The cozy beach town of Encinitas, California held an Edge House Party, just a stone’s throw from “Beacons,” a great local surf spot down the cliffs of Encinitas. Many people came through the doors with little idea what to expect. I, myself, arrived late and lightly tapped on the door of the welcoming beach home before peeking my head into an already full living room. Glowing with just candle light, the room smelled of cinnamon, instantly bringing you a sense of peace and comfort. I was accompanied by a couple of friends from Los Angeles who whisked in behind me kicking off their shoes. They came to the Edge House Party to learn more about the ideas of Edge and of Spain that I naturally shared as an intern. We discussed the need for missionaries in the “spiritual wasteland” of Europe; Spain specifically being a place left jaded by forced religious sentiment and tradition. Edge hopes to bring new life and the reality of Jesus Christ to a dry and withered Spain.
We all sat and listened as Arianna described the country that she and her husband lived in. All eyes in the room seemed to brighten at the idea of making a difference through the talents that God Himself has given us. We are unique. We don’t have to be dancers, poets, artists, or even eloquent speakers to change the world. All we have to do is love people with the same love God has poured out on us.
Gayle Skidmore, our talented musician of the night, picked up her banjo and made a little joke before telling the story behind her song. It was about a fella named Rocky who had been provided with a car while living in Hawaii. The car was a piece of “crap,” to quote Gayle. Rocky thought to himself, “Something’s not right here. God gives good gifts, and this car… this isn’t a good gift. This car is a piece of crap.” Rocky prayed for a gift from God and a newer car was provided. Gayle went on to say, “And Rocky’s faith, being what it was, he got that car.” We all sat and listened to a master of a musician and song writer. At the end, there was a silence before the applause. I felt as if we had all been given a great gift that night as a musician played her best to sing a song about a friend’s faith. The song had little to do with getting a new car, and much to do about gifts God has for us. Often, we just have to ask for them. Ask and believe.
I think we all felt like we were a part of something special, or maybe wanted to be a part of something meaningful. We all want to be unique. We all want to do something great. That night, all things seemed possible. We closed our eyes, bowed our heads, and shared in prayer thanking the Creator of the universe for His Son and asking Him to bless the workings that where ahead of us.
The next Edge House Party will be Feb 13th, at the same house in Encinitas… the theme: Discovery. Come one, come all.
