Everyday this week I've arrived at my office to find a small gift waiting with an encouraging note attached. They're not expensive gifts. In fact yesterday's gift was just a rubber band in a bag. On the bag was written, "Thanks for stretching us with the truth of the Word, but not so far that we break!" It was a welcome positive note in a week when I have also had to deal with my share of critics and complainers. My prayer is that the act of giving brings as much joy to the giver as it does to me. Are you an encourager? Does your presence warm up the room or bring a chill? It really isn't all that hard to improve the emotional temperature of your home or workplace, but it does require some thought, a lot of forgetting about yourself, and some ability to sense the needs of those around you. The person who left the Almond Joy candy, the rubber band, and the notes.... made those little things mean a lot because she (yeah, I figured out who she is!) takes the time to give them a context of encouragement.
I cannot tell you how many times just the simple act of looking someone in the eye and asking, "So how are you really doing today?" has led to a meaningful conversation and provided me with the opportunity to encourage somebody. It's a mean world overall, where many of us are bruised by those do not think of us as 'real people,' but just as a functionary who provides a service. That waiter is not just a robot carrying plates of food to our table, she is a person with real problems. The boss is not just a person who writes memos, he is a man dealing with life. If we see those with whom we interact as real people instead of just somebody doing a job, we will allow for more humanity to come into our day to day lives.
Remember that movie, "Pay It Forward."? It is a story about a young boy who wants to change the world. His plan? Do what he can for those who are close to him to encourage them to succeed. When they attempt to pay him for his service, he asks only that they 'pay it forward.' The concept is simple. Be kind to someone, giving them the gift of joy. Accept no payment except the promise that they will, in turn, do the same for someone else. Cynics say it is silly and childish. I think differently. None of us can change the world, but we can bless those we will meet today with our words, our kindness, and an investment in their joy.
So, will you? Make it your mission today to create some joy!
"For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other. ... This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear." (1 John 3: 11, 16-17, The Message)
Friday, October 05, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
"Lord, I'd rather do it my way."
There is the right way, the wrong way; and then there is - my way! I took the 'my way' route yesterday when one of our laser printers went on the blink and I decided that I could fix it 'in just a few minutes.' Two hours later, and after much frustration, I had accomplished nothing except taking it all apart and putting it back together; a total exercise in futility. No, I didn't have a instruction manual, nor did I really know what I was doing. I just thought I could do it. No real damage was done by my little exercise in over-confidence in that instance, but the same cannot be said for many of our excursions into the land of pride. It is painful to admit that I often decide that I know the best way despite advice from those more experienced, that I have the right to choose my own way regardless of what it might cost others, or that I can ignore God's way and not pay the consequences. What makes a person do these things? Pride!
The preacher, Jonah, was told by the Lord, "Go and tell Nineveh that my judgment is coming!" Pridefully, Jonah took off in the other direction, literally! Instead of going northeast, overland; he went southwest, by ship. In the last chapter of the book, after he finally obeyed God and saw a revival come on the pagan city, he reveals his prideful mindset that caused him to rebel against the Lord. "God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn’t do. Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, "God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!" (Jonah 3:10-4:2, The Message)
Jonah wanted the Assyrians destroyed! His desire was contrary to God's purposes so he pridefully decided that he could ignore the Lord and go his own way. Some say he did what he did from fear, but the text focuses on Jonah's willfulness and selfishness. When the Lord sent a storm on the ship he was traveling on as he fled from God's will, Jonah didn't help to save it. He found a corner in the hold and tried to sleep through the storm. When God did not judge the pagan city, Jonah sulked! When a worm ate the plant that gave him shade, Jonah was so provoked at his discomfort that he asked to die!
Humility always focuses on obedience; pride looks for outcomes.
Humility says, "yes, Lord," without regard for personal preference; pride asks, "why do I have to do this, Lord?"
Humility seeks the best for all; pride works to assure the best for me!
There's a spiritual principle that accompanies the expression of pride. The more a person seeks his own way, the less joy he finds! The lie that draws us to follow the way of pride is this: "If I achieve a life that feeds my needs, I'll be happy!" But, it never works out that way. We can go all the way back to Genesis 3, to the prideful decision of Adam and Eve to do what they wanted instead of what God commanded to see the results of rejected the right way in favor of 'our way.'
