Mark 16:1-8
"Trembling and bewildered." That's how the women who came to the empty tomb left. They had encountered instead of a dead corpse, a man in a white robe who said some strange things about their executed rabbi.
"Trembling and bewildered." Sometimes that's how I am. I get in moods where I am confused and stressed and all kinds of messed up for no real reason. I try to seek God, but he is not in the usual readings, the routine prayers, or the everyday reliabilities. I thought I could depend on God to be there! Where is God hiding?!
Turns out he is risen. Like the women searching for their master in a tomb, expecting to find a harmless and useless dead body, we sometimes expect God to stay in our own little Christ-boxes. We get so used to meeting God in certain places that we forget to seek him everywhere and everywhen. God does not stay in one place. He is alive and moving. We get addicted to keeping God in one setting, be it a type of devotional, a worship experience, or a prayer mode. We actually trap Jesus in tombs! We expect to lock him in there for when we need to find him quick without searching, but Jesus is a Lord of life and transformation, constantly beckoning us deeper and in new ways.
Jesus isn't going to stay in our tombs. When we come to find him, he will be up and gone, and we will act "trembling and bewildered" because our foundation is shaken. Jesus isn't far away though. He just wants us to seek him always and everywhere, not on our terms, but on his. I mean, come on, who's more in the know about what's going on? He IS God...
So when you're feeling "trembling and bewildered," don't give up like God's abandoned you. He is risen! He is alive and waiting for you. Just call his name and you won't be far away! Christ is risen from the tomb of our control! May we also rise to life anew!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Carefree Resignation
Acts 1:6-11
I got ticked off when I read this passage this morning. How could Jesus just leave?! The disciples certainly seemed shocked that he would just up and vanish (literally). They all believed the fullness of the Kingdom of God was at hand, but here was Jesus saying "see ya!" and leaving the disciples alone and hopeless. ...Now that's kind of not true, Jesus left them with the Holy Spirit, teachings, and a promise for a blessed future.
Perhaps the adventure really began here... Jesus is gone. Now we have the work to do. We became the body of Christ, to continue the work and preach the Gospel. How clueless they all were! A bunch of ignorant fools... uneducated crazies... What horrors and wonders would be unleashed on the world. These men and women had no idea, but they followed the will of the One who sent them. They had no choice. They knew God, and though they missed his face, they had his message and his love, both imprinted on their hearts. All that the world once promised them was now "naught but ash" and all was for Christ.
Sometimes it is hard to be joyful, even though scripture tells us to be. Sometimes the only when to move forward is to resign ourselves to God's service, without worry, but also without happiness. We have God with us the whole way, but not necessarily comfort or ease. May Christ be our only true comfort and ease...!
I got ticked off when I read this passage this morning. How could Jesus just leave?! The disciples certainly seemed shocked that he would just up and vanish (literally). They all believed the fullness of the Kingdom of God was at hand, but here was Jesus saying "see ya!" and leaving the disciples alone and hopeless. ...Now that's kind of not true, Jesus left them with the Holy Spirit, teachings, and a promise for a blessed future.
Perhaps the adventure really began here... Jesus is gone. Now we have the work to do. We became the body of Christ, to continue the work and preach the Gospel. How clueless they all were! A bunch of ignorant fools... uneducated crazies... What horrors and wonders would be unleashed on the world. These men and women had no idea, but they followed the will of the One who sent them. They had no choice. They knew God, and though they missed his face, they had his message and his love, both imprinted on their hearts. All that the world once promised them was now "naught but ash" and all was for Christ.
Sometimes it is hard to be joyful, even though scripture tells us to be. Sometimes the only when to move forward is to resign ourselves to God's service, without worry, but also without happiness. We have God with us the whole way, but not necessarily comfort or ease. May Christ be our only true comfort and ease...!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Chosen
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
I can easily fall into a state of overwhelming disorientation. Things hit me at once and I long for my teenage and/or college years when I could easily and efficiently jump from one thing to another without the feeling of losing something. Add to that general confusion about the way the world works, disappointment and loss of hope in leaders and institutions, a lack of knowledge where to go ext, what to do next, and what consequences any one choice may have, and I am pretty depressingly escapist. No wonder people turn to addictions, fantasies, or God to cope. The world seems very complicated, not by choice, but by expectation. Somehow, I am still alive and seemingly well. I do not know how. It is a testament to God's continual presence and providence that we don't destroy ourselves totally.
