Submission is a difficult topic for us to address. We don’t do well with submission.
In the new Avengers movie, Loki tells a group of humans, “Kneel before me. I said... KNEEL! Is not this simpler? Is this not your natural state? It's the unspoken truth of humanity that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power. For identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel.”
His quote raises an interesting thought that came to my mind when I was watching the movie. Are we made to be ruled?
Are we made to be ruled? (Yes, I asked the same question twice, because I want us to really think about it.)
Depending on how you define “ruled,” I think we are.
We are designed to function best when we submit. As beings created in the image of God, we are made to submit in community.
You might think, wait, does that mean God submits? I believe God does submit. But the submission is a choice, not a forced situation. Consider what Paul says about Christ in Philippians 2…
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death —
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Did you catch that? Jesus submitted himself on our behalf. He became a servant to the point of death. And through that submission and death, he was exalted to the highest place.
If Jesus can choose to submit, why can’t we?
I do believe we are made for submission, but it’s a submission born out of love, not fear. Hope, not dismay. It is a submission where we lay down our life for the sake of the other.
Imagine how much different our world could be if we could all learn to submit in this fashion. Maybe then, the world would look a little more like the one that God created in the beginning. Maybe, as Jesus prayed, it would be on earth as it is in heaven.
shine!
Jason
Monday, May 21, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Unlikely brothers
Baptism. Marriage. Sports.
What do these have in common?
They can create the most unlikely of friendships. And in my life, all three helped bring together unlikely brothers.
Today I am mourning the loss of one of my best friends, Jim Luma.
Jim was my brother in Christ. We have shared a faith in Christ. Our baptisms brought us together as brothers for all of eternity. This is the promise that brings hope in the midst of hopelessness.
Jim was my brother through marriage. We married two of the most wonderful women in the world, who happen to be sisters. Jim married Tasha, and nine months later, I married Michelle. For the last 15 years, we have enjoyed holidays together, gone to Disney together, and spent endless hours together. Those memories will bring laughter and smiles, even in the midst of tears.
Jim was my brother in Steeler nation. After God and family, the Steelers are one of the greatest passions in both of our lives. Many times we would watch a game together, waving our Terrible Towels. Sometimes we were miles away, but would call each other to celebrate a game-winning touchdown or commiserate over a tough loss. This coming season will not be the same, but every time I wave my Terrible Towel, it will bring memories of past celebrations with the biggest Steeler fans know.
Who could have imagined 25 years ago that a football star and a band nerd would become the best of friends? When I was in high school, that would have been an unexpected friendship. But sometimes brothers are brought together by unusual circumstances.
While our high school teams were rivals, our common bond in pro football made us fans together.
While we grew up in two different families, our common bond through marriages made us brothers-in-law.
While our lives were traveling different paths in our youth, our common bond in Christ has made us brothers forever.
Jim, you will be greatly missed, but I look forward to seeing you again. Until then, I'll find comfort in the promise of a new world where you no longer have back pain and you are disease free. A world where I look forward to seeing you again.
Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:1-5 NIV)
What do these have in common?
They can create the most unlikely of friendships. And in my life, all three helped bring together unlikely brothers.
Today I am mourning the loss of one of my best friends, Jim Luma.
Jim was my brother in Christ. We have shared a faith in Christ. Our baptisms brought us together as brothers for all of eternity. This is the promise that brings hope in the midst of hopelessness.
Jim was my brother through marriage. We married two of the most wonderful women in the world, who happen to be sisters. Jim married Tasha, and nine months later, I married Michelle. For the last 15 years, we have enjoyed holidays together, gone to Disney together, and spent endless hours together. Those memories will bring laughter and smiles, even in the midst of tears.
Jim was my brother in Steeler nation. After God and family, the Steelers are one of the greatest passions in both of our lives. Many times we would watch a game together, waving our Terrible Towels. Sometimes we were miles away, but would call each other to celebrate a game-winning touchdown or commiserate over a tough loss. This coming season will not be the same, but every time I wave my Terrible Towel, it will bring memories of past celebrations with the biggest Steeler fans know.
