Sometimes you gotta just return to the gospel. Return to the cross. Return to the basic "meat and potatoes" of your faith and get your fill.
Last night I did that. Spent a couple hours studying Romans 7:7-25, and man, that is not a feel good chapter. But it's humbling. It puts you back in the reality of your fallen self. It reminds me once again that my desires and my actions do not always match up, and there is no escape from that.
Sin is mentioned at least 17 times and is often used with verbs in that passage. It's active. It seizes opportunities to manifest itself (vs. 8 & 11). It deceives (v. 11). It enslaves (vs. 14 & 25). It is living in all of us, and we cannot exterminate or wipe it out in this lifetime (v. 17, 20 & 23).
Additionally, the law is described as spiritual (v. 14), holy (v. 12), good (v. 16) and God's (v. 22). Just because the commandments and law condemn us and our inability to keep them, doesn't make them bad or wrong or unspiritual. Instead, it causes us to see sin as just that -sin. As "utterly sinful" (v. 13).
Utterly sinful. Funny when you think about that word. Is it that we don't understand the meaning of sin? Is it that we don't take the word seriously? Is it that we believe God is only gracious and not just? Is it that we excuse away the black and white in favor of a gray - "it's not as bad as (fill in the blank)"? I'd like to suggest all of the above and more. We like to think the best of people. We already think the best of ourselves. And it's much easier to believe good people receive good rewards in the next life for being kind and nice and honest here on earth.
But this is our great error. Good people are. not. free. from. sin. Christians are. not. free. from. sin. When you believe in Christ and become a Christian, you don't watch your problems disappear. Instead, you actually begin to see the battles within yourself more and more clearly, and you struggle with that war and tension between what you know and what you do.
However! There is good news my friends. Check out Romans 8:1, the next verse after the passage I studied. "Therefore" it starts. Notice that's a transition word. In light of all that has come before, now the writer wants to make a statement. Therefore, because of what was written before and now that you understand - "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Therefore, even though we will struggle forever on this earth between what we know we should do and what we actually do, God is good enough and gracious enough and merciful enough to create a way we can be freed from drowning in fallen humanity for eternity. And He's done it without any aid on our part. This is the rescue mission of Jesus Christ.
Let's pretend it's a movie. Adam and Eve come on the scene. Life is perfect and how it should be. Man is made perfect in God's image and display that for the world to see. Sin enters because of humans. The law enters to help humans return to a right relationship with God. Sin goes crazy at work in the hearts of men to degrade them based on this law, though, and to trick and trap and seize their lives. God unfolds a counter-attack and sends Jesus to live and die and conquer death three days later. I've got Denzel Washington's voice in my head from the movie "Remember the Titans". He's talking to the other coaches about not letting up even after a tragic car accident with one of the team leaders, but he doesn't let anything stop him. "I'm a winner," he says. "I'm going to win."
This is the gospel we are all invited to daily. A winning one. A grace-filled one. A tragic one when we understand our condition, but a beautiful one when we realize God never left us there helpless. He continued with the "therefore" and finished with the cross. Price has been paid. Ransom made. Rescue complete.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
[oceans]
Three days ago my small group studied Hebrews 2:1-4, and I am still trying to put into words my thoughts and lessons learned from that. Talking it out usually doesn't work and hasn't, so I shall try my hand at writing.
It was about drifting. Drifting away from the Lord. Either we're pushing on in the grace of the cross or we're drifting away from Him. There is no standing still in faith because the world isn't a quiet lake. It's a raging ocean.
That reminds me of that time I tried surfing once. We were in San Diego learning about tribal missions, and our speaker was also a legit surfer. He took us to the beach in the afternoons, and I learned pretty quick that it is much harder than it looks after getting owned before I even got out into the waves. I'd take two steps forward and the water would push the gigantic surf board and I back one. Then I'd take three steps forward and the waves would push me back two. On and on it went until I finally got beyond the shore, but by then, I was exhausted and simply wanted to float on the board rather than attempt to catch a wave.
Exhaustion. I remember Oswald Chambers wrote about that once. He talked about spiritual exhaustion coming from serving and people relying on you instead of Christ for truth, and man, I feel that this semester. But I like Chambers because he doesn't leave us there feeling sorry for ourselves.
"Has the way in which you have been serving God betrayed you into exhaustion?," Chambers wrote. "If so, then rally your affections. Where did you start the service from? From your own sympathy or from the basis of the Redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually go back to the foundation of your affections and recollect where the source of power is. You have no right to say - 'O Lord, I am so exhausted.' He saved and sanctified you in order to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember your supply comes from Him. 'All my fresh springs shall be in Thee.'" [My Utmost For His Highest]
And that last sentence is the key of all my rambling don't you think? When God tells us to spend time with Him in the Word, prayer, fellowship, service, He doesn't ever start with a command. It's always an invitation. An invitation to find peace and answers and joy in Him. "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." And that is just as comforting as, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me."
Because it's not really about working and stressing and plotting and planning and sacrificing for Him. It's listening and responding and doing what He's asked us to do on the basis of the cross. It's seeing our salvation freshly every day. It's doing the things we can do and trusting God to do what only He can do.
Life is an ocean with waves all around us. Satan has plans for our lives just as much as God does, and Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). But the good news is the second part of that verse. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." [Jesus]
Isn't this exactly what we want? Isn't this what we internally all desire whether we confront it now or on our death bed? To have a full, meaningful life. To be absolutely exhausted for God's glory by the end of our lives. To cross the final finish line of the race with legs that are beyond numb but knowing just one and one good thing - you left everything you were given out there.
It was about drifting. Drifting away from the Lord. Either we're pushing on in the grace of the cross or we're drifting away from Him. There is no standing still in faith because the world isn't a quiet lake. It's a raging ocean.
That reminds me of that time I tried surfing once. We were in San Diego learning about tribal missions, and our speaker was also a legit surfer. He took us to the beach in the afternoons, and I learned pretty quick that it is much harder than it looks after getting owned before I even got out into the waves. I'd take two steps forward and the water would push the gigantic surf board and I back one. Then I'd take three steps forward and the waves would push me back two. On and on it went until I finally got beyond the shore, but by then, I was exhausted and simply wanted to float on the board rather than attempt to catch a wave.
Exhaustion. I remember Oswald Chambers wrote about that once. He talked about spiritual exhaustion coming from serving and people relying on you instead of Christ for truth, and man, I feel that this semester. But I like Chambers because he doesn't leave us there feeling sorry for ourselves.
"Has the way in which you have been serving God betrayed you into exhaustion?," Chambers wrote. "If so, then rally your affections. Where did you start the service from? From your own sympathy or from the basis of the Redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually go back to the foundation of your affections and recollect where the source of power is. You have no right to say - 'O Lord, I am so exhausted.' He saved and sanctified you in order to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember your supply comes from Him. 'All my fresh springs shall be in Thee.'" [My Utmost For His Highest]
And that last sentence is the key of all my rambling don't you think? When God tells us to spend time with Him in the Word, prayer, fellowship, service, He doesn't ever start with a command. It's always an invitation. An invitation to find peace and answers and joy in Him. "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." And that is just as comforting as, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me."
Because it's not really about working and stressing and plotting and planning and sacrificing for Him. It's listening and responding and doing what He's asked us to do on the basis of the cross. It's seeing our salvation freshly every day. It's doing the things we can do and trusting God to do what only He can do.
Life is an ocean with waves all around us. Satan has plans for our lives just as much as God does, and Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). But the good news is the second part of that verse. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." [Jesus]
Isn't this exactly what we want? Isn't this what we internally all desire whether we confront it now or on our death bed? To have a full, meaningful life. To be absolutely exhausted for God's glory by the end of our lives. To cross the final finish line of the race with legs that are beyond numb but knowing just one and one good thing - you left everything you were given out there.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
[things i am learning]
Every day I'm technically in ministry. I say technically because by title I am, but truthfully, every day of my life following Christ is ministry. The world watches my actions, hears my words, sees my reactions, perceives my heart's inner peace. It took a title for me to start realizing this, but here are just some of the things I have learned by God's grace the last six months in "ministry":
1. I am human. I am in-capable of loving people well by my strength or courage. I am headed toward defeat when I fail to spend adequate time with the Lord and draw on my wisdom instead of His.
