Volume 22: Rest in 9 Years

 

There I was, cruising at a solid speed, passing lanes of bumper to bumper stopped traffic. My ETA had shortened by 15 minutes. I was living the life!

The Georgia Peach Pass is a must have. Even though I live in Tennessee, I have to drive through ATL to see any of my family, so I decided to purchase the pass for my car so that I could drive in the express lane. 

As I was driving by all of the cars, I thought to myself "why doesn't everyone get a peach pass! This is life changing!"

But I quickly stopped myself, realizing "Wait no, I don't want other people to know about this treasure... If the express lane got too crowded, I would not have the same benefits!"

And then I thought about the story in 2 Kings when the lepers came across an area with food and supplies. They were carrying off silver and gold and had discovered great treasures!

However, they then said to one another, "We are not doing right. This is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the kings household."

They realized that they had made a great discovery and it needed to be shared, not kept to themselves. 

Even greater than a peach pass that zooms you past traffic, the gospel leads others to ETERNAL life.

In discovering the gospel, we have a great responsibility in SHARING what we have seen and heard. We are not to keep it to ourselves. We are not to hide the silver and gold we discover! This is a day of good news! May the world know!

"With great discovery comes greater responsibility."

That was one of the foundational truths that Mike drilled in my young mind in high school youth group. To be a giver, not just a taker. And today, I am thankful that he and his family have lived out a life of sharing the good news that they had discovered. 

This past weekend, I celebrated my 9 year anniversary with Jesus!!!! Who does that?? Well, I do and everyone should!!!

It continues to be the most refreshing weekend of the year, as I celebrate with the Kinnebrews and reflect on all that the Lord has done over the years! 

If you ever think I am extra, you can now see that I learned it somewhere...

I was immediately welcomed when I pulled into the driveway as they were standing out in the cold with flashlights and signs! And then the house was decorated with streamers and balloons! The weekend was planned out with an itinerary including all of my favorite activities, food, and surprise visitors! 

It's a small foretaste of heaven - to celebrate with people you love and rejoice in Jesus's faithfulness. 

Every year, I am more and more thankful for the way the Kinnebrews invested in my life when I was in high school, building my house on the rock. Preparing me for college and post-grad and jobs and ministry. 

What if they would have kept their discovery of the gospel to themselves? Rather than pouring into youth and teaching them about Jesus?

With all of the meals and things the Kinnebrews have paid for me, I probably won't ever quite pay them back. But isn't it a beautiful thing that I can strive to invest in others the way they have to me and that will be far more valuable than any money amount?

May we be bold in sharing what we have discovered and giving back what we so freely receive! I invite you all to get a peach pass!