Godly living – Page 29

Even a Booger

²⁰For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:20

Once upon a time, in a very distant church, a young pastor was given the task of providing children’s stories during the Sunday morning worship hour. That pastor was me and I loved it.

It was so much fun to bring spiritual applications to the wide open minds and hearts of children.

It wasn’t hard for me because I grew up believing Romans 1:20. I sang about it in church choir. I can still sing the song. “There is enough of God in nature, his power is clearly shown. A man has no excuse for wandering. God and heaven are known. God and heaven are known.” (You can find the whole musical on youtube: The Apostle-Continental Singers 1973.)

I am wired to see spiritual things in common place things. This is so true one girl told her mom she thought I could make a sermon illustration out of a booger. I probably could, but I’ve refrained and restrained myself.

But it all came back when I was making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

My grandson is in a PBJ phase. But a simple sandwich is not enough for him. He prefers one that looks more like this:

He is happiest with a super thick layer of chunky peanut butter and a thin smear of strawberry jam…and it has to be triple decker.

So can God be seen in a triple decker PBJ sandwich?

I don’t mean like some people see him:

What I referring to is seeing God in the ordinary, the everyday.

What spiritual implication is there in a PBJ? I think we all go through phases where we want to taste and see that God is good (Psalm 34:8), but he wants to be the God of exceedingly, abundantly, above (Ephesians 3:20).

When we reach for all that God is, we find satisfaction and fullness of life.

Where will you see God today?

PRAYER: God of everywhere, thank you for wanting to be seen, wanting to be known. Open my eyes to see you, my ears to hear you…my heart to receive you. Speak to me in the ordinary, plain, and everyday things around me. Amen.

Too Busy

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—
    how fleeting my life is.
⁵You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
    My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
    at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude

⁶We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. Psalm 39:4-6

On the way to work the other morning, I was running behind. Technically, I wasn’t late, but I sure felt rushed.

Too rushed.

When I got to the school crossing I nearly blew through it. At the very last second I saw the crossing guard’s car door open. I glanced across the street and saw three elementary aged children nearing the curb. I slammed on the brakes. The guard nodded my way. I breathed a prayer of thanks.

I was still running behind, but I had a clearer sense of my surroundings…and the need for it.

A couple blocks down the road I came to the Senior Center crosswalk. Rarely do I encounter anyone crossing the road, but on that day it looked the bingo crowd was heading in! I stopped, smiled, and waited.

I was probably 10 minutes later to work than I wanted to be. But I was surprised by how peaceful I felt.

I felt good about not rushing. Slowing down. Taking time to notice…appreciate…to just simply see the things around me.

As I walked to the building, I noticed the blue sky. I heard a bird song. I felt the breeze. All things I would have missed if I raced to the door, fumbling with my bags, and searching for my key.

I know in my head rushing may get me to the destination, but I don’t enjoy the going.

And the scripture is clear: all our rushing gets us nothing.

We certainly can’t see God, nor experience life fully, the way he intended.

So what will it take to slow you down? A crosswalk was a good reminder for me.

Who Will They See?

²⁰Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. ²¹They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” ²²Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. (John 12:20-22)

As I was looking for a picture to put here at the end of yesterday’s post, I started humming the gospel song, “You May Be the Only Bible Some May Ever Read.” Allowing his light to shine through our broken places and his love to spill out of our hearts is key to living so others can see Jesus in you and me. And what if our encounters are the only encounters they have with God?

People won’t be as formal in their request to see Jesus as they were with Phillip. They will watch for a long time. They want to see if what we say we believe will be consistently portrayed in our lives. They’re watching for inconsistencies and discrepancies.

But I think they want to see more. Oh, I’m not naive enough to think everyone will be hoping to see more, but there are those people out there, hungry for hope, who will be watching us. Instead of anticipating failure, they’re hoping to see that God can and does make a difference.

This is what we need to be showing. This is why the Greeks came to Jesus. They weren’t coming like the Pharisees hoping to trip or trick Jesus. These men knew Jesus had something and they wanted it.

