I haven't blogged since September and haven't even taken a look at what the last post was until this morning. Imagine my surprise when I found that what I wrote about then is the same message that spoke to me this morning when I read John 6:26! Since I tend not to believe in coincidence and since I did feel compelled to blog, God must have something to say, at least to me.
John 6:26 says this: "Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you have been searching for Me, not because you saw the miracles and signs but because you were fed with the loaves and were filled and satisfied."
The holiday shopping frenzy has launched, and I find myself already stressing and feeling irritated because I don't know what to buy for those I love. My three year old granddaughter has had the toy catalogs in her precious little hands, marking those toys she just has to have! It's a race against others who love her to purchase those very special things that will bring delight to her face on Christmas morning as she is buried in a mountain of wrapping paper. Maybe it's my age, but I am resisting the urge to spend, spend, spend, but I suspect my rebellion has more to do with lots of years of experience that tell me that all the shiny new stuff will only bring temporary satisfaction. Whether it's my little granddaughter or the "grown ups," the excitement and pleasure will be short lived.
When I read the verse this morning, what resonated in my heart was this - the wonder and novelty of the moment that reveals the new objects of our desire will last only as long as we have that feeling. When the feeling wanes, we will want more.
The people who came seeking Jesus followed after him not because of the miracles they'd seen but because he had fed them - literally. They were hungry, he produced food from a few loaves and fishes, which was in itself miraculous, and they were satisfied. When they grew hungry again, they wanted more. They came to the only one who could satisfy their most essential needs. While they came wanting food for their physical bodies, Jesus taught them that they should desire the food that sticks with them for all eternity (John 6:27).
I will buy gifts to give this Christmas, but I'm not going to give into the seduction of marketing or my competitive urge to keep up with others. I know that stuff won't satisfy. I hope to live the truth that Jesus is the "...the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)" (John 6:35).
My prayer is that I will be satisfied by the Bread of Life and that I can point others to the One who is all we will ever need or want. After all, we are celebrating the birth of the only Gift worth receiving.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Starving for the Word
I read this morning that recent figures place 1 in 7 Americans in poverty. That's kind of a startling statistic since we also live in what is considered to be one of the wealthiest nations of the world. I don't see people dying from famine as they do in other countries, so the growing numbers of people experiencing poverty in this country are not so obvious to me.
What does capture my attention, though, are the growing numbers of people who are dying from a different kind of famine, or poverty. Recently, I came across some scriptures in Amos that seem to aptly describe our world -
"I, the LORD, also promise you a terrible shortage, but not of food and water. You will hunger and thirst to hear my message. You will search everywhere--from north to south, from east to west. You will go all over the earth, seeking a message from me, the LORD. But you won't find one. Your beautiful young women and your young men will faint from thirst" (Amos 8:11-13).
The prophet Amos spoke to the children of Israel, but the word from the Lord speaks to what we witness today - people are experiencing a famine of hearing the words of the Lord; they are starving for truth and are looking everywhere for it but not finding it.
We have no shortage of supply - the Bible is easily available in print and online. We have churches dotting street corners and springing up in vacant storefronts and in schools on the weekends. Preachers and teachers are available 24/7 on television, radio, and the Web. Yet, still people are starved for the truth, looking everywhere for it.
While we have the Word available to us, we may not be taking the time and making the investment required to actually "hear" what God has to say. This famine may be of our own making. We may have chosen to get our "nutrients" in the same way some of us choose to get the nutrition necessary to physically function - we chug "fortified" energy drinks, substitute "complete meal bars" for actual food, swallow supplements to take the place of the vitamins and minerals we would get from healthy eating. When we opt for the "artificial sweeteners and man-made nutrients," we are choosing to lose our taste for the "real deal." We forget what real food tastes like and jeopardize our health by relying on inferior sustenance. Our bodies try to tell us they need "real food," and if we ignore the signals long enough, we do damage that grows over time and eventually forces us to pay attention in the form of disease.
When we substitute feasting on the "bread of life" (John 6:51) and drinking the water "...that springs up into everlasting life," (John 4:14) for "truth" that is more convenient, we are like those who Paul said "...exchanged the truth of God for a lie..." (Romans 1:25). We lose sight of what the real truth is and settle for a weaker substitute. Our spirit lacks the satisfaction that comes from feasting at the table prepared for us. We know we're missing something. If we persist in ignoring our need for Word of Life (John 6:63), we perish.
It's easy for me to not see the hunger and poverty around me; I can ignore the needs of others by simply looking the other way. I can read statistics and hear media pleas to "do the deed" by involving myself in community service and not be moved to action. Shamefully, it's even easier for me to not pay attention to those around me who are starving because they need to hear the words that will give them life eternal.
In Matthew 25:35-46, Jesus talks about those of us who minister to those in need and those of us who don't. We generally think of these passages of scripture in regard to physical and material needs, and we should, but I believe those of us who know God's word and fail to give it to a world dying for lack of it are the same as those of us who see the physically and materially needy and do nothing.
Lord, I am hungry for your truth, not the truth as the world spins it. I don't want a convenient and comfortable interpretation of you because I want to be sustained by the life you give. Please make me sensitive to those around me who need to know your word, who need you, not just an "artificial you." I pray that you will use me to live your truth and share your word to those in need. Amen.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Convenience Store Christianity
Today, we can hardly travel a mile without seeing Quik Trips, Kwik Shops, One Stops and other aptly named markets holding down the four corners of most intersections. They provide us an in and out, convenient shopping experience where we can purchase whatever we need in one stop! The products aren't always the healthiest for us or the most cost-effective. They are, though, quick and convenient and provide the instant gratification we need. Marketers vie for prime corner real estate so that we don't have to worry about getting off the main thoroughfare and back onto it. We have come to expect 24/7 access to what we want when we want it. Convenience has become part of our cultural DNA.
This expectation of convenience seems to have made its way into how some of us view our Christian service. Churches seem to have bought into the idea that to draw "customers," they must provide easy access and "grab and go" products. Christians now shop for churches based upon when services are scheduled and the variety and style of "programs" offered. Service to the church body is made easy - give an hour a week, no preparation required, with very little if any commitment to interfere with the rest of the week. We want to be able to rush in and out, grab what we want off the shelf, and exit quickly, back into the rush of our everyday lives. Christianity of this sort results in the same outcome of shopping at convenience stores regularly - the cost is too high and our need not met for very long.
I am guilty of wanting to go to church early so I can get out early and have the rest of my day to myself. I wanted a church where I could show up on Sunday, do my time, and never serve in any way that would inconvenience me beyond the amount of time I was willing to give up on a Sunday morning, once a month. My parameters were all about me and not at all about what the call to be like Christ is. I was wrong!
We aren't called to convenient service. Jesus says that if we are to follow him we will deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily (Luke 9:23). He says that we will lose our lives for his sake, but we will also be saved (Luke 9:24). We are called to be like Jesus, and that means investing the time to learn who He is and being willing to serve as he did. It means we may be inconvenienced!
The stakes are high. We have to decide whether we are going to shape our Christianity to serve our convenience (Romans 8:6; Colossians 2:8) or if we are going to inconvenience our flesh and be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 2: 6-7). If our heart's desire is to be like Jesus, we won't be able to "grab and go"; we will choose to sit at His feet and follow where He leads.
Heavenly Father, I'm selfish. I want what I want when I want it! I like having things go my way and on my schedule. Forgive me for seeking convenience over seeking and doing Your will. Help me to have the heart to serve and the strength to obey you. In your name, Amen.
This expectation of convenience seems to have made its way into how some of us view our Christian service. Churches seem to have bought into the idea that to draw "customers," they must provide easy access and "grab and go" products. Christians now shop for churches based upon when services are scheduled and the variety and style of "programs" offered. Service to the church body is made easy - give an hour a week, no preparation required, with very little if any commitment to interfere with the rest of the week. We want to be able to rush in and out, grab what we want off the shelf, and exit quickly, back into the rush of our everyday lives. Christianity of this sort results in the same outcome of shopping at convenience stores regularly - the cost is too high and our need not met for very long.
I am guilty of wanting to go to church early so I can get out early and have the rest of my day to myself. I wanted a church where I could show up on Sunday, do my time, and never serve in any way that would inconvenience me beyond the amount of time I was willing to give up on a Sunday morning, once a month. My parameters were all about me and not at all about what the call to be like Christ is. I was wrong!
We aren't called to convenient service. Jesus says that if we are to follow him we will deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily (Luke 9:23). He says that we will lose our lives for his sake, but we will also be saved (Luke 9:24). We are called to be like Jesus, and that means investing the time to learn who He is and being willing to serve as he did. It means we may be inconvenienced!
The stakes are high. We have to decide whether we are going to shape our Christianity to serve our convenience (Romans 8:6; Colossians 2:8) or if we are going to inconvenience our flesh and be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 2: 6-7). If our heart's desire is to be like Jesus, we won't be able to "grab and go"; we will choose to sit at His feet and follow where He leads.
Heavenly Father, I'm selfish. I want what I want when I want it! I like having things go my way and on my schedule. Forgive me for seeking convenience over seeking and doing Your will. Help me to have the heart to serve and the strength to obey you. In your name, Amen.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Before You Know Peace...
