Giving our All

Wed, 7 May 2008 17:02:54 -1000

The transitional life of YWAM is always present. We move from quarter to quarter with teams of young people traveling through our base, overseas and back home again. This fluid lifestyle brings with it many challenges and goodbyes, as well as fresh starts and new life.
Most students who come through our base don’t realize the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure this ship dubbed “YWAM Maui” stays afloat! For every school there are countless hours of planning, preparation, and prayer poured in to make sure everything is in order. It is in this season of preparation that I find myself presently as the opening day of the Spring SBFM emerges ever closer and we get ready to kick off another school!
We have some unique challenges presented to us this quarter. Mainly, we are currently experiencing a shortage of staff in all departments. Due to the nature of YWAM there are times when staff transition out at a faster rate than new staff come on board. Of course, even though staff numbers decrease, the work load never decreases and remaining staff bear the responsibility. I will be juggling a variety of roles and wearing many “hats” this year as a result.
It is during these times that I need to be reminded of what we are called to do (disciple people to disciple nations), and in this avoid being bogged down in the details and lose the “big picture.” God powerfully reminded me of this over the Easter weekend.
The challenge came unexpectedly and powerfully. I received news on Wednesday before Good Friday that Dr. Kit Lauer, a long time friend of YWAM Maui and one of the teachers in the SBFM, had been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia in his bone marrow. Kit is the pastor of Hope Chapel, one of the largest churches in Maui, a church he started in his living room many years ago. Through the SBFM I have had the privilege of getting to know Kit, sitting under his amazing teaching and mentorship. As it always does, this news took us by surprise.

Kit ignored the doctor’s advice regarding his weakened immune system and chose to speak to his congregation for what could be the last time on Good Friday before starting intensive chemo treatments. “Don’t waste your life!” His words echoed across the congregation. “What will it take for the Lord to get all of our hearts... don’t let your life slip away... grab it by the throat and squeeze every last drop out of it!” These stirring words spoken from the heart of a man who, facing the reality of his condition, understands what is important and desperately wants others to come to that understanding. “When you get to the end, what will be important?” There were few dry eyes as Kit finished his message and exited.

The challenge weighed heavily as we drove home. How many times have I complained instead of being grateful, how often have I wasted time on things of little value instead of running hard after God. I felt conviction as areas of complacency in my life came to mind and then a renewed sense of purpose and passion as I handed these areas over to the Lord.

I wonder why it takes reminders, difficult situations and even pain for us to remember the big picture of what we are called to and what is important. I know all of us have gone through painful circumstances and even though these situations are terrible, it is usually during these times when God’s ultimate call on our lives shines through with brilliant clarity and we receive a glimpse of what is truly important. As C.S. Lewis says “God whispers in our pleasure but shouts in our pain.” He shouts, we hear... and then forget. Such is human nature.

I find this clarity begins to fade as life takes it’s toll and numbs us once again to what God has called us to. I also know that it is those who fight to maintain their clarity of purpose that make a difference. This is the resolve I want and I believe what is meant by living with an eternal perspective.

Will you set your heart with me to shake off the throes of complacency and stand against the stream of the status quo? Can we join in seeking to understand and live this eternal perspective, giving our hearts and minds to Christ? Our whole life belongs to the Lord. Let’s give him what is his.

Trevor Hilman

my blog

Giving our All