Filed under: Articles | Tags: brokenness, God, love, pride, Psalms, redeemed, sin
Originally, I planned to write something creative tonight. Instead, the Lord has laid a particular Psalm on my heart and that is all I have to share. Perhaps there will be more thoughts tomorrow, but for now just the Word.
Psalm 107
Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So
1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.
17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
23 Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 He turns rivers into a desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,
because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell,
and they establish a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards
and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly,
and he does not let their livestock diminish.
39 When they are diminished and brought low
through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes
and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction
and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad,
and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
When it comes to hearing God’s voice, I can’t really think of a better term than “deaf.” It may sound extreme, but if you really knew me, you would probably agree. While this is not a new revelation in and of itself, the past few weeks have simply been another reminder of my spiritual handicap.
Most recently, I was reminded of this because of the various challenges associated with finding a new job. I wouldn’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say this process has taken considerably longer than I would have ever imagined. All along the way the Lord has worked in amazing ways and revealed Himself at the most critical moments so we would not lose heart. Yet I am continually reminded of how quickly I forget what the Lord has done. And before I know it, I am right back to ground zero, doubting every step of the way.
For much of my life, I simply believed the lie that God did not speak to me. This may sound strange to some people, but this was how I viewed life. If I couldn’t find the concrete answer in the Scriptures, then I considered myself on my own. However, with time I have learned that the great shortage of God speaking in my life was not the result of his lack of initiation, but my inability to hear.
I have a working theory that this disability is another manifestation of my issue with pride. It is this desire to take the reigns of life which has so often destroys my capacity to understand what the Lord may be saying. Looking back, I have identified times where I believe God was speaking to me. Had I listened when the opportunity was ripe, I probably could have learned many lessons the easy way. But, not only do I struggle hearing, it would appear I have a thick skull as well.
There is no brilliant resolution to this issue as I would consider myself far from cured. However, there was a moment today where I heard God speak and actually listened. Things like this don’t happen to me very often and so I figured it would be best to write it down because there is a pretty good chance I will have forgotten by tomorrow. The Lord is good, but I am so often very stupid when it comes to things like this.
Filed under: Articles | Tags: Amos, Christ, depravity, grace, Romans, sin, the Gospel
The sermon at church this morning was delivered by our associate pastor and my good friend Chris Haney. He preached from the ninth chapter of the minor prophet Amos bringing this series of the past few months to a close. While Amos may not be a book of particular interest for most, it just so happens that it was the subject of several months of intense study for me during my senior year of college. Like the vast majority of prophetic literature, Amos is not a slap happy, pick-me-upper. Rather, it is a very solemn and firm reminder of the true heart and nature of the Living God.
Amos, a small nobody farmer from the southern kingdom was called to proclaim the word of the Lord to the northern kingdom of Israel. This would be the equivalent of being sent on a one way mission in war. Not only was the message carrier without any proper training or qualification, but he was a foreigner in the northern lands and one of the last people on earth they would consider listening to; especially after hearing what he had to say. The word he brought was this: the day of the Lord is coming and judgment is near. On numerous occasions the prophet cites the sin and wickedness of the people of God and proclaims the Lord will not and cannot tolerate their idolatry and social injustice any longer. The people however, are unreceptive to the prophet’s pleas as they continue in their state of ignorant confidence.
They knew that they were the chosen people. They knew that they were descendants of Abraham and the promise. How then could this same God bring destruction? Sure, they made mistakes and began worshiping other gods and trampled the poor to build up for themselves. But, they still observed the festivals and carried out the religious obligations according to the Law of Moses. They gathered at the temple to offer sacrifices and seek mercy from the true God. Therefore, what did they have to fear? Or so they thought.
In Amos 5:21-24 we find the following words to the people of Israel,
“I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Attempting to demonstrate what was happening in this context, Chris used the illustration of getting a speeding ticket. Speaking from experience, he described what so many of us have gone through before. Specifically, he drew attention to our mindset in this type of minor violation. Most often we are not racked with guilt or shame, but rather anger and frustration. Perhaps we think to ourselves how unfair it is that the officer decided to pull us over when the guy ahead was clearly going even faster. Then we are forced to go through the hassle of traveling all the way to the city court building and paying a small fine for our offense. All the while we are not afraid of justice or what the judge may think. In fact, he probably doesn’t even care because it’s just a speeding ticket!
