Have you ever noticed that wishing for something is not enough to actually attain that which is wished for? Sure, it seems to work for kids, especially at Christmas. But is that really how the real world works? The sad part of growing up is that as we do, it becomes increasingly apparent that wishing for something is not enough. We have been sold a lie. The great deception remains for those who choose to hold dearly to dreams and wishes alone, as if we wish and dream harder, the achievement, or attainment of that we wish for, appears, like magic, before us.
Often it is stated that America is 'the land of opportunity', and yes, indeed, it is. But as our nation ages, the 'opportunity' seems elusive something one can only wish for. The truth is, America remains 'the land of opportunity!' There is the opportunity to take a life, or create a life. There is an opportunity to make a difference or be indifferent. There is an opportunity to diligently work toward wealth or expect others to provide it for you through the government.
You see, the word opportunity simply means a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal. And it seems as if, our goals as individuals in our nation have changed. We have bought the lie that opportunity will be provided for us, not a result of diligence, integrity, and discipline. If we stand here today only wishing wisdom would wash over us, waiting for it to fall in our laps, our heads or at our feet, fill our pocket books, it will never arrive. It is not enough to wish for wisdom, steps must be taken, dramatically taken in order for wisdom to arrive.
What steps? Well, first of all, there are no shortcuts. It will require discipline and diligence from each of us to search for truth, find honorable inspiration, press to integrity, and diligently discern. Here wisdom is born. Is it too late to start? NEVER! But it is time. Time for all of us to press on toward wisdom...real, honest, virtuous, well placed wisdom. It won't happen by wishing for it. Wishing wisdom never comes. But are you tired of not having her? I live for her. Wisdom is my pursuit of passion, and I believe, honestly believe it is found only as I pursue God.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Which Wing?
So often I hear it, I read it, and wrestle with it. Faith without works is dead. Then the discussion ensues, or my mind glosses over it. Duh, got it, try and live it. We had such discussion in one of the Bible Studies I attended her in Michigan. And then it hit me like a ton of blocks (yes, I have moved and installed more than a ton of blocks as I work on my mother-in-law's home here).
Jas 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
I have had the wrong focus on this verse all along!! You see, all of this is done by God living in and through me. I cannot 'faith' and while I can do works, good and evil, it is only the good works, accomplished by God through me, that brings life to me and others. This verse is demands our surrender, full surrender, to the leading of Christ in and through us. No faith and the best action is of little use and dead. Active faith and no action is also dead. All the 'good things' I do for others is dead, unless in the eternal kingdom unless God Himself directs me to do and live. Eternal life, eternal faith, eternal works are of and by only God. He is the one to breathe life into us, into our doings, into the hearts of others.
A good friend of mine (Ken Ture) and great Biblical scholar once said that Christians often argue the point of faith and works trying to interpret what is 'useful' for the believer. His explanation makes good sense...'Arguing about which is more important (faith or deeds) is like asking the question "Which wing on an airplane is more important than the other?"' Can an airplane fly with only one wing? Uh, no.
So faith and deeds are equally essential for the believer to fly in the kingdom of God. The question is not which wing is essential for flight. To argue this point is absurd! The question should be, is God alive, doing in faith and deeds through us each day? He gives us the faith. He asks of us to do, and do as He leads. It is then when our lives will have a huge impact for Christ, with Christ and in His kingdom. We should want Him to be the pilot, while flying as His copilot toward eternity. We must be willing to land the plane gathering more and more passengers to take with us on the trip toward heaven.
In whom does your faith rest? What are you compelled to do in response? Are your accomplished works of eternal value? Can we participate in making a difference lasting longer than today?
Jas 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
I have had the wrong focus on this verse all along!! You see, all of this is done by God living in and through me. I cannot 'faith' and while I can do works, good and evil, it is only the good works, accomplished by God through me, that brings life to me and others. This verse is demands our surrender, full surrender, to the leading of Christ in and through us. No faith and the best action is of little use and dead. Active faith and no action is also dead. All the 'good things' I do for others is dead, unless in the eternal kingdom unless God Himself directs me to do and live. Eternal life, eternal faith, eternal works are of and by only God. He is the one to breathe life into us, into our doings, into the hearts of others.
