Opposition Equals Opportunity

Facing Opposition?  If so you're not alone.  Scripture is full of examples of God's people encountering opposition, as is the rest of history.

Opposition is not only par for the course in this life, it is the wind which fills the sails of faith.  

In Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus and several of his disciples were on a boat.  Their opposition that day was a great storm and apparently a boat that wasn't sufficient to handle the storm.  Not surprisingly fear was the response of the disciples.  

In the midst of the storm Jesus says, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?"       

A few implications of his words; 

A lack of faith, in the face of opposition, results in fear.

Genuine faith sees beyond the opposition, and is mindful that God is always aware of the storms in our lives and that he remains ever present with us in the midst of them?

Opposition equals opportunity to put faith into practice.

  

If you faint in the day of adversity,

your strength is small

- Proverbs 24:10

His Life in Me

Guest post by KG:

I have labored under the burden most of my life with not having reached a saints perfection. I am a practicing ‘imperfectionist’. Worse yet, I think of myself as an incompetent perfectionist. I am bothered by my many failures. I desire to be and do better but I, sadly, I am not. That very same annoyance is only magnified by my Christian walk.  I have been included ‘in Jesus’. Not only is my history literally littered with failed attempts at life lived in the horizontal, when I became a Christian I gladly included a vertical dimension which has Jesus Christ at the center. In light of that fact, the trail of littered failures only grew exponentially. When compared to Christ understandably the failure factor has not gotten any smaller.

Lest my moaning confessions sound like an all too public airing of my own dirty laundry I need to add something that in the end transforms the crisis. In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul says that God has illumined our dark hearts with the light of Jesus.  “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Vs. 6 He says it is not unlike placing a treasure inside a clay jar.  What appears to be a monumental waste of God’s good efforts, he goes on to clarify has the genius of God’s purpose in it.  His intention is to show that the goal of his project has little of us in it, save the storage space. His purpose is to point to himself as being our rescue—our savior. And then he says, what for the life all too familiar with failed attempts, the complicating words: “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” Jesus’ life is shown to those around me through my mediocre life. It seems like a bit much.

I said before that all this is intended to add something that turns my failure rate into something entirely more than a mere moaning confession. Paul’s intention is to turn my eyes off of myself and onto another. He says so explicitly—“ to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us”. It is the way God has of showing that it is his work and no one else’s, least of all our own. He first shows us it is so by saving our muddy lives and continues the project by living within us. The light that illumines my inner darkness is not somehow the light that I am somehow commanded to approximate. As Paul describes things, to show that “the surpassing power belongs to God” and not to us, he surrounds that sacred event with a veneer of failure and defeat, my failure and defeat. In fact our failure becomes a significant factor in the course of God’s plan. The first failure was the world’s response to Jesus which culminated in the cross. Since the world’s response was my first response to him, the burden to muster Christ’s life does not rest on me. After all I am the problem. My burden is to reflect not generate his light in me. I must decrease and he must increase. C.S. Lewis captures Paul’s thought in a way that only he can.

“'Originality' in the New Testament is quite plainly the prerogative of God alone … The duty and happiness of every other being is placed in being derivative, in reflecting like a mirror… If I have read the New Testament aright, … our whole destiny seems to lie in the opposite direction, in being as little as possible ourselves, in acquiring a fragrance that is not our own but borrowed; in becoming clean mirrors filled with the image of a face that is not ours. ….. I am saying only that the highest good of a creature must be creaturely—that is, derivative or reflective—good.”

Otherwise called grace, God’s labor in us is not to teach us new tricks but to let him shine through us, to point to Jesus by habits that express what God’s grace has done in us.

Oswald Chambers says it well:

“It is not a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved in order to manifest the life of the Son of God in our mortal flesh, and it is the disagreeable things which make us exhibit whether or not we are manifesting His life. Do I manifest the essential sweetness of the Son of God, or the essential irritation of "myself" apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy the disagreeable is the keen enthusiasm of letting the life of the Son of God manifest itself in me.”

I suppose this in part of the reason that so often in Paul’s letters all of the action of the life of a disciple of Jesus is said to take place “in Christ” or of Christ being “in us” (over 160 times in a variety of different contexts).

The whole idea raises a number of questions. But to side step the questions by ignoring the glory of such a remarkable event seems an odd and costly way to proceed. In fact, I suppose I may have ‘failed’ to get it right. If so, I will have to deal with that very familiar habit. Until then I motor on in the sobering and wonderful implication of his life in me.

