Missing the Boat

Let me start off by saying that this is not a slam against any certain church, denomination, doctrine, or person. If I had a personal offense, I would address that specifically according to Matthew 18. This is just my own musings from some things mulling over in my mind and heart for the past year or so.

I am becoming more and more aware/concerned about the lack of significant impact the Church is having on society. I’m not referring to political involvement or social reform, though those things could be addressed. I’m specifically referring to how professing believers are completely missing the boat for what matters in life and are doing great damage to the influence of Christ in the world.

There seem to be two extremes with this, each with equally grievous results. Many of those professing a belief or religious allegiance to Christ are, to put it nicely, pathetic. There is no passion for God in their life. Money, food, pleasure, retirement accounts, sex, education, and religious piety dominate their life and there is little to no zeal for the Gospel, for the glory of God, or for personal sacrifice. For them, their satisfaction with religious experience is defined by how closely their life matches their view of the American Dream. As long as they have enough money to blow on themselves, as long as their 401K is secure, as long as they can eat whatever they want in whatever quantity they choose, as long as their churches and pastors tickle their ears and accommodate (read "enable") their spiritual condition, as long as their television provides them with increasingly lewd but “acceptable” entertainment, and as long as their kids are educated at the finest of institutions – they are happy! And of course, that is what life is all about – making them happy. Except this finds absolutely no basis in the Gospel or any of the rest of Scripture. Not only is this view of Christian faith damaging to our own souls, it is lifeless to the rest of the world. Our apathy kills our message. In the last year, nations around the world have experienced catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands. In the last two months, tornadoes have ripped open American communities from coast to coast. And yet, we (and I mean Christians) are concerned for maybe a day or two, a week even perhaps. But not long enough to miss Dancing with The Stars. I mean, we’re concerned and compassionate for the suffering of the world and all, but it’s not going to interfere with the season finale that I have DVR’d or the Christian concert I have tickets for, right?? Enough said – well maybe not, but I'll move on.

Part two: the flip-side of this lazy, apathetic version of Western Christianity is, for lack of better description, the “super-spiritual” wing. They are increasingly concerned with and seeking after signs and wonders of Christianity – continually mystified by the amazing “things of God” that wow them time and again. For them, God is moving – but only in certain places. Certainly, God wouldn’t be moving in my boring little church where we still sing songs from 1994. God is really moving in such-and-such town where the dynamic and charismatic minister so-and-so is preaching. If we could only catch onto the newest wave of God, the world would be saved in an instant. Except, the world isn’t being saved and the world isn’t listening. For the most part, a bunch of Christians are getting together, prophesying to each other, speaking to things, claiming everything they ever wanted – and life doesn’t change. There is no fruit – a lot of leaves, no fruit. Seems like Jesus had a very sharp response to fig trees like that. This also hedges into the age-old “name it, claim it” theology. Let’s establish one thing – God is NOT your genie and is not your butler at your every beckon call, just waiting to give you “your blessing”. Psalms tells us that He sits in heaven and does “whatever He pleases”. We can claim all the financial prosperity and physical health we want, but until we submit to the God of the universe we will never know the fullness of life in Christ. Often our demands to see physical healing or financial prosperity manifested are very much associated with our own convenience more than with our desire for God’s glory. It isn’t convenient for me to be sick or lacking needed funds, therefore I will claim healing and tout my religious “faith” so that I can get what I want – with no acknowledgment that God is sovereign and His plans and ways are much greater and higher than our own. Again, this does severe damage to our witness. Often the Church looks like a select society that runs from revival to revival, or church service to church service – seeking after signs, wonders, prophecies, predictions, manifestations, and blessings; all the while ignoring the next-door neighbor that is going to hell. We don’t have time to just hang out with people who may need to hear the Gospel, because we’re too busy “doing church” and ministry” and completely neglecting the true heart and mission of the Bride of Christ. Where is the salt and light?

Let me balance this by saying that I know and believe God loves me immensely and leads my steps and is interested in the details of my life. But I believe that God owes me absolutely nothing: not a new car, not a better job, not a healthier life, not a spiritual blessing – not my dream, my plan, my desire, or my way. He already gave me infinitely more than I deserve by extending mercy to me and not counting my sins against me; but bearing them on Himself and extending grace which justifies me and calls me His own. I am deeply loved and accepted as a child of God. And to quote the most popular Psalm we all know – The Lord IS my Shepherd, I lack no good thing. If I really believe that and my life reflects it, then it changes my perspective on everything. I realize that God is my Source and Provider, not my genie and Santa Claus. I realize that it is wrong, not sad, but wrong when I apathetically disregard the suffering of the poor at the expense of my every want being met. I realize that it is more important for my children to walk in the truth than for them to bear the distinction of a college degree. I realize that the Gospel and its message are of utmost importance and that every other pursuit pales in comparison. I realize that my own physical healing, my own desires and blessings, and my own financial prosperity are merely wood, hay, and stubble that will one day pass away; and that the Refiner may see my “good things” as dross to be consumed in His all consuming fire. In all this, I acknowledge my own flesh that I fight and war with daily – flesh that would exalt my own interests above God and would even allow me to stand in judgment against those who don’t agree with me or what I have just shared. However, I believe that the solution to these things I have addressed does not lie in a renewed mission statement; more lights, sound, and dry ice; more manifestations and healings; more contemporary music; more Gospel tracts; or more televised broadcasts. The answer, I feel, lies solely in a true understanding of the Gospel – its message, its purpose and most importantly, its Person. I humbly plea with the Church and those who call on the name of Jesus to rediscover the Gospel, to find renewed passion in His Word, and to unashamedly proclaim the hope and freedom of His Kingdom.