A good friend of mine (Ken Ture) and great Biblical scholar once said that Christians often argue the point of faith and works trying to interpret what is 'useful' for the believer. His explanation makes good sense...'Arguing about which is more important (faith or deeds) is like asking the question "Which wing on an airplane is more important than the other?"' Can an airplane fly with only one wing? Uh, no.
So faith and deeds are equally essential for the believer to fly in the kingdom of God. The question is not which wing is essential for flight. To argue this point is absurd! The question should be, is God alive, doing in faith and deeds through us each day? He gives us the faith. He asks of us to do, and do as He leads. It is then when our lives will have a huge impact for Christ, with Christ and in His kingdom. We should want Him to be the pilot, while flying as His copilot toward eternity. We must be willing to land the plane gathering more and more passengers to take with us on the trip toward heaven.
In whom does your faith rest? What are you compelled to do in response? Are your accomplished works of eternal value? Can we participate in making a difference lasting longer than today?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Unknowns, Unpredictabilities, and Uncomfortabilities
Walking without my partner has been difficult, and I am glad it will probably be only a temporary state. She flies into Detroit in a week and a half, and I find myself counting the days and hours. God has been kind to me, allowing the work for my mother-in-law to progress with little stress thus far in the seeming answer to prayers of my dear friends, and my wonderful bride. We'll see how it continues as I await the delivery of the rest of the materials for the retaining walls.
The walk of faith is just just that, a walk of faith! Each day has it's unknowns, unpredictabilities, and uncomfortabilities. All the while, The One who knows need not predict or find Himself uncomfortable because He is...GOD! It isn't that He hasn't been uncomfortable, He sacrificed His comfort for our redemption as the only god ever doing such, demonstrating to us that He alone is GOD!
There is great comfort in the walk of faith, knowing that He knows, and that the unknown, unpredictable and uncomfort (okay, discomfort) is only new to me and a surprise to me. There is great comfort in knowing that God is God and learning to trust His heart, His leading, His care for each of us, His children! As long as He continues to give me breath and life, my job is only to walk in faith and obedience to His call, His leading, doing His work, for His glory!
There is little else for me to do, for I cannot save myself, or become righteous unless Jesus works it within me. Nothing I can do, nothing I need do but place my life, each day, each moment in His hands. Life is a gift of His grace, His power. If we truly get this, then complete transformation is on its way within us. He will give us answers to the unknown, strength and wisdom to go through the unpredictable, and the strength to endure the discomfort of life; the walk of faith. It is our walk of faith, but He knows it all, all the way to it's end and to our eternal future. May He lead each of us to deeper trust and life with Him!
The walk of faith is just just that, a walk of faith! Each day has it's unknowns, unpredictabilities, and uncomfortabilities. All the while, The One who knows need not predict or find Himself uncomfortable because He is...GOD! It isn't that He hasn't been uncomfortable, He sacrificed His comfort for our redemption as the only god ever doing such, demonstrating to us that He alone is GOD!
There is great comfort in the walk of faith, knowing that He knows, and that the unknown, unpredictable and uncomfort (okay, discomfort) is only new to me and a surprise to me. There is great comfort in knowing that God is God and learning to trust His heart, His leading, His care for each of us, His children! As long as He continues to give me breath and life, my job is only to walk in faith and obedience to His call, His leading, doing His work, for His glory!
There is little else for me to do, for I cannot save myself, or become righteous unless Jesus works it within me. Nothing I can do, nothing I need do but place my life, each day, each moment in His hands. Life is a gift of His grace, His power. If we truly get this, then complete transformation is on its way within us. He will give us answers to the unknown, strength and wisdom to go through the unpredictable, and the strength to endure the discomfort of life; the walk of faith. It is our walk of faith, but He knows it all, all the way to it's end and to our eternal future. May He lead each of us to deeper trust and life with Him!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Seasons of Abundance and Absence II
Anticipation of a sweet reunion does much for a separated heart. Approaching the finale of week two, my heart grows fonder with each moment and hour my beloved and I are apart. Two thirds of our time apart is coming to an end and today I have put together the plans for the day of our reunion with some of the things she loves, (shopping at a HUGE Christmas store, and dinner at a great restaurant in Frankenmuth) along with a new adventure, staying a nice hotel with a river view.
