I Choose Love

When I think back to a time before Jesus was the most important part of my life, there was so much brokenness and emptiness. My spirit was deflated and I was defeated. I didn't even think life was worth living and often questioned my purpose. Then, everything changed, not overnight, but through a series of happenings and interactions with God's people.

I used to think of love as a feeling; a strong feeling which overpowered and surrounded one's life. If I was loved, everything was okay. If not, then it wasn't okay in any way. Then I learned that love is a choice. While I didn't believe it at first. before long I came to realize that it is true. I can choose to love or not. I can choose to allow people into my life, my inner circle, or I can reject them. But it is a choice, not a feeling.

1 John 4:7-8 (MSG) 
⁷  My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God.
⁸  The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love.

Studying and reading scripture has brought me to a different place, a new understanding. God is love and if I believe in God, then I believe in love. Choosing to love people even when they don't deserve my affections is Godly behavior. Allowing God's Spirit to influence my life and actions is a positive change and one that will make life better than you can imagine. 

This became a reality for me once I learned that my life doesn't have to be perfect. The people in my life certainly aren't perfect any more than I am. But I can choose to love them -- imperfections and all. Any they have the same choice.

1 John 4:7-12

How to be Humane

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.  Hebrews 4:14-16 (MSG)

Are we having difficulty discerning what a 'whole spirit' is? Let us consider where we witness 'whole spirits' in the passage about the Woman at the Well. Jesus exemplifies a Whole Spirit. He shares loving conversation with her.

Jesus speaks grace-filled words to her, no finger pointing or condemnation. This scripture reveals Jesus, a man who is the epitome of a whole spirit. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality.

As a disciple, we work to embrace a life that reflects a whole spirit. We want to have a heart that is fully put together, open and willing to be like Jesus. But we are human and will fail sometimes. 

Jesus' whole spirit invites us to get up and try again. Over and over if necessary, until we get it just about right. We will never be perfect, this side of Heaven, but we can get closer than we are today. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

Samaritans & Jews & You & Me

John 4:1-26

This story that John tells, a slice of a day in the life in Jesus' ministry, is commonly referred to as "The Woman at the Well."  Many of us know this story:  Jesus is heading to Galilee from Judea, and he goes through Samaria, which is a nation scorned and despised by the Jews, who consider themselves much more pious and righteous: after all, they are God's chosen people, and these Samaritans are castoffs. 

On his journey, he encounters a Samaritan woman who has been shunned by her neighbors - in fact, she goes to the well to draw water at noon rather than face the scorn of her peers, who come early in the morning before the noonday heat.

The Samaritan woman has an encounter with Jesus that changes her life forever.  And in turn, she shares the Good News with her neighbors.  Jesus stays in this Samaritan town for two more days, and countless Samaritans come to believe in Christ and his message.

So this Samaritan woman, part of the despised Samaritan sect, is one of the first non-Jews that God uses to advance his kingdom.  Not exactly what we would call strategic thinking, would we?  Why would you use the lower end of society, and the lowest of that low end, to advance your mission?  Surely a more respected person would be a better choice?  This woman was the dregs of her society.  Married five times, cast off by five men, and now living in sin with another.  How low can you go?  She is not the ideal 'spokesperson' for your 'brand,' in today's marketing speak.

And yet, God surprises us again, doesn't he?

• Moses said he wasn't a good choice to lead the people to the Promised Land.....God used him anyway (see Exodus)

• Mary was a young teenager, engaged but not married, when the angel of the Lord told her she would be the mother of the son of God - that would not be my first choice.....

• Rahab was a prostitute who engineered the daring escape for Joshua out of Jericho (Joshua 2).  A prostitute?  That makes about as much sense as using a disgraced Samaritan woman, doesn't it?

Three examples of countless times in scripture that God uses the unexpected, the outcast, the losers, to bring glory to Him.  Can he use me?  Can he use you?  What is standing in His way?   

Lord, you love those we sometimes fail to see - the down and out, the unlovely.  And you long to use me in your kingdom.  Help me to see those invisible, downtrodden people I might rush past, and to share your Good News joyfully, no matter what the status or bank account is.  Amen.  

Open Hands Heal Broken Hearts

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but wise - making the most of every opportunity." (v 15-16)

Too often, I've looked back at a season and realized I had wasted some amazing opportunities. Opportunities which could have changed my life or the life of someone else. I know we are not to live in the land of "if only," but recognize wasted chances and then do better next time. It is no fun looking back and wishing we had used our time wisely. Let's remember we cannot redeem lost time.

Perhaps we reflect on things we could have skipped in order to attend that game our child was playing in, or maybe we wish we had visited mom and dad more often - now it is too late. This is not an unusual thing, but one we can correct by prioritizing our life...our day.

"Be very careful, then, how you live, might speak to the workaholic who stays at work when they could leave the office in time to share a meal with the family, or celebrate a special occasion. Memory making moments don't come around often, and if we miss them, they are gone forever.

