The “C” in YMCA

Do you know what the “C” stands for in YMCA?

I don’t recall the Village People mentioning it in their song.

This weekend I’m getting a glimpse of the “C” in action at the YMCA of the Ozarks here in MO. The YMCA networked with a group of churches for the weekend to host an event called Faithfest. They have brought me in to share the Gospel. I speak twice Saturday and once Sunday.

The weekend has been great so far, despite my battle with sickness and lack of sleep. But that’s my fault. I’ve been full throttle for a few weeks now without taking a day off. Unfortunately, my body is already rebelling (soar throat… feeling sick).

Friday morning when the alarm went off at 3:45AM… it was hard to get up. I jumped on a plane to Denver. Two hours later I hustled to my St. Louis connection… another 2 hours, and I landed in St. Louis. I actually dozed off a few times in the plane– uncommon for me. I usually can’t sleep on a plane.

I hopped in a rental car (not a SmartCar this time!) and grabbed a quick bite before heading to the YMCA of the Ozarks. By the time I arrived… I was beat. Luckily, the workers at the Y were warm and hospitable. They gave me a nice room overlooking the lake. Pretty country.

I literally went to bed at 8PM (which was 6PM my time), and I was out for the count!!! Next thing I know, the alarm went off at 8AM. Wow. 12 hrs in bed. I used every minute of it!

Do you think this is why God told us to take a day of rest. (Stop sinning Jonathan… take a freaking day off!)

The good news… I feel 100% better this morning.

Enough about Jonathan. Back to the YMCA. The acronym stands for Young Men’s Christian Association.

The people here at the “Y” are very cool. It seems that they want to bring the “Why” back into the “Y.” I can tell it’s a struggle in a world that wants to be politically correct. Let’s face it. For decades now, a lot of the people at the “Y” haven’t focused much on the C. So I credit these guys for being intentional about focusing on the C.

In a country where the word “Christian” is often a repellant, I hope that His believers can really bring a focus back on Christ. Jesus was amazing. His love, compassion and grace attracted crowds of thousands. The worse the sinner, the more they wanted to see Jesus. Even Samaritans– the ones who had seemed to sway so far from the truth– were amazed by his message of love and grace.

Balance that with the fact that Jesus never budged on his theology. The same Jesus that dined with sinners, and showed mercy to pagans and adulterers… that same Jesus wasn’t afraid to say, “I’m the only way.” (John 14:6) Or, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14)

Far from politically correct.

The very Jesus that “didn’t come into the world to condemn the world,” (John 3:17) wasn’t afraid to tell people the truth.

He loved them that much.

Props (hat tip) to YMCA of the Ozarks.

If you’re reading this blog Saturday. Pray for me at 7PM Missouri time as I share the Gospel. If you’re reading this Sunday morning, pray for me at around 10 AM when I’ll be talking about living a life of faith in Jesus “day to day.” If you’re reading this after then… pray anyway. God is timeless.  🙂