Archives For Growth

Defining Terms

May 13, 2013 — 2 Comments

When I teach, it is not uncommon for me to ask my class for a definition. Sometimes this is because we are learning new concepts, but often it is because I have found that there are some words that we use frequently without having a clear grasp of what we mean when we say them. Words like “strategic,” “segment,” and “objectives” sound very sophisticated, but if we lack clarity regarding our intentions when we use them, they become pretty pointless. Defining our terms helps ensure that we know what we mean by the words that we say; it helps ensure that our purpose is clear.

In a similar way, it may be helpful for us to define our terms when we pray. We often use phrases like “travel mercies” or “bless this food” without even really thinking about what we mean when we say them. We may ask God for “success” in a particular venture without considering whether we mean success by worldly standards or Kingdom ones. We should be clear about what we are petitioning for from God, not because He is unsure of what our intentions are (He knows our hearts (Lk. 16:15), after all) but because it helps us determine whether our hearts are aligned with His will. If we are clear that when we ask for blessing we are asking for God to use a circumstance for His glory then that becomes the basis upon which we evaluate whether our petition is granted. If, instead, we are asking for God to take a circumstance and orchestrate it according to our desires, not only do we risk asking God for something that is not accordance with His good plan, but this becomes our point of comparison for whether God has responded affirmatively to our prayer. Consequently we evaluate the effect of our prayers based on their temporal impact, not their eternal one.

It is good to go to God and ask for His hand on our lives. However, perhaps our prayer life would be even further enriched if we stopped to think about our definitions for what we are asking. It would be good to compare what we mean with what Scripture promises. In doing so, not only may we gain clarity regarding the intention of our prayers, but we can help ensure that our heart’s desires are aligned with His.

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Friendship & Fear

April 23, 2013 — Leave a comment

The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,

and he makes known to them his covenant. (Psalm 25:14)

The fear of the Lord is an oft-discussed, and debated, topic of the Christian life. Perhaps this is because we tend to think of love and fear as dichotomous. The fact that we serve a loving God is taught to us from a young age. John 3:16 and “Jesus Loves Me” are staples of a young child’s church experience. The topic of fearing God is usually left to much later in their Christian education. By that time many in the church have begun to think of God as a caring grandfather who simply shakes His head at His children’s missteps. It is no wonder that it is difficult to reconcile the concept of fearing God with this caricature that they have created. Their concept of God has been stripped of His awesome power and startling majesty, and they can’t figure out why they should fear a God who, in their minds, is known for His affability.

Yet throughout Scripture, we are commanded to fear the Lord. This doesn’t make God any less loving. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of the awesome power of God it can help us see that His love for us is all the more remarkable. He didn’t need us; yet He choose us. However, just because He choose us doesn’t mean that He is not the King of Creation to Whom all glory, honor, praise and respect is rightly given. We are to fear Him because we are to understand Who He is. And as Isaiah experienced when he encountered God, who He is should drive us to our knees.

As the the Psalm quoted above makes clear, fearing God is the basis of our friendship with Him. This is interesting because if asked, we would likely respond that it is His love that is the foundation of our relationship. And it is true that we can only love God because He first loved us (I John 4:19). Fearing God, however, accomplishes something in our hearts that simply responding back in love does not. When we referentially defer to God, we recognize our dependence on Him. This helps give us the proper perspective of Who God is, and why we should humbly submit our lives to Him. Friendship with the Lord is for those who fear Him, because it is those who fear Him who rightfully acknowledge His rule in their lives and who subjugate their lives to Him and His Will. We realize that is it only through Him that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28), that He alone is sustaining our lives (Acts 17:25), and that we are utterly dependent upon Him. The friend of God is the one who cast themselves completely upon His care, trusting in His good provision.

So the next time that we read a Scripture or we hear a sermon about how we are to fear God, let us fight the desire to bristle at this biblical command. Those who are friends with God will fear Him, because those who are friends with God rightfully acknowledge who He is.

