Tuesday, September 30, 2008
purpose
Why do we insist on preaching one another into boredom? Why do ministers so often try so hard to articulate their thoughts - backing them up with Scripture? Why can't we take the Word and think on it so we can learn of it? I feel like people are chewing up the Word for us and instead of giving us a whole bite - they've chewed it up and spit it out. Then they expect us to eat it! No Way! Regurgitated, self-focused thoughts are not worth ingesting. Where's the substance? Where's the truth - good solid hardcore truth? Lord help us!
simple as a reflection
I recently wrapped up the book of Proverbs in my nightly devotional time and have been chewing on this verse for about a week now:
"As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person."
-Proverbs 27:19
We are called to emulate Christ in our words, thoughts, actions, and even in the way we love one another. Sometimes this can be tough, but still the call remains the same. We are called in Ephesians to "Live as children of the Light - to imitate Christ" - so why do we have such a difficult time doing this?
Well...as a face is reflected in water...so the heart reflects the real person.
Matthew 12:34 says "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Therefore I am led to believe that the words escaping from our mouths - if they come from the abundance of our hearts, and our hearts reflect our real person - the words we speak are a direct expression of who we are - what we stand for, value, represent. Our words paint a picture of our character.
I don't know about you, but I want my character, the reflection seen of me - the abundance and overflow of my heart to be so consumed with Christ that there is no question what I have spent my time, energy, and efforts filling myself with - simply Christ, nothing else or substitutionary.
So what's a practical way to work on this? Hide God's word in my heart.
Psalm 40:8 says, " I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart."
Lord may my heart bare a reflection that brings Your name much glory and points others to You.
"As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person."
-Proverbs 27:19
We are called to emulate Christ in our words, thoughts, actions, and even in the way we love one another. Sometimes this can be tough, but still the call remains the same. We are called in Ephesians to "Live as children of the Light - to imitate Christ" - so why do we have such a difficult time doing this?
Well...as a face is reflected in water...so the heart reflects the real person.
Matthew 12:34 says "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Therefore I am led to believe that the words escaping from our mouths - if they come from the abundance of our hearts, and our hearts reflect our real person - the words we speak are a direct expression of who we are - what we stand for, value, represent. Our words paint a picture of our character.
I don't know about you, but I want my character, the reflection seen of me - the abundance and overflow of my heart to be so consumed with Christ that there is no question what I have spent my time, energy, and efforts filling myself with - simply Christ, nothing else or substitutionary.
So what's a practical way to work on this? Hide God's word in my heart.
Psalm 40:8 says, " I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart."
Lord may my heart bare a reflection that brings Your name much glory and points others to You.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
detestable beauty?
I've been wondering over the last week: what exactly defines beauty?
Have we over the span of time so significantly altered the purpose of beauty that we miss that which is beauty in exchange for what we choose to make it?
As women in society today we are told that if we dress a certain way, smell nice, and apply a said amount of energy into creating an attractive hairstyle, we're well on our way to being seen as beautiful. Men label "beautiful" women as "hot" or "smokin'" and these terms alone cause women to detest their beauty. Women are equally guilty in this area, as they vocalize their thoughts on the "manliness" or "masculine abilities" of the men around them. This often focuses around their strength or abilities - to deny encouragement and affirmation in these areas is crushing. When beauty is mocked, boxed up and labeled with a rotten permanent marker, it smears the purity, the sacredness of the beauty being beheld. It makes beauty seem and feel dirty, it makes it almost unwanted or perhaps, detestable.
So how can we both express the beauty of Christ in our lives, yet not be distracting? How can we flee from any attempt to distract our brothers - to not lose the focus of keeping a pure motive - basically to display and radiate true beauty without any sort of selfish agenda attached? How do we allow beauty not to be detestable, difficult, and tedious, but rather a joyous, free, effortless thing?
1 Peter 3:3-4 says, " Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."
I was reading in my systematic theology textbook this week and came across a rather profound thought that speaks to this issue: "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder is a partly correct statement. Beauty is both in the beholder, and in what is beheld - but it does not exist in a prior way as an eternal concept." (Grider, 54) Beauty seems to be a combined effort of that which is recognized as being beautiful - and that which is necessary to behold it, to proclaim its beauty.