Much in the same way, Chris contended, the people of Israel saw their sin as an inconvenience. It forced them to offer sacrifices, worship at the temple, and maintain the many requirements of their religious festivals. There was no true remorse. There was no understanding of their sin or offense to the perfect righteousness of God. To them, it was just a sinful misdemeanor and God, like any earthly judge, would get over it.
I cannot fully explain why, but this illustration really stuck with me today. For one thing, it serves as an excellent depiction of how I so often view my own sin. Though I may not realize or want to admit it, I often believe and operate based on the fundamental understanding that I am innocent and sin is just another little blip on the radar like a speeding ticket. Sure it’s bad and I shouldn’t have done it, but doesn’t everyone? Did Jesus not come and die on the cross to abolish sin? If I just say I’m sorry and pray a little prayer things will be okay. After all, it’s just a sinful misdemeanor.
What a wretched and damning way to live and think! At the most fundamental level this way of thinking somehow assumes God is obligated to save me and look past my offenses. Instead of understanding the true depravity of my situation, I think I am deserving. But in reality, we are not committing simple, sinful misdemeanors; instead, we are already convicted, sinful felons. Paul put it this way in Romans 3:10-12,
“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
Imperative to understanding the true nature of God is understanding the true nature of ourselves. In this case, we must come to the realization that we are sinful. We don’t just sin at times, but we are, to the very core, wicked and evil people just like the recipients of Amos’ prophecy. It is impossible to receive the Word of the Lord, to hear and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ if we are under the illusion that we are not in need of being saved. If we only think of our sins as little misdemeanors, minor wrongdoings, we will never embrace the glorious grace of God.
Filed under: Articles, Resolutions | Tags: Christ, Edwards, life, Resolutions
One of my historical heroes is Jonathan Edwards. Every time I sit down and pick up one of his books I am reminded how small and weak I really am. He was one of the greatest thinkers of his day and easily one of, if not the, most influential pastor and theologian in early American Christianity. Years ago I stumbled upon a list known as “The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards,” which served as an ongoing reminder in his life of what he hoped to accomplish by God’s grace. He began with this introduction,
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
What followed were 70 specific resolutions, or pledges, if you will. They were written and public commitments on behalf of Edwards, designed for the purpose of establishing direction and accountability for his life and what he aimed to accomplish for the Kingdom. It was the most peculiar thing when I first found this list. Sure, we live in a very goal and task oriented culture that loves to strategize and plan for what’s ahead. But when I first read Edward’s Resolutions there was something very different, something raw, something authentic about them that superseded everything else I knew of. So years ago I decided I would attempt to create a list of resolutions for myself, much like Edwards long ago.
For reasons unbeknown to me, today is the day I begin this journey.
1. Resolved, to fight for life every day.
You may notice this statement is rather ambiguous. In fact, it was purposefully created that way. There are at least two meanings to this resolution that have burned their way into my understanding of what God has for me.
First, I am resolved to live life to the full. So much of these past few years has been defined by the Lord systematically stripping away the things of this world that I cling to the most. Some were trivial and others not so much. However, they all had one thing in common: my affection. It has been humbling and painful to watch the things I love fall away or be taken from me. At times I have understood the reasons, but at others I have felt alone in the dark. Despite everything I know about God, I continually amaze myself with how little I really understand and apply in my own life.
I have bought into a mythical understanding of what life really is. In many ways, I have been deceived by the schemes of the devil and wooed by what the world has to offer. Looking back, I understand these things to be a lie, but I cannot change the fact that they have robbed me of life. We learn from John that “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” But Jesus came that we “may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:19). What I mistook for pleasure and happiness turned out to be death and destruction. Part of this resolution includes a commitment to real life; that is life in Christ. He would go on to say later in the same Gospel, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
When I commit to life, I commit to Christ. More importantly, I am resolved to pursuing a Christological understanding in everything I do. It is amazing how the Lord has revealed the ways in which I have been deceived. I see it in the foods I eat, in the way I manage my money, and the way I spend my time. Part of living life to the full includes understanding what life really is. You cannot drink deeply of the “Living Water” unless you know you are thirsty. In the same way, one cannot experience real life in Christ without understanding the foolishness and folly in which they currently walk.
