I'm not purple-I'm gray!
I just turned 41 but my hair says I'm closer to 50. My dad turned gray early and I'm well on my way. But now I'm even more determined to never color it. Why? Because I just spent 4 days in San Antonio with gray haired mentors that have shaped my life for the past 25 years.
I just returned from the Renovare Conference and the average age of the main speakers had to be 65. Eugene Peterson (pictured with me here), Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and John Ortberg (who is only 54 and brought the average age way down); all men whose writings have shaped my life. To sit under their wisdom and call to Spiritual Transformation was life giving.
I found out again that "purple" is not a new thing - just new to us. Here were 4 men: a Presbyterian, a Southern Baptist, a Quaker and a Ordained Baptist pastoring a Presbyterian church. Yet, they know ultimately, they simply love God and are in on what he is doing through his son Jesus. For years, their relationship with Jesus has helped them to reach others without their rock being their denominational color.
But what I loved most was I didn't even see "purple"--I only saw "Gray"!
Most conferences I'm around are high energy, a call to powerful leadership, and equipping with new skills to take the Church to the next stage. They are fed on new ideas, creativity and fast pace. It's put on and driven by next generation leaders and I greatly appreciate it! But boy, how refreshing it was to sit in the simple, the slow, the quiet, the wisdom of men that have served Jesus for years. To gleam from all their years of ministry and leading others and to find that it is simple; not complex. I love the wisdom of the Gray! I love being Gray!
I leave you with Peterson's words that continue to soak in: "The Jesus Way is an Ordinary Way. The Easy Part: this is an ordinary, well-worn path that millions have walked. I don't have to be a super-athlete, a mountain climber. I can do this. [But here's the flip-side.] The Hard Part: 'Ordinary' is boring. I'd like something that gives me an edge on the common humdrum of life. A little excitement, the spice of entertainment. The 'ordinary' has a way of feeding consumerism."
Mitch White
Discipleship Pastor
Lake Forest Church
At least you aren't bald. But then I do have to say that I find bald sexy. have a great trip Mitch..if you even get this.
Posted by: Ginny Brown | July 01, 2009 at 07:28 PM