How interesting it is to consider the emphasis we place on the abilities of the beholder, that sometimes we sacrifice or miss an opportunity to view the true beauty of the beheld. Is this text perhaps also implying that beauty is found in the moment? We so often seek out beauty through retrospect or dreaming, but could we possiblly be so foolishly bypassing the beheld, in order to be deemed an efficient beholder?
I also like the idea of something beautiful being beheld. The very word sounds as though it calls for a special honor - a gentleness - or grace perhaps. Beauty is simply: beheld. Nothing terribly complicated or perplexing about the process - simply a combined/shared effort on behalf of the beholder and the beheld to display and recognize beauty.
This week my apartment participated in a challenge where we hid our "toolboxes" designed to make us 'beautiful'. We spent a week seeking a new perspective on beauty - and sought to recognize the beauty in others and the reflection of Christ's beauty within ourselves. It's difficult to step away from outward adornments and comforts, but so very rewarding. I recognized this week that I am beautiful...why? My heart reflects the Love of my Creator, my Lover, my Savior, Breath and Life. Thank you my dear beautiful sisters for journeying with me in this adventurous week.
Have we over the span of time so significantly altered the purpose of beauty that we miss that which is beauty in exchange for what we choose to make it?
As women in society today we are told that if we dress a certain way, smell nice, and apply a said amount of energy into creating an attractive hairstyle, we're well on our way to being seen as beautiful. Men label "beautiful" women as "hot" or "smokin'" and these terms alone cause women to detest their beauty. Women are equally guilty in this area, as they vocalize their thoughts on the "manliness" or "masculine abilities" of the men around them. This often focuses around their strength or abilities - to deny encouragement and affirmation in these areas is crushing. When beauty is mocked, boxed up and labeled with a rotten permanent marker, it smears the purity, the sacredness of the beauty being beheld. It makes beauty seem and feel dirty, it makes it almost unwanted or perhaps, detestable.
So how can we both express the beauty of Christ in our lives, yet not be distracting? How can we flee from any attempt to distract our brothers - to not lose the focus of keeping a pure motive - basically to display and radiate true beauty without any sort of selfish agenda attached? How do we allow beauty not to be detestable, difficult, and tedious, but rather a joyous, free, effortless thing?
1 Peter 3:3-4 says, " Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."
I was reading in my systematic theology textbook this week and came across a rather profound thought that speaks to this issue: "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder is a partly correct statement. Beauty is both in the beholder, and in what is beheld - but it does not exist in a prior way as an eternal concept." (Grider, 54) Beauty seems to be a combined effort of that which is recognized as being beautiful - and that which is necessary to behold it, to proclaim its beauty.
How interesting it is to consider the emphasis we place on the abilities of the beholder, that sometimes we sacrifice or miss an opportunity to view the true beauty of the beheld. Is this text perhaps also implying that beauty is found in the moment? We so often seek out beauty through retrospect or dreaming, but could we possiblly be so foolishly bypassing the beheld, in order to be deemed an efficient beholder?
I also like the idea of something beautiful being beheld. The very word sounds as though it calls for a special honor - a gentleness - or grace perhaps. Beauty is simply: beheld. Nothing terribly complicated or perplexing about the process - simply a combined/shared effort on behalf of the beholder and the beheld to display and recognize beauty.
This week my apartment participated in a challenge where we hid our "toolboxes" designed to make us 'beautiful'. We spent a week seeking a new perspective on beauty - and sought to recognize the beauty in others and the reflection of Christ's beauty within ourselves. It's difficult to step away from outward adornments and comforts, but so very rewarding. I recognized this week that I am beautiful...why? My heart reflects the Love of my Creator, my Lover, my Savior, Breath and Life. Thank you my dear beautiful sisters for journeying with me in this adventurous week.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
could the change in your pocket change someone's day?
On Thursday H.C. Wilson came to speak in chapel representing Global Partners. He talked about God's great-grace and how we have been so very blessed with everything we need in North America.
At the close of his message he asked that we empty our pockets of loose change to send to Haiti to help those being ravaged by the hurricanes. Most of their island is apparently waist or knee deep in water and they're having difficulty managing basic things like food, etc. I felt a little bad wishing I had some change to give, but my friend Nick Doyle and I prayed that God would take the money and multiply it 100 fold.
