And Then . . .

Maybe the reason we feel like the church is unable to shape and influence culture the way we think it should is we’ve silenced our story with a “The End” where God wants us to tell the story of our “and then….” The other day I was lying on my back in the driveway underneath our kayak trailer, rewiring the taillights. My 5-year-old comes up to me, and I can see through the corner of my eye that his arms are full of some building materials for another invention he’s working on. He says, “Hey dad!” Without moving I continue to work and ask, “What’s up buddy?” “Did you know the best version of me is in the future?” he says. Did I mention he’s five? I scooch my way out from under the trailer and leaning on one elbow I look him in the eye and ask, “What did you just say?” In a slightly exhausted voice as if he felt he should have to repeat himself, he said, Did you know...the best version of me...is still in the future?” I say, “I absolutely believe that, but where did you hear that? Did they teach you that in Sunday school?” “No, I just know it”, he replies. You may be thinking, wow this kid is so smart! He must have some great parents. Let me also tell you that this is the same kid who, in a crowded movie theater in the front row as I’m trying to get him under control, yells, “you’re not my daddy!” Try walking out of a dark movie theater with a toddler yelling that. But in this moment in the driveway I say to Brady, “wow. That’s pretty deep Brady. Can you tell me more?” He’s got my attention now. I’m thinking I’m dealing with a little professor here. I’m ready to take notes. Instead he says, “tell you more about what?” “About this best version of you still being in the future,” I say. “Duck tape, rubber gloves and a magnet”, he says “where can I find it?” And the conversation was over. I couldn’t get them back. He walks away from me toward the garage to continue his search for supplies. I don’t know if he truly understood what he was saying, or if he was trying to build a time machine to meet the best version of himself. Regardless, my son was speaking truth. There is something about what he said that resonates with my heart, because it’s true. God believes that about you as well. Maybe somebody reading this now needs to hear the heart of his or her heavenly Father through the confident voice of a little five-year-old. Did you know the best version of you is still in the future? Don’t let the enemy silence you with a “The End” where God has made a way for you to write in “and then...” for your story. No matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been or how old you are, what if the world has yet to see the best version of you?