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Sunday, August 13, 2017

kicking and screaming



Any blushing mom who has ushered a screaming toddler out of a store knows of what I'm about to speak.  It's often about a battle of wills - the toddler, exercising their newfound ability to make decisions and test independence, protests being told to do something (or that they can't have something), and a dramatic scene takes place.  The child leaves with mom, kicking and screaming, insisting to have their way.

I envision that a lukewarm Christian's walk is often like this.  They go to church and hear an inspirational sermon, determined to better walk the straight and narrow path.  They do their best to pray, and they put some money into the offering plate on Sunday.  They know right from wrong, as it has been ingrained in many of us since childhood.  They might buy a few cans for the food drive, and donate a box of clothing to a charity.  Do not misunderstand me - these things are all good things.  But it's not enough.  The inspiration will often fade, the spirit will get weak, and people slip back into old ways and sinful habits.

Sometimes, we are like a toddler in the midst of his tantrum - unwilling to lay down pride to surrender to the one in charge.  We often come to the Lord, yet inside our hearts are reluctant to give up selfish ways.  The Lord summons us, but often we're kicking and screaming.  We aren't ready to submit, to surrender, to humbly accept defeat and powerlessness.

To achieve true closeness and relationship with the Lord, though, much more is required.  In the gospel of John, when John the Baptist is questioned about Jesus, John states, "He must become greater, I must become less."  Such is it in our walk with Jesus.  WE CANNOT COMPLETELY SUBMIT TO JESUS UNTIL WE BECOME LESS.  Jesus says in Matthew 18: 3, "Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  That is to say, we are to be completely, utterly, wholly dependent upon him for provision, guidance, and survival.

What does complete surrender look like?

It looks like unconditional love.
It looks like forgiveness (maybe seventy times seven times).
Picking up your bible regularly.
Being able to lovingly confront someone else's sin.
It looks like giving your time on the Sabbath to the local soup kitchen instead of kicking back and watching football.
It looks like tithing, even when you don't know where the money will come from to pay your other bills.
It's biting your tongue instead of engaging in gossip.  Or, perhaps standing up for the person and possibly enduring ridicule or judgment.
It's teaching your children to pray and sticking with it, even if at the end of the day you can't put two sentences together.
It's withholding criticism of character in an argument.
It looks like submitting sinful thoughts to the Lord and denying them.
It looks like self-control.
It's a purity of heart and mind.
It looks like submission to God's will, even if it scares the pants off of you.

Colossians 3:5-10 states, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But no you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these:  anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with these practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

As humans, we are sinful by nature.  It is IMPERATIVE that we come to the Lord in prayer to surrender these things to him.  He is faithful and will hear us when we ask for transformation.  "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will." - Romans 12:2 (emphasis added)

So, as in the case of the exhausted toddler, we learn that we will not win this battle.  The Lord is in charge, and we must completely bend to his will and surrender to him in order to achieve peace and transformation.

Thursday, August 3, 2017

the last cookie


There is this little bible verse that you may have heard of on my heart today that I'd like to dissect - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  Cue the eye rolls - this verse has likely been used at almost every wedding EVER.  We are completely desensitized to it because of its frequent use, but there is a reason clergy and soon-to-be-newlyweds turn to it time and time again.

It reads: "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

The kind of love that is represented by Jesus in the bible is agape - the Greek word to paraphrase "selfless love."  It's the same variety He showed us at the cross.  Though Jesus had done no wrong, He walked the road to Calvary for us, having been beaten, taunted, and tortured, so that we might experience mercy and life with the Father.  Matthew 16:24-5 states, "Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."  I am no theologian, so I personally cannot be certain if Jesus was using this literally (as in martyrdom) or in a more figurative way, but nevertheless, I feel we are to apply it to our lives today.  Jesus calls us to love each other selflessly, without condition.  We are to put aside our selfish, worldly ways and desires to live a life that is dedicated to mirroring the love of Christ.  Paul wrote to the people in Corinth, advising them to love in exactly this way.  Broken down, this is what the verse does (and does not) mean:

"Love is patient" - it's allowing someone time to heal from past hurts or abuse; it's trying to understand someone else's perspective; it is slow to anger and abounding in grace 

"love is kind" - it doesn't harass, condemn, insult, or condescend; it is empathetic and compassionate

