THE KING’S BIRTHDAY

 Galatians 4:4-5

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

                Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in British history. She was born on April 26, 1926. But as a nation, her birthday is celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year. That day is set aside as a national holiday. There are many official celebrations that take place on that day. Everyone knows that the second Saturday in June is not her “real” birthday, it is just the day that her birthday is officially celebrated.

                On December 25^th we celebrated the birth of Jesus. Theologians and scholars will tell you that Jesus was not born on that date. It is much more likely that he was born in the spring when shepherds would have been out in the fields with their flocks. So why do we celebrate on December 25^th?

                The tradition of celebrating Christ’s birth on Dec. 25 began in 336 AD during the reign of Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor. It coincided with the pagan celebration of Saturn and the winter solstice.  It is likely that the Church was trying to overshadow the pagan holiday and replace it with a Christian holiday.

                Christmas was not always widely celebrated by Christians. The holy days of Epiphany (Jan. 6) and Easter were considered far more important. The Puritans in colonial New England banned the celebration of Christmas. After the Revolutionary War, Christmas was viewed as a British holiday in the colonies and was not recognized. Christmas did not become a national holiday until 1870.

                Some people like to make a big deal out of the reality that Dec. 25 is not the actual date of Jesus’ birth. Some use this to mock Christians, while others see its ties to the old pagan holiday as unspiritual. In reality, both arguments against celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 are, in my opinion, rather lame. The focus of the celebration is not the date, but the child that was born. When the time was right, God sent His son into the world.

                Just as Great Britain celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s birthday on the second Saturday of June, so we celebrate the birth of the King of Kings on Dec. 25. It matters little that it is not the actual date of his birth. What matters is that we recognize the reality that the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

                When the angel appeared to the shepherds, his message was one of great joy. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12) The angel didn’t tell the shepherds to write down this date so you can remember it. He told them that they should go and find the child. That message still rings loud and clear at Christmas. The date is not important. What is important is that we go and find the child for ourselves.  

                For most people, the Christmas season transforms their lives, at least for a time. Whether a person is a believer in Jesus or not, they sense a spirit of generosity and good will. Acts of kindness flourish. For a time, the light of hope and joy fills our world. For many people that light fades when the presents are opened and the Christmas tree is discarded. But it doesn’t have to be that way. For those who seek out the King, their lives will be transformed for all of eternity. They will experience the truth that the shepherds discovered on that first Christmas.

    So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:16-18)

    The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)

                Dec.25 is the day that we celebrate the birthday of the King. For those who have actually taken the time to encounter Him, all of life is transformed. Every day becomes a celebration of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Whatever the actual date of the birth of Jesus, He came right on time, just as God had planned it. 

 

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

 

 

UNEXPECTED INFLUENCER

 1 Timothy 4:12

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

                 A couple of months ago I received a message from my past. A friend from my days at Stoney Glen Camp reached out to me. I had not been in contact with him since I left High School. It was great to reconnect. I shared with him how much his friendship had meant to me and what a major influence he had been in my life. His response: “I never knew all of that.” His honest response reminded me of a truth that I was taught many years ago. We are never fully aware of who we are influencing.

                I had had a similar experience quite a few years ago. I was at a reunion at Stoney Glen Camp and a young man came up to me. “Do you remember me? I was in your cabin at camp. Your influence guided me to go into pastoral ministry.” I did not remember the young man, or what I had told him. I was totally oblivious to the influence I had had on his life.

                Often, we go through life blind to the impact we are making in other people’s lives. As a pastor, I have always felt the tension of not knowing the outcome of my ministry. Having served in a University town, I have seen many young people come and go through the doors of our church. Yet, in the vast majority of cases, I have no idea what direction their lives have taken. When I retired from that church, many people expressed their thanks for the influence I had had in their lives. I was humbled and surprised by what they said. For the most part I was unaware of the impact I was having on them.

                When I was just a teenager, I attended a leadership training conference for Christian Service Brigade. During one of the talks the speaker made a comment that has remained with me ever since. He told us that we don’t have a choice of whether or not we will influence others’ lives. The only choice we have is whether our influence will be positive or negative. Someone is always watching you and will make life decisions based on what they see.

                When Paul wrote to Timothy, he encouraged Timothy to be an example for all the believers. In essence, Paul was telling Timothy that others were watching him. The way that he lived out his faith would have a major influence in their lives. Like Timothy, we all need to be reminded that we do not live our lives in a vacuum. Whether we realize it or not, others are watching. Their faith will be influenced by what they see in us. As someone has said, you may be the only Bible someone reads.

                What it boils down to is how we live our daily lives matters. It matters to God and it matters in the lives of those around us. We have the opportunity to be a positive, God honoring influence in the lives of those we come in contact with. We may never see the outcome of our influence, but that does not diminish it. We are to be an example, not just to other believers, but also to the “not yet” believers who are all around us. The decisions we make, the actions we take, will speak loudly to those who are watching. And they are watching.

                More than ever, we need to be salt and light in our world. People are discouraged. People are confused. Many people are looking for hope in the darkness. We have a chance to bring the light of Christ into their lives. We can do it by living lives worthy of Christ. We may not know until eternity what a difference we have made in the lives of those around us.

