A Little Less Conversation and a Little more action please
All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little more fight and a little less spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart...
-Elvis Presley
I experienced something incredible this past week. I saw Jesus, but not in the way you might expect.
I took part in a 'Homeless Ministry' which some friends of mine started. What started as a weekly Bible Study where people could come together and talk about their lives and faith, soon took action. Those who became tired of talking about their faith decided to act upon their beliefs. But the thing that sets these people apart from most is that they have continued their reaching out to the homeless and have developed a relationship with those living on the streets in certain areas of Downtown Lakeland.
The only reason I share this is what I call an obligation to giving background story. Before I continue I want you to understand that I admire this group for what they do, but that is it. I am not a people worshiper. There's only one who gets my worship but that's another story which connects to all of my stories. I don't know if it's possible to chronicle that one like I am able to do with this one.
At around 6:00 P.M. on Thursday night, I met everyone at a friend's apartment where we made and packaged grilled cheese sandwiches. We also made hot chocolate for what was the coldest night we have had so far this winter. There had been a lot of various items donated to this group, such as blankets and sleeping bags. There were six of us total who then loaded up everything into three cars and left for downtown.
I had no idea what to expect, but I was anxious. They had been telling me about what they do, but generally describe it as loving people. We weren't going out there to preach a sermon about Jesus' Love we were out there to demonstrate it. I've learned that to show love is much more powerful than telling someone about it. It was dark when we got to the street we would be handing the food and items at. We were welcomed with open arms...some of which held beer or at some point in the day held some form of drug which they used to get high. That was the state we found some of them in. I imagine that's normal, but considering this is my first experience with these people, I have nothing to compare it to.
The sandwiches were gone quite quickly and so were the blankets and pillows and sleeping bags. They all wanted to talk to us. One woman I'll probably never forget. She goes by the name, "Mama Duck" and she told us it was her birthday that night. She walked with a cane in one hand and loved to say, "you think I'm kidding". She was never kidding. She is also what we consider the nickname giver and everyone gets a new nickname every time they see her. That night I was "Fat-boy". She had been drinking some form of beer all day and was completely wasted by the time we got to her. She attempted to bring up theology, knowing we were Christians. At first another friend, who she nicknamed "Blond Bombshell" which is what I will refer to him as for the rest of this note, attempted to talk with her about the grace of God but gave up not out of doubt in himself but the realization that she was not in a state of mind to be discussing God's grace. So we were just extremely kind to her and even helped her carry everything we gave her to where she would be borrowing space until the next morning.
As I read this last paragraph over, I realize there isn't much of a point to this story other than I love people. I often kid about how I don't like people, and there used to be a lot of truth to that but something has changed. I just want to live my life, everyday, like I did that night.
I still haven't told you how I saw Jesus. Yes so far the people I was with showed his love quite clearly,
but there was one moment that just struck me to the core.
One of my other friends, who will remain nameless, gave away a pair of hiking shoes. They were in the back of his trunk as we were handing out blankets and sleeping bags when one of the homeless men saw these shoes and asked if they were being handed out. One of those with us said that they belonged to my friend, but my friend quickly smiled and said...
"No. They're yours."
He handed them to the homeless man. I later asked him if they were actually his and he said yes...they were a 90 dollar pair of boots. He didn't think twice about it. I wish I had that kind of strength, but I don't know if I have it. I saw Jesus through my friend and I'll never forget that night and what I saw through each of my friends.
I missed out on other things that night. Like spending time with my best friends, or watching new episodes of Smallville and the Office (which I still haven't seen yet!), but to be completely honest I do not care. For a while I've been carrying on about practical ministry opportunities but not attempting to take a step outside of myself and be something more.
All I did was talk and I'm done talking. I'm done watching others do amazing things for those around them and me just saying I'm going to do things for those around me.
I feel like my eyes have been opened and in turn my heart has been as well. I don't plan on missing out on these opportunities again. I don't plan on falling back into apathy.
I'll never forget this experience and that is why I am proud to encourage you to do something about your faith, but not so that you look good for others but so that others will be changed for the better. In the end, it's not about you, it's not about me, it is about living so that others can learn what it feels like to truly be alive.
-Christopher "Fat-Boy" Peters
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hearts Unbound
"Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble? Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don't follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. And so would I."
- William Wallace (as portrayed by Mel Gibson in Braveheart)
I just watched the film, Braveheart, for the second time in my life and to be truthful, I enjoyed it way more the second time around than I did the first time. The first time I viewed this film, it didn't leave much of an impact with me.
This time around something clicked inside of me. What stood out to me more than anything through this story is the concept of courage and bravery.
The line I quoted at the top was being directed toward Robert the Bruce, the true heir of Scotland. One day, he would be king and he hid behind his fellow nobles wishing he had what Sir William Wallace had.
What did William Wallace have that was so attractive?
Wallace had an understanding about freedom that no one else seemed to see.
In a dream when Wallace was a boy, after his father's death, he saw his father. He said this to his son:
Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.
This is what William Wallace understood, even as a boy.
But, as human beings, we often focus too much on the "William Wallace" types and not enough time looking at the "Robert the Bruce" types. William Wallace started something that most people could only have dreamt of doing.
As you are introduced to Robert the Bruce, all you ever see is his admiration for Wallace and how much he is inspired by the man but never acts upon that inspiration. Bruce is conflicted. All his noble friends want him to give up more and more to England, which doesn't mean the nobles will lose anything, it's just the opposite. The nobles actually gained power and land. It was the farmer and peasant who lost everything while the nobles kept surrendering to England.
