Shane Claiborne and Rob Bell

This was an incredibly memorable week as I was privileged and challenged to hear both Shane Claiborne and Rob Bell, two of my favorite authors speak.  Due to a facebook post, I learned that Shane would be speaking at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte and the event was free.  So my husband and I loaded up our van with four youth and headed out on Sunday night.  We arrived about 35 minutes before the event was to begin and were able to snag seats in the front row.  Two of the youth we took, were what those who categorize would call “unchurched”. Yet they were ready to travel with us to an event in a church to hear a guy in homemade clothes share about this Jesus that he loves and adores.  Shane in his passionate manner presented many amazing truths about how we should be Jesus to the downcast, the unlovable, the untouchables…He answered pointed questions with wisdom and grace.  He inspired yet challenged.  He humbly made us laugh and cry in the same short time span.  Thank you to this church who allowed it’s Jubilee Hall to resonate with words that encouraged us to make a huge difference if we would allow ourselves to love with a  love passionate enough that requires nothing less than action.  Thank you to Shane who travels endlessly to share the message that he has been called to share.  The message that can change the mindset of this generation of youth so that they can shun consumerism and instead minister to those most in need.  That they can refuse to settle for products manufactured by slave labor just to save a buck.  That they can realize the earth is a gift and must be treated as such.

Then to end the week, on Friday night, my husband and I traveled once again to Charlotte but in a completely different setting.  This event required purchased tickets and was held in an auditorium.  But like on Sunday, I left with my mind and heart challenged and like a thirsty sponge which had been drenched with water, ready to do the work of sharing what I had been blessed to receive.  Rob Bell, an author, speaker, pastor, eloquently and engagingly took on the subject of suffering from a “what next?” instead of “why?’ perspective.  He bonded the audience together with seemingly simple but powerful object lessons and illustrations.  Everyone now wonders what their soap will look like and feels closer to a stranger whose 3 X 5 notecard they now possess.  I cannot remove the image of Rob in the hallways of the hospital as he became one with the picture projected behind him.  I also am encouraged that the so called failures in my life not failures at all according to the God who wastes nothing but instead events that have been used to shape me into the woman that God desires for me to be.  I am so thankful that my week was filled with the wisdom of God that these two men shared.  May I continue to ponder these words but at the same time be ready to be called to act.  For we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

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