Ephesians 4:1-2

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

 

HAVING CONFIDENCE IN THE FINAL OUTCOME

 Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

                I have been rereading Larry Osborne’s book Thriving in Babylon. As a regular part of my devotions, I was directed to read the passage above in Matthew 16. Then I opened Larry’s book and turned to the chapter I was to read that day and discovered that he was writing about the same passage. I don’t think it was a coincidence. It was a divine reminder that God is still in control.

                I have been struggling with the way some people within the church have been responding to our current pandemic. Some have chosen to ignore the warnings from health experts and have continued as if it is business as usual. Others have taken up the conspiracy banner and are claiming that this Covid-19 outbreak is a direct attack against the church by the liberal left. During a time when our nation is radically polarized, some in the church have chosen to pour gas on the flames instead of being salt and light in a dark time. It is time are us all to stop, take a breath, and remember who is ultimately in control of all that is going on.

                Thriving in Babylon is based on the experience of Daniel and his Babylonian captivity.  Judah was carried off into exile not because their army wasn’t strong enough, but because they were being disciplined by God. As Osborne points out, Daniel and his friends were caught up in the backwash of other people’s sins. It is clear that Daniel was a righteous man, yet he still had to go through the trials of being carried off to Babylon. Instead of being devastated by his circumstances, Daniel’s faith was refined. He actually thrived in the midst of this extremely difficult time. Not only did Daniel thrive personally, God used him to influence the entire Babylonian empire.

                Too often, we who live in America, forget who we are in Christ and who is really in charge of our world. We give lip service to the sovereignty of God, but when things don’t go our way, we panic. I don’t know exactly what God has in mind for us during this current situation, but one thing I can say for sure is that God wants to use it to refine and strengthen His church. He wants us to be salt and light during this difficult time.

                There are many people we are looking for some kind of light at the end of the tunnel during this time. We have the key to genuine hope that can weather any storm. It is found in Jesus. But if we panic and circle our wagons, we dim the light of the gospel so that others remain in the dark.  Now is not the time to hide, it is the time to lead the way.

                Larry points out that many us (me included) have had the wrong impression about Jesus’ words in Matthew 16. We often interpret this verse to mean that we will be protected from Satan’s attacks. The reality is the opposite. We have been called to be on the offensive, not the defensive. Satan is the one who is trying to protect himself from behind locked gates, but those gates are no match for the power of God through Jesus Christ. This is not a time to live in fear and doubt. It is a time to be bold and positive. It is time to offer real hope to the many people who feel defeated and hopeless.

                Like Daniel, we may be heading into Babylon, but that is not the end of the story. It is an opportunity for our faith to be refined and strengthened. We know the end of the story. We know the final outcome; we win. That is not is doubt. So we can face whatever will come with confidence and courage. That doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. It does mean that we should never panic. Just as God was with Daniel, so He will be with us, no matter what our circumstances look like.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

 

Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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                I highly recommend Thriving in Babylon by Larry Osborne. It is a timely read for the days we are in right now.

   

Preparing for a Quiet Christmas

 

Luke 2:1-7

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

                Christmas is a big event in most people’s lives. Many people began planning for Christmas well before Thanksgiving. In a normal year, our calendars are filled with various Christmas programs and pageants. We look forward to spending a festive time with family and friends. Not so this year. The pandemic has put most of our plans on hold, if not postponed until next year. It will be a quiet Christmas this year.

                The circumstances around Mary being pregnant with Jesus were unusual to say the least. But after Joseph embraced Mary as his wife, I am sure that they looked forward with great anticipation to the birth of their first child. The birth of a child was always a festive occasion. The entire community would gather to celebrate. Not so on the first Christmas.

                Mary and Joseph probably wanted a low-key event. Not that they weren’t excited, but the majority of people would not have understood their circumstances. The last thing that they wanted was complications, but that is exactly what they got. Instead of settling in to their home in anticipation of the birth, they were forced to take a road trip to Bethlehem. Instead of welcoming their son into the world in familiar surroundings, they had to make do with the stable at an over-crowded inn. Instead of being surrounded by family and friends, they were surrounded by strangers.

                Christmas will be anything but “normal” this year. It is very possible that we will celebrate Christmas on our own, or with only part of our family. Like most other people, we have decorated our home for Christmas, yet it is possible that no one but us will get to enjoy it. We have been doing the “traditional’ Christmas shopping, but we may not have the joy of watching our gifts being opened. We are anticipating a very quiet Christmas. Maybe that is not too bad.

                Last night we watched Bethel University’s Festival of Christmas. Because of the pandemic, this annual event took place without an audience. Yet the message of Christmas came through loud and clear. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

                From a human perspective, the birth of Jesus was less than ideal. From God’s perspective, it was perfect. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5) God orchestrated every detail of the birth of Jesus to set the stage for His redeeming work in the world. Through the amazing miracle of the incarnation, God became present with us in tangible form.

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2)

    The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

                From our perspective, this Christmas will be far from ideal. But from God's perspective, it may be perfect. This Christmas may be exactly what God has planned for us. 

                I enjoy everything about Christmas. I enjoy cutting a Christmas tree and decorating it. I enjoy buying presents and giving them to those I love. I enjoy the anticipation and excitement of Christmas morning. But all of these things can obscure the true significance of Christmas, if we are not careful. Maybe what we really need is a quiet Christmas, so that we can focus on what is really important.

1 John 1:1-4

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

 

   

LEARNING FROM HISTORY

1 Corinthians 10:11

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

                 It has been said in various ways that those who refuse to learn the lessons from history are doomed to repeat them. I believe we are in one of those situations.

