Sean Gasperetti

Don’t Waste Your Life.

“I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider a story in the February 1998 edition of the Reader’s Digest, which tells about a couple who ‘took early retirement from their jobs in the Northwest when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball, and collect shells.’ At first, when I read it I thought it might be a joke. A spoof on the American dream. But it wasn’t. Tragically, this was the dream: Come to the end of your life - your one and only precious, God-given life - and let the last great work of your life, before you give an account to your Creator, be this: playing softball and collecting shells. Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgement. ‘Look, Lord. See my shells.’ This is a tragedy. And people are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. Over against that, I put my protest: Don’t buy it. Don’t waste your life.”

-John Piper
Don’t Waste Your Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossways Books, 2003) 45-46

Water your roots.

Kara and I planted some trees in our yard this summer. I felt so proud of myself…dug these fat holes in the super thick clay soil the builders so kindly provided us with. Took the time to throw some fertilizer down, break up the roots, and lower these bad boys into the ground. Boy do they look good in my yard!

These are arborvitae trees. They are most commonly used to 1) provide a wonderful green atmosphere and 2) create somewhat of a natural “fence.” We love our neighbors, it’s just weird that we can stare at each other and listen in to private conversations while eating dinner on our respective back porches!

We planted these trees during the drought we had in August. Granted, it was only a few weeks long, but it was still enough to let up on the rain! I suppose my green thumb is still in development, because I was only watering them every few days. Living in Seattle, I was somewhat under the assumption that we would have rain at least 3 times a week, but with summer actually arriving, it didn’t really turn out that way. Over the course of the past several weeks, I’ve watched our lush, green trees begin to turn brown and droopy (as you can see above). I felt so stupid when my mom asked me, “Have you been watering them every day?” The root system probably wants to punch me right in the face for being so negligent. Sorry root system, I’m still figuring out how to maintain a yard. #whatittakestobeaman

Now for the spiritual parallel: I started thinking about my spiritual life, and how it takes maintenance. I remember when I really gave my life to Jesus, and how it felt to be totally in love with Him. I lived off that high for a long time. I would read my Bible sometimes, but mostly just thought about how cool it was that I was rooted in Him. There have been many seasons like this in my life. I realized that if I didn’t spend time with the Lord in prayer and worship (including reading), my spiritual well-being would dry up quickly. I often relied on these spiritual boosts from camps, church gatherings, or even worship albums. However, if I went too long without drenching myself in the Word and in His presence, I would dry right up.

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis suggests, “if you examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how many of them would turn out to have reasoned out of it by honest argument? Do not most people simply drift away?” Most cases in which I have seen someone walk away from the faith, it’s not because they came to a logical decision to leave. It’s often because the roots stopped being watered. Fellowship with other believer’s to encourage them and walk through hard times was neglected. The church wasn’t “feeding” them. There are plenty of reasons. The fact is, we must FEED OURSELVES. My pastor says this from the pulpit often. FEED YOURSELF. Water your roots. Stay nourished and connected.

Anyone can say that it’s silly to believe in something that one could so easily slip away from. I would have to disagree. Relationships take effort. In fact, everything in life takes effort! If you eat poorly and don’t work out, you get fat. If you don’t practice an instrument, you get worse. If you stop talking to your spouse, you lose them. It’s the same with faith. Many expect that a belief system should just be, and somehow serve you. The fact is, it’s not about you. It’s about Him, and what He did. I don’t serve a God who caters to my every desire, I serve a God who saw how messed up I was and saved my life. That’s worth working at. That’s worth investing in. That’s worth watering.

Water your roots.

Transitions.

For the past 2 years (almost), I’ve been serving as the Student Ministries Pastor of Cross View Church. I never anticipated that the Lord would lead me into youth ministry, but I am honestly so glad that He did. It’s been such a good season of life, growth, and learning. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

In mid-June, I will be starting as the Worship Pastor at Shoreline Community Church. This is a pretty amazing thing for me to be heading into, simply because I’ve been pursuing worship ministry since I was about 14 years old. I never would have imagined as a skinny, awkward Jr. High kid that sucked at basketball, that I would one day be pastoring people towards a growing relationship with Jesus, especially through music. In all of this, I’ve seen how the Lord’s hand has been on my life through all kinds of seasons, and that He’s been preparing me for what is just around the corner. I’m terribly excited. :)

While I’m moving forward with complete confidence in where God is leading us, I also feel a sense of loss for the loved ones I’m leaving behind in my church. My church staff, volunteers leaders, and the students (plus many more). We have been blessed by Cross View Church, and I honestly feel that we are leaving with more that we have even been able to give. I will continue to pray for God’s best for Pastor Mark, and everyone at Cross View Church.

To all my students at Pursuit Student Ministries: It has been an absolute honor to lead you this past few years. Like I said at youth group on Wednesday, Jesus has been the true pastor all along; when you’ve followed me, you’ve actually been following Him. He’s MY shepherd and pastor, and I hope that you realize that He has been yours all along. I love you all deeply, and hope that our friendships will remain intact over the next several years, much like my relationships with former leaders have. Even if we are in different churches, we are still a part of the same team. Never forget that.

Lord Jesus, this next season of life is yours, just like every other season of my life has been. Thank you for the life you’ve given me and the adventures I’ve experienced. May my life be a living sacrifice to you, and a blessing to others. Amen.

Battle Royale!

Ok, so maybe it’s a little silly. But Honestly…we’ve ALL seen them.

Facebook Feuds.

Whether we have participated or not, there is something interesting about people getting into an “internet cage match” without ever speaking face to face. When posting a seemingly controversial status update, folks who usually are lucky for a like open up a can of worms they may have never expected. It could be about anything too; religion, politics, Nickelback, or even Lady Gaga’s weird meat dress. No matter the issue, people are looking for something to talk about, something to believe in.

I’ll admit it…I’ve found myself, in my younger, more immature years, participating in such banter. :) How could I help myself? I am a passionate person! When someone is dissing someone/something close to my heart, I’m ready to throw some knuckles! Well…at least some digital ones. I have always had to ask myself in the end…was this worth it? Was the comment section of a status update the place to defend what I believe? Or am I leaving this forum of frenzy feeling more embarrassed than anything?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I am embarrassed about what I believe. I’m simply not. However, did I handle myself in a manner of maturity that really, at the end of the day, exemplified a peaceable follower of Jesus? Was Jesus truly excited about how I one-upped someone on Facebook? I know He would want me to represent Him well (even on the interwebs), but maybe not within the confines a useless quarrel.

Here’s my other thought: haven’t we ALL realized that e-mail, text messaging, and the like are HORRIBLE places to have a serious debate/confrontation?? Sheesh. I can’t tell you how many awkward conversations I’ve found myself a part of within some sort of digital arena that I wished I could have totally avoided. No wonder our culture is so afraid to confront each other, or even just totally dysfunctional at it. I’m convinced that face to face/ear to ear (?) conversation is the best way to hash it out, if necessary.

If you have found yourself participating in this kind of discussion online, as I’m sure many of us have, don’t take this as some sort of rebuke. Just consider this; is it worth it? Honestly, maybe it is sometimes! But the more I’ve participated in stuff like this, the more I’ve realized, most of the time, it’s just a waste of time. In other words, “60% of the time, it works every time!”

Now comment away and start a big argument about it! ;)

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” (2 Timothy 2:23)