Second, I am resolved to fight until the very end. Even this week I was reminded of how quickly I can give up on real life. There is a recurring pattern in my life that when failures set in, I quickly give up hope. I cannot count the sheer number of times I have simply said to myself or even out loud, “I can always try again tomorrow.” No, I can’t always try again tomorrow because tomorrow might not come. If the Lord does not tarry this very night, I will be judged according to my deeds and if I am being honest, I am not entirely optimistic of the outcome. Sure, I know I have been covered in the blood of Christ and I do not fear for eternity. It’s not about just getting saved as so many churches would lead us to believe, because there is more to life than just making it into heaven. I long to bring glory to him who sits enthroned in heaven. I desire to be used by God in a mighty way. And if these are my desires, I cannot simply give up on today and try again later.
I look forward to the day when I can stand alongside the apostle Paul and say with great joy and humility, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). I am not after salvation alone, but true and total victory. Yet everyday I find myself losing sight of what I am striving toward. It would seem the pressures of this world are not as easily shaken as I led myself to believe. And while I have never considered myself to be a quitter, I cannot help but question even that very fundamental assessment of myself. Perhaps I have justified this great inaction all these years, but there will come a day when it catches me and there is nowhere left to hide. If I desire to finish this race, I must learn to run. I must fight for life each and every day as if tomorrow did not exist. Then, and only then, will I begin to experience the fullness previously spoken of because it is only in loosening our hands to the things of this world that we may finally begin to take hold of real and everlasting life today.
Therefore, I am resolved to fight for life every day; starting today.
Filed under: Articles | Tags: motorcycle, sanctification, sin, temptation
In my feeble attempt to grow out of this spiritual immaturity that has plagued me for the past three years, I have had my share of successes and failures. However, as I look back, I would have to admit that the failures have greatly outnumbered the successes. The past month, on the other hand, has given me hope that this pattern is changing. Today is Thanksgiving and I found myself home alone. I don’t say this to earn pity because I actually enjoy having time and space to myself. The challenge for me is my propensity to waste time such as this.
I had originally planned to wake up at a decent time and head downtown to help my church serve Thanksgiving dinners. For reasons unbeknown to me, I never woke up to my alarm and somehow shut it off in my sleep; something I have not done for some time. When I did eventually wake, the very first emotion I experienced was anger. Though I understand, to a large degree, this was outside of my conscious control, I cannot help but feel a sense of deeply rooted frustration. Historically, on days like this, there was little or no room to recover. If the day started bad, it ended bad.
By God’s grace, today hasn’t been like those of the past. Don’t get me wrong though, I would definitely not characterize this particular day as one of monumental triumphs. However, it does represent progress, change, and transformation. This was particularly evident in one specific event today.
When I woke up angry, my flesh just took the reigns. I had the day to myself with no remaining responsibilities so I decided I would watch football on the computer all day. After all, it is Thanksgiving and that is what you are supposed to do, right? Normally, this would have been the end of the story and I would have simply executed my plan. But instead, something different happened.
As I continued to dwell on my decision, there arose in me, a small yet ever so persistent voice that simply would not go away. It reminded me of where I have been and where I want to go. And then it asked me one question: is this going to help you get there? Despite my best efforts at a creative answer, I could not ignore the obvious truth. Lounging around the house, eating fast food, and watching football is not going to help me on this road to recovery.
This is where the story may start to sound strange, but hear me out.
Instead of going with my plan, I decided to get out of the house. It just seemed right. For months now, I have wanted the opportunity to go for a real motorcycle ride through the nice scenic roads in North Texas. Here was my chance. I jumped on the bike and spent the better part of five hours meandering through the beautiful Red River Valley. When I finally returned home, I felt amazing. The hours on the open road in the midst of God’s creation, with no distractions and ample time to think upon the events of the day and meditate on the truth does wonders.
