Luke 1:39-57
There are days when all I want to do is run; run away from the things that are bringing me down and run to that which will make it better. Unfortunately running away is not always an option. However, running to something or someone that will help make things better is always available.
I often think about Mary's situation. According to what we have in the Gospels, Mary was an unwed teenager who had gotten pregnant in a time when the penalty for that combination was death by stoning. When I try to imagine what being in that situation was like, whatever I'm going through in my life doesn't seem to be as bad.
Mary knew she was in trouble, probably even feared for her life. But she was pregnant, and there was no running away from that. Instead she chose to get away for a while and, as today's passage tells us, she "went with haste" to visit a close relative, Elizabeth. While with her, Mary came to accept that she is with child as much as she came to the realization that her child is destined for greatness.
Mary could not run away from the inevitable. But by running to a place where she could find peace and be given the time she needed to accept her situation, she was able to move forward to do what was necessary.
I can't tell you how many times I've been in the same place Mary was in today's passage; stuck, unable to go back, unsure about moving forward. In just as many times as I've been in that situation I've been able to find the inner strength to move forward and do what was necessary as well, and I've done so with and through the help of my God and the people around me.
There are people who want to get us through whatever is hurting us. All we need to do is make haste and get ourselves to them.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
A Very Busy Week - Part 1: Rise & Shine
Luke 24:44-53
Three things happen this week in the life of the lectionary: The ascension of Jesus into heaven, the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, and the call to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit. It's a very busy week indeed.
Let's begin our week with one of my favorite New Testament stories. The Ascencion as told by Luke comes at the very end of his Gospel and is the final, most tender moment (in my opinion) that Jesus has with his disciples while here on earth.
The 24th chapter of Luke moves through the resurrection and appearances of Jesus rather quickly. It's as though Luke knew he was going to write a sequel, so he felt he didn't need to focus much on the reactions of the disciples. Actually, now that I think about it I see Luke moving on to write about the actions of the disciples, instead of their reactions. Hmm.
Getting back on track...
Today's reading is in the same chapter as the visit at the tomb by the women and the appearance of Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Jesus is now with his disciples (or so it's assumed, because Luke never mentions the word "disciple"...another hmm) and is sharing a meal with them when he gives them one final lesson.
The verse which caught my eye this morning is verse 45; "Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures." The Greek word used for understanding is nous, which is defined in several ways with the one thing in common as using all your mental, physical, and spiritual capacities to know the meaning of something.
It's not easy to understand some things. The death of a loved one, the torture of young children, and the greed of gathering as many riches as one can are just some of the things I have difficulty understanding. I also understand that I'm not one of those people, and until they understand the pain they cause to others, there really isn't much I can do except to continue to be the example of Christ and speak out against injustice whenever I can.
The life I choose to be in - a life centered in the love of God as shown to me through Jesus Christ - is what helps me to focus on the things which are important to me: compassion, justice, unconditional acceptance, care for creation, and relationship with self, others, and God.
Jesus went away from the disciples after helping them understand what his teachings were about, but as he did so he promised that another was coming to help them move forward. That "other" is known to Christians as the Holy Spirit. As the weeks move forward towards the day of Pentecost, let's find a way open ourselves in order to learn what God is doing, or wants us to do, in our lives.
To be continued...
Three things happen this week in the life of the lectionary: The ascension of Jesus into heaven, the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, and the call to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit. It's a very busy week indeed.
Let's begin our week with one of my favorite New Testament stories. The Ascencion as told by Luke comes at the very end of his Gospel and is the final, most tender moment (in my opinion) that Jesus has with his disciples while here on earth.
The 24th chapter of Luke moves through the resurrection and appearances of Jesus rather quickly. It's as though Luke knew he was going to write a sequel, so he felt he didn't need to focus much on the reactions of the disciples. Actually, now that I think about it I see Luke moving on to write about the actions of the disciples, instead of their reactions. Hmm.
Getting back on track...
Today's reading is in the same chapter as the visit at the tomb by the women and the appearance of Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Jesus is now with his disciples (or so it's assumed, because Luke never mentions the word "disciple"...another hmm) and is sharing a meal with them when he gives them one final lesson.
The verse which caught my eye this morning is verse 45; "Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures." The Greek word used for understanding is nous, which is defined in several ways with the one thing in common as using all your mental, physical, and spiritual capacities to know the meaning of something.
