Go Fly a Kite | Rod Whitlock

The other day Kim and I were taking a walk through the neighborhood when we noticed a few kids flying kites in the park. It was quite windy; the kind of day only a kid with a kite would truly appreciate. As we walked I couldn’t help but watch the kite soaring effortlessly high above us. As a matter of fact the kite wholly captivated me, as I paid little attention to the youngster masterfully guiding the kite from the ground below. For a few moments I became lost in time. Without trying to, I found myself a young boy once again, flying my own kite. Being reminded of a time when the most important task of the day was running as fast as I could to get my kite as higher than it had ever been. It was all that mattered.

Sadly over the years and without a single warning, I forgot kites existed.

Kites had become a forgotten relic of my past. So many things in life had replaced the high-flying adventures of airborne kites. Pressures from the ministry, Christians gossiping behind your back, another fallen minister in your district, tragedy striking a family member, budget shortfall…no need to go on, sorrowfully too many of us can come up with others. It’s almost as if someone knocked the wind out of you. You gasp for breath and search for answers, purpose or even resolve. You turn to God for answers, yet it seems even the wind of His Spirit is still.

And then it occurs to us that maybe we’ve grown up too fast. We’ve lost some of that child-likeness that got us here in the first place. The simple joy of serving a God who desperately loves us. The inexplicable feeling as we realize that God called us and is for us. That child-like faith that suggests that it’s never too late to fly a kite again.

Rod and Kim have been married 28 years and have four children, one grandchild and one on the way! Rod serves as Student Discipleship Director for national youth ministries of the Assemblies of God. He directs Student Discipleship, Fine Arts, Bible Quiz and ON Course magazine. Rod has authored several discipleship resources and speaks across the nation empowering and equipping leaders and students in their walk with Christ.

 (Republished with permission)