As I closed my eyes to continue worshipping I got a vivid picture of my little soccer-piggy bank (my date-day fund) sitting on the altar. "Hey!" I tought to myself, "that has money in it!" I felt prompted to go get it. So I ran back to my room, grabbed a paper bag and my piggybank. "Lord, do I have to give my piggy bank?" " No, just empty it." So I did, tunies and loonies, and quarters gallore spilled from this heavy little bank of treasure. Then I heard a rustling and found some bills that had been crushed at the top. 'These too???" I wondered. "Not a mite would I withhold..." rung through my head. So I EMPTIED all the cash to my name (I didn't bother counting it) and trucked back to the chapel. Smiling I thought to myself, "Christy, someday people are going to empty their piggybanks for you...".
Our school...the 200ish students...offered what little we had that day and totaled: $1960 and change. along with a sweater and a bible.
H.C. Wilson struck at my heart when he read the account of a man in Vietnam after the country had been ravaged by war. The man told of seeing a citizen clothed in a shirt so thread bare that he had pieces of wire holding it together. "I took his picture," the man said, "but I did not give him my shirt." I watched as one of my brothers in Christ walked forward to lay his expensive American Eagle hoodie on the altar for someone that needs a shirt. It brought joy to my heart - I think God is working in this young man's heart to follow him as a missionary - wherever that may be.
It's funny when how our bank balances get a little low - we start withholding, perhaps without even realizing it. We think about all the trips we'd like to plan (maybe even missions trips) or our "to get" list we need of basic little things. We classify it as budgeting or being wise with our expenses and these things are good yes, but I think the Lord taught me an interesting lesson through the emptying of my little piggybank. It took me 2 years of saving to pack this little bank with some hefty change and now it's en route to Haiti.
How easy it is for us to forget the story in the gospels of a woman bringing her two pieces of money, everything she owned, to offer at the temple. She emptied herself of all security - worldly provision- there was no security cushion in her bank account. She gave everything without question and trusted that her Supply would meet her needs.
I trust God will provide for and meet all of my needs, that He will faithfully continue to be my provision - yet sometimes I forget that perhaps I am to be a vessel of God's provision for others. I do not need to have "such and such" an amount in my checking/savings account to know that God will provide. He already has and I trust He will continue to provide, abundantly and overflowing. Sure some people might chuckle at me and think this is a naive proclaimation and maybe it is...but I believe differently. Jehovah Jireh has taught me to know differently.
"Take my silver and my gold...not a mite will I withhold...not a mite will I withhold."
At the close of his message he asked that we empty our pockets of loose change to send to Haiti to help those being ravaged by the hurricanes. Most of their island is apparently waist or knee deep in water and they're having difficulty managing basic things like food, etc. I felt a little bad wishing I had some change to give, but my friend Nick Doyle and I prayed that God would take the money and multiply it 100 fold.
As I closed my eyes to continue worshipping I got a vivid picture of my little soccer-piggy bank (my date-day fund) sitting on the altar. "Hey!" I tought to myself, "that has money in it!" I felt prompted to go get it. So I ran back to my room, grabbed a paper bag and my piggybank. "Lord, do I have to give my piggy bank?" " No, just empty it." So I did, tunies and loonies, and quarters gallore spilled from this heavy little bank of treasure. Then I heard a rustling and found some bills that had been crushed at the top. 'These too???" I wondered. "Not a mite would I withhold..." rung through my head. So I EMPTIED all the cash to my name (I didn't bother counting it) and trucked back to the chapel. Smiling I thought to myself, "Christy, someday people are going to empty their piggybanks for you...".
Our school...the 200ish students...offered what little we had that day and totaled: $1960 and change. along with a sweater and a bible.
H.C. Wilson struck at my heart when he read the account of a man in Vietnam after the country had been ravaged by war. The man told of seeing a citizen clothed in a shirt so thread bare that he had pieces of wire holding it together. "I took his picture," the man said, "but I did not give him my shirt." I watched as one of my brothers in Christ walked forward to lay his expensive American Eagle hoodie on the altar for someone that needs a shirt. It brought joy to my heart - I think God is working in this young man's heart to follow him as a missionary - wherever that may be.
It's funny when how our bank balances get a little low - we start withholding, perhaps without even realizing it. We think about all the trips we'd like to plan (maybe even missions trips) or our "to get" list we need of basic little things. We classify it as budgeting or being wise with our expenses and these things are good yes, but I think the Lord taught me an interesting lesson through the emptying of my little piggybank. It took me 2 years of saving to pack this little bank with some hefty change and now it's en route to Haiti.
