As we end this three part series of the Mary’s in Jesus life, we come to Mary Magdalene a woman whose past is only mentioned once (and then only in passing) in Luke 8:1-2, for I believe her past was not as important as her future! (The same is true with us…God is more concerned with our future…He doesn’t dwell on our pasts.)
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out…
There it was…she was a woman who was completely bound by demons and Jesus had released her. She had been freed from whatever had been controlling her and she could do nothing less than follow Jesus, helping to support Him and His disciples out of her own means. To clear up some misconceptions, this was not the woman who was caught in adultery or even the prostitute at Simon’s home…those women were never named. This Mary was a wealthy woman of the area who had “issues” of being controlled by something externally. She had discovered that her wealth could not bring her freedom from the demons of life…only Jesus could. Once freed, she spent the rest of her life following and ministering to Him. She was there through the good times and the bad….at the healings and miracles, at the trial, at the cross, and finally, at the tomb. I am sure she thought it was over as far as the ministry was concerned but her love for the “teacher” went beyond what He could do for her…it had become what she could do for Him.
Oh, from what has God delivered you? I know He has given me absolute freedom from the many things that had controlled me for most of my life. I wish I had time to tell you of my freedom in detail but know that I can do no less than praise Him for all of it! I consider it a privilege to follow Him wherever He leads. We can be bound by many things…but there is no doubt that He wants us to be free!!
Mary’s “rest of the story” is found in John 20:10-18. Her faithfulness was rewarded by a most wonderful privilege-to hear her name spoken by the risen Lord and to be the first to see Him in His resurrected body. She was overwhelmed by seeing this resurrected Jesus, and wanted to stay in that state of wonder so Jesus’ warning “to not hold on to Him” was similar to the statement God made to Peter on the Mt. of Transfiguration…to get to the work of being a disciple...later you will dwell with Him completely but now you must tell others. Jesus told her to, “go and tell the brothers.”
In order to be prepared for this season we also must first see the LORD and tell others that you have seen Him. What are you telling? Perhaps what we bought, who is coming and sometimes about the baby born in Bethlehem, the Shepherds, and the angel’s rejoicing are our glad tidings. While this is good and necessary, how many of us will include our personal encounter with Christ---when the LORD showed up and spoke our names? The angels rejoiced then, too! So, this Christmas we must tell the brothers (and sisters) about the Living Christ.
I know most of you are finished decorating but may I suggest a three more decorations?
◊ A magnifying glass to remember to magnify the Lord.
◊ A pillow to remind us to rest at His feet in worship
◊ A megaphone to remind us to tell the Good News of our own freedom story because of Christ.
Please, do not under any circumstance go into this season without knowledge of who this season is about. Ask Him to be more to you than a baby in a manger! If there is a coldness in your heart reconnect to Him now and do whatever business you need to do so your hearts and homes will be prepared for this CHRISTmas season.
Mary Christmas! May you have a wonderful New Year!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Mary Christmas (part 2)
The next Mary in or three part series of Mary Christmas is Mary of Bethany which will be found in Luke 10:38-42.
This story is very familiar to most of us type “A” people. To set the stage it is about two sisters who were cooking for a big bunch of men including Jesus. Hard work for two but when one sits down and leaves all the work for the other, sparks are going to fly. Most of us know the story but the last time I read it I noticed something I had not noticed before: Let’s re-read verses 38-39:
As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman NAMED Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister CALLED Mary….
Did you catch that? A woman named Martha had a sister called Mary. I looked at that verse in several versions and they all said the same thing. Everywhere a person is mentioned in the Bible it says their name was…but here it says she was “called” Mary. There must have been a reason and so I looked up the definition of the name Mary. There were four definitions: 1. One who is loved by God. 2. Plump one! 3. Long-awaited child. 4. Rabbi’s understood it to mean “bitter.” So, why was she called Mary? Could it be that she was called bitter? We don’t know but we do know that she was single living with her sister and brother. Did she ever have a husband? Was he dead? Was she jilted? Was she angry at the lot of her life? We don’t know. But if we surmised that she was called “bitter” how would that enhance the story?
