Come to Me // A Time of Refreshing in My Life, Part 3

Have you ever noticed that people are busy racing around looking after Number One? Very few of them ever stop to give us a hand. In fact, when someone does, it can be so refreshing. In this clamorous, competitive world that we live in (you know what I'm talking about), this world where everybody seems to be looking after number one as their priority one, two and three in life. In that kind of world, it seems so rare that we meet someone who, I don't know, who just comes out of the wood work out of nowhere to help us, to lighten our load, to open doors. Not because of what they can get out of it, but just because they see our need. In fact on the rare occasion that somebody just blesses us like that, out of the blue, it's almost startling. I don't know about you, but with me when someone these days just gives me a leg up – for no other reason than the fact that I need a leg up, well, that speaks so deeply to my heart. It motivates me, it encourages me. It's just so refreshing. I was in the UK recently at a conference, and I don't know how much time you've spent at conferences. This happened to be a radio conference, a Christian Radio conference. And conferences are not only about going and listening to the speakers and learning (I did that and it was great). But they're also about building relationships, networking, talking to people during the breaks, finding out about what other people are doing, making connections, meeting people and getting to know them. And actually three days at a conference is really hard work. It's great opportunity, but it's hard work. I met so many people at this conference, probably seventy or eighty different people (at some stage). But there were two that really stood out for me. One of them was called, Andrew; he is a New Zealander, a 'Kiwi' as we call them. The other one, Joseph, a young African man. Andrew was interesting. He works in the UK. He's a really senior guy with a radio network. And in the world's eye, in my eyes (well you know), he's an important person. He's an executive in a large radio network and yet somehow this Andrew made a point of connecting with me, of just encouraging me. We spent an hour and a half together. And he shared what was on his heart, what was his vision for his radio network, and he listened to me and after the meeting when we went our different ways. Andrew acted and because of him and because of what he did, one of our radio programs is now heard right across Europe just because Andrew was there and we connected. The other one was this young man, Joseph. Joseph heads up a radio school and a media organisation in South Africa. I was really keen to meet his boss while I was at the conference. I wanted to connect with her and discuss some things, but she was really busy. She was talking for most of the conference, she was leading the television sessions and so we just couldn't connect. One morning (the last morning of the conference), Joseph and I ended up sitting next to one another at the breakfast table. I shared with him what I wanted to share with his boss, and he was so encouraging, so enthusiastic. He went back home to Africa (in Cape Town where he lives) and he sent me an email saying, "I really loved what we where talking about, I'm here for you, I'm here to make connections in Africa for you." The guy follows me up; we talk regularly over the internet. I mean what wonderful people – Andrew and Joseph are. In contrast, so many of the other people that I met at the conference – everybody that I met, I got their business card and sent them an email and said, "It was great to catch up with you, nice to meet you." You know some of the people didn't even respond to that email! It's a dog-eat-dog world, and yet Andrew and Joseph were the sort of people that said, "Look, come to me. Let me listen to you, let me help you. I'll be there for you, I'll push with you." Wow! Those guys really stood out head and shoulders above the other people. That doesn't mean there weren't other people that where were just as clever or more talented than Andrew and Joseph. The point was that these two young men decided to connect with me and to help me, to serve me. Jesus, 2000 years ago said: If you're carrying a heavy load come to me and I'll give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, learn from me and you'll see I'm genuine. I'm humble of heart and with me you'll find rest for your souls, because my yoke's easy, my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) This week on A Different Perspective we're looking at our need to have times of refreshing. It's fantastic to get away from the grind and go on holiday. As I said the other day, my wife, Jacqui and I are just about to go and do that. To have some time on a place called, Lord Howe Island, which is the most beautiful and idyllic setting. We need that. But we can't spend our lives trying to escape from reality, always wishing that we could run away. I believe we need times of refreshing right in the ...