Simple Grace

This week I had a chance to hear a song that I haven't heard in several years. At a friend's wedding this week near LaGrange the congregation sang this song. Every time I hear it I'm just reminded of how much God loves me. I think that we make life really complicated and in turn we make our walk with God complicated. But when it comes down to it, it's really as simple as this statement from I Timothy..."Christ Jesus died to save sinners - and I am the worst". I needed His grace and He died to cover my debt. Thank God for His grace the covers my sin and gives me a new identity...

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

(last verse is probably my favorite)
Behold the King upon the throne
The sons all brought to glory
Cry Hallelujah to the Lamb
And sing redemptions story
And all creation joins as one
The wretch is now God's treasure
By grace alone, through faith alone
In Christ alone forever.

I'm Weak and He's Not

A few weeks ago I was reminded of a very simple yet profound concept...God's greatness. Yeah, yeah...I know it sounds really cliche and unfortunately we through that phrase around without giving it much thought. But at the time it was nothing short of amazing. What I realized then and have come to see even more is that there is only ONE solution for my weakness. It isn't to "fix" myself to be a better person (by the way, God never said to improve the old man that's why He gave us the new man!), it isn't to try just a little harder next time. It is to lean even harder into the strength of God and rest in His amazing ability to support me. Two foundation ideas have surfaced in all of this...I am weak and God is great. The first part isn't very hard to figure out. Most of us can acknowledge that we are weak. I am more aware than anybody else of my great weakness - my capacity to sin, my tendency to be selfish, my fear, etc. But what I must grab hold of even more is God's greatness in the middle of my circumstances. He is sufficient to provide for everything that I need. The best thing I can do when I am made aware of my weakness is to rest in His ability to carry me and to trust His faithful love that has never left me.

Post-Haiti Thoughts

These are some of the things the Lord has started teaching me during and after my trip to Haiti. My trip was great...God has stirred some things in my heart that continue to have me searching still...so far here is what He's stirred in me.

Apathy is intolerable. It is ungodly to be apathetic toward things that God cares greatly about. The hearts of people, the souls of a nation, the suffering of the poor, and the affluent indifference of the wealthy – these things are serious matters and as a Christian I cannot turn a blind eye and pretend that I don’t see it. It is these things for which we will be held accountable.

Jesus Christ is the only hope for a person, a community, a nation, and the world. There is no other option. No government can solve the problems of society. No relief effort can absolve spiritual poverty.

Worship is my created purpose. It’s not an option, although I am given the freedom to express it or not. Worship is not circumstantial. Worship is NOT music or singing. Worship is a lifestyle. If I should choose not to worship God with my life, I am missing the very reason I am here. Though I am given the choice and freedom to worship, I am not fulfilling the purpose of God when I choose under which circumstances and situations I will worship and under which I will not worship.

As John Piper says, “Missions is bringing worship to a place where worship does not exist.” Missions is an extension of my primarily calling to worship my Father.

I want my life to count. In some ways that can be an extremely selfish statement, and I may be selfish in making it. However, my purpose in saying it is this: When I stand before God I want to know that what He called me to do, I did. That when He told me to sacrifice Isaac, I went “early the next morning” and climbed Mount Moriah with no other plan than to give away what is most precious to me. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

I am so incredibly in love with Jesus and so thankful to Him for salvation and freedom from sin. Without hope for my rescue from the curse of sin and without the promise of eternal life, my existence has no meaning. I am so blessed to be loved by a God that created the mountains that He can also command to move. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who lives within me and who gives me power to be His witness. I am thankful to Jesus for bearing the weight of my sin and choosing not to call legions of angels, but rather to endure a gruesome death by choice.

In closing, II Corinthians 2:14-15 sums up my feelings pretty well. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

What Will They Say?