                The Korean War took place between June 1950-July 1953. North Korea invaded South Korea. In response, the United Nations sent troops to assist the South Koreans. General Douglas MacArthur was placed in over all command of the UN forces. After some initial setbacks, the UN forces where able to push the North Korean army back. Buoyed by this success, General MacArthur decided to push all the way to the Chinese border, in an attempt to completely eliminate the North Korean threat.

                General MacArthur and his staff were convinced that their enemy was defeated and could easily be overcome. What they did not know was that China had entered the fray with a massive army. In September of 1950, MacArthur ordered his troops to advance at all speed to the Yalu River; the border with China. He sent the First Marine Division north to the Chosin Reservoir. His second in command, General Almond, strung out the Marines over a 30-mile stretch along the one main road north to the border. What General MacArthur and General Almond did not know was that the Chinese army had laid a trap for the Marines, which they sprung with cruel efficiency.

                Throughout the early days of this battle, MacArthur’s staff continued to convince him that the enemy was weak and should easily be overcome. Those on the ground knew differently. They continually sent urgent messages to MacArthur’s staff reporting the overwhelming odds they were facing. These reports were discounted as defeatism. They were ordered to continue to push forward. The outcome was the loss of many lives.

                We are in a battle of a different sort today. We are not fighting an enemy army, but a pervasive virus that has the potential to devastate us. Yet many people today continue to hold onto false ideas about the threat. They want to downplay it and continue to push ahead. They are convinced that enemy is weak and we can overcome it. They are choosing to hang onto what they want things to be like. In the face of this, we are receiving daily messages from those who are on the front lines. They are pleading with us to take this pandemic seriously. The enemy we face of formidable and indiscriminate. Our hospitals and medical staffs are being overwhelmed.

                If General MacArthur had listened to the Generals on the front lines, the outcome of the Chosin Reservoir encounter would have been very different. Because he refused to listen, lives were lost. We all need to stop listening to the wishful thinking of those who tell us that we have nothing to worry about. We need to listen to those who are on the front lines. What they are asking of us may be inconvenient and uncomfortable at times, but if we take realistic steps, we can save lives. It is as simple as that.

                So I want to learn the lesson of the Chosin Reservoir. Listen to those closest to the conflict. Wear a mask in public. Keep your distance from others when you have to go out. Don’t gather in large groups. Stay home if you can. Do your part to stop this enemy from spreading.

Philippians 1:9-11

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

  

CAN FAITH WEATHER DOUBT?

 Mark 9:24

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

                 I have often resonated with the exclamation of the father in Mark 9. He had brought his son to the disciples so that they could heal him, but the disciples failed. When Jesus arrived, the father pleaded with Him to do something. In his doubt and disappointment, he expressed his desire. If you can do something, please do it. Jesus responded by challenging the man’s doubts. The man’s response was honest and sincere. He believed that Jesus could heal his son, but he had doubts about whether Jesus would heal his son.

                I think many of our doubts come out of fear and disappointment. We are desperate for God to step in and help us, but we are afraid that He will not. Things don’t turn out the way we want them to, so we are disappointed and doubt that God cares about us. Theoretically we know that our doubts are unfounded, but in the heat of the moment they loom large. I know that God cares and that He is all powerful, but will He act on my behalf?

                I have been reading Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Faith. In the final interview recorded in the book, Lee tackles the question of doubt. His basic question is, can doubt and faith coexist? Does doubt negate faith? The answer that he arrived at is yes doubt and faith can coexist and no doubt does not cancel out faith.

                Ultimately, our faith is based on the character of the object of our faith; Jesus Christ. Knowing what we know about Jesus’ character, we choose to trust Him, even when we have doubts. We don’t have to have all the answers before we act in faith. We just have to have enough evidence to step forward.

                As I think about the interplay of faith and doubt, I am reminded of two major times in my life when I had to step out in faith in the face of fears and doubt. The first was a ministry trip to the Philippines. Just before we were scheduled to leave for the trip, there was a spate of terrorist attacks throughout the Philippines. The question arose about whether or not we should go. Feeling that God wanted us to fulfill this mission, we all decided to move ahead. This step of faith didn’t remove all of the fear and doubt, but it did demonstrate trust in God’s leading.

                The second event happened shortly after 9/11. The question was, should we fly to Ukraine to fulfill our commitment to run Day Camps for our sister churches over there? For me, the fear and doubt did not arise before we left, but on the way home. At the outset of the trip, my mind was preoccupied with all of the details of getting our teams ready and getting them into Ukraine. It was on the way home that doubt crept in.

                I walked down the corridor and out onto the tarmac heading for the plane. I ascending the steps that led up into the body of the plane. Making my way down the cramped aisle to my seat, the thought came into my mind that if a terrorist wanted to take over a plane, it would be at this end of the trip. The flight from Kiev to Amsterdam went smoothly, but when I boarded the plane in Amsterdam the fear and doubt hit me full force. What if there was a terrorist aboard? At that moment, I had to trust God with the outcome. In both cases, even though I had doubts, I cast my lot with faith and trust in God.

                Doubt can play one of two roles in our faith. Doubt can either immobilize us or it can energize us. Many people allow their doubts to defeat them. Because of their doubts, they refuse to act. Instead of stepping out in faith, they choose to withdraw. On the other hand, many people use their doubts as a catalyst to explore their faith more fully. Instead of withdrawing, they dig deeper to look for answers to their doubts. They examine the cause of their doubts. They choose to step out in faith even when their doubts remain. Every person who is afraid of flying, yet still gets on the plane is an example of this kind of faith.

