I am connected. I am connected to having a Walmart two miles away. I am connected to having about 40 restaurants within a five mile radius. I am connected to the great city where I live, with all of the services and conveniences that I could ask for. There isn't even any real traffic. I am connected to the comfortable.
What would happen if God asked me to sever these connections? What if I was asked to leave it all behind? What if God asked me to connect to the uncomfortable, or worse yet, come unconnected to everything? Most likely I would say "what about my kids" or "people here need God too." I would think about my financial situation and my mortgage. I would think about how much a move costs and how I like for things to be organized and planned.
It amazes me that I encounter so many people who have followed God's call to be uncomfortable. Whether it is a missionary who goes overseas or a family man who quits his job to attend seminary, there are people who have heard God say go, and they went. Like Abraham, they listened to God, even when there were no concrete answers. There was no strategic plan, just a promise. And, while it should not be surprising for us to believe that someone trusted God's promises, it really isn't that easy to do, not when we are already connected.
Abraham left his land where he was rich and respected, and he traveled to a place that was occupied by hostile and foreign people. He left land that was his to live on land that was others, all the while believing that both were actually God's. However, by leaving the comfortable, he was used by God in ways that he never could have imagined.
Is the problem that we are not supposed to get comfortable? I think it may just be human nature to settle in, especially once we have children. I suppose the key is to remember that we are following a plan that is not our own, or at least not of our design. When we think that we are calling all of the shots, it can be really painful to interrupt our plans. When we simply enjoy the journey, we realize that God wants us to make the most out of each opportunity because we never know when the next one will start.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Joseph
I don't know how many times I have looked to the story of Joseph to explain the world around me. We all encounter times when nothing around us is going right. Our jobs, our relationships, our finances, each of these can seem out of control sometimes. Worse yet, it can seem like there is no end in sight nor a way out, despite our best efforts. For more than two years I found myself in a job where all I found was pain and discouragement. I prayed frequently that God would give me a new option or change the situation. And for more than two and a half years, God did not.
In those situations we feel that God is not listening. Or maybe we are not living up to his standards and so we cannot be rewarded. Maybe we simply need to take a leap of faith and take care of things ourselves. Maybe we just need to suck it up and deal. And yet, God tells us that He wants us to have an abundant life. How does that work?
Here is the thing: having an abundant life does not come easy. We have to invest to reap the reward. And sometimes that process is long and confusing. It certainly was for Joseph who as far as anyone can tell was a good guy. He was a good guy who found himself beaten by his brothers, sold as a slave, unjustly imprisoned, and forgotten. Joseph had to wonder at times if God was with him, and yet he remained faithful and trusting.
How powerful is it when Joseph tells his brothers that they meant their actions for evil but God meant them for good? What a great perspective. Joseph is saying that he understands that God was using him to save his family. In effect, God was using Joseph to secure the line of promise that would ultimately lead to Jesus Christ. The truth is that God was always with Joseph, and He is always with us. We may not understand all that is going on in our lives, but we can trust that God is working, guiding, and present.
In those situations we feel that God is not listening. Or maybe we are not living up to his standards and so we cannot be rewarded. Maybe we simply need to take a leap of faith and take care of things ourselves. Maybe we just need to suck it up and deal. And yet, God tells us that He wants us to have an abundant life. How does that work?
Here is the thing: having an abundant life does not come easy. We have to invest to reap the reward. And sometimes that process is long and confusing. It certainly was for Joseph who as far as anyone can tell was a good guy. He was a good guy who found himself beaten by his brothers, sold as a slave, unjustly imprisoned, and forgotten. Joseph had to wonder at times if God was with him, and yet he remained faithful and trusting.
How powerful is it when Joseph tells his brothers that they meant their actions for evil but God meant them for good? What a great perspective. Joseph is saying that he understands that God was using him to save his family. In effect, God was using Joseph to secure the line of promise that would ultimately lead to Jesus Christ. The truth is that God was always with Joseph, and He is always with us. We may not understand all that is going on in our lives, but we can trust that God is working, guiding, and present.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Genesis Part One
After almost a year I am returning to the world of blogging. As this is the first Bible Study Devotion, it seems fitting to discuss the beginning as we find it in Genesis. The book of Genesis is perhaps my favorite book of the Bible if you are allowed to have such things. It contains so many rich stories and theological truths. From the story of creation to the story of Joseph, there is so much to be gleaned from the book. Today I want to focus on the story of creation.