It's not easy to understand some things. The death of a loved one, the torture of young children, and the greed of gathering as many riches as one can are just some of the things I have difficulty understanding. I also understand that I'm not one of those people, and until they understand the pain they cause to others, there really isn't much I can do except to continue to be the example of Christ and speak out against injustice whenever I can.
The life I choose to be in - a life centered in the love of God as shown to me through Jesus Christ - is what helps me to focus on the things which are important to me: compassion, justice, unconditional acceptance, care for creation, and relationship with self, others, and God.
Jesus went away from the disciples after helping them understand what his teachings were about, but as he did so he promised that another was coming to help them move forward. That "other" is known to Christians as the Holy Spirit. As the weeks move forward towards the day of Pentecost, let's find a way open ourselves in order to learn what God is doing, or wants us to do, in our lives.
To be continued...
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Defend Yourself
1 Peter 3:13-22
I'm not sure if I told this story before, if I have please forgive me for telling it again.
More than a few years ago, while working as a store manager for a national retail chain, I was promoted to store manager of a different, higher-volume store. The promotion came about because the manager of the store I went to was herself promoted to a higher-volume store. Promotions like this are common in retail, where the moves seem lateral, but really are a promotion with more responsibility and higher pay.
As usually happens when a new manager comes in, the employees weren't receptive of a different management style and decided that they didn't want to work there any longer. Having been in this situation several times, I graciously accepted their resignations, ensuring each person who wanted to leave that I honestly wanted them to stay. It was the truth as nothing is more difficult to do in management than to become familiar with a new community without people who can help along the way.
As the weeks went by I began to notice the employees who decided to stay begin to turn against me. They began accusing me of not caring about them and putting the bottom-line of the store before their welfare. I had no idea where this was coming from.
One of the employees and I had began a relationship several months before my coming to their store, and I began to notice he was doing everything possible to avoid me. Finally, on a slow night when we were both closing, I cornered him and asked what was going on. He said he didn't want to get involved, but because I'm persistent I continued to ask.
He told me that the past manager was calling people at home and telling them I fired the people who left, because I didn't want "dead weight" at the store. I was even accused of almost putting a family on the streets and not caring because I cared more about profit than people.
The next 2 months were extremely difficult for me as I held my tongue, deciding instead to just be myself and not let the comments made about me dictate my words or actions. In time the employees began to see that the person I was accused of being wasn't the person I truly am. As more time went by the talks behind my back stopped, and we began to grow closer together as one team, one family.
Reading the words of Peter when he says, " Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence." reminded me of this story. I believe that because I followed the teachings of my Christ and chose love over hate, I was able to overcome the attack of someone bent on destroying me.
To this day I still don't know why this happened, why someone would choose to deliberately harm me. Maybe so that I could tell this story and hope that if you're ever in a situation you have to defend yourself, you can make the choice to do so with gentleness and love.
I'm not sure if I told this story before, if I have please forgive me for telling it again.
More than a few years ago, while working as a store manager for a national retail chain, I was promoted to store manager of a different, higher-volume store. The promotion came about because the manager of the store I went to was herself promoted to a higher-volume store. Promotions like this are common in retail, where the moves seem lateral, but really are a promotion with more responsibility and higher pay.
As usually happens when a new manager comes in, the employees weren't receptive of a different management style and decided that they didn't want to work there any longer. Having been in this situation several times, I graciously accepted their resignations, ensuring each person who wanted to leave that I honestly wanted them to stay. It was the truth as nothing is more difficult to do in management than to become familiar with a new community without people who can help along the way.
As the weeks went by I began to notice the employees who decided to stay begin to turn against me. They began accusing me of not caring about them and putting the bottom-line of the store before their welfare. I had no idea where this was coming from.
One of the employees and I had began a relationship several months before my coming to their store, and I began to notice he was doing everything possible to avoid me. Finally, on a slow night when we were both closing, I cornered him and asked what was going on. He said he didn't want to get involved, but because I'm persistent I continued to ask.
He told me that the past manager was calling people at home and telling them I fired the people who left, because I didn't want "dead weight" at the store. I was even accused of almost putting a family on the streets and not caring because I cared more about profit than people.
The next 2 months were extremely difficult for me as I held my tongue, deciding instead to just be myself and not let the comments made about me dictate my words or actions. In time the employees began to see that the person I was accused of being wasn't the person I truly am. As more time went by the talks behind my back stopped, and we began to grow closer together as one team, one family.
Reading the words of Peter when he says, " Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence." reminded me of this story. I believe that because I followed the teachings of my Christ and chose love over hate, I was able to overcome the attack of someone bent on destroying me.
