Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Simple Life
Since my last post, God has brought me back to a very simple way of living. Not a life of ease, just simplistic. The other day I spent time talking with my sister and chased other people's blogs and even other people's favorite blogs. Through my conversation with her and reading all these blog excerpts about relationships, changed lives, hurts, growing up, joys, struggles... life, I came face to face with the other people's realities. It was as if I was living the chorus of Brandon Heath's song, Give Me Your Eyes. And that is when the last few chapters I'd been reading in 1 Corinthians began to sink in to somewhere deep inside. It is about a way of living... "But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all." (1 Corinthians 12:31)
"If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2) There is much to be gained in depth and fullness in real relationship with God, but it is worth nothing to us if we do not use it to love others. Not that intimate relationship with Christ should not be sought after. On the contrary, to love as described in the famous verses of 1 Corinthians 13 could only be achieved by dying to ourselves and allowing Christ to love through us. But the focus is not the gifts received from deep communion with Jesus, but how we use our gifting to let Him love others through us.
Just as struck as I was by other people's realities, I was convicted by a quote Beth Moore used in a DVD session of her Esther study that seems to sum it up: "In the eyes of the world, it is not our relationship to Jesus Christ that counts; it is our resemblance to Him." Paul puts it this way, "Let love be your highest goal!" (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Love, love, love... the Christian life simplified.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Transformation: A Work in Progress
Colliding head on into other people's stuff draws me to the place where He clarifies all that swirls in my head. A place where, in the words of the band Casting Crowns, "I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your Word reveals...." Jesus prays for us to His Almighty Father in John 17:17, "Make them holy by your truth, teach them your word, which is truth."
Sometimes I am so assimilated into this earthly life that I do not notice that I have taken on a lie of the world as "just how it is." I do not realize that I have a choice to believe differently. I do not even see the need to believe differently. This is where God and I met today.
I struggled inside today. My feelings wrestled with what I knew was truth from Scripture. I wanted to justify my feelings in His Word. I saw His truth, but wanted my feelings verified. I even went so far as to research the meaning of the original Greek language in one such verse hoping to arrive at the conclusion I desired. All to no avail. God's Word is truth not my feelings.
He brought Romans 12:2 to mind, "Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." I had allowed the world's views to slip in silently and affect my emotions allowing me to justify sinful behavior in others. It was here He said, "I do not want you to think like the world. Let my Truth transform you by transforming your thinking even in this matter."
So, then what? I am now left with the known sin of others that He is asking me to object to. But, I ask, "What about love?" You want me to stand against the sin, but love the person. Isn't this contradictory? "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good." (Romans 12:9) What does this look like? Work this out in me... "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:6)
May I be a willing participant of Your work. "Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path..." (Psalm 27:11) "The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8)
Sometimes I am so assimilated into this earthly life that I do not notice that I have taken on a lie of the world as "just how it is." I do not realize that I have a choice to believe differently. I do not even see the need to believe differently. This is where God and I met today.
I struggled inside today. My feelings wrestled with what I knew was truth from Scripture. I wanted to justify my feelings in His Word. I saw His truth, but wanted my feelings verified. I even went so far as to research the meaning of the original Greek language in one such verse hoping to arrive at the conclusion I desired. All to no avail. God's Word is truth not my feelings.
He brought Romans 12:2 to mind, "Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." I had allowed the world's views to slip in silently and affect my emotions allowing me to justify sinful behavior in others. It was here He said, "I do not want you to think like the world. Let my Truth transform you by transforming your thinking even in this matter."
So, then what? I am now left with the known sin of others that He is asking me to object to. But, I ask, "What about love?" You want me to stand against the sin, but love the person. Isn't this contradictory? "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good." (Romans 12:9) What does this look like? Work this out in me... "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:6)
May I be a willing participant of Your work. "Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path..." (Psalm 27:11) "The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8)
Monday, March 9, 2009
Intoxicated
Just as we entered the Lenten season, I was reading from the book of Joel. I remember being slapped in the face with an incredible revelation that I've been wanting to share. Still geared up on caffine from an "Amy" (the local ice cream/ coffee shop's signature chocolate espresso milk shake), I reminesce over my conviction. Please ablige me.
(Warning: This verse may seem a bit "in your face.") "Wake up you drunkards and weep!" (Joel 1:5) Who me? What could I be drunk on? Sure, I like a good glass of wine or a cold beer on a hot day, but me, drunk... drunkenness... What keeps me in a stooper where my vision is blurred and my mind is clouded? (Ouch! This may hurt!)