Who could have imagined 25 years ago that a football star and a band nerd would become the best of friends? When I was in high school, that would have been an unexpected friendship. But sometimes brothers are brought together by unusual circumstances.
While our high school teams were rivals, our common bond in pro football made us fans together.
While we grew up in two different families, our common bond through marriages made us brothers-in-law.
While our lives were traveling different paths in our youth, our common bond in Christ has made us brothers forever.
Jim, you will be greatly missed, but I look forward to seeing you again. Until then, I'll find comfort in the promise of a new world where you no longer have back pain and you are disease free. A world where I look forward to seeing you again.
Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:1-5 NIV)
Sunday, May 13, 2012
God, breathe on me
I'm writing as I sit in front of a campfire in my backyard. A few minutes ago, I was listening to the sounds of crickets and the crackling of the burning wood, watching the fire slowly lose its strength and turning to glowing embers.
As I leaned over and blew on the glowing embers, a small flame emerged. It was in that moment, that the following passage came to mind...
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:21, 22 NIV)
That is what I need. I need God to breathe on the embers of my heart. I need a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to be breathed into me.
I don't think I'm alone. I see followers of Christ whose fire for God has turned to smoldering embers. So often, we seek revival the American way. We try to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps or use our education, strength, or determination to make things better.
God can and will use those things, but they are not the source of life or strength. Like the smoldering embers of the campfire in my backyard, they need something, or rather, Someone, to breathe new life into them.
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can be revived. Whether it's an individual, a congregation, or the church universal, we need to let go of the bootstraps, lay down our self-determination, and drop to our knees in prayer.
God, breathe on me.
God, breathe on us.
shine!
Jason
As I leaned over and blew on the glowing embers, a small flame emerged. It was in that moment, that the following passage came to mind...
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:21, 22 NIV)
That is what I need. I need God to breathe on the embers of my heart. I need a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to be breathed into me.
I don't think I'm alone. I see followers of Christ whose fire for God has turned to smoldering embers. So often, we seek revival the American way. We try to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps or use our education, strength, or determination to make things better.
God can and will use those things, but they are not the source of life or strength. Like the smoldering embers of the campfire in my backyard, they need something, or rather, Someone, to breathe new life into them.
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can be revived. Whether it's an individual, a congregation, or the church universal, we need to let go of the bootstraps, lay down our self-determination, and drop to our knees in prayer.
God, breathe on me.
God, breathe on us.
shine!
Jason
Living the blessing
In 1 Peter 4:12-19, Peter writes the following…
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
I think Christians often take this to mean they should attack and condemn those who do not live the right way. We might take the language of “judgment” as an invitation to serve as judge and jury for “sinners.”
What if that’s wrong?
What if we missed the point?
What if Peter’s real point is the just opposite?
What if Peter meant we would suffer for loving the sinner? What if he was telling us to commit to do good to extend grace to the sinner?
Jesus was insulted for eating with sinners and tax collectors. He was looked down on for spending time with prostitutes. He was willing to touch the unclean and socialize with Samaritan women.
The Pharisees seemed offended by his actions and plotted to kill him.
Let’s be honest. The church often looks more like the Pharisees than the one whose name we bear.
Let us proudly wear the name Christian not because we alienate, condemn, or exclude, but because we welcome, love, and embrace.
In Genesis 12, God tells Abram:
I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.
Maybe it’s time for the people of God to remember that they are not blessed because they are special, but rather they are blessed because they are chosen to be a blessing to the world.
Jesus came to show God’s people what it looks like to be a blessing. May we have the humility and wisdom to, in the words of Peter, commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good.
shine!
Jason
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
I think Christians often take this to mean they should attack and condemn those who do not live the right way. We might take the language of “judgment” as an invitation to serve as judge and jury for “sinners.”
What if that’s wrong?
What if we missed the point?
What if Peter’s real point is the just opposite?
