Spirit Scouts

The Boy Scouts taught me: “Always be prepared.”

But we are Spirit Scouts: “Always be heart-led.” That’s as much preparation as we really need.

First off, let me reiterate that the Internet isn’t likely to go away anytime soon. As long as it remains possible, I’ll be here and you can find me if you need me. However, there’s too good of a chance that you can’t access the Internet at times when crisis strikes. You should work toward needing me less and clinging more to the faith and message. I’m no more the Messiah than you are; many of you are more than my equal. Let me lean on you, too.

Don’t just drink from the fountain — gush yourself.

Granted, I knew with divine certitude that I was called to blaze trails. That’s not everyone’s gift. My brain was tweaked to work like a shovel, digging up stuff long buried. But I didn’t do this so I could be alone. I dug it up so that others could find it, too, because that’s the way these paths should be. God laid the paths and has invited some of us to do a little trail maintenance because He intends that someone should live in the land of His blessings.

So take the path and get to know it. Explore that Glory Land and know it for yourself. Settle in, and then go tell others about it. By no means are we the only ones doing this, so don’t be surprised when you stumble across folks who seem to evince a familiarity with this Land of the Heart. God has been calling all kinds of people, dragging them in from under every bush and rock because the people who were supposed to come refused (Matthew 22). We are likely ill-equipped to decide who should be allowed to live there with us, so we allow the Lord to decide to eject whomever displeases Him and fails to wear the garment of holiness He gives to all who ask.

All you can know is what He demands of you, so draw your own maps. Learn to work as a Spirit Scout; don’t just follow others. Right now, the place is really wide open and just getting folks to take a few steps in the right direction is a monumental task. It’s a rugged and narrow way. Share your experiences so we can all know it better. It’s certain you’ll experience something others have missed. Learn to draw the maps for yourself.

Let’s build a new civilization, a new reality. The world still lives in the Shadowlands and won’t leave easily. Their reality is fake, but it’s all they know. It’s a tall order to push those familiar shadows aside and reflect the divine light. Lots of dirt and shadow to shed; everyone is born with a dirty mirror.

Sure, the preparation is never done. There’s always one more new experience — another merit badge He awards. In this way, crisis becomes mundane, another training exercise for something else. If He chose you, it’s for certain He intends to use you. If you are heart-led, you can’t keep it to yourself. Isolation is just a passing condition on the way to fellowship and communion with others. The only reason for being able to stand alone is so you can get enough space to build a new home for others.

Scouts out!