It's early Saturday morning, and it's peaceful! I'm sitting with my laptop, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing, and the news of the day is still lying in the driveway. Nothing has yet disturbed my peace. Undoubtedly, as the day unfolds, some small tweak to what I consider perfect or the way things ought to go will come along and for a moment, or maybe longer, I will potentially know some dis-ease, a disruption to my serenity. Those daily irritations are normal; how I respond to them, if I am to stay content, is up to me.
God's plan for our lives is that we know his peace and live in accord with his plan. Psalm 119:165 says this: "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." All sorts of things arise that have the potential to keep us from living a life that is steadfastly rooted in the kind of peace that God has promised us. To know the blessing of his promised peace, though, we must be willing to do our part - love his law. This may mean that before we know peace, we need to know God's plan, his direction for how to live life, and then do it (see I Peter 3:11; II Peter 3:18; James 1:22; Proverbs 16:7).
When we have committed our lives to doing God's will and pleasing him, we are assured the promise of his blessings, one of which is unshakable peace. We can also be certain that our adversary will do everything he can to cause us to doubt that we can trust in the One who promises to never leave, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:6). We must draw strength and direction from God's Word if we are to remain in his peace.
So, my day has begun; the peace and quiet have been jostled. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will remind me to do my part in keeping the peace that comes through knowing God and his Word and living it.
God's plan for our lives is that we know his peace and live in accord with his plan. Psalm 119:165 says this: "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." All sorts of things arise that have the potential to keep us from living a life that is steadfastly rooted in the kind of peace that God has promised us. To know the blessing of his promised peace, though, we must be willing to do our part - love his law. This may mean that before we know peace, we need to know God's plan, his direction for how to live life, and then do it (see I Peter 3:11; II Peter 3:18; James 1:22; Proverbs 16:7).
When we have committed our lives to doing God's will and pleasing him, we are assured the promise of his blessings, one of which is unshakable peace. We can also be certain that our adversary will do everything he can to cause us to doubt that we can trust in the One who promises to never leave, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:6). We must draw strength and direction from God's Word if we are to remain in his peace.
So, my day has begun; the peace and quiet have been jostled. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will remind me to do my part in keeping the peace that comes through knowing God and his Word and living it.
"The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes,
in undisturbed places of rest." Isaiah 32:17-18
"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace...." Romans 14:19
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes,
in undisturbed places of rest." Isaiah 32:17-18
"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace...." Romans 14:19
Lord, thank you for your peace that goes beyond anything I can manufacture. Thank you for your Word that provides direction for how I can live in your peace. I pray that your Holy Spirit will teach me and lead me so that I might be obedient to your Word and live in the peace that surpasses my understanding. Amen.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
It's a Choice: Know God, Know Peace
Yesterday, I came across this verse in Job: "Acquaint now yourself with Him [agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you" (AMP Job 22:21). Another translation says that we should give into God and everything will turn out fine (Job 22:21). This was no coincidence; I believe the Holy Spirit allowed me to find this verse at just this moment in time to drive home a point to me - if I want peace in my life, I must choose to submit my will to God's plans and purposes. As I continued to do some study, I ran across more verses that say peace is a "work of righteousness" (Isaiah 32:17) and righteousness is the fruit of peace (James 3:18; Hebrews 12:11).
Most of us say that we want peace, but I wonder if we are asking for peace according to our standards and on our terms, or are we seeking the peace that Jesus promised (John 14:27). We don't live in a peaceful world. We are daily confronted with situations that create frustration for us. When we have to make decisions - choose one thing or another - that creates tension on some level and can upset our peace. In general, we can find ourselves in conflict with another person, our society, nature (just think 108 degrees temperatures of late), ourselves, or with God. Whether or not we have peace in those situations depends on how we choose.
Satan enjoys seeing us without peace; confusion is a by-product of his influence. Yet, we don't have to live in a state of unrest or strife. Dissension does not have to be the norm of our existence. Jesus called us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to live in peace with others (II Corinthians 13:11; I Thessalonians 5:13; Hebrews 12:14). God especially wants us to be at peace with him (Ephesians 1:2).
When we choose to walk in peace with our heavenly Father, we can be assured that we will not be overwhelmed by the daily grind and tragedies and injustices of this life (John 16:33b). God didn't say that we would be without trials, but he does promise that in the middle of the raging storms we can have peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
In the times when life throws at us what we think we can't handle, we have the opportunity to learn to choose God's way over the world's.This isn't an easy step to take. We're inundated with plenty of influences and fears that encourage us to do otherwise. I am convinced, though, that if we are to know lasting peace - the kind that Daniel knew in the den of hungry lions and his Hebrew buddies knew in the middle of the fiery furnace - then we must determine to know God to know his peace.
Most of us say that we want peace, but I wonder if we are asking for peace according to our standards and on our terms, or are we seeking the peace that Jesus promised (John 14:27). We don't live in a peaceful world. We are daily confronted with situations that create frustration for us. When we have to make decisions - choose one thing or another - that creates tension on some level and can upset our peace. In general, we can find ourselves in conflict with another person, our society, nature (just think 108 degrees temperatures of late), ourselves, or with God. Whether or not we have peace in those situations depends on how we choose.
Satan enjoys seeing us without peace; confusion is a by-product of his influence. Yet, we don't have to live in a state of unrest or strife. Dissension does not have to be the norm of our existence. Jesus called us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to live in peace with others (II Corinthians 13:11; I Thessalonians 5:13; Hebrews 12:14). God especially wants us to be at peace with him (Ephesians 1:2).
When we choose to walk in peace with our heavenly Father, we can be assured that we will not be overwhelmed by the daily grind and tragedies and injustices of this life (John 16:33b). God didn't say that we would be without trials, but he does promise that in the middle of the raging storms we can have peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
In the times when life throws at us what we think we can't handle, we have the opportunity to learn to choose God's way over the world's.This isn't an easy step to take. We're inundated with plenty of influences and fears that encourage us to do otherwise. I am convinced, though, that if we are to know lasting peace - the kind that Daniel knew in the den of hungry lions and his Hebrew buddies knew in the middle of the fiery furnace - then we must determine to know God to know his peace.
"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. " Romans 14:19
Lord, you are well-aware of all the things that create strife in our lives. You know sometimes we are the cause of that confusion and dissension. We know that your desire is for us to live in your peace and produce righteousness. Heavenly Father, I pray that we will seek to know you and as a result know peace within and extend peace to others. Amen.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Service: Look At Me!
Last week, I was asked to babysit my two adorable grandchildren. When I arrived, my soon-to-be 3 year old granddaughter ran over to her 4 month old brother who was happily swinging and leaned over him - fully covering him from view - and said, "Now, take a picture of us!" I had to laugh. Had I chosen to take that picture, there would have been only one sweet face - my granddaughter's - proudly expressing a "Look at me" look!
As we grow older, we really don't lose that childlike look at me desire for attention. My granddaughter's actions, while humorous, remind me of how we sometimes approach our service to God and our fellowman. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus teaches his followers about the hazards of doing their "alms" with the intent of being praised by men rather than God. The religious leaders of the day were guilty of putting on quite a show for all to see when they did their "righteous acts." Their purpose wasn't to serve others and glorify God; they sought the attention and glory for themselves. They were saying loudly and clearly, "Hey, look at me!" Jesus said that these folks earned their reward and would receive no reward from their Father in Heaven.
When we set out to serve God and others, Jesus teaches that we should not "...let your left hand know what your right hand is doing..." (Matthew 6:3). That doesn't mean what we do should result in confusion. It means that when we serve, we do these things as unto the Lord, not for our glory, but for his. We serve others and God not because we want acclaim but because we love God. Our service comes from a heart of obedience and a desire to please the One who serves us.
We have all been in situations where we have done the right thing, and it's gone unnoticed or someone else got the credit. That stings! If it happens often enough, we're inclined to quit doing the right thing. But, we have also had the wonderful experience of doing something for someone and watching or hearing how what we did "in secret" blessed that person. Jesus says that when we serve others in secret, our Father "...who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:4).
Our need to be recognized doesn't surprise God. He knows that we need attention, but he also knows that we need to have our intentions and our purposes be in line with his intentions and purposes. When we decide to be obedient to his direction for us as Christians - (see Luke 10:27; John 13:34-35; John 14:15; 15:14) - we will serve whether or not we are recognized by people. Our prayer should be that we do so without a desire for the spotlight to shine on us but rather that all glory is given to God.
We may never receive accolades while on earth, but our promise from our heavenly Father is that we will receive rewards in eternity (Matthew 16:27; Matthew 10:42; I Cor. 3:8,14; II Tim. 4:7-8; Rev. 22:12). As we live our faith, may we serve as unto the Lord so that on that day when we see him face to face, we will with the exuberance and joy of a child say, "Look at me!" when we hear our Father say, "Well done!"
As we grow older, we really don't lose that childlike look at me desire for attention. My granddaughter's actions, while humorous, remind me of how we sometimes approach our service to God and our fellowman. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus teaches his followers about the hazards of doing their "alms" with the intent of being praised by men rather than God. The religious leaders of the day were guilty of putting on quite a show for all to see when they did their "righteous acts." Their purpose wasn't to serve others and glorify God; they sought the attention and glory for themselves. They were saying loudly and clearly, "Hey, look at me!" Jesus said that these folks earned their reward and would receive no reward from their Father in Heaven.