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Anytime

April 8, 2013 — 2 Comments

I will cast all my cares upon You.

I will lay all of my burdens down at Your feet. 

And anytime I don’t know what to do - 

I will cast all my cares upon You. 

The above words are lyrics to a song that I learned when I was a child. Although the song used to be part of a regular rotation in my church experience, I haven’t sung it with a congregation in years. Regardless of that fact, it has been on repeat in my head over the past week. Late at night, early in the morning, and at all times in between, the words reverberate inside my head.

As I sing these familiar lyrics again, I have been concentrating on the third line. When your a child it seems so easy to sing that anytime I don’t know what to do, I will turn to Jesus. Yet as we grow up, we are quick to think we have things under control. “Anytime” becomes “whenever I think I need Your help.” Instead of turning to Him the moment I don’t know what to do, I’m quick to try to figure it out on my own. I consider the possibilities, I weigh the options, and I try to discern what I think the best thing to do is. Of course, somewhere in there, usually when I’m stuck and can’t figure out the right alternative, then I turn to Jesus. My commitment to turn to Him when I’m unsure of what to do is pushed aside by my pride and self-determination. He becomes my last resort, instead of my first recourse.

Yet this is not what Christ desires. He is eager to hear our prayers and is in fact advocating on our behalf to the Heavenly Father (see I John 2:1). As the incarnate God He not only knows what it is like to deal with the struggles of this life, He has the perspective of Heaven to guide and direct us in our way. Despite this, I often choose to duke it out on my own instead of turning to Him at the first hint of uncertainty. I imagine He shakes His head in disappointment with my tendencies. He is eager to help, yet I vainly try to do it by myself.

As God has brought these words to my mind time and time again in recent days, I’m been concentrating on fighting my prideful inclinations. When I start to be concerned with some piece of my uncertain future, I am trying to train myself to go to Him first – to tell Him of my concerns instead of dissecting them in my head. I remind myself that while I don’t know what to do, He does, and I trust that whatever He provides will be far better than what I would have conjured up on my own. I give Him the situation – and ask Him to work in it  - to reveal the solution He desires rather than asking Him what He thinks of my plans. As I do so – as I turn to Him first and early – I find the weight of whatever burden I’m bearing is quickly lifted. I have given it to the One who can carry it further and better than I. And because I have placed it in His hands, I can have confidence that He will work within the circumstance to bring Himself glory.

Anytime. It is such a simple yet profound word. And as I trust God with each moments of the day – both the present ones and the ones that are to come – I find that He is there to handle them, at any time.

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Where Credit Is Due

March 22, 2013 — 4 Comments

We all probably know people who can’t take a compliment. You say something nice to them and they immediately brush it aside. Any positive observation about their behavior or their character is attributed to something else. Instead of a receiving a “thank you” when a kind word is spoken, they are apt to turn it around and compliment you in return.

While this self-deprecating behavior may seem godly and right, we can observe from Scripture an even better way to respond. Namely, when we receive a compliment we should recognize the commendable quality that has been observed in us is not due to our own inclinations. Instead, like any good thing, it comes from the Father above (James 1:17). Therefore it is He, and not us, that deserve the praise.

Daniel provides a wonderful example of this behavior. In Daniel 2, the king has had a dream that no one can interpret. Daniel prays that God would reveal the mystery of the dream to him and graciously, God does just that. (It is worthwhile noting that Daniel did not keep this prayer request to himself but he shared it with friends. Perhaps that is a post for another time.) When he goes to the king to interpret the dream Daniel had every opportunity to take credit for revealing what the king was desperate to know. Instead, he repeatedly and consistently gives God the acclaim. He realizes that God did not reveal the meaning of the dream to him so that Daniel would look good. Instead, God did so in order that Daniel may be a witness for Him and glorify Him in the land. The amazing thing is, when the king heard the interpretation and listened to Whom Daniel gave credit to, he also began to praise the Lord.

