Tag: spiritual formation

ask

by hovering love

“Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:39

The religious rulers in Jesus’ day were scholars, steeped in knowledge of the Law and Scriptures, knowing all the Biblical clues and criteria regarding Messiah.  They knew that Messiah would be from King David’s lineage, the tribe of Judah and that he would come from the town of Bethlehem.  They believed Jesus couldn’t be Messiah because he didn’t fit the Biblical criteria.  They “knew” that Jesus was a child of Nazareth which was located in the land of the tribe of Zebulun.  Their judgment would have been correct if their information regarding Jesus had been correct, but it wasn’t.  Their judgments were based upon their own assumptions, which were based upon incomplete and inaccurate hearsay.  Because these rulers never asked Jesus about his family lineage or the location of his birth, they never learned his full back story.  These scholars had not done their due diligence of research in this matter.  Of course, there’s no guarantee that Jesus would have revealed the details of his lineage and birth to them if they had asked.  Jesus could be very vague when he wanted.  Nicodemus had come to Jesus one evening with questions regarding his teachings.  I don’t know if Nic left that conversation illuminated or more confused.  He didn’t seem to understand what Jesus was talking about at the time, but his actions at Jesus’ death suggest that the Holy Spirit used Jesus’ words to deepen Nic’s understanding and faith over time.

It would be easy to judge and condemn these ruling scholars (just as they did of those who believed in Jesus) for not doing their jobs correctly and completely (which made it highly improbable for them to believe Jesus was Messiah); however, they were acting solely in their own strength—the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to dwell within those who believed in Jesus.  Many people today who profess to possess the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, myself included, don’t take the time or expend the energy or pursue the open mind and wisdom that’s needed to correctly obtain the full back story of a person or situation before passing judgment.  Though we have the Holy Spirit’s truth and wisdom available to us, do we act any different than those who assumed, judged and condemned Jesus on the basis of their own abilities alone?  Their assumptions, judgments and condemnation were all wrong even though they contained some truths (their knowledge of Scripture was correct).  If we don’t ask for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom, open mind and enabling before we proceed, our own conclusions and verdicts have no chance of being completely correct.  All we can hope for is to possess partial truths that lead us to wrong conclusions and at best.  

I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if the Jewish ruling scholars had done a good, complete job of research before they set their minds upon a decision regarding the validity of Jesus’ claims and ministry.  The back story is always important, even crucial, to enable us to perceive and understand rather than just assume and judge.  Take time to get the full back story—otherwise you miss the full truth and make judgments based upon what you do know: inaccurate and incomplete information.  Ask for the Holy Spirit’s assistance; approach each conversation (and decision) with the mindfulness that you know nothing, and you’ll be better able to really hear and discern the full truth when you hear it.

stretch

by hovering love

“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.”

time

by hovering love

“You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses . . .” Acts 1:7,8 The Message

When I only see time as my possession to use for my purposes, I no longer “possess” time but it possesses me—my focus, attention and energies have all become time’s captive. When I see time as God’s possession, that He uses to bring about His will and purposes for all of creation (not just me), I can receive time as a gift that God shares with me. I can also see myself more correctly—my job is not to “master time”; my job is to obediently and intentionally be in communion with the Holy Spirit as I wait for God’s promises to come—in my life, others’ lives and all of creation. “Timing is the Father’s business.”

How humbling this truth is—for myself and for all of humanity. We must keep our “hands off” of God’s possession—time. When I can’t control or manipulate time, even the time God shares with me as a gift, I must entrust all to God’s agenda—causing my faith to be placed in God, not myself. “Humble trust” is not an easy feat for adult humans—that’s why my real job is to be in constant, clear communion with the Holy Spirit; only the Holy Spirit can enable me to let God be God and myself be the true me. This moment-by-moment relationship with the Holy Spirit enables me to live with an unexplainable, incomprehensible sense of order and peace of mind—moment by moment.

I’m so grateful that time is God’s to control and utilize, not mine. Amen!

