“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him”
The Bible tells us that Christians have to get along with each other in a far more visible way than any other group of people gets along. Actually Americans hardly get along at all these days. We are not a melting pot any more where differences are subsumed into commonalities. Rather we’re more tribal than ever. Our differences become our identities and we fight for them. We’re told to tolerate, which basically means put up with the other guy who’s, in the view of the tolerater, wrong. Further the “tolerater” as he tolerates (endures the other’s wrongness????), will work to change the other guy so he melts to my demands. We’re more at war with each other than ever.
Jesus says Christians can’t be this way. If someone has hurt me I’ve got to care so much about this breech of relationship that I do the unthinkable and go and try to repair the breech. If that doesn’t work I’m supposed to try again!, this time with a neutral friend or two. If that doesn’t work, I’m suppose to try again, this time with a church leader or two. I’ve got to keep trying!
This is a question not of process or knowledge, rather it’s a question of will. Do you know anyone who does this? How about you? How important to you is getting this teaching of Jesus right?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
November 21, 1009
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples”
Most of us understand that people don’t have a great history of getting along with each other. The history of the world is one of fighting and winners and loosers. We fight over anything and everything, from territory to rights to ethnicity to religion.
If you ever wonder why God doesn’t run the world better, try running a company where all your employees can do whatever they want and you haven’t given yourself permission to just get rid of them. Now think of running the world with 6 billion people doing whatever they want, especially trying to run it themselves.
This was true in the Old Testament. Israel, God’s representatives, didn’t get along even with itself. Is any surprise that Congress, our representatives, can’t do any better? We’re a sorry lot.
With this in mind think of today’s scriptures. Jesus said the world will believe that God sent Him, to the degree that believers, not because they are coerced, but because they want to, actually get along with each other. That’s such a radical departure from all that we know, that it becomes an irresistible miracle! Especially so because they voluntarily get along, no one being fired or being cut from the team. Now that’s a witness that works.
Most of us understand that people don’t have a great history of getting along with each other. The history of the world is one of fighting and winners and loosers. We fight over anything and everything, from territory to rights to ethnicity to religion.
If you ever wonder why God doesn’t run the world better, try running a company where all your employees can do whatever they want and you haven’t given yourself permission to just get rid of them. Now think of running the world with 6 billion people doing whatever they want, especially trying to run it themselves.
This was true in the Old Testament. Israel, God’s representatives, didn’t get along even with itself. Is any surprise that Congress, our representatives, can’t do any better? We’re a sorry lot.
With this in mind think of today’s scriptures. Jesus said the world will believe that God sent Him, to the degree that believers, not because they are coerced, but because they want to, actually get along with each other. That’s such a radical departure from all that we know, that it becomes an irresistible miracle! Especially so because they voluntarily get along, no one being fired or being cut from the team. Now that’s a witness that works.
Friday, November 20, 2009
November 20, 2009
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow”
When Christ returns, he will gather all believers, those who have died and those who are alive, into one united family under his rule. All believers from all times, will be with Christ in his kingdom. This includes . . . . . .
the unattractive
the orphan
the sick
the hateful
the enemy
the murderer
the poor
the unclothed
the widow and widower
the unclean
the homeless
the prisoner
the diseased
the spiteful
the oppressor
the sinner
the opponent
the dictator
It seems to me that that one of the most important things we can do with this brief life we have on earth is to actively engage in loving others, especially the ones we find most difficult to love. Why? Because a demand of the New Creation is that each of us must able to so as one among God’s new humanity. Today is our preparation for eternity.
When Christ returns, he will gather all believers, those who have died and those who are alive, into one united family under his rule. All believers from all times, will be with Christ in his kingdom. This includes . . . . . .
the unattractive
the orphan
the sick
the hateful
the enemy
the murderer
the poor
the unclothed
the widow and widower
the unclean
the homeless
the prisoner
the diseased
the spiteful
the oppressor
the sinner
the opponent
the dictator
It seems to me that that one of the most important things we can do with this brief life we have on earth is to actively engage in loving others, especially the ones we find most difficult to love. Why? Because a demand of the New Creation is that each of us must able to so as one among God’s new humanity. Today is our preparation for eternity.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
November 17, 2009
“having all that you need”
God ensures that I have all I need. But it’s really hard to differentiate between needs and wants, isn’t it? I find myself complaining when my garage door opener doesn’t work, or when I loose my automatic car door opener. In fact for over a year now, I have had to actually put a key into the car door key hole, turn it, and open my doors manually. Poor me.
