Inspired By An Echo (Toyota, that is...)

“Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”                      Luke 12:15  (NIV)

This past weekend, Kim and I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with several of the men and women who help to shepherd and lead the Los Angeles family of Churches.  It was a time to reconnect with many of our friends who are scattered throughout LA and surrounding areas.  It was great to sing familiar worship songs together, hear from so many about their vision for their ministries, and to see elders Al and Gloria Baird publicly receive the honor that was due them.  One of the ministers from the OC, Kevin Mains, did a lesson that definitely grabbed my attention (still processing) and all in all it was a good time—but there was one unexpected event in particular (K. Holland would call it serendipitous) that inspired me unlike anything else…

            As we arrived at the venue and started walking through the parking lot toward the auditorium, an evangelist (that’s basically a Church builder) that we know from another ministry drove by and waved.  We waved back as he passed us and kept going down the lot to find a parking space.  We kept walking when all of a sudden, it just dawned on me “Wow, he’s driving a Toyota Echo.”  Now understand, I wasn’t down on that at all.  Quite the contrary—I was actually impressed.  Here’s this late-forty-something year old, experienced minister who has spent his life building churches, loving and serving people, leading his wife and family, respected by many for impacting their lives—DRIVING A TOYOTA ECHO! 

Before I go on, take a minute to Google “Toyota Echo.”

  As you can see, it’s a compact car.  Really compact.  Not flashy.  Not super impressive.  Definitely not the kind of car that screams out “I’m important!  Look at me!” For some reason this understatement (or possibly even anti-statement) he was making (whether intentional or not) spoke volumes to me.  I mean, let’s be real, we’re all tempted to get our significance from something outside of God; what we drive, what we wear, where we live, where we work, where we went to school, etc.  Even as Christians, we spend so much time assessing our own and each other’s value based on these things.  It seems like the older I get the more I have to fight the urge to feel like I have to accomplish, acquire and impress in order to be perceived as "worthy" or “respectable” and yet here’s this man who I highly esteem and respect choosing to go completely counter to this line of thinking.  In a day and age where many religious figures in the media are leaving us with anything but favorable impressions… (don’t get me started.)  The bottom line is that this was just refreshing to my soul.  I guess, when I think about it, it just made me grateful; like I had something to shoot for.

  Now please hear this, and try not to get it tangled: I’m not mad at anyone who wants to drive a nice car, or live in a big house or whatever.  This isn't about that. The point is not to over-generalize Christian lifestyles and I’m definitely not the one who's trying to mandate some standard for ministers and the cars they drive.  That’s on you to work it through with God; I’m not the judge or the jury.  But here’s what I am saying—I am glad that I can choose not to be defined by any of that, I am inspired by spiritual leaders who display a degree of consciousness in their daily lives in that area, and as difficult as it can be at times, I will strive to be like them.

 Modesty, humility and sacrifice are truly inspiring.

  What really impresses me is how many men and women in our church family, leaders and otherwise, are choosing to forsake luxury, comfort and decadence in order to focus their energy on helping others.  The evangelist I mentioned above is not alone.  There are many of you who have chosen to quietly sacrifice and allow God to define you;  and people are being inspired by you, even when you don't realized it.

Thanks for taking the time.

Curtis

Comments

[Steve]

C-Money, refreshing perspective from the capital of narcissism and celebrity culture, I mean LA. Complementary words of inspiration from Sensei Dyer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRAewRQl_ZY

[Ashley Fleming]

Curits! What a great read and just know that, your writing, is all at once funny, easy to read and very humbly vulnerable and INSPIRING!! I laughed out loud when you said before going any further go google a toyota echo....which i did :)

This kind of reminder and message is constantly the reminder that we ALL need.....and living in LA LA land; most definitely!!