When we set out to serve God and others, Jesus teaches that we should not "...let your left hand know what your right hand is doing..." (Matthew 6:3). That doesn't mean what we do should result in confusion. It means that when we serve, we do these things as unto the Lord, not for our glory, but for his. We serve others and God not because we want acclaim but because we love God. Our service comes from a heart of obedience and a desire to please the One who serves us.
We have all been in situations where we have done the right thing, and it's gone unnoticed or someone else got the credit. That stings! If it happens often enough, we're inclined to quit doing the right thing. But, we have also had the wonderful experience of doing something for someone and watching or hearing how what we did "in secret" blessed that person. Jesus says that when we serve others in secret, our Father "...who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:4).
Our need to be recognized doesn't surprise God. He knows that we need attention, but he also knows that we need to have our intentions and our purposes be in line with his intentions and purposes. When we decide to be obedient to his direction for us as Christians - (see Luke 10:27; John 13:34-35; John 14:15; 15:14) - we will serve whether or not we are recognized by people. Our prayer should be that we do so without a desire for the spotlight to shine on us but rather that all glory is given to God.
We may never receive accolades while on earth, but our promise from our heavenly Father is that we will receive rewards in eternity (Matthew 16:27; Matthew 10:42; I Cor. 3:8,14; II Tim. 4:7-8; Rev. 22:12). As we live our faith, may we serve as unto the Lord so that on that day when we see him face to face, we will with the exuberance and joy of a child say, "Look at me!" when we hear our Father say, "Well done!"
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men..." Ephesians 6:7
Lord, I don't like to admit it, but I have a big ego! I want people to see the good things I do and give me attention for them. Please help me to stay humble, to follow your example, and serve you and others so that you receive the glory and not me. Thank you for understanding the human heart and for patiently working with us to develop in us your ways. Amen.
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| Eastside Community Church |
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Service: It's a Dirty Job, but Someone's Got to Do It!
When I was growing up, I had many "opportunities" to participate in good old fashioned "feet washing" services. Generally, this took place during another church tradition - the dreaded "Watch Night Service," where the saints gathered on New Year's Eve to send out the old year and focus on the Lord's return by getting our lives right with Him. As a kid and teenager, I honestly did not look forward to any of this. I was creeped out by having to wash some older lady's feet, and I was scared to death that Jesus was coming back when I had so much more living to do! Just the thought of the old hymn "He's Coming Soon" still sends shivers up my spine!
But I'm all grown up now and have many years of perspective on what the saints of the church were doing back in the day, especially in regard to washing each others' feet - they were following the example set by Jesus - and just as I can vividly recall how I felt as we watched for Jesus' return, I have very distinct and lasting impressions of what happened when folks bowed before each other and washed the feet of individuals with whom they lived life on a daily basis. The men and women were separated during this time. I remember how something in the room changed as we prepared for this sacred ceremony. These women became so broken before each other and before the Lord as they knelt over their sisters' feet and wept and prayed for them. It was humbling to have their feet washed by another and to in turn, wash that person's feet. All pretense went by the wayside as they followed the Lord in this act of service and love. My memories are clear of these times. As they followed the example of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came into that place and met with them in a powerful way. No one left unchanged. They left prepared to watch and pray (Matthew 25:13; Mark 14:38) and continue to serve their Lord.
In John 13, Jesus shares Passover with his disciples. He knows that in a few short hours, he will be crucified and that his return to Heaven is imminent. He knows that in his midst is one who will betray him, and he knows that the other men with whom he's shared life will run, fearful of being associated with him in his death. He knows all this and still he serves each of them by washing their feet, a job that is reserved for a servant. Peter protests (John 13:6,7) because he doesn't understand the significance of Jesus' act. Jesus reminds his disciples - and that includes any of us claiming to be followers of Christ - that they are to follow his example (Matthew 13:15) of humility and service to others. John 13 ends with Jesus saying, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (v. 34-35).
As Christians we often struggle with the notion that we are sent to serve (John 13:16), and I wonder if we sometimes forget that our service is to extend to our brothers and sisters in Christ - the Church. Not only are we to show Christ's love to the sinner, we are to pour out that love on each other as believers. We are admonished throughout the New Testament to support each other in love (I John 4: 11; I John 3:18; I Corinthians 13:1; Colossians 3:12-17; Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 5:1-2). When we fail to show God's love to those whom we call brother and sister, we send a strong message to those who don't know the Lord, and we tear down the work of the Church. We are disobedient.
I can't say that I love the thought of humbling myself to do the job of a servant, but if I am to be like Christ (aka Christian), then that's exactly what I am going to do. I will put others before myself and be obedient to the One who I am called to serve.
Satisfaction comes when we do a job well, especially if the task before us seems particularly unappealing. As individuals who have chosen to serve God, we will only know the peace and joy He promises when we discipline ourselves to follow his example and serve. The reward of genuine heart-felt service to others is knowing God's blessings (John 13:17; James 1:25).
But I'm all grown up now and have many years of perspective on what the saints of the church were doing back in the day, especially in regard to washing each others' feet - they were following the example set by Jesus - and just as I can vividly recall how I felt as we watched for Jesus' return, I have very distinct and lasting impressions of what happened when folks bowed before each other and washed the feet of individuals with whom they lived life on a daily basis. The men and women were separated during this time. I remember how something in the room changed as we prepared for this sacred ceremony. These women became so broken before each other and before the Lord as they knelt over their sisters' feet and wept and prayed for them. It was humbling to have their feet washed by another and to in turn, wash that person's feet. All pretense went by the wayside as they followed the Lord in this act of service and love. My memories are clear of these times. As they followed the example of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came into that place and met with them in a powerful way. No one left unchanged. They left prepared to watch and pray (Matthew 25:13; Mark 14:38) and continue to serve their Lord.
In John 13, Jesus shares Passover with his disciples. He knows that in a few short hours, he will be crucified and that his return to Heaven is imminent. He knows that in his midst is one who will betray him, and he knows that the other men with whom he's shared life will run, fearful of being associated with him in his death. He knows all this and still he serves each of them by washing their feet, a job that is reserved for a servant. Peter protests (John 13:6,7) because he doesn't understand the significance of Jesus' act. Jesus reminds his disciples - and that includes any of us claiming to be followers of Christ - that they are to follow his example (Matthew 13:15) of humility and service to others. John 13 ends with Jesus saying, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (v. 34-35).
As Christians we often struggle with the notion that we are sent to serve (John 13:16), and I wonder if we sometimes forget that our service is to extend to our brothers and sisters in Christ - the Church. Not only are we to show Christ's love to the sinner, we are to pour out that love on each other as believers. We are admonished throughout the New Testament to support each other in love (I John 4: 11; I John 3:18; I Corinthians 13:1; Colossians 3:12-17; Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 5:1-2). When we fail to show God's love to those whom we call brother and sister, we send a strong message to those who don't know the Lord, and we tear down the work of the Church. We are disobedient.
I can't say that I love the thought of humbling myself to do the job of a servant, but if I am to be like Christ (aka Christian), then that's exactly what I am going to do. I will put others before myself and be obedient to the One who I am called to serve.
Satisfaction comes when we do a job well, especially if the task before us seems particularly unappealing. As individuals who have chosen to serve God, we will only know the peace and joy He promises when we discipline ourselves to follow his example and serve. The reward of genuine heart-felt service to others is knowing God's blessings (John 13:17; James 1:25).
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men...." Ephesians 6:7
Lord, this whole notion of being a servant runs counter to my nature, yet I know you set the example, and you have made it clear that if I am to be your disciple, I will follow your example and serve. Please help me to be ever aware of opportunities to show your love to others - those who know you and those you don't. I pray that people will be able to see you in me and that you will be glorified. May my life honor you. Amen.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Service: Getting to Know the Neighbors
Last week, I spent my vacation surrounded by "gated communities." The condo where I stayed literally was tucked away deep inside one of these communities, a forgotten by-product of the original weekenders who built homes on the lake as respite from the drudgery and distastefulness of the big city. There was one way in and two ways out, but you had to be a card-carrying member of the community to exit from the more convenient gate. Mine was a modest "neighborhood" compared to the others that lay farther up the road, and seriously, there really was only one road in and out. The farther a person drove up the road, the smaller and more exclusive the "communities" became. I didn't know my "neighbors," and they didn't know me!
On my return home, I sat down to review what our kids at church are learning this month. I found it not the least bit ironic that we are going to be discovering what it means to serve - lending a hand to help someone else. Just as last month, the questions put to the kids this month are ones most adults are uncomfortable answering. Just for starters, I had to ask myself two toughies - What in the world am I doing that's more than I have to do, and what am I doing to help someone that others won't help. I'm not the least bit surprised that the Lord's been working on me anyway about being a servant, so this study is just reinforcing the fact that he's trying to get my attention and teach me something!