I like this quote that reminds me of that: "The language of all true faith is simply 'thank you!'. That is your response to God. Don't complicate it. Jesus Christ has give you Himself because you do not have what it takes to live the Christian life." [I. Gordon]
2. I have more questions than answers, and that is ok.
3. Everything I do is a reflection of the cross if I claim to follow Christ. I spend my days with people who mostly don't know Him or many times haven't even heard what He's done for them, and that makes you reflect on your words and your actions much differently. Sad that it took me til now to really think deeply and seriously about what gospel I preach with every aspect of my life. Not just during "on the clock" hours but more-so the "off the clock" times.
4. God is worth it. Brad Buser told us the story last summer of doubting whether he would be any good at taking the gospel to an unreached tribe in Papau New Guinea, and as he voiced his hesitation one last time, his leader said, "Based on what Jesus has done, get on the train (headed to missions training) unless God shuts you down. He's big enough to shut you down."
Based on what Jesus has done for me, I am on the train to spend my life sharing the gospel with people who have never heard. And over and over and over again, despite criticism from some of the people closest to me and doubt in my own heart and times when I just want to shut the world out, God has been faithful in reminding and assuring me what Jesus has done in my life and Who He is. That is enough I do say. Matthew 28:18-20 is a verse. We don't need a "call" when we have a verse. The ultimate question is whether Jesus is Lord of our lives or not. Who has commanded us to go is so much more powerful than the what He's asked us to do.
1. I am human. I am in-capable of loving people well by my strength or courage. I am headed toward defeat when I fail to spend adequate time with the Lord and draw on my wisdom instead of His.
I like this quote that reminds me of that: "The language of all true faith is simply 'thank you!'. That is your response to God. Don't complicate it. Jesus Christ has give you Himself because you do not have what it takes to live the Christian life." [I. Gordon]
2. I have more questions than answers, and that is ok.
3. Everything I do is a reflection of the cross if I claim to follow Christ. I spend my days with people who mostly don't know Him or many times haven't even heard what He's done for them, and that makes you reflect on your words and your actions much differently. Sad that it took me til now to really think deeply and seriously about what gospel I preach with every aspect of my life. Not just during "on the clock" hours but more-so the "off the clock" times.
4. God is worth it. Brad Buser told us the story last summer of doubting whether he would be any good at taking the gospel to an unreached tribe in Papau New Guinea, and as he voiced his hesitation one last time, his leader said, "Based on what Jesus has done, get on the train (headed to missions training) unless God shuts you down. He's big enough to shut you down."
Based on what Jesus has done for me, I am on the train to spend my life sharing the gospel with people who have never heard. And over and over and over again, despite criticism from some of the people closest to me and doubt in my own heart and times when I just want to shut the world out, God has been faithful in reminding and assuring me what Jesus has done in my life and Who He is. That is enough I do say. Matthew 28:18-20 is a verse. We don't need a "call" when we have a verse. The ultimate question is whether Jesus is Lord of our lives or not. Who has commanded us to go is so much more powerful than the what He's asked us to do.
Friday, November 25, 2011
[borrowed legacies]
Someone once told me we're all living on a borrowed legacy. That we are not the creators of our lots in life but simply recipients. It hit and humbled me.
And this time of year, people are posting all over the internet things they are thankful for. Family. Friends. Jobs. Food. Time. Things. Pets - the list goes on. Yet while there are many things I could list tonight, the day after Thanksgiving, I'll pick just one instead. I am thankful for the borrowed legacy I live on.
For generations of family that made faith the core of all things in life. For deep family values rooted in me since birth. For opportunities every day to learn about perseverance, hard work, community and team work on the family farm that was started over 150 years ago. For financial providence to meet basic needs and luxuries. And most of all, for faith in God made possible because of a Jesus that died for all nations, for I, too, am a Gentile. A Jesus that came and lived and died and rose so that we may know our Creater and be made right with Him.
This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for a lot of things. But most of all, I am thankful for the borrowed legacy I live on every day. That I am only who I am because of all the people who have gone before me and live around me every day. And that this, more than anything else during the holiday times, is most important. Not gifts or food or gatherings or songs or millions of cards and cookies. But a deep gratitude for all I have. And a deep gratitude for all I can pass on and give this Christmas and coming year.
And this time of year, people are posting all over the internet things they are thankful for. Family. Friends. Jobs. Food. Time. Things. Pets - the list goes on. Yet while there are many things I could list tonight, the day after Thanksgiving, I'll pick just one instead. I am thankful for the borrowed legacy I live on.
For generations of family that made faith the core of all things in life. For deep family values rooted in me since birth. For opportunities every day to learn about perseverance, hard work, community and team work on the family farm that was started over 150 years ago. For financial providence to meet basic needs and luxuries. And most of all, for faith in God made possible because of a Jesus that died for all nations, for I, too, am a Gentile. A Jesus that came and lived and died and rose so that we may know our Creater and be made right with Him.
This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for a lot of things. But most of all, I am thankful for the borrowed legacy I live on every day. That I am only who I am because of all the people who have gone before me and live around me every day. And that this, more than anything else during the holiday times, is most important. Not gifts or food or gatherings or songs or millions of cards and cookies. But a deep gratitude for all I have. And a deep gratitude for all I can pass on and give this Christmas and coming year.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
[watch Him work]
A pastor once mentioned that God hasn't developed laryngitis. He meant God hasn't stopped speaking in loud and real and clear ways even though we accuse Him of this all the time, and working in international ministry keeps me reminded that He has not stopped moving in powerful ways either. Today was one more awesome example.
A new international attended worship at Memorial. We didn't get to visit much beforehand, but afterwards I learned that he was a Christian from southern India. And then I found out that he's a native Tamil speaker - the same language of a woman who has become a good friend this last year. A woman I have been studying the Bible with lately despite many language struggles. A Hindu friend, yes, but one who reads a Psalm every day in the Tamil Bible we were able to give to her, and one who has a lot of questions about Jesus. Insert new Indian friend as interpreter or even leader? I think so.
That wasn't the end of the story though. Ten minutes later I was getting ready to leave and passed by him looking at the bulletin board with pictures and updates from our agricultural missionary in Ethiopia. Included on the board was a list of needs and prices to fulfill each one - support a missionary $50/month; build a new well $135; etc.
He pointed at the list and said, "I'd like to support a missionary. I'd also like to pay for a well. How do I do this and support God's work?" With that he pulled out two crisp $100 bills and asked what he should do with them. We went to the office together and handed the money to one of our pastors. Then on his way out he said something even more humbling.
"I did not know there were such pious Christians in America but you are doing great work," he told me. "We need Jesus in India because you know, ninety-eight percent of people are Hindu. It is great to hear about God's work you are doing. May He bless you." With that, he turned and took off back to campus leaving me speechless.
I'm not sure what he meant by pious. And I'm not sure I'd call myself or American Christians pious necessarily. But I think he meant it in a positive way from his actions and other words.
More than that, though, it reminded me once again that God has not developed laryngitis. And He hasn't stopped working in ways only He can work. Today proves it. He's bigger than Sunday School curriculum and English programs and international dinners and building wells and all the different schemes we've come up with to try and "do God's work". I have full confidence that He will get the glory due His name, and I am incredibly humbled watching Him work.
A new international attended worship at Memorial. We didn't get to visit much beforehand, but afterwards I learned that he was a Christian from southern India. And then I found out that he's a native Tamil speaker - the same language of a woman who has become a good friend this last year. A woman I have been studying the Bible with lately despite many language struggles. A Hindu friend, yes, but one who reads a Psalm every day in the Tamil Bible we were able to give to her, and one who has a lot of questions about Jesus. Insert new Indian friend as interpreter or even leader? I think so.
That wasn't the end of the story though. Ten minutes later I was getting ready to leave and passed by him looking at the bulletin board with pictures and updates from our agricultural missionary in Ethiopia. Included on the board was a list of needs and prices to fulfill each one - support a missionary $50/month; build a new well $135; etc.
He pointed at the list and said, "I'd like to support a missionary. I'd also like to pay for a well. How do I do this and support God's work?" With that he pulled out two crisp $100 bills and asked what he should do with them. We went to the office together and handed the money to one of our pastors. Then on his way out he said something even more humbling.
