Monthly Archives: August 2014

DEFINING WHO WE ARE

“I am alive with Christ”  (Ephesians 2:5)

“What are you thinking about?”                                                                                           “Living.  I know it’s kid stuff or whatever.  You know I always thought I would be a hero. I wish that I would have a grand story to tell, you know something they would publish in all the papers.  I mean I was supposed to be special.”                                        “You are special.”                                                                                                                        “Yes, I know, but you know what I mean.”                                                                                “I do know what you mean. I just don’t agree with you.”

Okay, it plays out better in the movie.  It’s a conversation between Augustus Waters and his girlfriend, Hazel Grace Lancaster.  The two teenagers are both facing life with terminal illnesses in the 2014 theatrical release of The Fault in Our Stars. It’s a story about growing up far too quickly and an effort to find meaning in this life with little time left to do so.

Each of us wants to be remembered for who we are, but as we face the end of summer and find another Labor Day weekend approaching – it’s strange how in characterizing ‘who we are’ it is often related to our occupation.  When we meet someone new, one of the first things we ask is, “So what do you do?”  It gives us the chance to say that we are a nurse, an architect, a teacher, or an accountant.  It also provides opportunity to feel inferior if we are unemployed, “just a housewife” or in that “I used to be” retired status.  While what we spend the bulk of our life doing highly contributes to our being, it in no way solely defines who we are.

In fact, who we are is not always as others see us or perceive us to be.  It’s a question that Jesus asked those closest to him. “And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, ‘Who do the people say that I am?’ ” (Luke 9:18). Just like us, people viewed Him differently.  “They told Him, saying, ‘John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets’  (Luke 9:19).  And He continued by questioning them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ’ ” (Mark 8:29). Who do we say that Jesus is?  Unlike our occupation or any worldly accomplishments we have made, our response to this question will formulate how we live and what we value. Our answer may determine our eternal destiny as well.

So can we fully answer the question who Jesus is without also responding to the subject of who we are?  Maybe not.  If we return to the dialogue in our movie, I want to enlighten Augustus and Hazel Grace that they are special.  They are important because they are children of God.  All they need to do is believe.  “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith” (Galatians 3:26).  No matter how young or old we are, we belong to a loving Father who watches over us. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are” (1 John 3:1). Being a Child of God is the great equalizer.  No longer does it matter what we did to make a living.  It’s more about who we are living for.  Henri Nouwen said, “As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to putting people and things in their “right” place.”  I don’t know about you, but that’s just not who I am.

REFLECTION:  When you meet someone new, what kind of questions do you ask to find out what kind of person they are?  How do you describe yourself to others when they inquire who you are?  Who is Jesus for you?  Is Jesus Lord of your life?  Do you find peace in knowing that you are one of His?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., SEPTEMBER 6, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

TAKING SIDES

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”   “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” (Joshua 5:13-14)

A friend of mine was relating a conversation to me in which she recently participated.  She had reached out and was having coffee with a former classmate who had lost her husband.  The relatively new widow reflected on the past months of her life and how difficult and different it had become.  Apparently she and her ailing husband had moved back home to live with his mother (her mother-in-law) in a house that they owned.  After the husband passed away, the ladies found that they were not compatible.  The mother-in-law decided to move out of the house where she had made her home for many years.  As she did so, the next door neighbors stopped speaking to the daughter-in law, making it unpleasant for her to live in the neighborhood.  What my friend’s classmate did not know was that my friend also knew the neighbors and had always found them to be fine Christian folk.  My friend felt like she was being pulled into a situation where she might be asked to take sides.

Life unfortunately thrusts us into many areas of conflict when we often times feel ourselves being pulled to one side or another.  These vary from having to take the part of a family member to defending someone at work whose job may be on the line.  Circumstances grow to be even more personal when friendships become compromised or divisions start to form within the body of the church.  You pray for God’s wisdom, and ask the question – “Does God ever take sides?”  And if He does, you sure hope He takes yours. But do we ever truly win if in order to do so we must destroy the opposition?  When this occurs, is God ever honored? Throughout scripture, it would seem that there were occasions when Jesus appeared to take sides (Matthew 26:6-13; Luke 7:36-50).  Often times He would take the side of the unexpected, not the proud person but the humble one who was in some way honoring God (James 4:6).

In his infinite wisdom, Abraham Lincoln was conflicted by this question of God taking sides.  He once wrote: “The will of God prevails — In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong. God cannot be for, and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is somewhat different from the purpose of either party — and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect this.” We must remember that God’s ways are not of this world, therefore not our own.  God’s side, for the lack of a better understanding, is His own. His ways of dealing with conflict are very different than the world often teaches or even tries to comprehend.