Now don’t misunderstand me here. I am not trying to somehow prove that riding my motorcycle is better than watching football. What I do know is that today my flesh wanted something and I was able to resist by the power of the Holy Spirit. For me, that is an accomplishment. Am I going to jump on the bike every time I feel my flesh pulling me toward something? No. But today, in that moment, it was the right thing at the right time.
Someone could very well come upon this post and have no idea what I am talking about today. My logic (or lack thereof) may make no sense to you whatsoever. However, to me this was baby steps in the right direction. Today was all about identifying sin and resisting its temptation.
On a somewhat related note, I decided to do a little writeup of my ride today over at Rebel250.com to share my experience with the other riders. This was, as far as I can remember, the first thing I have enjoyed writing in several years. I have written a lot and enjoyed the process, but this was the first thing I can remember in a long time that was just fun. I wish it had been something a little more meaningful than a ride report, but I will take anything I can get at this point.
It is of great importance that I continue to study. This has historically been a great passion of mine and a means by which God has spoken to and transformed me. Therefore, I am attempting to resurrect this sacred practice through the use of this blog. I figured it would be wise to start with something simple and easily agreed upon: how about Romans?
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This particular letter was written by the apostle Paul sometime around the year A.D. 57 to the church in the Roman capital. It is easily his most lengthy and systematic work, particularly in regards to Christian theology and doctrine. In addition, it serves as one of the most controversial books in the entire Bible as it addresses a wide range of topics that modern Evangelicals remain divided on. While I have been greatly influenced by numerous passages of this book, I have not studied it in its entirety with any sort of depth.
So, to this end I set my sights. It will, without a doubt, be an incredibly long and arduous process. At the very least it should keep me busy for the next year or so. Here we go!
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
Beginnings of books are always significant and Romans is not an exception. For anyone who has ever attempted to write anything, they would understand how important open words really are. They, in a sense, set the entire tone and rhythm for what follows. Perhaps it would be helpful to use the analogy of troops in the military beginning a long march. The opening words of any work of writing are much like the cadence or step established in the opening phase of the march. It is this pattern that dictates the overall direction and course of the event. In the same way, introductions to writing create the frame by which the following content is to be interpreted and then applied.
Here, in the beginning of Romans 1, Paul stays true to this practice.
First, he begins by establishing the means by which God’s message is being delivered to God’s people: himself. More specifically, he uses the title “servant of Christ Jesus.” Living in the 21st century United States, most people are far removed from the ideology of what servitude actually was. Perhaps modern thoughts are drawn to the image of a maid or butler busying themselves about in a home of great magnitude. The image found here in Paul’s opening words exists in a context entirely different than the one just described. This word for “servant” (doulos) was also used for “bond-servant” (as found in the NASB) or even “slave.” This title should not conjure up the idea of someone whose vocation is that of making the lives of others easier. Rather, it establishes the totality of Paul’s devotion to Christ for to be a slave or bond-servant in that culture was to give up one’s full identity. If you became the servant in someone’s household, you were, in a very real sense, their property.
Therefore, Paul establishes that he is the means by which God has chosen to make this message known. The following chapters are not the result of human ingenuity, clever rhetoric, complex philosophies, or anything of the sorts. For Paul, in few words, informs the recipients of this letter that he is not his own. Instead, he is the messenger of Christ Jesus.
Secondly, Paul establishes the authority by which he brings this message. His apostleship was not the result of human democracy or his charismatic personality, but he was “called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.” It becomes very evident that this was no mere hobby of the apostle, but the effective calling of the living God. Of great significance is the notion of Paul’s being “set apart,” which is better understood in the context of his conversion experience as recorded in Acts 9:1-19 and then interpreted by his statements in 1 Timothy 1:15-17. Not only was Paul chosen to be the vessel of making the Gospel known to the Gentiles, but his life would be an example of the Gospel’s working and effective power unto all who would believe.
Thirdly, there is an overwhelming emphasis on God’s initiation in all things. Notice the language in these opening verses as Paul is “called to be an apostle,” “set apart for the gospel of God,” which was “promised beforehand through [God's] prophets in the holy Scriptures.” Regardless of one’s theological position on the subject of God’s sovereignty and human will (which will be discussed in great depth in the later chapters of the book), there is, in this text, and undeniable exclamation point on God’s causative role. However one chooses to define these phrases, they will ultimately end at the conclusion of God bringing them to be. In many ways, this reiterates the authority of the apostle, whose calling is now understood to be the result of God’s initiation.
