Use Me to Fix Me

5.15.2011

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. NIV

Much of our modern Christianity – at least in the US (as I perceive it) – centers on the notion of, fix me. For the most part we all know how messed up we are – that message seems to be communicated loud and clear. And for the most part we cling to an elusive promise of some kind of future fix through the potential we have in Christ, and (as we’re told) within ourselves to get our act together. And so we live trying our dangedest to be good so that God will somehow notice and then in some way cause us to be better.

So, when Paul made the statement above in his letter to the Church in Thessalonica, he was reminding them that their lives were to be lived in order to please God; and to do it more and more. Pleasing God is not about being good; pleasing God is about obedience. Instead of asking God to fix me; I’m to beg God to use me. My fixing is the by-product of His usage of me.

We will all learn the same way – not necessarily in the same style – but in the same way: God is in charge of every aspect of our lives and we are not. God gives the orders and we are under His orders. In other words, He says, we do. And in the doing is the miracle of the being – and the being is pleasing Him because we are doing what He says to do. And what He says to do is to share Him every opportunity we get with every person we can.

I have lived much of my life wanting to be different, or better, than I perceive myself. I realize that I’ve spent far too much of my time focused on the wrong person: me. It’s time to become the right person by focusing only on Him – and what He calls me to do in His power and presence. None of us is perfect; but we learn to become pleasing by seeking God first over all else in our lives, and then doing what He says to do; not works, but faithful obedience. That’s how it works.

Father in Heaven,
Use me. Amen. I won’t be fixed until You use me. I’ll only be transformed when You use me. And You’ll only use me when I obey You. Use me. Amen.

The Consequence of Absence

5.14.2011

1 Thessalonians 3:4-5(a) 5(a) For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. NIV

This has always been, to me, an endearingly odd statement by Paul, “…when I could stand it no longer…” Really Paul, it was that bad? Well, it was to him. But I don’t think Paul was blowing smoke – I think he genuinely cared about these people and was concerned about their spiritual health – and he was far, far away. I really haven’t seen that kind of response too often in the modern church; spiritual fathers these days are seemingly absent.

It’s often hard for me to let go of my preconceived notions about Paul – but one thing was for sure, he was very human and susceptible to the things that plague the rest of us. As yet, there has still only been One who walked in perfect unity and submission to the Holy Spirit… and Paul wasn’t Him. I think Paul worried. I think he wished he could be in about ten places at once. I think he tired of being the ‘only one’ with such passion and zeal for the Gospel – after all, he was the only one who’d had his butt kicked on the Damascus Road… But I think he suffered concerning himself for the welfare of these churches he’d planted.

So when Mr. Worry-wart could stand it no longer, he made the decision to get somebody to go check in on these folks! And subsequently his fears were allayed and he rejoiced that the Gospel had taken in the hearts of these who were far, far away from his leadership and influence.

Today in our history is the day of the absent father – many families are victims of divorce and/or slaves to the American Dream. Dad has either tired of his caged life in the family and left; or he’s absconded to the office, the career or the mission; abdicating to whatever he’s deemed worthy of his time or interest.

Spiritual fathers are rare as well. Time seems to be the precious resource that we are reluctant to release. I am both humored and stung by the words of the apostle who could stand it no longer; humored that he was so human – and stung that I am often so absent.

Father in Heaven,
You know that it is mostly my lack of understanding of what I claim as my priorities. Help me to be present and to see past my worrying about things that have no real consequence other than to steal my attention and thereby become the real consequence of absence. Amen.

Evidence of God

5.12.2011

1 Thessalonians 1:3 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV

It seems there are three elements to the Christian’s ministry: work, or ministry, produced by faith; the effort put into it, prompted by love; and patience, or steadfastness in the work is inspired by hope in Jesus Christ.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1) So in faith I minister or work before the Lord even though I don’t get to see the big picture. I believe in the big picture, I just can’t see it – I don’t have the capacity for that kind of view. But by faith I am certain of its impact.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Co 13:1-3). Love is the oil; love is the life-blood. Without love, there is selfishness, pride, and arrogance – without love it’s all about me.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Ro 5:2-5) The hope we have in Jesus Christ is the fuel that keeps our hearts unshakeable for His Cause, His Name, His throne, and His Kingdom.

