THE PROBLEM WITH MEN

1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34; Romans 4:13-5:5; Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 19:17

“Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a wise counselor to the king, a man of great insight, and a scribe. Jehiel the Hacmonite was responsible for teaching the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend.”

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

“Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’”

One of the most difficult things for men to do is to connect in any real way with other men. I’m not talking about going hunting, fishing or to a ballgame. Although those experiences certainly have their place, there’s a whole lot of “guy time” that ends up being just another form of wasted time. We fritter away chance after chance to actually avoid the mistakes and benefit from the experiences of our peers because we choose superfluous conversation over the sharing of real feelings. We eschew personal vulnerability at almost any cost. I’m not exactly sure why this occurs, and it is not a problem unique to men. But men seem, at least in my experience, to be peculiarly susceptible to its snare. Certainly, time and other responsibilities can represent significant barriers, but as long as we are making space on our calendars for golf or happy hour, we are only fooling ourselves by claiming a lack of opportunity. I wonder if the true issue isn’t just that we aren’t very good at trusting each other.

From almost the time I was old enough to throw a ball, I remember being aware that I had to compete to earn a position on the team. This competitiveness eventually carried over into almost everything I attempted from grades to clerkships to female companionship and eventually jobs. That females also were challenging for many of these positions and opportunities only amplified my tendency to be independent and isolated from those against whom I might have to compete. Then there were the times I did try to forge alliances and had them blow up in my face. A guy only has to show himself to be the vulnerable (translation: weakest) link once or twice to be permanently branded as something less that his fellows.

So why did King David surround himself with advisors and accountability partners? Because he understood one fundamental principle about himself: he, like most every other guy, could not trust himself to do the right thing if left to his own devices. He needed friends to hold him accountable and fill the gaps in his own knowledge and experiences so he could really be the ruler Jehovah wanted him to be. No more obvious example of his need to have other men to rely on for advice and objectivity can be found than in the story of Bathsheba. That affair took place during the time young men went off to war, but David instead chose to stay home and enjoy the perks of being King.

So, let’s get a couple of things clear. First, men are actually far more vulnerable alone than in fellowship. Competition is fine in measured doses, but when it separates us from each other, it has gone too far. Whether we realize it or not, we need individual recognition and accomplishment far less than we need to be united with each other so we can rely on our collective strength to overcome the hurdles of life. Second, our obsession with competition is not just counter-productive but completely unnecessary. There is plenty of room in our Father’s mansion, and Christ has gone ahead specifically to prepare a place for each of us who calls Him Lord and accepts Him as Savior. Our insecurity and suspicion of others are not God-given conditions at all. They are tools of Satan intended to separate us from the unity that would make us the strongest we can be. The Devil does not want us capable or sufficient; he wants us isolated, independent and weak. He is not in the least interested in letting us surround ourselves with others who will remind us of who and Whose we are. And that is all the more reason why we men – and women, too – should do exactly that! 

FAME'S SEDUCTION

1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11; Romans 4:1-12; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 19:15-16

“All tasks were assigned to the various groups by means of sacred lots so that no preference would be shown, for there were many qualified officials serving God in the sanctuary from among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar.”

“Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, he would have something to boast about. But from God’s point of view, Abraham had no basis at all for pride. For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.’ …People are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.”

“Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the light to my eyes.”

Today, nothing happened. I am at a mountain in New Hampshire with my two adult boys enjoying our time together and doing some snow skiing. I haven’t seen a news report. I have no idea how the market did, how our troops are faring in the Middle East or whether or not there was any major medical breakthrough. There were no major tragedies in our family, and no one gave birth. There was weather, of course, and the sun did rise and set. We still had air to breathe, a safe and warm place to sleep, and each other. Our bellies are full, too full. All in all, it was an uneventful day, and a real blessing not to be in charge of anything.

Now, certainly, things did happen. The fact that I may not know of them does not somehow magically wink them out of existence. That much is obvious. Here’s the thing, though, I think. They did happen without me. My ideas were not required or requested. The world got along just fine, and I could not be happier to have been completely insignificant. Nobody asked for my thoughts, and I had no responsibility for getting a single thing done. I guess that, after all, the Holy Spirit does not need my input to be sure the world still spins on its axis or that water runs downhill. Nor does Christ require my opinion on what is right and wrong with the world or how the wicked should be punished (or even who the wicked are). There’s just no reason for me to feel like I need to function as king of the universe or center of the world, and I was not threatened one bit by the idea that, when I return, no one will know or care, or remember me.

Sometimes I wonder if Christians have not over emphasized the gospel of personal significance. I know, I know, Jesus loves each one of us as if we are the only ones to love. We have free will for a reason. Individuality is what gives people personality and interest. Without our uniquely packaged gifts and talents, the Body of Christ would be less than the Lord intends. But that’s all a pretty far cry from saying any of us is indispensible, and when we get to feeling like the world cannot get along without us, we do some pretty silly things. We actually listen to movie stars tell us what is wrong with the country, and what our economic and political policies ought to be. We give credibility to the opinions of those who are not educated or rational enough to actually have any that matter. We begin to believe that our own thoughts and ideas are just as valid and just as important as anyone else’s, and we work to bring the very powers of Hell upon anyone who would dare to think otherwise. No wonder we are so confused and misguided. With all the shouting and all the overload, it should be expected that we are having a harder, not easier, time finding our way these days. Anyone willing to speak loud enough, long enough and fervently enough is virtually certain to command some media attention. However, it does not follow that they deserve it, or that they actually have any thoughts worth listening to.

Perhaps this is just the clarity (or personal pomposity) born of a few days’ vacation, but it seems to me that the world has two major problems. Those who actually have something important and significant to say are not speaking often or loudly enough, and when they do say something, we don’t listen. We are being seduced by the controversial, by the outrageous and by the new, usually without too much regard of for the underlying content. (I am tempted to ask how else it could be that certain  talk show hosts and so-called “commentators” have any credibility at all, but I will leave the political discussion to others more qualified to have opinions in those arenas.) What remains clear, though, is that people are more focused and determined than ever to make sure they get their “fifteen minutes of fame,” deserved or not, and they are more willing to do whatever it takes to claim them, even if it means making stuff up, misrepresenting the facts or even outright lying. Our insatiable drive for personal importance belies a much deeper spiritual emptiness and ignorance.

In fact, we do not need or require the acknowledgement of men to have eternal significance, and our puny efforts to create for ourselves what we have already been freely given must be at least a little embarrassing when viewed from the eternal perspective. It has been known virtually since the dawn of time that we cannot save ourselves no matter what we do, and it is fundamentally futile to try. This does not mean we are to be passive and inactive. Quite the contrary! It simply means that, when we decide to try to have meaningful conversations about the course and impact of life, we need to be a whole lot more intentional about inviting the Author of life into the conversation.