Many of us enter this season with great bitterness in our hearts. The reasons vary. Perhaps a loved one is no longer here to celebrate with you for one reason or another. Divorce or death entered you life and so you have divorced yourself from the celebration. Perhaps there is a great hurt in life from which it appears there is no way of forgiving. Whatever it is, you enter this season with bitterness in your heart. You see the laughing faces of others and find yourself angry, envious, or depressed. Could it be this was the way Mary of Bethany came to Jesus? Maybe tired of the pain, she saw an opportunity to be free and sat His feet drinking in everything that He had to say! She brought all of her hurt and bitterness and laid them at His feet. In that very act of sitting there she saw the Master and fell in love with Him resulting into her bitterness being replaced with peace and joy. As Martha complained to Jesus about Mary’s lack of helping, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one things is needed. Mary (I believe it was now definition #1) has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” Martha also had “issues” but chose to “do stuff” instead of admitting her true need. This season, we can choose to admit our need or get really busy and avoid it. What had Mary chosen? Oh she chose to admit! Simply put, she put all of her bitterness at the feet of Jesus and He took care of them.
Dear one, are you entering this season with bitterness? I suggest that before you go a step further in preparing to choose what is best, and sit at His feet until all the bitterness is taken away. Oh, rest at His feet this season.
This story is very familiar to most of us type “A” people. To set the stage it is about two sisters who were cooking for a big bunch of men including Jesus. Hard work for two but when one sits down and leaves all the work for the other, sparks are going to fly. Most of us know the story but the last time I read it I noticed something I had not noticed before: Let’s re-read verses 38-39:
As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman NAMED Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister CALLED Mary….
Did you catch that? A woman named Martha had a sister called Mary. I looked at that verse in several versions and they all said the same thing. Everywhere a person is mentioned in the Bible it says their name was…but here it says she was “called” Mary. There must have been a reason and so I looked up the definition of the name Mary. There were four definitions: 1. One who is loved by God. 2. Plump one! 3. Long-awaited child. 4. Rabbi’s understood it to mean “bitter.” So, why was she called Mary? Could it be that she was called bitter? We don’t know but we do know that she was single living with her sister and brother. Did she ever have a husband? Was he dead? Was she jilted? Was she angry at the lot of her life? We don’t know. But if we surmised that she was called “bitter” how would that enhance the story?
Many of us enter this season with great bitterness in our hearts. The reasons vary. Perhaps a loved one is no longer here to celebrate with you for one reason or another. Divorce or death entered you life and so you have divorced yourself from the celebration. Perhaps there is a great hurt in life from which it appears there is no way of forgiving. Whatever it is, you enter this season with bitterness in your heart. You see the laughing faces of others and find yourself angry, envious, or depressed. Could it be this was the way Mary of Bethany came to Jesus? Maybe tired of the pain, she saw an opportunity to be free and sat His feet drinking in everything that He had to say! She brought all of her hurt and bitterness and laid them at His feet. In that very act of sitting there she saw the Master and fell in love with Him resulting into her bitterness being replaced with peace and joy. As Martha complained to Jesus about Mary’s lack of helping, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one things is needed. Mary (I believe it was now definition #1) has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” Martha also had “issues” but chose to “do stuff” instead of admitting her true need. This season, we can choose to admit our need or get really busy and avoid it. What had Mary chosen? Oh she chose to admit! Simply put, she put all of her bitterness at the feet of Jesus and He took care of them.
Dear one, are you entering this season with bitterness? I suggest that before you go a step further in preparing to choose what is best, and sit at His feet until all the bitterness is taken away. Oh, rest at His feet this season.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Mary Christmas (a series of three)
In my hometown there was a girl whose name was Mary. While that was not unusual, her last name happened to be Christmas! I am sure her parents thought it was cute at the time! I often thought how horrible it would to be named Mary Christmas. What would her mother do when she got angry? Yell, “Mary Christmas!!!!” We laugh but then I begin to think how more and more we have begun to do the same thing with Christmas. We have become so full of “things to do” and “stuff to get” that many of us are yelling, Merry Christmas to each other. A simple look at the faces of those in the mall or my favorite place, Wal-Mart, is evidence of this. Last Christmas, I made a concerted effort to smile at people as I shopped. You would not believe the angry looks I got in return, Christmas glad tidings? I think not!