What is really want is to be so grateful for all that I have that I consider all my needs and wants met. I want freedom from my “felt needs”. Do you? Paul seems to have achieved this kind of contentment;
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
Not only that, he appears to be all the more empowered for it.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Following is a wonderful and freeing verse. It’s worth memorizing and daring to risk believing.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”.
Philippians 4:12-19 (NIV)
God ensures that I have all I need. But it’s really hard to differentiate between needs and wants, isn’t it? I find myself complaining when my garage door opener doesn’t work, or when I loose my automatic car door opener. In fact for over a year now, I have had to actually put a key into the car door key hole, turn it, and open my doors manually. Poor me.
What is really want is to be so grateful for all that I have that I consider all my needs and wants met. I want freedom from my “felt needs”. Do you? Paul seems to have achieved this kind of contentment;
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
Not only that, he appears to be all the more empowered for it.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Following is a wonderful and freeing verse. It’s worth memorizing and daring to risk believing.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”.
Philippians 4:12-19 (NIV)
Monday, November 16, 2009
November 16, 2009
“not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver"
It has been said that “God loves a cheerful giver, but he’ll take the giving of a grouch.” This old line might be funny sometimes but it’s not true. In fact, I’ve said many, many times in sermons that if you have not given yourself over to the leadership and forgiveness of Christ in your life, then you might even want to hold off on your giving. God wants you, not your money.
On the other hand, if you are a Christ follower, God will take steps to grow you.
I did not start out as a cheerful giver. In my first year of following Christ at the age of 32 I learned about tithing.
"A tithe of everything . . . belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD." Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)
Therefore I began to tithe (10% of my gross), but I wasn’t doing it cheerfully! In fact I gave 10% to penny, and not one penny more! But, once I started I began to feel glad that I started. It felt like a sacrifice (even though it wasn’t because it’s all God’s anyway), but over time I began to discover that I was living just fine on the 90% that God had left me. Over still more time I began to be a happy giver and today I look forward to giving over and above to God’s causes.
Sometimes it takes simple, raw obedience to kick start the growth of God’s Heart within us.
It has been said that “God loves a cheerful giver, but he’ll take the giving of a grouch.” This old line might be funny sometimes but it’s not true. In fact, I’ve said many, many times in sermons that if you have not given yourself over to the leadership and forgiveness of Christ in your life, then you might even want to hold off on your giving. God wants you, not your money.
On the other hand, if you are a Christ follower, God will take steps to grow you.
I did not start out as a cheerful giver. In my first year of following Christ at the age of 32 I learned about tithing.
"A tithe of everything . . . belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD." Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)
Therefore I began to tithe (10% of my gross), but I wasn’t doing it cheerfully! In fact I gave 10% to penny, and not one penny more! But, once I started I began to feel glad that I started. It felt like a sacrifice (even though it wasn’t because it’s all God’s anyway), but over time I began to discover that I was living just fine on the 90% that God had left me. Over still more time I began to be a happy giver and today I look forward to giving over and above to God’s causes.
Sometimes it takes simple, raw obedience to kick start the growth of God’s Heart within us.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
November 14, 2009
“whoever sows generously will also reap generously”
If I don’t plant any seeds, I won’t get any plants. I can count on that. However, If I do plant seeds, the chances are pretty good that I’ll get a crop.
This applies to every area of life, be it giving money, giving encouragement or even giving forgiveness. Notice this verse;
“Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)
God says that when we give, He will take care of us. We’ll be provided for. Whatever we’ve lost in our giving will be “made up for” by God by His blessings. The best blessing is the great feeling we get from being givers. Often givers find themselves blessed more financially after having become givers than they were ever blessed before becoming givers.
