live to tell

There is an old hymn called "I Love to Tell the Story." In it the writer expresses his passion for telling the story "...of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love." It had been a while since I had heard it. I remember singing it as a kid...people always sang it with an evangelistic fervor. It's a lovely song, but always conjured up images of someone constantly talking about faith to coworkers, family, friends, or even the waitress pouring your coffee. I've met many of these people in my life who feel it is their mission, like a spiritual Ari Gold, always trying to land the next gig for their client. It just so happens that their client is Jesus.

Today this hymn came to me differently. Maybe it's the season I find myself. It feels I have been fighting to survive for the last couple of years. The fight has taken it's toll. This begins a season of rebuilding. I believe that there was a message there for me.

I love to do lots of things. In my heart I'm a cowboy. I want to be outside, work with my hands, come home to a warm house with love inside, drive to town to go dancing, and do again every day. I'd love to be a rock star, run a bookstore, or even own a coffee shop. I'm a man that likes to step back and see what I've built, feel the burn in my muscles and the cuts on my hands, and call it a day well lived.

But, I'm a story teller. Specifically, His story. I've always been good at it. I have the ability to see and translate the "old, old, story" in a way that makes sense in the human heart.

If a man is blessed when he does what he is designed to do, then regardless of the challenges of my life I need to tell stories.

It's a story I love to tell...

I can still be a cowboy. I think a Stetson works with my collar. I'm promised that if I seek the Kingdom then my heart will find the things it desires, so I saddle up and ride into the desert with a message of love.

It's who I am