Paul thanked this church for their faith, hope and love, and they became an example for the churches in their region and beyond. My goal, is not to be exemplary but to operate in faith, hope, and love and let my actions speak for themselves… Only in Christ will people see in me the evidence of God.

Father in Heaven,
Your way is the only way to do what You inspire and to live as You require. I pray that You strengthen these things in me, so that others may know it’s the evidence of Your presence they see. In Jesus, amen.

The Song in His Heart

5.11.2011

Ps 55:22 22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. NIV

Much of our culture these days is consumed with green-ism – taking better care of our planet. The First Lady is concerned (and seems to want us to be as well) with taking better care of our bodies. Many soap manufacturers are on the anti-bacterial bandwagon. And yet we find despite all of these things, life seems to be getting dirtier – I can’t imagine the ecological devastation in Japan following the tsunami; I can fathom the germ and filth impact of the floods currently soaking those who live in the Midwest and Deep South.

As many as are beset with a cleaner planet and cleaner bodies, are those who are plagued with financial tsunamis and debt-rivers over flowing their flimsy banks. The housing market is floundering – foreclosures, once looked upon as some sort of financial failure, are now as commonplace as dandelions in spring (which seems to be finally making its way into northeast Oregon…) Unemployment is frightening.

OBL met his match at the hands of Seal Team Six; and while that is an enormous victory in itself, only a fool would think that global terrorism is abating; pull up one by the roots, and five more grow in his place. Our world is, and has always been, a fear-driven and very scary place.

Think of a flaccid church which has become for many just a means of semi-peacefulness and pseudo sanctity. We are indeed a self-centered society trying to drown out our guilt and depression with our goodies and distractions. Often I am reminded of 1 Peter 5 where the ancient apostle said, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (Verse 7, NIV) I think Peter (whom then – btw – I think is a perfect example of most of us now) was quoting a song he’d sung in church many times: Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Peter, who found himself to be increasingly at odds with both the Romans, and the unbelieving Jews. Peter had lots to worry about – but he’d learned the song in his heart – cast [all] your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall – [He cares for you]. I’ll bet he sang that song as he was crucified upside-down on a cross.

Today’s verse for me is the song David – another who had much to worry about and fret over – sang throughout his life of crisis management. We have to remind ourselves of something – shouldn't it be for the believer to remind himself of God who invites us to give Him the toxic waste of our anxieties and fears which rob us of joy, and consume the precious inner-resources of our lives?

Father in Heaven,
Here my Lord, have them all – take all of my life as well. Use it all for Your good and glory – amen.

The Insistence

5.10.2011

2 Samuel 18:13 13 And if I had put my life in jeopardy—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have kept your distance from me.” NIV

David had told his men as they marched out to encounter Absalom and his forces, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” (2 Samuel 18:5) It’s hard for me to imagine the emotional struggle David was in the midst of; I assume he thought most of the goings on was his fault.

Joab on the other hand was a guy who seemed to well understand the ways of the world – you mess with the king and you die. Absalom, in Joab’s eyes, was just another threat to the crown – he had to be dealt with. But David saw where this whole mess got started: with himself and in his disobedience to God.

The soldier under Joab, (Cf. 2 Samuel 18. 9-13) knew better – he knew what David had said and was going to honor the king’s request. Joab on the other hand was going to do what he thought David should’ve done all along – kill Absalom. The soldier knew his commander well, but insisted on honoring his king.

Sometimes we make up our minds that we are going to do as we are going to do. Sometimes rather than forgive we go for revenge; sometimes rather than mercy, all we can see is wrath. I know David knew it was all his fault; but there was a part of him that insisted the whole matter come to a peaceful end. David followed that insistence; Joab insisted on the traditions of men.

