Well Done
I would like to take some of your time to boast about something, but before I do I would like to input C. S. Lewis' thoughts on this matter from his book, Mere Christianity, where he points out the difference between pride and being 'proud of.' "Pride," he states, "is the complete anti-God state of mind," but he also states that "pleasure in being praised is not pride" and he gives the example of a child getting a pat on the back for doing his lessons well or the saved soul who hears from God the words "Well done." In these situations they are pleased and ought to be. Well, I would like to boast and give a pat on the back to my son Daniel, and explain how proud I am of him and why. A few weeks ago, Daniel sent me a text message followed up by a phone call and then communicating the news in person, that he was asked to go full time on staff at Saddleback Church. He was excited and overwhelmed with the opportunity and new position, but more importantly he was also humbled. As we talked more that evening, I can't put into words the swell of emotion I was feeling, the joy not only for my son, but in my son, as I talked with him about serving the Lord.
Now you have to understand, I have been involved with and talking about ministry for years, but this time it was special because I was sharing these things that have meant so much to me with my son who means so much to me and it was really too much.
I've shared in the past about my other two boys and their choice of careers being on the rather dangerous side, and coming to grips with those choices. It wasn't long before I realized the same was true with Daniel as well. How can serving in ministry be as dangerous as an underwater diver or a Marine, you ask? Think about it, if we are in a spiritual warfare and do not wrestle with flesh and blood as Paul tells us in Eph. 6, then who would be on the frontlines? I believe it would be those who are making an impact for God's kingdom and again that's where I now find my son, on this spiritual frontline.
As I see Daniel serving the Lord and now facing these spiritual battles, it's hard not to let fear and worry entertain my thoughts just as I do all my children, but I have to trust and believe in God's goodness. I know that if Daniel asked me for bread I would not give him a stone and if I am evil in my nature and know how to give what is good to my son how much more so will God.
In closing, I want to boast just a bit more because as I am able to see in Daniel not only the things that we now have in common, I am also able to see further still, the things that I long for in myself. I see a gentleness and concern for others, a willingness to confront himself and be humbled in the eyes of others. I would like to say to my son Daniel what I believe one day he will hear from Jesus himself, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