 

raised

by hovering love

 

“The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” Matthew 27:52, 53

“Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54

I confess that I’m perplexed and intrigued by the dead people whose tombs are broken open and are awakened to life as Jesus dies. We are told that after Jesus’ resurrection, these same people leave their tombs, enter Jerusalem and proceed to mix and mingle with the inhabitants of that city. How fascinating and downright curious! If they are brought back to life as their tombs are broken open around 3:00pm on Friday afternoon, what did they do or experience in the meantime as they awaited their tomb exit and entrance into the city on Sunday morning? As they lay in their grave—alive—from Friday to Sunday, did they have any idea of the events on Friday? Were they aware of what was happening around them? Did angels minister to them? I’m guessing that no human, other than possibly Romans, would even have the chance to be aware of “live people in graves” at that time because the Jews in the city would all be engaged in celebrating the Passover and participating in the activities of that day (and definitely no where near a cemetery!). Trying to imagine this entire scenario fills me with amazement and wonder, not to mention that it creeps me out a bit. All I can say is it’s a good thing the tombs were broken open so they could have fresh air to breath while they waited!

On a more serious note, when the Roman captain and his soldiers experienced all that happened (three hours of darkness in the middle of the day, earthquakes, etc.), they were “scared to death” and proclaimed that Jesus must have been the Son of God! How often it is that those on the outside of something can readily perceive what those on the inside are oblivious to.

So . . . what am I missing that others can readily see in my life and being? What am I oblivious to? God has given me a “raised” form of life also—am I still laying quiet and still in my old grave, waiting for something else to happen or another time to come? If so, is my waiting in line with God’s plan for me, or the result of my own reluctance and resistance? Am I being told that the time has come for me to leave my unnecessary grave, enter the city of the living and joyously engage with those that I meet along the way? What a miraculous occurrence—for the “raised” in this story, for myself and for all who are alive on planet earth! New possibilities abound, boggling my mind and imagination!

 

 

alone

by hovering love

“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.” Matthew 27:32

“He trusts in God.” Matthew 27:43

As Jesus hangs on the cross, waiting for his time to die, where are his disciples and those who followed him? Where are his Father in heaven and the many legions of angels who were at his disposal? Where are Jesus’ family members and personal friends? All seem to be elsewhere—this is an experience that Jesus has to endure alone, separated from all but those who hate him and regard him with contempt. A very few who love him may be watching from a safe distance, but is he aware of their presence as he waits in the dark? Jesus surely knows in his heart that he still belongs to the Trinity, and perhaps the Holy Spirit is there (unseen) ministering strength and courage to him, but the physical suffering and the earthly humiliation and disgrace must be a solitary experience for him. This is his cross to bear.

Earlier in the day, Simon from Cyrene had been caught off guard and forced by the Roman soldiers to participate in this traumatic event. This was an experience that Simon did not deserve, could not escape or avoid. I don’t know what business, desire or need brought him into the city at that moment but I am certain that the day did not go as he had anticipated. Simon could not have experienced the events and demands placed upon him that day without it having an impact upon him. I suspect that it was deeply etched in his memory for the rest of his earthly life.

Just like Simon, we all have unanticipated experiences and demands forced upon us at various times. As we walk through life, we all have our own moments/seasons when we find ourselves enduring our own crosses alone. The Father in heaven is watching over us, Jesus is empathizing and guiding us, and the Holy Spirit is intervening in action and prayer for us (whether recognized by us or not), but we are nonetheless alone in the actual living out of the suffering, loss and pain. This is part of our own “sharing in the sufferings of Christ”. It’s also the pathway to our regression and sustained immaturity of faith or to transformation and maturity of faith as followers of Jesus and citizens of God’s kingdom. Jesus had to remember who he is in the Trinity, and how good, faithful and trustworthy his Father in heaven is to endure and prevail over his solitary suffering. So must I, for therein lies my only hope of present help and future joy.

In your times of suffering, may you lean into Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and embrace the experiences that are brought to you in their presence and care. You may feel alone, but they are always with you—you are never truly alone.

anointing

by hovering love

“Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13

The world was swirling with the intrigues of the religious leaders and the earthbound perspectives of Jesus’ twelve disciples, but very quietly in the center of it all was a woman who poured out her very expensive perfume for the purpose of anointing Jesus’ body for burial. Jesus was filled with a deep appreciation and gratitude as a result of her great sacrifice. This action was highly significant to him—more so than anything else that was happening at that moment in time. Only God knows what motivated her to do this. Maybe she was driven by her own gratitude and appreciation for how Jesus had ministered to her, or maybe she had sensed God calling her to serve and prepare Jesus in this way. Whether from love and gratitude or obedience or both, her small but highly controversial act was purposely recorded in the Bible and is remembered with admiration throughout time. In her own quiet, unassuming manner, she took the risk to do what was NOT acceptable in the eyes of the world or the religious culture of her day, and she received harsh judgment and verbal abuse from these same people as a result.   Simultaneously (and throughout all eternity), her actions on Jesus’ behalf were and are celebrated with honor and acceptance and praise in God’s kingdom of heaven. What a wonderful paradox—it fills me with a deep sense of wonder and joy!

