Hail Julius! Er, I mean Jesus!

You can say what you like about Julius Caesar, but the boy got results.

"Right fellas, see that Gaul place over the mountains? Let's go and give them a right royal Roman style kicking!"
"Er, why boss?"
"Because we're Romans, and we can!"
"Hurrah!"

Sometimes a part of me, a teenie weenie little part, wishes there could be a bit more of the Julius Caesar in pioneering ministry. You see, when one has a vision, it is very clear and obvious the place that one needs to go and the best way one needs to get there. It is not, however, equally clear and obvious why other people can't see things the same way.

Llan had its second 'community life meeting' (NOT church meeting) last night and the main item on the agenda was reflecting on our core values. Sticking with the Julius Caesar analogy for a tad longer, here's a rough summary of how it went:

"Right fellas, see that Gaul place over the mountains? Let's go and give them a right royal Roman style kicking!"
"Er, why boss?"
"Because we're Romans, and we can!"
"Yes, er, sorry boss but the plan is still a little fuzzy for me. Why Gaul? Seems to me an awful lot of effort for a load of stinking barbarians living in a place that rains all the time. What about them Spanish? Seems like a much better idea."
"Yes, but..."
"And why do we have to go around giving everyone a kicking anyway? Why not invite them for a cup of tea and a chat? Isn't living side by side a better idea?"
"I see your point, but the vision..."
"Yes, how did we decide on this vision again? I don't remember any meeting to discuss it..."

Etc. etc. Long story short, the very definite plan that I had of where we wanted to be by the end of the meeting was not reached. Instead, we all came away with melted brains.

Veni vidi vici indeed.

The way of Julius does seem much simpler, unfortunately the way of Jesus is different. The way of Jesus insists that He is in charge, no individual person, which sadly includes me. In spite of the long and meandering discussions I really do believe God was there and teaching us stuff at the meeting, specifically that first and foremost in his kingdom is the value of love. It was as though JC was saying to us, "Seriously guys, if you can't love each other when you don't agree, you're really on to a non starter with any other grand plans you might have. At least if you're serious about doing things my way that is."

Touche. Good point well made. Last night's meeting may have frustrated some of my plans, but I have this uncomfortable feeling it was completely in keeping with the plans of Him Upstairs.

That's what comes of following Jesus and not Julius I guess.