Dancing on Eggshells

Do you ever feel like you’re walking on eggshells?

Please know that you are not alone.

We talk negatively about politicians and ‘political correctness’, but we have our own correctness versions in the church/ministry world. We know that we come across overly passionate to some people, and we’re probably too tame for others.

The temptation is to find some ‘happy medium’ sweet spot. That might be easier but also more boring and predictable. Paul, John and other New Testament writers had unique messages for each church.

We know we don’t always get it right, but a key is praying---not just for the right words but for the right tone, temperament and attitude as we try to convey the truths the Lord is showing us from His Word.

Another key is listening. One of the huge benefits of spending more than a weekend at a church is the privilege of hearing more of their heart, passion, and heartaches. Sometimes a quieter pace, without a microphone in our hand, adds such needed texture and perspective.

Since July of last year we have immersed ourselves in three separate churches for periods of just under four weeks. Each church was unique and special. We learned from each setting and hopefully left some Jesus-shaped footprints behind us.

In our American church culture most of us have fairly short encounters with missionaries, catching a glimpse of their passion through short presentations, sermons and perhaps some conversation at a booth or table after the service. The mission is elsewhere, and they invite you to prayerfully and financially support the outreach to which God has called them.

But our mission is moving older Christians, including ourselves, from our comfort zones and into serving arenas we hadn’t necessarily considered before.

Here’s where the music kicks in for the eggshell dance. We’re messing with people’s sense of entitlement and pre-conceived notions of what retirement is all about. (And we’re not even there yet!)

Could you please pray with us and for us that the Lord will continue to give us boldness, compassion and God-ordained direction?

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and from the bottom of our feet---plastered with eggshells!