My Windows 'desktop' on my computer keeps getting more complicated. Too many icons for audios I haven't listened to yet and for projects I promised somebody I'd do. Just too busy and cluttered. Oops, I guess I mean life as well.
I have to admit, I've done some of it to myself. To be useful and helpful, I have taken on more work. Other people have been really good about letting me some responsibilities to them, which has left me free to take on other tasks that I got asked to do, or decided on my own to attempt.
Why? Because we humans are designed to interact with God, to have him fully in place as Numero Uno; and when he isn't completely there, our lives don't work right. We keep trying to patch that brokenness with other stuff that sounds good at the time. We try serial relationships, responsibilities and titles that make us feel more important, more material goods that we have to paint or clean or lubricate or make room for, or food or sex or money. But all those are unsatisfying, and they get in the way of the peace that would be ours from completely trusting God. Because he is the one -- the only one -- who can satisfy that craving for being included, wanted, needed, loved and fitting in. He planned from before the first humans drew breath, that we would be invited and included in his love, (Eph. 1:3-5) and he wired us to want that, to have an itch so deep that only he can scratch it -- so that eventually, we would turn and look for him.
The good news is, God is the one who already loves us completely, already considers us important, and already includes us totally in his love. He loves us so much that his Son died for us, "while we were utterly helpless...while we were still sinners...while we were his enemies" according to Romans 5:6-10. Nobody else could ever love you or me like that!
So why do we all do it fall into these traps? Because we don't accept that unlimited love that flows to us from God. We don't feel worthy; we don't believe he has really forgiven us. But the scripture is plain -- he already has forgiven and accepted us, without our having done anything. Ephesians 2:8-10 says that our salvation (simply, acceptance into God's love) is by faith, and even that faith is a gift from God. You and I didn't earn it, we can't earn it, and it won't happen because of what we do. It's simply a gift.
Simply, God has saved you and me because of his son Jesus -- and that is a gift that we need to accept, and let his acceptance and love soak into every part of our thinking. When we fully accept what God has done, we will find the peace in life that we've always looked for, and a simplicity that will make everything else in life fall into its rightful place. Looking for the simple life? Look no farther!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Keeping it Simple (Part 3)
The Amazing Joanne and I just spent a week camping by a lake at about 8,500 feet elevation (3,000 feet higher than our home). Pit toilets, a metal picnic table and fire ring, and our camping gear including a small tent and sleeping bags. That was about it for the week except for coin-operated hot showers in the main building a mile down the road. We brought our food from home and cooked it over one fire or the other, and ate pretty well for being out in the boonies.
We got to read some books that aren't required for work, went to sleep listening to the loons, woke up hearing geese honk on their way south, talked about stuff we hadn't discussed in awhile, and watched some great sunrises and sunsets. And fished. Well, when I say 'fished' I mean we stood by the lake and waved fiberglass sticks at the fish as they swam by. They didn't wave back. Or anything else. So we're having frozen salmon for dinner tonight, to get back at them.
I didn't miss television, amplified music or stock market reports. A few people tried to call but nobody got through because I had my phone turned off nearly all week. I continued to be amazed throughout the week at what we could get along without. We made the deliberate effort to slow down, simplify and get away, and it was very refreshing.
Finding life too busy? So do I, fairly often. Some of my chores are self-appointed, and so I have to decide to un-appoint myself as their custodian. Other chores have to be done, but sometimes other people can do them better than me. Other chores will wait. Possessions -- as I mentioned a few weeks ago -- tend to demand attention, but I can get rid of them instead, if I really want to.
Paul said to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:7-8) that we should be okay having just the basics: "After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." Ah, contentment -- so elusive when you're always after more! But if our focus is on God and what he wants (Matthew 6:33) then he will guide us into what he wants us occupied with. We will find that his will is far more satisfying than all the stuff and nonsense this world has to offer. Ready to ask God for clarity on his will? The result can save your life!
We got to read some books that aren't required for work, went to sleep listening to the loons, woke up hearing geese honk on their way south, talked about stuff we hadn't discussed in awhile, and watched some great sunrises and sunsets. And fished. Well, when I say 'fished' I mean we stood by the lake and waved fiberglass sticks at the fish as they swam by. They didn't wave back. Or anything else. So we're having frozen salmon for dinner tonight, to get back at them.
