KICKING ROCKS

Good Friday to You, 
One week after I finished high school, I began working at Arney Farms. It was my first “real” job. Before this, I had only worked for my dad and baled hay for our neighbors. I fell in love with the Arney family (who I barely knew prior to working for them). Stanley and Kay treated me like family…even calling me their “other son.” Mike became a trusted friend. Kathy made it her mission to set me up with Carol Ann…and it worked! I even served as Youth Pastor at their church before heading off to seminary. 
The Arneys provided me an ideal place to grow in my faith and develop as a young man. I memorized Bible verses while driving their tractors, prayed at their family meals, played with their children, discussed the Bible with them, admired their character…even learned from their mistakes (most of which they openly discussed). I was like the proverbial sponge in those days…watching everything and learning much. 
One of the lessons I vividly remember was taught to me by Stanley while redirecting Jacob, his oldest grandson. Jacob was the oldest in his generation, but he was still quite young (about 10). He asked Stanley if he could drive one of the tractors. It was actually delivered in the form of a statement (“I want to…”) rather than a request (“May I please…”). With hardly a moment’s hesitation and a smile stretching across his face, Stanley responded with “Sure, the M is sitting right there. You are welcome to drive it any time.” 
Young Jacob took a swing at his grandpa. 
Stanley knew full-well Jacob wasn’t asking to drive the Farmall M. It didn’t have a radio. No AC. No roaring 300 horsepower engine. As he held Jacob in a light-hearted headlock, Stanley instructed Jacob about the importance of starting small and working his way up to the big tractors. On that day, Jacob missed the opportunity to take one step closer toward realizing his “dream.” Instead, he walked away, kicking at the rocks in the driveway. 
It was a lesson and a response I have never forgotten. 
When I am faced with an opportunity that feels “below” me and am about to walk away kicking rocks, I am reminded of this scene. I am confident Stanley’s words have kept me from missing several important opportunities, but I wonder how many more I still missed! 
Jesus willingly left Heaven to complete the mission of saving us! When we follow Him, we walk in the footsteps of the one who joyfully sacrificed Himself for our benefit. His life as our Savior is the ultimate example of being willing to “drive the M.” If we are to discover the joy of following our Savior and the fulfillment of being used by God to change the world, we must quit kicking rocks! 
Jacob is all grown up now. He is a godly husband and father. He is also one of those amazingly disciplined people who runs ultra-marathon distances. He completed the grueling Ondessonk 50K race last year. Respect! I’ll never forget the lesson his Grandpa taught him. 
This weekend, I have the honor of sharing one of Jesus’ teachings about the joy of serving. It is a very quick read (Luke 17:7-10 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17:7-10&version=ESV)). Be careful, though. Those four verses of Jesus’ teaching will challenge what you think to be “below” you! 
Hope to see you this weekend, 
Pastor Michael