In my first Economics class in college, the professor was a fairly crusty old fella who had been teaching the same course for many years. He knew what to expect each year as a new set of students began the course. Most of the students fancied themselves smarter, more sophisticated, and more ‘enlightened’ than the professor - typical college kids, I suppose.
So the professor always made it a point to demonstrate how ‘theory’ and ‘practice’ don’t always mesh in the real world. The first session he would ask some general questions allowing students to [more or less] affirm their predisposed socio-political inclinations and when he pinpointed a particularly adamant ‘fiscal conservative’ who espoused a hard core ‘personal responsibility’ ethos, he would bait the student in and end up asking a final question, “So, do you think people should starve to death on American streets?”
Can anyone really answer ‘yes’ to that question in front of a group of their peers at a church-affiliated university?
So, the professor would pronounce that we all must then agree that the government has some responsibility to keep that from happening. He would then leave all politics behind for the semester and focus on how GNP, unemployment, inflation, etc. interact and how they can be manipulated pursuant to Keynesian economic theories.
But those ‘political’ issues dog us every day. Whether we are active in the political process or just want to discuss governmental affairs around the water cooler – most people have some pretty strong opinions about ‘political issues,’ even if they don’t necessarily think about them in that light.
And I don’t think that most ‘political’ issues have a biblical ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ side. There are many issues that people may try to turn into political issues but are actually moral issues that do have a definite right or wrong in God’s eyes - like abortion, the definition of marriage, and pornography, to name only a few. However, other issues are not ‘carved in stone’ for followers of Christ.
Although he was speaking of theological doctrine, the often quoted phrase of Rupertus Meldenius is worth repeating: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things love.
For example, the views of the function and scope of government are very much debatable and, while I may have my personal opinion about them, there’s not necessarily a biblical right or wrong side to be on. The Bible does teach us to take care of our elderly, our widows, orphans, prisoners, etc. But it doesn’t forbid the government from having an active role in that as well. We can certainly disagree on what that role should be, but it is not against the Word of God for the government to be involved.
So, why does all of this ‘politics’ have to be so nasty. Why do some people cast Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid as candidates for the office of ‘Antichrist’ while others are convinced that Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh already hold that office? Can’t people have different opinions about political issues and still love one another? Well, let me rephrase that question because that is simply not possible for some people: Can’t followers of Christ disagree about political issues and still love one another?
We know the answer to that question, but it’s hard, isn’t it? Certainly the ‘practice’ is much harder than the ‘theory.’
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them . . .
Love each other with genuine affection,
and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)
There is nothing wrong with holding strong opinions about those ‘political issues’ that can be so divisive; but it is wrong to be divisive. There is nothing wrong with opposing particular issues; but it is wrong to create an opponent. We can advocate certain causes without making adversaries. We can argue against positions without being against people. There is no problem with embracing political discourse, as long as we continue to embrace the people with whom we discourse - Is it more important to win the argument, or to win a brother?
How do we do that? How can we pull that off?
In love.
In Christ’s love.
Can you even fathom what the political landscape in this country would look like if all of the discussions were undertaken in love? In Christ’s love?
Amazing things could be accomplished.
An awesome God could be seen.
Don’t you want to be a part of that?
Are you ready to let love – Christ’s love - determine how you converse with and relate to others rather than party affiliations and differences of opinion?
Are you ready to “do everything in love?” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 4:29-5:2 (NLT), emphasis added
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Foreign Policy
With all of the fuss going on right now concerning the ‘health care debate,’ I was surprised the other day to see that ‘health care’ is still not the primary concern of the voting public. Right now, the ‘economy’ is the top priority of the voters out there.
At other times, ‘national defense’ may be the top priority in our country; or ‘trade’; or ‘human rights’; or even ‘environmental’ issues. But, things change in our country or around the world, and suddenly our national priorities change.
What about the priorities and ‘hot button’ issues in God’s kingdom? Do they change with the circumstances in the world or at the whims of our culture? Of course not.
Although the various ways that socio-political-governmental issues have manifested themselves over the centuries have changed (from the ‘Great Wall’ as a defense policy to satellite missile defense systems), the basic issues and concepts haven’t – just the way they have been prioritized. But the issues that are most important in God’s kingdom haven’t changed at all.
Different folks could probably make arguments that all kinds of ‘governmental’ issues (such as national defense, welfare, the environment) are addressed in the Bible. People will use biblical ‘excerpts’ to debate both sides of almost any issue. But what I discover about the most important issues in God’s kingdom doesn’t require any strained interpretations or out-of-context quotes. In fact, it is my opinion that the most important issue in God’s kingdom - foreign policy - is addressed in unequivocal language in one, specific verse:
“[G]o and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Matthew 28:19-20
There is God’s kingdom, and there are all of the others. The ‘foreign policy’ for all citizens of God’s kingdom is simple: make disciples of everyone in every other kingdom.
That seems pretty clear to me. Yet many of us obviously don’t really get it. So, in the style of some of the recent ‘town hall’ meetings, I’ve allowed the submission of pertinent questions related to this policy pronouncement:
■ “This doesn’t really apply to that jerk next door who leaves his garbage on my lawn, right?” Wrong.
■ “O.K., I can probably handle the concept of going ‘across the street’ to spread the message. But you’re not talking about going ‘across the tracks,’ are you?” Yes.
■ “Should we wait until people show an ‘openness’ to the message – until they are ‘seekers?’” No.
■ “So, you mean we should be taking the message of ‘Christianity’ to those natives in the deepest, darkest jungles who worship the moon?” Yes, but not only.
■ “Surely you don’t mean those radical extremist terrorists out there, do you?” All nations means ALL nations.
