We owned a dog (well, who ever owns a dog?) named Goober. He was a beagle and the name just seemed to be him. Goober's personality was typically beagle which meant he was laid back, howled rather than barked, and had a habit of exploration - generally in someone else's yard.
He would lay in the doorway to the living room knowing he wasn't to go any farther. Oh, there would be a sneaky paw placed just over the line of demarcation between the kitchen tile and the living room carpet. But, that's as far as he would go.
One day I was watching the game while reclining on the couch. Our TV was in front of a window and there were 2 big chairs in each corner. Suddenly, Goober exploded from his sleepy position in the doorway, raced across the carpet, bounced off the first chair, bounced off the second chair, and tore over the couch and me. Absolutely startling! He slid to a stop in the kitchen, walked back to his usual resting place and settled down with a big sigh. It was as if he had to get something out of his system; he did that and it was back to usual. This happened on a few occasions but never with any regularity that we could predict his "out of character" romp.
As I was thinking about today's blog, Goober reminded me of myself. No, I don't lay on the floor in the kitchen. Rose Mary won't let me. But, I do have a tendency to periodically do something "out of character".
Up until 1996, I had always acted as the "up front" guy. You know that guy - he or she is the one you expect to put on the lampshade, so to speak.There was always the thought of how nice it would be to sit in the corner and watch someone else put on the lampshade.
Being in youth ministry for so long it became the "norm" to throw navel salutes, dress up in a superman suit, come down the chimney at Widji in a Santa suit, etc. I wasn't always comfortable but I did it because, well, that's what I had always done and that's what others expected.
When I became Director at camp, I found something changing and it was an epiphany ( A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization). I could sit and watch others do goofy things and trust me, there were enough "goofy" people around that I didn't have to worry we'd run out.
During a nightmare experience at a church left unnamed, I saw a Christian Psychologist who told me I wasn't being honest with who I really am. After a number of sessions he helped me realize how important it was to be me and not someone others expected me to be. I remember one older gentleman referencing my age and fine physique by saying he just couldn't see me "running the bases". I told him I wasn't planning on running the bases but would teach them how to. Not the most profound statement probably, but it was a truth I finally grabbed.
Remember, Peter said Jesus did no sin, Paul said He knew no sin and John said there was no sin in Him. They all said Jesus was sinless but each voiced that truth from who they were - Peter, man of action; Paul, man of letters; John, man of introspection.
My methodology has changed dramatically. The message is the same and sometimes I enjoy a "Goober Moment", but now I have a consistency in ministry that has been rewarding and exciting. So, know yourself and let God use your unique personality and giftedness to serve God in whatever place He has you.