"I did not know there were such pious Christians in America but you are doing great work," he told me. "We need Jesus in India because you know, ninety-eight percent of people are Hindu. It is great to hear about God's work you are doing. May He bless you." With that, he turned and took off back to campus leaving me speechless.
I'm not sure what he meant by pious. And I'm not sure I'd call myself or American Christians pious necessarily. But I think he meant it in a positive way from his actions and other words.
More than that, though, it reminded me once again that God has not developed laryngitis. And He hasn't stopped working in ways only He can work. Today proves it. He's bigger than Sunday School curriculum and English programs and international dinners and building wells and all the different schemes we've come up with to try and "do God's work". I have full confidence that He will get the glory due His name, and I am incredibly humbled watching Him work.
Friday, November 4, 2011
[step by step. day by day]
I'm learning that growing in Christ is a process. And it happens in small steps. Not giant leaps.
Like thankfulness. I've been convicted lately about my ungrateful heart and attitude on a lot of things, so I took a friend's suggestion and started thanking God for 100 things every day - even things I wasn't particularly thankful for. I prayed for a thankful heart, yes, but I didn't leave it at that. And it didn't happen overnight.
The next day I thanked Him for even exit signs and then found myself frustrated with Sudanese culture only two hours later. Eight days later I was trying to get groceries with a Korean woman in a sleet storm and commented on the less than ideal weather only to hear her pipe up, "It's a great day if you have friends!" Thanks God.
Yet after 10 days I find myself scraping frost off my car at 5:15 a.m. before spinning class and immediately thanking God for ice scrappers without even thinking about it. And then thanking Him that I have electricity when the light stops working in our bathroom later, realizing that it's starting to become a natural response to little things for me.
And while I don't claim to have an incredibly, filled-to-the-brim, more than thankful heart yet, I can see God changing it step by step, opportunity by opportunity.
Oftentimes we pray for miracles. My heart to become thankful over night. Salvation for a close friend. Healing of a disease or sickness right now. And while we should not stop believing in miracles, I have learned it is just as important to pray for opportunities. Opportunities to thank God instead of complain. Opportunities to share truth with that close friend. Opportunities for God to give a sick person peace, comfort and trust in Him regardless of how things look from our perspective.
Then we gotta take 'em. Take 'em when God gives 'em, and thank Him for that, all the while remembering that the journey is valuable beyond our vision right here and now. Thanks God for continuing to teach me that.
Like thankfulness. I've been convicted lately about my ungrateful heart and attitude on a lot of things, so I took a friend's suggestion and started thanking God for 100 things every day - even things I wasn't particularly thankful for. I prayed for a thankful heart, yes, but I didn't leave it at that. And it didn't happen overnight.
The next day I thanked Him for even exit signs and then found myself frustrated with Sudanese culture only two hours later. Eight days later I was trying to get groceries with a Korean woman in a sleet storm and commented on the less than ideal weather only to hear her pipe up, "It's a great day if you have friends!" Thanks God.
Yet after 10 days I find myself scraping frost off my car at 5:15 a.m. before spinning class and immediately thanking God for ice scrappers without even thinking about it. And then thanking Him that I have electricity when the light stops working in our bathroom later, realizing that it's starting to become a natural response to little things for me.
And while I don't claim to have an incredibly, filled-to-the-brim, more than thankful heart yet, I can see God changing it step by step, opportunity by opportunity.
Oftentimes we pray for miracles. My heart to become thankful over night. Salvation for a close friend. Healing of a disease or sickness right now. And while we should not stop believing in miracles, I have learned it is just as important to pray for opportunities. Opportunities to thank God instead of complain. Opportunities to share truth with that close friend. Opportunities for God to give a sick person peace, comfort and trust in Him regardless of how things look from our perspective.
Then we gotta take 'em. Take 'em when God gives 'em, and thank Him for that, all the while remembering that the journey is valuable beyond our vision right here and now. Thanks God for continuing to teach me that.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
[in spite of politics, not by their aid]
Politics. Not something I write about often. Or ever. And not something I really ever care to write about. Or waste time arguing over.
But I found the following writing by Will Rogers and laughed out-loud - my sentiments exactly. Yeah I'll use my freedom and privilege to learn about the candidates in a year and vote, but beyond that, I don't know why we spend so much money and time on the fluff and circle-talking and dirt-digging business we call politics.
My faith still lies in the everyday person. Individuals determined to change their corner of the world are far more impactful than legislators will ever be. And you can argue that all you want, but I'm not looking for a debate. Just wanting to share an opinion that's not wrapped up in some party's stance or whose votes I might gain or lose with it. Just hoping to remind even myself that big shots aren't usually the ones who make the difference. Here's Will Rogers' take:
Will Rogers' Advice to the Candidates
"Go Fishing Until Election"
"There should be a moratorium called on candidate speeches. They have both called each other everything in the world they can think of. From now on they are just talking themselves out of votes. The high office of President of the United States has degenerated into two ordinarily fine men being goaded on by their political leeches into saying things that if they were in their right minds they wouldn't think of saying.
Imagine Mr. Hoover last night "any change of policies will bring disaster to every fireside in America." Of all the conceit. This country is a thousand times bigger than any two men in it, or any two parties in it. These big politicians are so serious about themselves and their parties. This country has gotten where it is in spite of politics, not by the aid of it.
That we have carried as much political bunk as we have and still survived shows we are a super nation. If by some divine act of Providence we could get rid of both these parties and hired some good man, like any other big business does, why that would be sitting pretty.
This calamity was brought on by the actions of the people of the whole world and its weight will be lifted off by the actions of the people of the whole world, and not by a Republican or a Democrat.
So you two boys just get the weight of the world off your shoulders and go fishing. Both of you claim to like to fish, now instead of calling each other names till next Tuesday, why you can do everybody a big favor by going fishing, and you will be surprised but the old U.S. will keep right on running while you boys are sitting on the bank. Then come back next Wednesday and we will let you know which one is the lesser of the two evils of you."
[Will Rogers]
But I found the following writing by Will Rogers and laughed out-loud - my sentiments exactly. Yeah I'll use my freedom and privilege to learn about the candidates in a year and vote, but beyond that, I don't know why we spend so much money and time on the fluff and circle-talking and dirt-digging business we call politics.
My faith still lies in the everyday person. Individuals determined to change their corner of the world are far more impactful than legislators will ever be. And you can argue that all you want, but I'm not looking for a debate. Just wanting to share an opinion that's not wrapped up in some party's stance or whose votes I might gain or lose with it. Just hoping to remind even myself that big shots aren't usually the ones who make the difference. Here's Will Rogers' take:
Will Rogers' Advice to the Candidates
"Go Fishing Until Election"
"There should be a moratorium called on candidate speeches. They have both called each other everything in the world they can think of. From now on they are just talking themselves out of votes. The high office of President of the United States has degenerated into two ordinarily fine men being goaded on by their political leeches into saying things that if they were in their right minds they wouldn't think of saying.
Imagine Mr. Hoover last night "any change of policies will bring disaster to every fireside in America." Of all the conceit. This country is a thousand times bigger than any two men in it, or any two parties in it. These big politicians are so serious about themselves and their parties. This country has gotten where it is in spite of politics, not by the aid of it.
That we have carried as much political bunk as we have and still survived shows we are a super nation. If by some divine act of Providence we could get rid of both these parties and hired some good man, like any other big business does, why that would be sitting pretty.
This calamity was brought on by the actions of the people of the whole world and its weight will be lifted off by the actions of the people of the whole world, and not by a Republican or a Democrat.
So you two boys just get the weight of the world off your shoulders and go fishing. Both of you claim to like to fish, now instead of calling each other names till next Tuesday, why you can do everybody a big favor by going fishing, and you will be surprised but the old U.S. will keep right on running while you boys are sitting on the bank. Then come back next Wednesday and we will let you know which one is the lesser of the two evils of you."
[Will Rogers]
Sunday, October 9, 2011
[who. not what]
I am learning that how we see God changes everything. That obedience is not necessarily knowing what you're supposed to do but knowing Who it is that has asked something of you.
