When you are meant to do something you have to do it. There are many stories in the Bible that definitely express that. I think about the woman with the issue of blood. She had to get to Jesus for her healing. She had to touch him--even the very hem of his clothing was enough, and even though we look back at this action with awe that moment that she decided to break with tradition and to do something out of the ordinary she found herself alone yet she had to do it. She was out of place. She was wrong according to society's norm but she had to do it to be made whole.
When God puts something in you that has to be done, you have to do it--even if you have to do it alone and in fact you will most likely have to do it alone. It is your journey--your process. If you don't do it then you will be burdened. You have to press. First Lady says many times that ministry is a very lonely place. The process is meant for you--to make you--to develop you and to bring you to the place where God wants you to be.
I have sometimes wondered when I have seen something like an injustice that I couldn't do anything about--why did God allow me to see that or experience that? I could have been like others and just oblivious to what was going on. But I have come to believe that God shows us things so that we can learn to put Him first through prayer. We have to learn to trust His ways and His promises. We have to trust the vision that He has put in us. Sometimes it is a lonely road where you wish and hope others will help you, but if it is truly your ministry--no one will respect it like you--no one will treat it like you--no one else will think of it as highly as you do. People will just plan not even know what you're doing or why you're putting so much effort into it. But if God is beckoning you to do it you have to do it.
Go. Even if you have to go by yourself. It is an exercise in faith and trust. Think of Abraham--no one before had the type of relationship that Abraham had with God. It must have seemed crazy to trust in the absence of evidence that could be sensed easily. Go. Do what you were called to do and believe that God has something in store for you. As one of my Pastors from my youth used to say, "It won't always be like this."
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
See yourself. Know yourself.
In my most thoughtful moments I think how wonderful it is to be in church and to be used for God's glory. It is what I and most other Christians have wanted all our lives--to find our purpose and to be used by God. So why, if we spend our whole lives wanting God to use us for His glory, do we get so upset with folks for being themselves and acting how they act? We are bothered when people act in ways that we believe are inconsistent with Christianity-or our internalized definition of Christianity.
Christianity is a walk and a relationship with Christ. No one can know what it looks like for another person--we must all walk out and work out our own salvation yet we have these imposed standards of conduct. Many of them I believe have been developed because of the hierarchy that we have created in the church and we don't even see ourselves and so totally are not aware of our behaviors. We really just do not know that we are hurting people because we are too caught up in what we do for the church. I believe that if we really focused on working for Christ's sake no hurt would be produced--how could it. The hurt comes we be turn our work for Christ into an opportunity to showcase what we know how to do or who good we are at something. Isn't it so very interesting that the church is full of people who have experienced little or no success or power in their worldly positions, but they can have a big voice there? This phenomena--if you will--can lead to selfish and shameless self-promotion that we are unaware of in ourselves.
There is a difference you know. There is a void between what we do for Christ and what we do for the "church." There shouldn't be, but there absolutely is. We are human and we can't help it and so this is where hurt is born. We forget about the people--God's people by the way--that make up the church. We begin thinking about people in terms of accomplishing tasks and getting things done--not in terms of soul salvation--or if we do it is to a lesser extent. This is why we compliment those who give a lot of money--think about the Widow's mite. This is why we promote people of note from the community. This is why we surround ourselves with the popular and can't even remember the names of others. Church becomes one big community asset mapping opportunity--we need all hands on deck. We need to know what everyone can do for our purposes--not for God's. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, after all church business has to get done to accommodate the people who come or who will be coming in. It is necessary, but sometimes we get so caught up in doing for people that we forget our purpose--that thing that we all wanted in the beginning--to be used by God.
What makes the difference? You are working for Christ when hurtful things happen to you and you are able to recover quickly--you learn that only what we do for Christ will last. You are working for Christ when you become invisible--know one has to ever know it was you that did something, when you know the Word applies to you to make you stronger and you're not imagining the preacher is always talking to someone else, when you refuse to make fun of others or participate in purposefully hurting, when your focus is Christ, when your life is in balance--you're not used up by church folk--because they will use every last drop and then still talk about you like your whole life is an inside joke.
