In C. S. Lewis’ classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lucy asks Mr. Beaver if Aslan, the Jesus-figure, is “safe.” “Safe?” Mr. Beaver replies, “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Many of us share Lucy’s tendency to develop an image of Jesus that fits our own understanding of comfort, goodness and safety. This leads to the temptation to create an image of Jesus after our own liking and image. Certain parts of the gospels get emphasis, and de-emphasis. What if we did our best to remove the bias and filters, and look at the life of Jesus as He intended it? Would our understanding of Jesus, and what it means to follow Him, change?
2017 is here. Adventures in grace await all of us. Sure … there will be hassles and hardship … probably a few giants to fight and problems to wrestle to the ground. Yet, we are not alone. There is a Shepherd who knows our name, our needs and the way forward.
Our new year at Capitol Commission Louisiana/Grace Adventures launches quickly. The Louisiana Legislative Session is around the corner. I may be back in Baton Rouge before you know it. The Governor is contemplating calling for another Special Session next month prior to the Regular Session. I’ll keep you posted. Our annual trip to the National Prayer Breakfast comes at the end of the month. We have a large contingent of Louisiana folks going with us. I’ll be meeting with a variety of our Louisiana U.S. Senators and U.S. Reps while in Washington. God always has divine appointments during these days.
If anyone needs a February Men’s Weekend Retreat and you want to join me in San Antonio … feel free. I look forward to speaking at Wayside Chapel. This is the church where my former associate Stephen Lay is associate pastor. Also, March will include speaking at the Forcey Bible Church Missions Conference, and that will be followed by speaking at three Iron Sharpen Iron events in both Louisiana and Texas. These are a Promise Keeper type of events for men. Please check the website for dates and places at Capitolcommissionlouisiana.org
I love another quote form C.S. Lewis in Prince Caspian.“
Aslan” said Lucy “you’re bigger.”
“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
This is my prayer for every leader this year. I pray that men and women will encounter Jesus and follow Him. No more. No less. My confidence rides high that everyone whom abides in Jesus will bear much fruit in 2017.
Helping Louisiana’s Leaders,
Michael