The Bible is unequivocal about what service looks like for a Christian. We don't have to look any farther than Jesus' life. He is the perfect example of a servant, and we have clear instructions to be like Christ. Too often, though, we are much like a young lawyer who challenged Jesus to define "neighbor" because he was looking for a loophole, a good excuse to serve only folks of his choosing (Luke 10:25-29). Rather than take him to task, Jesus told a parable of a good Samaritan (someone not welcomed in the "gated communities" of Jesus day). Two men - both religious leaders - who should have taken the time to stop and care for a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left for dead, literally crossed the road to avoid coming near the injured man. The third man, the Samaritan, came along, saw the man and "...had compassion on him" (Luke 10:33). He dressed his wounds, placed him on his "beast," and took him to an inn where he paid for the man's care. Jesus then posed the question to the young lawyer, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor..." to the injured man (Luke 10:36). In Matthew 25:35-40, we're told that if we are inherit the kingdom prepared for us, we are to minister to the hungry, thirsty, needy, prisoners, and strangers. Not only are they our neighbors, they are called by Jesus, "...the least of my brethren" (Matthew 25:40).
This parable isn't new to me; I've heard it preached and read it more times than I can count. I think I ought to have it figured out by now who my neighbor is - pretty much everyone, even people I don't find attractive, likable, or safe. When I read it this time, I realized that the Samaritan was compassionate because he saw himself in the man left for dead. Both the priest and Levite saw this man, as well as the Samaritan, as undesirable, not fit for their "community" and certainly not worthy of their help.
I have to remind myself that all of us are alike - we are sinners saved by the same grace that God gives unconditionally (Ephesians 2:8-9). All of us have been "robbed and beaten" by sin that has left us near dead. God's incredible compassion and mercy made sure that we had a means of rescue - salvation as a result of the service Jesus did for us on the cross. He gave his life that we might live. He paid the full price for our restoration. So, when I look at the people around me, I must be moved to compassion as the Samaritan man was because I should see myself in them. They are my neighbors, and I have a directive from my heavenly Father to serve them.
Initially, we are drawn to Christianity because of Jesus' example - he was a servant. We are slower, though, to grasp that as followers of Christ, we are to become like him (Ephesians 2:10). We always will serve someone or something (Matthew 6:19-21,24). The desire of our hearts should be, then, to serve in such a way that we honor God by helping our neighbors.
On my return home, I sat down to review what our kids at church are learning this month. I found it not the least bit ironic that we are going to be discovering what it means to serve - lending a hand to help someone else. Just as last month, the questions put to the kids this month are ones most adults are uncomfortable answering. Just for starters, I had to ask myself two toughies - What in the world am I doing that's more than I have to do, and what am I doing to help someone that others won't help. I'm not the least bit surprised that the Lord's been working on me anyway about being a servant, so this study is just reinforcing the fact that he's trying to get my attention and teach me something!
The Bible is unequivocal about what service looks like for a Christian. We don't have to look any farther than Jesus' life. He is the perfect example of a servant, and we have clear instructions to be like Christ. Too often, though, we are much like a young lawyer who challenged Jesus to define "neighbor" because he was looking for a loophole, a good excuse to serve only folks of his choosing (Luke 10:25-29). Rather than take him to task, Jesus told a parable of a good Samaritan (someone not welcomed in the "gated communities" of Jesus day). Two men - both religious leaders - who should have taken the time to stop and care for a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left for dead, literally crossed the road to avoid coming near the injured man. The third man, the Samaritan, came along, saw the man and "...had compassion on him" (Luke 10:33). He dressed his wounds, placed him on his "beast," and took him to an inn where he paid for the man's care. Jesus then posed the question to the young lawyer, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor..." to the injured man (Luke 10:36). In Matthew 25:35-40, we're told that if we are inherit the kingdom prepared for us, we are to minister to the hungry, thirsty, needy, prisoners, and strangers. Not only are they our neighbors, they are called by Jesus, "...the least of my brethren" (Matthew 25:40).
This parable isn't new to me; I've heard it preached and read it more times than I can count. I think I ought to have it figured out by now who my neighbor is - pretty much everyone, even people I don't find attractive, likable, or safe. When I read it this time, I realized that the Samaritan was compassionate because he saw himself in the man left for dead. Both the priest and Levite saw this man, as well as the Samaritan, as undesirable, not fit for their "community" and certainly not worthy of their help.
I have to remind myself that all of us are alike - we are sinners saved by the same grace that God gives unconditionally (Ephesians 2:8-9). All of us have been "robbed and beaten" by sin that has left us near dead. God's incredible compassion and mercy made sure that we had a means of rescue - salvation as a result of the service Jesus did for us on the cross. He gave his life that we might live. He paid the full price for our restoration. So, when I look at the people around me, I must be moved to compassion as the Samaritan man was because I should see myself in them. They are my neighbors, and I have a directive from my heavenly Father to serve them.
Initially, we are drawn to Christianity because of Jesus' example - he was a servant. We are slower, though, to grasp that as followers of Christ, we are to become like him (Ephesians 2:10). We always will serve someone or something (Matthew 6:19-21,24). The desire of our hearts should be, then, to serve in such a way that we honor God by helping our neighbors.
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men..." Ephesians 6:7
Lord, you know me! You know that going the extra mile and serving people - even ones I know and love - just doesn't come easy to me. You also know that I want to be like you. Thank you for understanding my weaknesses and for giving me so many opportunities to learn to be a servant. I pray that I will allow your Holy Spirit to lead me, prompt me, teach me, and convict me when I am disobedient. Use me, Lord. I want to be your servant. Amen.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Responsibility: Peak Performance
Just last weekend, I got a new phone. I didn't need a new one until the sales person convinced me that I did! I was dazzled by all the incredible features that would be at my fingertips, with download speed far superior to what I had on my existing phone. My connectivity would be enhanced, and I would experience far fewer dropped calls. I'll be the first to admit - I didn't know how handicapped I was! Frankly, my "old" phone could pretty much do what the new one does. I don't notice that things download faster, and since I wasn't really experiencing dropped calls, I guess I don't see much improvement! What hooked me was the possibilities of what I could do if I utilized this piece of technological wizardry to its full potential. Like my old phone, this new one has functions that are truly amazing, but unless I take the time to learn how to use them and perfect my use of them, my phone will simply remain a very powerful, but under-utilized tool.
Those of us who call ourselves Christians are too often not unlike these very powerful pocket-sized computers we carry around - we are designed for "greater works" (John 14:12), but we aren't fulfilling our potential. We know that we have access to connectivity that will empower us to carry out our mission (John 14:13,15-17, 26; John 15:5,7), but we don't always take the time to learn how to access that source to put it to use.
As our kids at church wind down their focus on responsibility, they are asked to consider, "What in the world am I doing to show others God's goodness." That's a question most of us should ask ourselves, and I have certainly been giving it lots of thought. In fact, God has been making sure I have been reflecting on my own response to the responsibility he's given us as Christians.
In Matthew 5, Jesus doesn't hold back. He tells us what our attitudes should be - the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) - and then follows those by placing on our shoulders the responsibility to be "salt and light" to the world (Matthew 5:13-16). I like his illustration - people don't buy lamps just to hide the light they provide. In other words, we want to get the full potential and peak performance from the lamp.
Even though I have heard and read these verses many times in my life, I was drawn to the phrasing of the verse about salt - "...but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned..." (Matthew 5:13). What caught my attention was the "it" in the phrase "how shall it be seasoned." I wondered could the "it" refer to the "earth," meaning those who don't know the Lord. Supposing that relationship in wording exists, I was convicted of the responsibility I am shirking when I fail to be "salt and light." If we as Christians fail in tapping into and utilizing the resources we've been given so that we operate to our fullest potential, we are not accomplishing our commission. We may function on a basic level, but we are far from the dynamic power-tool God designed us to be.
I have been reflecting lately on the notion that as Christians we have one priority - to serve God by serving others, thus making disciples. When we allow the Holy Spirit to activate that service through us, we bring honor and glory to Him. Others will "...see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
God must have known that we really aren't very good at multitasking. He asked one thing of us, and he promised to take care of the rest. Jesus knew the people hearing his "Sermon on the Mount," and all that followed, must have been a bit skeptical. Just as we are, they were most concerned with the day-to-day realities, not with learning how to be "salt and light." But here's what he promises: "...your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:32-33).
For me, putting first things first is going to be a discipline, an act of faith, but if I believe that God is who he claims to be, then I must trust that if I allow him to use me in service to others, he will make sure that I have whatever he knows I need. I have a responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit to activate fully the functions I've been given to do the work to which I've been called. I want to be working at peak performance!
Heavenly Father, on paper, the responsibility seems so simple. Putting it into action isn't when I take on jobs you haven't given me to do! Please help me to keep my priorities straight and trust you to take care of everything! Help me to be "salt and light." I want to be counted faithful. In your name, amen.
Those of us who call ourselves Christians are too often not unlike these very powerful pocket-sized computers we carry around - we are designed for "greater works" (John 14:12), but we aren't fulfilling our potential. We know that we have access to connectivity that will empower us to carry out our mission (John 14:13,15-17, 26; John 15:5,7), but we don't always take the time to learn how to access that source to put it to use.
As our kids at church wind down their focus on responsibility, they are asked to consider, "What in the world am I doing to show others God's goodness." That's a question most of us should ask ourselves, and I have certainly been giving it lots of thought. In fact, God has been making sure I have been reflecting on my own response to the responsibility he's given us as Christians.
In Matthew 5, Jesus doesn't hold back. He tells us what our attitudes should be - the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) - and then follows those by placing on our shoulders the responsibility to be "salt and light" to the world (Matthew 5:13-16). I like his illustration - people don't buy lamps just to hide the light they provide. In other words, we want to get the full potential and peak performance from the lamp.
