Something about my character is very task-oriented. I often overlook opportunities to connect with people because I am focused on checking something off my list. I find myself focused on the future and where I will be in 5, 10 or 20 years. Am I on track? Am I doing my best to be in God's will?
This month, I've felt my focus changing. Suddenly the tasks don't mean so much anymore. Living in the moment, loving someone by finding out more about them, pausing to make someone's day better...those are the important things.
What's caused this change? You can probably guess. It usually has this affect on people. It brings us to a sudden stop and forces us to refocus. It's death. Twice this month I have experienced the sudden death of someone in my circle of acquaintance. Without warning, they are gone.
One day I'm shaking her hand, the next day there's a story of the accident in the paper.
One night we're playing music, praising God together, the next day someone says, "Did you hear?"
People say it all the time in these circumstances. "You never know when. Makes you realize what's really important." I know in my head it's true. Then it happens close to me. Twice. Now I feel it.
So now I wrestle with this question.....When I get to my future, what have I gained? Something else to check off the list? And have I missed the people along the way?
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Weakness
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ~2 Corinthians 11:30
Who does that???? Who would brag about what they can't do? Most people would brag about what they can do. Now, I know in moments of insecurity I will say something about one of my perceived imperfections to beat someone else to the punch, or because I just know they are thinking it.
"I just could not do anything with my hair. I'm sorry you have to look at it."
"I sure feel fat today."
"That cake probably isn't very good. I think I over-baked it."
But Paul does not seem like the insecure type. In fact, over and over again, he shows just how self-aware he is. In this first letter to the Corinthians he says, "For Christ did not call me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom,....." (1 Cor 1:17) 2 Corinthians 11:6 says, "I may not be a trained speaker, ......"Amazing! God called him to preach, but did not gift him with a great ability to speak??!! That's nuts! What was God thinking?
More often than not, God calls us to do things we are not equipped for. Why? Several reasons, I think. First, because God doesn't need our ability. The power of the message of Christ is enough to change the world. Paul explains in the second half of First Corinthians 1:17 that he wasn't called to speak eloquently "...lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." If someone comes to Christ based on a person's ability to speak and persuade, then what happens when trouble comes? Did she follow Christ for the right reasons?
Secondly, so that we won't rely on our own abilities. He reprograms our thinking so that we don't automatically assume that we should do what we are gifted to do. It's totally contrary to what this world thinks. It's kingdom thinking.
Thirdly, he wants us to rely on him. He wants to show us things we would never see on our own. When we get into his word and know him, he empowers us to do what we can't do.
Also, I think he calls us to do what we don't feel gifted to do so that we won't get a swelled head. Pride kills our relationship with God. And that's what he wants more than anything, a relationship with us.
So, Paul's assertion of his weakness is not self-deprecating. It's an honest and accurate appraisal of his relationship with God. If we want to truly fulfill our purpose in Christ, we've got to start pushing aside thoughts of inadequacy and start embracing the truth that God can do more in us than we can possibly imagine if we let him.
Who does that???? Who would brag about what they can't do? Most people would brag about what they can do. Now, I know in moments of insecurity I will say something about one of my perceived imperfections to beat someone else to the punch, or because I just know they are thinking it.
"I just could not do anything with my hair. I'm sorry you have to look at it."
"I sure feel fat today."
"That cake probably isn't very good. I think I over-baked it."
But Paul does not seem like the insecure type. In fact, over and over again, he shows just how self-aware he is. In this first letter to the Corinthians he says, "For Christ did not call me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom,....." (1 Cor 1:17) 2 Corinthians 11:6 says, "I may not be a trained speaker, ......"Amazing! God called him to preach, but did not gift him with a great ability to speak??!! That's nuts! What was God thinking?
More often than not, God calls us to do things we are not equipped for. Why? Several reasons, I think. First, because God doesn't need our ability. The power of the message of Christ is enough to change the world. Paul explains in the second half of First Corinthians 1:17 that he wasn't called to speak eloquently "...lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." If someone comes to Christ based on a person's ability to speak and persuade, then what happens when trouble comes? Did she follow Christ for the right reasons?
Secondly, so that we won't rely on our own abilities. He reprograms our thinking so that we don't automatically assume that we should do what we are gifted to do. It's totally contrary to what this world thinks. It's kingdom thinking.
Thirdly, he wants us to rely on him. He wants to show us things we would never see on our own. When we get into his word and know him, he empowers us to do what we can't do.
Also, I think he calls us to do what we don't feel gifted to do so that we won't get a swelled head. Pride kills our relationship with God. And that's what he wants more than anything, a relationship with us.
So, Paul's assertion of his weakness is not self-deprecating. It's an honest and accurate appraisal of his relationship with God. If we want to truly fulfill our purpose in Christ, we've got to start pushing aside thoughts of inadequacy and start embracing the truth that God can do more in us than we can possibly imagine if we let him.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Hidden Treasure
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." ~Matthew 13:44-46
I've heard this parable all my life and I've always misunderstood it, maybe willfully. I thought God was the man and I was the treasure. I thought God was the merchant and I was the pearl. It's an accurate view of God's love for us. He does pursue us at great cost to Himself. It cost Him the agony of watching his Son die cruelly in our place.
But that's not what this parable is about. The man, the merchant --- that's me. The treasure and the pearl represent the kingdom of heaven. God. Jesus. Fulfilling the awesome purpose He has planned for us. It just might cost us everything we have.
What does that mean for me? What will it cost me? That's a question each of us must ask ourselves and God. It could be different for each person. I believe the point of the story is this: What are you holding on to that God may be asking you to give up? A job? Security? A relationship? Your reputation? Material possessions? Safety?
Our God is a radical God. He is not friends with this world and if we follow Him, we can't be friends with the world either. To live the radical Christian life is to risk.
What have you risked lately to follow Christ? What have you let go of that you might embrace Christ wholeheartedly?
I've heard this parable all my life and I've always misunderstood it, maybe willfully. I thought God was the man and I was the treasure. I thought God was the merchant and I was the pearl. It's an accurate view of God's love for us. He does pursue us at great cost to Himself. It cost Him the agony of watching his Son die cruelly in our place.
But that's not what this parable is about. The man, the merchant --- that's me. The treasure and the pearl represent the kingdom of heaven. God. Jesus. Fulfilling the awesome purpose He has planned for us. It just might cost us everything we have.
What does that mean for me? What will it cost me? That's a question each of us must ask ourselves and God. It could be different for each person. I believe the point of the story is this: What are you holding on to that God may be asking you to give up? A job? Security? A relationship? Your reputation? Material possessions? Safety?
Our God is a radical God. He is not friends with this world and if we follow Him, we can't be friends with the world either. To live the radical Christian life is to risk.
What have you risked lately to follow Christ? What have you let go of that you might embrace Christ wholeheartedly?
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