During the first few years of our marriage Tracy listened to, collected, and adored the music of Rich Mullins. There was not an album or video that hit the shelves she did not own. Even after his death we traveled as a family to Wichita to see the “Canticle of the Plains” and she took Matthew to the festival workshops the following year. I believe Rich was symbolic of something inside her that might have been lived out, had she not chosen an instant family and bigger one to follow.  His life was a statement made to a society which had seemingly lost all sense of what is important. To her, it was not just the words of his songs she related to, but the character of the man, his commitment to a Franciscan type lifestyle and his tireless dedication to a group of Native Americans who he was burdened to help.

In my younger years I would have done my best to downplay the adoration of a prominent musician, but in some ways Rich was different and not nearly as intimidating to the normally fragile male ego. Rich was an enigma even among Christian musicians because he simply did not fit into the normal trappings of a highly visible position. Though many choose a lifestyle of privilege and luxury, he took a small salary and apportioned the rest, through a board of responsible men, to those in need of help and direction. For those who are committed to passages like Matthew 23:11 and understand the value of sertvanthood, what was there not to like?

I have a fear and a great deal of concern for you and our generation when it comes to this concept. I trust your faith, but our society has strongly embraced the “me” mindset and bombarded you with advertisements to induce an inward focus and thereby enhance man’s already selfish nature. The Christian community, although it does provide opportunities, is more strongly focused on developing your personal spiritual life than helping meet the needs of those who have fewer resources than we waste away on a regular basis. I wonder sometimes if we and most “Christian families” really understand “It is better to give than receive.”

Kids, I would ask you today to find someplace quiet to sit, meditate, ponder, pray, or whatever you feel is appropriate about someone or a group of people who you could share with. It may not be money, initially, but at least start with giving your time and love. There are so many who did and do not have what you have been blessed with. When you experience the gift of giving, you will have a joy that is greater and longer lasting than a new toy or pleasure. When you illustrate your understanding of someone else’s value to God, their face will light up and you will modify the way you think. To know that you have given encouragement where there was none, to hug and hold someone who has not felt the warmth of another human’s affection, or simply to give something in the name of Christ will change the dynamics of how you view your personal world and the world around you. You’ll gain the same sense of joy inside you that Rich Mullins felt when he penned the words of “Our God is an awesome God.”

Giving is a lot better than you may imagine – it is one of the few things that is more than it is cracked up to be! Try it, you’ll like it!

Love,

Dad