You ever been so busy and so tired that you don’t really know what to do with yourself? I’m approaching that point right now. I drink tons of coffee to wake me up and my body is there, but my mind is stuck somewhere in last week. So I’m feeling pretty wired, tired, and fried.

I’ve never been so tired in all my life, but through it all, I keep going. I don’t really know how. My plate remains full, but things keep getting done. Not small thing, big ones. The marathon continues and I can only attribute it to the Lord. I have no bragging rights here. Though, for being so worn out, I keep leaning in and finding this odd job amongst the whirlwind of business.

Now, I’m not saying that God blesses the busy. I’m just saying that I don’t know how I would have made it though the past few weeks (and few more to come) without Him. Less of me and more of Him seems to be working. I’m reminded of this scripture:

You can’t turn anywhere and not hear about the candidates running for office. Democrats or Republicans, it doesn’t matter. They’re everywhere: on TV, newspapers, internet and signs in people’s front yards.

These candidates are basically giving up 2+ years of their lives for this. They’ll be spending tons of money (their’s and other people’s) and tons of time away their from family. Not to mention the fact that they’re opening themselves up to constant public scrutiny while trying to make everyone happy. All this to simply a vote. And if they do happen to get elected (which most won’t), then they’re on the job 24-7. And that means more time away from family, more spending of other peoples money, and more living to please others in order to stay where you are at.

It just doesn’t seem worth it to me. Maybe I’m just not idealistic enough (or too cynical).

So I was thinking… What would I be willing to give up two years of my life for?

Missions (i.e. the Lord) would be my first answer. Though I’d really have a hard time leaving my family for 2 years.  I can’t imagine not seeing my kids grow (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) over that 2 years. And the thought of not seeing my wife seems unbearable to me. Maybe that just means I don’t have faith enough. If I was called to, I would… but it would be a struggle. There is no second answer for me. I can’t see anything else on this earth being important enough to sacrifice 2 years with my family.

So, is there anything you’d give two years up for?

Ever had those times in your life when everything feels like it’s in fast forward? You know, like being on a treadmill running and you turn it up faster than you should. Your legs feel like jelly trying to keep up. For the past few weeks it’s been like that.

God has really been moving in our ministry and, at times, it feels hard to keep up. I’m tired, but this is a good tired. I’m continually amazed what happens when you step aside and get out of the Lord’s way. Too many times I take on things that I should be giving up.

So as I enter into this weekend, beat, but I smile and know that God is moving.

Miriam and I are definitely in for it. I can only blame my southern baptist heritage for this. I didn’t realize that being SBC penetrates your DNA… but I guess it does.

So here’ s what happened.

The other day, my wife, enters our den to see something odd transpiring. My daughter, Aida (3yrs), is standing on the couch with my son Samuel (2) and dozens of stuffed animals sitting on the ground listening. She picks up a microphone and proceeds to introduce the “crowd” to my son James (5). Aida sits down, James grabs the microphone and stands on the couch. He begins to ask the kids and the stuffed animals if they know Jesus and launches into a mini-sermon. Then he opens things up for an altar call, asking anyone who wants to accept Jesus to step down front. Many stuffed animals were saved that day.

He’s amazing. I have no idea where he gets this stuff. It’s not like he’s seen it on Sundays at church - he’s always in kids church.  It’s the gotta be the SBC, I tell ya. It’s like a skunk - once you’re sprayed, it’s hard to get the stink off of ya. So we’ve either got a Billy Graham or even next Benny Hinn on our hands… Oh boy!

“Stuart, it seems like a long time ago doesn’t it? I’m thinking of that day climbing that mountain to get to the top and thinking how difficult it was, but I was going to make it up there. ”

-my friend and brother in Christ and life

A friend emailed me recently a reminder. A reminder of the journey we had been on together. He called me to remember back to who I was years ago. To remember where the Lord has brought me from. To remember the work he is doing in me right now.

Often times, life gets busy and I forget. I forget who I am and who the Lord has called me to be. I forget what is important and what is true. And if I’ve lost that, what am I left with?

So take some time to remember. What does the Lord not want you to forget?

As I’ve said before, I’m not fan of politics. There’s no one running on either side that I particularly like. And you’ll never see this blog endorse anyone. It just won’t happen. That being said, a friend of mine sent me an article about Mike Huckabee, a Republican running for President. He’s a former Southern Baptist pastor and has a unique perspective of seeing both sides of government and church. I love this quote from him. I think in this instance, he’s spot on. There’s so much truth to this statement.

“Government knows it does not have the answer, but it’s arrogant and acts as though it does. Church does have the answer but will cowardly deny that it does and wonder when the world will be changed.”

My loathing for politics comes from this idea: why change the world through political force, when it can be done with prayer and following the Lord. I just see two diverging paths. One is consumed with gaining power (politics) and the other is all about giving it up (following Jesus). Policy will not change hearts. It will only make rules and enforce them. Yet we still try to make this happy marriage of Jesus and politics. If Jesus is going to save America is through the brokenness and humility of the churches seeking the Lord and reaching out in compassion to the hurt, broken and poor. The whole point of Huckabee’s quote is that we as believers can change things, but won’t. So we turn to politics to vote someone to do it.

So what do you think? Am I wrong? How can both Jesus and politics coincide?