Yes, even some 30 years later, I am still 'dating' my wife, the beloved partner of all I am and have become with her by my side. This time of absence has done much in appreciation for both of us, in the value and understanding of how much we do to 'help' each other. Already overwhelmed with work, Carrie has told me numerous times that she just didn't realize how much I helped her around the house as now she has to 'do it all'. And for me, as I find myself 'doing it all' for my mother-in-law, I have come to appreciate her presence whenever we have ventured up here to Rogers City to visit her mom. It is so much easier to share the task of M.O.'s (Marion Owens as the people lovingly call her) care when my beloved and I are together.
What has been special is the increasing bond and loving relationship that has developed between my mother-in-law and I, through our time together. What also has been confirmed in my heart is the depth of my calling and the 'nature' God has forged within me as "His Caregiver". God has wired me as an encourager with His gentle spirit and leading. He has given me the gift of caring, nurturing and sincerity as only Christ can give a 'man'. I find myself taking life on fully, embracing and moved by it all. This rich experience, this disciplined time has proven the character qualities God has built within me, and it is for His glory alone, nothing of which I can boast or take personal pride or credit.
Even in absence I have discovered great abundance. Yes, there is pain, real pain. Yes there is joy, real joy. I have come to understand that if every day were a joyful feast, filled with every imaginable delicacy, I would soon grow to a state of non-appreciation for such daily richness. Just as 'religious' practices can become mundane and empty before Him so a fully abundant life would become sadly bane. The ups and downs of life are part of His grand design to keep us before Him, if our hearts remain responsive to what He is trying to forge within us. It is good to drink deeply our pain, for out of the deliverance rises a true and grateful heart for the rich abundance He brings out of the absence (pain).
Are you getting this? Do you choose to embrace only the blessings without the embracing of the struggle? This season of absence, has also been filled with abundance as I build stronger relationships with my mother-in-law and those here in the 'city' where I temporarily live. But then again, this life is temporary too, for I am here looking forward to the abundance of heaven and absence from this place. No more sorrow, and to be fully present with Jesus? I am so there!
Yes, even some 30 years later, I am still 'dating' my wife, the beloved partner of all I am and have become with her by my side. This time of absence has done much in appreciation for both of us, in the value and understanding of how much we do to 'help' each other. Already overwhelmed with work, Carrie has told me numerous times that she just didn't realize how much I helped her around the house as now she has to 'do it all'. And for me, as I find myself 'doing it all' for my mother-in-law, I have come to appreciate her presence whenever we have ventured up here to Rogers City to visit her mom. It is so much easier to share the task of M.O.'s (Marion Owens as the people lovingly call her) care when my beloved and I are together.
What has been special is the increasing bond and loving relationship that has developed between my mother-in-law and I, through our time together. What also has been confirmed in my heart is the depth of my calling and the 'nature' God has forged within me as "His Caregiver". God has wired me as an encourager with His gentle spirit and leading. He has given me the gift of caring, nurturing and sincerity as only Christ can give a 'man'. I find myself taking life on fully, embracing and moved by it all. This rich experience, this disciplined time has proven the character qualities God has built within me, and it is for His glory alone, nothing of which I can boast or take personal pride or credit.
Even in absence I have discovered great abundance. Yes, there is pain, real pain. Yes there is joy, real joy. I have come to understand that if every day were a joyful feast, filled with every imaginable delicacy, I would soon grow to a state of non-appreciation for such daily richness. Just as 'religious' practices can become mundane and empty before Him so a fully abundant life would become sadly bane. The ups and downs of life are part of His grand design to keep us before Him, if our hearts remain responsive to what He is trying to forge within us. It is good to drink deeply our pain, for out of the deliverance rises a true and grateful heart for the rich abundance He brings out of the absence (pain).
