One aspect of this process is publicizing the event. Now, I like to tell people what we are doing and having a conversation is great; but I have less graphical ability than most 8 year-old's. Our resident graphic designer got a pass for this event as she just returned from a summer overseas and needs some time off. However, this left the design in my hands or my wife's. No one else in our group has any graphics ability either. As we were working on it I felt myself getting more and more stressed. My thoughts were not very positive. I didn't verbalize them too much, but it was clear I was bumming over our "uncool" flyer. Erin thankfully intervened and called me out a wee bit. I then grabbed my Bible and said "I just need some time alone right now." So I went upstairs and opened up my Bible. Here is what I read.
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.
Psalm 62. A great Psalm that proclaims great truth. For me the words could not have been better or more of what I needed. Here are a few of the many encouragements I took from this Psalm.
- My salvation is not in the success of this informational meeting, or the church plant as a whole - nor is my worth. That comes from being a beloved child of God.
- My trust is not in this flyer, but in God who is at work. I may be feeling that it is lame and won't be effective, but that is my perspective and not God's. Therefore my call is to pour out my heart to God and ask him to be at work calling people; stirring hearts.
- The last two verses - power belongs to God and so does steadfast love. God is not only powerful, but he is good too...he is loving. He has displayed that over and over in my life and most clearly in sending his only Son to be an atoning sacrifice for my many sins and "lameness" in rebellion against him. Quite simply: I can trust him!
Hey Chad, good to hear from you man. I just read over your post and could totally relate to stressing over a bad flyer. I faced a similar situation when I first got to Clemson. I had the opportunity to go speak at a big Council Presidents' Meeting to give a quick 2-3 minute intro to Greek IV. I hurriedly put together a flyer, which I had no business making. I too have the graphic design skills of an 8-year old...maybe. To make it worse, my printer was low on ink and the flyers were all faded. Needless to say, I was not hopeful for much "return on my investment." A week or so later, I got an e-mail from a student-a sophomore sorority woman named Courtney-who had seen my flyer and wanted to meet to hear more about Greek IV. Long story short, Courtney was "missional student #1" for Clemson Greek IV, a tremendous gatherer of other core students and the Lord used her to really help establish the chapter here over the next three years. She even came on staff for a year as an intern at Clemson. And to think back...God even used that awful flyer! His grace and power know no limits.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, Erin and family. I hope this is at least a small encouragement to you.