Our efforts mean little. But neither does God play favorites based on performance, so we can stop trying so hard to look important. No one is any more or less intrinsically qualified to be a vessel of grace and love, or to be a temple for the Holy Spirit. Nothing we do is going to change how He feels about us, but it can impact what we allow Him to do for us. We all need to hear that more clearly and respond to it more definitively and quit listening so much to all the garbage. 

RELEASING THE NOISE

1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32; Romans 3:9-31; Psalm 12:1-8; Proverbs 19:13-14

“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.”

“Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.”

At the top of a mountain, there is remarkably little noise, especially if you are trying to sneak in a little after-season skiing in the Northeast before the final snow melt. The locals have had their fill, and the snow gets pretty slushy around about mid-afternoon. But morning skiing has been awesome, and alone on the mountain on a beautiful Sunday afternoon is not a bad place to be, either. The views alone are worth the trip. But it is the serenity and calm that are the most helpful in reorienting oneself to the real priorities of life.

These are the thoughts I was thinking at literally the moment when I received the following from a good friend today. Since it seemed to fit my mood as well, I thought others might benefit from his insights, too.

Dear Friends: with a friend's encouragement, I thought I'd share some thoughts that came my way today through my devotion time, hoping that it may help you. Today, Sunday, after returning from a few days' "vacation" with the family in San Diego (I was working all but Friday afternoon), I just felt spiritually "blah." So I tried praying. Nothing. "Blah." I needed to get "un-blahed."

I picked up my Lenten Devotional Book (www.asburyreader.com), and the lesson today was on Jesus' cleansing of the Temple, John 2:13-22 (www.biblegateway.com - pick your favorite version). Great story, but it was the opening prayer in the Devotional that caught my attention. In it, the author said, "Lord . . . I release my noise to you. . . ." That was it! I had too much "noise" going on in my life: worries about work; frustrations over this and that; little things that just take way too much time and energy to even mess with. Just like the money-changers in the Temple were detracting from true worship, this "noise" was detracting from my worship.

I prayerfully listed in my journal the things that are too "noisy" in my life. Then, I composed a prayer of release. Maybe you have too much "noise" in your life.  If so, perhaps you should identify and release it. Here's my prayer. Maybe it will help you.

Dear Jesus: I release my "noise" to you. Cleanse the Temple of my Soul, I pray. Free me for true worship. Free me from all worldly cares that bind me and hold me back from fully experiencing your presence. May you be the focus and object of my love and adoration. Free me from sinful thoughts and temptations that also hold me captive. Cleanse my Temple of this loud noise. Free me from the noise of foul moods - especially among my family members - that I may be free to express genuine love to them. Cleanse my Temple, Lord Jesus. Quiet the noise. May I be in constant prayer and adoration of you. Amen.

May you all have a "quiet" week focused on Jesus!

Noise is all around us. Even the soft whoosh of the wind can be a distraction. But on the mountain, it made me think. Maybe our problem is not so much the noise of everyday life as it is the attention we give it. It’s only human to attend to the loudest and the most outrageous. Seldom will the Lord be found there. On the other hand, there are certainly times for silence and meditation. But the most critical things are those we choose to hear. We can become so attuned to the world we cannot think. There will always be noise, if we choose to heed it. It’s not as much about silence, then, as it is letting go of the noise, and our captivity to it. Skip Oprah today. DVR that ballgame. The important thing is to release our noise to Christ. We will be far better able to discern the still small voice of the Spirit if we do. 

BARELY LOST

1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30; Romans 2:25-3:8; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 19:10-12

“But King David replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!’”

“No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.”

“I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, ‘Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! …The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?’ But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.”

Everything is under control. It may not feel or look like it, but that does not alter the fact. One of the great hallmarks of God is that things rarely look like they are. A flood of destruction was actually a cleansing purge. An order to sacrifice a son became a blessing. A land full of giants ended up a sanctuary and home of a new civilization and religion. A Crucifixion gave rise to salvation. Death ushered in eternal life. The very unpredictability of the Spirit should give us all hope. Those who truly have faith can never be really lost.

I remember hiking in Northern Georgia as a young teen. Our little group was following a path that seemed quite clear at the start. However, the farther into the woods we progressed and the fewer landmarks we were able to keep in sight, the higher our anxiety level rose and the harder it was to stay focused on the narrowing path ahead of us. Eventually, as we spent more and more time looking around trying to gain some beneficial perspective and the path narrowed further, we lost sight of it altogether and ended up completely lost. At that point, we hit a true emotional crossroads. The choice was either keep our heads and attempt going backwards to retrace our steps, or go into outright panic mode, scream and shout, and hope a rescuer would come save us. None of those turned out to be what happened. Right when we felt the most lost, one of our least intimidated members simply found the trail again. No more than ten yards from where we stood, it apparently had just jogged a bit downhill, and we had missed it. What felt like the center of the wilderness turned out to be a short distance from where we were supposed to have been the entire time.

We give up too easily, on ourselves, and on Christ. Jesus promised we would have trouble. We have no right to claim surprise when adversity raises its ugly head… unless we choose to confess to ignorance in the process. But at the same time, the Lord promised to be with us always, and to enter into our lives when we open the doors of our hearts and heads. He also promised He already had overcome the world. Note this was not stated in the future or even present tense. It was said as a fait accompli, a deed already done. Let that sink into the very center of your soul: Jesus already has overcome the world. If we are in the world, chances are we are actually pretty close to where we are supposed to be. Problem is, we are looking everywhere but where we need to look for guidance. Jesus may be just off the beaten path, but He is never far away, and He is always ready to help us if we’ll seek Him.

Nothing worth having ever comes without price. No offering means anything that does not represent some level of sacrifice. Most of us are simply too consumed with keeping track of old, disappearing landmarks to see the potential of the coming age. Jesus said we are to let the dead bury their dead. Let go of the old ways! There is a new path awaiting, a new adventure to be had. The Lord is graciously waiting for us to turn back to Him so we can get started down that road together. We’ve spent enough time in retreat. Let’s get back to moving ahead into the future. We are not as lost as some think we are. We’ve just lost our guide.

BIRTHDAY RUMINATIONS OF AN "OLD MAN"

1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17; Romans 2: 1-24; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 19:8-9

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!
 What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like. For the sake of your servant, O Lord, and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known.
 O Lord, there is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!”

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

“To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.”

