Glorious Ruins

Okay… some of my recent time with a sage/guide/counselor was focused on my being an “unfinished” man. One might think that little time need be spent on that topic at all. But alas, it was needed! 

While God has romanced me since birth, and I have chosen to follow him for 37 years… there is still much more for me to experience of God’s transforming and gracious fathering heart. There always will be. I can point to significant healing/change/growth over the decades yet I there are times, people and circumstances, in which I, still, do not live, love or relate as I want (Romans chapter 7).

“Still crazy after all these years” – Paul Simon

There is a grace, and a freedom in recognizing that in this life, Act III of The Larger Story, we will always be “unfinished”… in need desperate need of God, humble, able to embrace and offer forgiveness.

I shouldn’t have been surprised that my wonderful counselor saw a part of my soul that was closed to God and others, detached and self-protective… but I was!

While that is all true a more important reality I was reminded of is that I, like you, am also a glorious image bearer who was wonderfully crafted in the womb by God for a unique and mythic role in this grand story of the Kingdom of God invading planet earth with the Good News of deliverance, freedom, restoration, life, hope and joy! I regularly forget this!

It’s actually amazing that God chooses to use “unfinished” man to accomplish his redemptive rescue of others! You’d think he’d wait for our perfection, for our being “finished”, a little further along in our sanctification prior to using us in significant ways wouldn’t you? After all, it’s to everyone’s benefit that I’m a little holier, more loving, more “present”, stronger and wiser isn’t it?

Picture God’s “Army” hitting the beaches and the front of the landing craft opens to spill the invading force upon the enemy. It’s not a squadron of well armed finely tuned special forces that storm the enemies pill boxes… its more like Ms. Evan’s third grade class wandering ashore, it’s  a guy in a Hawaiian shirt with a book and his beach chair strolling off,  two guys wearing uniforms but missing their guns, its a slick dude in a business suit and a gal carrying a big Bloomingdales bag followed by an overweight middle aged guy from Pittsburgh with stains on his shirt finishing off his little carton of Kung Pau Chicken. You’re in shock, “That’s God’s invasion force? Those are the ones he’s entrusted his rescue of mankind to?”

Yep!!!!!!! That’s the Army he’s chosen… and we're a part of it.  God has chosen the weak, the unfinished, and the not-quite-all-together to bring the Kingdom. Amazing! We’re unfinished and we’re a part of this grand mission.

AND IT WORKS… It’s always been that way…

Remember Moses (Exodus 3) God sees the misery/oppression of his people and taps Moses on the shoulder while he’s in attending to the routines of life (tending the flock) and calls him to be the deliverer of God’s people from the Super-Power of the day. Moses, knowing he’s not quite the “deliverer” type responds, “Who me? Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”… to which God responds, “I will be with you”. Very few of us would evaluate ourselves as being up for the task/role God has for us.

Then Gideon (Judges 6) is scared to death and hiding in the hills from the dreaded enemies of the day and God shows up and addresses him as “Mighty Warrior”???? – and assigns him the task of setting the people free from oppression.  Gideon, like us, is skeptical that God could really have such a role for him. He’s unfinished… yet God chooses him! What has he chosen you for? What name has he called you that, perhaps, at the moment, seems absurd? 

There’s David (1Samuel 16) the runt of the family being chosen over his seven older, “more suited” brothers to be king of Israel.  Solomon – (1Kings 3) confronted with the task of being king cries out to God, “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties”. He’s unfinished man who is about to be a king! Jeremiah as well (Jeremiah 1) responds to God’s call saying, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child…".  Unfinished!

The Minor Theme is we’re unfinished, a ruin, a wreck… I let people down, detach, hide, withhold friendship/relationship, get distracted…. Yadda, yadda, yadda. I have hurt people by the way I've lived... I wish I was much different... and I am different than I was a year ago... "Oh God come for me, continue to restore and transform me!".

AND The Major Theme is that, you and me are key players, glorious beings God is using to bring life, salvation, deliverance to others.  We are changing the world! I needed a sage to remind me of that.