Paul says, "For we know, brothers [and sisters] loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simple with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." Yeah... that is true. Paul was pretty good at encouraging Christians when they needed it. He reminds the church in Thessalonica (1) that they are loved by God, and (2) that they were chosen by God. Neither claim is in dispute, even though Christians everywhere and in every time may doubt their faith or their calling. Paul's justification for this claim is not based on words. Anyone can repeat creeds or dogma or catchphrases popular with churches, but words do not mean squat when it comes to the chosen nature of Christ-followers. Paul says the gospel, the good news of Jesus, was not simply heard and understood and accepted as a proposition. No, in fact the Holy Spirit itself made clear to all that these people had been chosen by God for a purpose. The Holy Spirit manifested itself with power and conviction: hard things to dispute within oneself.
What the Holy Spirit has made known to us, may we not forsake or fall away from. The Spirit deals not in mere words and ideas, but makes those words and ideas 3D! They are given life and vibrancy, power and conviction that pop out from a static world of Super Nintendo into the realm of Wii. I apologize for the pop culture references, but it works at a superficial level. Nothing stops the power of the Spirit in us except our failure to live into it. Politics, education, paperwork, routines, interruptions, suffering, death- none of them are comparable to the power of the Spirit.
We are chosen, friends. Let us not forget the power we have been given. May we count all else as loss, but the love of Jesus Christ for which we give our all.
I can easily fall into a state of overwhelming disorientation. Things hit me at once and I long for my teenage and/or college years when I could easily and efficiently jump from one thing to another without the feeling of losing something. Add to that general confusion about the way the world works, disappointment and loss of hope in leaders and institutions, a lack of knowledge where to go ext, what to do next, and what consequences any one choice may have, and I am pretty depressingly escapist. No wonder people turn to addictions, fantasies, or God to cope. The world seems very complicated, not by choice, but by expectation. Somehow, I am still alive and seemingly well. I do not know how. It is a testament to God's continual presence and providence that we don't destroy ourselves totally.
Paul says, "For we know, brothers [and sisters] loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simple with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." Yeah... that is true. Paul was pretty good at encouraging Christians when they needed it. He reminds the church in Thessalonica (1) that they are loved by God, and (2) that they were chosen by God. Neither claim is in dispute, even though Christians everywhere and in every time may doubt their faith or their calling. Paul's justification for this claim is not based on words. Anyone can repeat creeds or dogma or catchphrases popular with churches, but words do not mean squat when it comes to the chosen nature of Christ-followers. Paul says the gospel, the good news of Jesus, was not simply heard and understood and accepted as a proposition. No, in fact the Holy Spirit itself made clear to all that these people had been chosen by God for a purpose. The Holy Spirit manifested itself with power and conviction: hard things to dispute within oneself.
What the Holy Spirit has made known to us, may we not forsake or fall away from. The Spirit deals not in mere words and ideas, but makes those words and ideas 3D! They are given life and vibrancy, power and conviction that pop out from a static world of Super Nintendo into the realm of Wii. I apologize for the pop culture references, but it works at a superficial level. Nothing stops the power of the Spirit in us except our failure to live into it. Politics, education, paperwork, routines, interruptions, suffering, death- none of them are comparable to the power of the Spirit.
We are chosen, friends. Let us not forget the power we have been given. May we count all else as loss, but the love of Jesus Christ for which we give our all.
