Putting the lid on it

Friday rolls around and for some it is the end of the work week, the time to step away from responsibilities for a couple of days. Then, there are weeks that are endless, right? This seems to be one of them for me. The horror of the Israel-Gaza war keeps unfolding greater suffering.  The ongoing war in Ukraine, largely eclipsed by the ‘new’ news remains an awful wound in the world. Closer to home, our government’s dysfunction makes me both furious and fatigued. Governed by ‘leaders’ who act like children, who demonstrate unbelievable immaturity, selfishness, and stupidity leaves me exhausted. Then, too, many of us are weighed by our own concerns – kids, finances, health, marriage, spiritual challenges – that drain the life from us.

Are you tired?  I am and I’ll readily admit it. It is not the kind of fatigue that we experience after hard work when we crave a hot shower and the opportunity to stretch out on the couch.  That ‘tired’ can be relieved by a good night’s sleep. The ‘tired’ that many of us are experiencing is like a bleeding wound that will not heal, the frustration and exhaustion felt after we put in our best effort and come up with meager results.  Then, there is an weariness that overwhelms us when we are beat down – emotionally, spiritually, more than physically.  And, we wonder if we can get back up?  

When that kind of exhaustion overtakes us, we are in a dangerous place.  We are more likely to make decisions that we will come to regret. We become more susceptible to temptation.  The leash on our temper frays.  Short term gratification gains greater appeal because we lose sight of tomorrow. 

God reminds us that in that season He is will be our Sustainer. "O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:27-31, NLT)

In the 73^rd Psalm, we find a prayer of a man who was exhausted, frustrated, and on the edge of losing faith all together. Asaph wrote his song inviting us to sing along.  "But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone." (Psalm 73:2, NLT)  "Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain." (Psalm 73:13-14, NLT)  His soul fatigue skewed his perception. He had lost touch with reality replacing it with a clouded view of the world in which he lived. Even worse, he was in danger of turning on the very One who could heal him.  

In your weariness are you close to edge? It is time to put a lid on it! Take charge of your emotions and stop reacting to every jolt.   That same Psalm tells of a choice the weary one made. "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me ‘TILL I entered the sanctuary of God." (Psalm 73:16-17, NIV)  Humbly, we come and sit before the Lord, not to whine, not to gripe, not to rage nor to scream.  There, in His Presence, we wait worshipfully.  And, the Spirit finds us!

When the Spirit enveloped Asaph in rest and renewal, his vision cleared and this is what he saw. "Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was so foolish and ignorant …”  But, his focus was not on regret. He goes on with assurance.  “Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do." (Psalm 73:21-28, NLT)   The questions about why may remain this side of Eternity, but the assurance found in faith restores the weary!

Weary this Friday?  Soul weary, exhausted, broken by disappointment in yourself or others or even with God Himself?  Create a ‘sanctuary’ moment – a place where you put a lid on the noise, the news, the nonsense of others and look up. There is a rest for the people of God.  Faith is choice fed by worship and Word. Will you let Him clear your vision and renew your mind?

Here’s the word from the Word. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up." (Hebrews 12:1-3, NLT)

TGIF!

(Video of this blog at this link)

____________________

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

 

Great is Thy faithfulness,

O God, my Father.

There is no shadow

Of turning with Thee.

Thou changest not,

Thy compassions they fail not.

As Thou hast been

Thou forever wilt be!

 

Summer and winter

And springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars

In their courses above;

Join with all nature

In manifold witness,

To Thy great faithfulness,

Mercy and love!

 

Pardon for sin

And a peace that endureth;

Thy own dear presence

To cheer and to guide.

Strength for today

And bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine

With ten thousand beside!

 

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning,

New mercies I see.

All I have needed,

Thy hand hath provided.

Great is Thy faithfulness,

Lord, unto me!

 

 

Thomas Obediah Chisholm | William Marion Runyan

© Words: 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company

Music: 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company

CCLI License # 810055

 

But, I don’t feel like it!

My doctor has told me a dozen times that a key part of maintaining healthy vitality in my life is exercise. He says just walking at a good pace is all I need to do. “Yeah, yeah, OK,” I think.  On Monday I decided to try a walk through a local park. After 30 minutes of brisk walking, I felt good!  Now the choice is to make that a consistent thing I do.

One walk every now and then won’t make any difference but if I will find the discipline to get on my walking shoes even when I would rather read a book I can hope to lose a few pounds, feel a little better, and enjoy more energy.  I am certain that when I put on my walking shoes one of these days my first thought will be “But, I don’t feel like it!”  What choice will I make in that moment?

Disicpline helps us to do what needs to be done whether we are ‘in the mood’ or not, whether it’s sunny or rainy, whether others applaud or ignore us!  
Consistency = Favorable Outcome.
Consistency meets and overcomes the variables that come our way.