■ “We pay missionaries and evangelists to ‘go,’ and then we will build churches and create curriculum to help the converts grow, right?” No.
■ “We all have certain spiritual gifts, and mine isn’t ‘evangelism.’” No excuses.
■ “Am I supposed to sell everything and move to the other side of the world.” Maybe, maybe not.
We are not members of a political party who get together and formulate platforms and policies. By His grace and by His love, we were made heirs and citizens of His kingdom. The foreign policy set by the Leader of our kingdom is: campaign everywhere for our Him. If anyone anywhere is not a follower of Christ, he is a foreigner to whom we have been sent.
You can find statements dealing with ‘defense’ policy in God’s Kingdom in Ephesians 6:12-17. You can find ‘Kingdom’ policies dealing with ‘welfare’ in James 1:27 and Matthew 25:34-40. You can even find ‘environmental’ policies in Genesis 1:26.
But the issue that makes His heart beat fast - the top priority in His kingdom - is His ‘foreign policy’: Go and make disciples.
Is that the top priority in your life?
Or do you let economic issues distract your focus?
Are you more concerned with securing your boundaries, rather than breaking down walls in order to spread the message?
Are the ‘human rights’ of the oppressed more important to you than the eternal destiny of the lost?
I know that I often let other issues cloud my vision and take priority over what is most important to Him. But that needs to change. I am a citizen of His kingdom, not an expatriate. I want His foreign policy to be my marching orders. I want to be a part of telling ‘foreigners’ about ‘citizenship.’ He’s my Leader and I owe Him my complete and total allegiance.
Are you with me?
Jesus made it clear that when we received His ‘stimulus package’ (the Holy Spirit), then:
“[Y]ou will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Go.
At other times, ‘national defense’ may be the top priority in our country; or ‘trade’; or ‘human rights’; or even ‘environmental’ issues. But, things change in our country or around the world, and suddenly our national priorities change.
What about the priorities and ‘hot button’ issues in God’s kingdom? Do they change with the circumstances in the world or at the whims of our culture? Of course not.
Although the various ways that socio-political-governmental issues have manifested themselves over the centuries have changed (from the ‘Great Wall’ as a defense policy to satellite missile defense systems), the basic issues and concepts haven’t – just the way they have been prioritized. But the issues that are most important in God’s kingdom haven’t changed at all.
Different folks could probably make arguments that all kinds of ‘governmental’ issues (such as national defense, welfare, the environment) are addressed in the Bible. People will use biblical ‘excerpts’ to debate both sides of almost any issue. But what I discover about the most important issues in God’s kingdom doesn’t require any strained interpretations or out-of-context quotes. In fact, it is my opinion that the most important issue in God’s kingdom - foreign policy - is addressed in unequivocal language in one, specific verse:
“[G]o and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Matthew 28:19-20
There is God’s kingdom, and there are all of the others. The ‘foreign policy’ for all citizens of God’s kingdom is simple: make disciples of everyone in every other kingdom.
That seems pretty clear to me. Yet many of us obviously don’t really get it. So, in the style of some of the recent ‘town hall’ meetings, I’ve allowed the submission of pertinent questions related to this policy pronouncement:
■ “This doesn’t really apply to that jerk next door who leaves his garbage on my lawn, right?” Wrong.
■ “O.K., I can probably handle the concept of going ‘across the street’ to spread the message. But you’re not talking about going ‘across the tracks,’ are you?” Yes.
■ “Should we wait until people show an ‘openness’ to the message – until they are ‘seekers?’” No.
■ “So, you mean we should be taking the message of ‘Christianity’ to those natives in the deepest, darkest jungles who worship the moon?” Yes, but not only.
■ “Surely you don’t mean those radical extremist terrorists out there, do you?” All nations means ALL nations.
■ “We pay missionaries and evangelists to ‘go,’ and then we will build churches and create curriculum to help the converts grow, right?” No.
■ “We all have certain spiritual gifts, and mine isn’t ‘evangelism.’” No excuses.
■ “Am I supposed to sell everything and move to the other side of the world.” Maybe, maybe not.
We are not members of a political party who get together and formulate platforms and policies. By His grace and by His love, we were made heirs and citizens of His kingdom. The foreign policy set by the Leader of our kingdom is: campaign everywhere for our Him. If anyone anywhere is not a follower of Christ, he is a foreigner to whom we have been sent.
You can find statements dealing with ‘defense’ policy in God’s Kingdom in Ephesians 6:12-17. You can find ‘Kingdom’ policies dealing with ‘welfare’ in James 1:27 and Matthew 25:34-40. You can even find ‘environmental’ policies in Genesis 1:26.
But the issue that makes His heart beat fast - the top priority in His kingdom - is His ‘foreign policy’: Go and make disciples.
Is that the top priority in your life?
Or do you let economic issues distract your focus?
Are you more concerned with securing your boundaries, rather than breaking down walls in order to spread the message?
Are the ‘human rights’ of the oppressed more important to you than the eternal destiny of the lost?
I know that I often let other issues cloud my vision and take priority over what is most important to Him. But that needs to change. I am a citizen of His kingdom, not an expatriate. I want His foreign policy to be my marching orders. I want to be a part of telling ‘foreigners’ about ‘citizenship.’ He’s my Leader and I owe Him my complete and total allegiance.
Are you with me?