I began to think of the name “Mary” again and God led me to look at the Mary’s in Jesus’ life as He walked this earth. What could I learn from them? How would they treat Christmas? With that thought, I want to share a three-part series I call the “Mary Christmas” lesson, or how to bring Christ into our hearts and homes this holiday season.
Luke 1: 46-48
The very first Mary in Jesus life was His mother. Who was this woman? We know very little about her other than the fact that she was a virgin, and that she had found favor with God. History indicates that she was a good Jewish girl, from a good Jewish family. They lived in a little town and probably didn’t own many worldly goods. In short, she was a “nobody” whom God chose to do an incredible thing. Some of you are thinking you are just a “nobody.” You have quietly served God all these years and you are just living out the years. Oh, listen to the lesson of this Mary. God wants to do an incredible work in your life if only you do one thing! What did this Mary do?
My soul glorifies (in KJV it is magnifies) the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant!
Friend, the first thing we need to do this season is to “Magnify the Lord” through all we do. There is a tendency to put Him on the back burner while we are making the gravies and sauces for our dinners but to have a true Christmas He must be bigger than life. One year as I was decorating for Christmas…BTW a task I hated and dreaded every year---I put on some music to get me in the mood. I couldn’t find any Christmas music so I settled for a Praise and Worship CD. Paul Baloche sang as I halfway listened, reluctantly hanging garland on one of the fireplace mantles. All of a sudden I clearly heard the words of one of the songs in a way I had never listened before. The words were:
You are the One, You are Holy.
You are the One. You are Worthy.
You are the One.
You are the One I will worship….
You are the one.
I fell on my knees with tears streaming down my face at my sin of thinking this was all about me and all that I had to do. This was a time of remembering HIS birth, which resulted in MY salvation. Oh, when I got up, I began decorating with a new vigor. With every decoration I realized HE was the ONE!!
Oh, this Christmas with all your heart, Magnify the Lord…for He is the One.
I began to think of the name “Mary” again and God led me to look at the Mary’s in Jesus’ life as He walked this earth. What could I learn from them? How would they treat Christmas? With that thought, I want to share a three-part series I call the “Mary Christmas” lesson, or how to bring Christ into our hearts and homes this holiday season.
Luke 1: 46-48
The very first Mary in Jesus life was His mother. Who was this woman? We know very little about her other than the fact that she was a virgin, and that she had found favor with God. History indicates that she was a good Jewish girl, from a good Jewish family. They lived in a little town and probably didn’t own many worldly goods. In short, she was a “nobody” whom God chose to do an incredible thing. Some of you are thinking you are just a “nobody.” You have quietly served God all these years and you are just living out the years. Oh, listen to the lesson of this Mary. God wants to do an incredible work in your life if only you do one thing! What did this Mary do?
My soul glorifies (in KJV it is magnifies) the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant!
Friend, the first thing we need to do this season is to “Magnify the Lord” through all we do. There is a tendency to put Him on the back burner while we are making the gravies and sauces for our dinners but to have a true Christmas He must be bigger than life. One year as I was decorating for Christmas…BTW a task I hated and dreaded every year---I put on some music to get me in the mood. I couldn’t find any Christmas music so I settled for a Praise and Worship CD. Paul Baloche sang as I halfway listened, reluctantly hanging garland on one of the fireplace mantles. All of a sudden I clearly heard the words of one of the songs in a way I had never listened before. The words were:
You are the One, You are Holy.
You are the One. You are Worthy.
You are the One.
You are the One I will worship….
You are the one.
I fell on my knees with tears streaming down my face at my sin of thinking this was all about me and all that I had to do. This was a time of remembering HIS birth, which resulted in MY salvation. Oh, when I got up, I began decorating with a new vigor. With every decoration I realized HE was the ONE!!