It’s hard in the heat of the moment to remember the insistence to do what is right. It’s hard sometimes to err on the side of grace. It’s a real wrestling match to grapple revenge to the ground and prevail over it… but it must be done because that’s what we are called to. When it is our fault grace and godliness must prevail. When it is someone else’s fault grace and mercy must prevail; we represent a King who never fails…to do what is right; and as His subjects we must do for the King what the King would do.

Father in Heaven,
This day Lord, I saw in Your word that Jesus willingly put aside His desires to defend Himself, and for my sake, offered Himself to be the substitutionary Sacrifice for my sin. He did the right thing before You. It took great strength and great faith for Jesus to do what He did. I only ask the same as I deal in the world for great grace to honor Your word no matter whose fault it is, and to do what is right. Help me God, I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Duty of the Elderly

5.9.2011

Psalm 71:18 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. NIV

At my age, I’m beginning to think about my age and my older age, if God grants me that grace. I think about my lack of retirement. I think about my health. I think about what is going to happen to me. I think about how lousy my golf game is… it’s lousy. But then I read a verse like this one and I think, “Oh yeah, there is something else for me to think about…”

God cares about the old and gray – I’m headed to that reality. God has something for them to do. God is not unaware of my thoughts, my lack of planning, or my golf game (I really don’t play golf). God thinks about me, cares for me, and has promised to take care of me when I’m old and gray. And God has something for me to do.

I am to declare His power to the next generation, and speak of His might to all who are to come. That’s my job; that's my mission - it’s also my passion. My life was never meant for me to sit back and just let life happen – my life is meant to be lived on my toes and ready for the interactions I’ll have with those around me who don’t know God and His Son, Jesus Christ. They might know about Him but they don’t know Him.

My job, my ministry, my mission, my joy, and my passion is to speak to others of the goodness of Him who provides for the elderly and cares for them in their weakness and limitations. The duty of the elderly in Christ is not retirement but missions! That is what I am called to – and that, my friends, is what I am doing.

Father in Heaven,
You know my thoughts about age, health and wealth. My age is an advantage because experience speaks for something. You have blessed me with relatively good health and it is a gift and a resource to be used for You. And my wealth – well, I’m trusting You for that too. Help me to fulfill the duty of the elderly even though I’m not quite there yet. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. Amen.

Where is My I

5.8.2011

2 Samuel 16:10 10 “...If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’” NIV

If you take away all else, David was a man of faith. David’s life was so disciplined in God that he really did understand his relationship with God. To be sure, David made his mistakes and those mistakes cost him dearly – but he also learned from his mistakes and those lessons paid him richly.

In 2 Samuel 16.5-14 the scene is David and his family, officials, and friends are fleeing on foot from the coup staged by Absalom. As they approach a town called Bahurim, a man named Shimei met David and called down curses on him. Not only did he call down curses, but he threw rocks and dirt at the king; Shimei was one angry dude. Not everyone in your congregation is going to love you… Shimei’s anger, rage, and actions lasted for several miles and the Scripture says, “The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted.” (2 Sa 16:14) Shimei’s actions were emotionally brutal.

One of David’s generals offered to kill Shimei on the spot but David, in faith, said, “...If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’” That took great faith. David was a man of great faith, integrity, and skill; and it was all because of his relationship to God.

Look at the letter “i” and consider all of its implications and potential. “I” has been responsible for more trouble in my life than I care to admit. “I” is often my worst enemy – worse than people; worse than the devil himself. Not only has “I” been responsible, but “I” has caused so much evil in my life. And in order to control “I” like David, my “I” must find its place, “in Him”. Notice the placement of the letter “i” in “Him”. “I” only finds its true strength, meaning and purpose in “Him”. And when “I” gets to the point where it says by faith, ‘I am in You’; then “I” is transformed because there is no “I” in “You”. David’s “I” kept getting him in trouble but by fa-i-th in H-i-m, David’s “I” was controlled, and God’s purposes were served for the nation.

Today friends, let’s look at our lives and ask, “Where is my ‘I’?” If our “I” is causing trouble, maybe it isn’t in Him…maybe it needs to be. I is only safe in fa-i-th where it is transformed from in H-i-m to in You.

Father in Heaven,
May we only find our “I” transformed in You – amen.