Jesus made it clear that when we received His ‘stimulus package’ (the Holy Spirit), then:
“[Y]ou will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Go.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Life is Hard; Then You Die
How often have you heard someone with a ‘less-than-sunny’ disposition proclaim their philosophy of life with words like, “life is tough, then you die?” I don’t normally have a lot of patience with such pessimism and cynicism, but I recently heard another version of that mantra that I actually believe could be the type of advice we could even be teaching to our children. The life philosophy which I believe could be a guidepost for us and for our children is:
1. Life is difficult.
2. You are not ultimately in control.
3. It is not about you.
4. You will die.
Although this may sound similar to the “life is tough, then you die” philosophy, it is actually diametrically opposed to it. Let me explain.
It cannot be disputed that for every single one of us, life is often difficult and hard. Maybe you face financial problems - just as you think you’re getting caught up, another round of bills or expenses pops up and more money doesn’t. Maybe it’s a child who has made poor decisions that are coming home to roost. Maybe health issues make life particularly difficult for you.
Life is a blessing and a gift from God. Yet, it can be very hard. Very difficult. Relationships, pain, money, broken dreams – a multitude of obstacles keep life from being ‘easy street’ day in and day out.
But life’s difficulties don’t make life ‘bad.’ They don’t make life unpleasant. They just add to the experience. They are just part of what life is. And we should be able to find joy in all that life throws our way. We should be able to echo Paul and say, “I have learned to content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)
I believe the primary reason many people turn bitter and unhappy with their lives is because they don’t get or accept the second part of this philosophy – ‘you are not ultimately in control.’ We often think we are in control; we almost always want to be in control. Yet, we’re not.
Sure, we may be able to control many aspects of our lives and certain things that happen around us. But when it comes to waiting for those test results on your newborn baby, whether the radiation is going to work, if your job will be outsourced, if your wife will come back – it’s in those moments that we realize that we really are not in control at all.
Then we have the choice to either turn to the One who is in control, or believe that everything is out of control. Worship our Maker, or despair.
It should be an easy choice, but it requires giving up the idea of control.
That should also lead us to the epiphany that ‘it is not about you.’ When we think life is about us, we see life’s difficulties as ‘bad things’ because they negatively impact our enjoyment of life. Or maybe we believe in a ‘God,’ but think He must not care much about us because some ‘bad things’ keep happening to us.
But that is so myopic; so self-centered.
Instead, when we see that what happens is really about God, and then we realize that what we may be going through is in some way, in some fashion, in some [perhaps] never-to-be-known manner part of His divine plan, we can not only accept it, but we can embrace it. We can actually face those difficulties with joy because we realize that we have been chosen to be part of His plan. Whether we understand it or not.
And that leads to the final aspect – you will die. When, how, where – we don’t often know about those. But, each of us will die.
However, that is when life truly begins. Assuming you have put your faith in the One who really is in control; assuming you have placed your faith in the One it really is all about – whatever hardships or difficulties you may have experienced will be so forgotten and irrelevant as to have never happened.
Are you ready for that? Does the thought of death scare the bejeebers out of you or does what lies beyond keep you up at night in anticipatory excitement?
It is not pessimistic or ‘gloom and doom’ to say “you are going to die.” It’s a warning of a fact. What are going to do about that?
So, do you agree with me that this is a four-step life philosophy worthy of adopting and teaching to our children? Let me amplify it a bit to drive it home a little more:
1. Life is difficult. But God loves you more than you can know.
2. You are not ultimately in control. The God who eternally loves you is.
3. It is not about you. It’s all about the God who loves you beyond understanding.
4. You will die. Then you’ll finally understand how much God really loves you.
You don’t have to wait until ‘then’ to experience the joy of the life He gives. When life turns difficult, acknowledge you’re not in control, look for Him in it, and die to self.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100
1. Life is difficult.
2. You are not ultimately in control.
3. It is not about you.
4. You will die.
Although this may sound similar to the “life is tough, then you die” philosophy, it is actually diametrically opposed to it. Let me explain.
It cannot be disputed that for every single one of us, life is often difficult and hard. Maybe you face financial problems - just as you think you’re getting caught up, another round of bills or expenses pops up and more money doesn’t. Maybe it’s a child who has made poor decisions that are coming home to roost. Maybe health issues make life particularly difficult for you.
Life is a blessing and a gift from God. Yet, it can be very hard. Very difficult. Relationships, pain, money, broken dreams – a multitude of obstacles keep life from being ‘easy street’ day in and day out.
But life’s difficulties don’t make life ‘bad.’ They don’t make life unpleasant. They just add to the experience. They are just part of what life is. And we should be able to find joy in all that life throws our way. We should be able to echo Paul and say, “I have learned to content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)
I believe the primary reason many people turn bitter and unhappy with their lives is because they don’t get or accept the second part of this philosophy – ‘you are not ultimately in control.’ We often think we are in control; we almost always want to be in control. Yet, we’re not.
Sure, we may be able to control many aspects of our lives and certain things that happen around us. But when it comes to waiting for those test results on your newborn baby, whether the radiation is going to work, if your job will be outsourced, if your wife will come back – it’s in those moments that we realize that we really are not in control at all.
Then we have the choice to either turn to the One who is in control, or believe that everything is out of control. Worship our Maker, or despair.
It should be an easy choice, but it requires giving up the idea of control.
That should also lead us to the epiphany that ‘it is not about you.’ When we think life is about us, we see life’s difficulties as ‘bad things’ because they negatively impact our enjoyment of life. Or maybe we believe in a ‘God,’ but think He must not care much about us because some ‘bad things’ keep happening to us.
But that is so myopic; so self-centered.
Instead, when we see that what happens is really about God, and then we realize that what we may be going through is in some way, in some fashion, in some [perhaps] never-to-be-known manner part of His divine plan, we can not only accept it, but we can embrace it. We can actually face those difficulties with joy because we realize that we have been chosen to be part of His plan. Whether we understand it or not.