Even though I have heard and read these verses many times in my life, I was drawn to the phrasing of the verse about salt - "...but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned..." (Matthew 5:13). What caught my attention was the "it" in the phrase "how shall it be seasoned." I wondered could the "it" refer to the "earth," meaning those who don't know the Lord. Supposing that relationship in wording exists, I was convicted of the responsibility I am shirking when I fail to be "salt and light." If we as Christians fail in tapping into and utilizing the resources we've been given so that we operate to our fullest potential, we are not accomplishing our commission. We may function on a basic level, but we are far from the dynamic power-tool God designed us to be.
I have been reflecting lately on the notion that as Christians we have one priority - to serve God by serving others, thus making disciples. When we allow the Holy Spirit to activate that service through us, we bring honor and glory to Him. Others will "...see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
God must have known that we really aren't very good at multitasking. He asked one thing of us, and he promised to take care of the rest. Jesus knew the people hearing his "Sermon on the Mount," and all that followed, must have been a bit skeptical. Just as we are, they were most concerned with the day-to-day realities, not with learning how to be "salt and light." But here's what he promises: "...your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:32-33).
For me, putting first things first is going to be a discipline, an act of faith, but if I believe that God is who he claims to be, then I must trust that if I allow him to use me in service to others, he will make sure that I have whatever he knows I need. I have a responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit to activate fully the functions I've been given to do the work to which I've been called. I want to be working at peak performance!
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much...." Luke 16:10
Heavenly Father, on paper, the responsibility seems so simple. Putting it into action isn't when I take on jobs you haven't given me to do! Please help me to keep my priorities straight and trust you to take care of everything! Help me to be "salt and light." I want to be counted faithful. In your name, amen.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Responsibility: Encouraging Words
My grandmother used to tell a joke: "Why did the buffalo run off the cliff?" Answer: "He heard a discouraging word." For those of you who are still wondering what a buffalo and discouraging words have to do with each other, think lyrics to "Home on the Range." Jay Leno she wasn't, but you get the point. Words have the power to influence people! We can encourage them or we can destroy them with what we say.
We are responsible for how we use our words. As our children at church wind up this segment of the study of responsibility, they are being asked, "What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words." The Bible is pretty clear in any number of places about what we are and are not to do with our ability to string sounds together to make words that communicate ideas. Ephesians 4:29 says this: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
I am particularly concerned with what we say to and about children and young people. Whether we care to believe it or not, a word that we say in carelessness, anger, frustration, impatience, or thoughtlessness can and does leave a deep imprint on a child. As parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and Christians, we have a spiritual imperative to encourage them (Matthew 18:6). My prayer is that we seek the direction of the Holy Spirit to determine the right words to say that will influence the children and young people in our care to become who God has created each of them to be. We have the responsibility to speak hope and truth into their lives. It is from us that they learn who God is.
How we speak to each other is critical to our Christian example. It isn't a matter of how we are feeling at the moment. We are explicitly reminded throughout the New Testament to encourage and comfort one another. Hebrews 3:13 says we are to "...exhort (encourage) one another..." daily so we aren't hardened by sin's deceit. Later in Hebrews 10:24-25, we are instructed, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
I don't always feel like being nice to people. My human nature isn't always tuned into using the power of my words to help others. Far too often, I'm focused on me, myself, and I; encouraging others is the last thing on my mind. Yet, I do not want to be the one who utters the discouraging word that may contribute more to someone's burden or lifetime of "mistaken identity." I don't want to just be too lazy and self-absorbed to miss an opportunity to lift someone up. My prayer is that I will daily realize that the Holy Spirit is living in me, and if he is in me, then I should be showing the fruit of his presence (Galatians 5:22-23). That fruit should then be in use, edifying and lifting up those around me.
The verses that follow Ephesians 4:29 admonish us to not grieve the Holy Spirit (v. 30) but to "...be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (v. 32). We can use our words responsibly to encourage if we seek to be filled with the Spirit- "...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19). Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34, 35).
Let's fill our hearts to "abundance" with God's word, for our responsibility to others is clear - we are to use our words to encourage others.
Heavenly Father, I pray that "the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart" will be acceptable to you, and that I will use those words to encourage others and point them to you. In your name, amen.
We are responsible for how we use our words. As our children at church wind up this segment of the study of responsibility, they are being asked, "What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words." The Bible is pretty clear in any number of places about what we are and are not to do with our ability to string sounds together to make words that communicate ideas. Ephesians 4:29 says this: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
I am particularly concerned with what we say to and about children and young people. Whether we care to believe it or not, a word that we say in carelessness, anger, frustration, impatience, or thoughtlessness can and does leave a deep imprint on a child. As parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and Christians, we have a spiritual imperative to encourage them (Matthew 18:6). My prayer is that we seek the direction of the Holy Spirit to determine the right words to say that will influence the children and young people in our care to become who God has created each of them to be. We have the responsibility to speak hope and truth into their lives. It is from us that they learn who God is.
How we speak to each other is critical to our Christian example. It isn't a matter of how we are feeling at the moment. We are explicitly reminded throughout the New Testament to encourage and comfort one another. Hebrews 3:13 says we are to "...exhort (encourage) one another..." daily so we aren't hardened by sin's deceit. Later in Hebrews 10:24-25, we are instructed, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
I don't always feel like being nice to people. My human nature isn't always tuned into using the power of my words to help others. Far too often, I'm focused on me, myself, and I; encouraging others is the last thing on my mind. Yet, I do not want to be the one who utters the discouraging word that may contribute more to someone's burden or lifetime of "mistaken identity." I don't want to just be too lazy and self-absorbed to miss an opportunity to lift someone up. My prayer is that I will daily realize that the Holy Spirit is living in me, and if he is in me, then I should be showing the fruit of his presence (Galatians 5:22-23). That fruit should then be in use, edifying and lifting up those around me.
The verses that follow Ephesians 4:29 admonish us to not grieve the Holy Spirit (v. 30) but to "...be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (v. 32). We can use our words responsibly to encourage if we seek to be filled with the Spirit- "...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19). Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34, 35).
Let's fill our hearts to "abundance" with God's word, for our responsibility to others is clear - we are to use our words to encourage others.
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much...." Luke 16:10a
Heavenly Father, I pray that "the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart" will be acceptable to you, and that I will use those words to encourage others and point them to you. In your name, amen.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Responsibility: Using What You're Given
This notion that responsibility is showing I can be trusted with what is expected of me is challenging me to take a very close look at whether or not I am as responsible as I believe myself to be. I think I am a responsible person; give me a task to do and I will get it done. On the other hand, I find myself not seeking out opportunities to be "responsible." At this point in my life, I have learned that when I consent to do something, that means I have to put time and effort into it that will take away from time and effort I want to put into doing what I want to do! So, when I took a look at the question confronting our kids at church this week - What in the world are you doing to use what God gave you - and read the story from the Bible that they will study - Matthew 25:14-29 - I had no choice but to try to answer that question for myself in light of what God says!
God's given each of us "talents" to use for his purposes. Some people are off the charts gifted, by this world's estimation, and the rest of us are just "normal." Whether we think we have what it takes to serve God like those Christians who serve as our icons of greatness or not is irrelevant to us being responsible to use what God has given us to fulfill his charge to follow him and make disciples (John 21:19, 22; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21-22).
None of us can claim insignificance. God has equipped us to fulfill his Great Commission in exactly the way he sees fit. He knew when he created us precisely how, when, where, and with whom we would be used by him. He designed us specifically for the job. He didn't put us on earth to use talents belonging to someone else or not use our own because we believe them to be inadequate. He gives us what we need to complete our responsibilities as a disciple with success. The only sameness among us is the "what" to which we are called - we are to be servants, carrying the Gospel to the lost.
Here's what I know to be true - God will never ask us to do anything that he will not equip us to do. He may stretch us, pull us out of our comfort zone, and push us to take a risk, but he will NOT leave us hanging. When he called us to follow him and make disciples, he promised that we would be given the power to do the work (Mark 16:15-18; John 14:12,26; Acts 1:8).
When I stand before God, I want to hear him say he's pleased with how I used the talents he gave me. I want him to see, in the meantime, that he can trust me with more responsibility (Matthew 25:23).
God's given each of us "talents" to use for his purposes. Some people are off the charts gifted, by this world's estimation, and the rest of us are just "normal." Whether we think we have what it takes to serve God like those Christians who serve as our icons of greatness or not is irrelevant to us being responsible to use what God has given us to fulfill his charge to follow him and make disciples (John 21:19, 22; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21-22).
None of us can claim insignificance. God has equipped us to fulfill his Great Commission in exactly the way he sees fit. He knew when he created us precisely how, when, where, and with whom we would be used by him. He designed us specifically for the job. He didn't put us on earth to use talents belonging to someone else or not use our own because we believe them to be inadequate. He gives us what we need to complete our responsibilities as a disciple with success. The only sameness among us is the "what" to which we are called - we are to be servants, carrying the Gospel to the lost.
Here's what I know to be true - God will never ask us to do anything that he will not equip us to do. He may stretch us, pull us out of our comfort zone, and push us to take a risk, but he will NOT leave us hanging. When he called us to follow him and make disciples, he promised that we would be given the power to do the work (Mark 16:15-18; John 14:12,26; Acts 1:8).