                There are many times in life when God asks us to get on the plane in the face of our fears and doubts. Sometimes our fears are realized, most of the time they are not. Yet even when our fears become reality, faith gives us the courage to continue to move forward. Abram left his homeland out of faith, even though he did not know where God was leading him. Joshua led the people of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, even in the face of formidable enemies, because he trusted God. Peter stood up in the Temple courts and preached the Gospel, even in the face of the threats from the very people who had crucified Jesus. Paul traveled throughout Asia Minor preaching the Gospel, even though he knew he would face much resistance. Many missionaries have left their homeland to share the good news of the Gospel in a foreign land, with not guarantee of success. All of these people faced doubts, but chose to act in faith.

                Doubt is a normal part of our faith journey. A faith that never encounters some doubt is a superficial, unexamined faith. God allows us to face doubt in order to strengthen our faith, not to damage it. We can choose to focus on our doubts or we can choose to focus on the one who can overcome our doubts.

Hebrews 11:1-2

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

 

IN THE GARDEN

 Philippians 3:10-11

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

                When I was a boy, one of my favorite hymns was “In the Garden.” The first verse sets the stage for the song.

I come to the garden alone.

While the dew is still on the roses.

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

the Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me

and He talks with me.

And He tells me I am his own.

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

none other has even known.

 

                When I was in seminary, one of my professors stated that He didn’t like that hymn because he felt that it taught bad theology. During this pandemic, that hymn has come back to me. It may express bad theology, from an academic perspective, but it resonates with my heart. It expresses an intimacy with Jesus that I have longed for all of my life. It is an intimacy that we all need more than ever right now.

                Since we moved to Michigan, we have been unable to connect with a church in a meaningful way. Recently, I was privileged to provide pulpit supply for a church. As I prepared for those messages, I was energized. As I gave those messages, I felt purposeful and alive. I was experiencing a connection with Christ that has been missing.

                The intensely individual expression of connection with Christ in the hymn can be dangerous. It can lead us into an unhealthy “just me and Jesus” mentality that excludes our need for others. But this hymn, for me, also kindles a deep longing to be close to Christ. It was a longing that Paul clearly expressed in Philippians 3. He summarized all of his accomplishments as nothing compared with knowing Christ intimately.

                Unless we are cultivating our personal walk with Christ, our corporate experience will be hollow. It will be based on feelings and uplifting experiences. We can unconsciously look to other people to fill the place that Jesus wants to have in our lives. Our focus can shift from Christ to what we can get from our fellowship with other believers. Genuine corporate worship is fueled by genuine personal worship. When Jesus called His first disciples, he didn’t call them into an organization or a group. He called them to follow Him.

                In John 1, we read about Andrew and Philip’s first encounter with Jesus.

                The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. (John 1:35-39)

                When Andrew and Philip asked Jesus about where He lived, they were really asking, who are you? Jesus responded with an invitation with spend time with Him. I think Jesus offers us the same invitation. As we go through our days, He invites us to walk with Him and to talk with Him. He invites us to know that He cares about us as individuals, not just as a number in the crowd.

                The corporate nature of the Church is an essential component. Throughout the New Testament we are instructed to connect with other believers, to worship together, to serve together, to impact our world together. We are the Body of Christ. At the same time, we need to know that Jesus values us as individuals as well. None of us is insignificant.

                One of the casualties of this pandemic has been relationships. We are isolated from one another not just physically, but socially and emotionally as well. But there is one relationship that this pandemic cannot touch. It is our relationship with Christ. With so many of the normal activities of life shut down, this is a prime time to head to the garden for walks with Jesus.

Romans 8:35-39

    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

    "For your sake we face death all day long;

        we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

THE GREAT REVEAL

 

1 Corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 

                This is an interesting time of the year. As summer has given away to autumn and eventually to winter, a dramatic transformation has taken place. Things that have been hidden all summer by the lush green leaves of trees and shrubs are now being revealed. As I have been running on the bike path near to me, I have noticed a number of bird’s nests tucked into the crook of trees and shrubs. They were hidden all summer, but are now plain to see. I have also noticed several downed trees in our woods that have been hidden all summer. My new neighbor shared with me that an old enclosure made out of corrugated steel had become visible from his kitchen window. It was an eyesore that he is in the process of dismantling.

                During this time of the year, not only have things been revealed in nature, but in our society as well. During this pandemic, many of the things that have masked things in our society have been stripped away. What has been revealed is at times beautiful and at times not so beautiful.

                We have seen many people reaching out to help others during this difficult time. They have been exploring creative ways to bridge the gap caused by social distancing. There have been many expressions of love and compassion expressed toward those who are struggling the most during this challenging time.

                On the other hand, negative things that have been hidden for a long time have come to the surface. The social unrest and political rancor that we have experienced are only the most obvious reveals. In less dramatic ways, this difficult time has revealed the hearts of people.

                In contrast to acts of compassion, we have seen a rise in selfishness. Recently a restaurant here in Michigan chose to continue to offer in-house dining, in direct defiance of the government’s directives against it. When interviewed about this, some of the participants declared that no one has the right to tell them what they can and cannot do.