Fourthly, he moves from the means by which God has spoken (himself) to the object he is speaking about: the Gospel. It is this message that was “promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.” Moreover, it is the Gospel which will serve as the main subject for the remainder of the letter. Therefore, God has initiated this whole work from the calling of the apostle Paul to the object of his calling, which is none other than the very Gospel, by which he was initially saved.
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That is going to be the first installment of this ongoing work. I know two verses does not seem like much (and it really isn’t), but I have to ease myself back into this form of thinking. God willing, I will continue in the next few days.
So I have begun the long and difficult journey of reading my first work by Jonathan Edwards. If I have learned anything by now it is this: he is a much smarter man than me. Challenging as his writing may be however, I cannot adequately describe the richness in which he composes his thoughts.
For the past few weeks I have been narrowing down the particular difficiencies in my own life and struggled to put it into words. Today, as I was reading through The Religious Affections by Edwards, he simply hit the nail on the head. Here is what this great American pastor and theologian had to say,
“That religion which God requires, and will accept, does not consist in weak, dull, and lifeless wishes, raising us but a little above a state of indifference: God, in his word, greatly insists upon it, that we be good in earnest, “fervent in spirit,” and our hearts vigorously engaged in religion…”
That is where I have been; a little above a state of indifference! As I read these words today I became vividly aware of how weak my affections for God really are. Sure, I would have admitted there was room for improvement before, but this feeling is something altogether different.
I am incredibly excited about the discoveries awaiting me in the remaining pages of this book. In one chapter he has managed to summerize my experiences of the past three years with greater clarity than I could have ever imagined.
Having read this today I reminded of one of my favorite quotes of all time by Charles Spurgeon,
“The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has no brains of his own.”
Back in high school I worked at the local grocery store. I started there at the age of 15 and did not quit until leaving for college. Three days a week, we would punch in at five in the morning to unload the delivery trucks. Now, I am not sure if you remember much of high school or college, but those early morning hours are about as unnatural as anything else in life.
We worked hard year round doing this. Winters made things even more interesting with sub zero temperatures and a crappy car with a carbaurator that would always freeze up. Needless to say, life wasn’t easy.
But do you know what I remember most from all those years of working at the grocery store? I remember that feeling we all had as we walked out the front door after a long shift and the overwhelming sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that came from our efforts.
Despite what I may often think or feel, there is, to some degree, a very rewarding and satisfying effect of working hard. Today has been a bit of a physical beating for me at work, but it reminded me of high school. And as much as I may wish to complain about my circumstances today, I know I will walk out of this store with that same satisfaction.
But there is more to this simple principle than meets the eye. Sure, our vocations are of great significance and represent something God has has ordained for his purposes. But there us another type of work he has called us into as well. In Philippians, Paul encourages the believers to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling.”
I am very familiar with the notion of working, but not like this. More often than not I sort of set myself on spiritual autopilot and hope everything shakes out the way I had hoped. It was not until the past few weeks that I was really made aware of how lazy I really am. And if I am being honest, this came as a bit of a shock to me since I consider myself a fairly hard worker. And in a sense I am, just not where it matters most.
So, the time has come to get cracking so to speak. Our neighbors have introduced my wife and me to a whole new level of human productivity that I’m not sure I knew previously existed. Don’t get me wrong either, this isn’t about busying ourselves with pointless tasks around the house. Rather, it is the result of a fundamental shift in the way we view our lives and our understanding of how God has called us to live.
I am excited about what the upcoming days hold for us. There is much to be done.
Let me begin by saying that I hate traditionalism, but find myself guilty of it more often than not. This does not only apply to my actions and the external manifestations of will, but even into the way I think and interact with people, especially God.
Having grown up in the church it was always assumed that God operated in a certain way all the time. If you wanted guidance, you prayed. If you desired knowledge, you read the bible. You probably get the idea. It should then come as no surprise that I think this way even to today.