All of this may seem like rambling. But this is very personal for me. Working in the church can be thankless--that's not really a big deal. Working in the church can be disappointing--people will let you down, misuse you, just plain use you, talk about you, dog you out and still fake smile in your face--you can get used to that. Working in the church can leave you empty--if you allow your focus to become the task rather than Christ. Working in the church can bring overwhelming pain--when you see others openly coddled, loved and rewarded for seemingly doing little and you're putting in your all and sacrificing.
I have countless conversations with people who feel hurt and helpless to do anything about it and frankly I was in that crowd--trying to understand the dynamics of the relationships in leadership--watching other people get hurt and not understanding why nothing was being done. Watching people fall off and leave because of hurt and the show still rolling on as if their hurt was their own fault and then one day it finally hit me. Why? Why do we allow church folks to hurt us so? After all people can only do to you what you allow them to do right? I know it may seem impossible, but some people live to hurt you. They want to see the look on your face when they tell you they know the pastor better than you or that they are communicating with the pastor and "Oh they didn't contact you too?" There are people who revel in watching others hurt, but I'm going to give you a sure fire way to escape this needless pain.
See yourself for who you are. Know yourself and your calling and purpose. Do what you do for Christ alone. Focus on Christ. All advice that you have heard before I know, but it really works. Stop expecting people to "act" right. They may or may not reach the conclusion that hurting others derives from their own hurt. That is not your concern. God isn't going to give you a get of hell free card because you responded to others because they hurt you.
Church is the only place were we put unrealistic expectations on people to act in a way that is inconsistent with their personality. If a person is nasty and immature and enjoys mistreating others they are going to do that anywhere, everywhere and at every opportunity that they have until they are made whole. They don't care that they are hurting children, adults, dogs, cats, or coach roaches. Their own life's pain causes them to lash out and most likely they are unaware that this is even a big deal.
Don't get caught up in someone else's turmoil. They are going to hurt you because that's what they do. Your testimony is that when they hurt you you stayed in position. You kept your focus. Like David at Ziglag--you recovered quickly and you recovered all. Your sole purpose in life is to impress Christ--to live like and for Him. Nothing and no one can pluck you from His hand.
I was recently stung by a wasp and that sting reminded me of the sting I sometimes get from church folk, but the key is--it was temporary. I got over it and you can to. Don't think of Christianity in terms of fair. Don't watch or compare yourself to others. Do what you do for Christ and see yourself doing it for Christ. Speak it. Have confidence in who God called you to be. You belong to Him--not to a congregation. He redeemed you. He paid the price. Focus on that and free yourself. Shake it off.
Christianity is a walk and a relationship with Christ. No one can know what it looks like for another person--we must all walk out and work out our own salvation yet we have these imposed standards of conduct. Many of them I believe have been developed because of the hierarchy that we have created in the church and we don't even see ourselves and so totally are not aware of our behaviors. We really just do not know that we are hurting people because we are too caught up in what we do for the church. I believe that if we really focused on working for Christ's sake no hurt would be produced--how could it. The hurt comes we be turn our work for Christ into an opportunity to showcase what we know how to do or who good we are at something. Isn't it so very interesting that the church is full of people who have experienced little or no success or power in their worldly positions, but they can have a big voice there? This phenomena--if you will--can lead to selfish and shameless self-promotion that we are unaware of in ourselves.
There is a difference you know. There is a void between what we do for Christ and what we do for the "church." There shouldn't be, but there absolutely is. We are human and we can't help it and so this is where hurt is born. We forget about the people--God's people by the way--that make up the church. We begin thinking about people in terms of accomplishing tasks and getting things done--not in terms of soul salvation--or if we do it is to a lesser extent. This is why we compliment those who give a lot of money--think about the Widow's mite. This is why we promote people of note from the community. This is why we surround ourselves with the popular and can't even remember the names of others. Church becomes one big community asset mapping opportunity--we need all hands on deck. We need to know what everyone can do for our purposes--not for God's. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, after all church business has to get done to accommodate the people who come or who will be coming in. It is necessary, but sometimes we get so caught up in doing for people that we forget our purpose--that thing that we all wanted in the beginning--to be used by God.