We may look at this story and think that it is obvious that God deserved the recognition; after all, He answered a specific request that Daniel and his friends made. However, what we should be careful to observe is that Daniel didn’t simply praise God privately for granting his petition. In a situation where he would have been honored and exalted for the work that he had done, he purposefully pointed the attention away from him and onto God. Before there was even the opportunity for him to take the recognition, he made sure that credit was given to the One to whom it was due.

Similarly, we would do well to give God praise for how He uses us for His purposes. Just like Daniel, this attribution shouldn’t be reserved for moments of quiet contemplation, but it should infiltrate even the very act for which we may receive commendation. In doing so we aren’t simply brushing aside any compliment, we are turning people’s attention away from us and what we did and onto the One who enables us to accomplish anything (see John 15:5). We are giving credit where it is due and just like Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar, our hope should be that as a result, other people will also praise our King.

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Look and See

March 20, 2013 — Leave a comment
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One of the chief “charges” that people bring against God is all the evil that they witness in the world. The logic is that a good God would eliminate any bad and therefore everything from the consequences that we face for our poor choices to the atrocities that men inflict on other men would be obliterated if God were real. While it is right to acknowledge that there are things in this world that are difficult, painful, and downright cruel, it is wrong to think that because these things exist God does not. In fact, as many philosophers have argued,  it is because we recognize these things as evil that we can know that there is good. God is the ultimate standard of goodness that we are all familiar with even if we choose not to acknowledge so.

Scripture is replete with reminders that things in this life are not as they should be (e.g. John 16:33, James 1:2, Romans 8:18). In other words, God’s Word does not ignore the fact that in this life people will contend with many difficult things. God’s children are not given immunity from life’s challenges. Scripture in fact warns us to expect them (1 Peter 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:12). However, the difficulties of life should not overwhelm those who place their trust in Christ because they know that their true treasure is not in this life but in the next. They are looking towards the better things that Christ has promised for them and because of this, they can be content even in the most dreadful, yet temporal, of circumstances.

Cultivating this eternal mindset is important for Christians and it is one that I have spent a considerable time trying to develop. Perhaps due to my introspective nature, it is easy for me to be all too aware of the evil that befalls many people and spending too much time dwelling on such things is apt to lead to despair. However, in acknowledging that for God’s children this world is not our home, things may be difficult but they are not insurmountable. When the worse life has to offer you is considered gain (Phil. 1:21), you can be prepared for anything that may come your way. Focusing on what is to come in this next life equips you to contend with what this world has to offer in this one.

In seeking to develop an eternal perspective, I have to be careful that I don’t lose track of the fact that not only does God promise good for us in eternity, He promises that we will see evidence of His goodness here as well. As I have written about before, I need to train myself to see the good that He brings into my life especially when I’m prone to look elsewhere. Like David, I can be confident that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, and with this confidence I can expect that if I’m going through a difficult time now, His good will be coming.

However, what I’ve also realized is that I need to purpose to see the good that God brings into others’ lives as well. After all, the words of the Psalm do not say that you will “have good in the land of the living.” Instead, it states that the Psalmist will “look upon the goodness of the Lord.” We can not only see how the Lord is good to us, but we should actively look to see how He has been gracious in the lives of others. This requires getting the focus off of what entangles us in order to witness God’s faithfulness, generosity and love in the lives of His children. We should be praising God not only for what He has done and is doing in our own lives, but also for what He has done and is doing in the rest of His Church.

The challenge is that while seeing the good in the midst of the bad may be difficult in our own lives, we are even less inclined to do it as bystanders in the lives of others. However, when we refuse to practice this we miss out on learning more about how God works and in celebrating what He has given to our brothers and sisters in Him. When our eyes are so focused on what God is doing with us that we fail to see what He has given others, we are likely missing out on the opportunity to witness some of His goodness that He has positioned us to see. We miss the chance to praise and worship Him for the specific work He is doing in the lives of those we know and love.