Today is a great day to give thanks. Fifty-two years ago, I was unceremoniously yanked from my mother’s womb and entered a strange, enormous world with which I was completely unprepared to deal. But my parents understood. They nurtured and protected me when I was too young and weak to protect myself. They taught me how to get along in the world, and they introduced me to God in all His forms. They made sure I was provided for, and that I grew socially as well as physically and emotionally. I have never doubted their love or the intensity of their desire that I reach my full potential. They pushed me beyond what I thought were my limits because they saw abilities and gifts which would have never been discovered had I been left to my own devices.

Eventually, love came in a different form. I was at an outdoor sorority summer mixer, and there was this one girl on the volleyball court actually playing instead of (you should pardon the expression) just bouncing around for the guys. It wasn’t that she was overly competitive; what drew my eye was just that she wasn’t afraid to sweat. From that day to this, my sweet wife has never taken herself too seriously; she’s never overly worried about “appearances;” and she has always been God’s example to me of a humble and compassionate heart. She is absolutely the best Mom my kids could ever have hoped for! In a very real way, she filled gaps in all of us we never knew we had. She has also fixed things in me I was all too aware of but had no intention of changing. She has made me a better, more complete person than I could ever have imagined or had any hope of becoming on my own.

Then came the kids. Three lights of my life, each one is unique and as uniquely gifted as a diamond. Each one needed parental “polishing,” to be sure. Still, I think it fair to say Mom and I never forgot the gifts they are. We have understood from the start that God just gave them to us for a season. We are awed and grateful simply to have the blessing of being His hands, His grace, His provision and His comfort to three of His children He loves even more than we do. Each of our kids understands their parents aren’t perfect. But they also know Christ’s love perfects all, and that it starts in the heart. We all get that the Spirit’s love and forgiveness must be the center of our family if we really expect to be able to share and spread the Good News in a way that can be heard in the world.

Today, I leave for a three day ski trip with my two adult sons. (Sissy’s on Spring Break, too, but she’s staying home with Mom for some “girl” time.) Pretty cool the “kids” still want to be with their parents. Even cooler that my youngest actually asked me to go skiing, and is willing to suffer the indignity of having to watch his Old Man struggle down the blue slopes when he could so easily cruise the black slopes on his own or with his brother.

Once again, I wonder if my family isn’t bringing me the Gospel in a nutshell. Sure, God could get along without us. We struggle so much. We are so inept, clumsy and just generally inefficient: there must be a better way to accomplish the Divine Purpose. But Jesus stays right there with us, wherever we go. The Holy Spirit just will not give up on us. When we choose our own path, he allows us to separate, but He never takes His eyes off us and is always ready to circle back and help us to our feet when we get stuck in the snow. He rejoices at our triumphs and weeps with us through adversity. But most important, Christ is steadfastly there with His invitation for us to join Him, to take a chance on the higher, more challenging slopes, and if we are attentive, He will even share a few mountain secrets that will help us over the course.

I need no gifts today. I have been surrounded by gifts of love and grace my entire life. As important as family has been, there have also been a host of friends willing not just to love me unconditionally but to hold me accountable and even correct me when necessary. I thank the Lord for each one of them. Each has presented me with a living example of Christ I will never forget. Every one has helped smooth off some rough edge to help me become the example of the Father my real Daddy (Abba) has always intended. I’ve still got a long way to go, of course, but I rejoice in knowing I do not make the journey alone!

Many folks waste a lot of time and frustration looking for God too high up and too far away. It has been a tremendous blessing to me that I have never had to look for Him much beyond my own backyard. I know, without doubt or reservation, that He has given His own very Self to me. He has done it in more ways and through more people than I ever thought possible. There’s simply nothing else I need or really even want for my birthday, or any day.

RAIN!

1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36; Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 19:6-7

“O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.”

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

Praise God! Wednesday night, I barely got an hour’s worth of sleep. I tossed and turned, prayed and even tried biofeedback relaxation, but it was no use. Now, this could have been irritating. Certainly, Thursday was a long day. But it was well worth it. I spent the time listening to the rain, and giving thanks for every drop. Those who don’t live in San Antonio probably won’t appreciate how it felt to once more get even a little bit of moisture from the heavens. However, we are in the midst of the absolutely driest eighteen month period in the city’s history, so any rain at all is a real blessing.

Eighteen months without any appreciable rainfall is a very long time. Fall crops were nonexistent. Farmers who are braving conditions to attempt a spring crop have to irrigate extensively first just to get the land to accept the seeds. Our water supply is showing signs of falling to dangerously low levels. Even the trees – many of which are hundreds of years old - are wilting. We had one of the warmest winters on record. Already, the city has seen the 90s this month, and the promise is summer will be a real scorcher. But Wednesday night, at least, it seriously rained. The very foreignness of the sound kept me up, and it was wonderful. This all happened, incidentally, the same week the stock market jumped up almost 400 points in one day, and several major banks announced profits for the first time in several years. Again, praise God. A lot of folks were beginning to think He didn’t care.

Now, of course, it’s way too early to say if this front will prove to be a real “drought buster,” and it’s pretty unlikely the economy has fully hit bottom quite yet, but that’s kinda the point. No one ever accurately predicts the end to a drought, and markets are even more fickle. In the middle of it all, though, the Spirit remains and blesses those wise enough to have an eternal perspective and the endurance only Christ can provide. They maintain a divine balance. Even in the center of a storm, they can still recall the drought, and they find a reason to give thanks.

Here is what I think. We have had enough negativism and panic for ten generations. There is absolutely no denying the severity of the very real adversities we face, and it would be intellectually dishonest to try. But the fact that we continue to obsess over them is literally eating us alive.

So, let’s get a few things straight in our heads. First, we’re still here, and just that is saying something. Survival remains a good thing that can be a major accomplishment to be celebrated, even on its own. Second, while we may not have a choice about what we have to deal with on a practical basis, we can darn sure choose what we are going to dwell on and think about most often. Christ still sends us signs of hope on a daily basis. He needs to be our focus, because He is our only real Savior. My plan is to become a lot more intentional about finding reasons to express joy. Leave the “gloom and doom” to those who do not know the Lord and have a real reason to despair.

God is good. God is love. His steadfast love endures forever. It brings with it forgiveness for our sins and a new strength and purpose, a whole new perspective, in fact. Too many of us have let the gift slip through our fingers as we have been too consumed with grasping for other things. Circumstances will change; that much is certain. There are a lot of “downs” in life, to be sure, as there are times of euphoria, but through it all, there is only the Spirit. Those who cling to Him hang on to life itself. Nothing else really lasts; nothing less ever fully sustains, much less re-invigorates and makes all things new. We can absolutely be agents of life and beacons of hope. But only if we stop dwelling on the drought and the markets and intentionally invite the Author and Perfecter of life back into the equation.  Today is a good time to begin. Who says Friday the thirteenth has to be unlucky? Every day can be a blessing, if we know where to look.

