Tag: believe

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30 (TNIV)

“Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” Luke 1:38 (The Message)

Understandably, Mary is shaken by what’s happening to her: being visited by an angel, being told she’ll conceive a baby via the Holy Spirit, and give birth to God’s son. Remarkable! Extraordinary! This is way too much for any mere mortal to take in; yet, the angel provides Mary with just enough information to enable Mary to “see” what she needs to see in order for her to make the choice to agree with God and surrender herself to God’s plan—for herself, and the world. Of course, she “sees” so little at this point—hardly anything compared with all that she can’t see yet. But she sees enough, and acts upon what she does see. Overwhelmed as she must be by her circumstances, Mary does not give in to her fears. Her response to the angel, and to God, is “Yes.” I’m delighted and amazed by Mary’s simple, childlike faith in God. I’m a bit amused by her naivety, imagining that she sees it all. I’m also filled with wonder and awe of God’s tender love for the young woman that he has chosen to be his mother!

Though Mary’s and my circumstances are so very different, there is one way in which we (and all of humanity) are very similar. There is so little that we humans do see, so little that we do know; yet, God always gives us just enough insight to act upon. That kind of situation seems scary, but God tells us not to fear. God’s tender love for us all is sure and unchanging, and his word to us never fails. I hear his words to me now:

“Hold firmly, tightly, onto what child-like faith that you have. Just as I chose Mary to be my mother, I have chosen you to be my sister, friend and full-time companion. Say “Yes” to me unreservedly and I will birth myself within you—freeing you to be your true self and empowering you to be my partner for life, eternally loving and being loved by Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I have chosen to live and love in and through you! Say, “Yes”!

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may it be to me according to your word! Amen!

“Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Luke 18:17 (The Message)

If a child is going to hold tight to something, it will be to the one who cares for them: a parent, grandparent or guardian. There is only one exception, or perhaps addition, that I’ve seen to that truth: their “security” item (a blanket, stuffed animal or toy, etc.). But even then, a child usually has only one security item, not “mansions” filled with items like adults will endeavor to have. A child’s trust and security seems to be very simple and focused, for example: “my mommy and my blanket”. That’s all that’s really needed for a child to be happy and content, to feel safe and secure, and for them to rest and be at peace. Situations of extreme poverty can cause this not to be essentially true, and some parents who are currently in the trenches of raising their children may beg to differ with me as well, but as I look back over my years in those trenches, I recognize that a large part of what a child really needs is one loving, caring relationship and one treasured item. These “possessions” can provide comfort and stability for children, even when their situation is less than favorable. As I ponder this reality, I can’t help but ask myself, “What one relationship and one item can provide the same for me?”

I recognize a longing within myself for the freedom to be a simple child who lives a simple life consisting of one relationship and one item of comfort and familiarity. But living this simple lifestyle would require that I let go of the many things that I have acquired as an adult. I fear the real and imagined loss of “selling all that I have, giving to the poor and following Jesus”. How could this even be possible for me to do; after all, I have a spouse and a house filled with items and the decision to keep or dispose of these items is not up to me to make alone. Now I not only feel longing and fear, but I’m beginning to feel a bit trapped as well! Like Jesus’ disciples, I find myself wondering what must I do to be saved from my dilemma!

In the midst of my silent listening, I hear God say this to me.

“Doing is a trap, a trap that you can’t escape on your own. You must have help—from others and from God—to escape the trap’s “teeth” or grip. The process of getting rid of your item-filled house must be one that you walk through with your spouse. The “community” aspect of this process is your teacher and guide—be attentive and learn from it. In your own childhood, you grew up as an only child never knowing the irritations or the joys of having and being a sibling. As an adult, you have been the mother who has raised offspring to adulthood, often marveling and being mystified by the sibling interactions that you’ve witnessed among your children—the comforting familiarities as well as the oppressive pitfalls. As I now “grow you back down” to the simplicity of a child, your life in community with your spouse (and others) gives you the opportunity to experience life as a sibling, as co-heirs with each other and with Jesus before God, the Father. This is not something that you do. It’s something that you are. Be who you are. Be my darling child who clings to my neck for dear life, not ever letting go. Cling tightly, also, to your “security blanket”: my Holy Spirit. She alone will provide you with the comforting sense of familiarity, security, love and peace that you need to face the ups and downs of life as my child. Focus your attention on my Spirit and trust in me as your “Abba” (“Daddy”), and you will be the child that you long to be. I guarantee it!”

With tears on my cheeks and from the depths of my heart, I thank you, Abba, for the privilege and joy of being your child!

 

 

 

 

“They were surprised and impressed—his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative, not the quibbling and quoting they were used to.”  Luke 4:32 (Message)

Quibble is rather a fun-sounding word, even if its meaning isn’t.  If all the other religious teachers in Jesus’ time “quibbled”—arguing, complaining, nitpicking over unimportant details, quoting other “authorities” to support their own points and ideas (I think today we might call that “name dropping”)—then Jesus’ approach of authenticity (speaking from what he knows to be true in his life and being) would be very refreshing indeed!  What a pleasant relief it must have been to hear Jesus teach!

Since not quibbling worked so well for Jesus, I can’t help but wonder why so many Christians today engage in it?  Nitpicking over nonessential doctrines and unimportant details only leads to division and disunity.  Arguing and complaining are simply symptoms of ego and pride, not humble self-sacrifice.  Validating your words by quoting popular or well-promoted Christian pastors and/or authors is frequently done to impress, and reveals a lack of true ownership for your own spirituality.  These words of mine may sound harsh, but are they untrue?      