When I stand before God, I want to hear him say he's pleased with how I used the talents he gave me. I want him to see, in the meantime, that he can trust me with more responsibility (Matthew 25:23).
Lord, we know that we don't have any excuses for not fulfilling the responsibility you have given us with the talents you have provided. Please cause us to become uncomfortable with our willingness to bury our talents and avoid our responsibility to follow you. Move us to seek the power and anointing of your Holy Spirit so that we will be faithful to serve. In your name, amen.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Responsibility: Taking Care of God's Creation
Our children at church will be asked some tough questions over the next two months as they learn about responsibility. During the month of June, all the questions begin like this: "What in the world are you doing to ...." First, I like this because already I know each individual is to be held accountable for something. The tendency to put responsibility onto someone else is removed from the equation. Second, the suggestion that there must be an action of some sort lets me know that no one will be able to simply know the truth; the expectation of taking action is explicit. Finally, establishing the world as the context for our "doing" makes a clear statement - we aren't called to ignore what's going on around us. Taking care of God's creation and his gifts - the World and all that's in it - is a responsibility we have been given to fulfill.
Genesis 1:26-29 explains that God decided to create man in his image and give man responsibility for the earth - all the animals, fish, birds, and plant life. He gave us meaningful work to accomplish. It's easy to see how we haven't always been as responsible as we should have been. Each generation has its own version of environmental awareness. The slogans that branded my generation were "Give a Hoot; Don't Pollute" and "Don't be a Litterbug." Today, we are rightfully concerned with catastrophic oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and waste management. People may go to the extremes of responsibility either way, from those who scoff at global warming and its ramifications, to those who radically protest the death of animals for any reason or purpose. I suggest that God created us in his image; therefore, he gave us the ability to exercise common sense and to genuinely care for what's been put into our keeping.
We can take our cues from Jesus on how best to care for God's creation, which does include our fellow human beings. In John 17, as Jesus was preparing for his crucifixion and ascension to Heaven, he prayed for those whom the Father had given him, the disciples and all who would come to claim Christ as their personal savior (John 17:6, 20). God had made Jesus responsible for all flesh (John 17:2) so we might know eternal life. Jesus gave to us all that the Father asked him to give, and he prayed that the Father would keep us from evil and make us one with them (John 17:8, 15, 21). At this particular moment in his life, Jesus could have chosen to shirk his responsibility, but instead, he sought the safekeeping of those for whom he was responsible, and then he fulfilled what he was sent to do by dying on the cross that we might have life everlasting.
Maybe John 17 is an unusual example of what it means to "take care of God's creation," but I suspect we can gain insight into what it means when God makes us responsible. God gave us an incredible gift when he put us in the position of caretaker for his creation. We can choose to be reckless with the trust, or we can step up, be responsible, and treat God's creation with the care and respect it deserves. Someday, he will hold us accountable for how we answer the question, "What in the world are you doing to take care of what God made."
Genesis 1:26-29 explains that God decided to create man in his image and give man responsibility for the earth - all the animals, fish, birds, and plant life. He gave us meaningful work to accomplish. It's easy to see how we haven't always been as responsible as we should have been. Each generation has its own version of environmental awareness. The slogans that branded my generation were "Give a Hoot; Don't Pollute" and "Don't be a Litterbug." Today, we are rightfully concerned with catastrophic oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and waste management. People may go to the extremes of responsibility either way, from those who scoff at global warming and its ramifications, to those who radically protest the death of animals for any reason or purpose. I suggest that God created us in his image; therefore, he gave us the ability to exercise common sense and to genuinely care for what's been put into our keeping.
We can take our cues from Jesus on how best to care for God's creation, which does include our fellow human beings. In John 17, as Jesus was preparing for his crucifixion and ascension to Heaven, he prayed for those whom the Father had given him, the disciples and all who would come to claim Christ as their personal savior (John 17:6, 20). God had made Jesus responsible for all flesh (John 17:2) so we might know eternal life. Jesus gave to us all that the Father asked him to give, and he prayed that the Father would keep us from evil and make us one with them (John 17:8, 15, 21). At this particular moment in his life, Jesus could have chosen to shirk his responsibility, but instead, he sought the safekeeping of those for whom he was responsible, and then he fulfilled what he was sent to do by dying on the cross that we might have life everlasting.
Maybe John 17 is an unusual example of what it means to "take care of God's creation," but I suspect we can gain insight into what it means when God makes us responsible. God gave us an incredible gift when he put us in the position of caretaker for his creation. We can choose to be reckless with the trust, or we can step up, be responsible, and treat God's creation with the care and respect it deserves. Someday, he will hold us accountable for how we answer the question, "What in the world are you doing to take care of what God made."
Heavenly Father, thank you for sharing your creation with us. Please help us to remember our responsibility to all you have created and to care for it as you would expect. Thank you for giving us the wisdom and the strength to do what you have asked us to do. Amen.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
"Circuit Training" in God's Devoted Follower's Boot Camp
Have you ever stopped to think how lucrative the exercise equipment business is? Buff guys on television "paid programming" make the latest, greatest, "get rock hard abs like mine" machine look so effortless. It's easy to morph into a fit body with sculpted muscles in just a few minutes a day - more like a quick look at the machine - if we can believe the advertising pitch! And it's crazy how many people do believe! We hope that if we have that miracle-working piece of equipment, we will somehow develop the self-discipline it will take to actually use it consistently so that we become fit, like the guy in the ad, without breaking a sweat, and in just a few short sessions.
So we fork over 4 easy payments of $99.99 plus shipping and handling. When it arrives, we unpack the box with determination, place the "thing" in front of the television, put on our newly purchased work-out gear (it is, after all, all about the look), and begin to exercise, only to discover that the guy on the ad lied. The machine is NOT easy and the effort required to make it work is HUGE! It doesn't take long for our resolve to dissolve and for the equipment to end up in the storage room along with all the other exercise stuff we've accumulated and rejected.
I wonder if we sometimes assume that becoming a mature Christian is supposed to come without extreme effort, personal sacrifice, and self-discipline. Once we accept Christ as our Savior, the training begins, and it doesn't end until we stand before the Lord, face to face. What is absolutely encouraging is that we have all we need (Phil. 4:19) to develop into "buff Christians." God has given us faith, and he's promised to provide the strength we need to grow in him and to become who he created us to be (Phil. 4:13). He's given us a complete training manual, the Bible, an example to follow, Jesus, and a personal trainer, the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:1-5 is an interesting explanation of the kind of "circuit training" we can expect once we sign on for God's "Devoted Follower's Boot Camp." We discover that first we have entered into relationship with him through faith (Romans 5:1-2). It's this faith that allows us to believe and receive the grace of God and the gift of salvation. It's small faith (maybe the size of a mustard seed - Matthew 17:20), but like muscle and cardio-vascular capacity, it has growth potential!
Along with this faith, we have hope that, as a result of our salvation, we will know God's glory. Hope goes hand-in-hand with faith (Hebrews 11:1); therefore, hope has room to grow too. But just as muscles and lung capacity don't increase and strengthen by just wishing it so, faith and hope have to be pushed, stretched, and exercised to build endurance.
God's "training routine" requires that we know "tribulation" (Romans 5:3). But, it's the tribulation that develops patience in us. If we exercise our faith and hope during the tough times, if we stay focused and committed and draw our strength to endure from God, we come out stronger. That strength translates into a "chiseled, Christlike physique," which produces in us the will to keep on following after Christ, doing whatever it takes to become like him.
The "circuit training" God designs for us follows this pattern - faith to accept salvation, hope for a glorious future with him, tribulation to develop patience, patience to produce experience, and experience that results in more hope (Romans 5:3-5)!
Romans 8:25 says, "But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." We don't begin our training looking like the physically fit pitch-men in the advertisements, but we do hope that if we are patient (and patience doesn't always mean inactivity) and keep our eyes on the goal, we can develop the fitness God desires for us.
As we gain endurance, we have the experience to encourage us on to the next level. God wants us to graduate from his "boot camp" fully developed so that on the day that we stand before him, he can say, "Well done! You've run a good race" (I Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1)!
Lord, you know that we need to be pushed to develop into who you intend for us to be. You start our "training" gently, but you know for us to run the race to the finish, we will need more rigor! Thank you for providing all we need to be successful as we mature in our walk with you.
So we fork over 4 easy payments of $99.99 plus shipping and handling. When it arrives, we unpack the box with determination, place the "thing" in front of the television, put on our newly purchased work-out gear (it is, after all, all about the look), and begin to exercise, only to discover that the guy on the ad lied. The machine is NOT easy and the effort required to make it work is HUGE! It doesn't take long for our resolve to dissolve and for the equipment to end up in the storage room along with all the other exercise stuff we've accumulated and rejected.
I wonder if we sometimes assume that becoming a mature Christian is supposed to come without extreme effort, personal sacrifice, and self-discipline. Once we accept Christ as our Savior, the training begins, and it doesn't end until we stand before the Lord, face to face. What is absolutely encouraging is that we have all we need (Phil. 4:19) to develop into "buff Christians." God has given us faith, and he's promised to provide the strength we need to grow in him and to become who he created us to be (Phil. 4:13). He's given us a complete training manual, the Bible, an example to follow, Jesus, and a personal trainer, the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:1-5 is an interesting explanation of the kind of "circuit training" we can expect once we sign on for God's "Devoted Follower's Boot Camp." We discover that first we have entered into relationship with him through faith (Romans 5:1-2). It's this faith that allows us to believe and receive the grace of God and the gift of salvation. It's small faith (maybe the size of a mustard seed - Matthew 17:20), but like muscle and cardio-vascular capacity, it has growth potential!