But we must be careful. Beware of the trap of giving so that you will be blessed. That’s not from God. I give because I want to experience and express the compassionate heart of God, not to get blessed. It’s important for each of us to monitor our motives.
If I don’t plant any seeds, I won’t get any plants. I can count on that. However, If I do plant seeds, the chances are pretty good that I’ll get a crop.
This applies to every area of life, be it giving money, giving encouragement or even giving forgiveness. Notice this verse;
“Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)
God says that when we give, He will take care of us. We’ll be provided for. Whatever we’ve lost in our giving will be “made up for” by God by His blessings. The best blessing is the great feeling we get from being givers. Often givers find themselves blessed more financially after having become givers than they were ever blessed before becoming givers.
But we must be careful. Beware of the trap of giving so that you will be blessed. That’s not from God. I give because I want to experience and express the compassionate heart of God, not to get blessed. It’s important for each of us to monitor our motives.
Friday, November 13, 2009
November 13, 2009
God doesn’t want me to be a “scrooge.” He wants me to be like a teflon tube, a person into whom God can pour His blessings so that they can flow easily through me to others.
This can be a very tough issue for married couples who have differing views on giving. When one spouse wants to give “as a generous gift” and that gift for the other would be only “grudgingly given”, then of course there’s a problem. Money is the number one issue mentioned by couples as the source of marital conflict. So, what to do when the conflict focuses on giving to God?
My advice stems from the belief that God doesn’t want to create conflict within marriages. Further the Bible makes it clear that giving is to be done freely, not under pressure or in a legalistic manner. Therefore if one spouse wants to give biblically and the other is reluctant, it’s really important to discuss the matter respectfully, honestly and lovingly and in the end I personally believe that the more mature Christian should defer to the less mature Christian. This means that the stronger Christian will not be forcing his or her will on the other and will be showing honor to that spouse’s understanding. It then becomes the stronger Christian to be a spouse who makes Christianity attractive rather than legalistic.
Attitude matters so much to God.
This can be a very tough issue for married couples who have differing views on giving. When one spouse wants to give “as a generous gift” and that gift for the other would be only “grudgingly given”, then of course there’s a problem. Money is the number one issue mentioned by couples as the source of marital conflict. So, what to do when the conflict focuses on giving to God?
My advice stems from the belief that God doesn’t want to create conflict within marriages. Further the Bible makes it clear that giving is to be done freely, not under pressure or in a legalistic manner. Therefore if one spouse wants to give biblically and the other is reluctant, it’s really important to discuss the matter respectfully, honestly and lovingly and in the end I personally believe that the more mature Christian should defer to the less mature Christian. This means that the stronger Christian will not be forcing his or her will on the other and will be showing honor to that spouse’s understanding. It then becomes the stronger Christian to be a spouse who makes Christianity attractive rather than legalistic.
Attitude matters so much to God.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
November 12, 2009
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means”
This is great advice. We’ve all heard in one form or another. “Finish what you started”. “Do what you say you’re going to do”. This advice was also a big part of Jesus’ teaching. He had a strong emphasis on integrity, being true to your word, not falling into hypocrisy.
Paul adds “according to your means.” This alludes to the biblical teaching of percentage giving. When God asks for a tithe, it implies that if one has no income, then there’s nothing from which to tithe. God’s desire is always to lead us to sacrificial giving, but not impoverishment.
Paul then speaks to attitude. “For if the willingness is there . . . . .”
Am I willing or am I resistant. This is a wonderful heart test for each of us. If I sense reluctance, unwillingness or resistance in myself, then I know that God has some work to do in my heart. If I have a genuinely willing heart, I can rejoice that God’s Spirit is bearing fruit within me.
This is great advice. We’ve all heard in one form or another. “Finish what you started”. “Do what you say you’re going to do”. This advice was also a big part of Jesus’ teaching. He had a strong emphasis on integrity, being true to your word, not falling into hypocrisy.
Paul adds “according to your means.” This alludes to the biblical teaching of percentage giving. When God asks for a tithe, it implies that if one has no income, then there’s nothing from which to tithe. God’s desire is always to lead us to sacrificial giving, but not impoverishment.