Jesus knew who he was and how he was called by God.  He intentionally lived into his identity and his calling, trusting in the guidance and support that he received from the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus possessed authority that had been given to him by his Father.  In addition, his authenticity regarding his true being and how he lived that out in his daily life naturally lended even more authority to his actions and teachings.  As Jesus’ followers, we have all received our own unique identity and calling from the Father.  The question is, are we choosing to waste precious time and energy quibbling or are we trusting our identity and calling in Christ and intentionally living into it?  As I ponder this question for myself, I hear Jesus say the following to me:     

“My sister and friend, I have planted my truth within you and it has grown.  There is more for you to learn, but you can be confident and authentic regarding what you have already received from me.  Your authenticity is your authority!  Claim what you do know.  Boldly proclaim it with your words and through your actions.  I have placed my authority within you—share it with me as we use it to our Father’s glory.”

Do I hear an “Amen!”?

“He said this to stretch Phillip’s faith.” John 6:6 (The Message)

Jesus asks Phillip a question merely to get Phillip to think, to ponder from a faith perspective. His question is rhetorical, and its purpose is to stretch Phillip’s faith. Phillip doesn’t perceive the question as being rhetorical; he takes it quite literally and physically (after all, they are surrounded by hungry people). In response, he doesn’t stop to think or ponder or approach the question from a position of faith; he immediately moves into “fix it mode”, sees no available resources at hand and decides that a solution is impossible. It doesn’t appear that Phillip took the time or had the inclination to consider a response of faith at all. Perhaps that’s why Jesus was attempting to stretch it.

Andrew’s response to Jesus’ question is different. He listens to the question, looks around for what resources are available and he presents these small resources to Jesus, asking Jesus how these can help with such a large need. Andrew’s response is one of faith, though mixed with doubt. Like Phillip, Andrew is earthly and earthbound in his thinking and approach; he is looking for a result that will fix the problem, not a miracle that will demonstrate Jesus’ power and provision. To Andrew’s credit, he is more open to a faith response at this time than Phillip; he’s open to seeing what Jesus can do with the resources at hand—however small they may appear to be.

Both men are no doubt blown away by what Jesus does with practically nothing. Where Phillip saw only impossibility, Andrew saw an improbability, but was open to possibility. One’s mind was closed and limited; the other’s was open and limitless.

How often do I respond to Jesus’ “stretches” as Phillip did, looking only at what mankind has to offer and seeing it as inadequate, impossible? If it appears impossible (or I’ve decided that it is), then the human tendency is to give up, don’t waste anymore time trying—from an earthly perspective, it’s the only logical, reasonable, rational response. How often do I respond like Andrew, looking for what mankind has to offer and then placing it in Jesus’ hands to see what he’ll do with it? This option may appear highly improbable but it’s also open to whatever God may do, which encourages and produces hope, imagination and expectant anticipation.

My invitation from God is quite simply: “When I “stretch” you, take the time to wait—to ponder my question from a faith perspective, and to look for where I am and what I’m doing before you respond or react. This will enable you to be more open and available to the miraculous in everyday events. There is so much that I want to show you. Let me delight you with what I can do—this can only happen if you’re already open to it.”

“This sorrow is crushing my life out.” Matthew 26:38 (The Message)

“There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.” Matthew 26:41 (The Message)

There are times in life when our sorrow does suck the life out of us. Deeply demanding choices are before us. We don’t want to face them; in truth, we often feel that we don’t have what is needed to face them.   However, reality teaches that escape is not an option—whether we are intentional about choosing or we force life to make choices for us by default (by doing nothing), life choices are made and life directions are taken. The question is, how will we face our choices and make the decisions that must be made?

Jesus had an excruciating decision before him. He was fully human; his life on earth was very demanding but also very rich in purpose and relationships. For three years he had enjoyed the companionship of people whom he loved dearly and invested in deeply. Now the time had come for him to leave them, first temporarily and then for a much longer time than they could ever imagine. Now he must choose whether to please himself and those he loved or God, the Father. His choice was devastatingly hard because the ramifications were very real—not just for himself and those close to him, but for many others throughout time, as well. His sorrow was so great that it drove him to his knees before God, pleading for other options and the ability to face what lay before him. Jesus, the man, needed help and the Holy Spirit was there, enabling him to move from the desire to please himself to an openness and acceptance of the truth and reality that the Father’s way was the best way (the only way) and that surrendering himself was the only true choice that he could make.

Jesus had to be moved from loving and obeying his own desires to loving and obeying the Father’s plan—for the sake of loving all creation throughout time. It was a choice of obedience, yes—he had to surrender to God, the Father’s way. But the motivation was not obedience—that was the action. The motivation was LOVE—love for the Father (with all his heart, soul, mind and strength) and love for all of mankind (loving his neighbor as himself; therefore, surrendering his life so all could live). The Trinity’s “bottom line” is always LOVE.

My own choices in life have not born the same ramifications as Jesus’, but many have been devastatingly sorrowful for me just the same. Avoiding the hard work and letting life make the choices for me can be very tempting, but it ultimately deepens my sorrow and takes me down paths where I don’t want to go. In my sorrow, I have also been driven to my knees before God, pleading for other options and for the courage and strength to face what lay before me. Each time, the Holy Spirit has gently but firmly brought me to the Father’s “bottom line”. Love is the motivation of heart that I must be open to and accepting of, that I must be willing to surrender to, if I am to make the only true choices that I can make. Life choices can be hard, but help is always available to those who ask for it.  I don’t want to face living with choices that are made apart from LOVE.