- KG

A Prescription for Wisdom

Whoever walks 
       with the wise 
            becomes wise

- Proverbs 13:20a ESV

News From a Christian Worldview

Dr. Albert Mohler's The Briefing is an excellent resource for a wise perspective on current events throughout the U.S. and the World as seen from a Christian Worldview.

I have come to greatly appreciate Dr. Mohler's efforts in this regard for multiple reasons.  First it is a succinct and thought provoking response to current events.  Secondly Dr. Mohler is uniquely capable in his ability to apply the lens of Scripture to the vast array of issues that make headlines today. Lastly it is brief enough to regularly appreciate it's entirety.

So often the listening to or watching the news becomes nauseating.  This is a welcome and non-nauseating alternative. So rather than a cup of coffee and the morning news, I have a 5-hour energy drink and listen to The Briefing.

Afraid to Fly

My gray haired friend and mentor, full of wisdom, shared with me what I perceived to be one of the most important lessons he had ever learned.  

The gravity of his words weighed heavily on me from the moment he spoke them, and they still do.  In fact I hope I always feel the weight of this lesson upon my shoulders.  

For years I was privileged to meet with this dear man one on one.  For hours at a time I endeavored to soak up his wisdom.  Yet it was more than wisdom alone that I was drawn to.  This friend bears a stunning Christ-likeness the likes of which I have not encountered elsewhere, ever.  

For years my silent prayer request was that I would be able to grab ahold of and incorporate the lessons that this man had learned through a lifetime of ministry.  For years I wanted ask him what is the most important thing you have ever learned, yet I didn’t, for every time I met with him I learned more than I could retain.  

What a painful moment it was for me when he advised that he would soon be moving away, out of state, in order that his wife and he could be closer to their kids and grandchildren.  I endeavored to meet with him more frequently until they moved.  

During one of these meetings over a poor quality Chinese buffet lunch, I first felt the weight of the lesson.  I was more nourished by the wisdom that he shared with me that day than I have been by a thousand meals.  He spoke from deep and personal pain.  Sometimes a tear would reveal itself and then slowly disappear down his face.  

He said something like, “I think I’ve got it wrong for all of those years.  In fact I wonder if I ever got it right.”  Referring to his multiple decades in ministry, he explained what he meant.  He had so combined the idea of ministry and his walk with God that the two had strangely morphed into one.  Once he retired due to significant physical ailment, and his involvement in ministry stopped, he looked around to find his relationship with God was also strangely absent.  

These words were particularly shocking coming from my mentor friend whom I held in such high esteem.  How could he say this?  Why would he say this?  I had to know.  I desperately wanted to stand in his shoes and know the reality of what he was saying yet it was slipping through my hands like oil.  

We talked about it for weeks.  I had to get to the bottom of this.  What follows is a portion of my efforts to boil the lesson down to it’s essential components:

One can substitute ministry for a walk with God, even a vibrant ministry.  Ministering to people is important, it is something that we are called to, yet it is not ultimate.  Christ is ultimate.  Therefore a genuine relationship with him is vital, and of dire importance.  

A genuine relationship involves two way communication.  Is he communicating, are you listening?  Are you communicating?  Is He leading and directing?  Are you following?  

We default to going our own way, doing things our own way, not listening, not communicating, and not following.  I think this is precisely what my wise friend meant when he said he thinks he got it wrong and wonders if he ever got it right.  

In John 16:7-15 Jesus comforts his disciples about his leaving, telling them it is good that he leaves in order that he would send the Holy Spirit.  Then in verse 13 he says, “whatever he (the Holy Spirit) hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”  Jesus clearly, explicitly tells his disciples that the Holy Spirit will communicate with them, with us.  “He will speak… He will declare…”  This is crystal clear teaching of a personal God who relates in a very personal way with his people.    

Now your feathers may ruffle a bit at this, and you might be thinking, “But God speaks to us through his word, the inspired Scriptures.”  With this point I would agree, yet I would ask you this; is it possible to have a relationship with the word of God, yet miss a genuine relationship with God himself?  Here is where my old friend would say something like this, “Ah, but we prefer a comfortable distance from God.”  

Scripture itself testifies that one can substitute a relationship with the Bible for a relationship with God.  This is evident in Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”  (John 5:39 ESV)  It is entirely possible to have deep knowledge of Scripture and yet completely miss the point.  And what a tragic thing it is to miss the point, especially this one.   