"...making the most of every opportunity." If our eyes are open, there are situations all around to help someone, to give a hand of assistance, or an encouraging word. Taking advantage of moments like this can put a smile on a child's face or insert a bit of hope into the heart of a person who feels hopeless.

Dear Jesus,
Give me eyes to see people all around me. Place a willingness to lend a hand to someone just because it is what you would do, and because it is the right thing.  Amen


Ephesians 5:15-21

Mercy, Not Self-Righteous Justification

Luke 10:25-37

This is another 'famous' story in scripture that would be easy for us to gloss over.....yes, yes, I've read this one many times, and we all know the story of the Good Samaritan....

So take a moment, and read it with fresh eyes.  Ask God to give you HIS heart as you read - what new truth do you see in this old story?

This time through for me, I was struck by the words that Luke uses to describe the young attorney's question:  "he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' (v. 29).

Not "he wanted to know more."
Not "he was surprised by Jesus' comments and wanted to keep a dialogue going."

No.  He wanted to justify himself.  Doesn't that cut to the core of how we often approach the Lord?  Lord, I want you to know that I had no choice when I cut off that driver.  It wasn't my fault.  Lord, you can't expect me to be civil to that coworker who is always taking credit for my work?  And on it goes.  

Here's my next 'new' takeaway:  the parable ends with Jesus asking the young man "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor too the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"  (v. 36).  This time the lawyer answers with much more insight:  "The one who had mercy on him."  (v. 37).

Webster's dictionary defines mercy as 'compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to ones power; compassionate treatment of those in distress.'

How do I show mercy to those around me?  If i am a boss or manager, can I show mercy to my employees?  How can i show compassionate treatment of those in distress?  I am reminded of these verses in Matthew 25:

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

We have great opportunities to show mercy!  Lord, help us seek not to justify our own selfish ends, but to show mercy - and to see those brothers and sisters in need that you bring into our lives.  Amen.  

Satan and God's Word

Matthew 4: 1-11

“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!” - William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice

Shakespeare was biblically literate, and he must have been familiar with today's passage.  We see  Satan quoting scripture to Jesus (v. 6).

Quoting scripture and understanding scripture are two different things, and as we seek to become Christians who have minds fully engaged, we need to be aware of the danger that can lull us into a false sense of security:  I'm a churchgoer/I read my Bible/I have memorized some verses so I will be okay.

I Peter 5:8 warns us to keep our minds engaged appropriately:  

Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 

Remember that that 'roaring lion' may look like a villain with a smiling cheek, or a goodly apple rotten at the heart, as Mr. Shakespeare so aptly describes him.  And remember that Satan is always prowling around, looking for someone to devour.

How can we resist temptation and, for that matter, recognize it when it is disguised as God's word?  How do we recognize the tempter, when he willing to use any means available to twist God's message?  We can be in the word daily.  We can share our temptations with others and ask them to pray for us, and we will covenant to pray for them.  We can trust God daily and take all our cares and worries to him.  He loves us with a love that is beyond measure, and he is worthy of our trust.  

The verse right before the one in I Peter that encourages us to be 'clear-minded and alert' is worth repeating:

Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Lord, I know you care for me, and you are enough.  Help me to resist Satan's call, even when it seems right and good.  Help me to be wise and to come to you for every need.  Amen.  

Which Prodigal Son Are You?

Luke 15:11-32

What on earth can I write that is new and fresh about the prodigal son passage?  Haven't we all read this passage countless times?  And haven't we all heard many, many sermons based on Luke 15?

The term 'prodigal son' is one that is used in literature (see Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice among others), in music, in the arts and on the stage.  To call someone a 'prodigal' is to evoke this biblical passage.  We  focus on the younger son who comes home after sowing his wild oats, tail between his legs, realizing he made a huge mistake in spending his inheritance in sinful, wasteful living.

His father, however, sees it differently:  "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (v. 20.)

Trust me on this:  fathers in Jesus' day didn't run to their sons.  Running wasn't manly.  It wasn't dignified.  But this father ran.  He threw a party.  "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (v. 24).

And so his family and friends rejoice.  Well, not so fast.....take a look at the older brother.  The older brother, who had faithfully served his father, who had never left home, who followed the rules.  What was this brother's response to the prodigal's return?  Resentment.  Deep-seated, bone-crushing resentment:  "The older brother became angry and refused to go in......" (v. 28).  Why should his profligate younger brother get all the attention, all the glory?

The father gently tells his older son that "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."  (vs. 31-32)

Luke doesn't tell us what happens next.  Does the older brother see the father's perspective?  Or does he continue to wallow in self-pity and self-righteousness?

Who is really the prodigal here?  I strongly recommend you read the excellent short book by Tim Keller on this passage, entitled Prodigal God. http://www.timothykeller.com/books/the-prodigal-god

Keller offers a fresh perspective on this age-old passage and he challenges those of us who have never left our faith to take stock of what we are really clinging to:  is it our rules and our 'goodness?' Are we earning our salvation?  Or are we, like the younger brother, willing to lose everything if only the father will welcome us home?