Whose resources are they?

This past weekend we learned about the danger of the word "mine". We learned that nothing is ours, everything is God's, and we are just taking care of it for Him.

The church I work at has some random wonderful musical things in it, none of which belong to me, but most of which are at my disposal. I use them, practice with them, and even play with them on stage. But none of it is mine.

The idea that nothing is mine has me up late, thinking about a lot of things. I mean, this blog is a rant blog about "mexicans with resources" and such, but I think about that title... and we are all just people with resources that are given to us by God.

Without God, we have nothing... we are merely people. We don't even have the air to breathe, or the time to live, so we cannot even function as people. Our money, our talents, our possesions... our breath, our live... our salvation, our purpose... all of it is handed down from God, and placed in our hands for His glory.

So what does this do with our "free time"? Is there any time that is ours? Is there any room, any space, that is ours? And if not, is that a bad thing?

I mean, we cannot function as humans without a source of life, and that source is God. So for anything to be ours would be to give us a place where we could rightfully be apart from God, rightfully unplugged from our source. We often think this is a good idea, but ultimately it is like a lamp deciding that unplugging itself from the wall or disconnecting it's batteries would be a good idea. If it were ever to succeed, it would no longer produce light. It would be utterly useless.

I hear often about the need to be "wise" or "smart" by not going to certain places or helping certain people. But God uses the foolish to confound the wise, and derides the man who is wise in His own eyes. Yet, He calls us to pursue wisdom while she may be found, and implores us to be wise.

It seems like a contradiction, but it isn't. The only way to have a heart humble enough to not take pride in the wisdom it is given is to know the One who gives wisdom, the source of all knowledge. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" we hear in the Proverbs.

I still can't sleep.

New Place, New Resources

So I am now in Arizona, working at an awesome church here in Mesa. I am loving every moment of it. This is definitely an example of a Mexican With Resources.

I am able to practice on many instruments, and watch high quality recordings to see what I can improve upon. I am part of an amazing team of guys that love the Lord, and I consider their wisdom one of the most amazing resources I could ask for. The sound system I get to play on is cranked enough to shake the ceiling of this huge church, literally. This is amazing.

I am telling you this to give you a context for my rants in the coming months. I will be ranting on certain resources, and the difference between South Texan churches and this church. I can tell you right now that there is exactly one church in South Texas that comes even close to this one, and most churches there would be ridiculously happy with the youth sound system at this Arizona church being their main system. I can also tell you that my old band, Cultivate, would pee their pants if they could play on this system.

I would continue, but now is not the time for rants. For now I will simply say that this residency is perhaps the most rockin' thing to happen to me, ever.