Paul says that pride leads to spiritual shipwreck! He urged Pastor Timothy to "Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked." (1 Timothy 1:19, NLT)
Pride is subtle sin. It dresses itself up in 'righteous' concern that causes us to become critics of others, in 'self-preservation' that causes us to discard the plain teaching of the Word, in 'bringing revival to this church' that causes us to sow disunity .... and hundreds of other disguises. Strip away all the excuses, the reasons, the rationalizations - and pride is simply this: "I'd rather do it my way!" Don't give into the lie. Choose God's way, for it is always the best way. Obedience today will bring blessings tomorrow. Pray for faith to believe that, then let pride die.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today. "Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, The Message)
The preacher, Jonah, was told by the Lord, "Go and tell Nineveh that my judgment is coming!" Pridefully, Jonah took off in the other direction, literally! Instead of going northeast, overland; he went southwest, by ship. In the last chapter of the book, after he finally obeyed God and saw a revival come on the pagan city, he reveals his prideful mindset that caused him to rebel against the Lord. "God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn’t do. Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, "God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!" (Jonah 3:10-4:2, The Message)
Jonah wanted the Assyrians destroyed! His desire was contrary to God's purposes so he pridefully decided that he could ignore the Lord and go his own way. Some say he did what he did from fear, but the text focuses on Jonah's willfulness and selfishness. When the Lord sent a storm on the ship he was traveling on as he fled from God's will, Jonah didn't help to save it. He found a corner in the hold and tried to sleep through the storm. When God did not judge the pagan city, Jonah sulked! When a worm ate the plant that gave him shade, Jonah was so provoked at his discomfort that he asked to die!
Humility always focuses on obedience; pride looks for outcomes.
Humility says, "yes, Lord," without regard for personal preference; pride asks, "why do I have to do this, Lord?"
Humility seeks the best for all; pride works to assure the best for me!
There's a spiritual principle that accompanies the expression of pride. The more a person seeks his own way, the less joy he finds! The lie that draws us to follow the way of pride is this: "If I achieve a life that feeds my needs, I'll be happy!" But, it never works out that way. We can go all the way back to Genesis 3, to the prideful decision of Adam and Eve to do what they wanted instead of what God commanded to see the results of rejected the right way in favor of 'our way.'
Paul says that pride leads to spiritual shipwreck! He urged Pastor Timothy to "Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked." (1 Timothy 1:19, NLT)
Pride is subtle sin. It dresses itself up in 'righteous' concern that causes us to become critics of others, in 'self-preservation' that causes us to discard the plain teaching of the Word, in 'bringing revival to this church' that causes us to sow disunity .... and hundreds of other disguises. Strip away all the excuses, the reasons, the rationalizations - and pride is simply this: "I'd rather do it my way!" Don't give into the lie. Choose God's way, for it is always the best way. Obedience today will bring blessings tomorrow. Pray for faith to believe that, then let pride die.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today. "Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, The Message)
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
The importance of discrimination
We love our labels! They allow us to stand out in the crowd, to create a unique identity, to be 'me.' This trait is even prominent in Christian circles. "I'm Pentecostal." "I'm Charismatic." "I'm Reformed." "I'm Third Wave, mixed with Emergent." (whatever....) Now a new snobbish descriptor is finding its way into the lexicon. "I'm an RLC." That's an acronym for "Red Letter Christian." This group is a spin-off of the old "What Would Jesus Do," crowd. They claim that they focus 'on the words of Jesus,' which are printed in red in some editions of the Bible. And all this time, I thought the whole Bible was the Word of God.... silly me. My point is that the old sin of pride loves to dress itself up in religious clothing and we practice it with fervor in our labeling of ourselves and each other.
The downside of zealotry is that those who are full of zeal usually think of themselves as a 'cut above' the rest of the crowd. Because they are passionate about their cause - be it baseball or Jesus - they think everybody should as they are. It does not matter much when the debate is conducted between fanatic supporters of the Phillies or the Red Sox. But it matters a great deal when one Christian considers himself a cut above another because of his doctrinal views, his spiritual gifts, or his attainment of some level of personal holiness.
Paul wrote a strong corrective word to the Believers in the city of Corinth. The church there had become a pit of division - factions that held that their way was the 'right' way, that they had a superior spiritual experience, or some insight that made them 'super Christians.' Their pride broke their pastor's heart and he wrote - "Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter," or "I follow only Christ." Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!" (1 Corinthians 1:12-13, NLT) "I’m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You’re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I’ll nurse you since you don’t seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything’s going your way?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, The Message)
Proudly wearing labels is really a sign of immaturity.