 

- Craig McConnell
 

Comments

[David Felts]

Craig,
Love it! This word is timeley for me and I needed to hear it...I'm glad I'm part of this wave of the unfinished that is storming the beaches...but I do have to say, I'm not from Pittsburgh even though I love Kung Pao Chicken and the Steelers...LOL...
Thanks again for your heart bro...

[Brenda Branson]

Great thoughts! I'm reminded of a song by Bebo Norman called "Ruins."

Let my ruins become the ground you build upon
Let my ruins become the start
Let my ruins become the ground you build it on
From what’s left of my broken heart.

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=10797

[Aaron Reeves]

Amazing vulnerability. I always enjoy your stuff. When are you going to write a book??

[Craig McConnell]

Yep, we either forget all that God has yet to do or that He has done absolutely wonderful, substantive, glorious things in us and through us. Sounds like a good song.

[Ruedi]

Dear Craig
Thank you for your words. I was just battling with not being good enough for the upcoming BC.
Now I'm ready to change the world. Thank God for giving you this thought today.
Love you brother.
Ruedi
PS: Dinner is ready at 5:30 (in half an hour)

[Reggie Ursettie]

Thanks Craig, cannot begin to share how much I needed that! miss and love you, Reggie

[Nick Holbrow]

Craig
Thanks for all your input at BC UK and your talk about unfinished men, i know God is healing me but i can see his work happen today in my wholly complete yet unfinished life.
Many Thanks
hope this weekend goes well
Nick

[Travis Petty]

Craig,

Thanks for the reminder that we all need sages. We desperately need people in our lives who can see over the next hill, can see things in us we don't have the clarity to see and believe things for us before we can believe them for ourselves.

God is reminding me that it is time for me to visit the sages in my life again. However, He is also reminding me that no matter how inadequate I may feel, there are those looking to me to be that sage in their lives as well. These transparent glimpses into your life always seem to awaken something in my heart and take me to a new place in my journey with God. Thanks for being my sage today!

[Bryan cole]

"Very few of us would evaluate ourselves as being up for the task/role God has for us."

Whoa... So true... I'm amazed at where he takes me when I let Him. Still often miss it in the moment, but it always seems so clear in hindsight ;)

[Rick Schaller]

Craig,

My prayers the last few weeks have been for clarity and strength in the battle, but I tend to forget that I am in a battle. My prayers have also been for you to be filled with his wisdom and strength so that you can continue to overflow into us.

God has answered my prayers! You write and bring clarity to me just when it is needed most.

You are right, I expect the Army to be in full uniform so that I can recognize them when I see my fellow soldier, but the only way to recognize them is to see them on the field with me. By the way, I think I might be one of the guys with the uniform on....but without my gun!

Blessings to you!

Rick

[Darren Villalobos]

I'm glad to hear your words again...it's been a while since I've looked at your blog. I can just say briefly that God has been working with my life in subtle but great ways the last few weeks and months. I am definitely different than I was in November, even if that being noticeable is also a work in progress.

A few words of God's heart to each of us:

"I don't want to cause you pain
but I know what you need
Though many times you refuse
to listen to my warnings

I'm extremely busy but not too busy for you
and I'll always be here for your needs
'cause you're my passion beyond worth
with your value never fading "

[brother jonathan]

Hey Craig;
I love your analogy for God's army. I was bow gunner on hover craft (LCAC) that take Marines to the beach during Iraqi Freedom. And I'd like to expand on your illustration a little, if I may.

The fundamental difference between the "rag tags" you describe and the "crack troops" you allude to is that the finely tuned forces have learned, through shared hardship and trials, that commitment to and for each other is the MOST important ingredient for success and survival. That is why most service members are against a draft; I don't want my chances of making it home dependent on someone who isn't just as committed to the mission as I am. If you don't want to be here, I sure don't want you to be here either!