It is good to have an eternal perspective and it is also good to have confidence that God will bring His goodness to us in the land of the living. However, as we embrace both of these things let us also remember that we can observe God’s graciousness not only in how He treats us, but in His generosity to His other children. Let us look for these things, and let us thank Him for them. Knowing that as we see His goodness in the lives of others, we are better able to worship Him to the fullest extent which He so richly deserves.

 

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Hungry

March 12, 2013 — 2 Comments

Having a baby reminds you of something that we all know but we rarely spend much time thinking about – our bodies are wired to crave food. As a new parent can attest, no one needs to teach a child how to be hungry or how to express their discomfort when that hunger goes unsatisfied. God graciously created us so that even before we could do much of anything at all, we desire the fuel we need in order to keep on functioning. Without it and without the ability of babies to express their state of need, parenting as well as surviving infancy would be much more difficult.

Not only do babies recognize their need for food even before they can articulate that the desire for it exists, they also consume it on a fairly regular pattern. Newborns seemingly consume it around the clock and new mothers can feel like all they do is feed the baby, change the baby, only to put the baby to sleep and start the cycle over again. As they grow the feeding pattern remains fairly consistent. There may be longer lengths of time between meals, but babies still eat at fairly regular and predictable intervals. And they eat whenever they need to. They don’t push aside a feeding because they are busy or because they don’t “feel like it.” Eating is a priority for them – they do it regularly, frequently and with an intensity that speaks to its importance. And on some days they eat even more often than normal because their bodies are getting ready to grow.

One may wonder why I’ve embarked upon such a long discussion of a child’s eating habits and it’s because I think that it can teach us a lot about how we are to approach the God’s Word. Christ said that His food was to do the will of the One who had sent Him (John 4:34). As Christians, we should desire to imitate Christ and therefore what fueled Him should also be what drives us. However, in order to do the will of God we have to know the will of God, and God’s will is most prominently revealed through His Word. Therefore, if we want to be fed through obedience as Christ was, we must banquet in the bounty of the Scriptures. We must feast on the truth of the Word of God so that we may grow and develop into the people He desires us to be.

Unfortunately, many people approach this task as many adults approach their meals. They are quick to grab some tidbit of Scripture as they rush out the door, much like they grab their breakfast to eat in the car. They take a “drive thru” approach to their study of Scripture, hurried to make it to the next activity or function. Unlike an infant, if they miss a “meal” their disdain is not quickly voiced and rectified; they are content to partake of Scripture on an ad hoc basis. Their “feeding” is not regular, frequent and prioritized. It is haphazard and scattered. They are content with morsels when they should be seeking a banquet.

It should come as no surprise when we approach Scripture this way and neglect to see the growth in the Christian life that we desire. After all, one of the reasons an infant grows more during the first year of life than they do at any other time is because they are constantly providing their bodies the fuel they need in order to mature. Without such nourishment, their growth would be halted and their bodies diminished.  Similarly when we neglect to fuel our walk with God with the sustenance of Scripture, our growth will suffer as well.

Therefore, next time we hear the cries of a hungry baby or witness a toddler signaling their desire for more, may it remind us of how we should hunger for the food that fueled Jesus. Next time we’re tempted to remark on how fast a little one has grown, may we recognize that they did so because they frequently and consistently partook of food, and if we want to experience growth in our walk with God, we must similarly dine in His Truth. May the insatiable hunger of little ones drive engender a similar appetite for the God’s Holy Scripture, and may their hunger for food prompt us to dive deeper with more frequency and intensity into the riches of His Word.

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Proactive Prayers

February 26, 2013 — Leave a comment
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It’s not uncommon to hear about some scandal in the Church. Whether it’s a small issue that only local congregants know about, or a large one that receives national media attention, it is not uncommon to be reminded that the Church is made up of sinners and as such there are going to be times where we, and God, are disappointed by its members’ actions.