Take a child for example. I obeyed my parents and grandparents much more willingly then I did any other authority figures. In some ways, I actually judged whether some authority even deserved it - obeying a teacher initially but if they turned out to be a push-over or lacked passion then I didn't really have a desire to obey and please them with my best.
I'm learning obedience to God is the same way. We get bogged down in all the things that we've been commanded to do as Christians, and then we pick and choose which ones we have the strength or desire to do, discard the rest and assume it's ok. Jesus calls us out on this very thing though - "Why do you call me, 'Lord Lord,' and do not do what I say?" [Luke 6:46] Why do you tell me you love me and then blatantly disobey me?
For me, the most obvious struggle right now is loving someone in my life who is just simply hard. I know tolerating them is not loving them. I know feeling obligated to reach out is not loving them. And I know I am called to love them. Yet I feel like my excuses and reasons trump God's commands. And I think that's the root of it.
Who is God to me that His commands seem more like suggestions? How do I see Him - a nice guy or my Savior? What does my relationship with Him look like? I learned this week He isn't interested in bargaining with people. Take a look at Pharoah in Exodus. I also learned this week that He acts with precision in every single thing He does. Check out the Egyptians' trust in their different idols that He shattered with each of the 10 plagues. Most importantly, I learned that above all else, God is about His glory, His worship, Himself. That in the end, this is what everything in life really amounts to.
Because truth is, our programs and churches and missions and outreachs aren't sacred. Our church sayings aren't sacred. Our theology isn't sacred. Our schools and seminaries aren't sacred. Our endless self-help books aren't sacred. Our Christian this and Christian that is. not. sacred. God's name is. God's character is. God's glory and story are. And this is what we, who profess to be Christians, carry with us into every decision we make and everything we do.
It shifts the focus don't you think? To realize we are to love people for God's sake, for His name. To understand we are to obey out of a love for God, not necessarily because we always have the desire to. To follow not the commands of the Lord but the Lord. That our obedience is rooted in our confidence of His character.
"Spiritual maturity is measured by how readily we respond to the person of God rather than the promises of God," wrote Andy Stanley in his book Visioneering. "It involves coming to the place where who is asking is more important than what we are being asked to do." Great book by the way. It has changed my perspective of many many things.
Who, though, not what. Who we are responding to. This is what God's commands are about. Not necessarily the act of obedience itself but the name and character of God that are on the line every time we are faced with a decision to obey Him or not. As our love for God increases our eagerness to please Him does as well, just like any relationship. And soon we begin to obey because we love Him. Not because the things He has called us to do always make sense or are easy.
Take a child for example. I obeyed my parents and grandparents much more willingly then I did any other authority figures. In some ways, I actually judged whether some authority even deserved it - obeying a teacher initially but if they turned out to be a push-over or lacked passion then I didn't really have a desire to obey and please them with my best.
I'm learning obedience to God is the same way. We get bogged down in all the things that we've been commanded to do as Christians, and then we pick and choose which ones we have the strength or desire to do, discard the rest and assume it's ok. Jesus calls us out on this very thing though - "Why do you call me, 'Lord Lord,' and do not do what I say?" [Luke 6:46] Why do you tell me you love me and then blatantly disobey me?
For me, the most obvious struggle right now is loving someone in my life who is just simply hard. I know tolerating them is not loving them. I know feeling obligated to reach out is not loving them. And I know I am called to love them. Yet I feel like my excuses and reasons trump God's commands. And I think that's the root of it.
Who is God to me that His commands seem more like suggestions? How do I see Him - a nice guy or my Savior? What does my relationship with Him look like? I learned this week He isn't interested in bargaining with people. Take a look at Pharoah in Exodus. I also learned this week that He acts with precision in every single thing He does. Check out the Egyptians' trust in their different idols that He shattered with each of the 10 plagues. Most importantly, I learned that above all else, God is about His glory, His worship, Himself. That in the end, this is what everything in life really amounts to.
Because truth is, our programs and churches and missions and outreachs aren't sacred. Our church sayings aren't sacred. Our theology isn't sacred. Our schools and seminaries aren't sacred. Our endless self-help books aren't sacred. Our Christian this and Christian that is. not. sacred. God's name is. God's character is. God's glory and story are. And this is what we, who profess to be Christians, carry with us into every decision we make and everything we do.
It shifts the focus don't you think? To realize we are to love people for God's sake, for His name. To understand we are to obey out of a love for God, not necessarily because we always have the desire to. To follow not the commands of the Lord but the Lord. That our obedience is rooted in our confidence of His character.
"Spiritual maturity is measured by how readily we respond to the person of God rather than the promises of God," wrote Andy Stanley in his book Visioneering. "It involves coming to the place where who is asking is more important than what we are being asked to do." Great book by the way. It has changed my perspective of many many things.
Who, though, not what. Who we are responding to. This is what God's commands are about. Not necessarily the act of obedience itself but the name and character of God that are on the line every time we are faced with a decision to obey Him or not. As our love for God increases our eagerness to please Him does as well, just like any relationship. And soon we begin to obey because we love Him. Not because the things He has called us to do always make sense or are easy.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
[this is great freedom]
I was reading in Proverbs 5 today about Solomon's warnings against adultery. And in some ways, it's easy to skim over these kind of passages because even our society condemns adultery. Like - "this is nothing new God. People in-general know this is wrong. They don't have to necessarily follow You."
But what stuck with me from the passage that I'm still unraveling is verses 3-4 - "For the lips of the adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword." Charming. Smooth. Attractive. But in the end bitter. Repulsive. Sour in your heart and soul.
It reminds me of what we were talking about last night at small group. Psalm 39 was our chapter of study, and we focused a lot of time on verse 4-7 that talk about our lives being but a breath of time. We also talked about how our initial reaction to this idea is that it's kind of depressing. Yet the word that kept coming to me was freedom. There is freedom in this that the world doesn't know.
"Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:" verse 6 says. "He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it." That's the NIV version. Now check out how it reads in the Aramaic Bible in Plain English:
"Because a man walks in an image and he fades away like a vapor; he lays down his treasures and does not know for whom he gathered them."
An image. A phantom. A vapor. A breath. That is our existence, and yet you know what? That is also our hope. That we were not only made for this world but eternity. That we don't have to be chained by the things our culture puts all their identity and hope in - whether it be our careers, our salaries, our homes, our outward beauty, our stuff, our physical fitness, our status, our success in this world, our achievements or our positions of authority.
Because in the end it won't matter. We can live out an identity not rooted in those things that change and pass like shifting sand, and I think our culture and world is hungry for that.
I mean, let's face it. Every one of us has been let down by the things we pursue of this world. I'll confess it first. I value my physical fitness a lot. That's half of the reason I run. The other is that I need something physical yet mindless to wear off my worries and thoughts and prayers, but I also care about the way I look. I care about how my clothes fit. I find confidence in these things, and yet it is a danger when I become obsessed with it. It's a danger when I find my value in it. Because truth is, I never made it to that state cross country meet in high school even though I was down to 118 pounds. I never will be the one who can pull of skinny jeans. And yet I know that I have never been measured in God's eyes by the size of my clothes.
This is great hope friends. This is great freedom. We no longer need to waste sleep or time or thoughts over things that are fleeting. We can enjoy them yes. I still plan to keep running. And we can value them yes. God calls me to take care of my body He has given me. It's His temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20). But I cannot, we cannot, find our worth in this kind of thing and only this. That is the danger. Often these things look charming and fulfilling from the outside - just like the adulteress in Proverbs 5 - but there is nothing but pain and bitterness and emptiness to be gained.
Take heart my friends. Hope is found in Christ (Psalm 39:7). Hope to be freed from this world's chains and eternity's punishment. Hope to live without being consumed by how others value me, so that I can rest in how the God who created me values me. This is something to be excited about. I think this is what we, who call ourselves the church, are to be about.
But what stuck with me from the passage that I'm still unraveling is verses 3-4 - "For the lips of the adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword." Charming. Smooth. Attractive. But in the end bitter. Repulsive. Sour in your heart and soul.
It reminds me of what we were talking about last night at small group. Psalm 39 was our chapter of study, and we focused a lot of time on verse 4-7 that talk about our lives being but a breath of time. We also talked about how our initial reaction to this idea is that it's kind of depressing. Yet the word that kept coming to me was freedom. There is freedom in this that the world doesn't know.
"Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:" verse 6 says. "He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it." That's the NIV version. Now check out how it reads in the Aramaic Bible in Plain English:
"Because a man walks in an image and he fades away like a vapor; he lays down his treasures and does not know for whom he gathered them."
An image. A phantom. A vapor. A breath. That is our existence, and yet you know what? That is also our hope. That we were not only made for this world but eternity. That we don't have to be chained by the things our culture puts all their identity and hope in - whether it be our careers, our salaries, our homes, our outward beauty, our stuff, our physical fitness, our status, our success in this world, our achievements or our positions of authority.
Because in the end it won't matter. We can live out an identity not rooted in those things that change and pass like shifting sand, and I think our culture and world is hungry for that.
I mean, let's face it. Every one of us has been let down by the things we pursue of this world. I'll confess it first. I value my physical fitness a lot. That's half of the reason I run. The other is that I need something physical yet mindless to wear off my worries and thoughts and prayers, but I also care about the way I look. I care about how my clothes fit. I find confidence in these things, and yet it is a danger when I become obsessed with it. It's a danger when I find my value in it. Because truth is, I never made it to that state cross country meet in high school even though I was down to 118 pounds. I never will be the one who can pull of skinny jeans. And yet I know that I have never been measured in God's eyes by the size of my clothes.
This is great hope friends. This is great freedom. We no longer need to waste sleep or time or thoughts over things that are fleeting. We can enjoy them yes. I still plan to keep running. And we can value them yes. God calls me to take care of my body He has given me. It's His temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20). But I cannot, we cannot, find our worth in this kind of thing and only this. That is the danger. Often these things look charming and fulfilling from the outside - just like the adulteress in Proverbs 5 - but there is nothing but pain and bitterness and emptiness to be gained.
Take heart my friends. Hope is found in Christ (Psalm 39:7). Hope to be freed from this world's chains and eternity's punishment. Hope to live without being consumed by how others value me, so that I can rest in how the God who created me values me. This is something to be excited about. I think this is what we, who call ourselves the church, are to be about.
Friday, September 30, 2011
[the Bible would make a good blockbuster]
I don't care who you are or what you believe, the Bible is a really cool story. You want action? Got it. Good guys turned bad guys and bad guys turned good guys? Done. Drama? Yup. Love stories? Mhmm. Dramatic irony - when the audience knows something the character doesn't? All over the place.
You've got heartache and heartbreak and five thousands mini plots going on that all lead up to one big plot, one big story - the restoration of the nations and world to their original purpose. This is something we should be excited about. It's God creating individual people in His image to enjoy His world and worship Him. It's men running from God to pursue their own ideas of joy and happiness. It's God continuing to draw men back to Him and their true identity. It's God knowing it would take the ulimate sacrifice to make man's relationships right with Him again and saying, "Done. It's worth it." It's rocky, and it's messy, and it's a twisted plot that can only be understood from looking back, but it's truly a beautiful story.
And truth is - it's still unfolding. Revelation gives us a glimpse of what is to come, but truthfully nobody really understands or knows fully. I just know that we pray "Thy Kingdom come" every week in church, and yet God's Kingdom is already here. Here every time people's relationship with their Creator is restored. Here every time what is good and true triumphs over evil. Every time forgiveness is chosen in place of revenge. Every time love is shown instead of judgment. Every time prayer is offered instead of worry. This is God's Kingdom here now.
And yet it is still to come. The complete, unhindered reign of the Lord is still in the distance, yet each day draws us closer to that. This is something we should be passionate about. This is something we should be sprinting toward. Not walking. Not crawling. Not sleeping and waiting for it to arrive. Somebody once told me, the gospel is moving, and the church is asleep. Can we get excited though church? Let's wake up and join God in this story of His glory and His fame and His passion for worship. This is what we were made for. This is what we are to be about.
You've got heartache and heartbreak and five thousands mini plots going on that all lead up to one big plot, one big story - the restoration of the nations and world to their original purpose. This is something we should be excited about. It's God creating individual people in His image to enjoy His world and worship Him. It's men running from God to pursue their own ideas of joy and happiness. It's God continuing to draw men back to Him and their true identity. It's God knowing it would take the ulimate sacrifice to make man's relationships right with Him again and saying, "Done. It's worth it." It's rocky, and it's messy, and it's a twisted plot that can only be understood from looking back, but it's truly a beautiful story.
And truth is - it's still unfolding. Revelation gives us a glimpse of what is to come, but truthfully nobody really understands or knows fully. I just know that we pray "Thy Kingdom come" every week in church, and yet God's Kingdom is already here. Here every time people's relationship with their Creator is restored. Here every time what is good and true triumphs over evil. Every time forgiveness is chosen in place of revenge. Every time love is shown instead of judgment. Every time prayer is offered instead of worry. This is God's Kingdom here now.
And yet it is still to come. The complete, unhindered reign of the Lord is still in the distance, yet each day draws us closer to that. This is something we should be passionate about. This is something we should be sprinting toward. Not walking. Not crawling. Not sleeping and waiting for it to arrive. Somebody once told me, the gospel is moving, and the church is asleep. Can we get excited though church? Let's wake up and join God in this story of His glory and His fame and His passion for worship. This is what we were made for. This is what we are to be about.
Friday, September 9, 2011
[thousand miles to go]
Do you ever feel like you learn the same lessons over and over again? Like you read back over the same Scripture and still struggle to embrace it and obey it and love it? And you see how far you've come yet there still seems like so far to go? I do.
I think the journey is the most important though. That what we learn along the miles in between is more valuable than the finish line even though we strain for that moment in time. That 1 Peter 1:6-7 is really true when it says our faith is of greater worth than gold. Our faith is what matters most. Not our happiness. Not our wealth. Not our achievements or our perfection or an easy life but our faith and trust in Christ.
So Lord:
"Take my broken offering and make it whole
And set my feet upon the road the leads me home.
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Even though I've got a thousand miles to go."
[caedmon's call - "a thousand miles"]
And Lord let me embrace the miles instead of only seeing all the things I'm not yet. That every day I would stand on grace.
I think the journey is the most important though. That what we learn along the miles in between is more valuable than the finish line even though we strain for that moment in time. That 1 Peter 1:6-7 is really true when it says our faith is of greater worth than gold. Our faith is what matters most. Not our happiness. Not our wealth. Not our achievements or our perfection or an easy life but our faith and trust in Christ.
So Lord:
"Take my broken offering and make it whole
And set my feet upon the road the leads me home.
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Even though I've got a thousand miles to go."
[caedmon's call - "a thousand miles"]
And Lord let me embrace the miles instead of only seeing all the things I'm not yet. That every day I would stand on grace.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
[our greatest asset can be our greatest undoing]
Here's a quote I found today and love: "A rich person is not one who has the most but one who needs the least." [unknown]
It reminds me that poverty in our eyes can sometimes be a blessing. The things that should hold the most meaning do, and money is seen as just that - money. Not some idol to be worshiped. Not some image to portray. Not some ever-escaping goal to pursue.
Because in reality, enough never seems to be enough in our society. And when we really step back and look at it, we realize the true issue isn't really money at all but instead a heart thing.
Either we're trusting God to provide or we're doubting that He really knows our needs.
Either we're obsessed with finding our identity in what we do to make a living, or we're confident that God is right when He says our identity is only found in Him. That we're made in His image.
Either we need more stuff to fill voids in our lives, or we realize there's only one Jesus who will.
Growing up in the richest country in the world can be both a curse and a blessing I think. We can use what we've been given for God's glory, or we can let it consume and destroy us - our thoughts, our worries, our identity, our friendships, our goals, our time, everything. Someone once told me that our greatest asset can also be our greatest undoing, and I think there's a lot of truth to that.
So instead I pray Proverbs 30:8-9 for myself and our world, "Give us neither poverty nor riches, but give us only our daily bread. Otherwise, we may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or we may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of our God."
It reminds me that poverty in our eyes can sometimes be a blessing. The things that should hold the most meaning do, and money is seen as just that - money. Not some idol to be worshiped. Not some image to portray. Not some ever-escaping goal to pursue.
Because in reality, enough never seems to be enough in our society. And when we really step back and look at it, we realize the true issue isn't really money at all but instead a heart thing.
