Week Three

I am now three weeks into the chain gang adventure. The chain is still on my wrist and starting to show a little wear and tear. The chain is still in tact, but a few of the links are starting to lose their luster. The shine is wearing off and the dull metallic color is starting to show through.

Unfortunately, the excitement and focus on my internal hindrances was not very high during the week. However, I did have a couple of exciting encounters which gave me an opportunity to discuss my faith.

Fasting last week provided some very good solitude time with the Lord. 12 hours into my fast (about 6 AM) I had a longer than usual prayer time - mainly due to the fact that I did not have to eat breakfast or pack a lunch... My thoughts were focused on the amazing power, love, and grace of God and not on my physical needs. The day started off very well. The biggest issue that I encountered during the day was a headache - probably brought on by a lack of caffeine. I not only fasted from food, but also from my daily dose of coffee. My thoughts turned back to myself and I asked God to help with my splitting headache. The prayers (and a couple of Advil) helped. By dinner, I felt better and satisfied my growing hunger for food. I felt happy that I was able to fast for 24 hours, but disappointed that my thoughts turned to my needs so quickly after starting the day on such a positive note.

The next day at work I had two inquiries about my bracelet. The first was from two Christian colleagues that I know quite well. They seemed to be impressed with the idea and talked about their practices during Lent. God must have been providing some practice for a conversation that I would have later in the day. A couple of other colleagues, that I do not know as well, asked about the chain on my wrist. I became a bit more anxious; however, the conversation went well. It even finished by one colleague asking where I went to church, followed by “Where’s Willowdale Chapel?” Maybe I will see them at a service in the future. God continues to use the chain to put me outside of my comfort zone…

Keep the Flame Burning

I have to admit that the excitement surrounding my chain has dwindled in the past week. The week started off strong, and ended strong, but waned in the middle. The chain has been on my wrist for two weeks now, and is becoming part of me. It is no longer a “hindrance,” but I know that I need something to keep the flame burning. I have plenty of hindrances that continue to hold me back. The biggest is when I fall into a sense of complacency and think that I have everything under control.

Using the “sports” analogy, I need to introduce some change into my workouts. I need to do some cross-training. My daily routine, which includes quiet prayer time in the morning, is becoming too routine, like my bracelet. I find myself praying “safely.” Sound familiar? I am not opening up completely, which again points back to my complacency. The spiritual disciplines that have been introduced in the weekly messages are a great ways to stoke the fire, to realize that you do not have things under control, that you do need God to live a fulfilling life. I am committing right here and now to the 12 week (once a week) fasting challenge. I have never fasted before and look forward to the challenge.

So back to my week. As I said, it started off great! I had my first work encounter with my bracelet. A coworker asked about it, and without hesitation, I discussed its meaning. At least now, one more person knows about my faith – another seed has been planted...

My week ended on a Friday night movie night (in the comforts of our living room) with my wife followed by a dinner out on Saturday (the first “date night” since our baby was born in Feb 2008). We watched Fireproof, which I highly recommend. The biggest learning to me was that we need to not only do the right things but do them for the right reasons. Love is not an act (or a series or acts), but rather an act or a series of acts done for someone solely for the benefit of that person. The following day and spilling over to dinner, my wife and I talked about our key take-aways from the movie and how we can use them in our relationship.

A good start and a great finish. Now the cross training begins to keep the fire stoked!

So... how was your week?

The Chain Gang

Last week when I received my “bracelet,” I was unaware of the impact that it would have on me. I jokingly said to myself that I am know part of the Willowdale Chain Gang. As the week wore on, and the annoyance of my chain grew (trying to sleep, shower, jog, etc.) , I started to think more deeply about the chain. I thought about the underlying meaning - the simple promise of being set free by being “chained” to the Christian faith.

For the first few days, I felt that I was chained to the Christian faith, but struggled to feel completely set free. By the third day, I knew the real meaning behind the chain. I had to figure out what was holding me back to truly being "chained" to my faith.

My thoughts turned inward. As important as my wife and family are to me, I still put myself first at times. It was time to start putting Ephesians 5:25, 28 into action. I needed to love my wife not only when it was convenient, but rather all of the time. I needed to love her “as Christ loved the church” and as I love my “own body.” I also needed to practice my patience. I have plenty of opportunities with three young daughters.

Looking outward, I admit that I was uneasy wearing this chain into the workplace. I received many strange stares throughout the week; however, nobody asked the question that I was dreading, “Why are you wearing that chain?” Whew... On Saturday afternoon, my neighbors stopped by with their kids and the question came... I responded as I had been practicing all week in my head, “I am wearing it, along with others from my church, during lent to remind me of the ways that I am hindered in my Christian walk and to remind me that if I am truly “chained” to my faith, I will be set-free.” They stood speechless for a few moments and then said, “We thought that it was some type of rock star bracelet...” They couldn't have been too spooked, because they continued to let their kids play with mine and we continued on with our previous conversation. Hopefully, a seed was planted...

Upon further thought, I recognized a major difference between the Willowdale Chain Gang and a traditional chain gang. The latter is forced into action and the former chooses to take action. I hope that I continue to choose the path to freedom.

This has been a quick summary of my first week as a member of the Willowdale Chain Gang... I'd love to hear about yours.