Last weekend, thirty-three students participated in the 30 Hour Famine. We learned about hunger and poverty, served our church families and God’s Helping Hands, and raised over $2,300 to help Haiti earthquake victims (with some students still collecting).
During the weekend, we focused on the following passage from James:
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (James 2:14-26)
I was so impressed seeing our students’ faith in action this past weekend. They listened and participated in discussions where Scripture engaged our lives. Some students helped sort and organize at God’s Helping Hands, which makes it easier to help those who are hurting economically in the area. Other students provided childcare for the parents who attended our parenting seminar. All of them worked to surpass our goal of $2,000.
I am so proud of the students who participated, not just because of how much they raised, but because of their actions and attitudes throughout the weekend. They served without complaining. Some even asked for more work when they finished their task. In devotionals and discussions they were engaged. They continue to grow in their faith and actions as they work together.
Thank you as well to the adults who helped with the weekend: Karen Benedict, Bill Flowers, Barb Huey, Laura Stewart, Holly Hebert, Dalaina Harrell. Your time and energy are greatly appreciated!!
shine!
Jason
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Bearing the Spirit's fruit
What does it look like to exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit in your life?
I would argue that it’s much more than a change in behavior. Ultimately, it requires a change in your attitude and fundamental approach to life.
Let’s consider something that Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke:
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26)
If all we do is attempt to act out the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives without undergoing a transformation on the inside, we will experience the same fate as the person Jesus is describing in the above passage.
If we are going to bear the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, the change must come from the roots up. It calls us to change what is going on inside, even in the areas that no one else sees.
In Romans 8:9-11, Paul writes…
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
The question we must always ask ourselves is which Spirit is dwelling in us? To borrow Jesus’ analogy, who is living in your “house?” Is it the Spirit of God or is it the spirit of hostility towards God?
If we are going to truly bear fruit of the Spirit, we must clean house and invite the Spirit of God to dwell in us. We must, in the words of Paul, be “filled with the Spirit.” This is an ongoing practice that requires time, effort, and energy. It is not something that happens just because we go to church, or even church and class.
Spiritual growth will only occur when we allow our whole life, all of our humanity, to be consumed by the Spirit of God. This means that every action, every thought, every word, must flow from the work of the Spirit.
This will require most of us to clean our “house.” There are attitudes and habits that must go. We must make room for the Holy Spirit to take up residence in our whole being. We can no longer simply allow God to have one corner room that we visit a few times a week. He must be present in every room and in every moment. Then we will bear the Spirit’s fruit.
shine!
Jason
I would argue that it’s much more than a change in behavior. Ultimately, it requires a change in your attitude and fundamental approach to life.
Let’s consider something that Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke:
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26)
If all we do is attempt to act out the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives without undergoing a transformation on the inside, we will experience the same fate as the person Jesus is describing in the above passage.
If we are going to bear the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, the change must come from the roots up. It calls us to change what is going on inside, even in the areas that no one else sees.
In Romans 8:9-11, Paul writes…
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
The question we must always ask ourselves is which Spirit is dwelling in us? To borrow Jesus’ analogy, who is living in your “house?” Is it the Spirit of God or is it the spirit of hostility towards God?
If we are going to truly bear fruit of the Spirit, we must clean house and invite the Spirit of God to dwell in us. We must, in the words of Paul, be “filled with the Spirit.” This is an ongoing practice that requires time, effort, and energy. It is not something that happens just because we go to church, or even church and class.
Spiritual growth will only occur when we allow our whole life, all of our humanity, to be consumed by the Spirit of God. This means that every action, every thought, every word, must flow from the work of the Spirit.
This will require most of us to clean our “house.” There are attitudes and habits that must go. We must make room for the Holy Spirit to take up residence in our whole being. We can no longer simply allow God to have one corner room that we visit a few times a week. He must be present in every room and in every moment. Then we will bear the Spirit’s fruit.
shine!
Jason
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Fasting for 30 Hours
In preparation for this week’s 30 Hour Famine, I am sharing Isaiah 58 for our students to meditate on. I am encouraging them to read this Scripture throughout the week:
1“Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
3‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
4Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
shine!
Jason
1“Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
3‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
4Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
shine!
Jason
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Avoiding temptation
I had a student pose a question to me. Here is the question:
Let's say a person is weak in a certain area and they struggle with a temptation, but they remove themself from or avoid any situation that would cause them to stumble and give in. Does this make the person strong for not giving in, or just safe? Because if the person were in that situation, they probably would give in.
I wanted to share my response, so here it is...
This is a great question. Let me offer a few Scriptures and then a few thoughts.
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh." But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:12-14)
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:3-16)
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:20-26)
A few thoughts...