                This expression of selfishness is not limited to secular society. It has been revealed within the church as well. In a less blatant way, many churches have demonstrated their inward focus by refusing to abide by the government directives. At a time when the health department is pleading with people to avoid meeting together in large crowds, some churches continue to meet together for worship. At a time when the health department is pleading with people to wear a mask to protect themselves and others, some Christians are refusing to wear a mask. What these actions say to a secular world is that the Church doesn’t really care about the community. Their focus is on themselves.

                My wife saw a post the other day that brings this issue to a head. It read, if you are unwilling to wear a piece of cloth on your face to protect others, don’t talk to me about your Jesus. That statement should be a wakeup call to all Christians. What do our actions say to the world around us about our faith?

                None of us like the restrictions that we are faced with. Life would be easier if we did not have to endure them. But in the face of this pandemic, what is the biblical thing to do? Paul clearly answers that question in Philippians 2:3-4. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

                Jesus made it clear that He expects us to focus first on our relationship with God and then on our relationship with others. Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)

                Throughout history, it has been the difficult times that have revealed to true heart of people. Challenging times have also revealed the true heart of the Church. As Americans, we are quick to claim our rights, but as Christians we have submitted those rights to Christ. Our greatest obligation is to live our lives in such a way as to reveal Christ within us. The question we all need to ask ourselves is, during this difficult time, what is being revealed in my life?

1 Peter 2:12

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

TO COMPLY OR NOT

 

1 Peter 2:13-14

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 

                This past Sunday Michigan’s Governor and State Health officials issued new restrictions in an attempt to slow the spread of Covid-19. One of those restrictions was the prohibition of indoor gatherings for the next three weeks. That prohibition placed me in an awkward position. I was scheduled to preach next Sunday at a local church. Gathering for public worship, although not specifically mentioned in the prohibition, would be in violation of the intent of the new directive. I chose to comply with the directive and opted out of the preaching engagement. I know that there are those who would disagree with my choice, but I believe I have a moral and spiritual obligation to comply.

                During this pandemic, many churches have chosen to defy the directives from the government regarding prescribed precautions. I believe that this has hurt the witness of the church. The government directives are not an attack on our religious freedom, they are an attempt to deal with a very serious health crisis. The directives apply to everyone. They are not targeting churches. When churches choose not to comply, it sends the wrong message to those outside of the church. It says that we do not care for the welfare of our community or our nation. It implies that we are above the law.

                There are times when the church must take a stand and defy those in authority. This is not one of them. Instead, this is an opportunity for us to influence our world in a positive way. Instead of resisting the current directives, we should be leading the way, setting a good example. I believe that we have a moral obligation to cooperate with those in authority, unless they are directly attacking the Gospel.

                Both Peter and Paul told their people to obey those in authority over them. As Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the faith, he directed Timothy to uphold those in authority in prayer. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Paul was telling Timothy to support those in authority, rather than resist them, so that the Gospel might go forward. I believe that Paul would tell us to pray for those in authority over us during these challenging times; that they would have wisdom and discernment to make wise decisions.

                In Romans 13, Paul specifically calls the church to submit to those in authority, even though at the time when Paul wrote that letter the church was being persecuted by those in authority. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2) Notice carefully that Paul says that rebelling against those in authority is rebellion against God.

                Peter echoes Paul’s words when he too calls for the church to submit to those in authority. He makes the case that by submitting to those in authority we can have a positive influence in society. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:15-17) Obeying those in authority gives us a platform to speak to our community. Resisting those in authority could lead to even greater and more targeted restrictions against the church.

                We are living in unprecedented times. Our nation is racked with social unrest, political unrest, and a global pandemic that is not going to go away anytime soon. The Church has an opportunity to speak into these situations; to be a calming influence. We hold the key to genuine peace and wholeness. But few people will listen to our message if we are viewed as belligerent and obstructive. It is time for us to set aside our pride and humble ourselves, first before God, and then before those in authority. If we will do that, we will win in the end.

James 4:10

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 

A RANDOM WORLD?

 

Genesis 1:1

  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

                I have been reading Lee Strobel’s book The Case for Faith. In the chapter that I read this morning he tackled the question of the origin of life. Through a conversation with Walter L. Bradley PhD, he took a serious look at each of the current theories for the origin of life. Each theory seems promising at first glance, but upon further investigation comes up short of giving a definitive answer to the origin of life.

                At the heart of all of the theories about the origin of life is the concept of random chance. Somehow, given enough time, the inert elements of earth were able to organize themselves into animate life without the aid of any outside force. I want to take a closer look at this idea.

                Scramble is a word game that consists of a collection of letters that players use to create words and earn points. What are the chances that a person could create a single word by putting all of the letters in a bag, shaking them, and pouring them out onto the table? If you did that, the letters would land in many different ways. Some of the tiles would be upside down and so the letter would not be visible. Some of the letters would be upside down and others would be right side up. It is possible that, if you did this multiple times, a single word might be formed; that the letters would land side by side in the right order without your help. But what are the odds that when you poured out the letters that they formed not a word, but a complete sentence. The odds are so astronomical that no matter how many times you poured out the letters it would be virtually impossible. Remember, you cannot rearrange the letters in any way. All you can do is pour them out. Now here is the real heart of the problem. If all of the letters are in the box, what is the chance that they, on their own, would form even a single word without your help? That is the problem with all of the current theories of the origin of life. Each of them requires some outside force to move the pieces into place.