I recently heard a song that was acclaimed as the theme song of the Welsh Revival of 1904. It is called “Here is Love” and captures the heart of the Father in His amazing love for His children as His heart as it is poured out at the cross. It seems to call me back to a place of child-likeness resting in the arms of Daddy God who loves me beyond what I can even understand. It also makes me appreciate times of revival, anointing, and refreshing where the people of God are called back to true relationship and away from religious pride – back to intimacy with God rather than the idolatry of tradition. How amazing it is that the Welsh Revival, a movement from over 100 years ago, birthed a song that still rings true in our hearts today. It makes me wonder, what will generations from now look back on and remember about us today? What are we doing now that is so eternal that it will outlast us and impact our great-grandchildren? Will our descendants look back and say “look at those testimonies of 2009” or “wow, what a song that generation had as a beacon of hope”. Or will we be remembered as the generation that wasted their time and ignored the move of God in their day? Eli and his sons in the Old Testament brought the tabernacle of God to shame. Eli’s complacency and his sons’ wickedness were remembered for years. Contrast that with Solomon who, after assuming his father’s throne, removed the wicked leaders and established a temple for the worship of Jehovah. We look at Solomon even now as the wisest man who ever lived. Let me get more personal…what am I doing now that will make a difference even in 5 minutes much less 500 years? It’s a question I have to ask myself on a regular basis. Will my family in the 22nd century look back on this period of time with awe and wonder at the works God did in hearts or will there be a tinge of regret knowing that so much could have been done, but so little was? Let’s make today count – it’s the start of a revival that might just be remembered and sung about for eternity!

Wiped out and ready to go!

I’ve noticed something. There is a definite difference in my level of tiredness (is that a word???) depending on what activity causes it. I’m typically a night owl. I can and do stay up late pretty often. The only problem with this is that I have a job! And getting to work by 7 after a late night often necessitates a large coffee, 8 creams and 4 sugars, from McD’s. However, I have noticed that my reason for being up late often makes a difference in how I feel. For example, yesterday I (along with my sister and parents) drove to Brunswick, Georgia for a family funeral visitation. It was great getting to see family and reconnect with them, even under those circumstances. However, driving back from Brunswick caused a late night and an early morning. But strangely enough, I felt somehow a little rested! Yes I was tired, but it was different. If I stay up ‘til 1 AM because I’m chatting on Facebook or watching a MacGyver episode, then I am usually wiped out like a zombie the next morning. To me, it seems that God provides a special grace and strength that sustains us when the needs in our life necessitate a late night or extended periods of physical or emotional strain. Not that it is easy, but it’s bearable because God is sustaining us during a time that’s a little out of the ordinary (whatever ordinary is!). Now I’m not saying that God’s grace depends on our performance…let’s not even go there because that’s a different issue. BUT, when I am living the fullness of the life of Christ and following the leading of His Spirit, I can rest in the fact that He will provide for what I need. He will multiply rest, finances, and resources to keep us sustained and strengthened. Usually the times when I am tired beyond repair, or stressed out financially, is when I have been a poor steward of those resources. It’s like God is saying, “I gave you enough time to get adequate sleep, now go to bed!”. Or, “I’ve provided for all your needs, but don’t waste your money on the vending machine!” Again, it’s not a performance trap to get God’s favor. It’s knowing I have God’s favor and resting in His abundant provision – while also making the best use of what He has already provided. Instead of dragging through the day thinking, “Here I go again with only 4 hours of sleep”, I can trust that He will get me through with sufficient provision. When I waste my night, staying up late for no reason and waking up tired only makes me feel like I’m rehearsing the same old story – amazed at my stupidity in repeating the same mistake! But knowing I’m involved in the things God is blessing causes a much different response and makes a late night or stretched bank account well worth it.

Holding the world (and my heart) in His hands

I'm becoming more aware of the fact that God has a time and plan for everything that is often very different from what I've "planned" on. I've seen this in my life for a while but I forget it so often...that man orders his own life, but God really does direct him and lead him through things that he could never in his wildest dreams imagine. I think two things are key. First, realize that God loves me completely without condemnation and holds the world in His hands. And second is to live like I know that! Yes God is sovereign and above being compared or understand because He is so incredible. Just last week I was struggling with how to process some things - mental stress. And I started praying that morning just declaring the faithfulness of God. That He was the God who created the stars, who governed the laws of physics. He is the God that created the concepts for the Taylor Series (if you're not a math nerd you will have no clue what I'm talking about!!). He is the God that allows the earth to orbit and lets the seasons and weather systems coincide together. Knowing He does that makes me realize that He is quite capable of directing my heart through anything I face in life. Life is often very challenging. But God loves to show Himself faithful in those times. What I desire is that regardless of where I'm at in life, I will maintain such a personal and intimate relationship with God that I trust Him. Right now I have a lot of unanswered questions. But God knows that and He knows I don't need the answer to some of those things right now. Growing in relationship with Him is me being ok with the things that go unanswered. Not there yet, but I want to be. Right now what I do know is that I am forever loved by Him and a recipient of His awesome grace that I will never deserve.