We need to have the wisdom to discern areas of weakness in our lives. When we realize those areas, I believe that Scripture is pretty plain that we should flee from things that we know are weaknesses.
While that seems pretty clear, there is an even bigger picture we need to consider. Let me share one more verse and then a few concluding comments.
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:1-7)
Not only do we need to be aware of our own weaknesses, we must be aware of the weaknesses of others. As we continue to examine this idea of sin and community, this becomes vitally important. If what we do causes another to be tempted and sin, we are bringing sin into the community. (Go back and read that last sentence a few times.)
This has so many applications, but I will offer a few that I feel often take shape in a community of teenagers.
When a girl dresses in a way that provokes a boy's lust, she is inviting sin into the community.
When a boy flirts with a girl in a way that leads her to have an unhealthy need for relationship, he is inviting sin into the community.
When someone wears name-brand, expensive clothing (especially when it is with the intent to portray themselves as part of a certain socio-economic group) they can create division and invite sin into the community.
When someone uses hurtful words to talk about another person, whether they are there or not, it can damage the other person's worth or value and invite sin into the community.
I am sure I could come up with more examples if I had more time, but I think you get the idea.
We are called, as individuals and as a community, to discern areas of weakness to temptation and make every effort to flee from those. Not only does that mean we may need to change some of our choices for our own sake. It also means we may need to make some changes in our choices for the sake of the other. This may call us to sacrifice something that is not a temptation for us, but could be for a brother or sister in Christ. We are not just called to take steps to protect ourselves from temptation and sin; we are commanded to show love to our brothers and sisters by doing what is in their best interest as well.
Let's say a person is weak in a certain area and they struggle with a temptation, but they remove themself from or avoid any situation that would cause them to stumble and give in. Does this make the person strong for not giving in, or just safe? Because if the person were in that situation, they probably would give in.
I wanted to share my response, so here it is...
This is a great question. Let me offer a few Scriptures and then a few thoughts.
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh." But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:12-14)
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:3-16)
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:20-26)
A few thoughts...
We need to have the wisdom to discern areas of weakness in our lives. When we realize those areas, I believe that Scripture is pretty plain that we should flee from things that we know are weaknesses.
While that seems pretty clear, there is an even bigger picture we need to consider. Let me share one more verse and then a few concluding comments.
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:1-7)
Not only do we need to be aware of our own weaknesses, we must be aware of the weaknesses of others. As we continue to examine this idea of sin and community, this becomes vitally important. If what we do causes another to be tempted and sin, we are bringing sin into the community. (Go back and read that last sentence a few times.)
This has so many applications, but I will offer a few that I feel often take shape in a community of teenagers.
When a girl dresses in a way that provokes a boy's lust, she is inviting sin into the community.
When a boy flirts with a girl in a way that leads her to have an unhealthy need for relationship, he is inviting sin into the community.
When someone wears name-brand, expensive clothing (especially when it is with the intent to portray themselves as part of a certain socio-economic group) they can create division and invite sin into the community.
When someone uses hurtful words to talk about another person, whether they are there or not, it can damage the other person's worth or value and invite sin into the community.
I am sure I could come up with more examples if I had more time, but I think you get the idea.
We are called, as individuals and as a community, to discern areas of weakness to temptation and make every effort to flee from those. Not only does that mean we may need to change some of our choices for our own sake. It also means we may need to make some changes in our choices for the sake of the other. This may call us to sacrifice something that is not a temptation for us, but could be for a brother or sister in Christ. We are not just called to take steps to protect ourselves from temptation and sin; we are commanded to show love to our brothers and sisters by doing what is in their best interest as well.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Patience in a "Your Way, Right Away" world
It’s so hard to be patient. We live in a culture that wants things now.
In the 1990’s, Burger King had an advertisement that said, “Your way right away!” That has become the mantra of our society today.
Rather than eat healthy and exercise, we want pills and surgery to make us skinny.
Rather than save money to buy something, we run up credit cards so we can have it now.
Instead of developing and growing a relationship, we rush to bed with someone of the opposite sex to develop false intimacy.
Instead of starting with a small house and an inexpensive car, young adults buy outside of their standard of living to have the lifestyle their parents took years to get to.
I could go and on and on, but I hope you get the point.
As people of God, we live by a different standard. We should be patient and diligent as we both live in the present and look to the future. But we don’t always live that way.
When we are impatient, we tend to fall to one of two extremes. Either we don’t care or we get so anxious we try to numb our anxiety. Just think about all of the things we do to deal with our impatience when it comes to the suffering in this world.
Some people would rather escape and pretend everything is OK. Others want to swim in their despair. Some try to medicate their anxiety away.
Our society, which often lacks the perspective of the Kingdom of God, encourages all three. We offer books, movies, and television shows to help us “escape” from reality. Or, we are entertained by people whose lives are worse than ours so our problems don’t seem as bad.
