Primed

Few accomplishments rival the relief of landing a job in one’s profession of choice soon after finishing years of intense work and study. While the news of gaining his first-ever gig – professorship in the energy industry – sparked real delight, our Southeast Asia friend Nguyen (now ‘Doctor Nguyen’) would soon meet with yet another thrill.

The past several years had, in hindsight, proved a watershed season for his young family. As newcomers to a strange, intriguing culture (America), the Nguyens had been befriended and afterward deeply comforted by a little band of Jesus-followers.

Along the way, they had permitted themselves to revisit and question some of their earlier assumptions about culture, faith – even foundational matters of life’s meaning.

In time they had yielded themselves to Christ, receiving him as Lord. They encountered his comforting presence, as well, during the grievous loss of their newborn. They utterly embraced Jesus as companioning master for all of life “here on out”. The twists and turns of those recent years – carrying forward in the real world in the company of faithful brothers and sisters – had, at the core, set the Nguyen household on a radical trajectory of purpose. With no desire to content themselves with a status-quo Christian faith, the couple brought a single-mindedness to walking closely with their Savior who had given – and continued giving – life to them. Whatever the future, the Nguyens were on mission to share the life with others.

As to that further thrill – the one beyond the teaching job.

The fresh position meant relocating from Tulsa to another city and state westward. After their move, Professor Nguyen and his wife had a surprise discovery. Their new place of residence was home to a large community (some ten thousand) of their own overseas countrymen. Of common culture and common language and common flavors suited to the Southeast Asian tastebud.

Ignatian Spirituality conveys a happy sentiment, “May the God of surprises delight you”.

A single small church existed to serve and reach out to this large ethnic population of the city.

It was to this environment the young professor was sensing a clear leading. Primed for worship and for witness, through community.

©2024 Jerry Lout 

Poised

Mr. Tang’s baptism was warmly celebrated at our Thirty-fourth and Garnett Rd Church. Pastor Steve Morgan administering the sacred rite. The sacrament affirmed, as for so many others across the centuries, evidence of a brand new identity. Mr. Tang was a reborn creation, his old life yielded up in exchange for his new life of Christ within.

How wonderful of the Lord, bringing a precious man with essentially no knowledge of Jesus from the far side of the globe to this place – in this time – for this purpose.

People are different from one another. An understatement. In each of our world’s seven-billion-plus souls, there is written a unique human story. And, while every story varies, all our journeys pulse with deep yearnings. Amazingly, the Designer God who formed us can meet us where we are – poised and ready to lead us toward himself. Some of our personal narratives may feature, as with Mr. Tang, a case of disentangling from chemical substances. Step by slow step our transformation gains traction. We may suffer setbacks. He is faithful still.

For others, the prevailing vice is the obsessive drive to excel in education or business. Human beings have a notorious capacity for succumbing to hard-driving taskmasters.

Our friend, Nguyen, from Southeast Asia pursued a common aim in the world of higher education, to advance as a leading scholar in his chosen field.

One evening at the student activities center an English conversation volunteer introduced Nguyen to a series of fantasy pieces. One of these featured a wardrobe and a lion and a witch.  Nguyen’s own narrative was poised to turn a corner.

©2024 Jerry Lout