Tonight I was driving home from church with Moz and Air in the back seat. As we approached our left turn down 4th Street, I moved over into the left lane and prepared to move into the turn lane, which was another 30 yards ahead. It was then that one of my cute, sweet girls said from the backseat: “Popi, don’t you think that you should get over and turn down 4th street?”
I replied: “I am turning, and will get into the turn lane as soon as it begins.”
She replied: “Oh, I thought we were going past the turn lane. Sorry.”
For some reason, that comment, and what it implied bothered me. So I asked her after making the turn onto 4th Street: “Have I ever missed this turn?”
“No.” She replied. I continued…
“Do I have a habit of missing turns?”
“No.” She said quietly. I asked another…
“When was the last time I got lost driving with you?”
“I don’t remember one.” She answered.
Then I asked her: “So what is the reason that you have decided that you needed to lookout for the driver of this car instead of just sitting back, enjoying the ride, and letting me do my job, and play my part in this journey home?”
Silence.
A theme in my life these days has been a simple, specific, and straightforward: “Play Your Part: Nothing More, Nothing Less”. It has been a pervasive and permeating mandate into my role as a husband, as a parent, as a leader, and most importantly as a follower of Jesus Christ, my Lord. We all have our roles to play in our lives here on Planet Earth. My experience these past months has convinced me that my levels of happiness, satisfaction, productivity, and personal growth are all affected by how I view my role in a relationship or situation, and how willing I am to play that role; Just that role; And Only that role.
I’m in a stage with older teenagers where sometimes it is easier to let things slide than to play my role as a parent. Indeed, I have notice that many parents, because of the frustration, conflict, and unpleasant situations, tend to give up trying to affect needed change in teenage attitudes, because the cost to family harmony and friendship relationships is just too high to pay. We often think, “Well, they will have to learn the hard way…” At a time when our teens need us most, we are unwilling to step in and play our part the last chance to mold their lives as adults, and for eternity.
I’ve also noticed that when I step over the line and begin to play my teen’s role- like pick up after them, give them money without them earning it, etc) I am actually enabling them to remain an adolescent. Many of us have “enabling” relationships with siblings, parents, spouses, children, and even ministry partners. I have become more aware of what happens when I do jobs others are responsible for. They never grow into being more responsible.
Our coffee business began in a conversation with Mike Remedios over a cup of coffee in Waspam Nicaragua in 2004. In those past five years, it has taken many hours devoted to many specific tasks of procuring and importing coffee, website design, designing labels and packaging, setting up the roasting and production operation, and developing roasting profiles for each coffee. All of these things I have personally done, some with help from Scott Cooley, Lanie Bishop, Scott Coffey, Luke Broadhurst and a few others. Now we are moving into a new phase of our business/ministry. We have a new website, a new business plan, and a new coffee outreach on the island of Utila (Honduras) scheduled to open this summer.
In this process, something amazing has developed. We have key individuals who are taking over specific aspects of the coffee business and outreach. I don’t have to do it all anymore. In all our conversations these past months, my teammates are all asking me to “Play My Role”, and in the next breath “not to play there’s”. It took me a while. I am a creature of habits. I am a pioneer who is used to doing whatever it takes to get the job done! But finally I got the message. I must play only the role that God has assigned me. I must give them the freedom to play their part.
I am in relationships where God has used me to mentor others. He has brought key individuals across my path, placed me in long term relationships with them, and made it obvious that I am to give them all that God has given me. But sometimes that is inconvenient. I have my schedule, and interruptions can ruin an agenda. However, God has placed me in relationships were other men are mentoring me. I see the value of the time that they have given me over the years, this compels me to make it my priority to give my time away when it is needed. I play my part in the lives of my disciples, and in the process, a multiplication of my efforts occurs.
Tonight at church, our friend Naomi Hamilton spoke about her work in the Philippines. She is a nurse and midwife who has worked there for over 7 years. In addition to her baby care, she is now operating a “Safe Refuge” for young Philippino girls who have escaped from the sex-slavery rings which operate freely in that part of the world. Young girls who were sold by their parents at age 10 to be prostitutes, are now being cared for by Naomi and her small operation. It is a desperate situation, but Naomi is making a difference. As I watched the photos of her “girls”, I was asked by God to pull out my checkbook, and play my part in Naomi’s ministry.
Our school project in Nicaragua has taken a very nice turn this year due to last year’s financial pressures. We were forced to re-focus our efforts, to place more emphasis on spiritual growth for our teachers and students along with our high goals that we have had for education. I learned years ago that Truman, Augusto, Onofre, and Danilo could teach and disciple Miskito Indians much better than I ever could. As the “Jefe” (boss) of the ministry, I could make myself responsible for many and all aspects of the project. That is a typical missionary strategy- become indispensible! However, years ago I decided that it would be better if I backed off and give our Miskito leaders more freedom to make their plans, to let them lead, and in the process to make it their ministry. But along with that, I had to give them the freedom to make mistakes. Somehow, I was able to recognize my part in this complex cross-cultural ministry. Our leaders and the project are better for my decision to only play my part, and let them play theirs.
My part in the Nicaragua project includes thanking all of you who have been with us over these years, and been so faithful in your prayers and financial support. Since we began in 1984, we have educated thousands of Miskito children and adults. We have brought in tons of emergency relief after hurricanes, droughts, floods, and war disasters. Most importantly, many have crossed the line from knowing about God to actually knowing Him and having a personal relationship with Him.
There is tangible spiritual growth happening this year, especially with our dear and longtime friend Tom Keogh participating more and more in the spiritual development of our leadership team. He is proving to be the effective tool in our discipleship efforts.
Recognizing and playing our parts is the key element in the advancement of the Kingdom here on Planet Earth. God is very specific about our roles. Hear what He is saying to us:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:10
Good things; Specific things; Things we were designed to do by the Master. We are His work of art, created for very particular purposes. After pursuing a life of fast airplanes, fun, and many other paths of this life, I now know that my level of joy, peace, and satisfaction in this life is wrapped up tightly around my participation in His plans and purposes for me.
I am learning To Play My Part. I know that many of you are with me on this road as well. Maik
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