I didn't miss television, amplified music or stock market reports. A few people tried to call but nobody got through because I had my phone turned off nearly all week. I continued to be amazed throughout the week at what we could get along without. We made the deliberate effort to slow down, simplify and get away, and it was very refreshing.
Finding life too busy? So do I, fairly often. Some of my chores are self-appointed, and so I have to decide to un-appoint myself as their custodian. Other chores have to be done, but sometimes other people can do them better than me. Other chores will wait. Possessions -- as I mentioned a few weeks ago -- tend to demand attention, but I can get rid of them instead, if I really want to.
Paul said to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:7-8) that we should be okay having just the basics: "After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." Ah, contentment -- so elusive when you're always after more! But if our focus is on God and what he wants (Matthew 6:33) then he will guide us into what he wants us occupied with. We will find that his will is far more satisfying than all the stuff and nonsense this world has to offer. Ready to ask God for clarity on his will? The result can save your life!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Keeping it Simple (Part 2)
I miss The Lovely Joanne when she's away. I don't sleep as well and I get distracted a lot. On a much more powerful level, we humans are made to be connected, at the heart level, with God. (Some of my agnostic friends and relatives disagree, but that's okay for the moment.) We're created not to be alone, but in relationship with God. That is so fundamentally important to us, something goes haywire in our souls when that connection is not active, or not primary, in our lives. Our thinking is confused, and our other relationships don't work the way they should. So we try to fill up that hole in our hearts with stuff, busyness, people and chores to make ourselves feel needed; but it's not the same as that one relationship.
Getting our connection with God back can be helped by practicing simplicity. I wrote last time about how, in Jesus' words, we need to "seek the Kingdom of God above all else" (Matthew 6:33). Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, describes "an inward reality that results in an outward life-style" (page 79). Some try to create an outward show of simplicity without the inner conviction. Foster notes that this always results in legalism, and I've seen enough legalism to agree with him. We should be convinced, as well, that an inward simplicity of thinking and belief will result in changes that we will express on the outside.
Jesus' words about God's Kingdom spring from an older and more basic command: "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" in Deut. 6:5. We might see that as a one-time decision, but it seems to me like a lifetime journey. Every day offers distractions, temptations, and siren songs of busyness, chores and responsibilities. The more stuff we have, the more we work at maintaining it; and if we look at what others have -- not just their possessions, but their positions -- we are likely to try harder to catch up to where we think they are. And all of it distracts us from God.
So how can we get some of this simplicity? A focus on loving God with all we have, encourages us to trust him too. Trusting God to supply what we need is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 6. That trust enables us to stop striving, and to enjoy what we have right now. It helps us to stop working for more stuff, more power, more position, more respect and awe and love from other people. It helps us accept others, right where they are now, even as we learn to accept the position we are in now. Paul says "I have learned the secret of living in every situation" in Philippians 4:12; and he had lived through all kinds of pain and trouble as well as comfortable living by trusting God to handle his needs and his future.
How do you simplify life when it is just too busy? We'll look at that next time.
Getting our connection with God back can be helped by practicing simplicity. I wrote last time about how, in Jesus' words, we need to "seek the Kingdom of God above all else" (Matthew 6:33). Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, describes "an inward reality that results in an outward life-style" (page 79). Some try to create an outward show of simplicity without the inner conviction. Foster notes that this always results in legalism, and I've seen enough legalism to agree with him. We should be convinced, as well, that an inward simplicity of thinking and belief will result in changes that we will express on the outside.
Jesus' words about God's Kingdom spring from an older and more basic command: "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" in Deut. 6:5. We might see that as a one-time decision, but it seems to me like a lifetime journey. Every day offers distractions, temptations, and siren songs of busyness, chores and responsibilities. The more stuff we have, the more we work at maintaining it; and if we look at what others have -- not just their possessions, but their positions -- we are likely to try harder to catch up to where we think they are. And all of it distracts us from God.