For most people who think theologically, which is just about every Christian, they hold certain elements of theology to be their central theme. For many this is the story of the crucifixion whereas they focus on Jesus dying for their sins and thus live better lives because of it. For others it is the book of Revelation where the focus is on what will happen in the future. Still others emphasize the covenants that God made to His people. For me, the central story of my theology is the story of Creation and the Fall.
Here is why: this story demonstrates that God is a God of order and purpose. The creation narrative reminds me of 2 things: 1. that God designed the world and is in control of it, and 2. that God is the one who sought fellowship with human beings. Remembering that God created the world down to the tiniest detail is a source of comfort when I feel that the world is a tough place.
While the creation narrative is important to me, it is perhaps the Fall that informs me more about God than any other passage. The central thought is this: despite the fact that people literally turned their back on God, he simply initiates a plan to bring them back to himself, even if it takes thousands of years. When Adam and Eve sin and are cast out, he already has a plan for Jesus to come and to save the world. We see this in Genesis 3:15. It is a story of forgiveness, mercy, and love. It is also a story of consequences, promises, and hope. It is my story and your story. Thank God.
For most people who think theologically, which is just about every Christian, they hold certain elements of theology to be their central theme. For many this is the story of the crucifixion whereas they focus on Jesus dying for their sins and thus live better lives because of it. For others it is the book of Revelation where the focus is on what will happen in the future. Still others emphasize the covenants that God made to His people. For me, the central story of my theology is the story of Creation and the Fall.
Here is why: this story demonstrates that God is a God of order and purpose. The creation narrative reminds me of 2 things: 1. that God designed the world and is in control of it, and 2. that God is the one who sought fellowship with human beings. Remembering that God created the world down to the tiniest detail is a source of comfort when I feel that the world is a tough place.
While the creation narrative is important to me, it is perhaps the Fall that informs me more about God than any other passage. The central thought is this: despite the fact that people literally turned their back on God, he simply initiates a plan to bring them back to himself, even if it takes thousands of years. When Adam and Eve sin and are cast out, he already has a plan for Jesus to come and to save the world. We see this in Genesis 3:15. It is a story of forgiveness, mercy, and love. It is also a story of consequences, promises, and hope. It is my story and your story. Thank God.
Format Change
In the past this has been a blog for reflection and thoughts on ministry. It is now transitioning to become a blog for Bible study and devotional thoughts. This is an effort to give me a deeper devotional opportunity, and it will allow readers to have a deeper appreciation for Scripture and the message that God has for them.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Change
Jenn and I are on the verge of a fairly substantial change in our lives. Change can be really scary, and our situation is no different. What is funny is that change is exactly what we have been praying for these past few months. While it might be scary, there is not any anxiety because we have felt God's hand on it this whole time.
Truth be told, I am glad that we had to wait for an answer to our prayer. Think about how excited Joseph was when he was let our prison after waiting for someone to remember him. Think about how excited Sarah was when she learned that she was finally pregnant. I also think about Moses and how long he had to wander in the desert and finally got to see where his people would live and flourish under God's hand. Waiting has produced in me some very important fruit. It allowed me to know what I really wanted and why. While waiting I learned some important skills and life lessons that I probably would not have received had I not had to wait.
I am not sure what the future holds, but I know that I am excited about it. The thing is, when God has you wait, it is because He has something in store for you. Over the next couple of months Jenn and I's world might be turned upside down, but we have the confidence that God is taking care of everything so maybe that will allow us to just enjoy the ride. We shall see.
Truth be told, I am glad that we had to wait for an answer to our prayer. Think about how excited Joseph was when he was let our prison after waiting for someone to remember him. Think about how excited Sarah was when she learned that she was finally pregnant. I also think about Moses and how long he had to wander in the desert and finally got to see where his people would live and flourish under God's hand. Waiting has produced in me some very important fruit. It allowed me to know what I really wanted and why. While waiting I learned some important skills and life lessons that I probably would not have received had I not had to wait.
I am not sure what the future holds, but I know that I am excited about it. The thing is, when God has you wait, it is because He has something in store for you. Over the next couple of months Jenn and I's world might be turned upside down, but we have the confidence that God is taking care of everything so maybe that will allow us to just enjoy the ride. We shall see.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Apologetic
I recently listened to a talk given at Warehouse 242 by Kurt Graves that really brought some concepts together for me. He was talking about the need for a new apologetic, or a new way to talk about Christianity. It made me think about how Christians used to talk about being Christians. Often this involved moralistic persuasion and reasoning from the Bible with the assumption that the hearer would accept this as a bona fide source. In the past, the apologetic that was used could be described as a deontological apologetic--you should become a Christian because it is the right thing to do and the Bible says you should; it is your duty. This apologetic worked for a long time because the Bible still had significant cultural influence.