To this day I still don't know why this happened, why someone would choose to deliberately harm me. Maybe so that I could tell this story and hope that if you're ever in a situation you have to defend yourself, you can make the choice to do so with gentleness and love.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Getting Through It
Psalm 66:8-20
Some days are more difficult than others. Sometimes those days can be such a drain on our life-energy that we can honestly think of nothing else except escape. We can get so caught up in looking for an escape that when the best solution is sitting right before us, we don't usually see it. Instead, we look past it and find other escapes: drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, isolation.
In ancient times, indigenous people would blame all of life's trials on themselves, feeling unworthy of life because they made one of the "gods" upset. Crops didn't grow because the god of soil was angry with them; fish weren't being caught because the god of the sea was angry with them; lives were ruined and people are unhappy because the god of life was angry at them.
Today, most people understand that most of the things which happen are due to outside, more natural, forces. However, sometimes things in our lives happen in such a way as to bring us down into what seems an inescapable depth, and in those times there seems to be only one way out.
I want to say here and now, never look for a way out when things get that far - look for a way through.
Life's trials come. We are constantly "tested" (as much as I don't like the theological implications of that word, I find it to be the one that best fits here...the word, not the theology) by things we have no control over. It's in those times we need to give control to someone else; whomever you think that someone else should be.
Today's psalmist writes from this point-of-view. He understands that life can get so filled with challenges that we become overwhelmed with the things going on around us. Today's modern society almost dictates we need a good job, graduate from a good school, make good money, have a good family, be able to leave a good name behind when our good life is over. It all becomes so overwhelming that we forget all that is required of us is to be as good a person as we can be, and that in itself is more than enough.
Those who love you don't do so for any reason other than you are as genuine as the love you share with them. All of that other stuff just doesn't matter. Of course they want to see you succeed, and of course they want you to be happy. What the people who truly love you don't want is to be kept out of your innermost thoughts and feelings. The same is with your God.
God is your closest ally. God wants to be your closest friend. Open yourself to God and let God's presence restore you. Note I didn't say heal you, because that might imply to some that a physical restoration is coming. What I'm talking about here is getting on the path to accepting you for who you are, and to know that there is a God who loves that person, just as much as there are people who do.
I don't want to make this seem as though it's as easy as "God, I love you" and all things turn to fields of (pick your favorite plant). What I'm trying to say is that the road we travel is difficult, but when we choose not to travel it alone it does get a little easier. So, please, take the advice of today's psalmist and tell the world of what is going on with you - maybe it'll help to get you to a spacious place.
Some days are more difficult than others. Sometimes those days can be such a drain on our life-energy that we can honestly think of nothing else except escape. We can get so caught up in looking for an escape that when the best solution is sitting right before us, we don't usually see it. Instead, we look past it and find other escapes: drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, isolation.
In ancient times, indigenous people would blame all of life's trials on themselves, feeling unworthy of life because they made one of the "gods" upset. Crops didn't grow because the god of soil was angry with them; fish weren't being caught because the god of the sea was angry with them; lives were ruined and people are unhappy because the god of life was angry at them.
Today, most people understand that most of the things which happen are due to outside, more natural, forces. However, sometimes things in our lives happen in such a way as to bring us down into what seems an inescapable depth, and in those times there seems to be only one way out.
I want to say here and now, never look for a way out when things get that far - look for a way through.
Life's trials come. We are constantly "tested" (as much as I don't like the theological implications of that word, I find it to be the one that best fits here...the word, not the theology) by things we have no control over. It's in those times we need to give control to someone else; whomever you think that someone else should be.
Today's psalmist writes from this point-of-view. He understands that life can get so filled with challenges that we become overwhelmed with the things going on around us. Today's modern society almost dictates we need a good job, graduate from a good school, make good money, have a good family, be able to leave a good name behind when our good life is over. It all becomes so overwhelming that we forget all that is required of us is to be as good a person as we can be, and that in itself is more than enough.
Those who love you don't do so for any reason other than you are as genuine as the love you share with them. All of that other stuff just doesn't matter. Of course they want to see you succeed, and of course they want you to be happy. What the people who truly love you don't want is to be kept out of your innermost thoughts and feelings. The same is with your God.
God is your closest ally. God wants to be your closest friend. Open yourself to God and let God's presence restore you. Note I didn't say heal you, because that might imply to some that a physical restoration is coming. What I'm talking about here is getting on the path to accepting you for who you are, and to know that there is a God who loves that person, just as much as there are people who do.