So how can we get some of this simplicity? A focus on loving God with all we have, encourages us to trust him too. Trusting God to supply what we need is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 6. That trust enables us to stop striving, and to enjoy what we have right now. It helps us to stop working for more stuff, more power, more position, more respect and awe and love from other people. It helps us accept others, right where they are now, even as we learn to accept the position we are in now. Paul says "I have learned the secret of living in every situation" in Philippians 4:12; and he had lived through all kinds of pain and trouble as well as comfortable living by trusting God to handle his needs and his future.
How do you simplify life when it is just too busy? We'll look at that next time.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Keeping it Simple (Part 1)
Sometimes I wonder where all the 'stuff' in my life came from. It's everywhere - in the house, in the closets, in the garage, in the yard. I don't even remember where some of these things came from, but here they are, and because I have to store them and maintain them and repair them, it seems like they own me! Yikes! Is that how this is supposed to work?
In a word, no. The Message Bible says in Eccl. 7:29, "God made men and women true and upright; we're the ones who've made a mess of things." James says in 4:2-3 that every kind of conflict comes from evil desires for more, more, more: "You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure." Adam and Eve messed things up when they wanted more, and we're still doing it!
Jesus gave us our priorities in Matt. 6:33 -- "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Earlier, in verse 24, he said we cannot succeed by having two gods: "You cannot serve both God and money." So do we give all our stuff away so we can just live simply? Richard Foster, in his classic book Celebration of Discipline, quotes Kirkegaard commenting on this passage, 'no, we must first seek God's kingdom.' Shall we spend all our time preaching the Gospel so our lives will be properly simple? No, we must first seek God's kingdom. In other words, we have to get our inward life right, then we will find the right outward expression of what is true inwardly.
Simplicity, as a spiritual tool, is a huge topic. Foster writes a chapter on it, and barely begins to outline it. But simplicity begins, and continues, with having our hearts and energies and lives focused on the will of God. Studying the life and teachings of Jesus, and how those were expounded by the rest of the New Testament, is our best view of 'the will of God.' As Jesus himself said in John 6:28-29: They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
Focus on what he said just there, and we will find simplicity. More on this idea next time.
In a word, no. The Message Bible says in Eccl. 7:29, "God made men and women true and upright; we're the ones who've made a mess of things." James says in 4:2-3 that every kind of conflict comes from evil desires for more, more, more: "You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure." Adam and Eve messed things up when they wanted more, and we're still doing it!
Jesus gave us our priorities in Matt. 6:33 -- "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Earlier, in verse 24, he said we cannot succeed by having two gods: "You cannot serve both God and money." So do we give all our stuff away so we can just live simply? Richard Foster, in his classic book Celebration of Discipline, quotes Kirkegaard commenting on this passage, 'no, we must first seek God's kingdom.' Shall we spend all our time preaching the Gospel so our lives will be properly simple? No, we must first seek God's kingdom. In other words, we have to get our inward life right, then we will find the right outward expression of what is true inwardly.
Simplicity, as a spiritual tool, is a huge topic. Foster writes a chapter on it, and barely begins to outline it. But simplicity begins, and continues, with having our hearts and energies and lives focused on the will of God. Studying the life and teachings of Jesus, and how those were expounded by the rest of the New Testament, is our best view of 'the will of God.' As Jesus himself said in John 6:28-29: They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
Focus on what he said just there, and we will find simplicity. More on this idea next time.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Are We There Yet?
"Are we there yet?" How many times have I heard that?
The good news -- make that the incredibly great news -- is, something has happened that means you really are gonna get there, but in another way it says you've already arrived.
Paul says in Ephesians 2:4-6 "God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus." See, the dead don't raise themselves, they have to be raised; and the instant Christ was raised, all humanity was, in a spiritual sense, raised from the dead along with him. That happened before we could recognize it or make a choice to accept it or not, and Paul says that, because of what Christ did to unite us with him, we're already 'seated...in the heavenly realms.'
"Now, Mark," you might say, "Paul may think that's true, but he doesn't go to my school, and that really doesn't sound like 3rd Period Spanish with Ramirez." Or, for adults, working at the welding shop, or being a single parent. So can it be true that we're 'in the heavenly realms' when life looks just the opposite? What is a 'heavenly realm' anyway?
