Paint the world beautiful with God-colors!

More often than I would like to admit, I find myself questioning how I understand the world in which I live. We certainly are living in an era of epic changes in public policy and private morality.  Even the basic issues of life – the meaning of life, the form of marriage, and how we maintain our human relationships– are being redefined in ways that I find incomprehensible.  Before you conclude that I am just a cranky old man, please understand that I know that change is the only constant in life. We must learn and adapt or perish. I get that. However, when humanity assumes the place of the Almighty and substitutes ‘what I think is right’ for the eternal Truths, no good can follow.

As a result of the changes, America has become a deeply divided nation. Perhaps we would have to go back to the 1850’s when slavery was tearing the country apart to find hostility as deep as it is in our time.  One of the things I find most tragic about these times is that we speak in militant tones and describe our challenges as a ‘culture war.’  Must we go to war? Is our fear so strong that the only response we can muster is to attempt to overpower those who think differently?  Why are we so quick to shout at those on the other side of an issue often with demeaning or hateful remarks? 

Christian, we are called to peace. That does not mean we accommodate every new idea or compromise our principles. Living as people who promote peace does require that we always think of those who hold opposing views as persons worthy of being treated with respect. Shouting at those with whom we differ accomplishes nothing except to make the chasm between us deeper and wider. Huddling in a circle of people who echo our sentiments makes us feel ‘safe’ but that choice keeps us from knowing and growing.   

We have a high calling in this torn up nation. It is defined by Jesus who tells us to be ‘salt and light.’  Salt, in His time, was more than a flavor. It was a preservative that kept food from rot. Are we functioning in ways that are loving, sacrificial, and serving that are preserving life?  Light always defeats darkness.  Darkness cannot overcome light.  Even a tiny candle continues to shine in a warehouse full of darkness.

How can we best interact with our world? James, the pastor of First Church in Jerusalem, taught that congregation about standing up to hostility.  "If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." (James 3:13-17, NLT)

That paragraph needs to be etched into our consciousness. Before we post an inflammatory statement on Facebook we need to ask ourselves “Does this reflect godly wisdom? Does it promote peace? Is it gentle? Does it show mercy?”  Before we sound off about ‘those people’ (whomever that may be to us) we need to pray for true wisdom that is best shown in an honorable life, in goodness that flows out of humility!

Here is a profound word from the Word for us. May we hear it and be shaped by the wisdom of God. “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family." (Matthew 5:9, The Message)  “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, The Message)

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Lord I Need You

Lord I come, I confess,

Bowing here, I find my rest.

And without You, I fall apart,

You're the one that guides my heart.

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You!

Ev'ry hour I need You.

My one defense, my righteousness,

Oh God, how I need You.

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more.

Where grace is found, is where You are.

And where You are, Lord, I am free.

Holiness is Christ in me!

So teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way.

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You,

Jesus, You're my hope and stay.

CCLI Song # 5925687

Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher

© 2011 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

I did it MY way!

Scheduled! That’s my life, and probably yours, too.  My calendar shows a full week, with more things certainly to be added as the day goes on. Then, there are the interruptions. This morning my computer updated and getting it fully functional took an hour that I had not planned to spend doing that! One of the risks of having a busy life is forgetting to give the Spirit the place of priority.  We can become so committed to our plans that God gets squeezed into a little box that is shaped around our preconceptions. Yes, the God of the universe allows us to put Him into a box of our own making, but what a foolish choice to make.  We know that we are here to discover and fulfill His purposes, but are we responsive when He changes our agenda?  While we know that He is in charge of our calendar, living that ‘truth’ is hard.  

When life takes a sudden turn, when crises arise that interrupt our carefully laid plans, do we ask, “what now, Abba?” or do we grow angry, doubtful, or fearful?  30 months ago, the Sovereign Lord interrupted my life and brought change that still is without explanation. I pray for faith to listen, learn, and follow Him into a future He has prepared.  I know, better than ever, that my life is not my own.  

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul says that he is in prison, not for some crime, but for preaching the Gospel. He had not blocked out a year in his calendar for that! But, he said that he knew that God’s plan was working out in spite of the interruption of his agenda. "I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah." (Philippians 1:12-14, The Message)  Paul saw the Spirit doing something through his difficult situation that he not anticipated. He is willing to be used of God and set aside his plans.