Are you getting this? Do you choose to embrace only the blessings without the embracing of the struggle? This season of absence, has also been filled with abundance as I build stronger relationships with my mother-in-law and those here in the 'city' where I temporarily live. But then again, this life is temporary too, for I am here looking forward to the abundance of heaven and absence from this place. No more sorrow, and to be fully present with Jesus? I am so there!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Seasons of Abundance and Absence
Every life is a complex meandering like the ebb and flow of water on a river delta through seasons of abundance and absence of rain. Many tributaries add to the character and abundance of our river of life. We continue to collect the grace filled contributions of other streams and creeks, until our river rages with power and beauty not of ourselves, but of all who poured into us. Each unique river empties, it's waters gathered and flowing great distances, to the sea.
What is more glorious and evident of tremendous power and beauty is when we let the Living Water join our river. When God opens the floodgates of heaven, man can only stand back in awe of the thunderous workings He alone can accomplish through each wayward river. And yet there is both ebb and flow; times of abundance and times of absence. Times of waiting and times of working. Times of awe and times of angst. Times to build and times to destroy...okay, so now I'm sounding like Ecclesiastes.
What I have discovered in this time of absence (at least in the employment area) is that the power of our Lord is clearly of greater visibility as my river has become but a trickle. The floodgates of heaven open and wow, immediately and overwhelmingly His power, His abundance rushes through my life in such a way that others watch in amazement, not at my trickle, but at what looks like a dam burst! It is here, where my river was once a creek, I stand. I can feel His power overwhelm my whining, my cries for help, and my 'drying up'. I can't help myself, but He will help me! I can't help but see His glory rising up all around me, my river rising up to worship the God who has given this river His life, His wisdom, His power.
It is in this apparent season of absence that He has poured into me His abundance. My river flows with all the tributaries He sends my way gradually adding to my flow, but then He cracks open the floodgates and I am overwhelmed!! Paul was right, we can be overwhelmed with God's glory and grace in seasons of abundance and absence. May we, each river, be added to daily by the tributaries of the friends He sends our way, and most importantly, by the daily filling of His word and His leading. In this season of absence I am overwhelmed with His abundance!
What is more glorious and evident of tremendous power and beauty is when we let the Living Water join our river. When God opens the floodgates of heaven, man can only stand back in awe of the thunderous workings He alone can accomplish through each wayward river. And yet there is both ebb and flow; times of abundance and times of absence. Times of waiting and times of working. Times of awe and times of angst. Times to build and times to destroy...okay, so now I'm sounding like Ecclesiastes.
What I have discovered in this time of absence (at least in the employment area) is that the power of our Lord is clearly of greater visibility as my river has become but a trickle. The floodgates of heaven open and wow, immediately and overwhelmingly His power, His abundance rushes through my life in such a way that others watch in amazement, not at my trickle, but at what looks like a dam burst! It is here, where my river was once a creek, I stand. I can feel His power overwhelm my whining, my cries for help, and my 'drying up'. I can't help myself, but He will help me! I can't help but see His glory rising up all around me, my river rising up to worship the God who has given this river His life, His wisdom, His power.
It is in this apparent season of absence that He has poured into me His abundance. My river flows with all the tributaries He sends my way gradually adding to my flow, but then He cracks open the floodgates and I am overwhelmed!! Paul was right, we can be overwhelmed with God's glory and grace in seasons of abundance and absence. May we, each river, be added to daily by the tributaries of the friends He sends our way, and most importantly, by the daily filling of His word and His leading. In this season of absence I am overwhelmed with His abundance!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Falling Fall Foliage
Breathtaking. Simply breathtaking!
My friend at church, Gary, waxed nostalgic as I told him I was heading to Michigan for the month of October. His eyes alight like a kid at Christmas, his change in posture was all I needed to know that it is his favorite time of year and the memories of being here warmed his heart like a fire glowing in the season. And now I fully understand why.