Take care friend, you really may be the Living Word for someone today. How will they read your life?

Bucket Theory

⁴⁵A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 6:45, NLT)

The cold water feed does not work on our washer. We have had repairmen look it. My husband has torn it apart, replaced parts, and it still doesn’t work.

We wash our clothes in cold water, so we fill the buckets up in the kitchen and carry them around the corner to the laundry room.

See that lip or ridge around the bucket? I have learned to only fill it up that far–otherwise on the walk to the washer…it’s spill city. The water starts to slosh and even if I slow down, I will make a mess.

Today wasn’t too “sloshy.” I felt pretty good as I turned the corner–only to run smack-crash right into my grandson. Water everywhere.

I deposited what was left in the washer, dried us off, and mopped the floor. Instead of grousing, I began to giggle. I explained to my grandson. who thought I may be losing it, the story of Jesus describing how either good or evil will spring from our hearts when we “bump” into people–just like the water from the bucket.

As he returned to playing, my grandson announced he wanted to spill out love. Pretty good thinking for a nine year old.

What will spill out of your heart today? Remember “GIGO”? Garbage in–garbage out. If we expect to spill love, we need to be sure we’re putting love in–God’s love.

PRAYER: God, you fill our hearts with so much love…fill us again, today.

Awaiting the Bridegroom

⁴⁴Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Matthew 24:44, NRSV

Hustle, bustle, and brides all around.

The ministry where I work is hosting two events this weekend. On Saturday there’s a bridal show. There are all kinds of vendors hawking their services to starry-eyed brides. The highlight will be a fashion show and give-aways. The setup process has taken most of the week. It runs from 3:00 to 7:00. And when it’s done exhausted workers will tear everything down and return the building to its original state.

This event is a huge reminder that weddings are a lot of work.

The other event begins today and goes through Sunday, and may even spill over to Monday. On the top floor denominational leaders will be meeting with prospective individuals and couples applying to serve as missionaries. These candidates have completed training, schooling, internships, and service in the process of preparation. Being ready to serve is not a walk in the park. There is typically a time of proving and testing of one’s call.

Sitting here surrounded by wedding dresses hanging on mannequins and thinking about the bridegroom text, I couldn’t help but sing the “old” Larry Norman song, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.”

And then I pictured all those hope-filled candidates anxiously awaiting the church’s stamp of approval upon there call. They’re ready! And willing.

In the story of the bridesmaids (Matthew 24) all ten thought they were ready, but only five had done the work. As they waited, they all fell asleep. The sleeping wasn’t the problem, no more than it was a problem for the disciples who went to the garden with Jesus to pray.

Here’s the key, as I see it in the story: we don’t know when the bridegroom will come. We can’t be lazy, or forgetful, or complacent. Readiness takes constancy and effort. The question that used to be asked was, “Are you paid up and prayed up?”

Are you?

PRAYER: Lord, you love us, and your desire is that we would be ready and anticipating your return. Show us where our faith has become lazy–and help us get back on track. We want to be ready….whenever you come.

This Little Light of Mine

¹⁴‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, NRSV)

Being light is not a suggestion. Jesus didn’t say, “Hey, if y’all don’t have anything else planned, I have this really cool idea. How ’bout we let the glory of God shine through our broken places and carry light into the darkness.”

No. He said, “You’re it. You’re the plan. Go be who I created you to be. Be light. Be warmth. Shine brightly.”

And you won’t be able to hide it. A wise man once told me, “There are no secret disciples. Either the disciple will kill the secret or the secret will kill the disciple.” (Charles Munson)

Where will you shine your light today?

AFTERTHOUGHT: I want you to know I picked the version of “This Little Light of Mine” very intentionally. There were several renditions with a single voice. And at first, I thought I wanted that. But when I listened to this version by The Lower Lights, I was impressed by the group. I pondered again the verse and went to the Greek.

The “you” is y’all (humeis). You plural. His light will always shine brighter when we shine together.