Are you willing to pause, listen, wait, and change course when He interrupts?  We comfort ourselves with this familiar verse, but it is not all wonder and glory that is involved.  Sometimes those “all things” of which Paul writes are hard things involving pain.  Yet it remains true that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:28-29, NIV)

Before you assume that everything happening to you and around you is “God’s will” please know that the sins of others and or own willfulness introduce situations into our lives that do not line up with the perfect will of God.  And yet, in the mystery of faith, we see that even in situations that are born of sin or evil, our amazing Father can go to work and when we turn to Him, love Him, seek His forgiveness and walk in the Spirit, He is big enough to work in all things to accomplish His ultimate purpose in us. The Psalmist sang, "Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure." (Psalm 23:4, The Message)

Frustration will come today – big and small. It might be a computer that decides not to compute for an hour! It may be a boss who hands you a notice of termination!  It could be a diagnosis of cancer!  It might be an opportunity made available to you that existed in your dreams for years!  Seek God’s rule and constantly remind yourself this is HIS day. Thank Him for the promise that He is working in it for your good to accomplish His purpose. When you’re tempted to complain or curse, to desperately attempt to hang onto control of your life, look up and pray: “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, NIV) When you confess Christ Jesus as Lord of this day, surrendering control to Him, you will know greater peace and a beautiful devotion will emerge in you.

Here is a word from the Word, practical and life shaping from James.

"Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet." (James 4:10, The Message) "And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil." (James 4:13-16, The Message) "Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. " (James 5:7-8, The Message)

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God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way,

He works in ways we cannot see,

He will make a way for me.

He will be my guide,

Hold me closely to His side,

With love and strength

For each new day,

He will make a way,

He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness

He'll lead me,

And rivers in the desert will I see.

Heaven and earth will fade

But His Word will still remain,

He will do something new today.

God Will Make A Way

Moen, Don

© 1990 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)

CCLI License No. 810055

Feeling “Burnt out?”

The email told the story of a leader who was stepping down from his office, a relatively young man who has known amazing success. He said he was empty, had nothing left to give, that he was suffering from ‘burn out.’ How did a talented, gifted person find himself in that place? In his words it happened because he neglected some important things in life, feeling so pressed by the urgency of his work that he did not make time to find renewal. One of the laws of life is that giving out must be matched with taking in.  If a person spends more than he makes, he goes broke. It is just as true for us emotionally and spiritually, as it is financially!

“Burn out” describes a syndrome of cynicism, depression, and anger that overtake a person, robbing joy and creativity. We all become tired. We all have days when we wonder why we do what we do, when we feel that we are just a cog in a machine that drives us round and round. If those days turn into weeks and then into months of unbroken output, of feeling like life is out of control, we are at risk for ‘burn out.’  We are then at risk for foolish decisions, for short-sighted choices, and very vulnerable to temptations that bring ruin and pain to us and those we love. 

It is not just high powered executives, pastors, or artists that ‘burn out.’  Mommy fatigue is real. Chasing toddlers every day is exhausting. Marriage ‘burn out’ happens when spouses do not make time to renew their relationship with tender affection. Ministry ‘burn out’ happens when servants give but fail to see or appreciate the why behind the what.

Some suggest that relief is discovered in self-indulgence. Renewal becomes an excuse for selfishness or refusal of meaningful responsibility. Caring for ourselves is accomplished by choosing priorities. No one person can do everything, be everything, or make life right for everyone.  One of the most difficult questions in the world to answer is this- “What does God what specifically from me?”  But, when we answer that and begin to align our choices with His will, we lower our risk for burning out.   

 The issue of perfectionism plays into burn out, too. Settling for mediocrity is not the answer but knowing when we have done our best and leaving the rest to God is!  Comparison is a cruel taskmaster that destroys many from the inside out. Not everyone is an Olympic athlete, blessed with the brains of a neurosurgeon, or gifted with the compassion of Mother Theresa. If we come to believe that we are not valuable to God unless we are working at that kind of level we are at risk of burning ourselves out chasing the impossible. Who has God gifted YOU to be?

The counsel of God’s wisdom about staying vital is found in Hebrews 12.  His words are practical. Read them thoughtfully - “Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”  Discard the unnecessary. Deal with sin. Delight in Jesus!  
The key to renewal is a healthy spiritual life of worship.

Isaiah invites us to ponder the vast and beautiful Creation and then to accept that the One who made all that cares about us. This Monday morning I urge you to step aside for a few moments to refocus, renew, and recharge. If you’re on the edge of burn out, admit it. Ask someone to help you make some hard choices so that you don’t fall, fail, or quit.

Here is a word from the Word. May the Spirit open our eyes to the wonderful truth and promise.  "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40)

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