Paul then speaks to attitude. “For if the willingness is there . . . . .”
Am I willing or am I resistant. This is a wonderful heart test for each of us. If I sense reluctance, unwillingness or resistance in myself, then I know that God has some work to do in my heart. If I have a genuinely willing heart, I can rejoice that God’s Spirit is bearing fruit within me.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
November 11, 2009
“See that you also excel in this grace of giving”
The apostle Paul is so completely in tune with the heart of God. He calls our giving to God and to others a “grace”. It’s a gift to be able to give. Why is it a grace or a gift? When we become givers it is because God has imparted a part of Himself to us, He has recreated part of me into his image. Becoming a giver is becoming like God, like Christ. The most well known passage in all of scripture is about “over the top, beyond the pale” generous giving. .
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)
God gave His Son, the Son gave his life. God has set the example for extravagant love and he did so through giving, not out of his excess, but out of the core of His Being. At the core of His Being is the central character of giving.
“You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
Now we understand why Paul wants us to excel in this grace of giving. Why? Because doing so grows us one step closer to Christlikeness.
The apostle Paul is so completely in tune with the heart of God. He calls our giving to God and to others a “grace”. It’s a gift to be able to give. Why is it a grace or a gift? When we become givers it is because God has imparted a part of Himself to us, He has recreated part of me into his image. Becoming a giver is becoming like God, like Christ. The most well known passage in all of scripture is about “over the top, beyond the pale” generous giving. .
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)
God gave His Son, the Son gave his life. God has set the example for extravagant love and he did so through giving, not out of his excess, but out of the core of His Being. At the core of His Being is the central character of giving.
“You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
Now we understand why Paul wants us to excel in this grace of giving. Why? Because doing so grows us one step closer to Christlikeness.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
November 10, 2009
“they gave themselves first to the Lord”
When I hear of the need of another, that need can stir me to acts of generosity. My problem, however, is that once that need is no longer on my radar, I can all too easily cease being generous.
In today’s passage Paul urges the Corinthians to complete the offering they had pledged to make. They, like many of us, were facing the temptation of making a generous pledge but not actually giving as they said they would. Therefore, Paul writes a very wonderful sentence which gives the reason for the Macedonians’ sustained generosity.
“they gave themselves first to the Lord”
Frankly this is the reason my giving to the Lord has been sustained and consistent for the last 29 years.
The first thing I do is tithe, which means I give 10% of my gross income to the Lord’s storehouse which is the church. Second I give my offerings, which is over and above the tithe, to ministries such as our deacons, Urban Promise and more. I do this because the Bible teaches that God tells me to do this. So, if want to “give myself first to the Lord” I must do what He says. I am reminded of the following verses.
“The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your life” Deuteronomy 14:23
In the end it is obedience that keeps me (and I think most of us) consistently generous.
When I hear of the need of another, that need can stir me to acts of generosity. My problem, however, is that once that need is no longer on my radar, I can all too easily cease being generous.
In today’s passage Paul urges the Corinthians to complete the offering they had pledged to make. They, like many of us, were facing the temptation of making a generous pledge but not actually giving as they said they would. Therefore, Paul writes a very wonderful sentence which gives the reason for the Macedonians’ sustained generosity.
“they gave themselves first to the Lord”
Frankly this is the reason my giving to the Lord has been sustained and consistent for the last 29 years.
The first thing I do is tithe, which means I give 10% of my gross income to the Lord’s storehouse which is the church. Second I give my offerings, which is over and above the tithe, to ministries such as our deacons, Urban Promise and more. I do this because the Bible teaches that God tells me to do this. So, if want to “give myself first to the Lord” I must do what He says. I am reminded of the following verses.
“The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your life” Deuteronomy 14:23
In the end it is obedience that keeps me (and I think most of us) consistently generous.
Monday, November 9, 2009
November 9, 2009
Those of us in the CLC family who have traveled on short term terms mission trips to Latin America, sub Saharan Africa, Romania or elsewhere, know that the poor can be more generous with what they have than middle class Americans. There always seems to be a place at the table for others in the homes of the poor even though the supply of food is limited.
