Followers.

Oh boy. Summer could not be any better. At the end of the school year I made this list of books I wanted to read, and then I re-discovered Amazon.com - much cheaper than Borders, and it's like a little care package every time I get one in the mail. So far this summer I have read Jesus for President, (Claiborne) part of It's Not About Me, (Lucado) My Sister's Keeper (Piccolt), part of The Shack, (Young), This Beautiful Mess, (McKinley), and currently I'm reading The Irresistible Revolution (Claiborne). Origininally I borrowed most of these books from other people, but then decided I wanted to write in them and underline and all that dorky stuff that "readers" do - so I ordered them off Amazon for myself.

To share a few thoughts from This Beautiful Mess (the author is Rick McKinley - who is Donald Miller's pastor at Imago Dei in Portland Oregon...where I would love to visit someday!!!)

"What would it look like if we practiced the Kingdom by creating sacred space all over our cities and towns by simply redeeming the mess of creation with the beauty of restoration?"

"We are called to be aware of how American corporations along with American consumption habits and requirement are reshaping lives and cultures in the global community."

"Reimagine a Kingdom that is not enslaved by the economics of greed."

"Kingdom giving nearly always calls us into relationship; by connecting giver and receiver as persons and equals first, both experiencing something better and higher, and the dignity of both is honored."

These kind of sum up what God has been revealing to me this summer...well, ever since I signed up to be a leader in Jackson, MS, actually. You know that cliche saying that when God closes a door, another one is open? Well - I think that is actually true in my life. Example: I got hurt in college - so I had to stop running - I was super bummed out. But then God provided me the opportunity to travel to Kansas City to work at a women and children's shelter for a week instead of go on a training trip for track. I was unable to run XC that next fall - but God provided me the opportunity to lead worship and Bible study in my dorm. This spring - I could not coach track, but could commit to the Jackson team, and well, that trip changed my life forever. This summer - I am not coaching XC, but God has given me the rest and opportunities to connect with some like-minded people and has given me time to read and reflect on things like the above quotations.

This summer I have been thinking about the difference between a believer and a follower in Jesus. Those didn't used to be two different things in my mind...but as of late, I am realizing they are completely different. If you are a believer and reading this blog - praise God. I am not saying it is wrong to be a believer. And that's how I started out my journey with Christ too. This summer I have been thinking about how there comes a time when as a believer you allow the Holy Spirit to show you different ways to follow Him in practical ways. Example: Jesus desires that we have community - that people of all ethnic, racial, and socio-economic levels gather and commune - talk and grow from one another (all the while giving dignity to both parties, like McKinley says) In Jackson, Alexis Spencer-Byers did just that. She, as a biracial intern working at a church in the West side of Jackson, didn't think it was right to have to drive 20-30 minutes just to get a good cup of coffee (I agree!) so she and a friend (after much study and practice) opened up Koinonia Coffee House - a place to literally connect the rich and poor, the black and white. That is just one example. McKinley gives about 50 more examples of how to be a follower of Jesus too - they blow my mind. It gets me thinking...I am not coaching XC this fall...so how else will God call me to follow Him? Maybe just rest in the fact that for once I am not going to be a crazy lady running around all over the place after school and every Saturday....but maybe....it will be something bigger. We'll wait and see. :)

Summer is also awesome because I have had the opportunity to connect with really great people. Last week I had coffee with Jesamyn and Diane. I went to water aerobics and actually felt good! I had dinner and coffee with a friend from church. I went biking at the beach with our Women's Adventure Club from church. And in a week from today I will be going home to visit all my role models in being a follower of Jesus - Keith and Gretch, Zack and Michelle, Heidi and Nate, & Joel and Lora. Added bonus: playing with 2 nieces and 1 nephew!


How has God been showing you the meaning of follower this summer? I am sure it is adventurous, stretching, and exciting...! I just have to share one more quote from This Beautiful Mess:

"We need to conspire creatively together to make space for the Kingdom to break in to our lives and our world. In the Kingdom, my money is put in my care with the word love written across it. Who will I love with that dollar?"