Is it possible then to be on the right side of an issue from an earthly perspective but wrong in the eyes of God?  When attempting to answer this question, it is important that we stand on the side of what He has given us – His Word.  We may, in fact, be right in truth about a matter but God may not stand with us if we have not applied His Word as the standard for accomplishment. Through His Word, He has given us rather clear expectations as to how we are to interact with each other. It’s not about winning.  It’s not about pride. It is about the way we behave. If we do take sides, it should be God’s side and His alone. Are there times that rather than taking what appears to be the winning side in a human conflict, God may simply be calling upon us to surrender? Maybe so. For in surrendering to Him the world will not understand, but He will be glorified.

REFLECTION:  Are we really able to say that God is or isn’t for someone?  If you are in a conflict with fellow Believers, is it possible that it might be better to forfeit than to take sides and create a division between Christians or, even worse, form a negative image in the eyes of non-Christians?  How can we begin to honor God when in the course of our actions we destroy His children?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT. AUGUST 30, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

A NEIGHBOR, OR JUST A JERK?

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  (Mark 12:30-31)

A home repairs man was doing a project at my home, and it was taking longer than I had anticipated.  Several weeks into the task, he understandably wanted to take a few days off due to the birth of a grandchild. But I must admit, I was getting tired of the mess in my house.  A few days after the grandchild was born, he came back to work and informed me that someone else needed his help.  A water heater had apparently malfunctioned in the home of another, and they asked him if he could get a new one and install it that day.  He told them that before he could say that he would, he needed to check with me because, at that time, I was the person for whom he was working.  When he asked me, I wanted to say, “Can’t they just call a plumber?”  I knew, however that a plumber would be more expensive and they might not be able to get one right away.  I also knew that had I been selfish, I would not have felt at all right about the matter.  So rather than be a complete jerk, I told him to go take care of the other people.

When Jesus stated that we should “Love our neighbor as yourself” he was asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Rather than responding by defining one’s neighbor as your family, a friend, or the person who lives next door – He told the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35).  As I came to know this Bible story as a child, I always figured that the man who had been robbed was ‘the neighbor’ because he needed help.  In other words, I thought Jesus was telling us that our neighbors are all those with whom we come in contact.  If we fail to bear in mind the end of the story (Luke 10:36-37), we can miss a vital point of His message.  While Jesus never fully answers the question, he does reveal that being a neighbor is every bit as important as trying to define who one is.

The closest thing I have ever done that even slightly resembles the story of the Samaritan happened quite a few years ago.  I was using one of those tire pump machines at the front of a local convenience store.  Not too far away, a teenager raced into the parking lot on his bike and started doing ‘wheelies.’   He was acting rather erratically, and I know it went through my mind that he might be a little hopped up on drugs or alcohol.  I continued to work on my tires, when all of a sudden the bike must have hit some loose gravel and the kid flew off the bike, hitting his head on the pavement.  There was no one else around and he wasn’t moving, so I ran into the store and told the cashier to call for an ambulance.  Then I went back outside, propped the boy’s head up, and talked with him until the ambulance arrived.  I never saw the young man after that, but I knew in my heart that what I had done was the right thing.

In many cases, we respond selfishly or aren’t sure we want to get involved.  I once knew a lady who lost her life by stopping to help someone, so I suppose that memory is always in the back of my mind. A recently released report states that half of Americans indicate that they do not even know the names of their neighbors. How sad!   For those who have the heart of a servant, how does one serve if we allow our hearts to become so hardened that we fail to involve ourselves as a neighbor with God’s people?  A true neighbor is committed to helping persons in need, and as we reach out to those whom we meet it becomes important to seek discernment and God’s wisdom in all such decision-making. However for those of us walking the Journey, caring for one’s neighbor (or acting as one) should not be a process of deliberation.  Quite frankly, if we allow ourselves to become that bogged down with the consideration, we might just miss the opportunity and become the jerk we never really set out to be.

REFLECTION:  Who do you consider to be your neighbor, and when do you classify yourself as a one?  Does ‘loving your neighbor as yourself” explain how Jesus demonstrated love to others?  Under what set of circumstances are you reluctant to be a neighbor as Jesus defined?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT. AUGUST 23, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

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HAVING A MOMENT

“A soft and sheltered Christianity, afraid to be lean and lone, unwilling to face the storms and brave the heights, will end up fat and foul in the cages of conformity.” – Vance Havner

This week I heard two news stories that could not be anymore contrasting. The first is about a restaurant in North Carolina that gives their customers a 15% discount for praying in public.  The restaurant has apparently been administering the practice for several years. The owner, a daughter of a preacher and a missionary, says it’s a spiritual thing and not about religion; “it’s about the whole idea of gratitude.”  The discount appears on the bill labeled “praying in public” and is given randomly to some folks observed as ‘having a moment.’  Conversely, a group of Christian ladies in Georgia who, for years, have used a mall for walking recently gathered in a circle to pray before they began their walk. A security guard descended on the group to inform them that it was mall policy that prayer was not allowed.  Management claims that their ban is related to “congregating, soliciting, or disturbances.”

