“Read it,” he said, “remind yourself of where you’re coming from and what you agreed to do.”
That piece of advice was essential.
So much had happened for Gavin over the last seven years. His star had rocketed. The success came in at a rate he had not bargained for. It was exhilarating at first, but now he felt overwhelmed. Looking to meet this demand and endeavouring to please that person, it took a lot out of him. His wife, Julie, noticed the change more than anyone. He kept a brave face for the outside world. At home, however, he had become more distant. She sensed that he was pressured by everything that was happening. She tried to reach him, but he was not being receptive.
It was when she finally reached out to Grant’s mentor, Bill, that she felt able to share her concerns to someone who might be able to do more than her. She didn’t like seeing her husband struggling in this way and the effect it was having on their marriage.
Bill eventually got in touch with Grant.
“Hey Grant.”
“Ahhhhh hey Bill, man. Great to hear from you, sorry I missed your calls. I would have called back, but I’ve been so busy …”
“No worries, I notice that things have changed for you.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s been so hectic of late.”
“I hear that. So how’s it going?”
“Well it’s so busy, Bill. From one thing to the next, it’s so busy, meetings, events, planning and so much. It’s good though, it’s really good. I can’t believe how blessed I am.”
“Sure, sure, but how are you, Grant?”
“I’m OK … I’m OK … it’s just … so busy …”
“Grant? … Grant?”
“Yeah, Bill.”
“Seriously, man. How are you?”
Bill heard a big sigh from the other end of the line.
“Bill. It’s just … so much. It’s just so much, man. I’m …” his mentor was in receipt of another deep sigh, “I’m not sure if I’m coping to be honest. In fact I’m not coping at all. I’m barely making it through from day to day.”
“I hear you, Grant. I hear you.”
“I just don’t know what to do. there’s so much. I don’t want to let anyone down, I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but it’s just … a lot to take on. Bill, I don’t what to do.”
“Hey Grant. Listen to me. I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to share that.”
“Yeah, well. You’re like the first person I’ve been able to talk to about it. I don’t know how to … or even if I can talk to anyone else that way. I’m just grateful that you’re there.”
“You know I’m happy to help in any way that I can.”
“Well what do I do, Bill? Help me out.”
“Grant. You remember what we did when we first linked up?”
“Yeah, I remember. Ten years ago, now, wasn’t it? You asked me to sit down, study the life of Jesus and pray. And then after praying to make a note of what I felt God was saying without feeling any pressure that He had to be saying something all the time.”
“Yeah and what happened after that?”
“Oh yeah – the personal manifesto of the call of God on my life!”
“That’s right. I remember you being excited about it when you wrote your first draft.”
“Ah man, I remember it like it was yesterday. Wowsers, what a blast from the past.”
“You remember what I told after that first draft?”
“… Ohhhhhhhh … wait a minute, wait a minute. Don’t tell me. You gave me a verse didn’t you? …. Oh yeah, ‘Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act.’. What’s that? Psalm 73?”
“37.”
“Yeah, I remember you telling me to meditate on that Psalm and on that part in particular. That did wonders to ground and centre me on what was important. It really influenced how that manifesto was shaped.”
“I remember you saying the same thing at the time. I also remember you having that verse as the centrepiece of your manifesto. A reference point in case you wandered from the track …”
“… Wait a minute, you’re saying I’ve wandered from the track?”
“That’s what you’re asking, that’s not what I’m saying. But what do you think?”
“…”
“What’s your relationship like with God at the moment?”
“…”
“Hey, Grant, I’m not here to give you a hard time. It’s probably worth doing yourself a favour.”
“What’s that, Bill?”
“You remember that verse? You remember that document you made as a result?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Read it, remind yourself …”
(Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 