However, there is a problem with this: you can’t put God in a box. And I am not just talking about what we know of God, but even how we relate to him. I have been reminded of this twice in as many days through the Lord speaking to me by means I consider “untraditional” at the very least.
While I am well aware of God’s ability to teach us through the experiences of life, I am particularly bad at identifying those opportunities. Sure I have read the stories of scripture where God has spoken to his people through the wind, a burning bush, and even a donkey. But more Impotantly I know that Jesus was constantly using the events of life to teach his disciples and reveal the truth.
Why then am I so stinking slow or hesitant to apply these same principles to my own life?
It would seem that unless God speaks directly to me in an audible voice or gives some sort of divine revelation through scripture, I don’t want to budge. I know he is trying to teach me. I know there are glaring deficiencies in my life on almost every front.
The question then becomes this: how do I learn to think outside the box I have created? That is the question today.
Filed under: Articles | Tags: life, perseverance, running, sanctification, writing
I spent the vast majority of my teenage years running long distance. This would lead most people to believe I am a person of great endurance. And while there is a hint of truth in that line of thinking, it would appear my life is revealing quite the opposite to be true. To put in simply: I am one of the most inconsistent people I know.
This isn’t about blogging. This is about life.
Why is it that we are so consumed with the notion of instant gratification? I mean, I love the idea of patience and working hard for something so long as the person doing the waiting and working isn’t me. A good movie with an inspiring protagonist who fights through near insurmountable trials always captures my affections. However, when it comes to my life, I want clear sailing.
Time and time again we are reminded through the Scriptures that the process of becoming more like Christ does not happen over night. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul speaks of this transformation when he says we are “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” The actual word for transformation there is the same one we get for “metamorphosis.”
Now, I don’t know if you have ever watched a caterpillar turn into a butterfly (I know that is not scientifically correct but work with me), but it’s pretty boring. When I was young, I remember capturing a caterpillar and putting him in a jar because my dad told me he would turn into a butterfly. I was so excited and kept checking that jar just waiting to see what would happen. Sure, it was cool to see the cocoon appear (again, this isn’t about scientific accuracy), but it seemed like nothing else happened and it went on forever! I was a little kid and lost interest so I moved on to other things. But guess what? After a lot of waiting, the cocoon opened up one day and we witnessed a brand new monarch butterfly.
Yet so often the Lord has to remind me that I am just like that caterpillar, except even slower yet. And if I am being honest, that just annoys the mess out of me. It is so easy for me to be excited about what the Lord is going to do, but so difficult to put myself into the position or circumstances that allow him to actually do it in my life. I want superior biblical knowledge, a perfect marriage, a vibrant ministry, and book deal overnight. That, however, just isn’t how things work.
What I find even more interesting is the effect this realization has on my thoughts and actions. Because I can’t have everything right away, so often I choose to have nothing at all. In so many ways this reveals my childish faith. I am like the small boy who will give up an entire day of playing outside with my friends because I am too stubborn (or stupid) to spend a few minutes cleaning my room first. It is this sort of paralyzing mediocrity that has so plagued me over the years.That sheer unwillingness to accept the challenges of sanctification and begin the long and arduous process of removing the impurities through the furnaces of affliction.
So today I write to express my frustration, but at the same time acknowledge my weaknesses. Much like the tortoise in that beloved children’s tale, I must be reminded that the race of life is not a sprinter’s competition. In an attempt to press on I have resurrected this blog and killed the other. While it was fun having my own domain and a catchy name for a while, it was a just one more distraction that stole my attention from Christ. Just as the words of Hebrews 12:1-2 have been a spring of encouragement and strength for so many years, I now turn to this blog and pray God would allow it to serve a similar function in the days to come.
I am well aware of the vast inferiority of my thoughts and the lack of profundity in my thinking. However, I also know that my thinking is all I have. This notion of waiting around for the perfect post is pure insanity as I assure you it will never appear on this blog. To that end, I hope to write more. It will probably be shorter, less organized, and at times very simple. However, I must resurrect the sort of thinking that once played such a critical role in my relationship with Christ. I don’t know how to get there, but I must start in some direction lest I spend there rest of my life in the same position.
I cannot sit any longer. I must run again.