My first time in such a place, I too feel like a kid at Christmas, gasping at the rustling, rusting foliage falling like golden snow at my feet. Standing in the gentle breeze at the forest floor, the wind at the treetops whip through, plucking the ripe leaves ready to flutter to the forest floor. It is as if the leaves are preparing the way for flakes of snow to soon sink similarly from the heavens as well.
For my evolution friends, I desire to posit a question. Of what evolutionary value does such a change serve? What would cause some tree's leaves to only yellow, or run the gamut from red to orange to yellow to brown? Why would trees develop such a strategy? Is this transition just a chance of random chemistry? Is it some quirk of nature just for 'fun'? Or could it be that The Designer wanted to point toward His own majesty and creativity?
So often I hear preaching (like yesterday) and others speak of the visible world versus the 'invisible' spiritual world. I say nay. The visible world boldly speaks to and demonstrates the reality of the spiritual reality! I do not have to press hard to see and know such realities, and the longer and deeper I look, the more apparent the cacophony of the visible and true the eternal kingdom appear. With all its wonder and awe, the visual world is a pale and pointed perception of what awaits those of us who choose to look deeply and discover the fingerprints of the Almighty Creator as we leave footprints along this path of life!
My footprints wander through the forest of fall, surrounded by the golden carpet of fallen fall foliage. My heart melts in worship to my God who designed and crafted every detail in every leaf, in every tree, in every breath of wind. My life a wisp, this snapshot of eternity and the awaiting glory warm my heart reminiscent of standing before my bride some 28 years ago. Surely her beauty, I thought was at it's pinnacle, only to discover it was only a hint of the amazing beauty that would unfold as the years progressed. As I press toward my eternal home, looking back on all that has filled my heart to overflowing, all the glorious beauty forged as I walk toward this eternal kingdom, I sit in wondrous expectation for what remains here, and what will be there.
It would be easy to be enamored with the beauty of the falling fall foliage, stopping there, and feeling satisfied. Don't stop here however, open your eyes to see the glory of The One who designed it all!!!
My friend at church, Gary, waxed nostalgic as I told him I was heading to Michigan for the month of October. His eyes alight like a kid at Christmas, his change in posture was all I needed to know that it is his favorite time of year and the memories of being here warmed his heart like a fire glowing in the season. And now I fully understand why.
My first time in such a place, I too feel like a kid at Christmas, gasping at the rustling, rusting foliage falling like golden snow at my feet. Standing in the gentle breeze at the forest floor, the wind at the treetops whip through, plucking the ripe leaves ready to flutter to the forest floor. It is as if the leaves are preparing the way for flakes of snow to soon sink similarly from the heavens as well.
For my evolution friends, I desire to posit a question. Of what evolutionary value does such a change serve? What would cause some tree's leaves to only yellow, or run the gamut from red to orange to yellow to brown? Why would trees develop such a strategy? Is this transition just a chance of random chemistry? Is it some quirk of nature just for 'fun'? Or could it be that The Designer wanted to point toward His own majesty and creativity?
So often I hear preaching (like yesterday) and others speak of the visible world versus the 'invisible' spiritual world. I say nay. The visible world boldly speaks to and demonstrates the reality of the spiritual reality! I do not have to press hard to see and know such realities, and the longer and deeper I look, the more apparent the cacophony of the visible and true the eternal kingdom appear. With all its wonder and awe, the visual world is a pale and pointed perception of what awaits those of us who choose to look deeply and discover the fingerprints of the Almighty Creator as we leave footprints along this path of life!
My footprints wander through the forest of fall, surrounded by the golden carpet of fallen fall foliage. My heart melts in worship to my God who designed and crafted every detail in every leaf, in every tree, in every breath of wind. My life a wisp, this snapshot of eternity and the awaiting glory warm my heart reminiscent of standing before my bride some 28 years ago. Surely her beauty, I thought was at it's pinnacle, only to discover it was only a hint of the amazing beauty that would unfold as the years progressed. As I press toward my eternal home, looking back on all that has filled my heart to overflowing, all the glorious beauty forged as I walk toward this eternal kingdom, I sit in wondrous expectation for what remains here, and what will be there.