Oh, this Christmas with all your heart, Magnify the Lord…for He is the One.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Perspective
I have been reading, Andy Andrews, an author who is new to me…He is not a “Christian” author but his works are definitely Christian. In his book, The Noticer, the overall theme is perspective. This idea, although not new, has been thought-provoking in this season of my life. What is perspective? I guess it is best described by the story of a fly that lighted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Glancing at the crowds who were amazed by the ceiling’s beauty, the fly looked at what he could see from his vantage point and said, “They all came for this?” The fly could only see one tiny part of one minuscule brushstroke in the millions upon millions that make up the entire ceiling. His perspective was indeed limited.
I have been thinking about this since before Thanksgiving. What we focus on, brings our own perspective to situations. If we focus on what we don’t have, our perspective will be bleak and we will become depressed. However, if we focus upon the things we do have the perspective changes! Some examples: “Oh, no, I have to go back to work!” vs. “I am so glad I have a job in this economy!” You get the idea…but what about the whole of life? Perhaps you are going through a very difficult time…how do you get proper perspective? For the Christian, it is called faith! Often we are like flies on ceilings wondering what is going on, when all along God is working out a great plan in our lives or the lives of those we love. We can’t see the whole picture but we have to trust that it looks better from far away than it does in the midst of it! I can give lots of testimony that that is true in my life…once I stepped away from the situation, I could see the bigger picture.
A great example was while in college, I knew I had met the man of my dreams. Plans to marry were made and life was great when all of a sudden the relationship ended…and not well. I became distraught and angry. “Why would God take this person away from me for we had such a great ministry ahead?” I could only see my pain and my will. These long years later, I see clearly that God truly knew what He was doing…(thank God for unanswered prayers!) My perspective changed…I saw more of the picture and because of that (and countless other examples) I have learned that God is trustworthy. Samuel called this his Ebenezer! (I Samuel 7:12-13) He was in a fierce battle with a familiar enemy of God’s people…the Philistines. He wasn’t sure about what the future would hold for him but He knew God was in control! To show his faith, Samuel lifted a large stone, naming it “Ebenezer” which means, “Thus far the LORD helped us!” He didn’t know what was to come but “thus far” and God never changes!!
That is what I have been reflecting upon, as things in life change. “Thus far, God has been faithful,” has become my perspective. Disease enters? Thus far! Child rebels? Thus far! Job loss? Thus far! Friend, I have been on this journey long enough to know that when our perspective remains upon God’s mighty power and everlasting love for us, that we can make it! I challenge you today to remember a powerful victory God has given you in the past, find a stone, label the victory on the stone and call it your Ebenezer! I can assure you that your perspective to the situation you currently are in will change.
I love each of you so much! Focus on Him and let your perspective be, “thus far!”
I have been thinking about this since before Thanksgiving. What we focus on, brings our own perspective to situations. If we focus on what we don’t have, our perspective will be bleak and we will become depressed. However, if we focus upon the things we do have the perspective changes! Some examples: “Oh, no, I have to go back to work!” vs. “I am so glad I have a job in this economy!” You get the idea…but what about the whole of life? Perhaps you are going through a very difficult time…how do you get proper perspective? For the Christian, it is called faith! Often we are like flies on ceilings wondering what is going on, when all along God is working out a great plan in our lives or the lives of those we love. We can’t see the whole picture but we have to trust that it looks better from far away than it does in the midst of it! I can give lots of testimony that that is true in my life…once I stepped away from the situation, I could see the bigger picture.
A great example was while in college, I knew I had met the man of my dreams. Plans to marry were made and life was great when all of a sudden the relationship ended…and not well. I became distraught and angry. “Why would God take this person away from me for we had such a great ministry ahead?” I could only see my pain and my will. These long years later, I see clearly that God truly knew what He was doing…(thank God for unanswered prayers!) My perspective changed…I saw more of the picture and because of that (and countless other examples) I have learned that God is trustworthy. Samuel called this his Ebenezer! (I Samuel 7:12-13) He was in a fierce battle with a familiar enemy of God’s people…the Philistines. He wasn’t sure about what the future would hold for him but He knew God was in control! To show his faith, Samuel lifted a large stone, naming it “Ebenezer” which means, “Thus far the LORD helped us!” He didn’t know what was to come but “thus far” and God never changes!!