Read again these very beautiful phrases from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians regarding the poor in the Macedonian churches of Philippi, Thessalonika and Berea,
“Their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity”
“they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.”
“ Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints”
When they heard about the need in the Jerusalem church, they wanted in on helping them. . .even to the point of “giving beyond their ability.” Imagine that! They gave “beyond their ability”
Lord grace each of us with the same generous heart with which you graced the Macedonians.
Read again these very beautiful phrases from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians regarding the poor in the Macedonian churches of Philippi, Thessalonika and Berea,
“Their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity”
“they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.”
“ Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints”
When they heard about the need in the Jerusalem church, they wanted in on helping them. . .even to the point of “giving beyond their ability.” Imagine that! They gave “beyond their ability”
Lord grace each of us with the same generous heart with which you graced the Macedonians.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
November 8, 2009
“is it not you?”
Paul speaks of the Thessalonians being his crown. In Greek there are two words for crown. The one is diadema which is used almost exclusively for the royal crown. The other is stephanos which is used almost exclusively for the victor's crown in some contest and especially for the athlete's crown of victory in the games. It is stephanos that Paul uses here. The only prize in life that he really valued was to see the believers in Thessalonike, his friends whom he had come to love, living for Christ. He knew that when his life would be over and he would meet the risen Christ, the one question Christ might ask, is “whom did you bring with you?”
Here’s how the apostle John put it...
"No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth." (3Jn 1:4 ).
Paul would have said amen to that. A man or woman’s greatest glory lies in those whom he has set or helped on the path to Christ. Nothing that we can do can bring us credit in the sight of God; but in the end the stars in a man or woman’s crown will be those whom he led nearer to Jesus Christ.
Paul speaks of the Thessalonians being his crown. In Greek there are two words for crown. The one is diadema which is used almost exclusively for the royal crown. The other is stephanos which is used almost exclusively for the victor's crown in some contest and especially for the athlete's crown of victory in the games. It is stephanos that Paul uses here. The only prize in life that he really valued was to see the believers in Thessalonike, his friends whom he had come to love, living for Christ. He knew that when his life would be over and he would meet the risen Christ, the one question Christ might ask, is “whom did you bring with you?”
Here’s how the apostle John put it...
"No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth." (3Jn 1:4 ).
Paul would have said amen to that. A man or woman’s greatest glory lies in those whom he has set or helped on the path to Christ. Nothing that we can do can bring us credit in the sight of God; but in the end the stars in a man or woman’s crown will be those whom he led nearer to Jesus Christ.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
November 7, 2009
“but Satan prevented us” (vs 18)
It seems that 21st century America is just too sophisticated to believe in Satan. But there’s a very real problem for 21st century sophisticates. It is the problem is that when you really think it through we just don’t have a better explanation for the existence of evil. Darwinists have, of necessity, no room for the categories of good and evil. There’s only what works for survival. Value judgments don’t fit.
The biblical word, Satan, means “adversary”. The biblical world view, and therefore mine, is that there exists in the universe a quasi personal force, not at all on paar with God, yet allowed by God in a limited way to do evil, including specific evil against people. Satan, however, never has the final word. Astonishingly, God even uses the evil wrought by Satan as a strand of material which God weaves together with other raw material of life on earth and He brings good out of it. Good, not evil is always the final word.
Paul was prevented by Satan from revisiting Thessalonika. Satan’s work may have manifested itself in illness, or circumstances or a blocked means of access, or other people, or . . . . you name it, Satan has used it. But, of course, now we have this beautiful letter from Paul to the Thessalonians. And we get in on Paul’s heart and what he would have said to them in person.
How God brings good out of evil is a very beautiful thing.
It seems that 21st century America is just too sophisticated to believe in Satan. But there’s a very real problem for 21st century sophisticates. It is the problem is that when you really think it through we just don’t have a better explanation for the existence of evil. Darwinists have, of necessity, no room for the categories of good and evil. There’s only what works for survival. Value judgments don’t fit.