A SINGLE PURPOSE

1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17; Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 19:4-5

“All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king over all Israel.”

“You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people. May grace and peace be yours through God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set.”

Many of us struggle trying to decipher the purpose of our lives. Does God intend leadership, service, teaching or what as our inheritance from Him? We spend so much time considering our options we sometimes lose sight of the goal completely. We have so many alternatives we can spend virtually forever in “fixin’ to” mode. The Holy Spirit never intended life to be so complicated. To be sure, there are those who take refuge in the choices, pretending a befuddlement when the real intent is simply to avoid a commitment. Others are genuinely perplexed. However complex or multi-faceted the question seems from our view, though, Christ makes it simple: “Follow me.”

This, of course, raises another question. What does it really mean to follow Jesus? Paul shares his ideas in a variety of places, but never more eloquently than in the first chapter of Romans:

You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people. May grace and peace be yours through God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pretty clearly, the first step is to respond to and accept the Lord’s call to belong. So much in this world isolates and ostracizes, we can get in the habit of being alone and forget what it feels like to belong to anyone or anything besides ourselves. That’s not how we were created, though. Our Creator designed us to work as a Body, together, with each part performing an appointed task but the whole magnifying its benefits far beyond anything we could accomplish on our own.

Second, we don’t just belong. We belong to the Savior. This is no small thing. When the Father of the universe tells us we are to be His, there’s an irrevocable security in the declaration we are foolish to ignore or understate. In case we don’t get it, Scripture fleshes it out by reminding us of Abba’s peculiar, particular love for each one of us and repeating for emphasis that we are to be His very own people.

The end result is grace and peace. That’s always the result of reconciliation and trust. When we surrender to God’s Will for our lives, we align our individual purposes with the purposes of the universe itself, and we go from being part of the problem to part of the solution. It’s worth repeating that the entire process begins with belonging.

In this world of multitasking and high speed everything, it is easy to lose our moorings. When we are uprooted by changes in our lives, it can be hard to ever regain our footing. We founder from one task to another, hoping to rediscover an anchor that will help us reestablish stability. We try various things, but none satisfy. It’s time for a different approach. We can’t tell where we will be next year, or even next month, but we can say for sure Who will be with us, and Who will be our King. Like the Hebrews at Hebron, we need to develop a single purpose that transcends all the uncertainty and competition that consumes our lives. We need to do what we can to reestablish the King’s dominion over our souls and bodies. If we will open our hearts and minds to His presence, understanding His purpose for us will be essentially automatic. Our will shall become His; our thoughts His thoughts. That kind of single mindedness could be a very positive thing indeed.

STEPPING UP

1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18; Acts 28:1-31; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 19:1-3

“David had said to his troops, ‘Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!’ And Joab, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah, was first to attack, so he became the commander of David’s armies.”

“For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.”

The San Antonio Spurs (I’m a BIG fan!) have played most of this year with one or more of their big guns hurt. Manu Ginobli, in particular, has spent more time sitting behind the bench in his suit than on the floor in the game. Injuries are just a part of life in the NBA, and sometimes, they are blessings in disguise. Early in the season, both Ginobli and Tony Parker were seriously hobbled. However, the Spurs were still able to play over .500 ball, largely because the absence of those two stars opened the door for the emergence of the two newest stars, Roger Mason, Jr. and George Hill. Taking advantage of their opportunities to shine, both players not only gained precious experience but actually established themselves as very effective contributors to the team in their own rights.

In sports, it’s called “stepping up,” moving ahead to fill the gap left by another. In discipleship, the concept is pretty much the same. We each have roles in the Body of Christ uniquely tailored to our particular gifts and graces by our loving Creator. But sometimes, we have to play “out of position” or venture into areas of ministry outside our comfort zone for the sake of the Kingdom. When we do, the rewards can be better than we might expect, and they usually end up in a lot of opportunities we would not have experienced otherwise. Christ does not grow us if He cannot move us. Even when the movement is not to our strength, it is important to be flexible and see the possibilities.

Joab did exactly that. David offered an opportunity, and Joab jumped at it. There’s no indication he hesitated or stopped to consider his qualifications on paper. He didn’t let anxiety or insecurities rule his action. He did not worry about what his men might think of his ascension to commander, or whether others would gossip about him taking advantage of his relationship as David’s nephew.  He simply positioned himself to stand in the gap for his master.

Paul stepped up in a different way. After literally years of suffering rejection, persecution and verbal and physical abuse, it would have been easy to hang ‘em up and let others carry the Word to the Gentiles. It would have been tempting to let others take the heat. But he didn’t. Instead, Paul actually took advantage of his “legal” troubles and his captors to get to Rome and eventually present his testimony, according to tradition, to no less than Caesar himself. Even in captivity and after being reviled by his own people, Paul never faltered. He continued to present the Gospel with boldness and power, whatever his circumstances.

That’s the kind of creativity and adaptability through which the Spirit works best. It’s not about us. It’s about us getting to a place where Jesus can work through us. It’s about seeing the chance to step up, and seizing it. The next time I’m given an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and step up for the Savior, I’m going to think a lot longer and harder before declining. It takes no personal sacrifice or character to say no to risk and the adventure of living beyond our abilities and standard operating procedures. But it doesn’t promote growth or wisdom to keep doing the same old things, either. I pray that God will reveal to each of us new things He has for us to do, and that each of us will always be willing to step up to meet those challenges He presents.

NEGATIVE ACHIEVERS

1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14; Acts 27:21-44; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 18:23-24

“Saul… was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the Lord for guidance.”

“Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, ‘You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.’ So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.”

“Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.
 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority….”

For awhile now, God has been calling me to become more observant and actually seek out and encourage examples of negative achievement. Today, I commit to doing so. “Negative achievement” is the ability to accomplish positive results in the midst of adverse circumstances. The fact is, we need to actively praise negative achievement whenever we see it. Individuals accomplished in its art remain undaunted by the world. They still are willing to take appropriate risks. These are the folks who know and live in hope, and their lives are beacons to others. How much better for the rest of us is it to affirm and promote their achievement than to dwell on the negatives we all face!

