Nathan James Norman
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Nathan James Norman

Husband. Father. Pastor.
Storyteller. Reader. Comic Fan.
Slave of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Orchard Church

Telling Jesus "No"

2/25/2013

18 Comments

 
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Yesterday after church I told Jesus “no.”

Let me back up. Yesterday was one of those rough Sunday mornings for me. I wasn’t overly thrilled with my sermon. And afterward, despite hours and hours of prep, I could objectively say it was a ‘C’ sermon. Not awful. Just average.

My wife and I had to leave church shortly after services concluded (which pains me because I like spending as much time with my church family as possible) because the fetching Mrs. Norman had to go to job training as an intervention teacher.

While she was there I did some errands, went back home to drop off groceries and turned right back around to go pick her up.

As I sat in the school parking lot (way too early for the pick up) I saw an older man laboriously shoveling out his driveway. I didn’t give it much thought (plenty of people were out shoveling) and fiddled around with my phone wondering why I hadn’t brought a book to read. I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes. I was exhausted. I had spent most of Friday doing some maintenance on the church building. I spend a number of hours helping a church member move on Saturday. And preaching is completely and utterly draining. I was done and wondering why I told my wife I would pick her up. All I wanted to do was sleep.

Then God spoke to me through his still, small voice, Go help that man.

“I’m exhausted.” I said in the quiet of my own thoughts. “And how do I even know that you’re really telling me to go help him?”

Go help him. The still voice said again.

“No, Lord.” I said.

Can you really tell your Lord, no? The voice said again (knowing full-well that my theological training would instantly understand “lord” to mean “master” and one to whom another submits to and obeys.)

“Yes.” I actually said out loud.

Silence.

I sat in the car. The still voice stopped.

“Fine.” I said out loud again to my master.

I walked up to this older gentleman, who was out of breath, and I asked him if I could help him shovel. He said no. He was almost ready to go inside for a break. Seriously, Lord? (Those italic thoughts were definitely mine . . . not God’s.)

I was unsure what to do, and the man started talking. So I listened. He talked about the snow plow trucks, World War II history, his adoption, the cost of living, the cost of food, gas prices, weather, global warming, global cooling and a few other things I probably missed. When I found a gap in the conversation, I picked up a shovel and started clearing his sidewalk. My muscles ached from all the heavy-lifting I’d done on Saturday. But I moved the snow, and my new friend kept talking, but now more about himself, his life and his struggles.

After about eight minutes of shoveling he walked up, grabbed my shovel and said, “I’m done for now. Do you want to come inside for a cup of coffee?”

I don’t think a stranger has ever invited me into their home for coffee before. That sort of thing has died from our culture. So, a product of the culture, I thought a brief prayer Lord, I’m going in, I hope you didn’t bring me here to get murdered.

I was inside his house for about fifteen minutes. Our conversation dipped into some deeper areas, but was mostly superficial.

Then my wife called and my new friend walked me out. When we shook hands he didn’t say “thanks for the help” or “thanks for shoveling the walkway.” No. Instead, he said something very bizarre. He said, “Thank you for the conversation.”

Conversation. I wasn’t there to help him shovel at all. I was called there for something more basic, more fundamental: Human Interaction.

Here was someone who needed something so much so that he thanked me for it.

And so, the Scripture from my mediocre sermon came back to convict me: “All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one” not the believers, not the unbelievers, not the church grandmas, not even the pastors (Psalm 14). We . . . I need to call out to Jesus wherever I go because the depths of my selfishness knows no end apart from Him.


18 Comments
Susan Hornbrook
2/25/2013 10:30:41 am

:) Chills. (the good kind, not from the snow)

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Nathan J. Norman link
2/25/2013 12:22:40 pm

Thank you Susan! (I've actually gotten quite accustomed to the snow and the cold. It's a little scary when I find myself saying "I don't need a jacket . . . it's 35!)

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Judy Sheets
2/25/2013 10:34:29 am

Yes, thats my Pastor! You bring tears to my eyes, you are a servent of our God and King, sensitive to the still small voice:) And by the way, your sermon was very convicting, never judge a sermon by how YOU feel about it. Love you and glad you are our Pastor!

Reply
Nathan J. Norman link
2/25/2013 12:26:12 pm

Thank you Judy! I'm feel humbled to be able to pastor such a wonderful congregation! I really mean that. You and the Orchard are beautiful!