How easy it is for us to forget the story in the gospels of a woman bringing her two pieces of money, everything she owned, to offer at the temple. She emptied herself of all security - worldly provision- there was no security cushion in her bank account. She gave everything without question and trusted that her Supply would meet her needs.
I trust God will provide for and meet all of my needs, that He will faithfully continue to be my provision - yet sometimes I forget that perhaps I am to be a vessel of God's provision for others. I do not need to have "such and such" an amount in my checking/savings account to know that God will provide. He already has and I trust He will continue to provide, abundantly and overflowing. Sure some people might chuckle at me and think this is a naive proclaimation and maybe it is...but I believe differently. Jehovah Jireh has taught me to know differently.
"Take my silver and my gold...not a mite will I withhold...not a mite will I withhold."
Thursday, September 11, 2008
remembering 9/11/01
Seven years ago in a small town classroom - my classmates and I sat, alert and ready to learn as our teacher began her lecture. 8th grade was a big deal and having just come off of an incredible summer of traveling and vacationing, we were all still 'excited' to be at school.
A loud knock sounded off the door as another teacher entered and spoke to our teacher. Without hesitation she left the room - without saying a word. Not sure what exactly was going on we chattered amongst ourselves. She returned with the rolling television set, instructed us to gather our chairs around and we watched.
On the screen was a man with some sort of fog or smoke in the background. "Are we watching a space ship launch?" some questioned. "It looks kind've like New York City!" I remarked. My dance class had just been in the city a month before. "I agree" my fellow dance friend remarked. Suddenly the screen zoomed in, but it was still quite unclear as to what was going on. Then we saw it, "Hey that building is on fire!" "Woah, how did that happen?"
Something in my heart told me this wasn't just an accident. As we sat transfixed looking at the screen our chatter began to subside. We were all busily thinking and hypothesizing what exactly was going on. Then I saw it a faint little speck coming from the right side of the screen. "Hey, oh my goodness! Is that another plane?" I remarked. "No, it's probably a helicopter filming the fire" my classmate answered. "I'm serious it looks like a plane! It's heading straight for the building!" The second tower was hit and our mouths flew open. We sat for a good hour before that screen in shock and wonder as we watched news reports of our country basically falling apart. Fear gripped our hearts and a great sadness began to settle as well.
I remember well when Jon (sometimes our class clown) turned around me and with a great seriousness in his eyes said, "Christy, I know you were in New York last month. I'm really glad you're not there now."
Those words spoke volumes to me that day.
I began to worry about my dad an army soldier and his talk of being deployed.
Our soccer games were cancelled.
Everyone went straight home after school...and a chilling silence filled the air.
All around me was quiet - sadness and grief for the loss of our country was everywhere.
For the next several weeks I would sit and watch with my parents from the time I came home after school until bedtime. The only portion of reports I never saw was those of persons jumping for their lives from the fiery building. My heart was gripped and broken for New York City - the Big Apple that would never again be quite the same. My heart was saddened and grieved for all the families who wouldn't have daddys and mommys, lovers, friends, parents, etc home that night or ever again.
This event will forever be burned in my memory - it was a moment of great shifting in my thinking about humanity and it wickedness - and also the importance of LOVE, COMPASSION, and SERVICE.
9-11-01 ... 7 years ago already - that is hard to believe.
Take a little time to remember those whose lives were forever shifted by this event and to pray for our country and all the giant changes that have been brought about in light of these circumstances.
A loud knock sounded off the door as another teacher entered and spoke to our teacher. Without hesitation she left the room - without saying a word. Not sure what exactly was going on we chattered amongst ourselves. She returned with the rolling television set, instructed us to gather our chairs around and we watched.
On the screen was a man with some sort of fog or smoke in the background. "Are we watching a space ship launch?" some questioned. "It looks kind've like New York City!" I remarked. My dance class had just been in the city a month before. "I agree" my fellow dance friend remarked. Suddenly the screen zoomed in, but it was still quite unclear as to what was going on. Then we saw it, "Hey that building is on fire!" "Woah, how did that happen?"