When I hear about such incidents, one of my first responses is to pray for the people involved. I ask that God would be glorified even in the midst of the hurt and the embarrassment. If it is something that is played out on the national stage, I also often ask that those who speak representing the Church would do so in a way that demonstrates God’s holiness and not in a way that is fodder for soundbites and pundits. I believe that this is an appropriate response. After all, while people may let us down, God never will. Our dependent should be on God alone and these circumstances often serve as a reminder of that fact.

However, I’ve recently been convicted that praying after the events occur is not enough. While asking God to redeem a situation is appropriate, it would be better if I were praying against them before they ever occurred. It would be good for me to be regularly lifting up those in positions of influence and authority – in the church I attend and in the Church around the globe. It would be wise if I did not merely react to these situations, but sought to proactively pray against the devil’s influence and strongholds in people’s lives. I need to not only respond after the fact, but I need to be mindful of where vulnerabilities may lie and to pray that God would work in those individuals’ lives before those vulnerabilities are exploited and the Kingdom of God is marred as a result.

Having this proactive approach requires diligence. It is much easier to simply watch as scandals unfold, shake my head, and pray that God would restore and redeem in those circumstances. However, being proactive about my prayers not only petitions for God’s hand in circumstances before scandal occurs, it makes me more mindful of what I am doing to represent God and His Kingdom well. It reminds me that although my life may not play out in the news media, there are people who’s impression of Christ is being formed by the way I behave. And I need to be proactive about praying that I would represent Him well too.

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Saying the Same Thing

January 28, 2013 — Leave a comment
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There’s an old schoolyard game called “jinx.” To play the game, you and another person must say the exact same thing at the exact same time. The first one to say “jinx” after this occurs gets some sort of control over the other person. Depending on the version of the game you play either the “loser” has to buy the winner a Coke or they can’t speak until the winner says their name, or some other “punishment” is inflicted on them as a result of not saying “jinx” first. Presumably this game developed because kids realized the unlikelihood of two people uttering the same words simultaneously. It was a rare enough occurrence that when it did happen someone decided that it was worthy of further elaboration and amusement.

As adults, we recognize that whether we are saying the same thing as someone else or not, our tongue has a habit of getting us in trouble. In fact, James warns us of this very thing. The tongue can cause great destruction both to ourselves and to others. Controlling it is difficult, but necessary in order to live a life that pleases Christ.

One of the ways that we can make sure that we accomplish this is to make sure that our words are the same as Christ’s. In John 15:20 Jesus is preparing His disciples for His imminent departure. He is telling them that they will be persecuted and that they will suffer for His sake. He also says “If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” Christ is telling His disciples that if they are careful to preach the same things that He did, then they can be sure that their words will penetrate the hearts of those who are His. Conversely, those who are not His will respond with hatred and contempt.

This should give us great encouragement and direction. If my words align with Christ’s then I need not worry about how others respond. Those who love Christ will respond with that same love to my words that mirror His message. When the world disagrees with what I say, when they revile me because of stance with the truth of His Word, I need not fear. I can take comfort in the fact that I’m saying the same things as my Savior.

Knowing the right thing to say is not easy. It is made even that much more difficult by the fact that we can never be sure how our words will be interpreted or received. However, if like the old game of jinx we can examine our words and know that our words are the same as those of Christ’s we can have confidence that our words will bring Him glory – regardless of how others respond or what they say.

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Or Give Me Grace

January 22, 2013 — 2 Comments
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There is a popular saying that “there are no atheists in the foxhole.” The saying originated from the recognition that when we are in a difficult situation even the nonreligious are often quick to seek out assistance from a Heavenly Source. Of course, it’s not just foxholes were these prayers of petition are made. In circumstances that are much less dangerous many of us are quick to ask God to change things so that we may benefit.

Unfortunately, many people are discouraged when their prayers for new circumstances seemingly fall on deaf ears. Whether it’s a wayward child, a lack of employment or the illness of a loved one, we plead for God to change things, and yet the situation remains the same. This is true even in the seemingly mundane trials of life – those admittedly minor inconveniences that can cause a disproportionate amount of stress in our days. We want God to jump in and fix our problem, and while we recognize that He is perfectly capable of doing so, often He does not.