How so? A mature person knows who he is without needed to discriminate. He has a strong inner sense of his identity, and is not threatened by those who differ from him. Less mature persons (think teenager here) is comforted by fitting in, by conformity to a group, by identifying himself as part of a group with external labels. Spiritual maturity makes itself known by self-effacing service, by deep love that foregoes announcing its good deeds, and by creating unity by giving value to all people appreciating the contribution they make, at whatever level, to the Body of Christ.
Later in Corinthians, Paul gives us the well-known illustration of our interdependence. He says, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV) "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, NIV)
Believer, let's build the Body! Let's find creative ways to encourage one another, to see the many ways in which our unique experiences and perspectives complement each other. Sure, doctrine matters. Certainly good Biblical scholarship is important. Identifying our understanding with convenient labels can be helpful, but let's not allow those labels to divide us who drink of the same Spirit and who stand on the common ground at the foot of the Cross of Christ, who saves us from our sins and makes us children of God. And then the words of Jesus will be true.... "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35, NIV)
The downside of zealotry is that those who are full of zeal usually think of themselves as a 'cut above' the rest of the crowd. Because they are passionate about their cause - be it baseball or Jesus - they think everybody should as they are. It does not matter much when the debate is conducted between fanatic supporters of the Phillies or the Red Sox. But it matters a great deal when one Christian considers himself a cut above another because of his doctrinal views, his spiritual gifts, or his attainment of some level of personal holiness.
Paul wrote a strong corrective word to the Believers in the city of Corinth. The church there had become a pit of division - factions that held that their way was the 'right' way, that they had a superior spiritual experience, or some insight that made them 'super Christians.' Their pride broke their pastor's heart and he wrote - "Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter," or "I follow only Christ." Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!" (1 Corinthians 1:12-13, NLT) "I’m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You’re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I’ll nurse you since you don’t seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything’s going your way?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, The Message)
Proudly wearing labels is really a sign of immaturity.
How so? A mature person knows who he is without needed to discriminate. He has a strong inner sense of his identity, and is not threatened by those who differ from him. Less mature persons (think teenager here) is comforted by fitting in, by conformity to a group, by identifying himself as part of a group with external labels. Spiritual maturity makes itself known by self-effacing service, by deep love that foregoes announcing its good deeds, and by creating unity by giving value to all people appreciating the contribution they make, at whatever level, to the Body of Christ.
Later in Corinthians, Paul gives us the well-known illustration of our interdependence. He says, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV) "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, NIV)
Believer, let's build the Body! Let's find creative ways to encourage one another, to see the many ways in which our unique experiences and perspectives complement each other. Sure, doctrine matters. Certainly good Biblical scholarship is important. Identifying our understanding with convenient labels can be helpful, but let's not allow those labels to divide us who drink of the same Spirit and who stand on the common ground at the foot of the Cross of Christ, who saves us from our sins and makes us children of God. And then the words of Jesus will be true.... "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35, NIV)
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Still a victim?
Justice Clarence Thomas has been all over the news in recent days as he promotes his book, My Grandfather's Son. This man, born into poverty in Georgia, abandoned by his father, and sent to live with his grandfather, has little time for those who make their disadvantages an excuse for poor performance. He credits the tough love of his grandfather for pushing him to stand up to the racism that he experienced, for teaching him the importance of hard work, and for showing him how to take responsibility for himself.
In his interviews, Justice Thomas is brutally honest about the difficulties of being a black man - from being warned 'not to look a white woman in the eye,' when he was a teenager, to not being able to find a job after graduating from Yale Law since many assumed his degree was not worth the same as that of a white man because of affirmative action policies in place at the time. In fact Justice Thomas calls that degree the Fifteen Cent degree, for that is what others thought it was worth back then! Now, a 60 year old man who sits at the top of judicial authority in America, he enjoys a unique credibility in what he says about overcoming the challenges of life.
So, here's a question - are you using the challenges that come your way as an excuse for failure?
Here's another - are you thinking like a victim, thinking that someone else should rescue you from your situation?
As a Believer, there is no reason for being victims of life, no excuse for remaining in a cycle of defeat! The Gospel of Christ is a powerful message of hope and empowerment! Listen to what the Word says, "... because of his glory and excellence, he (Jesus) has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone." (2 Peter 1:4-7, NLT) Read that passage again.