Alcohol and drugs become numbing agents to help people escape, even if just for a little while, from the pain. Some music simply amplifies the anxiety, making it easier to remain in the darkness.
Let me conclude with Paul’s advice in his letter to the Colossian church…
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:9-14)
shine!
Jason
In the 1990’s, Burger King had an advertisement that said, “Your way right away!” That has become the mantra of our society today.
Rather than eat healthy and exercise, we want pills and surgery to make us skinny.
Rather than save money to buy something, we run up credit cards so we can have it now.
Instead of developing and growing a relationship, we rush to bed with someone of the opposite sex to develop false intimacy.
Instead of starting with a small house and an inexpensive car, young adults buy outside of their standard of living to have the lifestyle their parents took years to get to.
I could go and on and on, but I hope you get the point.
As people of God, we live by a different standard. We should be patient and diligent as we both live in the present and look to the future. But we don’t always live that way.
When we are impatient, we tend to fall to one of two extremes. Either we don’t care or we get so anxious we try to numb our anxiety. Just think about all of the things we do to deal with our impatience when it comes to the suffering in this world.
Some people would rather escape and pretend everything is OK. Others want to swim in their despair. Some try to medicate their anxiety away.
Our society, which often lacks the perspective of the Kingdom of God, encourages all three. We offer books, movies, and television shows to help us “escape” from reality. Or, we are entertained by people whose lives are worse than ours so our problems don’t seem as bad.
Alcohol and drugs become numbing agents to help people escape, even if just for a little while, from the pain. Some music simply amplifies the anxiety, making it easier to remain in the darkness.
Let me conclude with Paul’s advice in his letter to the Colossian church…
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:9-14)
shine!
Jason
Friday, February 05, 2010
In the midst of suffering
Since I was asked to preach on "Marked with Patience" a few months ago, I have been surrounded by suffering. A girlfriend from high school was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been going through chemo treatments. An ex-fiancee just lost her mother to a battle with cancer. Today at a youth ministers' meeting, one the ministers shared that his father had just passed away last week. Not only is there localized suffering going on around me, there are situations like Haiti that break the heart of the whole world.
In addition to the physical suffering we see around us, I talk with numerous people who are suffering emotionally and spiritually. Often those who suffer in these ways have the added stress of dealing with conditions that cannot often be seen. While those who are homeless, dying of cancer, or caught in an earthquake have something tangible to point to for their suffering, these others often suffer in silence, often unable to understand or explain what they are going through.
In times like this I often hear the following question: Why would God allow this to happen?
I don't have all of the answers, but I do feel like I am gaining a better picture of what is going on and why there is so much suffering in the world.
In the beginning, God created the world as He intended it to be. At the end of each day in the Creation account, God says it is good. At the end of the sixth day, God says that it is very good. So what happened?
Human beings, the part of creation that God intended to partner with him as caretakers of this new world, lost their way. Instead of embracing their partnership with God, they wanted to be God. Instead of relishing their relationship with the Creator, they selfishly wanted to be God. Satan, ever the deceiver, convinced these two people that they could be more. They bought the lie and death entered the world.
From that day forward, all of the earth, human beings and the rest of the creation, have suffered from the consequences of a broken relationship with God. Because God's partners, God's caretakers, no longer had a complete, unbroken relationship, their role was compromised. The creation suffered as a result of the sin of human beings. Paul describes this in Romans 8:20-21, when he writes, "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."
Until the arrival of the eschaton, we will face suffering and difficulties in this world. In the next two verses, Paul writes, "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8:22-23)
God does allow us to live in a fallen and broken world. I believe that is true. But it's not because God doesn't care. God cared so much, that in the person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came and suffered with us. Don't miss this. The God that sees us suffering because of our choice to fracture our relationship with the Creator and damage our role as caretaker of Creation, turned around and chose to become a part of Creation to suffer with us.
Rather than blame God for what is happening, we should join God in His mission to make things right in the world. One day our bodies will be redeemed and Creation will become what God intended it to be all along. In the meantime, my desire is to partner with God to move this world in the direction that He wants it to move. I am still imperfect and I still sin. I still make choices that damage that relationship with Creator God. But if Jesus was willing to suffer for me, even though He was innocent, why shouldn't I be willing to suffer as a partner in making things right in the world?
shine!
Jason
In addition to the physical suffering we see around us, I talk with numerous people who are suffering emotionally and spiritually. Often those who suffer in these ways have the added stress of dealing with conditions that cannot often be seen. While those who are homeless, dying of cancer, or caught in an earthquake have something tangible to point to for their suffering, these others often suffer in silence, often unable to understand or explain what they are going through.
In times like this I often hear the following question: Why would God allow this to happen?
