Thursday, July 21, 2011

Our charge: In-between

There is an inestimitable amount of tension on this planet.  From the apparent tensions of policitcs or faiths or relationships or money, to the more subtle tensions of environmental pollution or distruction or waste.  But again I am faced with the tension that tugs at our hearts, beckoning us to think heavenward. 

Isaiah 35 speaks about a day when the desert will blossom with flowers, that "'your God is coming to destroy your enemies.  He is coming to save you.' and when he comes, he will open the eys of the blind and unstop the ears o the deaf.  The lame will leap like a dear, and those who cannot speak witll shout and sing!"

But that day has already come...

Didn't Jesus do just that? Open blind eyes and deaf ears, give spring to lame legs, give voice to mute mouths...

But what has happened since? Another long period of waiting?

We have this tension that what we've longed for has come, but hasn't stayed.  Our God has left and will return some day.  Until then, we miss Him dearly and long for his return. Tension.

And we're charged to live in a way completely contrary to that in which we are currently living: Isaiah 53.

Do we live our lives constantly feeding the hungry? Clothing the naked? Opening out homes to wanderers?

This is our charge. How are we doing?

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Give Yourself

"The greatest thing you can give is yourself."
-Bob Burg in the Go Giver.

"There is no greater love than to lay one's life down for one's friend."
-Jesus...does he need a book reference (John 15:13)

It's pretty easy to go through life searching for the thing that we're supposed to do.  The purpose we're here, our calling, our gifting...But how is it that if we're all supposed to reach this understanding, that so few have?  Have we bought into yet another myth about this life?

We talk about seeking the will of the Father, of searching for Jesus in every day life, or even what to do in this very moment.  I'm not saying that these are bad questions to ask, but doesn't this focus in on US still?  What should I do?  What's Your will for MY life?  Where should I live, work, play, serve, give?  Doesn't this world center around me?

But the story's not really about us is it?  It's about God.  So why do we spend so much of our timing asking questions that revolve around us?

...Kim and I have been focusing on two questions over the last few months: Where do we need to live, and where/who/how do we give financially?  We really don't have any answers to these questions yet.  Maybe that's a good thing.  Because it shouldn't be about us.

I don't know about you, but I get caught up so often on the questions and miss the point of the whole journey.   I start thinking that these questions matter and end up then thinking that I matter a whole lot more than I do.  I'm simply an extra in God's great movie.  

So, what really matters?

I'm not sure yet.  But I do know there are billions of people whose situation is worse than mine.  What if I spent as much time each week thinking about them as I did thinking about me?  Wouldn't that have a huge effect on my heart, mind, and actions?  Then, maybe I'd remember that the greatest gift I can give is to to love the person in front of me; to give myself away.

This week, may we all spend more time thinking of the interests of others than we do ourselves.