My buddy Tim owns and operates Transparent Productions, the company that
brings in all the artists for Fish Fest and just about every other concert we talk about
on The Fish. One time I asked him, fearing the obvious, "Hey Tim---what's behind
the name of your company?" He told me what I already knew was coming: That
God had taught him and continues to teach him to be so real and genuine in
everything: Personal, business and social life-that without speaking a word, people
can tell there's something different about you. And perhaps inquire what it was that
sets him apart. SHAZAM! An opportunity to present the Gospel! YOWZA!
As of late, I've been asked to share my testimony/story/life narrative to a few churches
around the southland.
As I have been crafting my thoughts, the conversation I had with Tim many years ago
keeps coming back to me.
Being "transparent". That's it!
Not the "reality show" kind. Or "let's just air out our dirty laundry to the world" kind.
Know what I mean?
I'm talking sharing life and how it's great, messy, confusing, awesome, sad, vibrant,
joyous, frustrating, obnoxious and everything in between--and how God is IN it all!
See, when we asked Jesus into our life? The promise is He's never going to leave us.
Even when we don't "feel" he's around, He is.
It's about perspective.
My first missions trip was to Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada. I was 17.
We helped fix the roof of a church, nine of us in our youth group put on a VBS for the kids.
It was pretty safe. And fun. And we had the chance to make a difference. Those kids made
a profound impact on my life. It was middle class serving middle class. Nothing wrong with that.
Years later however, I would visit some of the saddest places in the universe. The world's
worst poverty in Haiti. Jamaica. El Salvador and The Phillipines. Haiti? Many of you might
remember my first trip there. I've been twice. That first trip? It broke me. In fact,
I will never be the same. Not but three months later, an earthquake shook Port au Prince. The
place we stayed while there, Hotel Montana, came crashing down and many perished.
That shook me up even more. But the depth of poverty. The smell of death. No human
should ever have to live in the pit of hell like the beautiful people of Haiti do. Then, I went back
a second time, last year. Nothing has changed. Their "White House" is still in shambles.
However, there are Pastors, mothers and fathers and children who, if you look close enough,
are bringing hope. Even in the most tragic of situations, there is hope. I''ve seen it. I've hugged
it. I've never heard Amazing Grace sung like I've heard it in third world nations. There's a reason
for that.
Perspective.
My mother was brave enough to escape an abusive marriage many many years ago. She met
a man who, in not so much time, earned the title "Dad". We moved 2,500 miles away to NH
when I was very young. Best thing that could have ever happened. I nearly died twice and along
the way have had those, "ups and downs". But you know what? I see God's mercy in it all.
Life stinks sometimes. Yep. Ask our favorite Biblical Characters about that: Moses, Noah,
Sarah, Mary, Paul, JOB! Jesus.
The secret, which is not so secret I think, is how we RESPOND. What is our response?
My prayer is that we respond by pouring it out to God, giving it over to Him and sharing our
story with others. And how, even if we don't feel God moving in it at the time, through our faith,
we know He's there. And that's real life. It's not "polyanna" but genuine honesty. "In this world
you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus.
That's being transparent. And that's what the world yearns to see in us.
It's not easy to be transparent. But let's watch what God does in ours and others' lives when
we live that way. Are you game?
dave@thefish959.com