That is what I have been reflecting upon, as things in life change. “Thus far, God has been faithful,” has become my perspective. Disease enters? Thus far! Child rebels? Thus far! Job loss? Thus far! Friend, I have been on this journey long enough to know that when our perspective remains upon God’s mighty power and everlasting love for us, that we can make it! I challenge you today to remember a powerful victory God has given you in the past, find a stone, label the victory on the stone and call it your Ebenezer! I can assure you that your perspective to the situation you currently are in will change.
I love each of you so much! Focus on Him and let your perspective be, “thus far!”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Pit of Perfection
I have not blogged in awhile…not because I didn’t want to but I had a fall. I fell into a pit. Perhaps you will understand for you have fallen into pits like this before, too. These pits sneak up on us. One day we are walking around, things are fine, and then there is a hole and we fall in. My particular pit was a familiar one and a dangerous one. It was a pit of “I am not good enough…” Perhaps you have had that kind of fall, too, for like the potholes in Jackson, these pits are everywhere--especially on the streets we travel most. May I suggest this is satan’s biggest weapon for “pits” tend to render us useless.
I need not go into the details of what caused my fall, but it took longer to get myself out this time. Feelings of inadequacy grew from thinking I wasn’t a good teacher to I am not a good person. “Who would ever want to be around me?” became my constant thought. This pit was not a good place to be, let me tell you!! I was not really depressed, just paralyzed in doing what I knew I needed to do. I was trapped…in bondage with chains I had put on myself.
Now, why would I share this with you? After all, I am supposed to encourage and tell you about Christ’s victorious life, aren’t I? That is exactly why I am telling you this…you see I am no longer in that pit and I want you to know how I escaped just in case you are in a similar pit right now.
While I was being all “pit-a-full” I refused to go to Christ for help. Sound familiar? satan had convinced me that God would never want to use me anymore because I was so worthless. This was the trap satan has always used… I can’t believe I fell for this lie again. I thought I knew better! I did not eat of the Word of God and soon found myself starving and willing to eat the lies of the deceiver. Dangerous place! This could have been where the story ends…BUT GOD.
When God can’t reach us the easy ways, He tries creative ways to get to us. My granddaughter, who is 10, quoted her “favorite” scripture to me…Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” She was merely trying to impress me with her memorization, but God wanted to remind me of some very important things:
• I wasn’t good…but God is great…and God is good and He loves me with an ever-lasting love. My only goodness is from Him. Jesus even said to the people to whom he preached, “Why do you call me good…there is no one good except my Father who is in Heaven.” My significance both here and beyond, is in Him…what a wonderful place to be.
• Nothing I do makes Him love me any more or any less. I can do nothing that would cause Christ’s love to be taken away from me. His grace is sufficient for my every need but also for my every failing. It is a gift and not just at salvation but throughout my life.
• He has called me (and you) for a purpose while we are on this earth. It was upon this point that I really needed to dwell. I knew he called me but I had been coasting for a while, doing this “call” on my own…in my own wisdom. (insert hysterical laughter here!) What I had forgotten was what my granddaughter reminded me…it is Christ doing it…not me! If I am to do this thing right, I must immerse myself in His word and depend on His strength. When I do that, the situations and feeling really do change!
• I don’t need to dwell in the pit! There is an escape…and Christ’s strength is the only way.
So, what has changed? Did the situation change? Nope! What caused the fall is still stalking me. What changed was my focus. I chose to look to Christ instead of my circumstances. I used that word “chose” because it is a choice. You, dear one, can choose to stay in the pit…you can even put up curtains with a recliner…but there will be no light and no rest…for it is a pit, and a pit is dark and uncomfortable.
I am back with a vengeance to help others escape despair. Honestly, I had forgotten what it was like to be down, but now I remember…I know how some of you are feeling…I know how hard life can be…but I also know who God is and I know His Word says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Is. 40:31 I have never seen an eagle in a pit!! Praise His Name!!!
