My family has no grace.
I mean that in terms of coordination, of course. Kenna constantly runs into things and gets weird scrapes and bruises. Once, we were walking down the big aisle at Target, and she walked right into the endcap display- never saw it coming. Leslie is the most graceful but she gets lazy with it and cartwheels into stuff often. Kristin gets frustrated with me because I leave cabinet doors open, and they happen to be the perfect height for her head to smack squarely into. And my own random running into things is legendary in our church, known mostly as a "Thud, 'Ow!'"
All that to say, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to running into things. In the context of brokenness, I've been thinking a lot about why we should desire to be broken. Why should we want to be in pain, to hurt, to feel agonizing conviction (OK, sometimes its guilt)? I mean, people spend years and lots of money trying to get unbroken, but we Christians seem to constantly ask for brokenness. Are we stupid?
Yes. According to the rest of the world, anyway. 1 Corinthians 1: 18 says, "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." So, yeah, we're dumb. We're banging our heads against a wall, but as anyone whose ever had a blitzy TV set knows, if you hit it hard enough, it just might work, right?
So, what are we banging our head against, asking for brokenness? I'd argue grace. Not the coordination kind, either. I'm talking the "God loves me enough to see past my mistakes, and offer forgiveness for them," kind. It's a wall that we must get through, and what prevents us entering is pride- a hard heart. To enter this wall of grace, our pieces of us must be smashed to bits, small enough to enter. Grace is stronger than our sin, stronger than our rebellion, and yes, stronger than our pride. See 1 Corinthians 1: 25, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." And yes, His Grace is part of His Strength.
Now, grace IS a free gift to us, be have become so hard hearted, that we must be broken to receive, we must be made low. How do we know we must be low, or be poor? Why, Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." And we know we can't enter heaven, but by grace.
God allows us to be broken, so we can receive and accept his offer, not just once, but daily. So, what this all has to do with my accident prone family is this- we need to run into grace, as often and as hard as we can, just like my family often runs into doors, couches, dogs and store displays. We should delight in our brokenness because it means we are being made by Christ open to grace, to new mercies.
Being broken isn't about feeling bad about yourself, it's about throwing yourself so hard into grace you can't hold yourself together.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Broken Lives
Imagine my surprise last night while engaging in my most favorite of hobbies- watching Lost- that a central theme of the whole series was spoken aloud AND it ties directly into the them of this past week's message at the Gate: Brokenness.
When asked why Jack came back to the island, he told Hurley, "I came back here because I was broken, and I was stupid enough to think this place could fix me." For five plus seasons, we've been treated to the stories of people who were Lost-in other words, broken- long before they landed on the mystical island. Jack spoke the true theme of the show, that pursuit of healing for brokenness.
He also spoke the theme of our own lives in that moment. We search for healing for our brokenness. We can find it in many good places, like friends, family, true love, faith, and of course, a relationship with God. We also find 'healing' in places that ultimately leave us more broken- drugs, alcohol, casual sex, deception, etc.
We often try to go back to places, people or things that healed us in the past, or at least made us feel good at the time. We get there only to find that it doesn't work anymore. Or at least, not like we expected it to. Lately I myself have tried going back to things that stoked my passion and fire in the past, only to find them being not much more than a spark, or really doing nothing at all. The issue for me, Jack and everyone else is that when we break, we need a new kind of healing. The old things that worked were themselves broken, so it makes sense that our new pursuit must be for a new healing.
Well, that is not right either. See, the old things themselves were merely tools that helped us to see and be healed of our emotional and spiritual brokenness. What was broken was our connection to Christ. The fracture may have been small or huge, but now, we stand spread apart from Him. And we get frustrated or angry at that distance, much like Jack did. And much like Jacob, God stands by and asks us to spend some time looking out at the ocean, remembering what we are all about and why we are here.
Healing for our brokenness comes only from Christ. But it only comes when we are ready to accept Him and His ways.
When asked why Jack came back to the island, he told Hurley, "I came back here because I was broken, and I was stupid enough to think this place could fix me." For five plus seasons, we've been treated to the stories of people who were Lost-in other words, broken- long before they landed on the mystical island. Jack spoke the true theme of the show, that pursuit of healing for brokenness.
