Finding Our Place

Since 911, America has tried to find its place in the world, and especially the Mideast. It has become Obama’s chance to establish his place in history, not unlike a baseball star hoping to win a place in the Hall of Fame. I realize that finding one’s place in the world is both the hope and bane of human existence. Men and women of fame and success spend a lot of energy, and their fortunes, cementing their place among men.

The author of Hebrews speaks, however, of anonymous Hall of Faith-ers who never found a place on earth, going “about in goatskins, destitute (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground” (He. 11:38). They were homeless. To suggest we follow their example may seem a bit severe. But didn't Jesus exhibit the same spirit of detachment, “the Son of Man has no place?”

Because we are inclined to attach ourselves to places on earth, God “un-places” us—an often painful uprooting that allows Him to root us in Christ (Col 2:7). Jesus says, “find your place in Me, and My Father and I will come and make our place in you.” (John 14:23). Is there any other place you'd rather be?

24-Hour Fitness

“24-Hour Fitness” is the name of a chain of fitness clubs. It is also a ‘fitting’ description of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is ‘fit’ for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).  The Holy Spirit makes us ‘fit’ by stretching us, like leather, like new wineskins” (Matt. 9:17).

Speaking of "fit," having lost 25 pounds since last Fall, I have few clothes that do. And since we were going to attend my niece’s wedding, I had to go shopping for something to ‘fit’ me, but would also would be ‘fit’ for a wedding. Now speaking analogously, this last year has been a real stretch for me.  But hopefully, it has made me more ‘fit’ for God’s work, and better ‘fitted’ for the Spirit's infilling.

Paul practiced 24-hour fitness, always straining and stretching toward what lies ahead” (Phil. 3:13). He also acknowledged that fitting and stretching, though painful, was necessary (Heb. 12:11) in order that someday we all will be properly 'fit' together in Christ (Eph. 4:16).

Stop Going to Church!

The other day we hired a plumber, who, it turned out, was a brother in Christ. He asked, “Where do you go to church?” a not uncommon question among believers. And while it may seem innocuous, I wonder if it is not also a subtle way of checking someone out: “Are you evangelical, charismatic, Pentecostal?”

But I think it may reveal something bigger—a not-so-subtle assumption that “going to church” makes you a Christian. Author of the “Peter Principle,” Laurence Peter, writes, “Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to the garage makes you a car.” We are all aware there are in every church those who “go to church” for Sunday morning worship, but are back home with their self-made idols by Sunday afternoon.

In a Geoege Barna survey, Millennials said they want a Christianity that addresses everyday problems, not one that is relegated to Sunday morning “going to church.” How refreshing! This generation’s desire for a real-world faith could bring about meaningful change to a Christian culture that heretofore has been more about “going to church” than “being the church.”

A Willing Spirit is within your Reach

“Thy will be done” can never be prayed with ambivalence. It has to be heartfelt. In the Garden, just hours before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed “Thy will be done.” He had a willing spirit. “Willing” means not only ‘ready,” but ‘eager.’ No one could argue that Jesus, who had been preparing his entire life for that “hour,” was not ready to drink the cup of suffering (Matt. 26:41-42). But was He eager? The Greek word suggests so. Could it mean the thought, not of death, but of pleasing His Father predisposed Jesus to a willing spirit that included an element of “eagerness.”

With every new day, I am presented with tests of faith whereby I am forced to ask myself, “Do I have a willing spirit? And am I eager to please my Heavenly Father?” To be otherwise disposed is an accident waiting to happen. Like King David. But in the aftermath of moral failure, David prayed, “Renew a right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:4), the word 'right' meaning willing, ready, and eager.  Being the slow learner that I am, this seems completely out of my reach in this life. And then I remember Paul's words, "God is at work in you, both to WILL and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12). It would seem the key to “Thy will be done” is “Lord, give us a willing spirit.”

Cosmic Loneliness: Alone in the Universe?

During our darkest hours, we instinctively turn to God, knowing that nothing else can cure our feeling of aloneness. This God-given drive is a “cosmic loneliness” that cannot be satisfied by any person on earth. It is aptly described by Augustine: “God made us for Himself and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Him.”

In ‘Alone in the Universe,’ Astrophysicist David Wilkinson says, “Men and women made in the image of the Creator of the Universe feel alienated from God. The Christian faith says we are not alone. God wants to be in relationship with us.” Likewise, Scripture says God desires for all to “seek and find Him” (Act 17:27).  

If you’re the kind of person who feels this loneliness, you’re not alone. Moreover, if you’ve been rejected, misunderstood, and alienated, you’re really not alone. The man who was more “despised and rejected” than anyone who ever lived, a “man of sorrows and grief” (Is. 53:3), says to you, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Heb. 13:5). And that alone is the cure for cosmic loneliness.

Where is Your Faith?

Jesus asked questions, intentionally—to engage His listeners, and to effect self-examination. Questions like “Who do you say I am?” (John 8:29) and “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25) are just as relevant today as they were two millennia ago.

With an increasing cultural bias against all things Biblical, Christian icons along with the values they represent are being eliminated from the Public Square. Thus, Jesus' question “Will I find faith when I return?” (Luke 18:8) seems especially pertinent!

With acceptance of pluralism and rejection of exclusivity, where will Jesus find redemptive, sanctifying faith? Probably not in military, education, or government. Certainly not in business or entertainment. Nor even in our schools of theology. Nor, unfortunately, in many churches. But, and this is the all important question, will He find it in you and me? Today, how will you answer His question “Where is your faith?”