"It does not envy" - it isn't jealous; it doesn't want what someone else has

"it does not boast" - it's not gloating, bragging, or saying "I told you so"

"it is not proud" - it is humble; it's not viewing yourself as better than another; it's admitting when you're wrong; it's taking responsibility for your actions

"It does not dishonor others" - it's not pointing fingers, placing blame; it's not smearing someone's name; it doesn't humiliate or degrade

"it is not self-seeking" - it's working for the benefit of another; it's working toward common ground and compromise

"it is not easily angered" - it's not rushing to reprimand or scold

"it keeps no record of wrongs" - it forgives completely; it erases an offense, once and for all; it's not bringing up past wrongs in current arguments; it's not bitter or resentful

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth" - love does not lure those around us to sin, but seeks righteousness; it's wanting others to feel the joy that you do in Christ

"It always protects" - it's caring for the hearts and interests of others; it's taking care with someone's emotions

"always trusts" - it's having faith in someone; it's believing they have your best interest at heart

"always hopes" - it's always believing the best and glass-is-half-full

"always perseveres" - love will always win over hate and evil.

It's easy for us to read this passage and gloss over the true meaning, because we've heard it countless times.  When you really stop to consider all that it implies and represents, it's really quite profound, in my humble opinion.  When you pause to consider your own actions and whether or not they qualify as "loving," what do you see?  

Love is giving with reckless abandon; expecting nothing in return.  Love is humbly admitting that you were wrong.  Love is sometimes biting your tongue.  Love is waking early with the kids so that your mate can sleep in.  Love is giving someone else the last cookie.  Love is letting someone else go before you in line.  Love is stopping to buy the homeless man a drink and a sandwich.  Love is sharing the gospel with others, so that they too may find joy in Christ.  








Tuesday, August 1, 2017

still



Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God."

Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

I have four children, ages 9, 7, 5, and 4.  The word "still" is essential to my vocabulary.  "Sit still!," I tell them in church.  "Lie still!," as I wrestle them into bed at night.  "Sit still at the dinner table!"  "Sit still!," while the barber gives a haircut.  We love our children, but as parents, we know there are times when your children have to learn to wait.  Patiently.  To be still.  To rest.  To cease activity.  It's not to control them.  It's because as parents, we know what's best for them.  If they sit still in church, they're more likely to hear the word of God (or you are, at least).  If they lie still in bed, they'll have an easier transition into a restful night.  If he sits still in the barber's chair, he's a lot less likely to have a giant nick on his scalp.  It's for their benefit and the greater good of the family.  Be still.  Time and time again, the Lord tells us through scripture to be still.  As our omniscient,  omnipresent Father, He knows what's best for us.

Stop.  Cease.  Let go.  Be calm.

He's constantly reminding us just who is in control.  When the Lord says be still in scripture, it's in the midst of battle; at the brink of defeat.  Life may be a little less primitive in our first-world country than it was in the middle east of the bible, but these scriptures are certainly still applicable today.  In the midst of a divorce?  Be still.  Undergoing chemotherapy?  Be still.  Have you lost the person you loved most in this world?  Be still.  God instructs us frequently to sit back and trust that He has everything under control.  It won't always be easy.  In fact, in some cases it will be the hardest thing we ever do - to trust the Lord and wait on him.  But it will always be worth it.

As we read God's word and soak it up, we grow closer to Him and are more able to quiet ourselves and listen for His voice and instruction.  It's in the quiet and the meditation over scripture where He often comes to us, comforting and guiding us.  James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

Romans 8:28 says, "For we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."  Now, that isn't to say everything will be gravy for us if we follow Him.  Life will definitely not always be gravy.  But we are to trust Him with the good...and the awful.  The blessings, and the major upheavals of life.  When Job's life falls into shambles and his wife instructs him to "Curse God and die!,"  "He replies, You are talking like a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10).  If the Lord provides for us and blesses us, should we not also trust that our troubles have a far greater purpose than is within our understanding?  People are flawed.  People make terrible mistakes, awful judgment calls.  I'd much rather entrust my life to a sovereign Lord than to my own flawed, sinful thinking.  So "be still, and know that He is God."

So listen for His instruction.  Immerse yourself in His word.  Pray.  Let the Lord do His work.