I am impressed with this woman! Her quiet courage and unashamed compassion are inspiring to me. Her willingness to go against the accepted norms of both world and religion in such an expression of love, gratitude, obedience and respect set her apart as one who truly knows God and experiences his love daily. She is a very good model that I want to follow.

If I am to be remembered in any way and for any reason, I want to be remembered for my love, devotion and obedience to my Father in heaven who loves me dearly. My prayer is this: Father God, show me how you are calling me to live out each day, give me the courage to be both quiet and controversial in obedience and service to you and to those you lead me to, and let my value and treasure be always in you, alone.

Amen!

 

choices

by hovering love

“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.

parable

by hovering love

It’s easy to read the “parable of the talents” in Matthew 25:14-30 and assume that the 3rd servant fell out of grace with his Master because the servant was lazy and did not “do” what the Master expected of him—especially if your foundation of understanding Scripture is based upon a works/performance-based acceptance.  It also paints a picture of the Master as being a dishonest, insensitive and opportunistic person who is “only in it for the money” and who is unforgiving and lacking in compassion—one mistake and you’re out!  Unfortunately, I’ve heard this parable expounded upon, from various teachers, in a manner that seems to go along with that kind of acceptance, and justifies the Master’s behavior on the basis of the “servant’s disobedience”.  However, this understanding of the parable does not address the question that prompted the telling of the parable in the first place.

In Matthew 24:3 the disciples ask Jesus, “Tell us . . . when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”  The parable of the talents is part of Jesus’ response to this question.  If the parable’s purpose is to tell only of lazy servants who get thrown out by dishonest Masters, then how does this answer the disciples request for a sign of Jesus’ return and the end of the age?  The disciples will know that the end of the age is coming when all lazy servants get what they supposedly have coming to them?  Perhaps there is another understanding of the parable to examine.

As Jesus tells the parable, he does’nt tell his listeners of any instructions that the Master gave to the servants regarding their expected handling of the talents.  This is important information to have if the listener is to judge the actions of the servants, and the Master’s responses to each, correctly and justly.  Without the ability to make these just judgments, we can only look at the actions and responses themselves for our clues.

The 3rd servant proclaims the Master to be “a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.”  He justifies his behavior regarding the talent he received with “So I was afraid . . . “.  The 3rd servant appears to know the Master well, or at least he believes that he does.  And what is the Master’s response to the servant’s proclamation?  First he calls him “wicked”, and then “lazy”.  Then he challenges the servant’s alleged knowledge and understanding of the Master’s character and nature.  The Master’s words are angry and the tone communicates personal injury, insult and offense.  The Master then berates the servant for not behaving in a manner that would suggest the servant really believed his “assumptions” regarding the Master—if he had, he would have at least put the talent in the bank where it could have collected interest in the interim.  In the end, the Master takes the one talent away from the 3rd servant and gives it to the 1st before separating the 3rd servant from the Master’s household.

It’s my belief that the Master was not angry with the 3rd servant because the servant did not “do” anything with the talent that was entrusted to him.  I believe the Master was angry with the 3rd servant because the servant unjustly judged the Master, arrogantly believing himself to know the Master quite well (this would be considered “wicked” behavior toward anyone).  The servant then added insult to injury by acting in accordance with his unjust assumptions—justifying his own “laziness” on the basis of “reasonable fear” caused by the Master’s (alleged) hard-heartedness.  Faced with these kinds of accusations, who could possibly blame the Master for being pissed off?  The other two servants did not express similar beliefs regarding the Master’s character and nature, and we can only assume that the 3rd servant received the same treatment from the Master that they did.  For some reason, the 3rd servant is biased and prejudiced against the Master, believing what the servant wants/chooses to believe regardless of how it matches up with truth. That kind of biased attitude prevents honest, open communication and destroys relationships.  With a servant who is so biased and prejudiced against you, what else can the Master do but release him from the Master’s household. It is entirely possible that the Master is deeply wounded by the servant’s attitudes and behavior, and is brokenhearted by the destroyed relationships that have resulted from them.  Not only has the relationship between Master and servant been destroyed, but also that which existed between servant and servant.

