Rich Dixon is looking away from the easy thing:

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Jon’s been writing about The Sermon on the Mount – feels like, if I took Jesus at his word, it’s an invitation to do difficult things.

As Bob Goff says, we ought to be content in our circumstances, but that’s not a hall pass for inaction.

Sadly, “easy” seems to be my true calling.

Doing the difficult thing doesn’t seem to be part of my DNA. Given the choice, a meaningless football game easily consumes an afternoon.

Most of Jesus’ time on Earth wasn’t easy. He walked long distances and was confronted by powerful opposition and challenging circumstances at nearly every turn. He found contentment in solitary time with his Father, which seemingly allowed him to continue to choose difficult things.

We’re beginning FREEDOM TOUR season, and I’ll confess – just between you and me – it’s a time of angst for me. Will people show up? Will I get the details right? How will I deal with the inevitable change and uncertainty of a new year?

Will we find the right balance between building community and raising the funds that are so important for the kids at the Home of Hope?

After yet another trip around the sun, will I still be able to crank my handcycle?

You and I know how to deal with all this angst, of course, because Jesus provided the model. Spending time with God – seeking the same sort of contentment Jesus found.

Because I already know the answer to all the other stuff: Do our best, where we are, with what we have – and trust Jesus for the outcome.

If I can approach The FREEDOM TOUR with the contentment that comes from really believing that statement, perhaps I’ll be able to resist the call for everything to be easy.

I hope you’ll join us.