However, with the rise of Biblical criticism and competing theories and ideologies, this apologetic has lost much of its effectiveness. If someone dismisses the Bible as authoritative, how can you use arguments from the Bible to make your point. The same goes for arguing morality from the Bible. Ethical issues have become really complicated, and the simple answers just won't cut it.
So where do we go from here? I think that we go back to our stories. We talk about our lives. We talk about how much better life is when we follow God and His will. We talk about the peace and the joy that our relationship with God gives us. A relationship with God should be spoken about in positive terms, in hopeful terms. For too long Christianity has been discussed in terms of judgment or strict moralizing. The truth is that being a Christian sets us free and gives us a life of meaning and purpose. Who wouldn't want that?
However, with the rise of Biblical criticism and competing theories and ideologies, this apologetic has lost much of its effectiveness. If someone dismisses the Bible as authoritative, how can you use arguments from the Bible to make your point. The same goes for arguing morality from the Bible. Ethical issues have become really complicated, and the simple answers just won't cut it.
So where do we go from here? I think that we go back to our stories. We talk about our lives. We talk about how much better life is when we follow God and His will. We talk about the peace and the joy that our relationship with God gives us. A relationship with God should be spoken about in positive terms, in hopeful terms. For too long Christianity has been discussed in terms of judgment or strict moralizing. The truth is that being a Christian sets us free and gives us a life of meaning and purpose. Who wouldn't want that?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Big Questions
There are certain questions in the Christian life that seem to repeatedly be raised, despite the fact that we pretty much know the answer, or at least know that we will not uncover any new approaches. One of those questions is why do people suffer. I think that it is a question that nearly everyone asks at some time in their life. Everyone experiences suffering in one form or another. And the question that accompanies suffering is "Why."
We are not the first to ask the question, nor will we be the last. Consider the Biblical witness on this topic. The Israelites during the Exodus repeatedly asked why. The whole book of Job is essentially an extended form of the question why. Psalmists repeatedly asked why. Habakkuk also wants to know why. The Bible is full of examples of people questioning their circumstances and why they are forced to experience suffering.
Just as the Bible gives us the questions, it also gives us some answers. Some people are told that their sin has led to their circumstances. Many are told that their experiences are part of the much bigger plan of God. Sometimes we learn that the point of their suffering is to teach the sufferer something about God or about themselves.
It is good to know the possible answers, but we have to be careful when we attempt to interpret other people's experiences. There are people who believe bad things happen to people because they have unconfessed sin in their lives. In the Bible these people are called Pharisees/vipers/uncircumcised hearts. In the present world, these people are often called jerks. While sometimes we do create our own suffering, there are just as many examples of suffering that we certainly did not invite.
In a world where this is sin and suffering, bad things will happen. When they do I believe that they can teach us. I also believe that it is always important for us to remember that God has a bigger plan. The story of Joseph is a source of strength for me when pondering these things. In his own words, God used the bad that happened to him for the good. It was part of God's plan to preserve his people through whom would ultimately save the world.
We are not the first to ask the question, nor will we be the last. Consider the Biblical witness on this topic. The Israelites during the Exodus repeatedly asked why. The whole book of Job is essentially an extended form of the question why. Psalmists repeatedly asked why. Habakkuk also wants to know why. The Bible is full of examples of people questioning their circumstances and why they are forced to experience suffering.
Just as the Bible gives us the questions, it also gives us some answers. Some people are told that their sin has led to their circumstances. Many are told that their experiences are part of the much bigger plan of God. Sometimes we learn that the point of their suffering is to teach the sufferer something about God or about themselves.
It is good to know the possible answers, but we have to be careful when we attempt to interpret other people's experiences. There are people who believe bad things happen to people because they have unconfessed sin in their lives. In the Bible these people are called Pharisees/vipers/uncircumcised hearts. In the present world, these people are often called jerks. While sometimes we do create our own suffering, there are just as many examples of suffering that we certainly did not invite.
In a world where this is sin and suffering, bad things will happen. When they do I believe that they can teach us. I also believe that it is always important for us to remember that God has a bigger plan. The story of Joseph is a source of strength for me when pondering these things. In his own words, God used the bad that happened to him for the good. It was part of God's plan to preserve his people through whom would ultimately save the world.
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