Are you miserable?

Missed expectations bring disappointment. I bought a new computer and it was not as fast as I thought it should be, so I returned it to the manufacturer. A lady confided in me that "the man I loved with all my heart is incapable of reciprocating my love because he is so emotionally immature." She was considering divorce. Another man pulled me aside recently and angrily asked me about his own disappointment, carried for years. “God is not Who I thought He was. How could he let my son die at just four years of age?”

There is one way to avoid being disappointed. Wrap yourself in a tight little bundle of Self. I do not recommend it. If you withdraw from life, refuse to get involved with others, and avoid risk as much as possible, you will not experience nearly as much disappointment, but is that how you want to live, safely insulated from both joy and sorrow, hiding from life? People who are fully alive, working to make a difference in the world, and loving others will get hurt.  

Several choices we make in those moments that will let us go on, growing in grace.

Primary among them is the critical decision to anchor our hope in the Lord! Isaiah watched his nation crumble around him, invaders come and destroy the city and the Temple, friends carried off to slavery. He might have slid into despair, but he went to the Lord and re-affirmed his trust. He inspires us to greater faith with a promise. "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 40:30-31)

People who fail need our forgiveness! And, we need to forgive. Forgiveness is a greater blessings to the forgiver than it is to the forgiven. Forgiveness, in one sense, is releasing others from our demand that they act in ways we approve or like. Forgiveness is a choice to submit to a higher purpose and to surrender our pain to God. We do so because we know that He will bring all things to justice in His time. When we release that person who has disappointed us to God's court, we find freedom from the anger, hatred, and bitterness that can follow disappointment. Jesus taught that unless we forgive, we cannot find forgiveness! "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.... But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:12)

Sometimes we must choose to adjust our expectations. It is possible to spend a huge amount of energy fighting to make everything fit into what we hoped for in life. That is actually a form of self-centeredness and it will always lead to a life of misery, bitterness, and loneliness. I love the opening lines of Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

Here’s a word from the Word. It is both a preventative and a cure for disappointment. If you’re struggling to make sense of the will of God, of the actions of others, or even of the mysteries of your own heart, start here.     

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God’s voice in everything you do,
everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track."  

(Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message)

Stand for Something or Fall for Anything

Yesterday, thousands of Christian students across America participated in “See You At The Pole,” an event where they gather at their school’s flagpole before the start of the school day to pray for the community. I admire those who are willing to publicly identify themselves with Christ in this way. They will be watched, and when they do not live up to the expectations of their peers, they will hear about it.

Are you willing to let your world that you belong to Christ? It demands much more of us than wearing a cross necklace or putting a fish symbol on our car bumper. If we are His, then it follows that we will be holy, loving, and godly people.  Jesus said, “Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels? “If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked. But if you’re knowingly attacking God himself, taking aim at the Holy Spirit, that won’t be overlooked." (Luke 12:8-10, The Message)

Standing for Christ is so much more than words! It's a way of life. Nothing is so beautiful as a person who walks in the Spirit, who has given himself totally to the service of Christ Jesus. There is a quality of character, a spiritual depth that is irrefutable proof of the reality of the Gospel’s power to transform. That man will never be perfectly sinless. There will be lapses, moments that are regrettable, choices that are inconsistent with his professed faith; but if he really belongs to Jesus, even in his failures, he will humbly acknowledge his hypocrisy because he knows the grace by which he stands.

I want to encourage you to some reflection today. If your friends wrote up a description of you, would they be required to note your love of Christ Jesus? Is your faith so intrinsic to your life that what you do cannot be understood without reference to the Lord's Presence?

Jesus told us that His wisdom is the foundation of every choice, the source of guidance to which we must turn. “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit-but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
The Message (Mt 7:24-27)

Here’s a word from the Word. I hope that you can join the writer in making this offer to the people who are living life alongside of you. "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV) What a wonderful life!

We're pilgrims on the journey

Of the narrow road,

And those who've gone before us

Line the way.

Cheering on the faithful,

Encouraging the weary,

Their lives a stirring testament

To God's sustaining grace.

Surrounded by so great

A cloud of witnesses,

Let us run the race

Not only for the prize,

But as those who've gone before us.

Let us leave to those behind us,

The heritage of faithfulness

Passed on thru godly lives.

O may all who come behind us

Find us faithful,

May the fire of our devotion

Light their way.

May the footprints that we leave,

Lead them to believe,

And the lives we live

Inspire them to obey.

O may all who come behind us

Find us faithful.

Find Us Faithful

Mohr, Jon

EMI Christian Music Publishing

© 1987 Jonathan Mark Music ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management / Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License No. 810055

Clouded Vision

When I was a little kid, I remember visiting a fair where there was a house of mirrors. Each one was made to distort the reflection. One made me look short and wide, turning a skinny kid into a fat one! Another made me very tall and thin, a scarecrow. One made my head look twice its normal size. It was fascinating and disorienting.  What did I really look like?  Growing older, I learned that I needed to correct another image of myself, created from the feedback I absorbed from people around me. Navigating the teen years was tough because, just as in the house of distorted mirrors, I was picking up distorted reflections about my identity. Who was I really? Good, bad, smart, stupid, attractive, ugly? It was hard to figure out!

Who am I?
The question begs an answer if we hope to live as a holy and whole follower of Christ. The answer is often clouded by false guilt or bad teaching. Our own emotional state distorts self-image, too. When I am exhausted I don’t see myself clearly. Fear, anger, and sorrow can mess with my mind, too. That is why there is only one place to go for the Truth, where we learn the answers about ourselves that we can trust.

The first assessment is that, apart from God, I am a sinner! “There is no one righteous, not even one; … All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12)  I want to protest, to justify myself, to excuse or ignore my flaws and failures. That mirror’s reflection is one I would prefer to ignore, but I must not if I hope to come to the Truth.