I don't want to make this seem as though it's as easy as "God, I love you" and all things turn to fields of (pick your favorite plant). What I'm trying to say is that the road we travel is difficult, but when we choose not to travel it alone it does get a little easier. So, please, take the advice of today's psalmist and tell the world of what is going on with you - maybe it'll help to get you to a spacious place.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Coming For Them
John 14:1-14
If it weren't true, why would I say it? And because it is true, I will come and get you myself.
These words, spoken by Jesus to his disciples during his last night on earth, were meant to bring peace and comfort to what was soon going to be a chaotic day. Imagine, if you will, giving your entire life over to one purpose and suddenly that purpose was gone. What would you do? Where would you go?
Today is the last day for the seniors at our high school. A lot of them have already made plans for their future; college, jobs, military, moving away to start a new life. But, there are a few of them who still have no idea what's in store for them after graduation. Their friends are moving on, their routine of waking up and having something to do is ending, and they honestly have no idea what will happen in the next few weeks, let alone the next few months or years.
For these 17-year old men and women life is about to get very scary.
Having done youth ministry for as long as I have, I know they will be fine as long as they don't give up. That's where we, as adult mentors or young adult friends, come in. We keep ourselves available, we let them know we're here and believe in them. We check in from time to time just so they know there really are people who care and there will always be someone who will walk beside them.
Just like the life and the decisions that come with it which the disciples were about to face, the students graduating from high school with no direction, purpose, or skills for a life after high school need to know they will be okay. Everything happens in its time, and in its time things will happen. The trick is to never stop believing in themselves and in those around them.
Nobody walks alone. Even if they choose to not let anyone in their lives, someone is always there. And, if they will let it, that right person will come into their lives and take them to a place where they belong - a home. Maybe you will be that person.
If it weren't true, why would I say it? And because it is true, I will come and get you myself.
These words, spoken by Jesus to his disciples during his last night on earth, were meant to bring peace and comfort to what was soon going to be a chaotic day. Imagine, if you will, giving your entire life over to one purpose and suddenly that purpose was gone. What would you do? Where would you go?
Today is the last day for the seniors at our high school. A lot of them have already made plans for their future; college, jobs, military, moving away to start a new life. But, there are a few of them who still have no idea what's in store for them after graduation. Their friends are moving on, their routine of waking up and having something to do is ending, and they honestly have no idea what will happen in the next few weeks, let alone the next few months or years.
For these 17-year old men and women life is about to get very scary.
Having done youth ministry for as long as I have, I know they will be fine as long as they don't give up. That's where we, as adult mentors or young adult friends, come in. We keep ourselves available, we let them know we're here and believe in them. We check in from time to time just so they know there really are people who care and there will always be someone who will walk beside them.
Just like the life and the decisions that come with it which the disciples were about to face, the students graduating from high school with no direction, purpose, or skills for a life after high school need to know they will be okay. Everything happens in its time, and in its time things will happen. The trick is to never stop believing in themselves and in those around them.
Nobody walks alone. Even if they choose to not let anyone in their lives, someone is always there. And, if they will let it, that right person will come into their lives and take them to a place where they belong - a home. Maybe you will be that person.
Monday, May 12, 2014
What An Introduction
Acts 7:55-60
Since Easter, the lectionary has been taking us on a journey through Acts, focusing on the words and actions of Peter and the earlier disciples as they formed little communities of "believers". It became the goal of these disciples to continue the teachings of Jesus regardless of what might happen to them, and things did happen - jailings, public humiliation, temple outcasts, even death. It would seem just as things are going along fine and new disciples are given tasks of trying to improve people's lives, something terrible happens to stop them in their paths.
Today's passage, however, is one that's just too difficult to accept; even knowing that good eventually comes from it.
The work of healing and teaching was becoming a heavy burden on the apostles and they needed help with the day-to-day care of the people - feeding the poor, visiting the sick, etc. Stephen becomes one of those appointed by the apostles to be of the first deacons of the community. Unfortunately, he is accused of spreading heresy and stoned to death in a very violent, public way.
That's not really the part of the story I'm focusing on. This particular passage is our introduction to Saul, aka Paul. Towards the middle of the passage we see the people "lay coats" at the feet of Saul, who at this time is described as a young man. Knowing what we know about the laying of coats at the feet of someone, we are introduced to this young man, Saul, as someone who is praised as a great leader, the one who will finally bring an end to all the silly-ness the disciples and people of Jesus have brought upon them.