                God has designed our world to point to Himself. He has created such complexity and diversity that cannot be explained by random chance or chemical reactions or radiation from outer space. The world in which we live demands a creator; an Intelligent Designer. As Paul states it in Romans 1:18-20, The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

                I need to address one point that tends to muddy the waters for many people. It is the difference between micro-evolution and macro-evolution. Micro-evolution is what Charles Darwin observed and wrote about. It is the gradual adaptation of a species within that species. Micro-evolution is a fact that can be observed and verified. It is a part of the mechanism that God put in place to sustain life on planet earth. Macro-evolution is the idea that all life evolved from a single cell organism. That over time and through random chance, life on planet earth gradually changed into all of the diverse creatures we now see on earth. This is a theory that cannot be proved and that has no basis in what we actually see in our world.

                In general, our world moves from order to disorder; not the other way around. Mutations usually have negative effects, not positive ones. And no one has ever been able to demonstrate conclusively the mutation of one species into a completely different species. Adaptation within species is an observable reality. Microbe to man evolution is an impossibility, no matter how many billions of years are given.

                All of this to say that we do not live in a random world, but in a well-designed, well-tuned world that has been created by God for our benefit. If we will open our eyes, the diversity and the complexity of our world point us to God. If we refuse to allow God to be in the equation, we are left with darkness; an unanswerable question that the more we explore, the more confounding it becomes.

Psalm 19:1-4a

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

 

RESPONDING TO JESUS’ VOICE

 

John 10:3-4

The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

                 The other night I was watching a TV show called “Death in Paradise.” In one scene, one of the police officers called to a young boy who was selling sunglasses on the street and immediately the boy ran away. In another scene, that same police officer called to his partner in a crowd and they moved toward their colleague. The question is, why did the two people respond differently. In the case of the young boy, he assumed, incorrectly, that he was in trouble, so he ran. In the case of the colleague, they knew the other officer and responded positively.  

                In a similar way, this is how people respond to God. Many people see God in the same way that young boy saw the police officer. When God calls to them, they run away because they assume they are in trouble. The young boy was selling knock-off sunglasses. Knowing that that was wrong, he ran away. The Gospel of John tells us that that is how many people respond to God. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20) We have all found ourselves in that position. When we have done something wrong, we do everything in our power to keep from getting exposed. We will avoid contact with others and hide our actions. We try to do the same with God.

                On the other hand, when a person has developed a personal relationship with God, they respond to His call in a positive way. As John says, “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:21) Having a relationship with God through Jesus changes the way we respond. Even though we may have done something wrong, we still have the confidence to approach God. Our relationship, which is based on God’s unfathomable love, negates fear. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18) We know that God is willing to forgive us and restore us if we will come to Him. If we try to hide from Him, we will continue to carry our guilt and shame. We will live in the darkness of unforgiven sin.

                In John 10, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He talks about the relationship that He has with His sheep. He knows His sheep by name and they know His voice. Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus respond to His voice. They know that the shepherd wants what is best for them. They trust Him to lead them into safe pastures, to provide for them what they need, to protect them from harm. But the person who does not have a relationship with Jesus responds to His voice in fear. For them, Jesus is a stranger and so they run away.

                In the scenes from “Death is Paradise”, the young boy responded in fear because the police officer was a stranger to him. The other officer responded positively because the officer who called to him was a friend. How do you respond when Jesus calls your name?

John 1:10-12

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--

 

HAVE WE MADE SCIENCE OUR GOD?

 

Isaiah 55:8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the Lord.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

                I am not anti-science. Actually, I have loved the study of science all of my life. When I was a boy, I had a microscope set and I used to do “experiments” on my own. I remember going to the store and marveling at the science equipment for sale there. That interest in science led me to get a degree in biology and in Medical Laboratory Technology. While at college, I was the most engaged when I was in the biology lab doing some experiment.

                Unfortunately, many people today have allowed science to replace God in their life. During this contentious Presidential campaign, the Democratic party has used the phrase “look at the science” as a rallying call. I understand the context in which they are using this, but what underlies it is an unwavering faith in science as the end all be all of life.

                When it comes to faith in God, many people retort with “look at the science.” For them, science has replaced the need for God. Science can or will soon explain everything. At least that is what people like Richard Dawkins want us to believe. “Look at the science” is a call to look away from God. Secular scientists today will look for any explanation to an issue except the supernatural. They refuse to even consider that there might be a force outside of our control that is ultimately in control. Some of these people are even willing to consider that aliens from another planet are the cause of some things, but unwilling to consider that God might need to be in the equation.

                I believe that God is the God of science. Our ability to examine, explore, and explain our world is all part of being made in the image of God. God gave us this ability, not so we could figure things out on our own, but to make us more aware of Himself. In the past, science has led to a greater awareness of and awe for God. Science has been given to us as a gift from God. As it says in Colossians 1:15-17, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. John echoes Paul’s words in John 1:3. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Science is not our enemy. It is a gift from God.

                Satan has commandeered this amazing gift from God and twisted it into something else. In reality, it is just another version of his temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden. He told them that if they eat of the fruit of the tree, they would become like God. Now he has convinced many that if they put their faith in Science, they will become God. Science can explain everything. Science is the way of the future. Science eliminates the need for God.

                God is not shaken by this turn of events. He still uses science to awaken people to Himself. But He also confounds those who place their faith in Science. Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians 1. 