The next fact is that I am loved! "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, NIV) There is hope!

Then, comes this declaration. I am a unique child of God! "But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, NLT)  "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." (Ephesians 2:8, NLT) "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT) I am a person of incredible worth to my Creator!

A person cannot function well in the world with a broken identity. Those who see themselves through deceptive or lying mirrors will respond to the image they see and their choices will be all wrong. Those who understand what is true, who are honest and authentic about themselves as God sees them, are on the way to wholeness and joy.

Here’s a word from the Word. May you read it and see with clear vision just who you are in Christ Jesus.

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:21-25, NIV)

Misplaced Trust?

Misplaced Trust?

Bev and I have an ongoing difference about the importance of securing our home. She is careful to lock doors. It makes her feel secure.  The reality is that our home, like most, could easily be entered in spite of the locked doors. But, setting those locks make her feel safe, so we do it. I find security in planning, anticipating what is on the calendar and making preparations for the upcoming day’s events. Nothing kicks up anxiety in me more than feeling ‘out of control.’  Yet, rationally I know that I cannot secure myself with planning anymore than Bev can secure our house with locks. I have only to look back over the last three years in my own experience to realize how quickly plans are obliterated by unforeseen developments. Even more than door locks and planning, we all tend to trust our money. Ask almost any American what they think would make them feel better about the future and the subject of money will be top of the list!

Under the inspiration of the Spirit, Paul wrote to young Timothy: "Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment." (1 Timothy 6:17, NLT) Think about that directive. Have you a misplaced trust? Learning to use money and love the Lord brings great freedom. The Word goes on to instruct: "Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life." (1 Timothy 6:18-19, NLT)

Disciple, prayerfully think about where you seek security.
Is your trust misplaced?
Do roller-coaster values of Wall Street keep you from rest?
Are you trusting in things which can never provide lasting security? 

Here’s a word from the Word. It is a comfort and a challenge at the same time. "You say, “We’ve taken out good life insurance. We’ve hedged all our bets, covered all our bases. No disaster can touch us. We’ve thought of everything. We’re advised by the experts. We’re set.” But the Master, God, has something to say to this: “Watch closely. I’m laying a foundation in Zion, a solid granite foundation, squared and true. And this is the meaning of the stone: a trusting life won’t topple." (Isaiah 28:15-16, The Message) Jesus is that foundation! "Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord." (Ephesians 2:20-21, NIV)

My hope is built on

Nothing less,

Than Jesus’ blood

And righteousness.

I dare not trust

The sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on

Jesus’ Name.

On Christ, the Solid Rock,

I stand,

All other ground is

Sinking sand!

Wannabe

Do you know what a ‘wannabe’ is? No, it’s not an exotic animal. It’s a common human form, a person who desperately ‘wants to be’ somebody, who desires attention. Years ago, I read a book, The Great Imposter, that told the story of Ferdinand Waldo DeMara, a man of great intelligence who passed himself off at various times as a surgeon on a Canadian Naval Ship, a a Trappist monk, and a teacher at a New England Prep school. For a while, he was so good at his game that he was indistinguishable from the authentic, even winning accolades for his work! But, eventually his lack of credentials and qualifications would become obvious and he would run, only to take on yet another identity. Demara could not stand just being himself and would not put in the work to gain the real skills that would have given him a role in the world that he craved. So, he was a wannabe.

Being a wannabe is self-destructive because it requires a person to live a lie. It poisons everything; relationships, accomplishments, and even the sense of self-worth the imposter is pursuing! The wannabe life produces yet another tragic result often unknown to the one living as a pretender: he never finds out who he really is or what God wants from his life. By focusing on trying to be somebody else, he misses the joy of being who he was made to be, joyfully filling the place in this world his gifts, experiences, and opportunities create for him.

Some disciples adopt a wannbe discipleship. Instead of ‘working out their salvation’ by digging into the Scripture, dealing with the real issues of their lives, and letting the character of Christ Jesus be uniquely created in them, they choose to become a copy of a preacher they know, or a celebrity Christian, or someone in their church that they admire. They start to dress like, talk like, and mimic the mannerisms of their model. And, they never discover who God wants them to be. The Bible says that in Christ, we are "God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Here's the direct question - are you letting God lead you through life, creating a masterpiece, or are you settling for a 'wannabe' life? Have you submitted your life to Christ in full surrender, allowing for a complete transformation of heart and mind OR are you just trying to imitate the lifestyle of a disciple you admire? The Bible says - "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you." (Romans 12:2-3, NLT)

God loves YOU, friend. Yes, it is absolutely true. He won't love you more if you learn to imitate Joyce Meyers, Mother Theresa, or Franklin Graham. If you take that route, you will offend Him! He wants you to be you, a unique person with unique preparations to fill a unique place in this world.

Self-acceptance can be difficult. Looking in the mirror- physically and spiritually - reveals reality which isn't always pretty. But, we are worthless to God and ourselves until we face the facts. That doesn't mean we are stuck with what we see! We can take the imperfections and sins to God and He will work on us, transforming us by giving us the Holy Spirit to work in us. God doesn't do 'make-overs.' He does transformations. That's right - you can be an authentic saint! God can take the raw material that is you and do amazing things to create a person full of love, of the beauty of Jesus Christ.

Why not start the transformation process right now? It is called sanctification. That just a big word for 'becoming Christ-like.' There are spiritual disciplines to learn that help the process along. There are mentors and teachers that help us in our understanding. There will be blunders along the way, but - if we are committed to Him and to being authentic- we can be sure that His promise - "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)- will be true!

Live authentically today!