If we read on to the first line of Acts 8 we see how "Saul approved of their killing him." Our first introduction to Saul is that of someone who is a ruthless, ambitious, young man who is praised for the violence he approves of.
Like I said, if I didn't know how the story would turn out I wouldn't be a big fan of Saul, aka Paul. And, maybe that's the point. Maybe the reader of Acts at this point is supposed to develop a hatred for Saul as the evil villain. Maybe our passion, and compassion, for the apostles and followers of Christ is supposed to make us want to leap through the pages and take Saul and do to him what he "approves" of being done to others.
What stops us? Perhaps the teachings of Jesus to be a non-violent change in the world does.
The story within Acts will continue to unfold towards the Pentecost. As it does let's try to take a look at our own path towards the coming of the Holy Spirit into everyone, even the Sauls of the world.
Since Easter, the lectionary has been taking us on a journey through Acts, focusing on the words and actions of Peter and the earlier disciples as they formed little communities of "believers". It became the goal of these disciples to continue the teachings of Jesus regardless of what might happen to them, and things did happen - jailings, public humiliation, temple outcasts, even death. It would seem just as things are going along fine and new disciples are given tasks of trying to improve people's lives, something terrible happens to stop them in their paths.
Today's passage, however, is one that's just too difficult to accept; even knowing that good eventually comes from it.
The work of healing and teaching was becoming a heavy burden on the apostles and they needed help with the day-to-day care of the people - feeding the poor, visiting the sick, etc. Stephen becomes one of those appointed by the apostles to be of the first deacons of the community. Unfortunately, he is accused of spreading heresy and stoned to death in a very violent, public way.
That's not really the part of the story I'm focusing on. This particular passage is our introduction to Saul, aka Paul. Towards the middle of the passage we see the people "lay coats" at the feet of Saul, who at this time is described as a young man. Knowing what we know about the laying of coats at the feet of someone, we are introduced to this young man, Saul, as someone who is praised as a great leader, the one who will finally bring an end to all the silly-ness the disciples and people of Jesus have brought upon them.
If we read on to the first line of Acts 8 we see how "Saul approved of their killing him." Our first introduction to Saul is that of someone who is a ruthless, ambitious, young man who is praised for the violence he approves of.
Like I said, if I didn't know how the story would turn out I wouldn't be a big fan of Saul, aka Paul. And, maybe that's the point. Maybe the reader of Acts at this point is supposed to develop a hatred for Saul as the evil villain. Maybe our passion, and compassion, for the apostles and followers of Christ is supposed to make us want to leap through the pages and take Saul and do to him what he "approves" of being done to others.
What stops us? Perhaps the teachings of Jesus to be a non-violent change in the world does.
The story within Acts will continue to unfold towards the Pentecost. As it does let's try to take a look at our own path towards the coming of the Holy Spirit into everyone, even the Sauls of the world.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Oh! There's The Door
John 10:1-10
I made a comment during a conversation we were having yesterday afternoon which stuck with me for the rest of the day. We were talking about how the culture of today's teenagers is very difficult to understand, let alone adapt to. The focus of the conversation was on a young man, a leader of his class who was chosen by his peers, who decided to boldly defy all authority of the school in a very public way.
The discussion expanded to other students who seem to defy authority in public ways. I added that teenagers have always been defiant towards authority, it's what makes them teenagers. To which the reply was, "Yes, but today's teenagers not only don't understand that there are consequences to decisions, but they disregard the consequences as well." The discussion continued on to point out all of the high school seniors who will not be graduating this year for various reasons; most of which are academic.
Today's teenagers, not all mind you, don't fully understand why there are negative consequences for negative actions. I actually work with one such teenager who doesn't understand why he won't be graduating when for the past two years we've been telling him if he doesn't do his work, he won't graduate. Now, in the final week of school, he has given up because there is honestly no way he can make up the credits needed for him to graduate.
After listening to comparisons between when we were teenagers and today's teenagers I sort of blurted out, "I wonder if today's society is changing too quickly for humanity to adapt to the changes." The conversation stopped cold.
Today's passage from the Gospel of John reminds me to refocus my life on the things which are important and to always put Christ at the center. To be fair, there are a lot more teenagers who are successful in high school than there are those who aren't. What seems like teachers complaining is actually teachers showing their love and compassion for every child they work with. I've been working with teens and adults who work with teens long enough to know that nobody just gives up. What's different between the now and then of maybe 12 or 15 years ago is that finding a way to help the teens who need extra help is becoming more difficult.