Not so long ago, I ran into a former work colleague.  When we worked together, I represented management and she would have been considered my subordinate.  One day, in a casual conversation she mentioned that her mother had received a cancer diagnosis.  I told her that I would remember her in my prayers. She appeared appreciative. I followed up with her on occasion to ask how her mom was doing.  It seemed to be an uncertain situation.  We have not worked together now for several years, but when I unexpectedly passed by her while shopping, we greeted each other with the typical, “Hi, good to see you.” As we parted, I remembered and said, “Oh by the way – how’s your mom?'”  I was relieved to find out that she is currently doing well. I felt blessed that we had those past moments of connection through promised prayer.

So here’s the question:  If I am out in public, whether it’s in the lunchroom at work or running into someone I know at the grocery store, which of these honors God?  To tell someone I will keep them in my prayers just to move the conversation along, or to really feel a sense of vulnerability in another person and to offer to pray to my God, not knowing whether we are even on the same Life Journey.  I think that as a Christian I must offer what I have; in this case belief in the power of prayer.  If it is done for the right reasons and in the right way, we are serving God and the honor and glory are His. Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven”  (Matthew10:32).

Public acknowledgement of Jesus is more than just responding to an alter call at church. Prayer is a vital aspect of Christian living, and at times public identification with prayer demonstrates who we are.  We are to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  We should, therefore, pray or extend the offer of prayer anywhere, as long as we do it for the right reasons.  Jesus cautioned, “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men”  (Matthew 6:5).  So to our friends at the restaurant in North Carolina – it shouldn’t be about the 15%.  To the walkers in Georgia, find another place to walk where you can have a quiet prayer. If by ‘having a moment’ our focus is on Christ and not ourselves, then it doesn’t much matter where we are.  For it was never about us in the first place.

REFLECTION:  Do you bow your head or otherwise pray in public?  Accordingly, what is your motivation to do so?  If you participate in public prayer get-togethers, is the purpose of the gathering to honor God or to make an impression on others?  Even though our truest prayers may be in our private times with God or in a worship setting, is there a time and a place to exercise prayer in public?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT. AUGUST 16, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

PAINTING THE PICTURE

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”         (Hebrews 10:23-24)

This past week, I received a promotional advertisement in the mail for a plate featuring a Rockwell painting.  I recalled a story I had heard years ago about this beloved artist.  It is one of contrast between the personal rearing of the painter and what is reflected in his art.  Rockwell was born and raised for awhile in New York City, and he did not have a particularly close relationship with his parents.  It is related that at an early age, he went up to the rooftop of the boarding home where his family lived.  There he was greatly affected by what was displayed in the realities on the street below. The images ranged from gangs fighting with bicycle chains to a drunken beating by a woman who used an umbrella as her weapon.  His work revealed little of his own turmoil or the nation’s. In fact, over the decades he charmed that same nation with an idealism that was respected on covers of magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post.  He is quoted as having stated, “The view of life I communicate in my pictures excludes the sordid and ugly. I paint life as I would like it to be.”  I suppose that he communicated for all of us a better picture of America than we sometimes are while at the same time giving us the sense of optimism and hope we all need.

It is not unusual in our daily walk that we find ourselves in a position where we are either creating or exposed to images that may be different than reality. We are bombarded each day with various forms of advertising which by its very purpose only presents the best exaggerated perspective of the product being offered.  Likewise, our work situations may require us to convey the most positive image in order to sell ourselves or encourage others to conduct themselves in a manner that meets the company’s expectation.  In our home life, we need to model behaviors for our children that we want them to develop. Or at times, it may be necessary to put up a good front and provide a calming effect for someone who may be ill or under distress.  So for many reasons, things are not always what they seem.

For those who Journey with Christ, the task before us is not any more ideal.  In fact, it may be less so. We learn to embrace values such as hope, faith, peace, grace, service, and joy. But it isn’t always easy to continually reflect them.  I once knew a chaplain in a social ministry setting who was very critical of some of the workers there because he felt that they should exude more joy through the nature of their work.  Interestingly enough, there were times he could be one of the most joyless persons I ever knew.  It becomes vitally important that “we walk the walk as we talk the talk” especially during those periods when we don’t feel like it.  We do so “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”  (Ephesians 4:12-13).

Perhaps, then, we are not so different than Rockwell. We paint our space to be a better place than it sometimes is.  Appropriately so, because we must demonstrate Jesus to the world around us. So there will be those times when we feel robbed of the energy to positively reflect on the canvas of Life. We must remember, however, that we are shaping our souls to automatically do the right thing when we are challenged. “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.”  (1 Peter 1:13).  For when we do this, we can be certain that we are also painting the picture as He would like it to be.

REFLECTION:  Do you sometimes find it difficult to offer an appropriate display of Christian values when you are just not quite feeling it?  Conversely, do you feel less than sincere when you mirror what you should do but don’t really mean it?  Does it help when you understand that regardless of your feelings, you may be the only Jesus some will ever see?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT. AUGUST 9, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)