Fruit that Remains

The text message below was received from the father of a former Saluki (Southern Illinois University) Football player. The father is also a generous contributor to FCA, and his son is now coaching football at another university. We have great relationships with both men. I believe it illustrates well the value of long-term relationships in ministry. 

“The gifts are very special, and I just looked through the 2 books you sent, and we are excited to put them in front of some quite time reflection. 

It was so powerful to listen to (my son) discuss influence on the podcast. That gave me some energy to carry on and know that doing good work will lift up others and provide influence. 

I am sitting here this morning reflecting on our relationship with the Lipes and valuing the spirit-led gift that was placed in front of us in 2002 when (our son) arrived in Carbondale. It’s simply amazing to feel the impact of what God gifted us with at SIU and the people added to our life at that moment. 

18 years seems like a flash and how powerful to know that God has a plan for placing people in our lives for reasons that are revealed as time moves ahead. That is a true gift that does not rust or lose value. 

Thank you for your presence and for the spirit of serving and caring for the "kids" that God has sent to you. They grow up and reflect the relationship you modeled and continue to model. 

Being an influential mentor is SO powerful and is truly GOD inspired. I give thanks and count the joy of this blessing. 

I appreciate the new coffee mug and books- each time I sip some morning magic, I will have a warm feeling of what the mug and the reflection brought to life.” 

This message and the long-term relationships it represents are emblematic of the sort of ministry I aim to provide. I am seeking ”fruit that remains”, as in John 15. 

Learn to Surf.

One of the effects of COVID-19 and the governmental / institutional responses to it is the utter destruction of sports teams’ schedules. Normally, schedules are set in stone months, sometimes years ahead of time. In the USA, the NCAA demands that coaches give their student-athletes daily practice and meeting schedules at least 14 days in advance. Such rigidity has been cast to the wind in recent days. 

The whole world of sport has become incredibly fluid of late. Competition, training, and practice schedules shift by the hour and my phone is constantly buzzing with updates of practice times, games added, games cancelled, coaches being quarantined, and other matters of fluidity. For this 64-year-old dude, who prefers to schedule as much as a year out, this is like nailing Jell-O to the wall. 

For us who serve this community and its constantly shifting schedule, we must be as fluid as the situation demands. To do otherwise will immediately marginalize us and we’ll soon find ourselves on the outside looking in. To resist the tidal flow of this season, rather than to surf on it, will mean that we will soon be drowned by the waves, ineffective, out of touch. 

I doubt that this will be the “new normal”, but for the moment, we must learn to surf. Ride the waves of uncertainty and thereby calm everyone else’s anxiety with your calming presence of assurance. Your loving, serving presence is powerful. Apply your ministry priorities to your daily diary, show up, ride the waves, be flexible, and watch the Lord do marvelous things.