Maybe we just have to focus on the things which are more important. How are things at home for them? Do they believe there is a future for them after school? How can we help them regain hope and in what ways can we build self-confidence in them? Are they truly accepted for the people they are and are becoming?
The more I learn about the times of Christ, the more I realize he lived at a time when society was also changing at a rate to quick for humanity to keep up. The people in charge thought it easier to condemn, arrest, torture, and kill those in opposition to the way things always were. However, Jesus came into that world and helped to refocus those who were living without hope on what was truly important: the all-accepting love of God.
The love of God is the doorway to a life filled with peace and joy. At times that door might be difficult to find, but we should never give up looking for it. And, when we find it we should do everything in our power to help others through the door.
I made a comment during a conversation we were having yesterday afternoon which stuck with me for the rest of the day. We were talking about how the culture of today's teenagers is very difficult to understand, let alone adapt to. The focus of the conversation was on a young man, a leader of his class who was chosen by his peers, who decided to boldly defy all authority of the school in a very public way.
The discussion expanded to other students who seem to defy authority in public ways. I added that teenagers have always been defiant towards authority, it's what makes them teenagers. To which the reply was, "Yes, but today's teenagers not only don't understand that there are consequences to decisions, but they disregard the consequences as well." The discussion continued on to point out all of the high school seniors who will not be graduating this year for various reasons; most of which are academic.
Today's teenagers, not all mind you, don't fully understand why there are negative consequences for negative actions. I actually work with one such teenager who doesn't understand why he won't be graduating when for the past two years we've been telling him if he doesn't do his work, he won't graduate. Now, in the final week of school, he has given up because there is honestly no way he can make up the credits needed for him to graduate.
After listening to comparisons between when we were teenagers and today's teenagers I sort of blurted out, "I wonder if today's society is changing too quickly for humanity to adapt to the changes." The conversation stopped cold.
Today's passage from the Gospel of John reminds me to refocus my life on the things which are important and to always put Christ at the center. To be fair, there are a lot more teenagers who are successful in high school than there are those who aren't. What seems like teachers complaining is actually teachers showing their love and compassion for every child they work with. I've been working with teens and adults who work with teens long enough to know that nobody just gives up. What's different between the now and then of maybe 12 or 15 years ago is that finding a way to help the teens who need extra help is becoming more difficult.
Maybe we just have to focus on the things which are more important. How are things at home for them? Do they believe there is a future for them after school? How can we help them regain hope and in what ways can we build self-confidence in them? Are they truly accepted for the people they are and are becoming?
The more I learn about the times of Christ, the more I realize he lived at a time when society was also changing at a rate to quick for humanity to keep up. The people in charge thought it easier to condemn, arrest, torture, and kill those in opposition to the way things always were. However, Jesus came into that world and helped to refocus those who were living without hope on what was truly important: the all-accepting love of God.
The love of God is the doorway to a life filled with peace and joy. At times that door might be difficult to find, but we should never give up looking for it. And, when we find it we should do everything in our power to help others through the door.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Not Eye For An Eye
1 Peter 2:19-25
Lately I've been watching how I behave while driving on the freeway. I tend to be one of those people who will drive close to the car in front of me so as not to let others cut in front. I'm not talking about other cars merging in, I always make room for them. I'm talking about the ones who take the outside lanes to get to the merge as fast as they can and try to sneak in at the last minute.
What I've been noticing is how I get tense and on the verge of anger whenever I get in those driving situations, even though nobody is trying to cut in. And, to be honest, someone trying to cut in front of me in that way is very rare. So, why do I do what I do?
I don't know...maybe it's because I want to dish it out before I get it. You know, an eye for an eye before my eye is actually taken out.
The truth is that letting a car or two cut in front of me really doesn't change anything; I'm still in bumper to bumper traffic and I'm still going to get home when I do. Again I have to ask myself why I do what I do.
Today's passage helps to remind me that behavior breeds behavior. If I drive, or behave in any situation, with anger I am sure those around me are feeding off my emotion and becoming angry themselves. At least that's how I feel when someone drives to close to my rear bumper or doesn't let me cut in.
I've always said that the most difficult place to be a Christian is on the freeway. I think from this point forward I'll be trying a lot harder.