At one point in the story Robert the Bruce betrays Wallace for what he thought would be most beneficial for Scotland, or at least, what his father thought best for Scotland. And that is where I draw a point. You see, that was Bruce's problem, his heart was not his own therefore it would never be free as long as it belonged to someone else.
I think that most of us can relate more to Robert the Bruce than we can William Wallace. We'd like to believe that we'd be as bold as he was during all those battles that raged on and yelled "FREEDOM!" at the top of your lungs with a final breath, but most of us would not have had the courage to be that strong.
In the end, Wallace did not lead his people to victory, someone else did. Someone else finally saw his potential to lead his very own people united together for a final battle. Robert the Bruce was that person. It wasn't until he realized his allegiance was not meant to be given to a foreign king. It wasn't until he conquered his own heart that others became inspired by him, which is what he wanted to have happen. He wanted what Wallace had. He accomplished that and finished what Wallace started. He defied a king, and would not allow his people to live under tyranny any longer.
If you think I'm just rambling on, bare with me. I have a point and it's this (if you haven't picked up on it yet).
Your potential for greatness lies solely on your own back and no one else's. The thing about what Wallace's father told young William is that he needed the courage to find his freedom. Courage is not a trait that's dropped into your lap, it's something learned and it can be one of the most difficult things to learn. But you can learn it.
You can't rely upon others when it comes to yourself. Yes friends can help carry you through rough times and yes family can be there for you and show courage on your behalf, but, who you are is determined by you and how you define yourself. Too often, people feel that they are defined by what others think about them and identify you as, but it is quite the opposite. You are defined by what you think of yourself and how you outwardly expose that person. All it takes is a step outside of who you think you are to see what you can become. Don't let others determine your identity because that, like your heart, is free. Don't let it be overtaken because you're weak, but instead let others become more like you because you had the courage to follow you heart.
So I wish to encourage everyone:
Your heart* is free. Have the courage to follow it.
*Insert: Identity
Soul
Mind
Whole Being
Anything that will carry you toward your destiny
You are free. Have the courage to live.
-Chris Peters
- William Wallace (as portrayed by Mel Gibson in Braveheart)
I just watched the film, Braveheart, for the second time in my life and to be truthful, I enjoyed it way more the second time around than I did the first time. The first time I viewed this film, it didn't leave much of an impact with me.
This time around something clicked inside of me. What stood out to me more than anything through this story is the concept of courage and bravery.
The line I quoted at the top was being directed toward Robert the Bruce, the true heir of Scotland. One day, he would be king and he hid behind his fellow nobles wishing he had what Sir William Wallace had.
What did William Wallace have that was so attractive?
Wallace had an understanding about freedom that no one else seemed to see.
In a dream when Wallace was a boy, after his father's death, he saw his father. He said this to his son:
Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.
This is what William Wallace understood, even as a boy.
But, as human beings, we often focus too much on the "William Wallace" types and not enough time looking at the "Robert the Bruce" types. William Wallace started something that most people could only have dreamt of doing.
As you are introduced to Robert the Bruce, all you ever see is his admiration for Wallace and how much he is inspired by the man but never acts upon that inspiration. Bruce is conflicted. All his noble friends want him to give up more and more to England, which doesn't mean the nobles will lose anything, it's just the opposite. The nobles actually gained power and land. It was the farmer and peasant who lost everything while the nobles kept surrendering to England.
At one point in the story Robert the Bruce betrays Wallace for what he thought would be most beneficial for Scotland, or at least, what his father thought best for Scotland. And that is where I draw a point. You see, that was Bruce's problem, his heart was not his own therefore it would never be free as long as it belonged to someone else.
I think that most of us can relate more to Robert the Bruce than we can William Wallace. We'd like to believe that we'd be as bold as he was during all those battles that raged on and yelled "FREEDOM!" at the top of your lungs with a final breath, but most of us would not have had the courage to be that strong.
In the end, Wallace did not lead his people to victory, someone else did. Someone else finally saw his potential to lead his very own people united together for a final battle. Robert the Bruce was that person. It wasn't until he realized his allegiance was not meant to be given to a foreign king. It wasn't until he conquered his own heart that others became inspired by him, which is what he wanted to have happen. He wanted what Wallace had. He accomplished that and finished what Wallace started. He defied a king, and would not allow his people to live under tyranny any longer.
If you think I'm just rambling on, bare with me. I have a point and it's this (if you haven't picked up on it yet).
Your potential for greatness lies solely on your own back and no one else's. The thing about what Wallace's father told young William is that he needed the courage to find his freedom. Courage is not a trait that's dropped into your lap, it's something learned and it can be one of the most difficult things to learn. But you can learn it.
You can't rely upon others when it comes to yourself. Yes friends can help carry you through rough times and yes family can be there for you and show courage on your behalf, but, who you are is determined by you and how you define yourself. Too often, people feel that they are defined by what others think about them and identify you as, but it is quite the opposite. You are defined by what you think of yourself and how you outwardly expose that person. All it takes is a step outside of who you think you are to see what you can become. Don't let others determine your identity because that, like your heart, is free. Don't let it be overtaken because you're weak, but instead let others become more like you because you had the courage to follow you heart.
So I wish to encourage everyone:
Your heart* is free. Have the courage to follow it.
*Insert: Identity
Soul
Mind
Whole Being
Anything that will carry you toward your destiny
You are free. Have the courage to live.
-Chris Peters
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