Don't Assume

Last weekend I was speaking at a student leadership retreat for the Cru movement at U of Texas. Our family loved the opportunity to join some great students and staff members for the day. Following one of my talks a student approached me. He said he enjoyed the talk and had a question about something I said. Now, the range of meaning for that last statement is something that causes a moment of anxiety in me. While it could mean that they just have a question, many times it means "I have a bone to pick with something you said." Well, I was delighted to know it was the former.
The young fraternity guy referenced a story in my talk where I asked a college athlete if they'd like to know more about a relationship with God. The story continues with the athlete eventually becoming a follower of Jesus. Frat guy wanted to know what I said to the football player. I wondered what he meant. I started to answer him, but he said "no, that's not what I'm asking. I'd like to know what you said to him."
"Oh, you mean you'd like to know what I said to him about how someone begins a relationship with God?"
"Yes, that's what I'd like to know."

So, I proceeded to share with him a booklet that I shared with the athlete that describes how someone can have a relationship with God. I assumed that I had gotten to the root of the frat guys question. I assumed that he wanted to talk to some of his friends about Christ and wanted to know how. Why else would he be at a Cru retreat?

Reflecting back, I wonder if the guy had a relationship with God himself, or if he was asking me to tell him how to have a relationship. I may never know. I assumed I had heard his question. But did I?

Humble Beginning

I started wrestling as a junior in high school. At first, I was bad. But, during my senior year I had moments where it looked like I might be a decent wrestler after all. I did well enough that I entered our sectional tournament as the top seed. I can still see in my mind a conversation in the hallway as the tournament began. I was talking up myself to a couple of the freshmen on the team, with words of wisdom--perhaps, just pride--like "Guys, look at me. I wasn't very good last year, but I worked hard and now I'm the number 1 seed at sectionals." 20 minutes later I was defeated in the first round. The embarrassment of that night taught me two lessons. One, don't talk yourself up too much when there is still a ton to prove. Two, if you don't step into the arena, then you likely won't get embarrassed.

I've considered starting a blog a number of times for several years. Many reasons have prevented it from realization. But at least one reason is the possibility that at some point I would look like a fool. It's amazing how powerful that fear can be. Leadership provides many opportunities for this fear to be challenged. I'll at least enter the blog arena. I learned through the embarrassment of losing that it was better to have failed than to have never entered the contest. I trust that the joy of sharing ideas and being improved along the way will be well worth the risk.

In November one of our campus ministry leaders, Tim Casteel, encouraged me to write a blog. Tim cast vision for how my new role of leadership could be enhanced through getting some of my thoughts out into the world. So, here is my humble beginning.