I need not go into the details of what caused my fall, but it took longer to get myself out this time. Feelings of inadequacy grew from thinking I wasn’t a good teacher to I am not a good person. “Who would ever want to be around me?” became my constant thought. This pit was not a good place to be, let me tell you!! I was not really depressed, just paralyzed in doing what I knew I needed to do. I was trapped…in bondage with chains I had put on myself.
Now, why would I share this with you? After all, I am supposed to encourage and tell you about Christ’s victorious life, aren’t I? That is exactly why I am telling you this…you see I am no longer in that pit and I want you to know how I escaped just in case you are in a similar pit right now.
While I was being all “pit-a-full” I refused to go to Christ for help. Sound familiar? satan had convinced me that God would never want to use me anymore because I was so worthless. This was the trap satan has always used… I can’t believe I fell for this lie again. I thought I knew better! I did not eat of the Word of God and soon found myself starving and willing to eat the lies of the deceiver. Dangerous place! This could have been where the story ends…BUT GOD.
When God can’t reach us the easy ways, He tries creative ways to get to us. My granddaughter, who is 10, quoted her “favorite” scripture to me…Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” She was merely trying to impress me with her memorization, but God wanted to remind me of some very important things:
• I wasn’t good…but God is great…and God is good and He loves me with an ever-lasting love. My only goodness is from Him. Jesus even said to the people to whom he preached, “Why do you call me good…there is no one good except my Father who is in Heaven.” My significance both here and beyond, is in Him…what a wonderful place to be.
• Nothing I do makes Him love me any more or any less. I can do nothing that would cause Christ’s love to be taken away from me. His grace is sufficient for my every need but also for my every failing. It is a gift and not just at salvation but throughout my life.
• He has called me (and you) for a purpose while we are on this earth. It was upon this point that I really needed to dwell. I knew he called me but I had been coasting for a while, doing this “call” on my own…in my own wisdom. (insert hysterical laughter here!) What I had forgotten was what my granddaughter reminded me…it is Christ doing it…not me! If I am to do this thing right, I must immerse myself in His word and depend on His strength. When I do that, the situations and feeling really do change!
• I don’t need to dwell in the pit! There is an escape…and Christ’s strength is the only way.
So, what has changed? Did the situation change? Nope! What caused the fall is still stalking me. What changed was my focus. I chose to look to Christ instead of my circumstances. I used that word “chose” because it is a choice. You, dear one, can choose to stay in the pit…you can even put up curtains with a recliner…but there will be no light and no rest…for it is a pit, and a pit is dark and uncomfortable.
I am back with a vengeance to help others escape despair. Honestly, I had forgotten what it was like to be down, but now I remember…I know how some of you are feeling…I know how hard life can be…but I also know who God is and I know His Word says, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Is. 40:31 I have never seen an eagle in a pit!! Praise His Name!!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Pick Me! Pick Me!!
I am a grown woman with a college degree, seminary, two wonderful adult children, 3 precious grandchildren, and a great husband! Because of Christ, I have had a very good life so what could go wrong? Well, I was reminded this week of how cruel people are and memories of 5th grade came rushing back to my mind!!
I was always taller than anyone else in my class (I still am.) Being tall and lanky also caused me to be a little clumsy so during recess when people were choosing teams for kickball, I was nearly always last in the picking. You all know that feeling. We would go home and cry and our moms would tell us how beautiful and talented we were and that “those people” were just jealous of us! Great words but it never worked did it? The fact that we were not good enough for that special group, for some, left a lasting mark. We often grow out of it and live a fairly normal life until something comes along to remind us of that memory.
That reminder happened twice this week in our household! It didn’t happen to me but to two people I love very much and through them I have re-lived every single moment of the pain I had in the 5th grade. While my rejection happened at school, my loved ones’ rejection happened at a place where rejection should never happen…at church. I will get over this and so will my loved ones but it made me wonder about what we as the church are doing in the world.
I recently read the book, Un-Christian, and thought the authors were way off base ---until this week. The fact is, humans have a need to be accepted and will go wherever that will happen. Psychologists say that is why gangs are so popular among youth…in gangs they are accepted and the members will do whatever it takes to remain a part of the group that accepted them. The world is looking for somewhere to be “picked!” The local church should be that place but is it? Reality is I am accepted in my church and so I assume everyone else who comes is, but this past week I realized that is not the case and perhaps the words in Un-Christian is more accurate than I would like to believe. These incidents happened and I became aware of my own apathy in relating to those who are not in my group of friends!