Either we're trusting God to provide or we're doubting that He really knows our needs.
Either we're obsessed with finding our identity in what we do to make a living, or we're confident that God is right when He says our identity is only found in Him. That we're made in His image.
Either we need more stuff to fill voids in our lives, or we realize there's only one Jesus who will.
Growing up in the richest country in the world can be both a curse and a blessing I think. We can use what we've been given for God's glory, or we can let it consume and destroy us - our thoughts, our worries, our identity, our friendships, our goals, our time, everything. Someone once told me that our greatest asset can also be our greatest undoing, and I think there's a lot of truth to that.
So instead I pray Proverbs 30:8-9 for myself and our world, "Give us neither poverty nor riches, but give us only our daily bread. Otherwise, we may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or we may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of our God."
Friday, August 26, 2011
[grace]
He asked me what my name meant. I told him grace.
He asked me what grace was. I told him it has many meanings, but in the Christian faith, it's a gift. Something we receive without doing anything for.
He said with a smile, "Ya that's good for you. You show me gracious and kindness because you very busy but making time for me." I said, "Well God's given me a lot of grace. My purpose is to pass it on."
He said, "My name is difficult to understand. It means many things, but one is that there is meaning to life. I think this Bible book is good to find that in." I told him I agreed and asked if he had read it before. He said he read some stories back in his home country but would like to learn more, so I tried to figure out a time when he would be able to meet up with someone. He said he was too busy but asked if he could just email me questions. Little does he know I will send a couple guys to visit him anyway, and in the meantime I gave him an English/Chinese Bible.
His first language is Chinese. Mine is English. He speaks some English. I have exactly five phrases down in Chinese. But for a minute, God was present today despite the language barrier. And it was evident that He is at work.
Because the only reason the man came into the church in the first place was to attend our English class from 3:30-5pm. We didn't have a single class scheduled that day.
He asked me what grace was. I told him it has many meanings, but in the Christian faith, it's a gift. Something we receive without doing anything for.
He said with a smile, "Ya that's good for you. You show me gracious and kindness because you very busy but making time for me." I said, "Well God's given me a lot of grace. My purpose is to pass it on."
He said, "My name is difficult to understand. It means many things, but one is that there is meaning to life. I think this Bible book is good to find that in." I told him I agreed and asked if he had read it before. He said he read some stories back in his home country but would like to learn more, so I tried to figure out a time when he would be able to meet up with someone. He said he was too busy but asked if he could just email me questions. Little does he know I will send a couple guys to visit him anyway, and in the meantime I gave him an English/Chinese Bible.
His first language is Chinese. Mine is English. He speaks some English. I have exactly five phrases down in Chinese. But for a minute, God was present today despite the language barrier. And it was evident that He is at work.
Because the only reason the man came into the church in the first place was to attend our English class from 3:30-5pm. We didn't have a single class scheduled that day.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
[next to them]
Learned the coolest phrase today. Next to them. Yeah I know it sounds weird, but wait til you hear me out.
There once was a guy named Nehemiah. And he had this vision. His people, the Israelites, were in exile under the control of the Persians and under the Babylonians before that. When Nehemiah learns that his people's beloved city Jerusalem is in rubble without walls to protect it, he seeks the Lord in prayer for months. Then he finds the courage to ask the Persian king if he can return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls, and surprisingly, the king says yes. So Nehemiah sets off for home with his vision, protection from the king and timber for the project.
This isn't the cool part yet though. That comes next. Instead of taking it all on himself, Nehemiah rallies his people, and they begin to build next to each other. Twenty times the phrase "next to them/him" is used in chapter three as the building is describe in detail, and "beside them" is used once. Additionally, over 30 individuals are mentioned and eight groups of people are listed - all working on a different part of the city walls.
Priests/Levites. Perfume-makers. Rulers of districts. Temple servants. Guards. Goldsmiths and merchants. All are part of the plan. It wasn't left up to one group of people. It wasn't about one talent. It wasn't set-aside for only certain individuals. Each part of society was involved. Every person mattered. Everyone worked side-by-side with another. Not independently. Not just Nehemiah. Next to each other.
This is really cool too when you think about ministry. This is how it's supposed to happen. Next to each other. Not left up to pastors. Not left up to motivational speakers. Not left up to praise bands or music directors. Not left up to youth leaders or deacons or Sunday School teachers or elders. If the church's purpose is to show the world who Jesus is, then we have sorely missed the boat when we think God's work is left up to people who are "called" to it.
No, God's Kingdom is furthered best next to each other I think. With all involved. All talents. All segments of society. All heartbeats joined as one - to declare the glory and knowledge of God here on earth. That's a mission worth fighting for. That's a purpose worth living and dying for. And I pray that we would continue to rally the church of Christ to that and follow Nehemiah's example in boldness and courage. Let Your Kingdom come.
There once was a guy named Nehemiah. And he had this vision. His people, the Israelites, were in exile under the control of the Persians and under the Babylonians before that. When Nehemiah learns that his people's beloved city Jerusalem is in rubble without walls to protect it, he seeks the Lord in prayer for months. Then he finds the courage to ask the Persian king if he can return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls, and surprisingly, the king says yes. So Nehemiah sets off for home with his vision, protection from the king and timber for the project.
This isn't the cool part yet though. That comes next. Instead of taking it all on himself, Nehemiah rallies his people, and they begin to build next to each other. Twenty times the phrase "next to them/him" is used in chapter three as the building is describe in detail, and "beside them" is used once. Additionally, over 30 individuals are mentioned and eight groups of people are listed - all working on a different part of the city walls.
Priests/Levites. Perfume-makers. Rulers of districts. Temple servants. Guards. Goldsmiths and merchants. All are part of the plan. It wasn't left up to one group of people. It wasn't about one talent. It wasn't set-aside for only certain individuals. Each part of society was involved. Every person mattered. Everyone worked side-by-side with another. Not independently. Not just Nehemiah. Next to each other.
This is really cool too when you think about ministry. This is how it's supposed to happen. Next to each other. Not left up to pastors. Not left up to motivational speakers. Not left up to praise bands or music directors. Not left up to youth leaders or deacons or Sunday School teachers or elders. If the church's purpose is to show the world who Jesus is, then we have sorely missed the boat when we think God's work is left up to people who are "called" to it.
No, God's Kingdom is furthered best next to each other I think. With all involved. All talents. All segments of society. All heartbeats joined as one - to declare the glory and knowledge of God here on earth. That's a mission worth fighting for. That's a purpose worth living and dying for. And I pray that we would continue to rally the church of Christ to that and follow Nehemiah's example in boldness and courage. Let Your Kingdom come.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
[are we accomplishing our objective?]
I'm reading a punch-in-the-gut book just now. Revolution in World Missions is the title. K.P. Yohannan is the author. Conviction is the theme.
Yohannan grew up in India and founded Gospel for Asia - a mission organization that supports native missionaries in you can guess where. And his background gives him a unique perspective into American culture, materialism, pride and self-sufficiency - all of which numb my own heart and consume my soul. Oftentimes I'd rather make excuses for these things in my life rather than seeing them for what they are.
Yet beyond that, there is something else that has been slowly eating at me this summer. And I almost laugh out loud as I type this because it wasn't so long ago that this was my purpose and heartbeat. It's the "social" or "humanistic" gospel. The idea that bringing education or food or health care to a world in need is enough. That simply sharing the love of Christ is equal to sharing the truth and Word of Christ. That meeting only people's material needs will also save their soul. And yes, I did spend a semester in South Africa doing just that. You can say I know the social gospel because I've lived it out and truly believed in it with my entire heart.
I believe in helping people. I believe in serving people. I believe in being the hands and feet of Jesus in terms of sharing what I've been materially and physically blessed with so that others can also be blessed, but I've been learning over time and by the grace of God that if that is all I'm after, if that's all we're after, then we will still leave people bankrupt at the end of the day without Christ.
"We cannot say we love others if we ignore their spiritual needs. Just the same, we cannot say we love others if we ignore their physical needs. Jesus came for both," Yohannan writes. "The mercy ministries Jesus did were not an end in themselves, but were rather a means. And it is the same today." Or it should be the same today. But is it?