And that leads to the final aspect – you will die. When, how, where – we don’t often know about those. But, each of us will die.
However, that is when life truly begins. Assuming you have put your faith in the One who really is in control; assuming you have placed your faith in the One it really is all about – whatever hardships or difficulties you may have experienced will be so forgotten and irrelevant as to have never happened.
Are you ready for that? Does the thought of death scare the bejeebers out of you or does what lies beyond keep you up at night in anticipatory excitement?
It is not pessimistic or ‘gloom and doom’ to say “you are going to die.” It’s a warning of a fact. What are going to do about that?
So, do you agree with me that this is a four-step life philosophy worthy of adopting and teaching to our children? Let me amplify it a bit to drive it home a little more:
1. Life is difficult. But God loves you more than you can know.
2. You are not ultimately in control. The God who eternally loves you is.
3. It is not about you. It’s all about the God who loves you beyond understanding.
4. You will die. Then you’ll finally understand how much God really loves you.
You don’t have to wait until ‘then’ to experience the joy of the life He gives. When life turns difficult, acknowledge you’re not in control, look for Him in it, and die to self.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Just Do It - No Pressure
This article is a memorial to Coach Dub Merck who was ‘called up’ to the Big League on August 3, 2009.
They shouldn’t put that much pressure on the shoulders of twelve-year old kids.
But then again, we probably didn’t even think about how much pressure it was at the time – after all, we were only twelve!
Our baseball team had scratched and clawed to get to the state championship tournament in Kermit, Texas. We had not been expected to advance that far, so we hadn’t made reservations at any of the very limited-in-supply hotels of that small, west Texas town for the week-long tournament. As with Mary and Joseph, there was no room at the inn – either of them!
Our coach was the primary reason we had gotten that far – we weren’t the most talented team, but we were definitely the best coached team. He came through for us yet again by contacting the local sheriff and arranging for our team to stay in the juror sequestration rooms in the courthouse for the whole week. (That was great fun and the subject for another story sometime.)
In the first round of the tournament, we were facing the team that everyone knew would win the championship. That team was from some hoity-toity North Dallas neighborhood, the kids averaged being about 6 inches taller than us, they had professional-looking uniforms, a team bus, and hadn’t lost a game all year. In fact, I think that they had won only a couple of games by less than 10 runs.
By some miracle, we were tied with them in the bottom of the last inning. My best friend, Danny, was on third base. We had two outs and I was batting with two strikes against me.
Our coach called a “time out” and came out to talk things over with Danny and me. He wanted me to switch over to batting left-handed so Danny would have a clear shot at home plate. The coach wanted to run a suicide squeeze play - Danny would take off for home as soon he could get a jump and I would try to lay down a bunt. (If you know much about baseball, you know that if you try to bunt with two strikes and you foul the ball, you’re out.)
At that point, it became pretty obvious what we were planning. So, the other team brought all of their players into the infield – in fact, they were all positioned between the pitcher’s mound and home plate.
The next few seconds seemed to pass in ultra-slow motion. The pitcher eyed Danny leading off third and tried to keep him frozen. But as soon as he barely flinched to start his pitching motion, Danny broke for home. I squared around to bunt as the pitcher released the ball. Danny was sliding through the right-hand batter’s box about the time the ball made contact with my bat. The other team stumbled around all over each other to get to the ball, but by the time they got it, Danny was sitting on home plate and I was almost to first base - they were so sure they would stop the squeeze play that they left no one covering first base.
We met that team again in the championship game. Because our coach knew all their weaknesses at that point and because we had the confidence of knowing we could beat them, the championship game wasn’t even close – I think the score was 12 to 4. And despite three emergency radio calls during that game, the sheriff wouldn’t leave our stands to respond until the last out.
In addition to our parents who made the trip to Kermit, we also had all of the locals pulling for us - from the sheriff to the café waitress. Those people could sense something special was happening. They didn’t quite know why, but they were attracted to our team and what we were doing.
Our coach had a plan. He saw each game and the entire tournament from a different perspective than we did as players.
As players, we each had certain talents and abilities (and responsibilities). And our coach knew how to harness those and mesh them with others’ to accomplish what no one thought could be accomplished. So long as we submitted to our coach and focused on what we were called upon to do, the victories came.
So, what does any of that mean to us today? Just a pudgy, old guy reminiscing about the “glory days?” Not this time.
You see, God knows His game plan and how to accomplish what He wants accomplished. (See Romans 9:16-24) Similarly, it is obvious that God not only knows our specific gifts, talents, and abilities – He is the One who has given them to us and He did so for His purposes. (See 1 Corinthians 12:4-31) He also knows those gifts, talents, and abilities of all of the other believers around us.
He knows how to make it all work together for His goals and His glory.
When we obey and do what He has gifted and told us to do, people will notice and they will be drawn to praise God for what they see Him do through us. (See 2 Corinthians 9:12-15)
However . . . we can and do come up with all kinds of excuses to delay or ignore what God calls us to do. Many times we just freeze under the perceived pressure and anxiety - fearing that we will fail.
But do you know what? The results aren’t up to us. We’re just supposed to do our part – He controls the outcome. Just do what He says.
Can you do that?
Are you ready to listen and submit to God, regardless of the risks?
Are you ready to do whatever the Coach calls on you to do, or do you really only want to play a particular position? Or do you think someone else should play that role because you think they would do it better?
Can you promise to give 100% to the next play even if you aren’t sure right now what that play will be? Will you give your all to the next play, even if you don’t see how it can possibly succeed?
Would you prefer that someone else play today, because you don’t feel up to it? Do you prefer to play in better weather or against weaker opponents?
