I also decided to wait until a week after my return had passed before posting my reflections on the conference. Had I posted during or immediately after the event, I would have gushed about Sproul’s or Piper’s message (which were excellent, as were the others), or about how much the worship moved me (apparently, hands were raised, which isn’t something I’m prone to do). In the week since I’ve been back, I’ve relistened to five of the eight messages (I’m going in reverse order, so I’ve reviewed the sermons by Mahaney, Piper, Mohler, Sproul and Dever, with Macarthur, Anyabwile and Duncan still to go) and spent a lot of time thinking and praying. The usual “conference glow” has largely subsided.

And one week later, I can say this with complete confidence: T4G 2008 changed my life.

By God’s providence, the Wednesday speakers – Macarthur, Dever, Sproul, and Mohler – together set forth a glorious picture of the Gospel. They together pointed out areas where the Gospel is under attack in our day, and held forth the glorious truth of Jesus dying in our place, bearing our just punishment and satisfying the wrath of His Father, becoming a curse for us. (As Sproul so powerfully put it, “the gospel is our only hope – and it is hope enough.”)

And then Thursday morning, John Piper spoke on how that same gospel spurs us on to radical sacrifice. One of the texts Piper used was Hebrews 13:12-14:

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

At T4G, God stirred my heart. I want to go outside the camp – no, I want to go to Jesus outside the camp. I want to bear his reproach.

I used to me a little angry with my church because it seemed that I rarely get opportunities to teach (and never to preach), even though the feedback has been uniformly positive whenever I’ve done so. I think I see now why God orchestrated my forced sabbatical – there was a lot of pride in me that needed to be dealt with. I’m not saying that I’m now pride-free (that likely won’t be the case until I’m with Jesus), but at least now I see it and I hate it for the destructive sin that it is.

If God wants me to teach the gospel to a few 5 year olds, I’ll do it. If God wants me to go back to school, I’ll do it. (Granted, He’ll have to supply the means to do so – I do have a family that relies on me!) I’m not putting any parameters or limits on this. I’ll suffer if I have to. I’ll do without if I have to. I’ll look like a fool if I have to. I’ll take any opportunity that God brings my way to proclaim His gospel, because it is the world’s only hope. And it is hope enough!

Here I am, Lord. Send me!