It would be easy to be enamored with the beauty of the falling fall foliage, stopping there, and feeling satisfied. Don't stop here however, open your eyes to see the glory of The One who designed it all!!!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Discovering the Ills that Infect Us
Yesterday in church, God stopped me on my journey. My pastor, speaking from the pulpit about confession spoke the words that were an arrow to my heart, nailing an ailment that purveys our hearts in plain view. It is the purveyor of hurt, angst and illness that has struck us with a disease that we do not fully recognize. It reminds me of times, when I was sick, and if it weren't for my friends and wife pointing it out, I would not have sought doctors to help me with my ailment.
Surely you have been there before? One such illness I had was a time when I was frequently coughing. I did not notice it but then friends and relatives mentioned it to me. I coughed often and frequently but it had become such a part of my life that I paid no attention to it. After friends commented to my wife and I about my coughing, my wonderful wife started pointing out many time I coughed. I was surprised! I started blaming her, and other things for my 'tick', trying to ignore it and use self found remedies, like cough drops to fix myself. Finally, after little success, going to the doctor, he diagnosed me with small airway disease or the beginnings of asthma. Treatments began, my health fully returned and even when I got other illnesses, they didn't end up in my lungs with pneumonia as had always been the case. I didn't realize I was sick and my compromised state affected me constantly causing additional problems when other illnesses attacked me!
Jesus stopped me and got my attention when my pastor, while preaching on confession, stated that when we receive criticism, we immediately place part or most of the blame on someone else or something else. The full purpose? To lighten our burden and potentially even cast it away, so we do not even deal with the part that is fully ours! We excuse ourselves, instantly reducing our load of guilt by attaching as many others as we can to 'share in it'. No one, including myself, wants to accept blame, full blame for the part they 'own' anymore. We all seek and finds places other than ourselves to place the 'blame' removing any part of our need for change, confession and seeking of forgiveness. This process has driven our legal system to absurdity and is in fact responsible for taking an abundance of our money from our pockets.
Ouch.
I wish I could say that I have arrived, fully understand and do as I should, and occasionally, I do. I have been accused of many wrongs in my life, haven't we all? As I have shared these accusations and my responses with my closest of friends each have risen up to bolster me, trying to help me by sharing why the accusation is surely false, because they know my character. How often they are surprised, and sometimes even angered that when counseled to defend myself, I often do not. Instead, I examine the accusation asking myself the question: "What part of this do I own?". Sure it hurts!!! It can often be like going to the dentist to fill a cavity without anesthesia! Did I make the point? But, what I can say is that when I wrestle with the heart of the issue, own up to my part, seek forgiveness for that which has not been purified in my character, and especially do not retaliate in anger or defense, abundant and powerful healing has occurred! Jesus Himself comes and pours salve in my wound, cares for it and miraculously heals it, transforming my heart into one of compassion and understanding as I examine all the reasons why I should apologize and seek restoration from the accuser.
It is here where even the accuser is surprised when I share with them what parts are true and why. Rather than focus on the parts that don't fit and excuse me from the accusation, they are stunned at the way it had affected me towards humility, and my desire to empty myself of pride. I have discovered that the harder I push against the accusation, the more guilty I really am!
As I sit here unemployed, there are many things I could choose to focus on as to why I don't deserve to be 'in this place'. I can place the blame on an insensitive boss, or the fact that they never fully understood how much of my life I poured into my job as I worked for them. I can blame the poor economy affecting the finances of schools, or a myriad of justifiable events surrounding my circumstances. In short, I can go through these days defending myself and justifying why I am living in an 'unfair, unreasonable' state. But thinking of these things will not 'fix' anything or get me re-employed.
However, if in honest humility I sit here, take full stock of my character and the development God wants to press into me, I then am free to take the next step after I come to terms with what I own and what He wants to transform in me. I need your help to keep me accountable to this task, and we need each other to all walk in this state of discovering the ills that infect us. However, it is not enough to discover them, even with the help of others. We must choose to recognize them fully as they are exposed, wrestle with them until we have come to some understanding of the need of transformation, place it in the hands of our Lord, seek forgiveness from those who we have wronged, and as we do, find the healing that will help us move with a freeing power and conviction that will pour grace, God's grace into the lives of those we spend our time. If we all choose to accept our contribution to the problems around us, deal with them and seek forgiveness, we wouldn't all be 'ill'.