What Jesus did for you and me, a long time ago, was to make sure that every human ever born was invited into the circle of family love that originates in the Triune God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That love is self-giving, it finds its joy in seeing others thrive, it honors others above itself, and is endlessly flowing outward. It is without boundary, without holding back, and without end. That love reached out to us in the person of Jesus and loved us too. In Jesus' words, "...you love them as much as you love me" (John 17:23). Wow, how do we understand that? Does God really love us that much? Yes, he does. Jesus said so.
Being in 'the heavenly realms' I think, is being loved like that -- already! If we can begin to imagine that, it's the only way we can understand the overwhelming reality of being with God in eternity -- being loved without limits and without end. Sound like heaven to you? It does to me! So even in 3rd Period Spanish, if nobody else loves you -- God still does. Jesus said so.
The good news -- make that the incredibly great news -- is, something has happened that means you really are gonna get there, but in another way it says you've already arrived.
Paul says in Ephesians 2:4-6 "God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus." See, the dead don't raise themselves, they have to be raised; and the instant Christ was raised, all humanity was, in a spiritual sense, raised from the dead along with him. That happened before we could recognize it or make a choice to accept it or not, and Paul says that, because of what Christ did to unite us with him, we're already 'seated...in the heavenly realms.'
"Now, Mark," you might say, "Paul may think that's true, but he doesn't go to my school, and that really doesn't sound like 3rd Period Spanish with Ramirez." Or, for adults, working at the welding shop, or being a single parent. So can it be true that we're 'in the heavenly realms' when life looks just the opposite? What is a 'heavenly realm' anyway?
What Jesus did for you and me, a long time ago, was to make sure that every human ever born was invited into the circle of family love that originates in the Triune God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That love is self-giving, it finds its joy in seeing others thrive, it honors others above itself, and is endlessly flowing outward. It is without boundary, without holding back, and without end. That love reached out to us in the person of Jesus and loved us too. In Jesus' words, "...you love them as much as you love me" (John 17:23). Wow, how do we understand that? Does God really love us that much? Yes, he does. Jesus said so.
Being in 'the heavenly realms' I think, is being loved like that -- already! If we can begin to imagine that, it's the only way we can understand the overwhelming reality of being with God in eternity -- being loved without limits and without end. Sound like heaven to you? It does to me! So even in 3rd Period Spanish, if nobody else loves you -- God still does. Jesus said so.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Giving It Up
Our Western society is not known for self-denial. We have fast-food palaces practically everywhere, with 'dollar menus' set up to drain the last resources from our wallets. We're not accustomed to having to wait for food, or for that matter, anything else -- some people even watch movies and TV on their mobile phones instead of returning home or going to the cinema!
Youthworker.com posted an article on July 26 called "Going Techless" that told the story of a girl who went without her cellphone, radio, television and computer for a week (you can watch the full news segment, on NickNews, here.) At first she drove everyone crazy, then later in the week began talking instead of texting, and "began cooking, singing and playing the guitar." Who knew?
Jesus reminded us of the perils of our "stuff" when he said in Luke 12:15 “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” I looked that verse up in the Greek -- it says "all greed." Wow, all? Every type? What if I really, really like chocolate? Or books, even theology books? Or food? The Boss was telling us to not let anything get the upper hand on us that turns out to be a subtle form of outright idolatry -- having something else that is more important than God.
The Bible describes 'fasting' as a way to tell ourselves "no." Fasting typically refers to going without food, but truly, it could refer to anything that we use that threatens to become too important to us. People sometimes fast from television, a certain food, or some other part of life; and instead of moping around the house in despair from not having it, they use that extra time and energy to serve God instead of themselves.
But it takes courage and dedication to give up, even for awhile, something we are so tied to. It's a sacrifice! But those sacrifices can teach us a lot about ourselves: what's most important to us, and how much time we waste on what isn't really important. How about it? Is there something you would give up for God? What would it be? Why? For how long? When will you start? What will you do with the extra energy you get? It's worth asking yourself the questions, then getting started!
Youthworker.com posted an article on July 26 called "Going Techless" that told the story of a girl who went without her cellphone, radio, television and computer for a week (you can watch the full news segment, on NickNews, here.) At first she drove everyone crazy, then later in the week began talking instead of texting, and "began cooking, singing and playing the guitar." Who knew?