Jesus’ life was the ultimate study in negative achievement. Few of us can even begin to aspire to His level of accomplishment, but it’s no reason not to try and give ourselves over to the process. There’s already been quite enough gloom and despair. Call me utopian, but I believe we have just got to find an alternative before our emotions implode our entire society. Like Jesus, we must find a way to overcome the world. The good news is the world can, in fact, be overcome, even today. I am privileged to have just met six young adults who prove it on a daily basis.

These youth are achievers in the very finest sense of the word. They are students at a special needs school – it is actually called the Achiever’s Center for Education (or ACE) - which I serve as a Director. One of our main responsibilities to the school is to help promote its annual fundraising gala. This year will be particularly challenging, so we are trying something different to inspire those who attend to support the school’s ministry. We have selected seven Achievers to present their own personal testimonies about how the school has made a difference in their lives. I must admit going into their first rehearsal not expecting a lot. I was blown away! First, their scripts were heartfelt and written at a depth no outsider would ever have predicted. Then, their presentations were given without nervousness and with hardly a flaw. They understood and accepted the importance of their mission gladly. They were happy to be put to the test and delighted to be so challenged. I don’t know how the attendees will respond, but I know what I did. I cried. I praised God for the opportunity to serve these youngsters and help them accomplish their goal of helping defray their fellow students’ financial needs. I was humbled by their indomitable spirits, their sense of joyful and enthusiastic adventure and their utter selflessness. They brought Christ close, but it was no big deal to them. They are used to relying on and living with Jesus on a daily basis. It’s how they make it through their days… victoriously!

Dear Lord, please, I want to get over myself. I want to get beyond and outside myself and past my own limitations. Remind me again of your willingness to help me become a negative achiever, especially in these tough times. Help me apply the Living Gospel I saw in those kids’ lives to my life. Let me experience anew your overcoming power. Holy Spirit, I want to be an Achiever, not a whiner. I want to see the opportunities, not the downsides.  Let me see with Your eyes, and let me be in Your Power. Make me Your vessel, Father, a vessel full of abundant and everlasting life! In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

THE BEST PORT IN A STORM

1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40; Acts 27:1-20; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 18:22

“The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.”

“I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.”

“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.”

It is a fundamental law of the seas that, when a ship is confronted by a major storm, any port is better than being buffeted and broken by the waves. The men sailing with Paul to Rome disregarded this rule. As a result, their entire ship was lost on the shoals of Malta. That there was no loss of life was a gift of grace. But it doesn’t change the fact that they could have stayed at Fair Havens and been safe. Why didn’t they? Scripture says the crew simply opted for what they thought would be more comfortable and attractive moorings:

And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.

The problem was, they did not appreciate the dangers inherent in the journey. When we attempt to travel to places or people God does not intend for us, we, too, can be blinded by our focus on the destination. If we never consider how we might be jeopardizing ourselves along the way, if we just proceed without thinking things through, the end of the trip may come sooner than we plan.

Alex Rodriguez’s baseball career is not over by any means, but the image he presented as a superstar role model has been forever tarnished. By his own admission, he used steroids knowing they were illegal, but also knowing there was a pretty good chance they would help him achieve his life’s dreams and ambition of a Hall of Fame career. His excuse? Being young and foolish. We’ve all been there. But Rodriguez also went further. He was unfaithful. A man who cannot be depended on to honor his marriage vows cannot be depended on at all. There isn’t any difference between 20 and 50 in that regard. Anytime we feel the urge to be “anywhere but here,” a little bit of additional introspection is probably a good idea.

God smiled brightly on me when I met my wife of nearly thirty years. In that time, we’ve seen and done quite a lot, actually. Our relationship has not just weathered three kids, serious illness, family deaths, job loss and a lot of new growth and change on both our parts. It has flourished. We are closer, more intimate, now than we have ever been. Most important, not once did either of us ever think of heading out for any other port. Whatever storms life has thrown at us, we have chosen to stay moored right where we are… together.

Life is full of tempting and seductive alternatives. Many require only a short journey. The trip may only be down the block, across the hall or even just to the next cubicle. But the way is fraught with hidden dangers. When Christ has gifted us with the safe harbor of marriage, even though the winds of change and turmoil approach, the best option is never to try to outrun the storm. The best option is to stay put. We probably can get along without excess cargo, to be sure. Living lighter is almost always a good idea. But jettisoning our marriages is never part of the divine plan. In times of stress and trial, it is especially important that both spouses remember the Spirit gave us wedlock as a safe harbor. Other relationships may, at times, seem nicer, more attractive or even safer, but they rarely are. The best port in a storm is within the arms of the one to whom we have been joined by God in marriage. Within those arms may just be the touch of the Savior Himself.

HALFWAY FAITHFUL

1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81; Acts 26:1-32; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 18:20-21

“Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?”

“Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person’s lips bring satisfaction.”

Jesus fed five thousand with the equivalent of a picnic basket. He healed lepers. He turned water to wine. He made the lame walk, and the blind see. He raised the dead to life, and conquered death Himself. He even gave Pete and the guys a great catch, once they were on the job. But not once in all of Scripture do I find Jesus providing a job for one of His followers, or making any promise of financial security, and I wonder why. Surely, the One who walked on water ought to be capable of creating a little economic stimulus that would assure His disciples were financially stable. The same Lord who controls the sea and storms certainly ought to be able to still the tsunamis of recession and depression. I don’t see Him doing it, though. It never rains pennies from heaven, and the prosperity gospel rings especially hollow in times like these. It is, in fact, considerably easier to trust Christ to heal cancer and raise the dead than it is to trust Him with my economic security. But here’s the bigger thought: if I can’t trust Him with my finances, am I really trusting Him at all? Do I, in fact, honestly, really believe He raised the dead, or that He can save me from my all-too-real sins? I don’t act like it when I don’t trust Him completely. So, I should not be surprised that I feel threatened by current financial conditions, too.

Let me be clear. This has nothing (OK, well, almost nothing) to do with tithes or offerings or any particular monetary decision or circumstance. My unwillingness/inability to trust the Spirit with my economic well-being is a lifelong, lifestyle anxiety Jesus diagnosed centuries ago. Call it, “What am I gonna eat? What am I gonna wear?” Call it a basic obsession, a habit of worry I would very much like to have eliminated from consideration when my heavenly scorecard is finally tallied. [Peter (standing at the Pearly Gates, sighing): “Well, he was halfway faithful.”] “Halfway faithful” is a contradiction in terms with which we should never be satisfied. Better, more truthful language would describe my situation as a halfway faith. Pretty pitiful. I’m beginning to wonder if this is not the tip of an iceberg that represents a much deeper and bigger spiritual problem than I’d like to think.