Something in my heart told me this wasn't just an accident. As we sat transfixed looking at the screen our chatter began to subside. We were all busily thinking and hypothesizing what exactly was going on. Then I saw it a faint little speck coming from the right side of the screen. "Hey, oh my goodness! Is that another plane?" I remarked. "No, it's probably a helicopter filming the fire" my classmate answered. "I'm serious it looks like a plane! It's heading straight for the building!" The second tower was hit and our mouths flew open. We sat for a good hour before that screen in shock and wonder as we watched news reports of our country basically falling apart. Fear gripped our hearts and a great sadness began to settle as well.
I remember well when Jon (sometimes our class clown) turned around me and with a great seriousness in his eyes said, "Christy, I know you were in New York last month. I'm really glad you're not there now."
Those words spoke volumes to me that day.
I began to worry about my dad an army soldier and his talk of being deployed.
Our soccer games were cancelled.
Everyone went straight home after school...and a chilling silence filled the air.
All around me was quiet - sadness and grief for the loss of our country was everywhere.
For the next several weeks I would sit and watch with my parents from the time I came home after school until bedtime. The only portion of reports I never saw was those of persons jumping for their lives from the fiery building. My heart was gripped and broken for New York City - the Big Apple that would never again be quite the same. My heart was saddened and grieved for all the families who wouldn't have daddys and mommys, lovers, friends, parents, etc home that night or ever again.
This event will forever be burned in my memory - it was a moment of great shifting in my thinking about humanity and it wickedness - and also the importance of LOVE, COMPASSION, and SERVICE.
9-11-01 ... 7 years ago already - that is hard to believe.
Take a little time to remember those whose lives were forever shifted by this event and to pray for our country and all the giant changes that have been brought about in light of these circumstances.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
consecration weekend
It's been a bustling, busy weekend around campus as we have partaken of 7 services over the weekend in honor of consecrating our brand new chapel. Hundreds of people from all over the states and various provinces came to join in the celebration and festivities.
David Howard was our speaker this week and the Lord used him as a vessel to communicate much truth to me and to stir up some serious thinking in both my head and heart.
Two things that I'm really itching about were spoken in the messages on Saturday:
1) Our duty 1st to Christ is to respond with obedience. When God calls us we so often worry and wonder about where he is calling us to. We must remember that "geography will take care of itself later." Abraham is a prime example of this. In Genesis God calls him to go and assures him He will reveal where to be in His time. Wow...so just going without knowing...that concept is so foreign to our culture yet so adventurous and absolutely dependent upon the Lord's leading.
2) Jim Elliot penned these words in is journal during his early college years as a university student: "When it comes time to die - make sure all you have to do is die."
I am both humbled and blown away by the implications of this statement.
Jesus, my life for the gospel - a life that is recklessly, absolutely, resoundingly devoted to You!
Finally in closing thoughts, Jim Elliot also penned something regarding our motivations and efforts in what we do each day. He said, "Wherever you are - be all there - live to the hilt - be to the will of God." Basically whatever we are doing - go all out - full steam ahead - hold nothing back. Just go and trust God as your supply, portion, strength, your everything.
I want to be someone who gives all of myself for the things of Christ - who withholds nothing from the One who withholds nothing from the ones He loves. I'm so thankful for God's patience and willingness to teach us baby step by little baby step!
David Howard was our speaker this week and the Lord used him as a vessel to communicate much truth to me and to stir up some serious thinking in both my head and heart.
Two things that I'm really itching about were spoken in the messages on Saturday:
1) Our duty 1st to Christ is to respond with obedience. When God calls us we so often worry and wonder about where he is calling us to. We must remember that "geography will take care of itself later." Abraham is a prime example of this. In Genesis God calls him to go and assures him He will reveal where to be in His time. Wow...so just going without knowing...that concept is so foreign to our culture yet so adventurous and absolutely dependent upon the Lord's leading.
2) Jim Elliot penned these words in is journal during his early college years as a university student: "When it comes time to die - make sure all you have to do is die."
I am both humbled and blown away by the implications of this statement.
Jesus, my life for the gospel - a life that is recklessly, absolutely, resoundingly devoted to You!
Finally in closing thoughts, Jim Elliot also penned something regarding our motivations and efforts in what we do each day. He said, "Wherever you are - be all there - live to the hilt - be to the will of God." Basically whatever we are doing - go all out - full steam ahead - hold nothing back. Just go and trust God as your supply, portion, strength, your everything.