Jesus reminded us of the perils of our "stuff" when he said in Luke 12:15 “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” I looked that verse up in the Greek -- it says "all greed." Wow, all? Every type? What if I really, really like chocolate? Or books, even theology books? Or food? The Boss was telling us to not let anything get the upper hand on us that turns out to be a subtle form of outright idolatry -- having something else that is more important than God.
The Bible describes 'fasting' as a way to tell ourselves "no." Fasting typically refers to going without food, but truly, it could refer to anything that we use that threatens to become too important to us. People sometimes fast from television, a certain food, or some other part of life; and instead of moping around the house in despair from not having it, they use that extra time and energy to serve God instead of themselves.
But it takes courage and dedication to give up, even for awhile, something we are so tied to. It's a sacrifice! But those sacrifices can teach us a lot about ourselves: what's most important to us, and how much time we waste on what isn't really important. How about it? Is there something you would give up for God? What would it be? Why? For how long? When will you start? What will you do with the extra energy you get? It's worth asking yourself the questions, then getting started!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Hangin' Out
A full week of summer camp is just finished, and The Amazing Joanne and I spent that time with a wonderfully charming and crazy-energetic bunch of teens and staff at 8,500 feet near Buffalo Creek. We ran around together doing sports, chapel, meals and a lot of other fun things. For me, the best was just hangin' out -- after a meal, before an activity, a chance encounter along the path, even a conversation while putting clean dishes away. To have that kind of relaxed fun with a friend (old or brand-new) was a treat.
Jesus hung out with his disciples a lot. The video "Matthew," shot using the NIV of the Gospel of Matthew as its script, shows Jesus (played with depth and passion by Bruce Marchiano) laughing, teasing and conversing with his disciples; a real look at God in the flesh. Rather than just preaching all the time, Jesus is shown hangin' out with his followers, whom he treats as friends, and having conversations with them. There is plenty of teaching, of course; but a lot of it is in the process of everyday life with its ups and downs. He settles arguments, uses everyday events as teaching moments, and even engages in a water fight with his 'dorm' in a local stream. (It doesn't show who won, but I have an idea.)
The Boss said at the end of Matthew, 28:19-20, that we should make disciples wherever we go; and then, he said "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." His words "I am" are in the plain ol' present tense, not anything conditional. So he's still walking around with us, hangin' out as it were, teaching us as we go, and helping us figure out what this "discipling" thing is about.
So I think the best thing we can do is to learn how to 'hang out' with Jesus better and better. To be more aware that he is here (in the person of the Holy Spirit, who "will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13) and be more careful to listen. We know he wants to lead us; so we need to 'listen up' as we sometimes say at camp, to be able to hear him. He'll teach us through the written Word, through awareness of the spiritual realities all around us, through the good words of friends, and other ways. Let's see what happens if we 'listen up' even better, shall we?
Jesus hung out with his disciples a lot. The video "Matthew," shot using the NIV of the Gospel of Matthew as its script, shows Jesus (played with depth and passion by Bruce Marchiano) laughing, teasing and conversing with his disciples; a real look at God in the flesh. Rather than just preaching all the time, Jesus is shown hangin' out with his followers, whom he treats as friends, and having conversations with them. There is plenty of teaching, of course; but a lot of it is in the process of everyday life with its ups and downs. He settles arguments, uses everyday events as teaching moments, and even engages in a water fight with his 'dorm' in a local stream. (It doesn't show who won, but I have an idea.)
The Boss said at the end of Matthew, 28:19-20, that we should make disciples wherever we go; and then, he said "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." His words "I am" are in the plain ol' present tense, not anything conditional. So he's still walking around with us, hangin' out as it were, teaching us as we go, and helping us figure out what this "discipling" thing is about.
So I think the best thing we can do is to learn how to 'hang out' with Jesus better and better. To be more aware that he is here (in the person of the Holy Spirit, who "will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13) and be more careful to listen. We know he wants to lead us; so we need to 'listen up' as we sometimes say at camp, to be able to hear him. He'll teach us through the written Word, through awareness of the spiritual realities all around us, through the good words of friends, and other ways. Let's see what happens if we 'listen up' even better, shall we?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