Lately I've been watching how I behave while driving on the freeway. I tend to be one of those people who will drive close to the car in front of me so as not to let others cut in front. I'm not talking about other cars merging in, I always make room for them. I'm talking about the ones who take the outside lanes to get to the merge as fast as they can and try to sneak in at the last minute.
What I've been noticing is how I get tense and on the verge of anger whenever I get in those driving situations, even though nobody is trying to cut in. And, to be honest, someone trying to cut in front of me in that way is very rare. So, why do I do what I do?
I don't know...maybe it's because I want to dish it out before I get it. You know, an eye for an eye before my eye is actually taken out.
The truth is that letting a car or two cut in front of me really doesn't change anything; I'm still in bumper to bumper traffic and I'm still going to get home when I do. Again I have to ask myself why I do what I do.
Today's passage helps to remind me that behavior breeds behavior. If I drive, or behave in any situation, with anger I am sure those around me are feeding off my emotion and becoming angry themselves. At least that's how I feel when someone drives to close to my rear bumper or doesn't let me cut in.
I've always said that the most difficult place to be a Christian is on the freeway. I think from this point forward I'll be trying a lot harder.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Never Alone In The Shadows
Psalm 23
This past weekend I attended a workshop on how to have conversations surrounding the issues of death and dying. The discussions were good, even though they began by being mostly surrounded around how to "quote scripture" when comforting someone who is dying. The leader of the workshop didn't intend for the conversation to go that way, but as most good leaders would, he allowed for the group to be in conversation about what they think.
Of the 18 people who were there, only 2 or 3 people were actually a part of this conversation, so, again as a good leader will do, the question was posed, "Does anyone else have something to add?" Most of you who have been in a group discussion of that size might understand that sometimes it feels that if your viewpoints aren't being discussed, maybe they aren't the right ones. It took about 30 seconds before someone else asked, "What do you do if the person isn't a Christian, but needs comforting anyway?"
A sigh of relief went through the group, literally, as the conversation would hopefully now be about comforting someone versus preaching at someone. Imagine, then, how the group was surprised at the response by the leader. "Who here can tell me of the perfect scripture to represent in a case like that?"
After a few questions for clarification we understood that what he meant was what are some of the stories in the bible we can bring to those who need comforting, not necessarily the words of those stories. The Prodigal Son and its message of extravagant forgiveness and the Thief at the Cross and its promise that we will live on in blessed eternity were a couple of stories that got tossed around. Then, as though we had forgotten (maybe because we had) the leader mentioned Psalm 23.
We were asked to close our eyes and imagine ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death and describe in one word or two what that felt like. Cold, dark, overwhelmingly vast, fear, and loneliness were the words which came through. Then we were asked to open our eyes and imagine what happens when Jesus enters that valley. Warmth overtook coldness, light came into darkness, clear direction replaced vastness, courage beat out fear. But mostly, companionship restored the sense of being alone.
When someone is going through a difficult time in their life, whether it be facing death or moving away for college or getting into a big fight with their family, the presence of Christ as they walk the path through their very personal valleys of shadow can be just what they might need to get them through to the other side. To be like Christ is to be that same presence. And through the gift of companionship, compassionate companionship, we become the light, warmth, or way of offering direction that is most needed.
We all walk through our valleys of shadow. It helps to know we never walk alone.
This past weekend I attended a workshop on how to have conversations surrounding the issues of death and dying. The discussions were good, even though they began by being mostly surrounded around how to "quote scripture" when comforting someone who is dying. The leader of the workshop didn't intend for the conversation to go that way, but as most good leaders would, he allowed for the group to be in conversation about what they think.
Of the 18 people who were there, only 2 or 3 people were actually a part of this conversation, so, again as a good leader will do, the question was posed, "Does anyone else have something to add?" Most of you who have been in a group discussion of that size might understand that sometimes it feels that if your viewpoints aren't being discussed, maybe they aren't the right ones. It took about 30 seconds before someone else asked, "What do you do if the person isn't a Christian, but needs comforting anyway?"
A sigh of relief went through the group, literally, as the conversation would hopefully now be about comforting someone versus preaching at someone. Imagine, then, how the group was surprised at the response by the leader. "Who here can tell me of the perfect scripture to represent in a case like that?"
After a few questions for clarification we understood that what he meant was what are some of the stories in the bible we can bring to those who need comforting, not necessarily the words of those stories. The Prodigal Son and its message of extravagant forgiveness and the Thief at the Cross and its promise that we will live on in blessed eternity were a couple of stories that got tossed around. Then, as though we had forgotten (maybe because we had) the leader mentioned Psalm 23.
