December 05, 2006

Good News and Secrecy

“Andrew, come in here and shut the door.”

“Okay, Chris. What’s up?”

“I need to know when you’re coming back from Thanksgiving.”

“Ummmm, I plan to come back on Saturday afternoon.”

“Perfect, I need you to upload some stuff on Sunday morning.”

“Huh?”

“Here’s the deal: you can’t tell anyone about this, but a pastoral candidate will be announced that Sunday, and we need to place his info online then.”

“Sweet.”


Later that week….

“So, Andrew, I’ve heard that we’re getting a new pastor. Have you heard anything about it?”

“A new pastor…really?”

“Yea, I guess you don’t know anything.”

“I wish I knew something.”


It was agonizing to avoid the questions. I had such good news that I couldn’t share.


“Andrew, come check this out.”

“Check what out?”

“Now remember you can’t tell anyone. I mean no one at all.”

“Sure. My lips are sealed.”

“What do you think of Jacque’s design?” [Shows printed piece]

“It’s nice. I like the blue gradient and the boxes.”


About the new pastor: “So, Andrew, do you know who it is?”

“Ummm. No.”

“Would you tell me if you did?”

“No.”

“You know, don’t you?”

[Winks]

“You know, for the past few weeks, I’ve known that we’re getting a new pastor. And for the past week, I’ve known who is coming. I’ve been so excited at the news, but I couldn’t tell anyone. It stinks.

“But every day of my life for the past 15+ years, I’ve had better news than this, yet I don’t share it with the same passion that I want to share this good news. That’s sad to me because the things I say I believe don’t actually translate into how I live my life. I say Christ is great, but I treat him like a big secret I don’t want to tell.”


Time passed and I was able to share my good news about our new pastor. It was quite cathartic. I kept the secret. It was tough.


Recently, I’ve learned of more great news. And like the past, it’s another secret to keep for another month of my life.

But I look forward to telling you about this one too. And I look forward to sharing the greatest secret in life.

Comments

bethany Said: (December 7, 2006 08:26 PM)

what is this secret?!

umm, anyway...do you have any supercool new years plans?

Eric Said: (December 22, 2006 11:27 PM)

ANDREW MADDOX, ARE YOU PREGNANT?! Or at the very least are you getting married? I guess the later really should come first. Geez, man, you can't say such a thing and then just leave us all hanging out here! SPEAK UP! :)