How to be mentored at 51...

It's the Lawnmower guy! Every year when I come to Rockbridge, I look forward to a chat with John Hartsock the lawnmower guy. He told me today that this year marks his 50th year with Young Life. Not always as the Lawnmower guy. When John was in Montgomery County, MD he was a committee member, chairman several times, club leader, trip leader every year, camp staff, and now retired to Lexington and 'The Lawnmower Guy' at Rockbridge.

His wisdom and experience and MEMORY amazes me. We start talking about people we know and remember, then he'll tell a story (maybe about someone who became a famous YL staffer, who he caught when they were in high school - smooching behind the "Town Hall"). Then he'll talk about my friends that he remembers from High School & College and he'll tell me their God stories. People like Tuck Knupp, Pat Goodman, Mike O'leary, Tom Parker, Jim Cummings, John King, Doug Holladay, of course and so many others. John mentored and ministered to these young men (who in turn mentored & ministered to me). Then he will tell me stories of how God touched his life through more great men of the Lord: Dick Halverson, Doug Coe, Bud Bylsema and on and on. Can you see the chain - "Things you have heard me say, entrust to reliable people who in turn can teach others (2 tim. 2:2). That is what we are living out here. And once a year I hang out with this saint...

Do you know what he told me today? He's ready for the next challenge in YL. He wants to spend July & August at YL's Malibu Camp being the Yacht Captain. I didn't even know there was a Yacht Captain. Every summer there is a couple who (when the Whistle Blows) they go down to the dock and watch the random boat come in. They escort these people off the boat, give them a Captain's Tour of the property, treat them to a meal if the time is right and tell them about the wonders of kids' lives changed by the Gospel. What a PR opportunity that is!

Then my friend John encouraged me with the words of the Lord, "Let them know about people like me." he said. That is people who put the Lord 1st in all they do. That is people who will work to have enough money to invest time and energy in letting seeking high school kids hear the Gospel in a way that is tuned to their ears. That is people who will never quit the "Gospel Business". Whatever it takes!

I guess today I had my own Life After College track. I learned from John that this is not a business we retire from. The Lord's work takes many forms. If somebody needs their grass cut so that Kids can see excellence, we'll be there. If someone needs to talk to a fisherman, then the Lord will talk about fish. The Lord will talk about Wind & Weather to someone who wants to know about WInd & Weather. John's message - "Whatever it takes!"

Are we that sold out? Or is the Gospel that thing that we learn about in Church, or on a CD or at a conference? Or is the Gospel that thing we live when we look for every opportunity to preach the Gospel even if it's cutting Grass or baking cookies or being a Yacht Captain in British Columbia.

Thank You John - today you took me to school...