It is a mistake to think that we can save ourselves from sin, but it is also a mistake to wait for God to do all the work of change for us, too. Peter is clear that there are choices to be made, hard work to be done. "Make every effort," he urges. Choose to live right. Exercise self-restraint. Endure long hard days with steady faith. Love when others are hateful. And He reminds us that all this is possible because Christ Jesus broke the power of oppression over us.
I thought of the spiritual parallels as Justice Thomas was being interviewed. A hundred years earlier in American history, he couldn't have become who he is because of an ugly institution called slavery. He would not even have had the opportunity. He would have been considered the property of another and his options would have been limited by the choices of another. But from a great conflict, bloody and costly, came freedom. Thomas was born into a disadvantaged situation, but he had freedom.
It is much the same for you and for me. Without Christ Jesus and the Cross, we are born slaves, owned by sin, and without hope of being truly righteous. But, at great cost, God intervened and gave us freedom from the grasp of the Evil one. Given that opportunity and the Spirit to live in us, we can become 'more than conquerors.'
Only God knows how much Justice Thomas' desperate situation in his formative years contributed to his powerful drive to succeed. If he had been born into more comfortable situations, and almost certainly if he had not had a grandfather who exercised a powerful influence over him as a young boy, Thomas would have grown up in obscurity, perhaps with nothing of merit about his life. But, he took those things that tried to break him and turned them into motivation to make a difference on behalf of others who face oppression! Nothing in wasted in God's hands, dear friend. We give Him our broken hearts, our disappointments, our personality flaws; yes, even our sinfulness - and He uses those things to make us 'sons of glory' who show what results when ordinary people experience the incredibly amazing power of the Spirit.
Here's a Gospel story to ponder. One day while Jesus was teaching, the house was filled with listeners. A needy man, paralyzed on a mat, could not get to him for healing, so his friends took him to the roof, cut a hole and lowered him to Jesus! Jesus spoke to the man, but with a curious statement - "your sins are forgiven." What? He needs to be healed, doesn't he? Yes, but his greater need was to be freed from guilt and slavery!
Then Jesus offers him a chance to obey. He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: "Get up. Take your bedroll and go home." (Luke 5:24, The Message) That man faced a moment of decision - would he believe and walk, or look at the circumstances as they were and remain as he was? "Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way." (Luke 5:25, The Message)
Jesus says the same two things to us, dear Believer.
First, He says, "Your sins are forgiven. You're now free to change, free to live, empowered."
Then, He says, "Get up and get going!" And the choice is ours.
Are you still a victim?
_________________________________
Once like a bird in prison I dwelt,
no freedom from my sorrow I felt,
But Jesus came and listened to me,
and, "Glory to God!"
He set me free!
He set me free,
Yes, He set me free.
He broke the bonds of prison for me,
I'm glory-bound, my Jesus to see.
For - "Glory to God!"
He set me free.
- Alfred BrumleyBrentwood Music
In his interviews, Justice Thomas is brutally honest about the difficulties of being a black man - from being warned 'not to look a white woman in the eye,' when he was a teenager, to not being able to find a job after graduating from Yale Law since many assumed his degree was not worth the same as that of a white man because of affirmative action policies in place at the time. In fact Justice Thomas calls that degree the Fifteen Cent degree, for that is what others thought it was worth back then! Now, a 60 year old man who sits at the top of judicial authority in America, he enjoys a unique credibility in what he says about overcoming the challenges of life.
So, here's a question - are you using the challenges that come your way as an excuse for failure?
Here's another - are you thinking like a victim, thinking that someone else should rescue you from your situation?
As a Believer, there is no reason for being victims of life, no excuse for remaining in a cycle of defeat! The Gospel of Christ is a powerful message of hope and empowerment! Listen to what the Word says, "... because of his glory and excellence, he (Jesus) has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone." (2 Peter 1:4-7, NLT) Read that passage again.
It is a mistake to think that we can save ourselves from sin, but it is also a mistake to wait for God to do all the work of change for us, too. Peter is clear that there are choices to be made, hard work to be done. "Make every effort," he urges. Choose to live right. Exercise self-restraint. Endure long hard days with steady faith. Love when others are hateful. And He reminds us that all this is possible because Christ Jesus broke the power of oppression over us.