Or - can the Coach count on you in any and all situations?
Are you willing to respond as Isaiah did, and say, “Put me in Coach, I’m ready to play!” (Isaiah 6:8, CCR Version)
Listen up: You are up to bat and the game is on the line. God has given you a job to do and it is one He has gifted you to accomplish. But remember – there’s no pressure. As I said before, the results aren’t up to you. The victory is His and He already won it for you. He just wants you to submit, obey, and give it your all.
No pressure.
Just a job to do.
Now go do it.
When you are obeying God and doing what you have been called to do and gifted to do, there is no pressure. Success or failure are not up to you and are viewed from His perspective, not ours. Be strong and just do what you are called upon by the Coach to do today.
They shouldn’t put that much pressure on the shoulders of twelve-year old kids.
But then again, we probably didn’t even think about how much pressure it was at the time – after all, we were only twelve!
Our baseball team had scratched and clawed to get to the state championship tournament in Kermit, Texas. We had not been expected to advance that far, so we hadn’t made reservations at any of the very limited-in-supply hotels of that small, west Texas town for the week-long tournament. As with Mary and Joseph, there was no room at the inn – either of them!
Our coach was the primary reason we had gotten that far – we weren’t the most talented team, but we were definitely the best coached team. He came through for us yet again by contacting the local sheriff and arranging for our team to stay in the juror sequestration rooms in the courthouse for the whole week. (That was great fun and the subject for another story sometime.)
In the first round of the tournament, we were facing the team that everyone knew would win the championship. That team was from some hoity-toity North Dallas neighborhood, the kids averaged being about 6 inches taller than us, they had professional-looking uniforms, a team bus, and hadn’t lost a game all year. In fact, I think that they had won only a couple of games by less than 10 runs.
By some miracle, we were tied with them in the bottom of the last inning. My best friend, Danny, was on third base. We had two outs and I was batting with two strikes against me.
Our coach called a “time out” and came out to talk things over with Danny and me. He wanted me to switch over to batting left-handed so Danny would have a clear shot at home plate. The coach wanted to run a suicide squeeze play - Danny would take off for home as soon he could get a jump and I would try to lay down a bunt. (If you know much about baseball, you know that if you try to bunt with two strikes and you foul the ball, you’re out.)
At that point, it became pretty obvious what we were planning. So, the other team brought all of their players into the infield – in fact, they were all positioned between the pitcher’s mound and home plate.
The next few seconds seemed to pass in ultra-slow motion. The pitcher eyed Danny leading off third and tried to keep him frozen. But as soon as he barely flinched to start his pitching motion, Danny broke for home. I squared around to bunt as the pitcher released the ball. Danny was sliding through the right-hand batter’s box about the time the ball made contact with my bat. The other team stumbled around all over each other to get to the ball, but by the time they got it, Danny was sitting on home plate and I was almost to first base - they were so sure they would stop the squeeze play that they left no one covering first base.
We met that team again in the championship game. Because our coach knew all their weaknesses at that point and because we had the confidence of knowing we could beat them, the championship game wasn’t even close – I think the score was 12 to 4. And despite three emergency radio calls during that game, the sheriff wouldn’t leave our stands to respond until the last out.
In addition to our parents who made the trip to Kermit, we also had all of the locals pulling for us - from the sheriff to the café waitress. Those people could sense something special was happening. They didn’t quite know why, but they were attracted to our team and what we were doing.
Our coach had a plan. He saw each game and the entire tournament from a different perspective than we did as players.
As players, we each had certain talents and abilities (and responsibilities). And our coach knew how to harness those and mesh them with others’ to accomplish what no one thought could be accomplished. So long as we submitted to our coach and focused on what we were called upon to do, the victories came.
So, what does any of that mean to us today? Just a pudgy, old guy reminiscing about the “glory days?” Not this time.
You see, God knows His game plan and how to accomplish what He wants accomplished. (See Romans 9:16-24) Similarly, it is obvious that God not only knows our specific gifts, talents, and abilities – He is the One who has given them to us and He did so for His purposes. (See 1 Corinthians 12:4-31) He also knows those gifts, talents, and abilities of all of the other believers around us.
He knows how to make it all work together for His goals and His glory.
When we obey and do what He has gifted and told us to do, people will notice and they will be drawn to praise God for what they see Him do through us. (See 2 Corinthians 9:12-15)
However . . . we can and do come up with all kinds of excuses to delay or ignore what God calls us to do. Many times we just freeze under the perceived pressure and anxiety - fearing that we will fail.
But do you know what? The results aren’t up to us. We’re just supposed to do our part – He controls the outcome. Just do what He says.
Can you do that?
Are you ready to listen and submit to God, regardless of the risks?
Are you ready to do whatever the Coach calls on you to do, or do you really only want to play a particular position? Or do you think someone else should play that role because you think they would do it better?
Can you promise to give 100% to the next play even if you aren’t sure right now what that play will be? Will you give your all to the next play, even if you don’t see how it can possibly succeed?
Would you prefer that someone else play today, because you don’t feel up to it? Do you prefer to play in better weather or against weaker opponents?
Or - can the Coach count on you in any and all situations?
Are you willing to respond as Isaiah did, and say, “Put me in Coach, I’m ready to play!” (Isaiah 6:8, CCR Version)
Listen up: You are up to bat and the game is on the line. God has given you a job to do and it is one He has gifted you to accomplish. But remember – there’s no pressure. As I said before, the results aren’t up to you. The victory is His and He already won it for you. He just wants you to submit, obey, and give it your all.
No pressure.
Just a job to do.
Now go do it.