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Juli
2/25/2013 10:46:21 am

(tears) This is wonderful story because it is so true, people are so very lonely in this fast paced I'm too busy to look up from my cell phone world. Thank you for listening to him. Just this morning my own 78 yr old mom called with the usual touch base call but we ended up talking about Oscars, her childhood, President Lincoln, what's happening in Rome and the other Oscar in So Africa, her childhood friend's secret problem with alcohol, and the old music of the 40's during wartime they used to sing. All this in a matter of 15 minutes. It is like it is all botteled up and has to get out! And frankly, it does.

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Nathan J. Norman link
2/25/2013 12:29:10 pm

Thank you for posting this . . . I didn't realize that is what was happening in my conversation with this gentleman until you wrote it: "It is like it is all botteled up and has to get out!" It seemed like he needed to talk, but now I understand why we were jumping all over the place. Thank you. Great wisdom!

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Lisa DiGiovanni
2/25/2013 11:23:55 am

Nathan,
That was so delightful to read :) You do wonderful work through your obedience (and I'm glad you didn't get murdered)!!!!!

Reply
Nathan J. Norman link
2/25/2013 12:31:57 pm

Thank you Lisa. I almost didn't put that detail in there, but it really did flash though my thoughts/prayers! What a world we live in!

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Kelli Blaser
2/25/2013 11:32:44 am

I thought the sermon was very convicting also. And I have actually been trying to understand how God speaks to us and that 'still small voice' in particular, that I am always hearing about and have seen in scripture. I think it would take a lot to get me to go and ask someone I don't know if I could help them shovel snow. It might have to be a really loud big voice. I mean I'm pretty shy really. And what if he was mean? I'm glad you had the courage to do it tho. Good thing he didn't murder you.

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Nathan J. Norman link
2/25/2013 12:45:00 pm

Thanks Kelli. I think listening to and hearing from God is a slow learning process. And it's scary to speak so boldly like I did in the post because we've all seen the liars and deceivers say "God told me you should give me all your money" and pretend like they heard from God, when they never did. It's also scary because I often wonder "Am I just making this up? Is this just me thinking?"

In truth I am an infant in that process.

Two books (which corresponded to classes I took) that have been helpful:
1. The God Who Hears by W. Bingham Hunter
http://www.amazon.com/The-God-Hears-Bingham-Hunter/dp/0877846049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361842681&sr=8-1&keywords=the+God+who+hears

2. Deep Preaching by J. Kent Edwards
http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Preaching-Creating-Sermons-Superficial/dp/0805446958/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361842816&sr=1-1&keywords=deep+preaching

Strangely, I think the Deep Preaching book helped more because it trained me in my sermon process to stop mid-way and ask God some specific questions about the text and write down whatever comes to mind. I've probably been doing this for the last 4 years or so and it has changed my life and deepened my relationship with God. In fact, more than any other time, my favorite part of the week is spending time in this focused prayer.

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Alicia LeValley
2/25/2013 02:00:02 pm

Such a great post. You have such a way with words, and a wonderful gift for sharing your very intimate conversation and relationship with God that makes me want to seek Him more. Thank you for sharing. :)

PS - I wonder what God would use here in sunny California? Definitely not shoveling snow... ;)

Reply
Nathan J. Norman link
2/26/2013 01:56:39 am

Thanks Alicia!

Off the top of my head: Raking leaves, helping people with their groceries at the store, and helping wheel out (and back) those big garbage bins. But snow is awesome because even if you're paying for snow removal, everyone eventually has to shovel something and it puts people into contact with each other.

There is ministry to be had when shoveling snow!

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Luis link
2/25/2013 02:11:02 pm

Hahaha, 'Lord, I’m going in, I hope you didn’t bring me here to get murdered'. lol Great story and very encouraging.

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Nathan J. Norman link
2/26/2013 02:14:17 am

Thank you Luis!

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Nikki Baartman
2/25/2013 02:20:17 pm

Hi Nathan,
Hope you guys are good! That was an amazing story and one I will remember when I want to say "no" to my Lord! Thank you. and PS, I am very glad that you did not get murdered!! Take care and God Bless. I am sure God is using you to further His kingdom in great ways.

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Nathan J. Norman link
2/26/2013 02:15:38 am

Hi Nikki! We miss you and the family!
We're enjoying Northern Michigan life and we see God moving. We're blest to be a small part of his work!

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Val Porter
2/26/2013 05:52:19 am

Your story reminded me of Matthew 21:28-31 The Parable of two sons- Which one did what the father wanted? The one who said I will not but did it anyway. It was example of Jesus passing by.

Reply
Nathan J. Norman link
2/26/2013 09:14:32 am

Thank you Val! That's a great "catch"! It amazes me how often Jesus' parable play out right before our eyes every day. They truly are timeless!

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