Is it Peacemaking or Placating?

U.S. and Russian diplomats began meeting this week to head off a U.S. military strike against Syria. But is it ‘peacemaking’ or ‘placating?’ The difference? Placators try to lessen conflict by avoiding and appeasing. Peacemakers stand for truth even if it stirs up feelings. According to Jesus, the word of truth can divide people like a “sword” (Matt 10:34). A true peacemaker will never compromise truth just to “get along.”

The fact is, however, “peacemaking” is very personal. Indeed, who of us has not been relationally challenged to seek peace when “conciliation” would be so much easier? (Peacemaking can be messy!) Making it even more challenging, peacemaking only works if each  party is seeking peace on God’s terms—unconditional surrender to His will. Is there a lesson for us here?

Placating will produce a fix, but only temporarily. Whether among nations or between best friends, placating will only “heal the hurt superficially, declaring ‘Peace, peace,' when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). Be on your guard; the antichrist will call himself a 'man of peace' (Dan. 8:25). But he will be a placator.

Looking for Peace on 911

Today political pundits will tell us we have become more suspicious and fearful since Al Qaeda’s attack on the twin towers 12 years ago: TSA inspects shoes and underwear, while NSA monitors private emails and phone calls. And on the global front, London Times diplomatic editor Roger Boyes captures the mood: “The direction in Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Iran should keep us awake at night.”

So, then, while the earthlings are trying hard today not to be engulfed in dread and anxiety, let us take solace in the fact that a day is coming when the Prince of Peace will establish His government, put an end to war, and bring about everlasting peace (Is. 9:6-7).

And while the peace of God is not yet cosmically realized, it is certainly personally available. “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Col. 3:15). The peace Jesus promised and Paul commanded is a settled state of inner rest that nothing can disturb. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You” (Is. 26:3). “Let not your heart be troubled” today (Jn. 14:1).

After this is over

My radiation/chemo treatments have begun, and will continue for six weeks. Like an uphill climb, I can hardly wait until “after this is over.”  Of course looking forward to the “other” side of a trying circumstance is natural. But with no guarantee there won’t be another one right “after,” we need more than an “after-this-is-over” mindset.

Paul tells of a host of saints who endured their trials without ever seeing the other side of it: “Having obtained a good testimony through faith, [they] did not receive the promise. For God had something better in mind..., so that they would not reach perfection without us” (Heb. 11:39-40). The “perfection” of their faith waited until after all of us together would find our faith fully perfected in the suffering and resurrection of Christ.

And therein lies the secret to enduring hard times—by keeping our eyes on Jesus..., who perfects our faith; and who, for the joy awaiting him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, [knowing that afterward], He would sit at God’s throne (Heb. 12:2, edited). Now if we can just remember this “beforehand.” 

What is The Purpose of Striking Syria?

At this moment in history, President Obama and the Congress are deliberating whether to conduct a military strike in Syria. The President wants to send a message to Assad that chemical warfare is intolerable. While that may deal with the immediate issue, arguably it does not touch  the ultimate “purpose.” It does not address the hard question, “What will be its ultimate affect on the Middle East tinderbox?”

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people run wild” (Prov. 29:18). We can see this clearly in Syria (or in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Egypt). But is this not also happening here in the U.S.? But more to the point, this truism relates to the human heart. God created us with purpose (Eph. 1:4) and for purpose (Eph. 2:10; Rom. 8:28). As Biblical believers, our lives have purpose and meaning.

When we live with a view toward God's purposes, our every action follows in harmony with God—we have peace. But at the moment we lose sight of God's purposes, our thoughts run wild—and so do our actions! And, instead of peace and harmony, we experience confusion and anxiety. Today, as we observe the world in chaos, let us make sure the peace of God is ruling in our hearts… and we are intent on God's purposes (Col. 3:14; Philip. 2:2).

Quantity vs. Quality of Life

When you’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness, you think more soberly about “numbering your days” (Ps. 90:12). Chemo/radiation treatments prescribed for cancer patients are not intended to cure, but to extend life. But there’s a downside: these can cause considerable discomfort! (Thank God, mine has been minimal!) Thus, each person, must consider how much pain he is willing to endure to extend “quantity of life” at the expense of “quality of life.”
 
Now here is a spiritual analogy that just screams for a spot on this blog. The Greek word in the phrase “abundant life,” zoe, means a different “quality of life” than bios. Paul says if we’re not “suffering the loss of all things,” we are not going to “gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8). That is, to have the quality of life Christ wants to give us (John 5:21), we must endure some discomfort. But don't worry; our Great Physician will never prescribe treatments that would cause more discomfort than we can bare.

How do you Rest on “Labor-Day?”

There is a time to stop working, and rest.  We love our days off.  But Jesus speaks of a different “work” and a different “rest.”  The work from which we need permanent rest is that of self-reliance, self-promotion, self-protection—is  this not the work that wears us out? This is the “work” that Jesus spoke of when He said, “Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavy-burdened, and you will find rest…come and learn [how to rest] from Me… for My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:29-30).

One of the meanings of a yoke is a harness you put on an ox to make its work easier and more effective.  When we are yoked with Jesus, our “work” is not only bearable, but pleasant.  I have learned when my work feels too hard, it is because I am not properly yoked with Jesus, not relying on Him, but on my intellect, my ideas and methods: my "self." I think Labor Day is a good day to examine ourselves, and ask, “Are we are finding God’s rest?”