The world... the insatiable lust for more... the desire to be more beautiful so much so that I am not satisfied in my present state... discontent! Me! The world keeps me drunk on ME! My thoughts consistently steer toward me and my happiness, unhappiness, appearance, wants, hurts, joys, rights, fears... irrelevant of anyone else. Inebriated, I am unable to clearly see, hear or even understand God's desires for me.
God wants to share himself with me, but cannot because there is not room for Him in someone totally self-consumed. He's calling me to sober up and be remorseful of my state of drunkenness. "Turn to me now while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead." (Joel 2:12-13) We need this reality check...
But, the point is not a self-loathing attitude either. This is just the opposite end of the pride spectrum. The point is not the person at all. The point is Christ... Christ being lived through the actions and attitudes of those He inhabits. This is work! It requires a constant checking and re-checking of thought patterns and the actions that overflow from them. Choosing to live by the Spirit, not the flesh. Yes, it is a choice, sometimes a very difficult choice, but a choice is what we are given. "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." (Galatians 5:16)
So, "I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit... [May] your roots grow down into God's love and keep you strong... Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16, 17, 20,21)
(Warning: This verse may seem a bit "in your face.") "Wake up you drunkards and weep!" (Joel 1:5) Who me? What could I be drunk on? Sure, I like a good glass of wine or a cold beer on a hot day, but me, drunk... drunkenness... What keeps me in a stooper where my vision is blurred and my mind is clouded? (Ouch! This may hurt!)
The world... the insatiable lust for more... the desire to be more beautiful so much so that I am not satisfied in my present state... discontent! Me! The world keeps me drunk on ME! My thoughts consistently steer toward me and my happiness, unhappiness, appearance, wants, hurts, joys, rights, fears... irrelevant of anyone else. Inebriated, I am unable to clearly see, hear or even understand God's desires for me.
God wants to share himself with me, but cannot because there is not room for Him in someone totally self-consumed. He's calling me to sober up and be remorseful of my state of drunkenness. "Turn to me now while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead." (Joel 2:12-13) We need this reality check...
But, the point is not a self-loathing attitude either. This is just the opposite end of the pride spectrum. The point is not the person at all. The point is Christ... Christ being lived through the actions and attitudes of those He inhabits. This is work! It requires a constant checking and re-checking of thought patterns and the actions that overflow from them. Choosing to live by the Spirit, not the flesh. Yes, it is a choice, sometimes a very difficult choice, but a choice is what we are given. "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." (Galatians 5:16)
So, "I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit... [May] your roots grow down into God's love and keep you strong... Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16, 17, 20,21)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Determined for Greatness
I often day dream about this place. A place where something that seems to be comes to really be. This is the place where God meets me to speak truth and love to my soul longing, thirsting for His living water. I am here...
It has occurred to me in the past few days, as I planned to host a Bible study at my home, that I am living Proverbs 16:9, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." As the start date drew closer and closer, I received call after call of women backing out. I had made plans to lead a group of women, but God determined that the group I lead consist of two people, one of whom was me. Boy what that will do to someone who struggles with the fear of not being chosen stemming from belief in a lie that she is not good enough!
But, as usual, my time alone in God's Word became very relevant to my current looming despair. I ventured into 1 Corinthians after a short time in Joel. There I was face to face with Paul the Super-Christian. But, his words sang truth to my weary soul. "Remember that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you..." (1:26) I am of little significance in worldly terms. No fame or fortune. A mere mom and wife wanting to live in the fullness of God's glory and goodness intended for me. "God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God." (1:28-29) Because God took my relatively large number of women and dwindled them down, I see myself for who I am and am unable to boast in my own ability, but realize God will use my willingness to participate in His work.
Now not being able to boast in my ability to gather women or my own influence in their lives or any ability of my own, I was vulnerable, weak. I read, "He will keep you strong... God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says... God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength." (1:8-9,25) Yet, I still felt defeated, and I heard Jesus say, "Believe Me...'Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you.' (1 Chronicles 28:20) Do not measure your worth in earthly standards! Find your worth in Me alone, knowing you are where I have placed you. 'Don't put your confidence in... people, there is no help for you there... But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.' (Psalm 146:3,5) Believe Me..."
