My 4 Paul’s

I have 4 Paul’s in my life. Not men named Paul, but men who are to me what Paul was to Timothy. Not to beat to death an already dead dead dead horse, but who is your Paul? I want to tell you about mine.

Over the last 4 years, God has allowed me to learn from some great men. The watching world may see Jeff, Matt, Gregg, and Curt as ordinary. They range in age from 44 to 65. They all have normal jobs, lives, and families. None of these men are very wealthy or well-known. To me, however, these men are extraordinary. I know them, and God is making me rich through them. Me, my family, and the church I get to serve are blessed because of God’s work through them.

Today I want to tell you about Jeff. I have know Jeff for many years. He and his wife have been friends of my parents for a couple of decades. Jeff was a part of a church that I used to work for and about 4 years ago I asked him if he would meet me for breakfast. Every Monday, from then till now, if you show up at 6:30 at Carbondale Il. Steak and Shake you would see us sitting in our booth. Beyond the $4 meals, we have also hung out at his place. I got a canoe and couple years back and he helped me make an oar out of white oak! It’s heavy and awesome!

I have learned a lot from my friend. Jim Elliot once said “Wherever you are, be all there.” Jeff has the ability to do this. I have seen how intentional he is with Jesus. With his reading, he will hover for months over one book. He does not want to miss all that God would have for him in that one book. He does not want quantity over quality either spiritually or with his work.  When God is working on an area of his life it seems to be a very distinct and focused “Thing.” He loves his wife and his children and he fights for Christ-likeness in his life.

So what has God taught me through Jeff? I need to slow down. I am a quantity reader and a quantity worker.  I want to get it done and move on to the next thing. I don’t care if I understand it thoroughly or if I do it correctly. I listen fast, I think fast, I am busy of mind, and I often lack “presence.” Well that is a problem! With my marriage, I want don’t want to miss out on anything. I want Jordan’s heart. No man can get to the depths of his wife’s heart in a hurry. With my son, I want to notice all that I can notice. I want to laugh all the laughs with him that I can laugh. I only have 16 more years with him in my home. That time will fly and if that time will fly I need to settle in. In ministry, I don’t want to miss opportunity to hear a person’s heart because I am too busy dissecting their words. This fall I want to notice the changing of the leaves instead of dreaming about the snow!

So God put this man in my life to help me stop, hover, and enjoy all that God is giving and all that He is doing.

Jeff is just one of my Paul’s. I have three more to tell you about.