I thought of the spiritual parallels as Justice Thomas was being interviewed. A hundred years earlier in American history, he couldn't have become who he is because of an ugly institution called slavery. He would not even have had the opportunity. He would have been considered the property of another and his options would have been limited by the choices of another. But from a great conflict, bloody and costly, came freedom. Thomas was born into a disadvantaged situation, but he had freedom.
It is much the same for you and for me. Without Christ Jesus and the Cross, we are born slaves, owned by sin, and without hope of being truly righteous. But, at great cost, God intervened and gave us freedom from the grasp of the Evil one. Given that opportunity and the Spirit to live in us, we can become 'more than conquerors.'
Only God knows how much Justice Thomas' desperate situation in his formative years contributed to his powerful drive to succeed. If he had been born into more comfortable situations, and almost certainly if he had not had a grandfather who exercised a powerful influence over him as a young boy, Thomas would have grown up in obscurity, perhaps with nothing of merit about his life. But, he took those things that tried to break him and turned them into motivation to make a difference on behalf of others who face oppression! Nothing in wasted in God's hands, dear friend. We give Him our broken hearts, our disappointments, our personality flaws; yes, even our sinfulness - and He uses those things to make us 'sons of glory' who show what results when ordinary people experience the incredibly amazing power of the Spirit.
Here's a Gospel story to ponder. One day while Jesus was teaching, the house was filled with listeners. A needy man, paralyzed on a mat, could not get to him for healing, so his friends took him to the roof, cut a hole and lowered him to Jesus! Jesus spoke to the man, but with a curious statement - "your sins are forgiven." What? He needs to be healed, doesn't he? Yes, but his greater need was to be freed from guilt and slavery!
Then Jesus offers him a chance to obey. He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: "Get up. Take your bedroll and go home." (Luke 5:24, The Message) That man faced a moment of decision - would he believe and walk, or look at the circumstances as they were and remain as he was? "Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way." (Luke 5:25, The Message)
Jesus says the same two things to us, dear Believer.
First, He says, "Your sins are forgiven. You're now free to change, free to live, empowered."
Then, He says, "Get up and get going!" And the choice is ours.
Are you still a victim?
_________________________________
Once like a bird in prison I dwelt,
no freedom from my sorrow I felt,
But Jesus came and listened to me,
and, "Glory to God!"
He set me free!
He set me free,
Yes, He set me free.
He broke the bonds of prison for me,
I'm glory-bound, my Jesus to see.
For - "Glory to God!"
He set me free.
- Alfred BrumleyBrentwood Music
Monday, October 01, 2007
Wake up!
As I write these words, I am shaking the cobwebs of sleep from my head. I'm finding it hard to think clearly, because I did not rest well. While chasing a soccer ball across the church's parking lot yesterday, I fell hard and re-discovered that 52 year old bodies do not have the same levels of resilience that they used to have! Pain from my bruised ribs and skin lacerations intruded on my sleep throughout the night so I am not at my peak form. Rest is such a critical part of life, isn't it? Health experts universally agree that getting the proper amount of rest is one of the health choices that should be high on our list of priorities. Rest is not just sitting down to watch TV or read a book. Real rest requires several hours of deep sleep each day, along with shorter pauses for rest. During those 'down' times, our bodies repair themselves; our minds sorts the data accumulated; and we are better prepared for maximum productivity in our 'up' times.
The lesson from our body's need of rest is applicable to our spiritual life. Spiritual health requires rest! Our physical bodies signal our fatigue with clearly understood signs, but spiritual fatigue can be much more difficult to discern. We keep giving, push on in service, deal with inner conflicts, wrestle with sin, and.... our spirits grow tired. Spiritual fatigue can make itself known in depression, in discouragement, in doubt, even in greater amounts of temptations! When our spirit is tired, we may find ourselves tempted by sin that in more rested times would not attract the slightest attention from us.
Do you know that even Jesus grew weary? The Gospels tell us that He made time to step away from the press of His work, taking His disciples to find rest and renewal. Despite the urgency of need that surrounded him, Jesus knew that he would not be all He could be if he was without spiritual renewal. "Large crowds came to listen to him teach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus would often go to some place where he could be alone and pray." (Luke 5:15-16, CEV) He offers each of us true soul rest saying, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." (Matthew 11:28-29, The Message)
True spiritual rest requires more than diversions, more than taking a day away to play! Spiritual rest demands renewal of our communion with God.
