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Get up and do it … or don’t

Jesus was talking to a crowd when He went straight to the bottom line of what it would mean for anyone to follow Him:  “You’ll have to quit being so selfish.”

I imagine that He’s talking to quite a crowd of us today, too. I’ll not point fingers this morning, though, because this word hit the target when it hit my own heart.

Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

There’s so much in this familiar passage, but I was stopped today by His first statement: Stop being so selfish.

Selfishness is the root of so many of our problems; it tarnishes our relationships and ruins our witness and discipleship. We want what we want, we have our “rights”, we need to express ourselves, fulfill what we were born to be …

But for the children of God, all of those things have changed. Christ asks His disciples to be expressing Him. Our purpose now is to achieve His mission. We were born (the second time) to be children of the Father, the image of Christ. 

Jesus’ statement is blunt: To be my disciple, you must turn from your selfish ways. How can we possibly hem and haw and try to dodge what He’s saying there? Every one of us knows exactly what He’s talking about. 

George MacDonald tells us how to be a disciple in very simple instructions. “Get up and do it,” he says. “Or don’t do it.”

I will tell you. Get up, and do something the Master tells you; so make yourself his disciple at once. Instead of asking yourself whether you believe or not, ask yourself whether you have this day done one thing because he said, Do it, or once abstained because he said, Do not do it. *

That’s a pretty simple, clear test.

Spirit, alert me when I’m going down selfish paths today.

. 

*from Creation in Christ

Scripture: Luke 9:23-25 (NLT)

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From Slavery to Battlefields in the Promised Land

I was born into slavery.

In a country far from where my Creator intended me to call home, I struggled helplessly until my Rescuer found me. He loved me, sprinkled His blood to protect me, and defeated the powerful oppressor. Away from that dark country He led me, and promised a land of great abundance and blessed rest.

I wandered a while in the wilderness, often losing sight of the One who led me, even though He sometimes blazed like a pillar of fire or blanketed and comforted like a cloud. Still, I went astray, going off along my own paths. At times, I even wanted to return to the slavery that had almost killed me. Yet He always came after me and brought me back, until at last I could see the place He wanted to give me, the place He had promised.

And what a land it is! Once He gave me a clear glimpse of this place, I wanted to be nowhere else. This is where He always intended me to live.

Here He leads me beside still waters and restores my soul. He heals all my diseases and supplies my needs; bread is not scarce, and the water of life transforms deserts. Dead bones rise and dance; water turns into wine. Here He sets the lonely in families and sends angels to walk with pilgrims.

I well know that I do not deserve to be here. Yet Christ helps me shed my filthy rags and wraps me in His righteousness, so that I can now walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

The enemies here are indeed giants, fierce, sly, deceptive. They seek to drag me from this Promised Land or entice me to wander into other countries. Yet He says, ‘Be strong and very courageous. I am always with you.’  When those attacks come against my soul, He renews my strength. He is my help and shield, my Rock of refuge. He frees me from the traps, and He teaches me to defeat my adversaries.

But all of these things, I am still learning. This is a glorious place to live, but I know I’ve only seen a glimpse of its greatness. I still have to learn how to live here fully, but I also know there is no other place I want to be. And so I go on exploring and discovering the Promised Land.

***

And then on New Year’s weekend, I hear the Lord say, It is time to stop denying my power.

Now, that was something of a shock.

Haven’t I been writing about exactly that, the power of God that can work in the lives of His children? Haven’t I encouraged others and yearned myself to believe and trust in God’s power to do anything? Haven’t I told myself, again and again, that His power in me can defeat any enemy who comes against me?

Ah. There’s the point, the thing the Spirit says I must reach for in 2012. I’ve got to take the battle against the enemy to a whole new level.

I am still reading Isaiah 41. On the morning of New Year’s Eve, I read verses 10-16. Here are a few excerpts:

I will strengthen you and help you.
       I will hold you up with my victorious right hand …
For I hold you by your right hand —
       I, the LORD your God.
And I say to you,
       ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
Though you are a lowly worm …
       I will help you’ …
You will tear your enemies apart,
       making chaff of mountains.
You will toss them into the air,
       and the wind will blow them all away …

And here’s where the Spirit said, “It’s time to look a little deeper at this business of tearing your enemies apart.”

You see, I’ve always thought of the “enemies of my soul” as the things that “come” against me … things like doubt, discouragement, discontent, influences of the world I live in, arrows of jealousy, envy, and anger. It’s as if the enemy launches an all-out attack against my place of peace and prosperity in the Promised Land.

But what about the enemy who has not attacked the front gates but who has been sitting quietly, immovable as a mountain, in the very middle of my life?

 What about those things that really have no place in the Promised Land, yet since they’ve always been a part of me or of my life, I simply say, “That’s just the way I am,” or “That’s the way it is,” and I, in effect, shrug my shoulders and accept it … and never even consider that God’s power might just possibly make chaff of that mountain.

This is a scary thing, because now I must look closely at things that I’ve allowed to remain in my life just because … well … that’s the way it will always be, right? I am sad to say that there are, indeed, things that I have never prayed about because (Father, forgive me) I have not believed anything would ever change. That’s saying I did not believe God could change things!

Yet He says His power can smash those mountains so that they are blown away by the wind. His power in us can do that!

I am both humbled and I am afraid. I know so little of God’s power. And I have the feeling that there are some big mountains that must be smashed in 2012.

　

***

Sometimes, I am in awe of how God reinforces the things He wants to tell us. If you have just a few more minutes, let me tell you what happened after my encounter with Isaiah 41.

That same morning, I received an email from a friend. It was simply a Scripture prayer for her friends, taken from Ephesians 3:16-21. Here’s some of it, and note what she bolded:

“I pray that out of His Glorious Riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith … Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be Glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”

Scripture so familiar, repeated to me once again at just the right time, to remind me of God’s power at work in me … power and love beyond anything I can imagine.