When you are obeying God and doing what you have been called to do and gifted to do, there is no pressure. Success or failure are not up to you and are viewed from His perspective, not ours. Be strong and just do what you are called upon by the Coach to do today.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Render Unto God
Although many people probably attribute it to Shakespeare, or Socrates, or some other great ‘philosopher,’ one of the most famous quotes of all time is: “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s.” And it was indeed spoken by the greatest philosopher of all time – Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:21).
As we know, the context of the quote involved the ‘religious elite’ who were also very entwined with the culture of their day. They weren’t trying to get Jesus to give them some revolutionist justification for not paying taxes to Rome. Instead, they were trying to trip Jesus up and force Him to admit that His brand of ‘faith’ isn’t really practical. They wanted to make Him admit that, “Sure, you can be ‘religious,’ but in this world, you have go along to get along.”
But Jesus isn’t the one that got tripped up.
Jesus made clear to those questioning Him about paying taxes that if something belongs to Caesar, they were to give it to him. But He also told them to give to God what belongs to Him. (We don’t seem to pay as much attention to that part of the quote.)
Jesus also set forth a pretty easy test to determine to whom something belongs (Matthew 22:20):
1. Whose portrait is on it?
2. Whose inscription is on it?
With regard to the ‘paying taxes’ question, it was clear that Caesar’s likeness was on the coin used for paying them. Also, Caesar’s name was on the coin. So – since it apparently belonged to Caesar, give it to Caesar.
But is it so easy to determine what belongs to God? How are we supposed to know what belongs to God to appropriately give to Him what is due Him?
Sure, I can give Him about an hour and a half on Sunday morning (as long as the preacher doesn’t go on and on). I give Him few minutes before going to sleep each night to say my, “Now I lay me down to sleep . . .” I supposed I could probably tithe. I’ll try to knock out a chapter in the Bible over a cup of coffee each morning.
Isn’t that enough? Well - isn’t it?
Let’s apply the Matthew 22:20 test to see what exactly belongs to God so we’ll know what to give to Him:
1. Whose portrait is on it? Hmmm – Genesis 1:27 says: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.” That would seem to indicate that His image- His likeness - His ‘portrait’ is on me of all things!
2. Whose inscription is on it? Well, 1 Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23 both tell me that I was bought at a very high price – Jesus’ blood. So, His inscription is on me.
Whoa.
I think that means I’m supposed to give ‘me’ to God. All of me.
I’m not supposed to give God just a part of me; there’s no compartmentalization because His image and His name aren’t on just certain parts of my life.
And I’m not supposed to give God just what is ‘left over’ after giving my best to the world. You know, ‘Firstfruits,’ ‘Seek Him first,’ . . .
[G]ive to Caesar what belongs to him.
But everything that belongs to God must be given to God.
(Matthew 22:21, NLT)
So – what are we to do with that today?
Let the world have what is ‘of the world’ – don’t try to hold on to any of it.
But with regard to this ‘new life’ that God has given us, let Him have all of it – don’t try to hold on to any of it.
As we know, the context of the quote involved the ‘religious elite’ who were also very entwined with the culture of their day. They weren’t trying to get Jesus to give them some revolutionist justification for not paying taxes to Rome. Instead, they were trying to trip Jesus up and force Him to admit that His brand of ‘faith’ isn’t really practical. They wanted to make Him admit that, “Sure, you can be ‘religious,’ but in this world, you have go along to get along.”
But Jesus isn’t the one that got tripped up.
Jesus made clear to those questioning Him about paying taxes that if something belongs to Caesar, they were to give it to him. But He also told them to give to God what belongs to Him. (We don’t seem to pay as much attention to that part of the quote.)
Jesus also set forth a pretty easy test to determine to whom something belongs (Matthew 22:20):
1. Whose portrait is on it?
2. Whose inscription is on it?
With regard to the ‘paying taxes’ question, it was clear that Caesar’s likeness was on the coin used for paying them. Also, Caesar’s name was on the coin. So – since it apparently belonged to Caesar, give it to Caesar.
But is it so easy to determine what belongs to God? How are we supposed to know what belongs to God to appropriately give to Him what is due Him?
Sure, I can give Him about an hour and a half on Sunday morning (as long as the preacher doesn’t go on and on). I give Him few minutes before going to sleep each night to say my, “Now I lay me down to sleep . . .” I supposed I could probably tithe. I’ll try to knock out a chapter in the Bible over a cup of coffee each morning.
Isn’t that enough? Well - isn’t it?
Let’s apply the Matthew 22:20 test to see what exactly belongs to God so we’ll know what to give to Him:
1. Whose portrait is on it? Hmmm – Genesis 1:27 says: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.” That would seem to indicate that His image- His likeness - His ‘portrait’ is on me of all things!
2. Whose inscription is on it? Well, 1 Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23 both tell me that I was bought at a very high price – Jesus’ blood. So, His inscription is on me.
Whoa.
I think that means I’m supposed to give ‘me’ to God. All of me.
I’m not supposed to give God just a part of me; there’s no compartmentalization because His image and His name aren’t on just certain parts of my life.
And I’m not supposed to give God just what is ‘left over’ after giving my best to the world. You know, ‘Firstfruits,’ ‘Seek Him first,’ . . .
[G]ive to Caesar what belongs to him.
But everything that belongs to God must be given to God.
(Matthew 22:21, NLT)
So – what are we to do with that today?
Let the world have what is ‘of the world’ – don’t try to hold on to any of it.