What if Peter meant we would suffer for loving the sinner? What if he was telling us to commit to do good to extend grace to the sinner?
Jesus was insulted for eating with sinners and tax collectors. He was looked down on for spending time with prostitutes. He was willing to touch the unclean and socialize with Samaritan women.
The Pharisees seemed offended by his actions and plotted to kill him.
Let’s be honest. The church often looks more like the Pharisees than the one whose name we bear.
Let us proudly wear the name Christian not because we alienate, condemn, or exclude, but because we welcome, love, and embrace.
In Genesis 12, God tells Abram:
I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.
Maybe it’s time for the people of God to remember that they are not blessed because they are special, but rather they are blessed because they are chosen to be a blessing to the world.
Jesus came to show God’s people what it looks like to be a blessing. May we have the humility and wisdom to, in the words of Peter, commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good.
shine!
Jason
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Submission leads to freedom
Submission and freedom are intricately linked. Last Wednesday night we focused on submission as we continued our study of the twelve spiritual disciplines outlined by Richard Foster. Throughout the evening, we talked about how submission leads to freedom.
In 1 Peter 2:16,17, Peter writes, “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
Submission frees us to respect people. When we free ourselves from having to be better than others, we can treat them as people, not adversaries. Whether it’s a boss, a teacher, a spouse, a friend, or even an enemy, when we live as servants of all, we can lay down our pride and fear for something significantly more powerful, love.
A little later in the same letter, Peter says it this way…
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9)
Are you tired of being held captive by the need to put others down?
Does always trying to prove you’re better exhaust you?
Is constantly trying to have your way stressing you out?
Then try the path of submission, love, and freedom. It’s a road that reduces anxiety, fear, and captivity.
Sure, it might be scary at first. If it’s not a little terrifying at times, I would be really surprised. When we are so accustomed to fighting for our own way, letting go can feel a little uneasy. But just let go and enjoy the ride.
Living in freedom allows us to break free from the things that hold us hostage; things like pride and control.
You might think, but wait, didn’t that Scripture say to “live as God’s slaves”? Yes it did.
The reality is that we will always be a slave to something. Our decision is, who do we want to serve?
Do we want to serve a master who will slowly kill us with emotions and actions that take life? Or do we want to serve a Master who will continue to resurrect us through thoughts and behaviors that bring life?
Chose the latter and find the life that can only be discovered on the path which sets us free to live the way we were made to live, in harmony and community with the Creator of the universe and the creation he has placed us in. Live so that, in the words of Peter, “you may inherit a blessing.”
shine!
Jason
In 1 Peter 2:16,17, Peter writes, “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
Submission frees us to respect people. When we free ourselves from having to be better than others, we can treat them as people, not adversaries. Whether it’s a boss, a teacher, a spouse, a friend, or even an enemy, when we live as servants of all, we can lay down our pride and fear for something significantly more powerful, love.
A little later in the same letter, Peter says it this way…
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9)
Are you tired of being held captive by the need to put others down?
Does always trying to prove you’re better exhaust you?
Is constantly trying to have your way stressing you out?
Then try the path of submission, love, and freedom. It’s a road that reduces anxiety, fear, and captivity.
Sure, it might be scary at first. If it’s not a little terrifying at times, I would be really surprised. When we are so accustomed to fighting for our own way, letting go can feel a little uneasy. But just let go and enjoy the ride.
Living in freedom allows us to break free from the things that hold us hostage; things like pride and control.
You might think, but wait, didn’t that Scripture say to “live as God’s slaves”? Yes it did.
The reality is that we will always be a slave to something. Our decision is, who do we want to serve?
Do we want to serve a master who will slowly kill us with emotions and actions that take life? Or do we want to serve a Master who will continue to resurrect us through thoughts and behaviors that bring life?
Chose the latter and find the life that can only be discovered on the path which sets us free to live the way we were made to live, in harmony and community with the Creator of the universe and the creation he has placed us in. Live so that, in the words of Peter, “you may inherit a blessing.”
shine!
Jason
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