The next morning in church during our open sharing time, one lady took the microphone and said she felt led to pray a blessing over our church. And what do you suppose she prayed?

She read the same passage from Ephesians 3 … that we may be strengthened by His power and begin to understand how high and deep and wide and long is Christ’s love!

Yes. I got the message this weekend. It’s time to quit denying God’s power. Time to smash some mountains.

　

　

*

Thanks to Ethel and Maxine and everyone who prays for these posts.

 

 

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New and Improved New Year’s Resolutioning

Yes, I know the title of this post uses a word that is not a word. But that’s the only thing that came to me at 3:30 this morning, and you know how that goes — once a thing like this is stuck in your head, it’s … stuck. You can’t seem to clear it out to make room for new ideas. So we’ll just have to live with that title.

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, I am — to use a phrase from James — a double-minded woman. I tend to scoff just a bit at this yearly practice, knowing quite well what happens to most promises made just because the calendar says January 1.

And yet, precisely because the calendar says January 1, most of us do find ourselves thinking about new beginnings, a fresh start, and new hope.

So just as James’s double-minded person is blown to and fro like wind-driven waves of the sea, my own January 1 practices have been inconsistent and contradictory. In the past, I’ve sometimes said, “Nope, no resolutions. That’s useless.” But I have also sat down on New Year’s Day with six friends and written out my goals for the year. Then we tucked away our lists, read them again after 365 days, and reported on our progress. Now that’s accountability, right? Don’t be too impressed … items on my list have been “carried forward” for about three years now … 

So if you’re going to do this New Year’s Resolutioning thing, may I suggest a new and improved way? Actually, it’s not my idea. I’d only like to point you to Marc Kinna’s post on Letters of Truth and recommend that you write your own letter as he suggests, letting the Holy Spirit help you.

“Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.”
       — Jesus

I think this is the key to all we do. Our human efforts produce human results … and those often are not impressive or pretty. The wind of the Holy Spirit blowing through our lives, though, leads us into truth, produces fruit we might think impossible, and births life within us.

Try writing a Letter of Truth today. I did, after reading Marc’s post yesterday, and tomorrow I’ll share with you how the Spirit startled me. 

Blessings in your New Year.

*

Scripture: John 3:6 (NLT)

P.S. Thank you, Marc!

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Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.

For I have chosen you
     and will not throw you away.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
     Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
     I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

These are promises not only for contemplating a New Year, but also for every morning, every beginning, every step of your pilgrimage on this earth. Here is reassurance for times of uncertainty, strength for days of weariness, courage for moments of fear.

Your Father has chosen you and He will be with you through everything!

Isn’t that amazing?

And so, do not lose heart, no matter what obstacles loom on your horizon, because the LORD of the universe is with you. Your strength will come from Him. He will help you. When you know you are too weak, when you fear you are losing the battle, He will keep you going. When you think you struggle alone, His victorious right hand is working for you.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. He always holds you, and His hand is always victorious!

*

Scripture: Isaiah 41:9-10 (NLT)

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Transformation in the Sanctuary

Take a look at Psalms 73. It opens with a verse about the pure in heart.

You might immediately hear that voice in your head saying, “Well, I would not fit in that category.”   Or perhaps you’re remembering some of your definitely un-Christlike moments this weekend. Maybe already this morning you’ve blown it, yet again.

If so, you’ll identify more with verse 2:

But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

The writer of Psalm 73 knows his heart is not pure. He’s bitter and envious; the bad guys are not getting the punishment they deserve. They seem to be living trouble-free lives and have everything anyone could ever want, while I seem to have nothing but pain and trouble. Where’s the justice, God?

So he takes his questions and complaints to God. Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

Psalm 73 is about a cleansing of heart, and here’s the key: Then I went into your sanctuary.

In the psalmist’s time, all kinds of regulations determined how and when one could approach God. When Christ died, He ripped all barriers away. Not only did He give us access to God, but now God comes and lives with us. The sanctuary where we meet God, where He opens our eyes and transforms our hearts, is no longer a literal building. It’s where you are sitting right now. Immanuel!

But back to this sad soul who knows his heart is not right and that he’s not doing so well in his walk with God.

In His sanctuary, God does have some answers to the writer’s questions about the wicked. But we’ll leave that for now. Something even more important happens: in God’s sanctuary, the psalmist sees his own heart: 

Then I realized my heart was bitter,
    and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant —

Sound familiar? How many times I have said that about myself!  How many times I have denied myself inclusion in the “pure in heart” category. How many times my feet have slipped.

And that brings us to the good news. Yes. Good news in spite of what we may think about our failures. Good news, my friend, that you will hear in the sanctuary when you go to your Father. 

Yet still I belong to you;
     you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
     leading me to a glorious destiny.

Wow. I belong to Him. He knows I am dust, and still He claims me. This is a look at God’s heart.

And because I belong to Him, He continues to hold me by the hand, guide me with His counsel, and — doesn’t this just take your breath away? — lead me on toward a glorious destiny!

When we hear those words in the sanctuary, when those words picturing God’s love for us settle into our hearts, we are transformed. We go from feeling as though we are almost gone (v. 2) to knowing this:

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
     but God remains the strength of my heart;
     he is mine forever.

The psalmist opened by saying, “But as for me … I’m slipping and almost gone.” Now, after that transforming meeting with God in His sanctuary, he says, “Yes, I see that anyone who deserts God will be destroyed, will perish …

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
    I have made the sovereign LORD my shelter,
    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

What comfort it is to be near God, to take shelter in Him, to know that we belong to the Father and He does not desert us.  We come into His sanctuary, and we are changed.