Trusting Christ is just a heckuva lot easier when we have no power. Then, the only choice is to believe Him, or not. When physical limitations prevent us from having any real hope in ourselves or even in the genius of human ingenuity, prayer is a quite natural response. It may be, in those times, the ultimate human optimism: there must be something greater than us out there, because we are out of answers but the problem isn’t solved yet. When we reach the bounds of this physical world, it becomes natural to wonder what is over the horizon and almost primal to feel there is untapped potential just outside our grasp.

For many, that whole line of thought vanishes when it comes to food, shelter and money. We have always exercised intimate control (for better or worse) over those things. We’ve become absolutely dependent on our own power and ability to make money and care for our families financially (or we’ve become dependent on the charity of others, or the welfare system). But the simple fact is, very, very few of us trust the Spirit absolutely when it comes to money. So, we worry. To be sure, an absolute economic reliance doesn’t seem to make any practical sense. As we’ve said, it’s never rained pennies from heaven. But it did rain manna and quail. Water did flow out of a rock. And did we mention the dead have been raised?

Maybe we trust Christ in matters of spirituality because we recognize that’s His home court. We trust Him (along with certain doctors, of course) with our physical bodies because we understand He’s the Creator, and that no one has a better idea of how to fix us when we are broken. But in matters of economics, perhaps we don’t trust the Spirit because we are the creators. Right or wrong, we’ve chosen to play by our own rules in the financial arena. We should not blame God for our fall when we never allowed Him into this Coliseum in the first place.

Many people are disillusioned right now, and they do not know what, or who, to believe. More than a few have sealed off their hearts completely, electing not to believe in much of anything anymore. As Christians, we need to understand and accept that the world has never ceded control over finances or economics to the Lord. We should not be surprised at the results, nor should we blame God. However, as long as the economy is going through major restructuring anyway, maybe it would make sense to restructure our own perspective and priorities as well. Give a little more thought to what it would look like to trust Christ completely and absolutely. Oh, I know. My own head is saying faith-based economics could never really work. People would try to take advantage of us. There’s a hundred reasons not to fully trust God with our financial well-being and to hold on to that very real human anxiety. But there’s also a pretty fair reason not to hold onto anxiety: because Christ so commanded!

“Do not worry” was not a suggestion or a helpful hint. No matter what or how many real, practical reasons there are for not trusting God with any and every aspect of our lives, the only reason to trust Him trumps them all. Complete trust is what it takes for us to have the relationship with our Savior that we were created for. Like a runner who refuses to give his all, we can never experience the race as intended as long as we are holding back. Maybe we won’t come in first, even at our best. But it looks to me like the runners ahead have already stumbled, and it just may be time to start a new race altogether anyway. At least then, we can say we really tried. 

EXPANSION, NOT CONTRACTION

1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19

“There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.”

“Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.”

What a marvelous opportunity we have to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world right now! This thought may strike a note of dissonance in the souls of the fainthearted, but that does not make it any the less true. It simply means we have to fight against the tendency to withdraw and contract at a time when the Spirit most needs us to spread His positive Word of hope and restoration.  Battered and bruised, many of us have retreated to the sidelines – if we are not already headed to the locker room – just when our team needs us most. Called to move boldly forward with courage to bring others into the Kingdom, we substitute our own judgment about what “makes sense” in these troubled times and do not even extend to Christ the chance to prove Himself. We do not really believe He can or will help us with our very practical needs, so we bind ourselves to a self-fulfilling prophecy of weakness and passivity.

Oh, that there were more Jabezes among us! The Lord has issued a clarion call for bold men and women of faith to go into the world and expand His territory. The land is quite literally ours for the taking, as the world’s philosophies and policies have obviously failed miserably. However, if we remain bound to their limited perspectives and basic ideas, we will necessarily disqualify ourselves from being able to offer hope to anyone else, and least of all ourselves.

In times of trouble and turmoil (how else would one describe the history of the Old Testament as a whole?), Jabez looked for opportunities to expand his territories in accord with the Will of God. This makes two important points. First, Jabez had the courage to test God and act, even when it seemed illogically against the tide of public opinion and impression. He actually took advantage of the fact that others were choosing to retreat from risk and the adventure of living in faith. Secondly, he allowed – even requested – the Lord to lead him into any new territories He wanted Jabez to occupy. Jabez was willing to take what the Spirit offered and set his own fears and ideas aside.

Jesus stands ready to expand our territories, if we will but go where He leads. There’s the rub. There are several places on earth to which I would love to be called to expand my territory: Hawaii, the Rockies; the Carribbean… Italy is especially nice. But somehow, I don’t think that my kind of expansion is exactly what the Lord has in mind. Sitting on the beach in Cozumel has little to do with the work of the Kingdom, at least the way I do it. God isn’t talking about a vacation. The Spirit is offering us an opportunity to reclaim the Enemy’s occupied territories for the Kingdom. But we cannot take advantage of anything if we are still backing up ourselves. We need to retrench and begin the battle right where we are. The Lord is looking for individuals of purpose to sign on for another tour of duty. Now is the time! The fields are ready for a new fertilizer of hope and vision. The world needs those of us who sing a new song unto the Lord to get busy composing. The old is passing away. The new is coming. Now is the time to prepare and recruit for the future of the Kingdom of God.

THE EMBRACE OF CHRIST

1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18

“A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. ‘Go away for now,’ he replied. ‘When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.’”

“Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord. Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

It is as if today’s Psalm was written for this exact time, isn’t it? Reread that last paragraph. Don’t give in to the hopelessness and helplessness of the world. Let go of the anger. Instead, breathe…, deeply. Several times. Feel the Spirit’s caress and comfort. Let Christ take away your burdens. If only for a brief moment, release the tension. Take a few minutes to intentionally reopen your heart to God. In this time, let nothing else matter but your relationship with Jesus and the security of your eternity. Quiet your soul. Listen. Allow God to speak and just accept what He says as Truth.  There is no need to argue, and the logic of the world does not apply. You are in communion with the Great I AM; what He says is what is, and what will be. Relax in His grace and love. Your path and His plan are both surely for the good, even if you can’t see that right now. Arise in confidence. Carry Him with you today, and let His power be your first response….

