Last week I attended and spoke at the Christian Community Development Association conference (CCDA) in Miami. Over 2000 people were in attendance. The work of John Perkins and CCDA, along with their commitment to racial reconciliation and relocation to live among the poor, helped shape my journey for Christ almost thirty years ago as well as our work here at New Life. Most leaders in attendance are very busy. I also became acutely aware of the growing impact of emotionally healthy spirituality around the country. Both realties concerned me. Then, as I sat in my hotel room one early morning, God came to me through the following: Abba Anthony received letter from emperor Constantine to visit him in Constantinople. He wondered if he should go and asked Abba Paul who said, “If you go, you will be called Anthony, but if you stay here (in desert alone), you will be called Abba Anthony. “ An “abba’ was someone recognized as a person of spiritual depth and authority. I wondered about how much I could give in outside speaking without losing part of my soul. It is easier, in some ways, to go speak, write, do, etc. than to retreat alone with God, especially with mounting opportunities. Integrity, at least for me, means strict limits and focus around large blocks of silence before God, continued investment in my marriage, parenting and New Life Fellowship’s staff and leadership. I was reminded of Henri Nouwen when he was invited to White House to be with Clinton’s during their ordeal over the Lewinski. At the time, he was living in the L’Arch community in Toronto for the disabled. He sent his apologies saying “I don’t want to be a court chaplin. I am here with Adam, my disabled friend. There are others who can go to the White House. Adam needs me.” What might be the fruits of such a commitment over ten, twenty or thirty years in our lives and that of those around us?
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