What makes the difference? You are working for Christ when hurtful things happen to you and you are able to recover quickly--you learn that only what we do for Christ will last. You are working for Christ when you become invisible--know one has to ever know it was you that did something, when you know the Word applies to you to make you stronger and you're not imagining the preacher is always talking to someone else, when you refuse to make fun of others or participate in purposefully hurting, when your focus is Christ, when your life is in balance--you're not used up by church folk--because they will use every last drop and then still talk about you like your whole life is an inside joke.
All of this may seem like rambling. But this is very personal for me. Working in the church can be thankless--that's not really a big deal. Working in the church can be disappointing--people will let you down, misuse you, just plain use you, talk about you, dog you out and still fake smile in your face--you can get used to that. Working in the church can leave you empty--if you allow your focus to become the task rather than Christ. Working in the church can bring overwhelming pain--when you see others openly coddled, loved and rewarded for seemingly doing little and you're putting in your all and sacrificing.
I have countless conversations with people who feel hurt and helpless to do anything about it and frankly I was in that crowd--trying to understand the dynamics of the relationships in leadership--watching other people get hurt and not understanding why nothing was being done. Watching people fall off and leave because of hurt and the show still rolling on as if their hurt was their own fault and then one day it finally hit me. Why? Why do we allow church folks to hurt us so? After all people can only do to you what you allow them to do right? I know it may seem impossible, but some people live to hurt you. They want to see the look on your face when they tell you they know the pastor better than you or that they are communicating with the pastor and "Oh they didn't contact you too?" There are people who revel in watching others hurt, but I'm going to give you a sure fire way to escape this needless pain.
See yourself for who you are. Know yourself and your calling and purpose. Do what you do for Christ alone. Focus on Christ. All advice that you have heard before I know, but it really works. Stop expecting people to "act" right. They may or may not reach the conclusion that hurting others derives from their own hurt. That is not your concern. God isn't going to give you a get of hell free card because you responded to others because they hurt you.
Church is the only place were we put unrealistic expectations on people to act in a way that is inconsistent with their personality. If a person is nasty and immature and enjoys mistreating others they are going to do that anywhere, everywhere and at every opportunity that they have until they are made whole. They don't care that they are hurting children, adults, dogs, cats, or coach roaches. Their own life's pain causes them to lash out and most likely they are unaware that this is even a big deal.
Don't get caught up in someone else's turmoil. They are going to hurt you because that's what they do. Your testimony is that when they hurt you you stayed in position. You kept your focus. Like David at Ziglag--you recovered quickly and you recovered all. Your sole purpose in life is to impress Christ--to live like and for Him. Nothing and no one can pluck you from His hand.
I was recently stung by a wasp and that sting reminded me of the sting I sometimes get from church folk, but the key is--it was temporary. I got over it and you can to. Don't think of Christianity in terms of fair. Don't watch or compare yourself to others. Do what you do for Christ and see yourself doing it for Christ. Speak it. Have confidence in who God called you to be. You belong to Him--not to a congregation. He redeemed you. He paid the price. Focus on that and free yourself. Shake it off.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Be aware of your spiritual surroundings
The Bible instructs us to watch and pray. It is important to pay attention to your spiritual surroundings. Who do you come in contact with on a regular basis? Who do you hang with? What strongholds do they have in their life? Are you equipped to pray with and for them and are they equipped to pray for you?