The professional religious people in Jesus’ day got it wrong.  They dedicated their entire lives to the topic and missed the central subject.  I suspect that today this is in large part also the case with many of our professionals.  I’m certain that this has been the case for the overwhelming majority of my life as well.  My heart breaks that it may not be this way any longer.  Yet it is not as if I can pick myself up by the bootstraps and take the reigns to steer myself back onto proper course.  This is in fact the most disconcerting issue about the whole matter.  I am not the head in this relationship.  And I am so used to being the head, the granite headed way maker.  The reality however, is quite the opposite; Christ is the head.  He is leading in this dance and I can only hope to be enabled to follow.  Oh, but this is precisely what the Holy Spirit does.  He both teaches and enables us to follow Jesus’ lead.  

My gray headed friend, who only walks with the assistance of a cane or a walker, may have just taught me what it is to fly.

Going to those who will come & dangers along the way

"Why do you come here?" That was one of the first questions of the night on last night's addictions class at the jail. The inmate was in the class for the first time and would be released from the jail the next morning. The question seemed sincere. Although my response to his inquiry was a little lengthy one of the main answers to his question was, "because you guys may listen."

There is a hunger in the jail that is very unusual in other places in our society. In jail people to begin to ponder things they would never otherwise think about. They consider that their lives are not perfect and they may possibly need to learn some things. They seem to have ears to hear when others outside of the jail, who are stuffed with the little pleasures of this world, simply have not the time nor the desire for anything greater. While the rest of the world seems to be feasting on the junk food of life, those in the jails seem to be given opportunity to hunger for something different. It is possible that this hunger resonates in this environment because access to the junk food of life (less satisfying pleasures) is significantly limited. During this forced fast from such things the divinely placed hunger (which resides in all of us) to be ultimately satisfied is allowed to ring more clearly.
One of the other inmates who has gotten out of the jail, and has been meeting in a small men's group at the church for a month now, was quick to be able to point out this situation as well. After he spent a few months in the jail he agrees there is a unique hunger for God that is experienced by many in the jail.

Go to those who will come. That seems to be the point of the below passage in Luke. This passage appears to demonstrate a divine and intense intolerance for those who are so satiated with the simple things in life that they no longer hunger for the greatest thing in life.

Luke 14:16-24
14:16 But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 14:17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 14:18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' 14:19 And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' 14:20 And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 14:21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 14:22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 14:23 And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 14:24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

Many places and resources in our society can quickly diagnose problem behaviors such as trouble with drugs, alcohol, greed, gambling, and sex issues. These issues are not remotely difficult to point out as bad. These dangers are well marked and those who encounter them generally have a fair idea as to what they're getting themselves into. There are however more subtle dangers that are not nearly as well marked. These are the "little" dangers such as being so satisfied with your health, home, money, family, and hobbies that your heart is no longer hungry for the greatest good.

While society is somewhat guarded against those big dangers (as we should be) we all too often are left susceptible to the flank attack. Jesus wasn't messing around when he said, (Mark 10:25) "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

That is a statement that should give us cause for concern. The average citizen in America is richer than the overwhelming majority of the rest of the world. Thank goodness Jesus also said, (Mark 10:27) "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."

(Originally posted in May of 2008)

Too Blind To See

Simply too blind too see
thy loving kindness,
and all You'd like to show me.
For my eyes can barely open
and when they do, I see people walking
around that look a bit like trees.

Surely You could help me to see.
I've heard of Your grace,
Your mercy and majesty.
Yet I'm almost entirely blind here,
and cannot see Your face.
Neither can I see Your hands
which have given all of these gifts,
nor the glorious worth of Your commands,
for all I see in this dark place is pain and breaking
loss and tears and sorrow and overwhelming fears.

Yet I have heard Your words of life.
It seems I may see best with my ears,
for my eyes do not see so well.
Yet this life now full of years
a map can draw for those friends
who like me cannot see.
Directions to the course which leads to the end
promised by You, one which steers clear of hell,
and makes the blind to see
that You are the only true treasure,
though so often as hidden in a field.

All the while as we seek pleasure
our blindness to Your glory leads us to yield
to many things we would not touch;
if seeing clearly were our gift.
Yet blinded eyes lead foolish hands
to the rubbish which makes us sick.
Then sickened stomach places us back on course
to find that which truly satisfies,
that which never ever fades, nor spoils, nor dies.

May our blindness lead us to You.
And our gift of hunger to Your table.
Thank You for granting such gifts;
that we would never ask for,
and now would never trade.
For these have brought us here
to dwell in Your magnificent shade.

- A.B. Seal


(Originally posted on 02-28-10)