I think God is trying to teach me something about going lately. Yesterday I was reading about Jesus healing a blind man and got stuck on the phrase "as he went along" [John 9:1], and today I noticed in the Good Samaritan story that the Samaritan stopped to help the beat-up man "as he traveled" [Luke 10:33]. Sure there were destinations they were heading to, but the journey was also an opportunity for ministry, and they didn't miss out.
This is convicting for me because truthfully, I'd love to be overseas right now sharing the gospel. When I first heard that one-third of the world has little or zero exposure to Jesus or the Bible, I immediately signed up to be one of the go-ers. I like adventure. I loved living overseas before. I'm young. I don't have a family to take care of yet. I don't have a lot of material things tying me down here. I'm physically capable. Prime time right? All signs point to yes 'cept God's.
And His is the one that counts.
So instead I am here in Ames working with international students. And don't get me wrong, I am really really blessed. Truly blessed. I get to meet people from many different countries. I get to rest in the comforts of my own culture and language. I get to be close to family and friends. I have incredible people to work with, and I get paid to do this. Wow. So blessed.
But there is still a desire in my heart to go overseas, and I stand guilty of accusing God He doesn't know what He's doing by asking how long til I can go. How long God? I'm ready. I said send me. Next week sound good? Alrighty. I'll get my bags packed!
However, I am learning that has also become a great stumbling block for me. So much of my heart yearns to go overseas that I can easily miss the opportunities God has given me here on the way. On the journey. As I am running. I thought that was a good title since this blog is about the race of life, and I'm realizing that my faithfulness to God is what matters more than the exact places I live or what my job title is.
So as I am running God, would you remind me that You don't need me to accomplish Your purposes? As I am running God, would you keep me humbled? As I am running, would you remind me that my best efforts and intentions are nothing without Your presence? As I am running, would you keep my eyes on the Christ who both began and finished this race we're in, so that above all else, I would put worship before work and love before service? That I may love You for Your own sake, for Your goodness, for Your majesty, and not for what You can do for me.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
[keeping first things first]
This post is from my dad. He truthfully hasn't ever really used a computer. His version of email is sitting down with one of us kids or my mom and telling us what to type.
And I don't think he'll actually ever make time to learn because good old fashioned pen and paper still do the trick in keeping farm records and keeping up with people. I like that about him. No one writes hand-written notes anymore. But whether it's some Eden-township humor or a word of sincere encouragement, everything from him is personally written, stamped (sometimes obnoxiously) and delivered via UPS.
Here's a passage from one of his often-quoted and used books, though, that I like and wanted to pass on. It's by John Gile in "Keeping First Things First":
"Many people have much higher callings than they realize
but live on much lower levels than they should.
Our perceptions determine our attitudes,
and our attitudes increase or diminish the joy we experience and give to others.
Men and women in every walk of life seek fulfillment.
But fulfillment isn't something we get from our work.
It is something we bring to it.
Fulfillment isn't found in what we do,
but in why we do it."
I like the last sentence best. Good stuff I do say.
And I don't think he'll actually ever make time to learn because good old fashioned pen and paper still do the trick in keeping farm records and keeping up with people. I like that about him. No one writes hand-written notes anymore. But whether it's some Eden-township humor or a word of sincere encouragement, everything from him is personally written, stamped (sometimes obnoxiously) and delivered via UPS.
Here's a passage from one of his often-quoted and used books, though, that I like and wanted to pass on. It's by John Gile in "Keeping First Things First":
"Many people have much higher callings than they realize
but live on much lower levels than they should.
Our perceptions determine our attitudes,
and our attitudes increase or diminish the joy we experience and give to others.
Men and women in every walk of life seek fulfillment.
But fulfillment isn't something we get from our work.
It is something we bring to it.
Fulfillment isn't found in what we do,
but in why we do it."
I like the last sentence best. Good stuff I do say.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
[finished with the cross]
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.
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.
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.
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