Every couple of weeks, I get to hang out with some young guys. Maybe I should clarify what I mean by “young guys” before the cloud of the dreaded generation gap fogs us in. There are actually two groups. In one group, three of them are church planters in the Charleston area, and the other is a missional pastor on a Midlands church staff. The other group are three men roughly my own age, from three very diverse churches, but with youthful perspectives on life. So forget the carbon dating – they’re all young.
HolmesThese men light my internal afterburners every time we’re together. To the man, they are deeply committed, highly motivated, and about the sharpest minds I know. Every time we’re together, they have to give me some time to catch up. Our meetings are always high-octane.
One other thing – they’re more conservative than me in most theological considerations, are genuinely orthodox in their doctrinal positions, and are without a doubt the most real ministers I know. That’s why I hang out with them. These guys truly get it. Without sounding presumptuous or arrogant, if you don’t know what “get it” means, then you probably don’t. No offense. What I mean is, missional is more than a trendy buzzword to them. They know who the missionaries are and where the mission field begins. Every single day, I am thankful these guys are on my personal bus.
So, here’s the deal: Who we allow on our bus is among the most important decisions we ever make. Time out! I don’t have total control over the people I meet day to day, the people who attend Northwood Baptist Church, family members, or neighbors. Of course, I don’t have to invite all of them onto my personal bus, either.
You see, life resembles a bus in some ways. God superintends and guides the journey. Along the way, I decide where my bus stops, who gets on, and who gets off. Because the influence of others is so profound, who I invite to share my journey is a significant consideration.
Think about it. Jesus prayed all night before he invited the 12 to join him. Scripture makes a big deal about the people in our most intimate circle and the influence of others, even on our attitudes and outlook. Proverbs is a book about folly, and having strong counsel and good friends is one way to avoid it. How influential is a circle of godly, positive, faithful, supportive friends!
These are perilous times. Hanging with negative, destructive, toxic people is not advised. That’s why I love a meal or cup of coffee with these colleagues and aggressively make being with them a regular part of my schedule. Their fresh perspectives and Christlike thinking always challenge me up – to think up, live up, and rise up.
You just cannot successfully navigate these treacherous paths with blind guides. You see, when the blind lead the blind, they both end up in a pit (see Matthew 15:14).
So who’s on your bus?