We were asked to close our eyes and imagine ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death and describe in one word or two what that felt like. Cold, dark, overwhelmingly vast, fear, and loneliness were the words which came through. Then we were asked to open our eyes and imagine what happens when Jesus enters that valley. Warmth overtook coldness, light came into darkness, clear direction replaced vastness, courage beat out fear. But mostly, companionship restored the sense of being alone.
When someone is going through a difficult time in their life, whether it be facing death or moving away for college or getting into a big fight with their family, the presence of Christ as they walk the path through their very personal valleys of shadow can be just what they might need to get them through to the other side. To be like Christ is to be that same presence. And through the gift of companionship, compassionate companionship, we become the light, warmth, or way of offering direction that is most needed.
We all walk through our valleys of shadow. It helps to know we never walk alone.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
To Be Continued
1 Peter 1:17-23
I was asked the other day, "What does it mean that Jesus rose from the dead?" I didn't fully understand the question, so I asked back, "What do you mean?" Such is the kind of conversation I usually have with a lot of Christians as well as people from different beliefs.
In my experience, a lot of people don't fully understand what the significance of Jesus' resurrection means, not that I fully do either. I hear reasons like, "Because it's important that God rose him from the dead" or "It proves Jesus is God" or "It had to happen to fulfill prophecies."
Okay...but how. How is it important? How does it proven? What does it matter that a prophecy was fulfilled?
It would seem that the answers most people have been given are as deep as they are willing to think about it, as though the reasons as to why Jesus' resurrection is important only as a way to "save" others. However, in today's passage Peter gives us a great thought as to why the resurrection is important.
Peter reminds us that Jesus' resurrection helps us to trust in God - to trust that God is fully alive and wants desperately to be a part of our lives. The resurrection also helps us to believe in the fact that God exists completely, and that belief gives us the permission, or freedom, to "have genuine mutual love," and to "love one another deeply from the heart."
The life of Jesus teaches Christians how God wants us to live by caring for those in need of caring as well as sharing our lives with those around us. Christians are asked over and over to act with favor and love for the afflicted, poor, hungry, thirsty, widow, prisoner, and orphan. If, then, we are given the freedom to love through the continued life of Jesus, we, as Christians, are to do just that - continue the life and love of Jesus.
Peter reminds us that the Christ lives on through us, and it's through the Christ that we are to share our lives with others as well as share in the lives of others. It's in this way that Jesus will continue to live. It's in this way the resurrection has true meaning.
So, when asked "What does it mean that Jesus rose from the dead?", maybe we can answer with "It simply means I now have the freedom to live the life Jesus showed me. Would you like to know what that means?"
I was asked the other day, "What does it mean that Jesus rose from the dead?" I didn't fully understand the question, so I asked back, "What do you mean?" Such is the kind of conversation I usually have with a lot of Christians as well as people from different beliefs.
In my experience, a lot of people don't fully understand what the significance of Jesus' resurrection means, not that I fully do either. I hear reasons like, "Because it's important that God rose him from the dead" or "It proves Jesus is God" or "It had to happen to fulfill prophecies."
Okay...but how. How is it important? How does it proven? What does it matter that a prophecy was fulfilled?
It would seem that the answers most people have been given are as deep as they are willing to think about it, as though the reasons as to why Jesus' resurrection is important only as a way to "save" others. However, in today's passage Peter gives us a great thought as to why the resurrection is important.
Peter reminds us that Jesus' resurrection helps us to trust in God - to trust that God is fully alive and wants desperately to be a part of our lives. The resurrection also helps us to believe in the fact that God exists completely, and that belief gives us the permission, or freedom, to "have genuine mutual love," and to "love one another deeply from the heart."
The life of Jesus teaches Christians how God wants us to live by caring for those in need of caring as well as sharing our lives with those around us. Christians are asked over and over to act with favor and love for the afflicted, poor, hungry, thirsty, widow, prisoner, and orphan. If, then, we are given the freedom to love through the continued life of Jesus, we, as Christians, are to do just that - continue the life and love of Jesus.
Peter reminds us that the Christ lives on through us, and it's through the Christ that we are to share our lives with others as well as share in the lives of others. It's in this way that Jesus will continue to live. It's in this way the resurrection has true meaning.
So, when asked "What does it mean that Jesus rose from the dead?", maybe we can answer with "It simply means I now have the freedom to live the life Jesus showed me. Would you like to know what that means?"
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