The Boiling Pot….

A watched pot never boils.  But it does contain a great word-picture for how I’ve been feeling this past week….

Have you ever watched a pot come to a boil?  I don’t mean walk in and out of the room and suddenly the pot’s boiling.  I mean – have you ever stood at the stove and watched the water actually come from tap-temperature to 212 degrees.

If you have, then you can imagine what I am describing.  If you haven’t, go put a pot on and crank it up to high….go ahead, I’ll wait.

These little bubbles begin to form on the surface of the pan.  They form, pop, and more form in their place.  As the heat ramps up, a few rogue bubbles break away and topple to the surface.  Then, suddenly, (as though you had no warning – but you knew it was coming because you were watching) the water is at a rolling boil.  No longer insignificant pinpoints at the bottom of the pan – no longer a few breakaways – what was brewing below the surface has come screaming to the water’s edge…..

It’s exactly how I have felt this past week.  Jesus is messing around, just below the surface.  And I am intently gazing into the pot waiting for the boil – and though those small little insignificant bubbles are indicative of what’s to come – I just have a sense that it’s going to explode to the surface in a surprising, churning, hearty boil, taking me completely by surprise even though I’m expecting it.

What are you expecting from Jesus?  Are you ready for the surprise that comes with expectation?

That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. –Romans 8.18-21

Real Stories from SYMC #2

Jesus.*

Surely you knew the Sunday school story was coming?!  Seriously – from The Shelter to the speakers, the peer panels to the prayer room, the sack chairs to the sound stage – Jesus is present.  He awaits your arrival with baited breath.  He prays for you – comforts you – holds you up.  He brings times of refreshing in the desert and rejoices over you with singing (and possibly turntables).  He’s the burning bush – the thundering bass – the still, small voice.  He is in your hotel room, the ball room, and the rooms you think no one knows about.  Thankfully, He is omni-present – so even if you don’t make it to SYMC this year…Jesus knows where you are and meets you there.

We’d love for you to meet Him here!  You still have a day to drive.  Go get in the car.  Jesus is standing at the window watching for you.  You don’t need Facebook, Twitter, or even a conference to connect with Christ…simply a heart willing will do.

*Artwork by Art Vader at http://hypnotizedmonkey.org/OsborneGallery/Art_Vader.html – This guy has Darren’s favorite depictions of Jesus ever!!