Black Diamonds

The large snowflakes fell like a curtain after a stage performance. My breath fogged up my goggles. I took off my glove and wiped away the snow, cleared my lens and the view was spectacular. The mountain valley spread out below me.  The snow covered trees lined the winding slope as I stood at the crest of the mountain uncertain of my next move. I looked at the sign in front of me with black diamonds and an arrow pointing forward, below it a blue square with an arrow pointing to the right. I nervously stomped the building snow off my skis pondering my next move. After a deep breath I pushed off with my poles and my decision was made.

When we set out to accomplish anything of personal growth in life, work and relationships there needs to be a certain amount of confidence. For me to learn how to ski in the pristine slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Utah and Colorado is a lesson on confidence. I needed instruction and experience to develop a moderate amount of confidence to have fun and enjoy this sport. As I began to trust in my skill and ability my confidence grew which enabled me to tackle more difficult runs. However, there were times after a hard fall, a lost ski, and face full of snow that my confidence began to wane. I would look down the steep slope checkered with moguls and wish I was in the lodge next to the blazing fire. One time I even took off my skis and slid down the rest of the slope on my rear. As a young man I didn’t impress any of the snow bunnies gliding past me.

As a pastor I find there are times when my confidence is full and I feel like I can tackle any challenge ahead. However, there are moments and seasons when my confidence begins to wane. I wonder if my preaching is impacting, my leadership inspiring, and my counsel encouraging. As I stand at the precipice of a decision, a change of direction, or even what lies ahead in the week, I nervously ponder my next move. Sometimes I linger there for quite awhile in uncertainty and doubt. I doubt my ability, skill and decision making. I reflect upon my past failures and weaknesses where I felt embarrassed, frustrated and inadequate. I usually have a choice: to risk going forward or take an easier path.

My heart pounded in my chest, my whole body strained and snow flew from each tight turn as I picked up exhilarating speed down the black diamond run. My confidence soared.

For you my friends and fellow Shepherds, be encouraged at whatever level your confidence may be at today. It’s a new day, and God hasn’t lost confidence in you as his vessel for love and truth to his people. You have the fullness of skill, creativity, wisdom and ability for you have an awesome personal ski instructor who is right there beside you through each turn, slope and decision of your week. May you enjoy your exhilarating run!     

Sitting on a Gold Mine

During the California Gold Rush in 1849 300,000 men sought their fortune with pick axe and shovel in hand and made the arduous trip to the gold country. After a few years the vast majority left the mines disappointed with little to show for their efforts, but a few hit it big with one nugget weighing in at 160 lbs. that’s worth $4,352,000 today. Not bad for a day’s work. Mining was grueling hard labor loading the sluice box with tons of dirt and gravel, panning by hand or chipping away underground. If you watch the TV series Gold Rush that after months of hard work using heavy equipment the miners hold a jar of only 75-90 ounces of gold. The miners in 1849 and even today still have the hope and promise of gold that fuels their passion to continue.

I recently attended a small church pastor’s conference with this theme, Sitting on a Gold Mine by the Northwest Ministry Network. The analogy of pastoring a small church (under 125) with gold mining was very insightful and encouraging. Here were a few helpful nuggets I took away from this conference.

Gold is rare and valuable and so are the souls we are called to serve. Each person in your church and in your community is gold: the child in the nursery, the single mother, the supportive Deacon, the alcoholic who staggers by your church Sunday morning, and the hundreds who drive by your church each day are a rare and highly valued treasure to God.

God has called you, given you a claim, and equipped you to mine His gold. We understand the high calling of ministry, but do we always appreciate the stake he has given us? When mining becomes drudgery, when there are only a few ounces of gold in the jar, and we long for the big nuggets but only see small flakes we can become disappointed in our claim. Thousands of American ministers walk away from their claim each month. Some seek better yielding claims others give up mining completely.

Keep mining till God says, “Well done, you have completed your job”.  Keep at it, try new methods that might help you, be open to new opportunities to mine in your community like service to foster families, senior groups, coaching little league soccer, etc. If God says “there is gold in them thar hills”, then you can count on it being there.

Remember that 99% of mining is an ounce at a time. Modern miners run tons of dirt to produce a few ounces of gold, that’s a lot of work, time and energy and when we hear of someone digging up a big nugget or finding a gold vein in a tunnel and striking it big we can become envious and discouraged. The majority of successful miners keep on adding one ounce at a time to their jar.

I think of you, my fellow Shepherds, miners and friends and you have been given a claim with a highly valuable treasure within. Some of your claims have nuggets hidden in the creek beds, others have to dig deep underground, and others have to work tons of dirt just for a few ounces. When I hear of your mining stories, I am proud of you in your faithfulness, your creativity, your patience, your perseverance, your passion and your hard work in ministry.  Keep digging.

Campfire Question: Where have you discovered gold in your claim?