Along with this faith, we have hope that, as a result of our salvation, we will know God's glory. Hope goes hand-in-hand with faith (Hebrews 11:1); therefore, hope has room to grow too. But just as muscles and lung capacity don't increase and strengthen by just wishing it so, faith and hope have to be pushed, stretched, and exercised to build endurance.
God's "training routine" requires that we know "tribulation" (Romans 5:3). But, it's the tribulation that develops patience in us. If we exercise our faith and hope during the tough times, if we stay focused and committed and draw our strength to endure from God, we come out stronger. That strength translates into a "chiseled, Christlike physique," which produces in us the will to keep on following after Christ, doing whatever it takes to become like him.
The "circuit training" God designs for us follows this pattern - faith to accept salvation, hope for a glorious future with him, tribulation to develop patience, patience to produce experience, and experience that results in more hope (Romans 5:3-5)!
Romans 8:25 says, "But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." We don't begin our training looking like the physically fit pitch-men in the advertisements, but we do hope that if we are patient (and patience doesn't always mean inactivity) and keep our eyes on the goal, we can develop the fitness God desires for us.
As we gain endurance, we have the experience to encourage us on to the next level. God wants us to graduate from his "boot camp" fully developed so that on the day that we stand before him, he can say, "Well done! You've run a good race" (I Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1)!
Lord, you know that we need to be pushed to develop into who you intend for us to be. You start our "training" gently, but you know for us to run the race to the finish, we will need more rigor! Thank you for providing all we need to be successful as we mature in our walk with you.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Waiting for Walls to Fall: An Exercise of Patience
Exercising patience means waiting. Generally, we have two ways in which we can wait - with fear and anxiety or with great anticipation and excitement. The condition in which we wait often coincides directly with the way in which we are related to God. If we are out of sync, we are going to be truly worried about the outcome and will attempt to take matters into our own hands. Conversely, if we are "right with God," we can wait and watch for how he is going to work in the situations we face. We can anticipate his plan with the same difficult-to-contain excitement of a child awaiting Christmas morning, or we can agonize with the "wait 'til your father gets home" fear and dread!
God commanded Joshua and the children of Israel to prepare to take Jericho. This involved becoming "purified" before God, honoring and revering his presence among them, and following some rather unconventional tactics of warfare. A key to learning to wait with patient anticipation to "...see the salvation of the Lord..." (Exodus 14:13; II Chronicles 20:17) is to sanctify or purify ourselves (to have a right heart) before him. Joshua told the children of Israel, "Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Joshua 3:5). God does great and wondrous things in our lives when we are obedient to him; when we aren't, we prevent him from blessing our lives (see Joshua 7).
With God present among the Israelites, they were ready to pass into the Land of Canaan that he had promised them. He commanded Joshua to have the Levite priests carry the Ark of the Covenant, God's symbol of his holy presence, into the Jordan River. As long as the priests stood in the Jordan with the Ark, the people were able to cross on dry land (Joshua 3:11-17). When the people prepared to take Jericho, God was there, as the priests led the procession around the walls of the city (Joshua 6:11). God, present in any situation of our lives, leading the charge, results in victory. In the words of David, "For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall" (II Samuel 22:30, Psalm 18:29). Nothing is too great for God; we just have to let him lead!
Marching around the walls of Jericho once a day for six days, with trumpets blowing, and then repeating the same pattern on the seventh day for seven circuits with a shout added the last time around doesn't seem like a plan for successfully taking the city and routing the people (Joshua 6:1-21). But, it was God's plan, and Joshua insisted that the people follow it as ordered. Sure enough, on the seventh time around when the trumpets sounded, the children of Israel gave up a shout of victory, and the walls of Jericho fell. The people were victorious because they did as God commanded.
God doesn't always act in ways that make sense to us. In Isaiah 55:8, God says, "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." Sometimes he wants us to do things that run counter to what we believe is a rational course of action. It's in these times that our patience is truly tested. We can become anxious and step out in our own wisdom trying to fix the situation, or we can wait excitedly, anticipating what God will do. Walls fall when we wait on God!
Lord, I don't like waiting! But, thank you for giving me plenty of "opportunities" to develop patience and a desire to wait for your leading and to follow it. You have a plan, it's perfect, and I want to be in obedience to you. Thank you for your patience with me. Thank you for making right the messes I've made by rushing ahead of you. Thank you, Lord, because in all things you are amazing!
God commanded Joshua and the children of Israel to prepare to take Jericho. This involved becoming "purified" before God, honoring and revering his presence among them, and following some rather unconventional tactics of warfare. A key to learning to wait with patient anticipation to "...see the salvation of the Lord..." (Exodus 14:13; II Chronicles 20:17) is to sanctify or purify ourselves (to have a right heart) before him. Joshua told the children of Israel, "Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Joshua 3:5). God does great and wondrous things in our lives when we are obedient to him; when we aren't, we prevent him from blessing our lives (see Joshua 7).
With God present among the Israelites, they were ready to pass into the Land of Canaan that he had promised them. He commanded Joshua to have the Levite priests carry the Ark of the Covenant, God's symbol of his holy presence, into the Jordan River. As long as the priests stood in the Jordan with the Ark, the people were able to cross on dry land (Joshua 3:11-17). When the people prepared to take Jericho, God was there, as the priests led the procession around the walls of the city (Joshua 6:11). God, present in any situation of our lives, leading the charge, results in victory. In the words of David, "For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall" (II Samuel 22:30, Psalm 18:29). Nothing is too great for God; we just have to let him lead!
Marching around the walls of Jericho once a day for six days, with trumpets blowing, and then repeating the same pattern on the seventh day for seven circuits with a shout added the last time around doesn't seem like a plan for successfully taking the city and routing the people (Joshua 6:1-21). But, it was God's plan, and Joshua insisted that the people follow it as ordered. Sure enough, on the seventh time around when the trumpets sounded, the children of Israel gave up a shout of victory, and the walls of Jericho fell. The people were victorious because they did as God commanded.
God doesn't always act in ways that make sense to us. In Isaiah 55:8, God says, "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." Sometimes he wants us to do things that run counter to what we believe is a rational course of action. It's in these times that our patience is truly tested. We can become anxious and step out in our own wisdom trying to fix the situation, or we can wait excitedly, anticipating what God will do. Walls fall when we wait on God!
Lord, I don't like waiting! But, thank you for giving me plenty of "opportunities" to develop patience and a desire to wait for your leading and to follow it. You have a plan, it's perfect, and I want to be in obedience to you. Thank you for your patience with me. Thank you for making right the messes I've made by rushing ahead of you. Thank you, Lord, because in all things you are amazing!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Parenting - Golden Calves and Other Objects of Our Affection
This week my attention was drawn to the account in Exodus 32 of the children of Israel growing impatient with the absence of their leader Moses. He had gone to Mount Sinai to hear from God and was taking way too long, as far as the people were concerned. They gave up waiting on, "That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt..." (Exodus 32:1, The Message). In reality, they gave up waiting on God - the same God they had sworn to obey (Exodus 19:2-8). Instead of drawing from their most recent memory of God's delivering them miraculously from Egyptian bondage, they grew impatient and demanded that Aaron, the God-ordained priest, make them "...gods who will lead us" (Exodus 32:1, The Message). Aaron gave into their demands and crafted a golden calf from their gold earrings and built an altar before it. He led the people in sacrificing offerings on that altar, and then they began to party! The party didn't last long; God was not amused! He commanded Moses to get down the mountain and back to the people. Moses had to intercede for them because God threatened to incinerate them! Moses destroyed the golden calf and carried out punishment on the people leading the revelry, and God sent a plague on all of them!
Far too often we too grow impatient, waiting for God to send an answer or give us what we believe we need. We want the "gods we can see" to lead us. The "god" may be the job we believe will bring us fulfillment or recognition. We may want so badly to be married that we settle for someone we know isn't Mr. or Ms. Right. Other times, we just put pencil to paper and figure out a way to have what we want - a car, a house, a vacation - even though something is tugging at us, telling us the timing isn't right. Whatever it is, we forget the God who has promised to be our provider and supply all our need according to his riches (Philippians 4:19). We get ahead of his plan and purposes for our lives and become his "helper." Usually, we "help" ourselves right into a big mess. We offer our worship to and place our faith in what we can see and manufacture.
God knows this about us. He knows we are prone to "playing god" and rushing headlong into trouble. He knows that sometimes getting what we want when we want it isn't in our best interest. Yet, God allows us to take matters into our own hands when we persist. I believe he knows that we eventually will learn that waiting on him to lead us and to provide for us is the wisest course of action! I believe he knows that the "plagues" that generally follow our own "golden calf" experiences end up being pretty good lessons for us.