Monday, October 4, 2010
God With Us
John 14:1-3, Luke 24:28-35
Who else feels at times like God is not around? Like he's hiding or she's busy elsewhere? Sometime when I pray, it feels so hard to connect, whereas other times its like I never left Jesus' side. Same for studying the Bible. It helps when I pray or study in a group of believers because Jesus is more assuredly present when people gather in his name. But when alone and seeking God, it can be difficult. Do not let people tell you that its easy and always such a simple task, seeking God. It SHOULD be, but that would be assuming we are another part of God and have nothing distancing us from Christ. For indeed, we are not God, nor are we even in the same category with God. Sin prevents us from always walking with Jesus. Our desires and weaknesses cloud our awareness of the Holy Spirit. And yet, in actuality, God IS always there!
That is good news! God is NOT hiding from us! God is here now, with you, seeking you, waiting for you, like a patient lover. Jesus assures his disciples not to worry many times. I wonder if we are like the disciples on the Emmaus Road. Jesus is with us, talking and showing signs of who he is, but we are far from him in mind and heart, believing the lies of culture and wallowing in our petty concerns and depression. Its not until later that we look back and see God trying to make himself known to us, but we were not paying attention. We were hiding from God, God was not hiding from us.
Who else feels at times like God is not around? Like he's hiding or she's busy elsewhere? Sometime when I pray, it feels so hard to connect, whereas other times its like I never left Jesus' side. Same for studying the Bible. It helps when I pray or study in a group of believers because Jesus is more assuredly present when people gather in his name. But when alone and seeking God, it can be difficult. Do not let people tell you that its easy and always such a simple task, seeking God. It SHOULD be, but that would be assuming we are another part of God and have nothing distancing us from Christ. For indeed, we are not God, nor are we even in the same category with God. Sin prevents us from always walking with Jesus. Our desires and weaknesses cloud our awareness of the Holy Spirit. And yet, in actuality, God IS always there!
That is good news! God is NOT hiding from us! God is here now, with you, seeking you, waiting for you, like a patient lover. Jesus assures his disciples not to worry many times. I wonder if we are like the disciples on the Emmaus Road. Jesus is with us, talking and showing signs of who he is, but we are far from him in mind and heart, believing the lies of culture and wallowing in our petty concerns and depression. Its not until later that we look back and see God trying to make himself known to us, but we were not paying attention. We were hiding from God, God was not hiding from us.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
An Evolution of Expectations
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Luke 23:46
People love talking about the Ten Commandments. They are possibly one of the best short lists of morality and theology out there. Of them the Psalmist goes on and on, lavishing beautiful words to impress upon listeners and readers their great worth. There are debates about them, movies centered on them, and lives struggling to live by them. The Law in its entirety as outlined in the Torah (Pentateuch... first five books of the Bible) is fairly complicated; with directions on what to eat, how to eat, how to clean up, and how to prepare the food; not to mention all other facets of life. Comparatively, the Ten biggies look much simpler (if more impossible to fulfill).
Crazy how later Paul looks back on his life as a Pharisee and "counts all as loss" when compared to the life of service to Christ. Annnnnd yes, I'd say that includes the Ten Commandos. Life in Christ is not law-based, but grace-based. The Big Ten are great goals to live by, but not even they measure up to the goal of complete surrender to the love of Jesus. Hopefully, such a life would naturally include much of the Law, ESPECIALLY the Ten Commandments. After all, Jesus is Lord and the law of the Lord is awesome, so Jesus' law is awesome.
Strange how so many reject the way of Jesus who would uplift the Ten Commandments. Jesus way is even better then the Ten! One reason we tend to choose law over Jesus is that we rework laws in our own image, according to our own desires. The only way to correctly interpret the law is in the light of Christ's love and grace. But we humans love our control and power. It would be unheard of to simply hand over our rational processes and submit to someone else, no matter how trustworthy (and in fact incapable of lying...)
But still, Jesus models for us just how easy it should be. On the cross, Jesus recognizes the lure of power and control when he utters, "Father, why have you forsaken me?" We assume that because God doesn't do for us what we feel is right, he must not be for us. And yet, Jesus surrenders. "Into your hands I commend my Spirit." He stops trying to be in control, and let's God do what God will do. And look! Awesomeness happened! Yeah, Jesus dies... but he also rises again! In glory undimmed!