I don't have all of the answers, but I do feel like I am gaining a better picture of what is going on and why there is so much suffering in the world.
In the beginning, God created the world as He intended it to be. At the end of each day in the Creation account, God says it is good. At the end of the sixth day, God says that it is very good. So what happened?
Human beings, the part of creation that God intended to partner with him as caretakers of this new world, lost their way. Instead of embracing their partnership with God, they wanted to be God. Instead of relishing their relationship with the Creator, they selfishly wanted to be God. Satan, ever the deceiver, convinced these two people that they could be more. They bought the lie and death entered the world.
From that day forward, all of the earth, human beings and the rest of the creation, have suffered from the consequences of a broken relationship with God. Because God's partners, God's caretakers, no longer had a complete, unbroken relationship, their role was compromised. The creation suffered as a result of the sin of human beings. Paul describes this in Romans 8:20-21, when he writes, "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."
Until the arrival of the eschaton, we will face suffering and difficulties in this world. In the next two verses, Paul writes, "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8:22-23)
God does allow us to live in a fallen and broken world. I believe that is true. But it's not because God doesn't care. God cared so much, that in the person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came and suffered with us. Don't miss this. The God that sees us suffering because of our choice to fracture our relationship with the Creator and damage our role as caretaker of Creation, turned around and chose to become a part of Creation to suffer with us.
Rather than blame God for what is happening, we should join God in His mission to make things right in the world. One day our bodies will be redeemed and Creation will become what God intended it to be all along. In the meantime, my desire is to partner with God to move this world in the direction that He wants it to move. I am still imperfect and I still sin. I still make choices that damage that relationship with Creator God. But if Jesus was willing to suffer for me, even though He was innocent, why shouldn't I be willing to suffer as a partner in making things right in the world?
shine!
Jason
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Image, vocation, and mission
As I reflect on the inter-relationship of the image of God, vocation and the mission of the church, I see something significantly more encompassing and holistic than what the majority of churches and Christians typically embrace and embody.
While most church members would agree that being a Christian means "being a good person," most would limit that definition to primarily mean living a moral life as modern society defines morality. And whether they admit it or not, most of them would likely tie that morality to a "works" mentality of salvation where they earn their stripes so their soul will make it to heaven.
If we are going to help shape a vision where missional practices will become the lifeblood of Jesus-followers, we will need to significantly alter the way most people understand what it means to be "images of God," and in the process, reconsider how we embody mission.
If we help people re-imagine Creation and our role as co-partners with God in the care of Creation, they will likely begin to have a different understanding of mission. Rather than mission being a task to go out and invite other people to save their souls from eternal banishment, mission becomes a lifelong pursuit of engaging in re-creation. When we can envision this new way of looking at ourselves as imagebearers and co-partners, we will gain a more holistic view of our role in the world.
Many Christians today see a secular/spiritual dichotomy that is neither biblical nor Kingdom-oriented. Therefore, people can often fall into one of two (or both) traps: They can either "look the other way" when aspects of their work stand counter to Kingdom ethics or they can discount their work as a source of income and not as an opportunity to partner with God in bringing forth the inbreaking of the Kingdom.
When we can help people change their vantage point and consider Christian vocation and calling as an all-encompasing endeavor that includes roles in family, society, and workplace, we can begin to reorient people to a healthier understanding of our bearing the image of God, our vocation, and the mission of the church.
shine!
Jason
While most church members would agree that being a Christian means "being a good person," most would limit that definition to primarily mean living a moral life as modern society defines morality. And whether they admit it or not, most of them would likely tie that morality to a "works" mentality of salvation where they earn their stripes so their soul will make it to heaven.
If we are going to help shape a vision where missional practices will become the lifeblood of Jesus-followers, we will need to significantly alter the way most people understand what it means to be "images of God," and in the process, reconsider how we embody mission.
If we help people re-imagine Creation and our role as co-partners with God in the care of Creation, they will likely begin to have a different understanding of mission. Rather than mission being a task to go out and invite other people to save their souls from eternal banishment, mission becomes a lifelong pursuit of engaging in re-creation. When we can envision this new way of looking at ourselves as imagebearers and co-partners, we will gain a more holistic view of our role in the world.
Many Christians today see a secular/spiritual dichotomy that is neither biblical nor Kingdom-oriented. Therefore, people can often fall into one of two (or both) traps: They can either "look the other way" when aspects of their work stand counter to Kingdom ethics or they can discount their work as a source of income and not as an opportunity to partner with God in bringing forth the inbreaking of the Kingdom.
When we can help people change their vantage point and consider Christian vocation and calling as an all-encompasing endeavor that includes roles in family, society, and workplace, we can begin to reorient people to a healthier understanding of our bearing the image of God, our vocation, and the mission of the church.
shine!
Jason
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