I determined to continue on with the study. And, I continued on into 1 Corinthians. And of course, comfort was found. (Sometimes I wonder why I'm so surprised when God shows up so boldly.) Paul says, "I came to you weakness - timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." (2:3-5) At this point, I was also weak with a simple message. But, that's what God needed me to learn. It wasn't about delivering a life-changing message to a large group of women in my home. It would have been too easy to boast in myself and my ability in all that missing Him altogether. Both my neighbor and I will now only be able to trust in the power of God's Holy Spirit at work in us.
I wonder if we don't all struggle with this same lesson. We have in our minds that to work for Christ would mean we must do something great, big, drastic, but we are merely regular people living the ordinary. I like how Beth Moore puts it in her study of Esther, "This is the stuff of ordinary life. We have trash to take out. Bills to pay. Mortgages to meet. Make no mistake. Extraordinary things happen around us continually. We just don't always recognize them... Great lives don't always seem great while we're living them. They may seem embarrassingly regular. Seeking to be extraordinary isn't the answer because great lives are never achieved by making greatness the goal... To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life... Every one of us who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things. His holy hand resting on the least act renders the ordinary extraordinary... Christ summons the disillusioned to the paradoxical bliss of spilling life lavishly, sacrificially for the glory of God and the good of man. Those with presence of mind and semblance of health are called to pour out the drink offering of their lives until the cup is overturned and every drop of energy slips - perhaps unnoticed, uncelebrated - into the vast ocean of earthly need."
It has occurred to me in the past few days, as I planned to host a Bible study at my home, that I am living Proverbs 16:9, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." As the start date drew closer and closer, I received call after call of women backing out. I had made plans to lead a group of women, but God determined that the group I lead consist of two people, one of whom was me. Boy what that will do to someone who struggles with the fear of not being chosen stemming from belief in a lie that she is not good enough!
But, as usual, my time alone in God's Word became very relevant to my current looming despair. I ventured into 1 Corinthians after a short time in Joel. There I was face to face with Paul the Super-Christian. But, his words sang truth to my weary soul. "Remember that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you..." (1:26) I am of little significance in worldly terms. No fame or fortune. A mere mom and wife wanting to live in the fullness of God's glory and goodness intended for me. "God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God." (1:28-29) Because God took my relatively large number of women and dwindled them down, I see myself for who I am and am unable to boast in my own ability, but realize God will use my willingness to participate in His work.
Now not being able to boast in my ability to gather women or my own influence in their lives or any ability of my own, I was vulnerable, weak. I read, "He will keep you strong... God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says... God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength." (1:8-9,25) Yet, I still felt defeated, and I heard Jesus say, "Believe Me...'Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you.' (1 Chronicles 28:20) Do not measure your worth in earthly standards! Find your worth in Me alone, knowing you are where I have placed you. 'Don't put your confidence in... people, there is no help for you there... But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.' (Psalm 146:3,5) Believe Me..."
I determined to continue on with the study. And, I continued on into 1 Corinthians. And of course, comfort was found. (Sometimes I wonder why I'm so surprised when God shows up so boldly.) Paul says, "I came to you weakness - timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." (2:3-5) At this point, I was also weak with a simple message. But, that's what God needed me to learn. It wasn't about delivering a life-changing message to a large group of women in my home. It would have been too easy to boast in myself and my ability in all that missing Him altogether. Both my neighbor and I will now only be able to trust in the power of God's Holy Spirit at work in us.
I wonder if we don't all struggle with this same lesson. We have in our minds that to work for Christ would mean we must do something great, big, drastic, but we are merely regular people living the ordinary. I like how Beth Moore puts it in her study of Esther, "This is the stuff of ordinary life. We have trash to take out. Bills to pay. Mortgages to meet. Make no mistake. Extraordinary things happen around us continually. We just don't always recognize them... Great lives don't always seem great while we're living them. They may seem embarrassingly regular. Seeking to be extraordinary isn't the answer because great lives are never achieved by making greatness the goal... To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life... Every one of us who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things. His holy hand resting on the least act renders the ordinary extraordinary... Christ summons the disillusioned to the paradoxical bliss of spilling life lavishly, sacrificially for the glory of God and the good of man. Those with presence of mind and semblance of health are called to pour out the drink offering of their lives until the cup is overturned and every drop of energy slips - perhaps unnoticed, uncelebrated - into the vast ocean of earthly need."
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