And how does this understanding of the parable address the disciples’ question of Jesus?  Perhaps Jesus was trying to turn the disciples’ attention away from “signs” toward having the kind of relationship with God that would enable them to see and hear God’s future communications regarding the coming of the end of the age.  Jesus was aware of how their “assumptions” regarding the Messiah did not match up with the truth.  He knew that their assumptions hampered their ability to understand his teachings and believe that what was to come was truly from God.  Perhaps Jesus wanted the disciples to catch a glimpse of who and what God really is so they could have an open-minded approach to their seeking of God—so they could have, maintain and enjoy a good relationship with God and with each other.

As I meditate upon this parable, I sense that the Holy Spirit is inviting me to examine my own ideas, assumptions and prejudices regarding the character, nature and actions of God.  Though I have studied the Scriptures and sought to follow God for over 40 years, I do not know God as well as I would like to believe that I do.  Indeed, no human being knows God as well as they would like to believe.  God is beyond all.  But there is always hope for those who seek God still.  God is not unapproachable to those who possess a childlike open heart and mind—openness to both God and to humanity alike.

tornado

by hovering love

From the year 2008 through 2009 I experienced some severe “pruning” via: the loss of my mother to cancer (this involved struggling through many issues not directly related to her illness, as well as the cancer itself), the tragic loss of my brother-in-law to a car accident (leaving a wife and 3 year old son), and the painful and perplexing loss of my part-time job and relationships I had there.  This was followed by the autumn of 2009, which brought some long-standing marriage-threatening struggles with my husband to a head (struggles that did not experience resolution for several years to come).

The autumn of 2010 is when the real “darkness” began (and I thought the previous years had been hell, itself).  As I search for a way to describe my experience, the image of a tornado comes to mind, a tornado at night.  All of a sudden I found myself in a swirling force, in total darkness and completely out of control of what was happening to me.  The “tornado” had scooped me up and I was swirling in the dark, being bumped and smacked by other things (painful things) swirling in the darkness with me.  I couldn’t see what was hitting me, but it hurt each time impact occurred.  In time (what felt like forever), the swirl spit me out into the center of the tornado, where I felt like I was in suspended animation—it was dark, but quiet and calm and I realized that I was actually breathing for the first time in “forever” (the pressure of the swirl inhibited breathing).  It felt odd, surreal and uncomfortable, but I was thankful to breath.  Then, without warning, I was sucked back into the swirl. The next time the swirl spit me into the center, I gulped a deep breath and let loose with rage at God.  “What the hell are you doing to me?  What have I done to deserve this?”  Etcetera. Again I was sucked into the swirl and again I was spit into the center—always in the dark, disoriented, furious, and afraid.  “What is happening to me?  Am I going insane?  God, why don’t you answer me?  Do you even know that I’m here?”

Today, eight years later, I realize that when the tornado first scooped me up I was at the bottom of the funnel where the space inside the swirl is extremely small, tight and cramped.  My times in the quiet center were short because the space was small and in close proximity to the force of the swirl—thus, sucking me back into the swirl quickly after I’d been spit into the center.  Time seemed to move at a glacial speed, but looking back I can sense that God was slowly moving me upward in the funnel.  The base was close, intense and very dark.  As I moved upward, the center seemed less constrained as the diameter of the funnel grew larger.  It was still dark and I still raged, but somehow it seemed more spacious.

At some point (I don’t know when), I stopped fighting the process.  I could almost see humor in my condition—how could I ever have believed that I could have any control over myself, or life?  “What the f@*# am I doing . . . fighting God?  As if that makes any sense at all!  Ok, God, I still don’t like what’s happening but it’s not like I’m going to beat you or even try—so . . . this is your mess, you do what you want with it!  You fix it!”