Cracked Pots

We have this treasure in jars of clay.

Someone described those clay jars as cracked pots.

Not everyone would be able to understand or appreciate this thought. Those with wealth and means would not put their treasures in clay jars. Their treasures would be kept in the most beautiful and exquisite vases.

God, the creator and Lord of the universe, however, chose to put his treasure in common clay pots. Humble pots. Pots from humus…earth. That’s where we came from.

Imperfect pots chosen intentionally “so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NRSV)

Are you feeling broken? Unusable? Used up? Worthless? Rejoice! You’re exactly what God wants to use. You are not full of yourself or thinking too highly of yourself.

Those cracks you try to hide, they’re perfect places and spaces for the light of God to shine through.

He shines in the broken places.

Amen.

Pieces Parts

¹²For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

I have three masters degrees. I’m not telling you that to impress you. One in New Testament Studies, a general pastoral degree (M.Div) and a Masters of Pastoral Counseling.

I pastored for twenty years, a chaplain for ten, and a counselor for ten.

People told me I was good at what I did. I believed them. Armed with those beliefs I acted with reckless arrogance.

My arrogance was nearly my demise. I became the educated idiot. I was broken.

I tried desperately to put the pieces back together. Tried to find some semblance of wholeness.

God had to show me I didn’t have all the pieces to begin with

I only saw in part.

Now I live with whatever pieces and parts I have in the moment. It makes the moments much better and the living is good.

This helps me understand another saying of Paul: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12, NIV)

Each day provides new pieces. Each day I see a little more clearly. And one day I will see it all.

PRAYER: God of perfect vision, help me remember what I am seeing is imperfect. Forgive my arrogance and help me live with the pieces and parts of life…until I come to complete understanding in you. Amen.

Blinded by the Light

Yesterday we considered God appearing as a gentle nudge, how he arrives gently and naturally on the scene. This appearance is comforting to me.

Sometimes, however, he has to explode onto the scene to get my attention. This is what he did with Paul:

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.⁴And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ⁵And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ⁷The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:1-9, ESV)

Do you find it interesting that Paul knew immediately who was speaking to him? He knew who was showing up in that blinding light. It was the Lord. Instant recognition and obedience. Paul’s companions were there as witnesses–a good thing to have when you’re going through a major life changing experience.

God burst into Paul’s life. Was that the only way he could have gotten Paul’s attention? Would Paul have ignored the gentle nudges? Can you relate? Have there been times when you stubbornly ignored God’s more gentler attempts to get your attention? Did it take a more earth shaking, life changing, event to break through your reluctance, your arrogance?

I know what it’s like…perhaps that why I prefer the nudges.

But either way, it’s good to know God knows how to get our attention.

PRAYER: God, thank you for breaking into my life, my awareness, my mess just the way you need to in order to get my attention. Nudge me or blind me, but don’t let me get away from what I need to hear today. My ears, my eyes, and my heart is open. Amen.

Gentle Nudges

So far in this journey, we have been focusing on our seeking or looking for Jesus. For a few days I want to think about how God chose to show himself.

One of my favorite resurrection stories is the encounter Jesus had with the Emmaus Road travelers.

Can you imagine the saddness these two felt? Everything they hope for seems gone. They counted on Jesus being the one and now he was gone. What would they do? How would they face their family and friends.

And Jesus comes up and starts walking with them. He acts like a clueless traveler to hear their story…their sadness…their disillusion.

Today just read the story. Ask God to show you where and when you have been disappointed and disillusioned and how he came along side and helped you to see more clearly.

¹³That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is nowthe third day since these things happened. ²²Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, ²³and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ²⁴Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” ²⁵And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷And beginning withMoses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

²⁸So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³²They said to each other,“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while heopened to us the Scriptures?” ³³And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”³⁵Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:13-35)

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for traveling with us on our roads of confusion. Thank you Holy Spirit for opening our eyes. Sometimes we are so focused on the problems, and our sadness so overwhelms us that we are unable to see or recognize you. Keep walking with us for we want to see you. Amen.

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