By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan
My wife, son, and I were playing the board game, TransAmerica. The board is a map of the United States with 35 cities highlighted. Each player picks five cities at random, then must connect them with train tracks. For example, you might get San Francisco, Santa Fe, Dallas, Boston, and Winston. That’s right. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is one of the cities. There must be a story behind that!
As we were preparing to play, my son said, “I just realized that I’ve been to all but seven of these cities.” I took a closer look at the board and said, “I’ve been to all but five!” (Medford, Sacramento, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Duluth, if you must know.)
As I reflected on that, I considered how easy travel is today for those who have the time and money to make a trip. In earlier generations, most people stayed in the community where they were born and raised. Only the extremely wealthy with loads of leisure time could imagine seeing every state capitol or every National Park. People with limited resources spent them in the county, not all over the country.
Now, there are many more opportunities for travel outside the United States map. Most of the members of the Bible study group I lead regularly travel internationally for work or pleasure. It’s a “different world” from my childhood. “When I was your age…” is a phrase I don’t speak, but I often think.
A common image in poetry and song and graduation speeches is that of life as a journey. Every person has had a unique journey that has brought them to where they are today. One person’s journey was shaped by a strong Christian family, while another’s journey was shaped by a faith vacuum until invited as an adult to join a Bible study. One person’s journey led to work in a factory while another’s led them to fly a plane. There is an interesting blend of how our experiences shape our faith and how our faith shapes our experiences. Which has shaped your journey the most?
Last week, I attended a concert of singer/song-writers. One, Sam Robbins, shared his experience with the program, Music Therapy Retreats, that pairs a songwriter with a veteran. The goal is to write a song together. Sam was paired with 70-year-old Rich, who had no idea how to begin. Sam asked, “If you were to write a letter to the 17-year-old you, what would you say?” Then the stories poured out – the girl who became his wife, the support of friends – and the importance of accepting that help when it’s needed. Together, Sam and Rich wrote the song, “You Don’t Know What I Know.” Rich’s journey, it turns out, did have images and themes that helped him make sense of his life.
A good leader listens. Ask journey questions and see what surprising, insightful stories gush out. “How did you come to that opinion?” “When did your faith become very real to you?” “What places are significant to understand who you are today?”
Ask, and you will receive – more than either of you expect.
To hear Sam’s story about Rich’s story, watch this link at 19:52 minutes.
These thoughts are from Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan, our partner based out of Lewisville, North Carolina. He is a 20+-year member of Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC where he leads an adult Bible study, serves as a deacon and on the Vision Navigation Team. He has also ministered in various leadership roles from local churches to state and national levels. Contact him for more information on how our partner can help you.