What I’ve recently learned is that perhaps my prayer for a quick fix is insufficient. This isn’t to say that God doesn’t answer it because it does meet some type of prescribed standard, but instead that I’m only looking at the situation from a partial perspective. From my vantage point the way that the situation becomes better is for God to change it. From His viewpoint, it may be better still to instead provide me with what I need in order to walk through the difficulty and glorify Him regardless. In other words – it is proper that I ask God to intervene on my behalf – and as a loving Father He often graciously grants my request (Luke 11:5-13). But instead of only asking for the circumstance to change, it may be wise for me to ask that if it does not, that He gives me the grace to walk through it in a manner that pleases Him.

Adding this addendum to my petition may seem insignificant, but it accomplishes at least two things. First, it reminds me of the fact that I need to trust God with the decision of whether or not the difficulty that I’m facing should be obliterated. He may, in His infinite wisdom, decide that my good and His glory are better served not by removing me from the challenging situation, but  by me remaining in it. Secondly, adding this addition to my request serves as recognition that if things don’t change, this doesn’t give me free reign to complain or otherwise gripe about the difficulty I’m facing. Instead, God is willing to graciously grant me something else – the grace I need to glorify Him through it. God doesn’t leave us in challenging circumstances because of indifference; through them, He desires to accomplish something good.

It’s easy to ask God to remove the bad things from our lives. We are less inclined to ask Him to grant us grace to walk through the trials in a manner that is worthy of being called His child. Yet as we do so, not only may we view our circumstances a little more from a Heavenly perspective, but we will likely bring Him more glory and acclaim – whether the trials are removed or whether they are not.

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Total Dependence

January 8, 2013 — 6 Comments
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A few weeks ago, we brought our first-born home from the hospital. For those readers who are parents, you know that there is nothing quite like those early days of parenthood. As I reflect back on the first two weeks of having our child at home, I am startled by how much time was spent preparing for the process of giving birth contrasted with the preparation for when the child actually arrives. Although I gave birth without the benefits of an epidural or other pain medications, I think that process was far less challenging than those first couple weeks at home. Life changes in radical, and for me, unanticipated ways when a child is added to your family. Adjusting to those changes is well worth the reward, but the adjustments are difficult nonetheless.

For me, the biggest challenge was the recognition that this little person was totally dependent on me. Because we have chosen to provide nourishment for our child through nursing, I was on call 24-7 if she was hungry. Two-week olds don’t really understand their momma’s need for a schedule or structure, and so their demand for food isn’t contingent on the convenience of providing it. Similarly, their sleeping patterns are not formed as a function of how much or how little sleep their parents are used to getting.  Providing everything this little life needs is time-consuming and exhausting, and there appears to be little appreciation on the child’s part for doing so.

Yet, as I ponder these things, I can’t help but learned from my little one. After all, while it seems that she is completely dependent upon me, in reality, the both of us are completely dependent upon God (Acts 17:28). If I were to emulate in my relationship with God the trust and assurance that she displays towards me, not only would be relationship with Him be deeper and stronger, but I would be more steadfast as I walk the path that He has prepared for me. If I were to turn to Him as quickly as my hungry child turns to me, I would be better equipped to do the work to which He has called me. Instead, I’m afraid that I am quick to mirror my child’s seemingly lack of appreciation, while ignoring the other lessons that her dependence illustrates.

The goal for my child is that one day she will outgrow her dependence on me. It is our hope that she will one day be able to feed, provide and take care of herself and her ability to do so will be a mark of her maturity. For the Christian, the exact opposite is true. A mark of maturity is their increasing dependence upon their heavenly Father. As we do so, not only do we become like little children (Mt. 18:3), but we increasingly walk as Jesus did (I John 2:6; John 5:19).

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