Letting go and letting God I guess... the Jesus way.
People love talking about the Ten Commandments. They are possibly one of the best short lists of morality and theology out there. Of them the Psalmist goes on and on, lavishing beautiful words to impress upon listeners and readers their great worth. There are debates about them, movies centered on them, and lives struggling to live by them. The Law in its entirety as outlined in the Torah (Pentateuch... first five books of the Bible) is fairly complicated; with directions on what to eat, how to eat, how to clean up, and how to prepare the food; not to mention all other facets of life. Comparatively, the Ten biggies look much simpler (if more impossible to fulfill).
Crazy how later Paul looks back on his life as a Pharisee and "counts all as loss" when compared to the life of service to Christ. Annnnnd yes, I'd say that includes the Ten Commandos. Life in Christ is not law-based, but grace-based. The Big Ten are great goals to live by, but not even they measure up to the goal of complete surrender to the love of Jesus. Hopefully, such a life would naturally include much of the Law, ESPECIALLY the Ten Commandments. After all, Jesus is Lord and the law of the Lord is awesome, so Jesus' law is awesome.
Strange how so many reject the way of Jesus who would uplift the Ten Commandments. Jesus way is even better then the Ten! One reason we tend to choose law over Jesus is that we rework laws in our own image, according to our own desires. The only way to correctly interpret the law is in the light of Christ's love and grace. But we humans love our control and power. It would be unheard of to simply hand over our rational processes and submit to someone else, no matter how trustworthy (and in fact incapable of lying...)
But still, Jesus models for us just how easy it should be. On the cross, Jesus recognizes the lure of power and control when he utters, "Father, why have you forsaken me?" We assume that because God doesn't do for us what we feel is right, he must not be for us. And yet, Jesus surrenders. "Into your hands I commend my Spirit." He stops trying to be in control, and let's God do what God will do. And look! Awesomeness happened! Yeah, Jesus dies... but he also rises again! In glory undimmed!
Letting go and letting God I guess... the Jesus way.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Courage So Far
Matthew 14:22-33
Stepping out in faith is not easy. It takes a good deal of courage to dare to step out of the boat and defy the eaves of trouble, heading ever toward our master. Jesus beckons us lovingly to take a chance, risk it all, and reach for him. Jesus promises that by faith, the waves will not overwhelm, the wind will not carry away, and the great unknown will not destroy.
Peter takes him up on his offer, boldly stepping out into the impossible, but when he realizes where he is and how far he has come and how ludicrous this would have seemed before he knew Jesus, he considers that maybe Jesus is wrong, maybe this is all a lie, maybe the forces set against us are more powerful than Jesus. We wonder this too, consciously, subconsciously...
Fortunately, Jesus already knows that we are weak. He is prepared to overlook our weakness and snatch us from the hands of the Enemy as soon as we call out to him "Lord, save me!" Faith can carry us long distances, allow us to perform great deeds in Christ's name, but only Christ himself can bring us fully over to safety, to peace, and to life-love everlasting.
Stepping out in faith is not easy. It takes a good deal of courage to dare to step out of the boat and defy the eaves of trouble, heading ever toward our master. Jesus beckons us lovingly to take a chance, risk it all, and reach for him. Jesus promises that by faith, the waves will not overwhelm, the wind will not carry away, and the great unknown will not destroy.
Peter takes him up on his offer, boldly stepping out into the impossible, but when he realizes where he is and how far he has come and how ludicrous this would have seemed before he knew Jesus, he considers that maybe Jesus is wrong, maybe this is all a lie, maybe the forces set against us are more powerful than Jesus. We wonder this too, consciously, subconsciously...
Fortunately, Jesus already knows that we are weak. He is prepared to overlook our weakness and snatch us from the hands of the Enemy as soon as we call out to him "Lord, save me!" Faith can carry us long distances, allow us to perform great deeds in Christ's name, but only Christ himself can bring us fully over to safety, to peace, and to life-love everlasting.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Bad Stuff... From God?