Jesus saw this attitude as we are told of his encounter with a woman who was not “picked” by those who were a part of the “in crowd”. We call her “the woman at the well” but I often wonder about the other women...you know, the ones who came early and shunned her because she was “one of those women!” Perhaps they felt superior to her and rolled their eyes or giggled as she walked by. Or maybe even worse, they never even noticed her. Oh, she saw them-- maybe watching their conversations wishing she could participate…but she knew it would never happen because she was not good enough…they would never pick her. But on this day things were going to change. Jesus saw her, looked at her, talked to her, and picked her!! He didn’t ignore her sin but He did give her hope that things could be better. The best part of this is that she was given dignity…so much that she had the courage to face the “other women” and brought them to the very person who changed her life.
That is Christ’s legacy to His church and I am afraid we are more like those shunning women rather than those offering hope. Make no mistake, we all have the capacity to become part of the special clique! We also, however, have the capacity to offer hope and dignity to those who so much want to belong but in order to do that, we must look at others through the eyes of Jesus. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zone and take some risks! It may be hard but the results just might cause revival!
Things will eventually settle down in my home; hurt feelings will be healed and I pray I will show compassion to those who were compassionless for that is what Jesus has called us to do---after all, I once was “that woman” but Jesus “picked” me and offered me hope and life! He can do the same for you and through you.
I was always taller than anyone else in my class (I still am.) Being tall and lanky also caused me to be a little clumsy so during recess when people were choosing teams for kickball, I was nearly always last in the picking. You all know that feeling. We would go home and cry and our moms would tell us how beautiful and talented we were and that “those people” were just jealous of us! Great words but it never worked did it? The fact that we were not good enough for that special group, for some, left a lasting mark. We often grow out of it and live a fairly normal life until something comes along to remind us of that memory.
That reminder happened twice this week in our household! It didn’t happen to me but to two people I love very much and through them I have re-lived every single moment of the pain I had in the 5th grade. While my rejection happened at school, my loved ones’ rejection happened at a place where rejection should never happen…at church. I will get over this and so will my loved ones but it made me wonder about what we as the church are doing in the world.
I recently read the book, Un-Christian, and thought the authors were way off base ---until this week. The fact is, humans have a need to be accepted and will go wherever that will happen. Psychologists say that is why gangs are so popular among youth…in gangs they are accepted and the members will do whatever it takes to remain a part of the group that accepted them. The world is looking for somewhere to be “picked!” The local church should be that place but is it? Reality is I am accepted in my church and so I assume everyone else who comes is, but this past week I realized that is not the case and perhaps the words in Un-Christian is more accurate than I would like to believe. These incidents happened and I became aware of my own apathy in relating to those who are not in my group of friends!
Jesus saw this attitude as we are told of his encounter with a woman who was not “picked” by those who were a part of the “in crowd”. We call her “the woman at the well” but I often wonder about the other women...you know, the ones who came early and shunned her because she was “one of those women!” Perhaps they felt superior to her and rolled their eyes or giggled as she walked by. Or maybe even worse, they never even noticed her. Oh, she saw them-- maybe watching their conversations wishing she could participate…but she knew it would never happen because she was not good enough…they would never pick her. But on this day things were going to change. Jesus saw her, looked at her, talked to her, and picked her!! He didn’t ignore her sin but He did give her hope that things could be better. The best part of this is that she was given dignity…so much that she had the courage to face the “other women” and brought them to the very person who changed her life.
That is Christ’s legacy to His church and I am afraid we are more like those shunning women rather than those offering hope. Make no mistake, we all have the capacity to become part of the special clique! We also, however, have the capacity to offer hope and dignity to those who so much want to belong but in order to do that, we must look at others through the eyes of Jesus. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zone and take some risks! It may be hard but the results just might cause revival!