Knowing our tendency to fill our lives with endless activity, noise, and stuff - God established the Sabbath principle, demanding that we take one day in seven to worship, to look up to Him, to be renewed in worship. This principle is so widely ignored today, even by Christians, it is no wonder that many are collapsing from spiritual fatigue, destroyed by their lack of balance in rest and work! Spiritual rest demands extended times of quiet listening for the voice of the Spirit, too.
The Christian tradition of contemplative worship is another widely ignored discipline. Even our 'spiritual' activities are usually packed with noise and 'doing' things! How many of our corporate worship experiences these days have even a couple of minutes when the instruments are stilled and the preacher is quiet? In our personal time of worship we often crank up the music or reach for a book. What we might need to do is find silence, a place without distractions where God can speak to us in the depth of our being.
The Scripture speaks forcefully to us saying - "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise." (Ephesians 5:14-15, NIV) That's a great verse, but it assumes another principle - rest!
Are you finding it hard to 'get going' for the Lord today? Perhaps the Holy Spirit is calling you to find rest. Do not neglect the important disciplines that bring inner renewal - silence, meditation, and contemplative prayer. A rested Christian is an effective Christian!
____________________________________________
You're calling me to lay aside the worries of my day;
To quiet down my busy mind And find a hiding place-
Worthy! Worthy!
I open up my heart and let my spirit worship Yours,
I open up my mouth and let a song of praise come forth-
Worthy! You are worthy!
Of a childlike faith;
Of my honest praise;
And of my unashamed love.
Of a holy life
Of my sacrifice
And of my unashamed love.
Unashamed Love
Lamont Herbert
CCLI License No. 810055
The lesson from our body's need of rest is applicable to our spiritual life. Spiritual health requires rest! Our physical bodies signal our fatigue with clearly understood signs, but spiritual fatigue can be much more difficult to discern. We keep giving, push on in service, deal with inner conflicts, wrestle with sin, and.... our spirits grow tired. Spiritual fatigue can make itself known in depression, in discouragement, in doubt, even in greater amounts of temptations! When our spirit is tired, we may find ourselves tempted by sin that in more rested times would not attract the slightest attention from us.
Do you know that even Jesus grew weary? The Gospels tell us that He made time to step away from the press of His work, taking His disciples to find rest and renewal. Despite the urgency of need that surrounded him, Jesus knew that he would not be all He could be if he was without spiritual renewal. "Large crowds came to listen to him teach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus would often go to some place where he could be alone and pray." (Luke 5:15-16, CEV) He offers each of us true soul rest saying, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." (Matthew 11:28-29, The Message)
True spiritual rest requires more than diversions, more than taking a day away to play! Spiritual rest demands renewal of our communion with God.
Knowing our tendency to fill our lives with endless activity, noise, and stuff - God established the Sabbath principle, demanding that we take one day in seven to worship, to look up to Him, to be renewed in worship. This principle is so widely ignored today, even by Christians, it is no wonder that many are collapsing from spiritual fatigue, destroyed by their lack of balance in rest and work! Spiritual rest demands extended times of quiet listening for the voice of the Spirit, too.
The Christian tradition of contemplative worship is another widely ignored discipline. Even our 'spiritual' activities are usually packed with noise and 'doing' things! How many of our corporate worship experiences these days have even a couple of minutes when the instruments are stilled and the preacher is quiet? In our personal time of worship we often crank up the music or reach for a book. What we might need to do is find silence, a place without distractions where God can speak to us in the depth of our being.
The Scripture speaks forcefully to us saying - "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise." (Ephesians 5:14-15, NIV) That's a great verse, but it assumes another principle - rest!
Are you finding it hard to 'get going' for the Lord today? Perhaps the Holy Spirit is calling you to find rest. Do not neglect the important disciplines that bring inner renewal - silence, meditation, and contemplative prayer. A rested Christian is an effective Christian!
____________________________________________
You're calling me to lay aside the worries of my day;
To quiet down my busy mind And find a hiding place-
Worthy! Worthy!
I open up my heart and let my spirit worship Yours,
I open up my mouth and let a song of praise come forth-
Worthy! You are worthy!
Of a childlike faith;
Of my honest praise;
And of my unashamed love.
Of a holy life
Of my sacrifice
And of my unashamed love.
Unashamed Love
Lamont Herbert
CCLI License No. 810055
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