But with regard to this ‘new life’ that God has given us, let Him have all of it – don’t try to hold on to any of it.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Do Everything In Love
Do you remember that old Far Side cartoon where a guy was scolding his dog? The cartoon had two identical frames, the first of which had the caption “What we say to dogs” and the man’s ‘word balloon’ said, "Okay, Ginger! I've had it! You stay out of the garbage! Understand, Ginger? Stay out of the garbage, or else!?" The second frame had the caption “What they hear” with the ‘word balloon’ saying, "Blah blah GINGER blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah GINGER blah blah blah blah blah."
Now I’ve gotta admit that I love dogs. And I’ve had some great dogs over the years - some that were real smart and some . . . not so much. But despite how much we love our dogs and want to ascribe to them human traits, Gary Larson’s depiction is pretty accurate.
Surely dogs may pick up on and understand a few basic words (‘fetch,’ ‘food,’ ‘no,’ ‘stay,’ etc.). But, for the most part, they respond to the tone of our voice and how they’ve been rewarded for responding a particular way before. And in Mr. Larson’s cartoon, Ginger could certainly tell she was being scolded by the tone in her master’s voice and by his actions – even if she couldn’t understand the words.
That brings me to two very important passages in the Bible that tell me about how we are to conduct ourselves in this world. The first one speaks to the human version of that Far Side cartoon:
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels,
but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong
or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy,
and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and
possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith
that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others,
I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor
and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;
but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NLT
In that passage, Paul is telling us that no matter how impressive we think we are in what we are doing for ‘the kingdom,’ if we aren’t doing it in love, what others see and hear is, “blah, blah, blah, blah, . . .”
The second passage turns up the heat and tells us that it’s not just those ‘church projects’ and ‘spiritual gifts’ that are to be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says, “Everything you do should be done in love.” (NET, emphasis added.) And that little Greek word (panta) translated as ‘everything’ means (coincidentally): Everything!
That means that when you pulled over to help that lady with the flat tire because you felt obligated since someone helped you last week – ‘blah, blah, blah, blah.’
That means that when you gave $100 to the listener-supported Christian radio station so they’d shut up and get back to playing the music – ‘blah, blah, blah, blah.’
That encouragement you gave through clinched teeth, that smile which hid your anger, that mission trip you took to pad your resume, that donation that got your name listed in the program – ‘blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.’
Like in Ginger’s doggie world, our world can’t hear anything we’re saying if not said in a tone of love. And actions without love are hollow, ignored, and forgotten.
I don’t think I like that very much. I’d rather be able to do ‘stuff’ without regard to my attitude, my motivations, my emotions, my desires.
But it doesn’t work that way.
God is concerned with heart transformation, not behavior modification. And lost people out in the world don’t care what we know until they know that we care.
Sure, it’s easy to apply these passages to criticize some street corner evangelist who is preaching AT people rather than ministering to them. But we’re not talking about ‘other’ people or just ‘full time’ pastors. No – those passages apply to each one of us and it’s pretty hard to get around that little word, “everything”:“Everything you do should be done in love.”
At work, at home, in the car, at church, on the golf course, at the restaurant, on vacation, at the podium, in the hot seat, behind closed doors, face-to-face, on the telephone, in cyberspace, on the field, in the stands, when someone’s watching, when we’re all alone – “Everything you do should be done in love.”
That’s a tough row to hoe.
But it can be done. It has been done. In fact, Jesus did it perfectly for 33 years. So - He can probably help you and me to work on that.
Are you ready to try it for just one day? (And then maybe another day after that?)
Focus on your attitudes and motivations today. Try with all His might to do everything you do in love.
Now I’ve gotta admit that I love dogs. And I’ve had some great dogs over the years - some that were real smart and some . . . not so much. But despite how much we love our dogs and want to ascribe to them human traits, Gary Larson’s depiction is pretty accurate.
Surely dogs may pick up on and understand a few basic words (‘fetch,’ ‘food,’ ‘no,’ ‘stay,’ etc.). But, for the most part, they respond to the tone of our voice and how they’ve been rewarded for responding a particular way before. And in Mr. Larson’s cartoon, Ginger could certainly tell she was being scolded by the tone in her master’s voice and by his actions – even if she couldn’t understand the words.
That brings me to two very important passages in the Bible that tell me about how we are to conduct ourselves in this world. The first one speaks to the human version of that Far Side cartoon:
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels,
but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong
or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy,
and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and
possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith
that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others,
I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor
and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;
but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NLT
In that passage, Paul is telling us that no matter how impressive we think we are in what we are doing for ‘the kingdom,’ if we aren’t doing it in love, what others see and hear is, “blah, blah, blah, blah, . . .”
The second passage turns up the heat and tells us that it’s not just those ‘church projects’ and ‘spiritual gifts’ that are to be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says, “Everything you do should be done in love.” (NET, emphasis added.) And that little Greek word (panta) translated as ‘everything’ means (coincidentally): Everything!
That means that when you pulled over to help that lady with the flat tire because you felt obligated since someone helped you last week – ‘blah, blah, blah, blah.’
That means that when you gave $100 to the listener-supported Christian radio station so they’d shut up and get back to playing the music – ‘blah, blah, blah, blah.’
That encouragement you gave through clinched teeth, that smile which hid your anger, that mission trip you took to pad your resume, that donation that got your name listed in the program – ‘blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.’
Like in Ginger’s doggie world, our world can’t hear anything we’re saying if not said in a tone of love. And actions without love are hollow, ignored, and forgotten.
I don’t think I like that very much. I’d rather be able to do ‘stuff’ without regard to my attitude, my motivations, my emotions, my desires.
But it doesn’t work that way.
God is concerned with heart transformation, not behavior modification. And lost people out in the world don’t care what we know until they know that we care.