Things will eventually settle down in my home; hurt feelings will be healed and I pray I will show compassion to those who were compassionless for that is what Jesus has called us to do---after all, I once was “that woman” but Jesus “picked” me and offered me hope and life! He can do the same for you and through you.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Focus
I don't like doctors! Nothing personal, I just don't like them. They probe, say little, then give you a bill and maybe some medicine. They really don't want to have conversations with you because they are focused on one thing: getting to the root of what is wrong. Many others share in this dislike of the medical profession so I don't feel alone. I, however,also hate going to the eye doctor to get new glasses. Whoa, now I admit that is weird. You might think I don't like the dilating of the eyes? No, that is cool and the glasses you get to wear are great fashion statements! No, what I don't like is having to make a decision about, "Which is better, This or This?" Arghhh! Pressure. My decision at that moment will last for at least a year...what if I make a wrong choice? I will have to live with it.
It is much like life. Each day God says, "Which is better, this or this?" We are given a choice of upon what we will focus...the negative or the positive. I love being on Facebook but many times status updates are gripes about the silliest things...a choice to focus on the negative and in doing so are setting a foundation for the rest of the day. I am as guilty as anyone about focusing on the half-empty glass! It's easier to do and doesn't require anything other than settling for the way things appear. It is like going to the eye doctor and telling him/her, "I don't see very well out of these glasses but I don't I don't want new ones" and then complaining how blurry everything is!! I remember a story about a construction worker who for an entire week complained loudly about having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in his lunch box. He would complain loudly, "I hate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!" The other workers finally asked him why he didn't just tell his wife to make another kind of sandwich to which he answered, "Oh, I make my own lunches!"
We make our own lunches, too! We get to choose how we respond to the situations in life. Choice "one" is to complain resulting in making yourself and everyone around you miserable! Choice "two" is to focus on anything in the situation that might be positive. That is the harder choice but it is like getting new lenses for the day! This is not just a bunch of happy thought or mind control as many think...it is about where we are going to invest our lives! We were given a model of this kind of living. Hebrews 12:2 says this: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Did you see that? Jesus set joy before Him on His journey which allowed Him to endure all that was going on around Him. Choosing to focus on the positive allows us to endure. I know there are some horrible situations in today's world but when we focus on our faith...it will be perfected. When we focus on where this road is leading...we will endure.
So, which is better? This? (headache, finances, mean people, sickness, government, etc.) or This? (God is in control, He loves me, I am blessed because I am His) Your answer will determine what your day will be! Today, I choose to look toward the joy set before me!
It is much like life. Each day God says, "Which is better, this or this?" We are given a choice of upon what we will focus...the negative or the positive. I love being on Facebook but many times status updates are gripes about the silliest things...a choice to focus on the negative and in doing so are setting a foundation for the rest of the day. I am as guilty as anyone about focusing on the half-empty glass! It's easier to do and doesn't require anything other than settling for the way things appear. It is like going to the eye doctor and telling him/her, "I don't see very well out of these glasses but I don't I don't want new ones" and then complaining how blurry everything is!! I remember a story about a construction worker who for an entire week complained loudly about having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in his lunch box. He would complain loudly, "I hate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!" The other workers finally asked him why he didn't just tell his wife to make another kind of sandwich to which he answered, "Oh, I make my own lunches!"
We make our own lunches, too! We get to choose how we respond to the situations in life. Choice "one" is to complain resulting in making yourself and everyone around you miserable! Choice "two" is to focus on anything in the situation that might be positive. That is the harder choice but it is like getting new lenses for the day! This is not just a bunch of happy thought or mind control as many think...it is about where we are going to invest our lives! We were given a model of this kind of living. Hebrews 12:2 says this: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Did you see that? Jesus set joy before Him on His journey which allowed Him to endure all that was going on around Him. Choosing to focus on the positive allows us to endure. I know there are some horrible situations in today's world but when we focus on our faith...it will be perfected. When we focus on where this road is leading...we will endure.
So, which is better? This? (headache, finances, mean people, sickness, government, etc.) or This? (God is in control, He loves me, I am blessed because I am His) Your answer will determine what your day will be! Today, I choose to look toward the joy set before me!
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