We are spiritual beings and our God has let us know that He is a Spirit and those that worship Him must do so in Spirit and in truth. What that means is that we must learn to lay down our carnality and live in our spirituality. I've heard the term "super saint" being tossed around a lot as if to say it is a negative thing to want to live holy or to want to draw closer to God as much as you can on a daily basis. Make no mistake there is a difference between being a hypocrite and trying your best to exemplify a spiritual lifestyle. No one is perfect. We have all fallen and still fall short. This is why we so desperately need grace and forgiveness to make up the difference between our can't help its and God's standard, but like Giddeon soldiers we ought to strive to pay attention to what's going on around us spiritually and to sharpen and use our weapons, which are not carnal, but are powerful and mighty to the tearing down of strongholds.
There is a very real spiritual war and the battle is waging around us and even within us at times and the stakes are eternal life or eternal separation from the Father. Everything that has happened and that happens to us was meant for our good to make us into spiritual warriors with the ability to reconcile souls to Christ.
If you seek a purpose and a calling for your life, here it is plan and simple. The Bible instructs us to love God with all our heart and all our might and we prove we love God not through words, but through keeping His commandments. In most cases that is a very lonely place. Obeying God's will for your life will separate you even from the very Christian friends who you thought would never leave you--just like Jesus' time of prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. We are also to love our neighbor as our self. Loving our neighbor means since we don't want to be lost, we shouldn't want anyone else to be lost even when we strongly feel that someone is a lost cause. God specializes in making great things out of what we throw away.
We should pray for those who misuse us that God will heal their hurt. We should reconcile brothers and sisters who fall through a word of life and encouragement that Jesus saves to the utmost. We should live in a spiritual place and know our surroundings so that we can engage in the battle and stand with confidence knowing that our God has already prevailed.
We are spiritual beings and our God has let us know that He is a Spirit and those that worship Him must do so in Spirit and in truth. What that means is that we must learn to lay down our carnality and live in our spirituality. I've heard the term "super saint" being tossed around a lot as if to say it is a negative thing to want to live holy or to want to draw closer to God as much as you can on a daily basis. Make no mistake there is a difference between being a hypocrite and trying your best to exemplify a spiritual lifestyle. No one is perfect. We have all fallen and still fall short. This is why we so desperately need grace and forgiveness to make up the difference between our can't help its and God's standard, but like Giddeon soldiers we ought to strive to pay attention to what's going on around us spiritually and to sharpen and use our weapons, which are not carnal, but are powerful and mighty to the tearing down of strongholds.
There is a very real spiritual war and the battle is waging around us and even within us at times and the stakes are eternal life or eternal separation from the Father. Everything that has happened and that happens to us was meant for our good to make us into spiritual warriors with the ability to reconcile souls to Christ.
If you seek a purpose and a calling for your life, here it is plan and simple. The Bible instructs us to love God with all our heart and all our might and we prove we love God not through words, but through keeping His commandments. In most cases that is a very lonely place. Obeying God's will for your life will separate you even from the very Christian friends who you thought would never leave you--just like Jesus' time of prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. We are also to love our neighbor as our self. Loving our neighbor means since we don't want to be lost, we shouldn't want anyone else to be lost even when we strongly feel that someone is a lost cause. God specializes in making great things out of what we throw away.
We should pray for those who misuse us that God will heal their hurt. We should reconcile brothers and sisters who fall through a word of life and encouragement that Jesus saves to the utmost. We should live in a spiritual place and know our surroundings so that we can engage in the battle and stand with confidence knowing that our God has already prevailed.
Monday, May 3, 2010
That's a Keeper!
Proverbs advises that "Wisdom is the principle thing so get wisdom and while you are getting wisdom go ahead and get understanding." The Bible also tells us that if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who gives all good gifts and doesn't hold back.
Wisdom is experienced understanding and understanding is exercised knowledge. The one thing that wisdom will give you is the ability to know when. When to respond. When to speak. When to act. When to hold back. Wisdom causes you to take account of what's going on around you and who's looking and the consequences of what ever it is that you choose to do. A wise person measures her words. A wise person walks in order respecting God's authority.