The swirl/center alternations continued, but my times in the center seemed ever so slightly longer and the dark didn’t seem as dark.  In what felt like a thousand years, I noticed that I could dimly discern the sizes and shapes of what swirled about with me.  Surprise, surprise—these things that had been hitting and hurting me were my own idols and attachments, my own issues, my false self!  They were swirling with me and I was helpless to let them go or hurl them from the tornado.  Back in the center, deep sighs came with the realization that God, Himself, would have to take care of them, because I couldn’t.  Like my attachments, I was simply “along for the ride”.

Slowly, my times in the center became times of acknowledgment and repentance.  The attachments remained in the swirl, but I was a bit better able to see and recognize them.  The swirl and the center continued to become less dark—there was light without being light, if that makes sense.  Or maybe God was just giving me better “night vision”. Whatever it was, it was God—not me—who was responsible.

There were moments in the center that lasted for months—blissful times of sweet, tender love from God.  Then, back into the swirl—but, being further up in the funnel causes the swirl to move more slowly and less intensely than at the base, and the dark doesn’t seem to be as noticeable or bothersome.

The swirl still isn’t pleasant or comfortable, but I’m more accepting and aware of the blessings it contains.  There is a contentment and peace that comes from knowing that God has chosen to put me in the Heaven-BoundTornado of His Love—his crazy, over-the-top love. How could the tornado ever have caused me pain, fear and rage?  It is because his love is fierce and terrifying, and it always will be.  His love will not be defeated or denied—ever.  I will remain in the tornado as long as he desires me to be here.  I marvel at his amazing, uncompromising love and devotion to me, to make me all that he intended for me to be since the beginning of time—one with him.  Thank you, Abba, for your crazy, over-the-top love for me.  Make me to be crazy, over-the-top in love with you, too.

As for my attachments, I have learned a few things from the tornado.  They feel quite big, but they are really quite small.  They may go all the way back to my time in my mother’s womb (even beyond, perhaps), but they aren’t who I am and they don’t define me. They don’t need to frustrate or defeat me, either.  If I see them as friends, they can help me to a deeper surrender and trust in God.  But they must be kept in their proper place—in Satan’s hands they are weapons of destruction, but in the Holy Spirit’s hands they are tools of instruction, redemption and transformation.

 

 

entitled

by hovering love

“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” Matt. 17:27

Jesus knew how to chose his battles. He was rather quick and unrepentant about offending others in some circumstances: when chastising the religious leaders for their hypocrisy, when clearing all commerce out of the Temple with a whip, when healing (“working”) on the Sabbath, etc. But in this passage, he chooses to pay a local temple tax that he’s not really obligated to pay in order to not offend. How curious. Why his concern about offending in this situation, but not in the others?

As I reflect on Jesus’ “offensive” actions, I recognize that these situations all reflected God the Father in some manner: his representation, his worship, his purpose and heart and work. The situation of a local temple tax is really all about Jesus and his privilege as God’s Son. As a king taxes only his subjects and strangers in his land—not his offspring—so God would not tax his son, either. As the son and heir of God the Father, Jesus would be rightly exempt in this situation. However, Jesus was quick to lay aside the privilege that he was entitled to in order to acquire and/or maintain peace and unity in his relationship with the members of the local congregation. In a world that seems to be constantly brimming over with attitudes and actions of entitlement, Jesus is impressive in his eagerness to demonstrate no entitlement by not demanding that his rightful privilege be acknowledged and honored—especially for the sake of not offending a tax collector. What a great teaching moment: for Peter, for myself and for the rest of Jesus’ followers!

Of course, this well-modeled lesson isn’t without its fun. Anyone who is of the opinion that God, Jesus, Christians, etc. don’t have a sense of humor has never considered the manner in which Jesus provides the funds to pay this tax. Go to the lake, throw in your fishing line, grab the first fish that bites and open its mouth. Voila! I hope that Peter was quick to lay aside his former practice as a fisherman by trade and practiced catch and release with that fish instead as a means of showing his appreciation towards the fish’s participation in his provision. How delightful of Jesus to provide tax money through a coin-gobbling fish.

Some situations call for corrective actions whether they cause offense or not, but what about those situations that are only about my own privilege? To what real or imagined privileges do I cling? Are there any that I’m willing to lay aside? Do I possess enough of a sense of humor and humility to quickly lay aside whatever I am rightly entitled to in order to acquire or maintain a relationship of peace and unity with others?

How about you?