I cannot help but ask myself that question as I think to all the programs Christ's body - the church - is busy with these days. "That we are busy in the church trying to work one program of evangelism after another cannot be denied. But, are we accomplishing our objective?" wrote Robert E. Coleman in his book The Master Plan of Evangelism.
Matthew 28:18-20. I'd say that's a great objective verse. So. Then comes the question. Are we accomplishing it? "Do we see an ever-expanding company of dedicated people reaching the world with the gospel as a result of our ministry?" also Coleman. Are we making disciples who can make disciples? Great question. Do we have the guts to answer honestly?
Yohannan grew up in India and founded Gospel for Asia - a mission organization that supports native missionaries in you can guess where. And his background gives him a unique perspective into American culture, materialism, pride and self-sufficiency - all of which numb my own heart and consume my soul. Oftentimes I'd rather make excuses for these things in my life rather than seeing them for what they are.
Yet beyond that, there is something else that has been slowly eating at me this summer. And I almost laugh out loud as I type this because it wasn't so long ago that this was my purpose and heartbeat. It's the "social" or "humanistic" gospel. The idea that bringing education or food or health care to a world in need is enough. That simply sharing the love of Christ is equal to sharing the truth and Word of Christ. That meeting only people's material needs will also save their soul. And yes, I did spend a semester in South Africa doing just that. You can say I know the social gospel because I've lived it out and truly believed in it with my entire heart.
I believe in helping people. I believe in serving people. I believe in being the hands and feet of Jesus in terms of sharing what I've been materially and physically blessed with so that others can also be blessed, but I've been learning over time and by the grace of God that if that is all I'm after, if that's all we're after, then we will still leave people bankrupt at the end of the day without Christ.
"We cannot say we love others if we ignore their spiritual needs. Just the same, we cannot say we love others if we ignore their physical needs. Jesus came for both," Yohannan writes. "The mercy ministries Jesus did were not an end in themselves, but were rather a means. And it is the same today." Or it should be the same today. But is it?
I cannot help but ask myself that question as I think to all the programs Christ's body - the church - is busy with these days. "That we are busy in the church trying to work one program of evangelism after another cannot be denied. But, are we accomplishing our objective?" wrote Robert E. Coleman in his book The Master Plan of Evangelism.
Matthew 28:18-20. I'd say that's a great objective verse. So. Then comes the question. Are we accomplishing it? "Do we see an ever-expanding company of dedicated people reaching the world with the gospel as a result of our ministry?" also Coleman. Are we making disciples who can make disciples? Great question. Do we have the guts to answer honestly?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
[being and doing]
I get these mixed up all the time. Being and doing. Which comes first? Which am I responsible for? Is one more wrong and one more right? Where does the line between worship and work fall? The gospel is a free, unearned and undeserved gift. It's living out of thankfulness for the One who set us free from the bondage of sin. That's being.
But there's also doing. There's these commands of Jesus that say, "Love your neighbor." "Don't worry." "Pray." Act on your faith and act out the grace you've been given.
So where and how do we find the balance between the two? One screams, "Martha, Martha. You're worried and upset about many things but only one thing is needed." The other says, "Go and make disciples of all nations."
Worship me. Be still. . . Take action. Obey me. Can you see the difference, or am I the only one?
So which is it God? I'm confused. This world. This church. This culture I'm a part of is wrapped up in doing many good things for You. But then You tell us we can't do anything for You, only because of You. And so I'm back to where I started. Feeling like I'm back in my freshman-year intro to philosophy class. And leaving more confused than when I came.
I like Ephesians 1:17 though - "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." It reminds me of Casting Crown's song "To Know You" which says, "more than my next breath, more than life or death, all I'm reaching for. I live my life to know You more." Paul doesn't write, "I ask God to give you the Spirit so that you can be a good Christian or a good missionary or a good neighbor and friend and witness." He prays for more of the Holy Spirit "so that you may know him better." And when we know God, we begin to know and love the things He loves. Like forgiveness. Something impossible to do when that's all we see it as - something we should do.
And I understand that to know God is to be changed by God. To walk close to Him. To let Him transform the parts of me that are ugly and black and so contaminated by this world and myself that I don't even know it. So that I want and have the capacity to live out His love beyond my human weaknesses. So that worshipping God isn't something I set aside time for each day. So that worship and work aren't two parts of me but all of me. Inseparable. Unrecognizable apart from each other. That the things I feel I have to do as a result of grace are actually just who I am. That I see God's grace every day for the things I'm not and stop putting my life into two compartments - worship and work - when they're really one. Intertwined and interdependent.
Isn't that what Romans 12 means after all anyway?
But there's also doing. There's these commands of Jesus that say, "Love your neighbor." "Don't worry." "Pray." Act on your faith and act out the grace you've been given.
So where and how do we find the balance between the two? One screams, "Martha, Martha. You're worried and upset about many things but only one thing is needed." The other says, "Go and make disciples of all nations."
Worship me. Be still. . . Take action. Obey me. Can you see the difference, or am I the only one?
So which is it God? I'm confused. This world. This church. This culture I'm a part of is wrapped up in doing many good things for You. But then You tell us we can't do anything for You, only because of You. And so I'm back to where I started. Feeling like I'm back in my freshman-year intro to philosophy class. And leaving more confused than when I came.
I like Ephesians 1:17 though - "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." It reminds me of Casting Crown's song "To Know You" which says, "more than my next breath, more than life or death, all I'm reaching for. I live my life to know You more." Paul doesn't write, "I ask God to give you the Spirit so that you can be a good Christian or a good missionary or a good neighbor and friend and witness." He prays for more of the Holy Spirit "so that you may know him better." And when we know God, we begin to know and love the things He loves. Like forgiveness. Something impossible to do when that's all we see it as - something we should do.
And I understand that to know God is to be changed by God. To walk close to Him. To let Him transform the parts of me that are ugly and black and so contaminated by this world and myself that I don't even know it. So that I want and have the capacity to live out His love beyond my human weaknesses. So that worshipping God isn't something I set aside time for each day. So that worship and work aren't two parts of me but all of me. Inseparable. Unrecognizable apart from each other. That the things I feel I have to do as a result of grace are actually just who I am. That I see God's grace every day for the things I'm not and stop putting my life into two compartments - worship and work - when they're really one. Intertwined and interdependent.
Isn't that what Romans 12 means after all anyway?
Friday, June 17, 2011
[to know is to obey]
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" [Jesus]
Less than 24 hours ago there were three English classes for next week that didn't have a teacher. I'm supposed to be taking off for Maryland early tomorrow morning for my brother's wedding, but it stresses me out to leave before things here are covered while I'm gone.
So I prayed for three teachers. Sounds trivial I know, but I was walking my cool-down blocks after my run this morning and figured the least I could do was ask God to provide.
Six hours later I have three teachers. Asked four people. Got three "ok's". And many times in situations like this I'd thank God afterwards but not think to ask Him before. When I can see clearly how a problem needs to be fixed - call people and ask - I take God out of the equation and rely on myself instead.
But no problem's too small for prayer. No detail too insignificant. Nothing too ridiculous. For some reason God cares, and for some reason He answers, and I don't know about you, but I could put Jesus' commands into practice a wee bit more often. "Don't worry." Straight up. End of story. 'nuff said.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." Again attributed to Jesus.
And as Joanna Weaver once pointed out, "To know Him is to hear His words and lovingly obey Him, or we know Him not at all."
Less than 24 hours ago there were three English classes for next week that didn't have a teacher. I'm supposed to be taking off for Maryland early tomorrow morning for my brother's wedding, but it stresses me out to leave before things here are covered while I'm gone.
So I prayed for three teachers. Sounds trivial I know, but I was walking my cool-down blocks after my run this morning and figured the least I could do was ask God to provide.
Six hours later I have three teachers. Asked four people. Got three "ok's". And many times in situations like this I'd thank God afterwards but not think to ask Him before. When I can see clearly how a problem needs to be fixed - call people and ask - I take God out of the equation and rely on myself instead.
But no problem's too small for prayer. No detail too insignificant. Nothing too ridiculous. For some reason God cares, and for some reason He answers, and I don't know about you, but I could put Jesus' commands into practice a wee bit more often. "Don't worry." Straight up. End of story. 'nuff said.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." Again attributed to Jesus.