The biblical word, Satan, means “adversary”. The biblical world view, and therefore mine, is that there exists in the universe a quasi personal force, not at all on paar with God, yet allowed by God in a limited way to do evil, including specific evil against people. Satan, however, never has the final word. Astonishingly, God even uses the evil wrought by Satan as a strand of material which God weaves together with other raw material of life on earth and He brings good out of it. Good, not evil is always the final word.
Paul was prevented by Satan from revisiting Thessalonika. Satan’s work may have manifested itself in illness, or circumstances or a blocked means of access, or other people, or . . . . you name it, Satan has used it. But, of course, now we have this beautiful letter from Paul to the Thessalonians. And we get in on Paul’s heart and what he would have said to them in person.
How God brings good out of evil is a very beautiful thing.
Friday, November 6, 2009
November 6, 2009
To me the incarnation is unfathomable. Yet I believe it. God, the maker of the Cosmos and the sustainer of all its dynamics is also the maker, creator and sustainer of each part and parcel of that cosmos and that includes individuals. God came to earth in the person of Jesus not just to live among and care about humanity, but live among and care about people in particular. The mind blowing teaching of the bible is that the God of the cosmos knows and cares about you, not only you “in general” but you in particular.
For Christians this must also mean that we care about people in particular, not just humanity as a whole. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it perfectly (paraphrased), “a love of community becomes dangerous, even evil, if it does not elicit love for each individual community member”. I even heard a democratic pundit say about his party that they “love humanity, but hate people”
Paul wasn’t just focused on “getting ‘anonymous numbers of people’ saved”, rather he met persons, people, individuals he knew by name and came to love each.
This challenges me greatly. The salvation message falls short when it becomes a mechanism by which people get in on eternal life. I’m not even sure it can work that way at all. God cares about individual people and loves them individually. So must we.
For Christians this must also mean that we care about people in particular, not just humanity as a whole. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it perfectly (paraphrased), “a love of community becomes dangerous, even evil, if it does not elicit love for each individual community member”. I even heard a democratic pundit say about his party that they “love humanity, but hate people”
Paul wasn’t just focused on “getting ‘anonymous numbers of people’ saved”, rather he met persons, people, individuals he knew by name and came to love each.
This challenges me greatly. The salvation message falls short when it becomes a mechanism by which people get in on eternal life. I’m not even sure it can work that way at all. God cares about individual people and loves them individually. So must we.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
November 5, 2009
“for the joy set before him”
What are your hopes and dreams? What are you looking forward to? What are your goals for yourself, your home, your family, your church? What is the trajectory of your life? What is the destination toward which your life is headed?
These are the questions of joy. Comfort, immediate gratification, alleviation of suffering, and relief from stress, are all overrated. Although each of us live “in” the “now”, almost all of us miss the “now”. Why? We’re complaining too much. We’re too worried about our “now’s”, what’s wrong with them and how to fix our immediate problems.
The Bible teaches that our “now” is fueled, infused, enlivened and made joyful by the trajectory of our lives, the anticipated destination, and our pursuit of a legacy that points beyond ourselves. In this way there is never a “now” moment, regardless how painful, that isn’t permeated with a certain joy streaming in from our future destination, that says, “this ‘now’ is real and it does matter, but it’s ‘not all there is’. It is part of God’s working into you and out of you his beyond imagination beautiful future”
What are your hopes and dreams? What are you looking forward to? What are your goals for yourself, your home, your family, your church? What is the trajectory of your life? What is the destination toward which your life is headed?
These are the questions of joy. Comfort, immediate gratification, alleviation of suffering, and relief from stress, are all overrated. Although each of us live “in” the “now”, almost all of us miss the “now”. Why? We’re complaining too much. We’re too worried about our “now’s”, what’s wrong with them and how to fix our immediate problems.
The Bible teaches that our “now” is fueled, infused, enlivened and made joyful by the trajectory of our lives, the anticipated destination, and our pursuit of a legacy that points beyond ourselves. In this way there is never a “now” moment, regardless how painful, that isn’t permeated with a certain joy streaming in from our future destination, that says, “this ‘now’ is real and it does matter, but it’s ‘not all there is’. It is part of God’s working into you and out of you his beyond imagination beautiful future”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)