Or, to put it another way; Imagine you are standing at the edge of the Pacific. There is a ship there, say a Destroyer. You're given the mission to stand out to sea and bring battle to the enemy with the awesome arsenal this ship possess. This is,of course, quite impossible for you. BUT..with about 349 others given to the same mission, it can be done. IF each member of the crew (Body) is performing their function as needed, when needed, where needed. When that happens this ship becomes part of a force unrivaled in human history. A single Destroyer can carry and deliver weaponry sufficient to wipe out a small country. And again, the fundamental difference is the commitment to the mission and each other. The impossible becomes daily activity.

[Keith]

Thanks Craig for being the sage to remind me that I'm more than I've been tricked into believing!
I put my name in the lottery for the upcoming BC in august, thinking I'd never be selected....WRONG! Then today, on vacation in the Smokey Mountains I read your post and I thought as I prayed the "daily prayer" that God has called me "mighty warrior" too!
I'm a Glorious Ruin indeed!

You are such an encouragement to me (and many others I'm sure!). May you be blessed today my brother!

[Pete Carroll]

Craig, you have been and continue to be a role model for me!

(Morgan was wrong - I have not aimed low! You have what it takes brother, and I would like to be like you, because you are so much like Him!)

Yep we are unfinished, but in some (like you) the finished article can be seen through the unfinished 'stuff'!

PS, I hope you managed to relearn how to not drive on the left when you got home!

[Randy]

Haven't looked at the site for a VERY long time, but on a whim decided to. Too much of the time I feel like I'm just taking up space. Other times I wonder what I'll be 'when I grow up'. (I've met you at a retreat; we're about the same age!) Your words give me hope! I'll stop by more often..

[Eric]

That was so much better then going to church, what a relief! Craig, you always get through to me.

[john castro]

Hi Craig, Thanks for the reminder of why GOD has me here. I work with the rag tag group of men in the AODA Jail Program. I get to train and help these men recover or discover their "Heart". I tell the men who come into the Program that they are here by appointment not circumstance. I have men from all walks of life and experiances. I can picture the boat and the door opening up and the men ready to fight one more time. Thanks for reminding me why I do What I do. I will be starting group 49 this week. ...JOHN CASTRO

[Keith]

Craig,
I am praying for your healing today. You are especially on my heart and mind today! As I pray and read through Wild at Heart again in prep for the upcoming boot camp, I am reminded of the first time we went through that study, and I watched the videos. It was YOU that I related to the most. "Sea Gull", I believe was the word your stepfather used...for me it was 'knot-head", but that wound became so real to me. It was in that moment of reality that I was able to forgive and restore that relationship with my father. Maybe it was because you were the "pastor" of the group, or maybe it was because of the similarities of our stories, but on those videos, we had a connection. I have prayed for you often since then, but now...with your health issues, I've prayed even more.
I love you Craig. You are WORTH so much, my Father paid the price of His ONLY SON just for you! Someone asked me if I was excited to go the the Wild at Heart boot camp in August. Of course I said, "yes", but I told them I was hoping and praying that you'd be able to be there. I pray for miraculous healing in your body, so that you will be able to continue to bless not only me, but many others in your own "fellowship of the heart".
Blessings to you my brother!
Until we meet.....
Keith

[T.O.M.]

Craig,

We salute you in your efforts to engage men... but the warrior in you wants to write again. Third Option Men are chomping at the bit to read more. I wouldn't make them wait if I were you ;-)

[Keith]

Craig,

Thanks for this. Your writting hits home with me so many times. It seems I am waiting to be finished to do more for God when it is right here he wants to do it. I want to do this or take this class or go to this meeting to get somewhere to arrive but its now.

Keith

[Pete Carroll]

Craig, when we parted at the Wales Boot Camp, I told you - you are my father figure. Morgan (unkindly, in my opinion) said I was shooting low. He is so wrong!!! (and I know it was a joke).

This blog is just one example of why you are the example of a good father to me - you are already a great guide and have great wisdom to impart, but you are not afraid to examine the parts of you that still need to grow!

I want to be like that.

Thank you for sharing your life and your heart with us. And thank you for being YOU.

Love you man.

Pete UK

[oakley]

Your site is perfect. Great work, I liked. Always, there are many things interesting. And I just email this to my friend.

[pupender2011]

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