And as Joanna Weaver once pointed out, "To know Him is to hear His words and lovingly obey Him, or we know Him not at all."
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
[romero's prayer]
Found this a couple of weeks ago and love it. When I get overwhelmed thinking it's my mission to change the world, this is a great reminder of my place. And there's humility and there's beauty in that.
Romero's Prayer:
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificient enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it's a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
between the Master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own."
[Archbishop Oscar Romero]
Romero's Prayer:
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificient enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it's a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
between the Master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own."
[Archbishop Oscar Romero]
Saturday, May 7, 2011
[mile markers]
In both road races and life, mile markers feel good to cross. They never mean the race is over, but they give you that sense of acheivement. Like you're actually getting somewhere and moving closer toward your ultimate finish.
Yesterday I got to cross another one by graduating from Iowa State. Perfect sunshine. Perfect last day of student teaching cheering on my winning 7th grade Olympic team. Perfect supper with family and close friends. And a sense of true achievement walking at my college's ceremony.
It's strange to think college is truly over. It's exciting to see what lies ahead.
The best parts of the past five years? Doing life with the best friends one could ever ask for. Studying and serving abroad. Struggling, failing, persevering and growing in my faith and walk with the Lord. Spending a summer at camp and another in LA. Falling in love with coffee, new music, thrift stores, wine, Jesus and the nations. Finding a purpose and vision for this life. Meeting people from literally all over the world.
Oh man so many good and fun memories flood me now. I could start and never end. Instead I'll keep it short and say here's to mile markers and finish lines. Keeping my eyes on Revelation 7:9 and my feet on the road!
Yesterday I got to cross another one by graduating from Iowa State. Perfect sunshine. Perfect last day of student teaching cheering on my winning 7th grade Olympic team. Perfect supper with family and close friends. And a sense of true achievement walking at my college's ceremony.
It's strange to think college is truly over. It's exciting to see what lies ahead.
The best parts of the past five years? Doing life with the best friends one could ever ask for. Studying and serving abroad. Struggling, failing, persevering and growing in my faith and walk with the Lord. Spending a summer at camp and another in LA. Falling in love with coffee, new music, thrift stores, wine, Jesus and the nations. Finding a purpose and vision for this life. Meeting people from literally all over the world.
Oh man so many good and fun memories flood me now. I could start and never end. Instead I'll keep it short and say here's to mile markers and finish lines. Keeping my eyes on Revelation 7:9 and my feet on the road!
Monday, May 2, 2011
[beyond redemption?]
Today I found Facebook interesting for the first time in awhile. Instead of posting finals countdowns and weather updates, everyone had an opinion about Osama Bin Laden's assassination. Many cheered the US on. Some other's made me really think about it. One friend posted the following article which I liked best:
http://www.redletterchristians.org/whose-death-does-god-cheer/
Reminded me of a couple different books. And good quotes.
"I always say that if we believe terrorists are beyond redemption, we can rip out half of our New Testament since it was written by a converted terrorist who became an extremist for grace." [Shane Claiborne]
Touche Jimmy and Shane. Touche.
http://www.redletterchristians.org/whose-death-does-god-cheer/
Reminded me of a couple different books. And good quotes.
"I always say that if we believe terrorists are beyond redemption, we can rip out half of our New Testament since it was written by a converted terrorist who became an extremist for grace." [Shane Claiborne]
Touche Jimmy and Shane. Touche.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
[perfect faithfulness]
Read Isaiah 25 today in record speed before sprinting out the door with my coffee in one hand and bag in the other. Off to school for another busy day of student teaching. I'd been meaning to get up earlier and have a long quiet time, but good intentions don't always translate into action I'm sorry to admit.
As I was driving, though, the phrase "perfect faithfulness" kept coming to mind - Isaiah 25:1. "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago." And I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it, but I started meditating on this idea.
God's perfect faithfulness. That mean's it's never late. It's always enough. It's never biased. It comes without strings attached. It's flawless. Tried and true. Free from the world's motives, desires and shortcomings. And God's track record? It's spotless. His motives? Pure. You just don't see that anywhere here on earth. Maybe in our minds, yes, but not reality. That was my food for the heart yesterday morning as I drove towards school.
Then, later that day, a friend sent me a new song to look up - "I Lift My Hands" by Chris Tomlin. And I loved it right away. My favorite part is the chorus:
You are faithful God forever. Isn't perfect faithfulness another beautiful sign of God's grace inspite of our broken world. His righteousness and holiness and perfection shine brighter, and man I just want an increase of faith to truly believe instead of simply knowing that kind of stuff. May You, O Lord, grant me grace and help me with my unbelief.
As I was driving, though, the phrase "perfect faithfulness" kept coming to mind - Isaiah 25:1. "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago." And I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it, but I started meditating on this idea.
God's perfect faithfulness. That mean's it's never late. It's always enough. It's never biased. It comes without strings attached. It's flawless. Tried and true. Free from the world's motives, desires and shortcomings. And God's track record? It's spotless. His motives? Pure. You just don't see that anywhere here on earth. Maybe in our minds, yes, but not reality. That was my food for the heart yesterday morning as I drove towards school.
Then, later that day, a friend sent me a new song to look up - "I Lift My Hands" by Chris Tomlin. And I loved it right away. My favorite part is the chorus:
"I lift my hands to believe again.
You are my refuge. You are my strength.
As I pour out my heart this things I remember
You are faithful God forever." [chris tomlin]
You are faithful God forever. Isn't perfect faithfulness another beautiful sign of God's grace inspite of our broken world. His righteousness and holiness and perfection shine brighter, and man I just want an increase of faith to truly believe instead of simply knowing that kind of stuff. May You, O Lord, grant me grace and help me with my unbelief.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
[identity]
There are a lot of books written on this subject. A lot of programs dedicated to this topic. A lot of quotes and verses pinned to mirrors and fridges and bulletin boards to serve as positive reminders. But in reality, no matter how many feel-good books I've read and things I've heard, my struggle with contentment in who God has made me to be never goes away.
For a while I stopped blogging. Got busy. Used my time for other things. And started reading other blogs that were funny, witty, more entertaining. And I got stuck in that trap of dwelling on all the things I wasn't. It didn't eat me alive every waking moment, no, but it got under my skin enough to stick around way longer than it should've.
Then the other day I came across Job 39:13-18. It's just a funny passage about an ostrich, but for some reason I love verses 17 and 18: "for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider."
He's not lying either. I've ridden an ostrich before, and I hung on for dear life. And to our human eyes the animal seems so pointless and dumb. Yet to God it's another part of His patchwork on earth. Another example of His diversity and love for beauty in all shapes, forms and sizes. Another piece of evidence that He has a purpose behind every detail of our lives. He did not make the ostrich smart. But He did make it fast. And He called it good inspite of our human tendancy to question it's purpose.
So when I get stuck in the trap of dwelling on everything I'm not and degrading my identity based on those things, I continue to remind myself that there are always going to be people I'm not. But if the glory of God is spread through the earth by giving certain gifts to some and other gifts to others, than Amen. So be it. May my life be lived by my identity in Christ - not in comparison to other people.
For a while I stopped blogging. Got busy. Used my time for other things. And started reading other blogs that were funny, witty, more entertaining. And I got stuck in that trap of dwelling on all the things I wasn't. It didn't eat me alive every waking moment, no, but it got under my skin enough to stick around way longer than it should've.
Then the other day I came across Job 39:13-18. It's just a funny passage about an ostrich, but for some reason I love verses 17 and 18: "for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider."
He's not lying either. I've ridden an ostrich before, and I hung on for dear life. And to our human eyes the animal seems so pointless and dumb. Yet to God it's another part of His patchwork on earth. Another example of His diversity and love for beauty in all shapes, forms and sizes. Another piece of evidence that He has a purpose behind every detail of our lives. He did not make the ostrich smart. But He did make it fast. And He called it good inspite of our human tendancy to question it's purpose.
So when I get stuck in the trap of dwelling on everything I'm not and degrading my identity based on those things, I continue to remind myself that there are always going to be people I'm not. But if the glory of God is spread through the earth by giving certain gifts to some and other gifts to others, than Amen. So be it. May my life be lived by my identity in Christ - not in comparison to other people.
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