A Guide

I am amazed at the invitations of God to find Him anew in some profound and deep way again and again over the years.

Long and true are the stories of victory, healing, growth and intimacies with God we each have and share, yet, we are always unfinished, in need of more, thirsting and longing for another story of His work in our soul. I am a different man than I was thirty years ago, twenty years ago, ten years ago… two years ago - and I hope to be much further along in my holiness/communion in the years ahead. Much, much further.

These last weeks, actually 2 months, have been memorably disruptive as God has pointed out a barren place he wants to inhabit.

It’s seems premature to draw clear lessons from what’s unfolding, yet I had to begin to speak about it and in doing so hope that more clarity would come.

Recently I spent some time with a gifted sage who shared all he saw in seeing me.

He saw things about me I couldn’t believe, both glorious and marred. With unique gifting and skill he confronted and called out things in my heart, soul and relational style that some have seen and felt but haven’t put words to. Both glorious and marred

I’d be embarrassed and ashamed, at the moment, to share some of what he saw. We are… I am both a trophy of grace and a man so in need of more grace

Much of our time was spent on my relational style… my heart and desires are good... but in significant ways, my heart is not seen or felt... not present to some. It was disorienting to find that in some ways I don’t see clearly. I do more so now… but, as it is when you get that first pair of glasses, I’m a little dizzy.  I’m so grateful for my sage and his eyes. He sees what I can’t and is courageous enough to share a bit of what he sees in seeing me

A couple of weeks ago a John and I went fishing on the Green River in Utah. With a guide we floated the river and had a phenomenal time fly fishing. The Guide knows this river having fished it most days of the year…for years and years.  I think he knows every fish we caught; he certainly knew where they hang out! In any case, though he and Iwere wearing similar sunglasses, and looking at the same stretch of water he saw trout I didn’t. He’d point to a seam in the stream 20 feet away and say, “Craig, cast to those 5 big browns in the far side of that seam 10 feet from the pyramid shaped rock”.  I see the rock, I see the seam, but I don’t see the fish. Time and time again throughout the trip he kept observing, pointing out and enjoying the vast number of fish lurking in the eddies and currents of the Green. I rarely saw what he did.
I kept telling him, “You see trout that I don’t!”

We need guides. Guides who see things we don’t. A strong, loving, kind sage that delivers God’s invitation to the more God has for us in the deepest parts of our soul. The invitation to life.

Comments

[David Felts]

I'm still searching for that sage that sees me as I don't. The past six weeks has left me wishing for a sage that could help me navigate the road that has been laid out in front of me. I have the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit and truth be told have helped me more than I ever realized they would, but I so long to have a "flesh on" Jesus to help me as well...I appreciate your words Craig, they always bring me to a new place, and this word today has helped me...

So what kind of super glasses did the guy have on? I thought those Oakleys would make you see anything...ha!

[Greg Lindsey]

Thank you Craig...for being a loving, strong, kind sage and guide for me. G.

[Rand S]

Craig
Your words and willingness to look deeper, nudges me on in what I heard my "Guide" calling me into at a Bootcamp this past weekend. So often I'm waiting for the usual means of guidance, but now I need to ask the questions, "where am I missing your guidance? are there ways you want to speak to me that I'm not wading into? like other men, a sage, the Word, listening at new times/moments rather than just sitting quietly with hands folded. Thanks for listening and sharing your journey. Grateful for you.

[jill dyer]

As always I am touched by your willingness to dive in. It is frightening to view both our "glorious and marred" places and even more daunting to invite God in. Praying that grace is poured out so you can truly BE (in increasingly more ways) the man you already are. :-)

[Andy]

Thanks for the thoughts. I really appreciate your ministry.

btw, I really miss the audio bumper you guys used to have at the beginning of the podcast. Why did you guys get rid of it?

[Darren Villalobos]

I've been blessed recently to have someone share with me the things I couldn't see about myself. But it was more like a sign in the right direction, rather than a guide. Now that he's leaving, I have to find another guide in a new place. Did you have people from southern Spain at the UK Boot Camp?

[Michael]

I have found so many interesting articles & information on various topics in your blog especially its discussion. I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work. I like your presentation.

[Doug]

Craig, I listened to the podcast this morning, in the shower of all places, of "The Battle for Life" and your recent appointment update. Caught totally by surprise I WEPT with joy in thanksgiving for your results and our fellowship stands with yours in praying this in and in giving thanks.