I just got a word today! There’s a couple at our church, who do their part in the work of the ministry there, both in one-on-one and up on the stage. And one thing about them that brings me closer to them is the expression,
Land The Plane
Its used by the wife whenever the husband is heading into overtime while speaking in public. I need this kind of thing to be ringing in my own heart. Its akin to the expression “Less is more”
I’m learning my craft, still, after all these years of effort. I’m nobody in particular. I write because I need to. I don’t have a woodworking shoppe anymore, so my efforts of creative expression are more and more here in my writing.
One thing that goes hand in hand with writing, and yet is quite different from… is public speaking. Speaking one-on-one is another nuance. I’ve read about, and believe in, the listener-speaker dynamic. When someone is speaking to a good listener, its a beautiful thing. When the two are in a groove, and racing along in a conversation, locked in, zipping around the track its something to be a witness to.
In the Bible there is this word, EDIFY. It means to build up. We build each other up by encouragement, but also by exhortation. Ever heard that word, exhortation? Or is that jargon of church and bible? Its not as simple as giving criticism. Its a critique to build up, not tear down.
A W Tozer said something about this (and if you ever find chapter and verse of documentation of it, let me know!) He said, in a sermon about Balaam and the Donkey Numbers 22, that even a Jack Ass can teach you something. This is an example of Tozer giving a gentle gest towards his critics in more ways than one. He was a holy man of God, but was not pretentious. He was a preacher who wasn’t afraid to say something like Jack Ass in church, but he also was telling those that talked behind his back, after church, over the noon meal, that even their nasty, hurtful remarks can build him up. Sometimes it takes a Jack Ass to get through to a person! And if you’d like to be that person, if you make your living being that person who offends for the benefit of others, I’ll just ask you to ponder Matthew 7:1-6.
But its the message that counts. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Yes, this scripture is the one that always comes to mind when I’m battling corrosive thoughts, but sometimes thoughts sprout up from seeds planted by other’s Jack Ass remarks. Pastor Hoover was a man of God I had the privilege to know, and he was the first one to ever tell me to speak truth to lies. He put it in his way, and I’ve only remembered the truth of it after all this time, when anyone ever speaks a word to me, if it brings the fruit of the Spirit, receive it, if it does not, then reject it. I wish he were here now to chat with about it, for I am 61 years old, and I was somewhere in my 20’s when he as an old man told me this.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 Paul exhorts us (see what I did there LOL) “…despise not prophecy” and its a fancy word for God’s Holy Spirit speaking through one person of faith to the another. Whether that be one-on-one, or one to many. That part about despise not, tells me to listen, rather than mock, and also to stop and ask myself if what I’m hearing is from the Lord after all. But in the same verses there, (click on it, you’ll go to Biblegateway scripture reference) you’ll see that he tells us to test everything, hang on to the good, and stay away from evil. I don’t want to limit what he’s saying here, but because we his vessels are imperfect, he’s making room for that. We need to keep each other in line. We do so with love, and with building each other up in mind, but sometimes when emotions run high… the truth comes out a bit frayed, I’m afraid.
I’ve never asked her, but in my case, when I want to tell my wife to stop taking so long to talk, or my son, or anyone else connected with me, its my own self consciousness’ that is coming out. Its more about how they are making me look, and I’m ingratiating myself at the same time. It takes courage for me to let my son speak, for example, without interrupting him. To rely on those around us to love him, and to be a safe-place-to-be for him. Believe me, I’m very guilty of this with my wife especially. Its called “throwing under the bus” hear it, ouch! Yes, I hear.
Well, all of that to get to the point,
Soar That Plane
That same lady said to me recently, when I reminded her of her catch phrase,
I wonder if maybe I should be known for “soar that plane” instead. It seems a little more upbeat. I’m going to have to work on that.
humility speaks
So I’ve stopped to ponder what that means!
but those who hope in the Lord
Isaiah 40:31
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
That verse is usually used when we are encouraging somebody to go to church. But sometimes church is a lonely time for many. They come and go and are never greeted, never noticed, and nobody takes the to time listen, and speak truth into their lives.
This lady and her husband, took time after church, their church – we’ve only been going there for a few months – and came over to give my wife a Bible, since they didn’t realize she keeps it in her huge purse. Cheryl and I have that in common. We love our “just in case” stuff to be with us. As I listened to them I realized that they were being obedient to an exhortation to greet the new folks. I’m blessed about that! For me, having mindful, heartful people like that around make me wanna bring along any and all whom God would give me opportunity to do so.
I, being new, have been trying to meet a new person each Sunday, and as I do I let them know I’m new. The purpose is all of the above, and most of all to “do unto others as I would be done by.” Matthew 7:12.
Our pastor when he preaches has given us a hint, sometimes he tells us when we’re all pretty quiet. He’s inviting live feedback. He needs encouragement! He needs an AMEN and RIGHT ON! and PREACH IT BROTHER! and he’s giving us the OK to do so.
This lady’s husband did that for me. As I said, we’re new, and we started in a September, to go to their church, and part of that was to be part of a home group. The home group’s all gathered for a pot luck at Christmas time, and there was an invitation to speak. I risked it! I spoke up about how thankful I am for them all. And her husband’s enthusiastic response was one of the most encouraging things I’ve ever experienced in my life, no joke! And that doesn’t mean I’ve never experienced it before, its just one of the best ever kind of things. While I was speaking, his excitement was out loud, and he was saying to another fellow there something to the effect, “this is what we’ve been talking about!” It spurred me on.
That moment took me back to when I was in Bible School. I’d raise my hand, to say something to the professor during class, because we’re allowed to do so, and because I had something I wanted to know. The fact that the rest of the class was there wasn’t on my mind at first. But one time, after a few times, I heard a whisper, “shhh… Laurence is asking a question…” and it was an interesting spin for me. There was eager anticipation of my question there. It awakened in me a self-knowing that had not been there before. I was/am a little brother. Little brother’s can sometimes be trodden upon. I came from a family of 5 kids, and each of us struggled against one another for significance. LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!!! I am walking in obedience to his call, as I write this, and each and every time I am given an opportunity to speak. Would YOU be one to encourage God’s called out ones? Take a look at Hebrews 12:14-29
Let me contrast that with another story. I was dating back in my teens, and I was at a girlfriend’s house. The phone rang – back in the days of landlines – and she excused herself to answer it. From the other room I could hear her telling her friend about me. All of the things she said about me were the externals. “He’s got blonde hair, blue eyes, and he’s a lifeguard!” I felt so awful. It wasn’t long before I ended that relationship. That isn’t and wasn’t who I am.
When someone hears from God through the words I speak, that is who I want to be, my aspiration!
So, I’ll land the plane… for now, but I’m still soaring from this new word as I meditate upon it
Amen
Running Down Vimy 