With all of that said, there are times when God speaks to us and we hear Him so very clearly and we become excited that He has chosen to share something with us. We become so very excited that we sometimes mistake what we are to do with the information that He has provided to us. God reveals information to us for many reasons. Sometimes it is to admonish and exhort others. Some times it is to warn. God can share a word of promise to encourage or a word of life to uplift, but quite a few times God will reveal a word to us that is just for us only. But many of us are simply so excited that He is speaking to us that we do not allow wisdom to have her perfect work. We turn to others and blurt out what God has revealed to us. Many times God reveals something to you so that you can pray. So that you can fast. So that you can seek His face. So that you can trust in Him. So that you can produce a testimony and increase your own credibility. But we act prematurely and as a result we can damage the reputation that we so earnestly hoped to establish.
Wisdom isn't magical. It is simply thinking past yourself, past this moment, past this right now and considering the people around you and the long lasting affects of your choices. This is why we need God to grant us wisdom because we cannot know the future and our words can scar and hurt the future of others. We can be a stumbling block and a rock of offense so easily through unthoughtful words or actions.
Additionally make no mistake pointing out the obvious doesn't make you a prophet. The Bible tells us to desire all good gifts. But don't be in such a hurry that you miss out on the training season. Even Jesus had a transitional period before he launched out into full blown ministry. There is a story in the Bible about a servant who ran to deliver a message. He ran and ran and ran, but when he arrived at his destination he didn't have the right message to give. Wait on the Lord. Wait to be confirmed. Wait to be educated. Wait on your experience and wait on your qualification. So much more can be said on that topic.
All in all know this. God's word is always confirmed and never returns to Him void. It cannot. God's word has been placed into perpetual motion. While you are waiting for God to release you to operate in your gift(s) and in your calling you can begin by speaking life to and encouraging others--that word is confirmed. Use wisdom and always honor God's order, and if you're not sure if you should say something or not your best bet is it's a keeper!
Wisdom is experienced understanding and understanding is exercised knowledge. The one thing that wisdom will give you is the ability to know when. When to respond. When to speak. When to act. When to hold back. Wisdom causes you to take account of what's going on around you and who's looking and the consequences of what ever it is that you choose to do. A wise person measures her words. A wise person walks in order respecting God's authority.
With all of that said, there are times when God speaks to us and we hear Him so very clearly and we become excited that He has chosen to share something with us. We become so very excited that we sometimes mistake what we are to do with the information that He has provided to us. God reveals information to us for many reasons. Sometimes it is to admonish and exhort others. Some times it is to warn. God can share a word of promise to encourage or a word of life to uplift, but quite a few times God will reveal a word to us that is just for us only. But many of us are simply so excited that He is speaking to us that we do not allow wisdom to have her perfect work. We turn to others and blurt out what God has revealed to us. Many times God reveals something to you so that you can pray. So that you can fast. So that you can seek His face. So that you can trust in Him. So that you can produce a testimony and increase your own credibility. But we act prematurely and as a result we can damage the reputation that we so earnestly hoped to establish.
Wisdom isn't magical. It is simply thinking past yourself, past this moment, past this right now and considering the people around you and the long lasting affects of your choices. This is why we need God to grant us wisdom because we cannot know the future and our words can scar and hurt the future of others. We can be a stumbling block and a rock of offense so easily through unthoughtful words or actions.
Additionally make no mistake pointing out the obvious doesn't make you a prophet. The Bible tells us to desire all good gifts. But don't be in such a hurry that you miss out on the training season. Even Jesus had a transitional period before he launched out into full blown ministry. There is a story in the Bible about a servant who ran to deliver a message. He ran and ran and ran, but when he arrived at his destination he didn't have the right message to give. Wait on the Lord. Wait to be confirmed. Wait to be educated. Wait on your experience and wait on your qualification. So much more can be said on that topic.
All in all know this. God's word is always confirmed and never returns to Him void. It cannot. God's word has been placed into perpetual motion. While you are waiting for God to release you to operate in your gift(s) and in your calling you can begin by speaking life to and encouraging others--that word is confirmed. Use wisdom and always honor God's order, and if you're not sure if you should say something or not your best bet is it's a keeper!
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