I want to be someone who gives all of myself for the things of Christ - who withholds nothing from the One who withholds nothing from the ones He loves. I'm so thankful for God's patience and willingness to teach us baby step by little baby step!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
fully alive
I was reading in my one year Bible this morning a passage from 2 Corinthians 6 that really struck my heart. Paul blows me away with his honestly in this passage, and the faith and trust in Christ that is evident with every word. He is bold in his proclamations of what is going on, and yet still present with his words is a sense of humility and genuine love for Christ, the One for whose glory he chooses to live his life. Verses 4-10 say:
“4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”
In EVERYTHING…not just in papers, or projects – seminars or in classrooms – not just in chapel or Sunday mornings looking all spiffy – NO, in EVERYTHING they do, they show that they are TRUE ministers of God. They patiently endure what comes their way and prove themselves not by proclaiming weakness, or whining, and complaining and scheming. NO! They prove themselves by their purity, understanding, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit at work in their hearts, and their sincere love.
Romans 12: 9-10 tell us, “Don’t just pretend to love others – really love them – Love each other with genuine affection…” Paul and his friends offered a sincere love. I think this speaks volumes as to why their favor of God rested upon them – how they could be beaten, ignored, hungry, sleepless, exhausted and still praise, honor, and serve Christ. I believe the sincere love they offered in everything – proving they are true ministers of God flowed from the tank of their sincere, overflowing, devoted, recklessly abandoned love for the Father and believe in His purposes for their lives.
From their love we see evidence of the devotion: “We serve God whether people honor us or despise us – slander us or praise us.” The next statement tugs at my heart as I struggle to wrap the intensity of the concept around my finite mind: “We live close to death, but we are still alive – our hearts ache, but we give spiritual riches to others – We own NOTHING and yet we have EVERYTHING!”
Life in Christ = everything we need.
He’s our supply.
We can be close to death by the world’s standards, but FULLY ALIVE in CHRIST!
Who in their right mind, has an aching heart (in our world) and doesn’t first turn to tend to it ‘before’ they ‘give’ to others? The concept of owning nothing and having everything in Christ blows me away – that’s my heart cry – that’s my desire. I want to live a life of simplicity and hunger after Christ that will break me and fashion me more into His image. I want to give even when it aches, and then – to keep giving – to serve Christ whether people honor or despise me – whatever the consequences may be. To enter far off lands for the sake of sharing Jesus with those who have never heard – though their country, government, officials and law may despise me, that I would march forward, though I may draw close to death, that I would run forward, fully alive in Christ.
“4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”
In EVERYTHING…not just in papers, or projects – seminars or in classrooms – not just in chapel or Sunday mornings looking all spiffy – NO, in EVERYTHING they do, they show that they are TRUE ministers of God. They patiently endure what comes their way and prove themselves not by proclaiming weakness, or whining, and complaining and scheming. NO! They prove themselves by their purity, understanding, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit at work in their hearts, and their sincere love.
Romans 12: 9-10 tell us, “Don’t just pretend to love others – really love them – Love each other with genuine affection…” Paul and his friends offered a sincere love. I think this speaks volumes as to why their favor of God rested upon them – how they could be beaten, ignored, hungry, sleepless, exhausted and still praise, honor, and serve Christ. I believe the sincere love they offered in everything – proving they are true ministers of God flowed from the tank of their sincere, overflowing, devoted, recklessly abandoned love for the Father and believe in His purposes for their lives.
From their love we see evidence of the devotion: “We serve God whether people honor us or despise us – slander us or praise us.” The next statement tugs at my heart as I struggle to wrap the intensity of the concept around my finite mind: “We live close to death, but we are still alive – our hearts ache, but we give spiritual riches to others – We own NOTHING and yet we have EVERYTHING!”
Life in Christ = everything we need.
He’s our supply.
We can be close to death by the world’s standards, but FULLY ALIVE in CHRIST!
Who in their right mind, has an aching heart (in our world) and doesn’t first turn to tend to it ‘before’ they ‘give’ to others? The concept of owning nothing and having everything in Christ blows me away – that’s my heart cry – that’s my desire. I want to live a life of simplicity and hunger after Christ that will break me and fashion me more into His image. I want to give even when it aches, and then – to keep giving – to serve Christ whether people honor or despise me – whatever the consequences may be. To enter far off lands for the sake of sharing Jesus with those who have never heard – though their country, government, officials and law may despise me, that I would march forward, though I may draw close to death, that I would run forward, fully alive in Christ.
Monday, September 01, 2008
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