How could such a message of reconciliation and hope ever be inconvenient? What is there to recoil from, or to fear, in those words? It’s hard to see, but if we are honest, it’s a lot easier to feel. First, there’s just no denying the fact that many of us have simply forgotten how to unplug from the busyness of our worlds. We get so carried away with the supposed need for immediate response and the energy behind being able to provide it that we actually do regard even five minutes of “down” time as a distracting inconvenience in our otherwise “completely productive” days. Secondly, though, and much more fundamentally, many of us just find being that close to the Spirit uncomfortable. This may or may not have anything to do with guilt. Surely, most of us feel unworthy of Christ’s presence from time to time. But for today, consider only how we feel about actually being on intimate terms with our Creator. Isn’t it easier, don’t we feel less vulnerable and exposed, when we keep Him at arm’s length? Not far enough away, maybe, that we actually feel separated or alienated, just far enough away where the dirt and grime of our lives isn’t quite so obvious….

If we think for a second that we can keep the Spirit at arm’s length and still have His companionship and sanctuary, we are only fooling ourselves and are destined to live in frustrated impotence. Besides, Who – or what - do we think we’re hiding or protecting ourselves from? There’s nothing about us the all-knowing Lord doesn’t already understand better than we do, yet he continues to offer Himself to and for us. How can we expect Christ to heal what we will not let Him touch?

Waiting for a miracle behind deliberately locked doors is not just unreasonable; it’s madness. Jesus is clear that He will not invade our personal space without an invitation. He stands at the door and knocks. It is up to us to take the time to deliberately turn away from what we are doing, or what we are obsessing about, to open the door and our hearts to His presence. If our hearts are calloused over from the hurts and pains of this world, we may have to wait patiently for His entrance while His fingers gently remove the scar tissue. But in any event, we have got to remain in contact. There is no other source of peace and power capable of sustaining us. Only Christ can empower us in new ways to deal triumphantly with the difficulties of life. In a nutshell, we can never be complete, or completely healed, without giving ourselves over to the loving embrace of the Savior.

FAITH OR ANXIETY?

1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17; Acts 23:11-35; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 18:14-15

“The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.”

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.”

“The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?”

I am not one to find the devil behind every adversity or tragedy humanity experiences. However, over the last several days, it does seem to have become clearer that our current situation is much more the result of ongoing spiritual warfare than economic or political crisis. We are absolutely overwhelmed by bad news on every front. We are at war with some exceedingly real and tangible enemies. But the toughest opponent of all is found within, and he fights very dirty indeed. Satan is the one who most effectively undermines our hope. The battle for my soul is the center of my insecurity. No doubt it is reflected millions of times over in the hearts of Christians everywhere. The Enemy’s war cry is excruciatingly plain: “Jesus cannot save you from this!” And, so help me God, there are times that voice is terrifyingly difficult to ignore, much less overcome.

If we are going to be intellectually honest, we have to own the problem of faith. There is simply no obvious connection between our spiritual beliefs and the satisfaction of our physical needs. How does faith feed a family, or put or keep a roof over our heads. How can God grant wisdom to politicians and generals who deny His existence? How does spiritual devotion supplement a 401k? Jesus clearly said we are not to worry about our clothes or food. He promised God would provide. Then, why are people starving, destitute and without hope? Because, just as Jesus warned, Satan is the Lord of this world. As the “visiting team,” believers cede home court advantage in secular matters. Our hope rests in eternity. Consequently, if we are to challenge Satan’s dominion on earth, we have to begin with an eternal perspective.

It works like this. Several years ago, I was doing my typical venting after our pastor’s annual “tithe or you’re not a good Christian” sermon. (For the record, I have never accepted the Church’s dogma that we only give to God when we use the church’s address, but that’s for another day.) My concern at the time was how unsympathetic and judgmental the mantra sounded to seekers who felt a tithe simply irresponsible or impossible in light of their means and needs.  My wife saw things completely differently. “Tom,” she said, “who’s to say that the blessings and abundance we enjoy now are not directly related to the amount we have invested in faith in the Kingdom, even when we could not afford it?” Good point. And therein lies the essence of faith. We give of ourselves, regardless. We challenge the Spirit to refill and refuel us. We live lives sold out to Him because we understand that just because we do not or cannot see any logical relationship between our spiritual faith and the satisfaction of our physical and economic needs does not mean there is not any.

When we get right down to it, most of life comes down to a very simple battle: trust or anxiety. Anxiety is a fundamentally worthless and wasteful emotion. It wears on us and drains us of creativity and initiative. However illogical it may seem, faith is the better choice. We already know our own limitations, and they give us little reason for hope. Why not trust Christ, take Him at His Word, and see what happens? At the very least, it puts the battle for our souls in the right place. If I’m going to go to war with Satan, I’d prefer to do it on the Lord’s home court. Christ doesn’t want us consumed with worry; He wants us obsessed with trust in Him. Worry hasn’t helped anyone. Maybe faith is the better option. 

[For a little more encouragement on this subject, check out the Comment on yesterday's blog.  Very worthwhile reminder! T]

NORMAL LIFE - IN THE FIRE!

2 Kings 23:31-25:30; Acts 22:17-23:10; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 18:13

“King Nebuchadnezzar took all of Jerusalem captive, including all the commanders and the best of the soldiers, craftsmen, and artisans—10,000 in all. Only the poorest people were left in the land.”

“I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’”

“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.”

“Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish.”

Certainty and security are precious commodities. There’s no point denying what we know to be true. Asked to paint a picture of the perfect life, very few of us would be found drawing nomads, ecological changes, exiles or wars. But what if we were asked to honestly sketch a normal life? Would not our pictures necessarily look very different (again, being honest)? “Normal” is not a synonym for “nice” any more than “difficult” is the same as “wrong.” In fact, those of us who have lived long to appreciate the difference recognize that, most of the time, the only way to “right” or “good” is through “difficult.” So when did we start defining a difficult life as failure? Doing better than our parents is not a divine right. Doing all things through Christ is. But few of us know it, and even less of us claim it. It’s no wonder, then, when we separate ourselves from Jesus, that we gravitate toward “easy,” and develop attitudes of disappointed entitlement. We cannot stand the heat. That’s exactly why, sometimes, the middle of a fire is exactly where we most need to be.

One of the most beautiful people it has ever been my privilege to know is a life-long exile from the land of comfortable. His body is warped and misshapen. His only locomotion comes via a wheelchair. He has struggled with a variety of serious health issues and related economic problems his entire life. Oh, but what a life! The man’s internal beauty is radiant; his hugely illogical optimism outrageously contagious; and he has never met a stranger or an enemy. One could easily conclude he has made helping others see their own beauty his life’s work. How humbling it is to be encouraged by one such as this! No matter the pain – and it is constant, and excruciating – his first words to any new arrival are “How are YOU, my friend?” and by God, he expects a meaningful answer. I always tried to avoid him when I was feeling blue or disappointed. I didn’t want to lie to one so genuine, but I couldn’t tell the truth without feeling very small, petty and selfish. That, I think, remains the true genius of his ministry: who is better qualified to hold the mirror by which we might judge the state of our own lives? But this man’s gospel goes far beyond encouraging positive self-evaluation. He is totally, passionately dedicated to bringing his hope-filled message of Christ’s sustaining power to anyone willing to listen. He looks for chances to live beyond his capacity, and is not shy about publicizing the reason: it gives him the only real comfort he knows to see Christ work through him to encourage and strengthen others. Weak and physically helpless as he is, he never loses sight of what it means to be truly empowered, and he relies on and realizes Christ’s living strength better than anyone I’ve ever met. Letting the Spirit work through him is his ministry, and I would be hard pressed to name any other more perfectly carried out.

