What Inspires You?

“In France last year more babies were born to unwed mothers than into two parent households.” “Concern and fear grow as the financial climate  worsens.” “Study reveals dramatic increase in Americans following example of  Europeans by turning away from the concept of faith in a personal God.”  ”Felons released back into society early with Jails bursting at their seams.”  ”Joblessness rates soar.”

I do not read the traditional newspaper very often…mostly I visit a couple different news sites and read the news there.  The above quotes are from just a few of the news stories that came out this week.  I could have continued ad nauseum…quoting discouraging realities from nearly every aspect of life for the balance of this post…easily!  Pretty discouraging stuff. So let me ask you a question:

What do you do for real encouragement? What is it that truly inspires you?

I mean, no one wants to walk around pretending that bad things aren’t really happening.  On the other hand, we don’t want to be discouraged all the time either.  As I was considering this challenging and complicated reality, my mind began to race.  I was reflecting on my own question, “So what is it that inspires me?”  And what happened next was unplanned & exhilarating…I stopped trying to think & God began to flood my mind with His answer to my question.

First, I recalled Christmas time here at Quest as thousands of men, women & children took off their jackets and piled them high on the stage in an effort to Give Hope in the form of warm jackets to the people in Kentucky who were down on their luck and unable to keep warm in the harsh winter that was on its way.

Then my mind raced to images of musicians, artists, craftsmen, techies, and many others spending hour after volunteer hour working to prepare the launch of The Man Series (our current QCC weekend series) for the thousands we were praying would show up to be challenged by God.

Next I pictured Janet’s face. When I saw her, Janet, an awesome leader & volunteer, had just stepped off the stage from teaching in KidsQuest.  She was bursting with joy & wonder as she had watched the faces of the 500+ kids she had just taught about God’s great love for them.  She was shaking her head in awe as many of them began to understand (in a real way) God’s heart of love for them.  Many decided that they wanted His love for themselves & chose (with their parents at their side) to invite Christ to become the Forgiver and Leader of their life!

Finally, as I drove up to the church in my Jeep, I laid my eyes on the new building that is now beginning to take real shape.  I was realizing that while it is certainly the concrete reminder that God is drawing thousands of new people to this place to learn about His love and redemption…on this day it took on another meaning. As my eyes scanned the building, I began to realize that God is entrusting all of these new people to Quest in large part because of Questers!  God’s great blessing is directly linked to the people of Quest loving, serving, giving, inviting, reaching, sacrificing, praying, leading, listening, investing, helping, and caring!

It was like a tidal wave to my mind. I was overwhelmed…my heart was inspired to it’s core.  In this church I am surrounded by Questers…the most inspiring collection of people I have ever had the privilege to know.  Most look very ordinary in the eyes of the world of status and power.  But to God…to the thousands they serve…and absolutely to this pastor…they are heroes!

Questers, did you hear me?  You are heroes!  In a world where discouragement rules the headlines, you bring encouragement to so many.  Great job my friends…great job to all of you.

You are an inspiration to me and so many others.  Listen to the cheers from heaven…your Father’s voice is calling out through the darkness to say, “Well Done!“