Philippians 1:12-14, 27-30, Isaiah 43:1-3, John 15:2, Hebrews 12:10, James1:3
Theodicy is not cool. Theodicy is the question of why bad things happen to good people. Does God not really care about us? Is God unable to help? No one has a sufficient answer to assuage every concerned feeling, every grief, every fear, every anger, every doubt. Its hard to explain any answer to someone who is hurting or passionate. Answering logic to emotion often ends in further pain. That's not cool either. On one hand, we have the assurance that God is always with us and even FOR us. On the other, crap happens.
As for me, I believe things happen for reasons and there are no coincidences. I also believe that sorrows are sad, unfortunate, and often empty of meaning (that we can see). There is a strange balance in things like death, endings, and tragedy. There is both comfort and outrage in the fact that God is behind everything that happens. How can we be both comforted and outraged!? It makes no sense, and yet its there, unavoidable and obvious, even if we try to blind ourselves to it. "The problem with these mysteries is they're so mysterious" as Caedmon's Call puts it. This is where faith is really tested, not in questions of believing certain statements or whether or not we are strong in our Christian walk. Its when the storms hit and meaning is absent and we can see no reason why things are happening that hurt SO MUCH. We humans long to know WHY WHY WHY, but God is not a God who answers why so much as he says "Wait" and waiting is not a strong human ability...
God is in control, but he also grieves with us. All things work out for good, but the best things are recognized in light of the darkness that came before. Victory over evil requires us to have experienced evil, before we can experience the victory, the peace, the sigh of relief. This is a dangerous topic to share ideas on because every person is at a difference place emotionally when it comes to the crap of life. And yet, one response from Paul is that God uses perceived evils to strengthen us and make us holier, reminding us of our mortality so we can strive to be nearer to God. Let the pain in. Let the pain make you strong. But let God control the pain. Do not let the pain control you.
And remember also, God is the only one in a position to judge and control events. The ends do not justify the means for us. The "greater good" argument applies only when God uses it. If we try to use it, we are claiming to be God... and that can have TRULY serious consequences...
Theodicy is not cool. Theodicy is the question of why bad things happen to good people. Does God not really care about us? Is God unable to help? No one has a sufficient answer to assuage every concerned feeling, every grief, every fear, every anger, every doubt. Its hard to explain any answer to someone who is hurting or passionate. Answering logic to emotion often ends in further pain. That's not cool either. On one hand, we have the assurance that God is always with us and even FOR us. On the other, crap happens.
As for me, I believe things happen for reasons and there are no coincidences. I also believe that sorrows are sad, unfortunate, and often empty of meaning (that we can see). There is a strange balance in things like death, endings, and tragedy. There is both comfort and outrage in the fact that God is behind everything that happens. How can we be both comforted and outraged!? It makes no sense, and yet its there, unavoidable and obvious, even if we try to blind ourselves to it. "The problem with these mysteries is they're so mysterious" as Caedmon's Call puts it. This is where faith is really tested, not in questions of believing certain statements or whether or not we are strong in our Christian walk. Its when the storms hit and meaning is absent and we can see no reason why things are happening that hurt SO MUCH. We humans long to know WHY WHY WHY, but God is not a God who answers why so much as he says "Wait" and waiting is not a strong human ability...
God is in control, but he also grieves with us. All things work out for good, but the best things are recognized in light of the darkness that came before. Victory over evil requires us to have experienced evil, before we can experience the victory, the peace, the sigh of relief. This is a dangerous topic to share ideas on because every person is at a difference place emotionally when it comes to the crap of life. And yet, one response from Paul is that God uses perceived evils to strengthen us and make us holier, reminding us of our mortality so we can strive to be nearer to God. Let the pain in. Let the pain make you strong. But let God control the pain. Do not let the pain control you.
And remember also, God is the only one in a position to judge and control events. The ends do not justify the means for us. The "greater good" argument applies only when God uses it. If we try to use it, we are claiming to be God... and that can have TRULY serious consequences...
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