Consistent practice of our faith is important to becoming Christ-like, experiencing the “life to full” promised by Jesus.  Too many times to remember I was told in my pastoral ministry, “My life is no different since I accepted Christ. I still have the same problems, deal with the same old stuff every day.”  Jesus does not call us to be marginally nicer people.  He invites us to learn the life of faith, to be loving, forgiving, joyful, and filled with hope.  That kind of life will not just happen to us because we think some positive thoughts.  Genuine Chrisitian is muscular, inviting us to daily practices of spiritual disciplines such as gathering with other Believers, taking time to meditate and pray, engaging our mind in worship, presenting ourselves to the Lord regularly in quiet contemplation.

It is easy to confuse an emotional high with real spiritual engagement. God is present when we sense His presence in our hearts and He is just as much present when we are simply acting out of obedience, focused not on ‘what’s in it for me’ but rather on “You are God and worthy of my praise.”  

Our experience of the Christian life will vary because we are influenced by pain, by circumstances, by the news of the world, by the response of our spouse, by our hormones and moods! But, God is unchanging and His work in us goes on quietly and persistently when we open channels into our life through which His Spirit flows. Consistent practices of prayer, meditation, corporate worship, giving, serving, and Scripture intake will lead to the production of the evidence of Spirit life in you. It’s a divine law we can count on.

God inspired Paul to write to us about the change that comes from the Spirit’s residence in us. "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:16-23, NIV)

Don’t get discouraged if spiritual growth is sometimes slow. Look away from yourself and to the promise that Jesus made to us. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5, NIV) That word, ‘remain’ indicates a kind of consistency, enduring through hard times, sticking with the program!  One writer calls that ‘a long obedience in the same direction.'

Here’s a word from the Word. May the Word inspire a new kind of consistency in us, for God’s glory. "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NLT) 

(Video of this blog at this link)

____________________

My King Forever

 

You gave Your life for mine

Nailed to the cross You crucified

All my sin and shame

It was washed by Your mercy

 

You are the treasure I find

My reason for living

So let my life become an offering

To the One who is worthy

 

All praise to the Lord most high

All praise to the One who saved my life

All praise to Jesus Christ

High King of heaven my King forever

 

You stormed the gates of my heart

The veil in between was torn apart

Now You hold the keys to the grave

‘Cause You bring things to life

You roll stones away

I lift my hands up lay my whole life down

My whole life down before You

I lift my hands up lay my whole life down

My whole life now is for You

 

Brian Johnson | Ethan Hulse | Josh Baldwin

© 2019 Be Essential Songs; EGH Music Publishing; Bethel Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055

An endless cycle

I awakened to the news of the outbreak of war in Israel on Saturday morning. The news since then has only grown more grim – more than a thousand dead (as of Monday morning) and still climbing, war declared meaning even more death and destruction. The terrified eyes of a hostage that I saw on 60 Minutes last night still haunt me. “Why, why- does humanity insist these endless cycles of violence and death?” is the question that keeps swirling through my mind. 

This war in Israel and Gaza is but the latest. The horrors of war continue in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen, and in several simmering conflicts on the continent of Africa. My prayer is a plaintive cry borrowed from the Psalm - "Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. … "He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims." (Psalm 10:1-2, 8, NIV)

And then … I pray –
“May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!” with HOPE!

While I may not be able to do anything to end the wars, I can live today, right where I am, as a citizen of Christ’s Kingdom, representing Him in my words, my actions, in my place. Jesus told us that He does His work in the world through us. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter in its branches. … The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast used by a woman making bread. Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough.” Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables." (Matthew 13:31-34, NLT)

We cannot just give up, retreat into despair, and wait for Heaven to come.

God has given each Christian the awesome privilege to change his little corner of this globe with the Gospel of Christ, the transformative message of God’s care, His love, and the true hope of humanity. One small act of kindness, one word of that points another to receive the saving grace of Jesus, has potential to change many, to accomplish much. 

We who bear the Name, who have known grace and forgiveness, adopted into God’s family, become people who love and live in joy, ultimately dying with hope. When God’s Spirit lives in us we set aside the pride and power that is so naturally human and we live to serve, to care, to love. Is that just a romantic view of life? No, it is not! While the record of the Church is not a spotless one we do see that where the Gospel is received, life improves. The poor are cared for, the sick are ministered to, those without hope become “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)

In 1988, President George H. W. Bush said that people who commit to serve are like a "thousand points of light that are spread like stars throughout the nation, doing good." It is not naïve to hope that our tiny light can make a difference in the world. Will we seek to know Christ and make Him known?  Will we pray faithfully and love fervently?  Ah, this is the choice I want to make even as I weep for those who are suffering, those who were murdered, those who are help in the grip of terror and war!

I want to break the endless cycle – in small ways – where I am, in the opportunities that come my way. Yes, always with this prayer - “May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

The word from the Word is the commission that Jesus gave to His followers – including you and me.  It reads this way in The Message paraphrase of the Bible.  “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)  Let’s do it.

(Video of this blog at this link)

____________________

This Little Light Of Mine
(don’t miss this Bruce Springsteen rendition!)

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine let it shine let it shine

 

Harry Dixon Loes

Words: Public Domain