Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Lunch with Ed

I had lunch with Ed Stetzer today. Ed is Director of LifeWay Research here in Nashville. He is one of the "top dogs" in the areas of church planting and missional research. I've talked with him on several occasions, but today was the first time I actually sat down to pick his brain a little.

For the last few years, I've been impressed with his research and writings. Today, I was impressed with his willingness to take time out of his extremely busy schedule to have lunch with me. He offered some advice, he offered some encouragement, but there was one thing that he said that jumped out at me. He said (my paraphrase):
"I'm 41 years old, and your forties are usually the years of greatest impact in ministry. I want to use the next decade to change the world."
As I heard him say those words, I couldn't help but be inspired. I believe God will use Ed in the next decade. I'm 30 years old, and I want the next 20 years of my life to count--not so that I can feel good about myself, not so that others will applaud me, but so that more people will find their salvation and joy in the God who loves them and gave himself for them (Galatians 2:20).
What about you? Whether you're 20, 30, 40, or 50 years old, let me beg you: Use the talents, gifts, abilities, passions, money, and time God has given you to change your community and your world.
Ed, thanks for the inspiration today!
You can check out Ed's popular blog at http://www.edstetzer.com/.

1 comment:

Mark said...

As someone past 50, I can't say he inspired me very much. Think maybe I'll go to bed early. ;^) {Think going to bed early is why us "old" guys don't make so much of an impact?]