The Babylonian Captivity was an awful time for the Hebrew race. Paul’s abandonment of his own people, the Jerusalem Jews, against his will (but fully in accord with his God’s) was extraordinarily traumatic. Nothing about either situation would be described as nice or normal. But on the other hand, both situations prepared others for Christ. As long as we are consumed by the need to grab hold of security, we will never grasp the hand of God extended to save us or to grow us. The only true “normal” is change. The truly successful are always those who embrace and adapt to change by uniting themselves with others. They do not cling uselessly to some imagined stability that does not exist, and never really has existed in this world. They do not look horizontally at all for comfort or satisfaction. They look up.

Fire can kill. But fire also purifies. Which it does in a given case depends exclusively on the character of the thing or person exposed to its heat. Wood burns, becoming black, sooty and ugly. Gold becomes refined, fluid, more adaptable and even better able to withstand pressure.  People aren’t so different: most all of us need our dross burned off. Some come away calloused and brittle with little left to show for it. Others come away from the process transformed into something entirely new and even more beautiful. The Holy Spirit gives us that option. It is, however, an option that requires a long-term perspective in a quick fix world.

THE HALF-WAY POINT: WHAT I'VE LEARNED

2 Kings 22:3-23:30; Acts 21:37-22:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 18:11-12

“When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. … ‘We have not been doing everything it says we must do.’ Josiah also got rid of the mediums and psychics, the household gods, the idols, and every other kind of detestable practice, both in Jerusalem and throughout the land of Judah. He did this in obedience to the laws written in the scroll…. Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.”

“’Brothers and esteemed fathers,’ Paul said, ‘listen to me as I offer my defense.’”

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.”

Six months ago, I started this blog as an exercise in self-preservation. Spiritually adrift, uninspired, irrationally insecure and just plain fearful, I took the advice of a good friend and pastor to get back to the basics of Bible study and accountability. At the time, his suggestion seemed so elementary I almost dismissed it. But I was desperate to change my outlook and find a way past what was starting to feel like depression, so I took the plunge. Today, while I cannot begin to logically explain the relationship, I know in my heart of hearts that the daily effort, study and meditation of doing this has changed me dramatically. Life remains a puzzle, but the pieces are coming together better. Irrationality and fear still lurk in the corners of my soul, to be sure; I remain, after all, in this world (although, hopefully, not so much of it). But I am no longer consumed by my demons, and the rekindled light of Christ is slowly pushing them out of what relatively little, dark territory they still claim.

So, halfway through this commitment to God, it seems a good time to evaluate my progress as I gird my loins, so to speak, for the final six months. Perhaps I will better understand the change the Spirit has wrought if I actually focus on what I have learned or re-learned in the process.

     1.     Pardon the practicality, but this is much more time consuming than I expected or intended, and can be downright inconvenient (a/k/a, a real pain). I think about stopping weekly. The only thing that keeps me going is the power of my promise, and how it has opened the door for the Spirit to begin to re-inspire me. I suspect this is a major thing to understand. Life was never intended to be convenient. It was designed to be committed. Without some level of sacrifice, not many of our accomplishments stand for much. But when we offer ourselves to Christ, we can be assured He will give back far more than we give up.

     2.     Emotions are not reality. DUH! But they sure feel that way sometimes, and it is important to have something more concrete – like the basic, bedrock promises of Jesus – to fall back on when uncertainty says we just aren’t getting (or aren’t worth) our Creator’s attention, much less His caring, compassionate love. The clay does not get to tell the potter it is unworthy of the wheel. We are being molded, daily. Our opinions about ourselves need to take a back seat to what God says is our future.

     3.     I previously missed some things in Scripture that are kinda important. Like, for example, why didn’t Josiah get more press than David? He was the “best King ever” and certainly did not experience the pitfalls David did. But neither did he experience the same depth of redemption. If I had to guess, this just emphasizes that all of Scripture is aimed far more at the idea of redemption than success. The extra good news? Readjusting my own priorities to bring more of my life into the Light where it can be redeemed has brought with it unexpected “success” as well.

     4.     Especially in times of trouble, we absolutely need – and were created - to be connected to something and someone outside ourselves and even outside our families. This is particularly important at times like these when the adversity the world throws at us triggers our instinctive “retreat and withdraw” response. I am convinced that, especially when we are under attack, isolating ourselves is the worst possible thing we can do. It probably is one of the most tangible signs we are still ruled by our sin nature.

     5.     The Spirit does not work in us to make us feel better about ourselves. It works through us so that we can have the blessing of making others feel better about themselves. However, as we submit to and accept the way the Spirit does business, we find a new sense of personal significance and godly purpose which does make us feel better about ourselves.

       6.     I had been putting way too much emphasis on economic security and was getting consumed by an obsession with the reality that it is all temporary. While there’s no arguing the import of food on the table and shelter over our heads, I needed to also look beyond the temporal and seek out visions of the eternal. Miracles are still happening. Hope still exists. As members of the human race, we all need to rededicate ourselves to their preservation and development and quit feeling so stinkin’ sorry for ourselves. Stuff happens. But Christ has overcome the world. We do well to remind ourselves of that every day.

       7.     There are hard choices to be made, and not to decide is to decide. No longer is “go with the flow” a viable option. Like lemmings, the “herd” of humanity is fast approaching a deadly cliff. Its sheer momentum threatens to sweep us down the same terminal path. Without our own individual, absolute re-commitment to follow Christ to the Cross and beyond - instead of following humanity off that cliff - we will be lost. Wherever Jesus leads has got to be a better choice than that! I have got to be more dedicated to following Him and cultivating His presence and purpose in my life.

There are some hard words here. No doubt, I will miss more fellow pilgrims than I hit with today’s message. I cannot apologize. God has brought me to this place and these convictions. I can only pray that those who read them will be the ones the Spirit intends to read them, and that He will use my limited understanding to help others deal with the separation and disenchantment in their own lives.