All of that carried over with me into student ministry. Dealing with a wide variety of students and a wide range of issues never caused me grief. I was comfortable with introverts and the extroverts, with the party people and the nerds. I was at home at band concerts, football games, dance recitals, poetry readings and concerts filled with music I didn't really like because I KNEW how much those things mattered to the kids who were involved in them. My wide range of knowledge about various subjects allowed me to discuss the things that were on their minds, no matter what those things were. In the end, my 28 years in youth ministry were a success (to whatever extent that is true) not because of what I knew, but because of my abilities to communicate with all types of people in all kinds of situations. I followed the Apostle Paul's admonition to become all things to all people. My high school education had very much prepared me for my career. And it had absolutely nothing to do with books or tests...

So why do I doubt that today's system could produce another me, even if that were a goal anyone would have? Too much emphasis on specialization and "being great." We are asking kids to decide in middle school if they are going to college. We want them to declare their college majors in high school. Great athletes are told to pick one sport. We try to brand musicians with certain specific styles and labels. We live in a society where the old cliche "Jack of all trades and master of none" has become a serious insult. Too many young adults live in closed circles, unaware of the beauty, the challenges and the excitement that can be found in another circle. And these things show their ugliest face when an inability to understand different points of views turns to a violent response. At a time when the need for universal understanding has never been greater, we are pushing students to learn to bond with all of the people who are just like them.

Trust me when I tell you that the world doesn't really need more people like me. But we do need more people seeking to be like Jesus. More people who reach across racial, ethnic and religious lines to communicate in love. We need more people willing to "clique jump" and spend time with those who can seem so different. We need some jacks of all trades, willing to love no matter the circumstances or the consequences. And if you need to wear pink tights to make it happen, so be it! :) Happy Hump Day to one and all!

Because of Jesus,

The Right Stuff

We all have been given gifts by our loving God. The talents and abilities we have received are many and varied. Some make good use of these gifts; others allow them to sit around, wasted and forgotten. Many of us- and I do mean US- like to complain that we are not gifted in the ways that we wish we were. We pray that our gifts would be more spectacular. I often wish that this blog would be read by millions so that I could make a difference for Jesus on a much larger scale. I wish I had a large congregation clamoring to hear me preach every Sunday. I pray that God will use me to start a movement that will change the world. I want to make a significant contribution to the family of God in some spectacular way. But those are not my gifts. There are days it seems that God didn't give me the right stuff...

And then I sit and meditate on my past 7 days. Opportunity arose for me to offer words of encouragement to a depressed friend. Another former (now adult) youth needed someone to listen as they faced a difficult discussion with their parents. A dear friend needed some phone conversation to keep her company on a long ride. My wife needed to vent about being overwhelmed at work. I received several prayer requests that I was happy to add to my prayer list. I was able to reach out to a few friends who were hurting and just remind them that they are loved. As I recalled all of these moments of the last week, I could feel the Holy Spirit gently kicking me in the butt. I have been given the gifts of listening and encouragement. I know this to be true. And though at times I pray for something greater, something more flamboyant, it is on days like today that I realize that God has given me the exact gifts I need to serve Jesus in the way God wants me to. Simply be lending an ear and REALLY listening to those who are hurting or just need company, I serve God. Just by offering words of encouragement and reminding friends that they are special to me and that Jesus loves them no matter what, I serve God. My gifts may not change the world today. But they may help change the world for one person. The same can be said of your gifts as well. Whatever they may be, USE THEM! Like me, I think you will discover that once you get past your own pride and ego that you will see God has gifted you to do things that need to be done. We are called to faithful, not successful. We just need to believe that God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us the right stuff to be in ministry in our world, no matter who we are or where we are. Be blessed, my friends. And do what you were made to do...

Because of Jesus,