Learning to be patient doesn't mean we sit around doing nothing. Waiting on God requires action (I Timothy 6:11). While we wait, we pray for God's strength to wait patiently. We read his word for guidance and are actively obedient to his word. We seek his direction. We listen for his voice. We worship him and believe that he is working all things for our good (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Like the children of Israel and Aaron, we can grow tired of waiting on God to lead us and rely on golden calves of our own making. We can worship at their altars, and we can be disappointed. Or, we can believe in what we cannot see and stand firm in God's promises and experience the rewards of our faithfulness (Hebrews 11:6).
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness and your patience with us. Teach us to hear your voice as you lead us. Give us the desire to wait on you with courage! In your name we ask. Amen!
Far too often we too grow impatient, waiting for God to send an answer or give us what we believe we need. We want the "gods we can see" to lead us. The "god" may be the job we believe will bring us fulfillment or recognition. We may want so badly to be married that we settle for someone we know isn't Mr. or Ms. Right. Other times, we just put pencil to paper and figure out a way to have what we want - a car, a house, a vacation - even though something is tugging at us, telling us the timing isn't right. Whatever it is, we forget the God who has promised to be our provider and supply all our need according to his riches (Philippians 4:19). We get ahead of his plan and purposes for our lives and become his "helper." Usually, we "help" ourselves right into a big mess. We offer our worship to and place our faith in what we can see and manufacture.
God knows this about us. He knows we are prone to "playing god" and rushing headlong into trouble. He knows that sometimes getting what we want when we want it isn't in our best interest. Yet, God allows us to take matters into our own hands when we persist. I believe he knows that we eventually will learn that waiting on him to lead us and to provide for us is the wisest course of action! I believe he knows that the "plagues" that generally follow our own "golden calf" experiences end up being pretty good lessons for us.
Learning to be patient doesn't mean we sit around doing nothing. Waiting on God requires action (I Timothy 6:11). While we wait, we pray for God's strength to wait patiently. We read his word for guidance and are actively obedient to his word. We seek his direction. We listen for his voice. We worship him and believe that he is working all things for our good (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Like the children of Israel and Aaron, we can grow tired of waiting on God to lead us and rely on golden calves of our own making. We can worship at their altars, and we can be disappointed. Or, we can believe in what we cannot see and stand firm in God's promises and experience the rewards of our faithfulness (Hebrews 11:6).
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness and your patience with us. Teach us to hear your voice as you lead us. Give us the desire to wait on you with courage! In your name we ask. Amen!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Parenting - Patience: The Waiting Game!
I occasionally suffer with bouts of impatience! Of late, I've had several such occasions. As luck (this has to be a "God thing") would have it, our children at church are learning this month about the importance of the virtue PATIENCE! God does have a sense of humor, in case you wondered.
Truthfully, I have learned to be patient about a lot of things and with lots of people. I can wait for Christmas and have no problem waiting patiently for my birthday to arrive. I can put off purchasing items I can't afford until I can afford them or the desire to have them passes. I have incredible patience with my precious 2-year old granddaughter. In fact, my daughters probably wonder who this woman is! I'm sure they don't recall the same calm "indulgence" as they were growing up. My patience with other people's teenagers is truly a thing of wonder! But, I have great difficulty standing in line at Wal-mart waiting for the cashier to figure out whether she's charging for parsley or cilantro. Sitting in traffic is far from my favorite way to spend time, and waiting in the doctor's office, when I've taken out time from my busy day and arrived as scheduled months ahead, puts me around the bend.
Patience just isn't something that comes naturally to any of us, but if we are going to grow in our relationship with the Lord and be obedient to Him (Galatians 5:22-23), it's sure something we need! I was curious about how many times we are told in the Bible to "wait on the Lord" or to have patience. Being impatient, I decided rather than try to count them all from my Bible concordance, I'd do what any 21st century learner does, I'd Google it. That only furthered my impatience. The number of random hits was in the millions - really! So, scanning my concordance once again, I confirmed that there are lots of places where we are told to "wait" or to be patient!
Certainly we have plenty of Biblical examples of individuals who chose not to wait. Esau, twin brother to Jacob, is a great one. Esau, the eldest twin and a hunter, gave up his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup prepared by his younger twin, Jacob (Genesis 25:24-34). You'd think being a hunter that Esau would have patience, but apparently, like many of us, he had patience for some things but not all. He gave away something of great value in a moment of weakness; he was in a hurry to fill his belly and didn't stop to think of the lasting and monumental consequences of his impatience.
I have to stop myself when I begin to get all self-righteous about Esau being so dumb! I have been Esau. There have been times in my life when I was in a hurry to have what I thought I wanted. Every time that I failed to seek God's plan or rushed ahead and gave him assistance, I messed up and paid a high price. Thankfully, after far too many experiences like this, I am beginning to learn the importance of waiting on the Lord's time and plan (James 1:4).
As adults who have the responsibility for teaching children and young people the value of patience, we really do need to allow God to develop it in us (I Timothy 6:11). It's an ongoing process. If we are to have credibility when we tell our children to wait or be patient, they need to see us exercise patience (Psalm 37:7; Psalm 52:9; Lamentations 3:26).
Waiting isn't easy. We live in a "hurry up" culture with a "got to have it now" way of thinking. We aren't encouraged to be still and know God (Psalm 46:10) , to meditate on his word (Joshua 1:8) and seek his purposes. But if we want to avoid making the kinds of mistakes that we may regret, we must seek to learn patience - and God is a "learn by doing" kind of teacher. He will put us right in the middle of a situation where we have to choose to rely on him and be patient or rely on our own wisdom and rush ahead of him (Romans 5:3).
So, as I deal with my case of impatience, I am learning to wait, wait, and wait some more. The experience has been hard but not impossible, and I do think I'm gaining strength to be patient. As my mom pointed out, God planned an 11-day trip for the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Because of their impatience, the trip took 40 years! I am learning to wait so the trip is a short one!
Truthfully, I have learned to be patient about a lot of things and with lots of people. I can wait for Christmas and have no problem waiting patiently for my birthday to arrive. I can put off purchasing items I can't afford until I can afford them or the desire to have them passes. I have incredible patience with my precious 2-year old granddaughter. In fact, my daughters probably wonder who this woman is! I'm sure they don't recall the same calm "indulgence" as they were growing up. My patience with other people's teenagers is truly a thing of wonder! But, I have great difficulty standing in line at Wal-mart waiting for the cashier to figure out whether she's charging for parsley or cilantro. Sitting in traffic is far from my favorite way to spend time, and waiting in the doctor's office, when I've taken out time from my busy day and arrived as scheduled months ahead, puts me around the bend.
Patience just isn't something that comes naturally to any of us, but if we are going to grow in our relationship with the Lord and be obedient to Him (Galatians 5:22-23), it's sure something we need! I was curious about how many times we are told in the Bible to "wait on the Lord" or to have patience. Being impatient, I decided rather than try to count them all from my Bible concordance, I'd do what any 21st century learner does, I'd Google it. That only furthered my impatience. The number of random hits was in the millions - really! So, scanning my concordance once again, I confirmed that there are lots of places where we are told to "wait" or to be patient!
Certainly we have plenty of Biblical examples of individuals who chose not to wait. Esau, twin brother to Jacob, is a great one. Esau, the eldest twin and a hunter, gave up his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup prepared by his younger twin, Jacob (Genesis 25:24-34). You'd think being a hunter that Esau would have patience, but apparently, like many of us, he had patience for some things but not all. He gave away something of great value in a moment of weakness; he was in a hurry to fill his belly and didn't stop to think of the lasting and monumental consequences of his impatience.
I have to stop myself when I begin to get all self-righteous about Esau being so dumb! I have been Esau. There have been times in my life when I was in a hurry to have what I thought I wanted. Every time that I failed to seek God's plan or rushed ahead and gave him assistance, I messed up and paid a high price. Thankfully, after far too many experiences like this, I am beginning to learn the importance of waiting on the Lord's time and plan (James 1:4).
As adults who have the responsibility for teaching children and young people the value of patience, we really do need to allow God to develop it in us (I Timothy 6:11). It's an ongoing process. If we are to have credibility when we tell our children to wait or be patient, they need to see us exercise patience (Psalm 37:7; Psalm 52:9; Lamentations 3:26).
Waiting isn't easy. We live in a "hurry up" culture with a "got to have it now" way of thinking. We aren't encouraged to be still and know God (Psalm 46:10) , to meditate on his word (Joshua 1:8) and seek his purposes. But if we want to avoid making the kinds of mistakes that we may regret, we must seek to learn patience - and God is a "learn by doing" kind of teacher. He will put us right in the middle of a situation where we have to choose to rely on him and be patient or rely on our own wisdom and rush ahead of him (Romans 5:3).
So, as I deal with my case of impatience, I am learning to wait, wait, and wait some more. The experience has been hard but not impossible, and I do think I'm gaining strength to be patient. As my mom pointed out, God planned an 11-day trip for the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Because of their impatience, the trip took 40 years! I am learning to wait so the trip is a short one!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your patience with me. I'm so glad you don't throw in the towel and give up on me when I'm so slow to learn or when I am willful and disobedient. You have given all of us the ability to be patient, and you know it's in our best interest that we learn to wait on you. Please help us to rely on your Holy Spirit and your strength to develop patience to wait for your perfect will and timing in our lives. Give us the wisdom to teach our children to wait on you and follow as you lead them. Thank you for being such a loving and patient teacher. Amen.
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