Sure, it’s easy to apply these passages to criticize some street corner evangelist who is preaching AT people rather than ministering to them. But we’re not talking about ‘other’ people or just ‘full time’ pastors. No – those passages apply to each one of us and it’s pretty hard to get around that little word, “everything”:“Everything you do should be done in love.”
At work, at home, in the car, at church, on the golf course, at the restaurant, on vacation, at the podium, in the hot seat, behind closed doors, face-to-face, on the telephone, in cyberspace, on the field, in the stands, when someone’s watching, when we’re all alone – “Everything you do should be done in love.”
That’s a tough row to hoe.
But it can be done. It has been done. In fact, Jesus did it perfectly for 33 years. So - He can probably help you and me to work on that.
Are you ready to try it for just one day? (And then maybe another day after that?)
Focus on your attitudes and motivations today. Try with all His might to do everything you do in love.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Growing Up - Baby Steps
They say that big jobs are made much easier by taking ‘baby steps.’ Rather than trying to do the whole thing at one time, doing a little at a time is supposed to make a difficult job easier.
But sometimes that just means spreading out the pain.
We recently took a very painful ‘baby step.’ One in a long line of painful steps.
Let me explain.
The primary purpose of being a parent is to prepare our children for life without us. There are lots of other ways to phrase it, but that’s what it all boils down to – training them to leave and make it on their own.
So last Sunday, we deposited our nine-year old daughter at a Christian camp to spend the next week. Sure, she has spent the night at a friend’s house, spent the weekend at her grandparents’, etc. But to leave her for an entire week without us to tell her when to brush her teeth, when to go to bed, when to say her prayers – that was a first. It was another ‘baby step’ in her growing up (and away).
It hurt.
She’s learning to live without us. But, like I said before, that’s the plan - even if it does hurt.
While I love looking to God’s model of what fatherhood is all about, this facet of parenthood is the complete opposite of our spiritual growth. Because as we mature in our faith, as we become more spiritually mature, we should be becoming more dependent upon and more needy of our Father in heaven.
There are no Bible verses I can find telling us how we grow to be independent of God. Nothing tells us how we can rely more and more on ourselves and less and less on Him. There is no revelation of how God trains us up to live without Him.
It absolutely doesn’t work that way. (See John 15:1-11 about ‘abiding’ in Him.)
Quite the contrary, spiritual maturity means understanding how utterly dependent we really are on Him. The men I know who are further along on their walk than I am spend more time every day in prayer, they have a greater understanding of how desperately they need His love and grace, they are more thankful of His kindness and providential care, and they crave His presence more and more.
If you’re feeling strong, independent, ready to make it on your own, then you’re not getting closer to God and you’re not growing spiritually. Wouldn’t you rather start growing up?
Like our children taking ‘baby steps’ as they move away from us, we move closer to God by taking baby steps, too. It’s a process. It’s a journey. Sometimes we move by large bounds; often we take almost imperceptible steps. Sometimes we don’t realize we’ve taken any steps until confronted by Him.
In one of the C.S. Lewis’ Narnia tales, Prince Caspian, an adolescent named Lucy encounters Aslan after not seeing him for a long time. (Aslan is the Christ-figure of the series.)
“Aslan, you’re bigger,” she says.
“That is because you’re older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
What about you?
Are you growing away from your Father or are you growing up?
Is He becoming bigger to you? Are you needing Him more and more every day?
But sometimes that just means spreading out the pain.
We recently took a very painful ‘baby step.’ One in a long line of painful steps.
Let me explain.
The primary purpose of being a parent is to prepare our children for life without us. There are lots of other ways to phrase it, but that’s what it all boils down to – training them to leave and make it on their own.
So last Sunday, we deposited our nine-year old daughter at a Christian camp to spend the next week. Sure, she has spent the night at a friend’s house, spent the weekend at her grandparents’, etc. But to leave her for an entire week without us to tell her when to brush her teeth, when to go to bed, when to say her prayers – that was a first. It was another ‘baby step’ in her growing up (and away).
It hurt.
She’s learning to live without us. But, like I said before, that’s the plan - even if it does hurt.
While I love looking to God’s model of what fatherhood is all about, this facet of parenthood is the complete opposite of our spiritual growth. Because as we mature in our faith, as we become more spiritually mature, we should be becoming more dependent upon and more needy of our Father in heaven.
There are no Bible verses I can find telling us how we grow to be independent of God. Nothing tells us how we can rely more and more on ourselves and less and less on Him. There is no revelation of how God trains us up to live without Him.
It absolutely doesn’t work that way. (See John 15:1-11 about ‘abiding’ in Him.)
Quite the contrary, spiritual maturity means understanding how utterly dependent we really are on Him. The men I know who are further along on their walk than I am spend more time every day in prayer, they have a greater understanding of how desperately they need His love and grace, they are more thankful of His kindness and providential care, and they crave His presence more and more.
If you’re feeling strong, independent, ready to make it on your own, then you’re not getting closer to God and you’re not growing spiritually. Wouldn’t you rather start growing up?
Like our children taking ‘baby steps’ as they move away from us, we move closer to God by taking baby steps, too. It’s a process. It’s a journey. Sometimes we move by large bounds; often we take almost imperceptible steps. Sometimes we don’t realize we’ve taken any steps until confronted by Him.
In one of the C.S. Lewis’ Narnia tales, Prince Caspian, an adolescent named Lucy encounters Aslan after not seeing him for a long time. (Aslan is the Christ-figure of the series.)
“Aslan, you’re bigger,” she says.
“That is because you’re older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
What about you?
Are you growing away from your Father or are you growing up?
Is He becoming bigger to you? Are you needing Him more and more every day?
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