Surely you have been there before? One such illness I had was a time when I was frequently coughing. I did not notice it but then friends and relatives mentioned it to me. I coughed often and frequently but it had become such a part of my life that I paid no attention to it. After friends commented to my wife and I about my coughing, my wonderful wife started pointing out many time I coughed. I was surprised! I started blaming her, and other things for my 'tick', trying to ignore it and use self found remedies, like cough drops to fix myself. Finally, after little success, going to the doctor, he diagnosed me with small airway disease or the beginnings of asthma. Treatments began, my health fully returned and even when I got other illnesses, they didn't end up in my lungs with pneumonia as had always been the case. I didn't realize I was sick and my compromised state affected me constantly causing additional problems when other illnesses attacked me!
Jesus stopped me and got my attention when my pastor, while preaching on confession, stated that when we receive criticism, we immediately place part or most of the blame on someone else or something else. The full purpose? To lighten our burden and potentially even cast it away, so we do not even deal with the part that is fully ours! We excuse ourselves, instantly reducing our load of guilt by attaching as many others as we can to 'share in it'. No one, including myself, wants to accept blame, full blame for the part they 'own' anymore. We all seek and finds places other than ourselves to place the 'blame' removing any part of our need for change, confession and seeking of forgiveness. This process has driven our legal system to absurdity and is in fact responsible for taking an abundance of our money from our pockets.
Ouch.
I wish I could say that I have arrived, fully understand and do as I should, and occasionally, I do. I have been accused of many wrongs in my life, haven't we all? As I have shared these accusations and my responses with my closest of friends each have risen up to bolster me, trying to help me by sharing why the accusation is surely false, because they know my character. How often they are surprised, and sometimes even angered that when counseled to defend myself, I often do not. Instead, I examine the accusation asking myself the question: "What part of this do I own?". Sure it hurts!!! It can often be like going to the dentist to fill a cavity without anesthesia! Did I make the point? But, what I can say is that when I wrestle with the heart of the issue, own up to my part, seek forgiveness for that which has not been purified in my character, and especially do not retaliate in anger or defense, abundant and powerful healing has occurred! Jesus Himself comes and pours salve in my wound, cares for it and miraculously heals it, transforming my heart into one of compassion and understanding as I examine all the reasons why I should apologize and seek restoration from the accuser.
It is here where even the accuser is surprised when I share with them what parts are true and why. Rather than focus on the parts that don't fit and excuse me from the accusation, they are stunned at the way it had affected me towards humility, and my desire to empty myself of pride. I have discovered that the harder I push against the accusation, the more guilty I really am!
As I sit here unemployed, there are many things I could choose to focus on as to why I don't deserve to be 'in this place'. I can place the blame on an insensitive boss, or the fact that they never fully understood how much of my life I poured into my job as I worked for them. I can blame the poor economy affecting the finances of schools, or a myriad of justifiable events surrounding my circumstances. In short, I can go through these days defending myself and justifying why I am living in an 'unfair, unreasonable' state. But thinking of these things will not 'fix' anything or get me re-employed.
However, if in honest humility I sit here, take full stock of my character and the development God wants to press into me, I then am free to take the next step after I come to terms with what I own and what He wants to transform in me. I need your help to keep me accountable to this task, and we need each other to all walk in this state of discovering the ills that infect us. However, it is not enough to discover them, even with the help of others. We must choose to recognize them fully as they are exposed, wrestle with them until we have come to some understanding of the need of transformation, place it in the hands of our Lord, seek forgiveness from those who we have wronged, and as we do, find the healing that will help us move with a freeing power and conviction that will pour grace, God's grace into the lives of those we spend our time. If we all choose to accept our contribution to the problems around us, deal with them and seek forgiveness, we wouldn't all be 'ill'.
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