    For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

    Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

                Science is an amazing tool that God has given us to explore and understand our world. But Science is a horrible god. It fosters human egotism, which leads to a rejection of the God of creation. We need to utilize science to the best of our ability, but we need to beware of letting the gift of science take the place of the Gift Giver.  

THE PROBLEM OF FAITH

     And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

                Recently the question of faith came to the forefront of my thinking. What is faith? What does it mean to have faith?

                In one generic sense, we all exercise faith every day. We get up in the morning and turn on the shower, having faith that hot water will cascade out and invigorate us. We get in our cars and drive 70 mph on the highway, having faith that the other drivers will obey the rules of the road. We get on an airplane, which will take us across the country, having faith that it will safely get us to our destination.

                In one sense, faith is trust in something. Given some basic information, we trust an object to do what it is supposed to do. We don’t have all the information about that thing, but we have enough information to trust it. We also trust people and institutions to do what they are supposed to do. We don’t know all that goes on in another person’s mind or behind the closed doors of an institution. But based on what we do know, we place our trust in them. When they fail to live up to what we expect, we lose our faith in them.

                Faith is at the very core of our spiritual experience. As Hebrews 11 states, without faith it is impossible to please God. Genuine, biblical faith is more that just believing that God exists, but also believing that God is for us, that He wants what is best for us. Biblical faith is not general or generic, it is personal and intimate. It embraces the concept that God wants to have a relationship with us.

                So how do we know that our faith is not misplaced? Faith is a tricky thing. Faith asks us to make a decision without all of the facts. Faith is not certainty, in the sense that the object of our faith is indisputable. Faith is weighing the evidence that we have and choosing to trust.

                God has revealed himself to us in three ways. He has revealed Himself through the created world. As the Psalmist says, the heavens declare the glory of God. Many people have put their faith in a god based on what they see in the created world around them. Many others have looked at the same world and have rejected God. God has revealed Himself through His revealed word. Over the centuries He has spoken to us through prophets and apostles. We have this information recorded for us in the Bible. Many people have read the Bible and placed their faith in the God of the Bible. Yet, others have rejected the Bible as a manmade myth with no credibility. Finally, God has revealed Himself through the incarnation; the person of Jesus. The life and teachings of Jesus are the most complete and convincing information we have about God. Many people have examined the life of Jesus and come to faith in God. Others have examined the life of Jesus and rejected God.

                The problem of faith is that our knowledge is limited. We have just enough information to make a choice. Based on what we know we can choose to believe in God by faith or we can choose to reject God. Faith itself is an important aspect of humanity’s free will. God could have created us in such a way that there would be no doubt about His existence. Instead, He chose to allow us to choose to believe in Him or not. I believe that He did this out of genuine love for us.

                If I placed another person in a position where they cannot choose to love me, then is their response really love? If God revealed Himself in such a way that there could be no doubt, then would our faith be faith or something else very different?

                The choices we make in life shape who we are. The things we choose to place our faith in set the course of our life. If we choose to place our faith in the absence of God, then our lives will take a certain direction. If we choose to place our faith in the reality of God, then our life will head in a very different direction.

                There are many objections that can be raised against the existence of God. But there is also much evidence for the existence of God. Lee Strobel, in his book, The Case for Faith, does a masterful job of sorting through the evidence. But in the end, each of us must choose for ourselves. We all have access to the same bank of knowledge and information. Our knowledge is finite and limited, therefore, at some point, we all must take a leap of faith. Either we will leap into the arms of God or we will leap into the darkness of the unknown. The choice is ours. That is what it means to have faith.

    Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

 

BEING AN EVERYDAY CHRISTIAN

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

                One of the things that retirement gives to a person is time. Up to this point in my life, my time has been dominated by either school or work. These dictated how I would use my time. Now, in retirement, my time is my own. It is up to me how I use my time.

                I have been thinking a lot about what it means for me to live out my faith in retirement. Up to this point, my days have been focused on religious activities. I spent my time reading spiritual books, preparing Bible studies and sermons, counseling people, leading small groups, and preaching. My job was faith focused and so I felt that I was living the Christian life. But now that I am not doing all of those things, what does it mean for me to live the Christian life?

                The vast majority of Christians in the world live their lives within a secular environment. They do not work within the Church as an occupation. Instead, they are plumbers, carpenters, store clerks, factory workers, doctors and lawyers. Much of their day is consumed by activities that would not be considered to be spiritual. So, what does it mean to be an everyday Christian in our world? How do we live out our faith on a daily basis?

                I don’t believe that a person has to be involved in some kind of religious activity to live out their faith. When God created Adam and Eve, He did not give them a church building to maintain, but a garden. God wants us to live out our faith in the world around us, not just inside the walls of a church building. So, what does that look like.

                When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He responded with a two-fold agenda for living the Christian life. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

                If I love another person, I will do what pleases them. To love God on a daily basis is to live a life that would please Him. That means doing my best at whatever I do. It means being conscientious. It also means living with God in mind. It is not just living a moral life, but living a life aligned with the values and purposes of God. It is living in relationship with Christ in practical ways. Paul challenged the Colossians, and us, to see our “jobs” as an act of service for Christ. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:22-24)

                The second half of Jesus’ response makes living the Christian life very practical. We are to love others as ourselves. Jesus said that the way that others will know we are His disciples is if we love one another as He has loved us. This means that we are to seek the best for the community in which we live. We are to seek the best for the people we come in contact with. Paul called this living a life worthy of our calling. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:1-2) A few verses later Paul again gives us some practical guidance for being an everyday Christian.

    Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

    Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:25-32)

    Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

                Bottom-line, being an everyday Christian means living in the constant reality that God is not just watching, but that He is walking beside us in everything that we do. It is consciously doing everything for the glory of God.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:10-12)

 

GETTING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

 

Isaiah 55:8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the Lord.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

                We were driving in the countryside the other evening when the moon began to rise in the east. It was a magnificent full moon. Later, it illuminated our backyard with its soft light. As I watched the moon in its ascendancy, I was struck by how our perspective shapes our understanding.

                Today, even though we know that the earth revolves around the sun and not the other way around, we still speak of the sun and the moon rising in the east and setting in the west. From our perspective the sun and moon move across the sky as we stay in one place. But when astronauts travel in space, they see the world from a totally different perspective. The world, which seems so large to us, because relatively small as viewed from space.

                We view our life on earth from an earthly perspective. We interpret what happens in life from the vantage point of daily life. Therefore, we deem things good or bad based on our perspective of the world. Like ancient peoples, we view ourselves as the center of the universe and all else revolves around us. Even though we acknowledge that this perspective is not true, we still tend to live that way. We interpret events, big and small, in relationship to how they affect us. In many ways, we have a very narrow perspective on life.

                As a believer in Christ, we become aware that there is a totally different perspective from which to view life. That is an eternal perspective, or better yet, God’s perspective. God is more like the astronauts who can view the whole of earth at one time. God sees all that there is; that which is visual to us and that which is not. He can see how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together, while we are limited to seeing only our small part of the puzzle. Therefore, God’s perspective is complete, while ours is limited.

                One of the outcomes of placing our faith in Jesus Christ is that we are awakened to God’s perspective. We begin to get a glimpse of the big picture. We can see that things that may look negative on the surface might actually be positive, while things that seem positive on the surface may in fact be negative.

                One of the reasons that Jesus came into the world was to open our eyes to see things from an eternal perspective. Just like those who were willing to challenge the common belief that the sun revolves around the earth, Jesus was willing to challenge the common perspective of His day, and ours. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, six times Jesus challenged the perspective of His audience with the words “you have heard it said, but I say.” Jesus challenges us to embrace an eternal perspective, which will change the way we interact with our world. He wants us to place value on what will last not on what is temporary and vulnerable. As Jesus stated in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

                In the business world, leaders talk about getting the 5000-foot view of situations. People tend to get caught up in the details, or caught in the weeds, as the phrase goes, and lose their perspective. Although the details are important, we need to interpret them from a greater vantage point. Jesus calls us to view our world from a spiritual 5000-foot view; from an eternal perspective. When we do this, we can begin to see how the different pieces of life are supposed to fit together. Temporary gains and pleasures are replaced by long-term gains and benefits. We are able to face the many challenges of life with courage, strength, and endurance. As Paul put it in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

               

AN UPHILL CLIMB

 Romans 7:18

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

                My parents have been visiting us this past week. The other day we took them on a ride up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It was a beautiful autumn drive through forests beginning to burst forth with color. In the park, we stopped at the dune climb area to get a better look at the massive sand dunes, which rise 462 feet above Lake Michigan. We sat in the car and watched groups of people struggle their way up the sand dune. A family of four caught my eye. There was a mom and dad and two small children. The dad carried the baby up the dune, while the mom encouraged the small boy to keep climbing. He would get to his feet and climb up several steps. Then he would fall into the soft sand and slide back a little. Each time he fell, his mom would encourage him to get up and keep climbing.

                As I reflected upon that scene later, I realized how much it illustrated our spiritual journey. When we first put our faith in Christ, we are like the baby in the arms of his father. We are carried ahead in an almost effortless way. But there comes a time when we are placed onto our spiritual feet and encouraged to climb on our own. Our heavenly Father is still right there to encourage us and to pick us up when we fall. But He wants us to make the effort to climb on our own. He knows that that is the only way our spiritual muscles will grow strong. He will not allow us to tumble down the hill, but He will allow us to slip backwards. He wants us to learn to trust in His strength and not our own. He wants us to keep our eyes on Him and not on the climb.

                In Romans 7, Paul talks about his own struggles on his spiritual journey. He is very honest to say that there is a battle going on within himself. His greatest desire is to follow Christ completely, yet he still stumbles and falls along the way. As he says, I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Romans 7:15) Although Paul struggled to overcome the evil within him, he also knew that the grace of God was sufficient to overcome his struggles. In Romans 8:1-2 he triumphantly proclaimed, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

                I can identify with both the little boy climbing the sand dune and with Paul. My own spiritual journey has been a mixture of progress and regress. There are times when my spiritual confidence actually trips me up because I begin to depend on my own effort and not Christ’s strength. There are times when, in frustration, I fall in the sand and slip backwards. Each time that I fall, Christ is right there to pick me up and put me back on my feet. He is continually challenging me to keep my eyes on Him and to exercise my faith in practical ways. Jesus knows that the climb up the spiritual sand dune will be hard, but He has also promised to give us the strength to make the climb. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

                I know that those parents would not leave their little boy stuck half-way up the huge sand dune. I also know that God will not leave me stuck half-way up my own spiritual sand dune. Even though my progress may be slow at times, or even if I slide backwards for a time, I know that Christ will get me to the top, not by my effort, but through His strength.

Philippians 1:4-6

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.