He also spoke the theme of our own lives in that moment. We search for healing for our brokenness. We can find it in many good places, like friends, family, true love, faith, and of course, a relationship with God. We also find 'healing' in places that ultimately leave us more broken- drugs, alcohol, casual sex, deception, etc.
We often try to go back to places, people or things that healed us in the past, or at least made us feel good at the time. We get there only to find that it doesn't work anymore. Or at least, not like we expected it to. Lately I myself have tried going back to things that stoked my passion and fire in the past, only to find them being not much more than a spark, or really doing nothing at all. The issue for me, Jack and everyone else is that when we break, we need a new kind of healing. The old things that worked were themselves broken, so it makes sense that our new pursuit must be for a new healing.
Well, that is not right either. See, the old things themselves were merely tools that helped us to see and be healed of our emotional and spiritual brokenness. What was broken was our connection to Christ. The fracture may have been small or huge, but now, we stand spread apart from Him. And we get frustrated or angry at that distance, much like Jack did. And much like Jacob, God stands by and asks us to spend some time looking out at the ocean, remembering what we are all about and why we are here.
Healing for our brokenness comes only from Christ. But it only comes when we are ready to accept Him and His ways.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Broken People
Snow is beginning to fall as I type this. Well, mostly sleet, but you can see a floating flake every now and again. For people in the Brazos Valley of Texas, this is huge. Just a few minutes ago, a bunch of us ran up to the front of the offices, gleefully hopeful to see the white stuff fall, all because of the shout, "It's SNOWING!"
I've been thinking a great deal about things from my childhood that brought me joy- things like the super rare snow day, or just snow in general. I get a glimpse of that with Leslie and Kenna, as their eyes grow wide, their smiles extra toothy, and the palpable excitement causes them to bounce on their toes. They get the same way about pizza, mac n' cheese, and Phineas & Ferb on the Disney Channel. And going to the park, riding scooters and bikes, seeing a cat. Oh, and if people visit, or they get a sucker, and occasionally when Kristin or I come in after being gone for a bit.
Kids still have the capacity to be excited and show it. Something happens to us, and we lose that. I heard some really great news the other day, and was very excited, but realized that my outward response was rather reserved. I was apparently afraid to "not look cool" and respond with unbridled joy. I think I smiled, nodded, and said something profound like, "That's cool." Kristin, however, grew wide eyed, developed a toothy grin, and bounced on her toes with excitement. I think I see where the kids get it.
We fail to feel or express excitement because we have become broken. We have seen our hopes dashed too often, had expectations fall short too frequently, and had the roof of reality crash down on our dreams. We don't expect the amazing, because we fear that it will never come- or worse yet, be less than we hoped.
I wish that we could engage life with that child-like wonder, free of the broken promises and broken hearts that come with years. Maybe we can still get that back--its not too late. We can choose to run and play in the snow, rather than gripe about the driving conditions (and drivers). We could look forward to the joy of opening presents on Christmas, rather than the stresses of the holidays. We should go play on a playground, or visit a toy store more often. If you have kids, try to learn from them about the joy of life and living. If you don't have kids, I know some people who would let you borrow theirs for practice for an evening. :)
We are broken, we need to be healed. Then, maybe we will look at life with wide eyes, toothy grins and bouncy toes.
I've been thinking a great deal about things from my childhood that brought me joy- things like the super rare snow day, or just snow in general. I get a glimpse of that with Leslie and Kenna, as their eyes grow wide, their smiles extra toothy, and the palpable excitement causes them to bounce on their toes. They get the same way about pizza, mac n' cheese, and Phineas & Ferb on the Disney Channel. And going to the park, riding scooters and bikes, seeing a cat. Oh, and if people visit, or they get a sucker, and occasionally when Kristin or I come in after being gone for a bit.
Kids still have the capacity to be excited and show it. Something happens to us, and we lose that. I heard some really great news the other day, and was very excited, but realized that my outward response was rather reserved. I was apparently afraid to "not look cool" and respond with unbridled joy. I think I smiled, nodded, and said something profound like, "That's cool." Kristin, however, grew wide eyed, developed a toothy grin, and bounced on her toes with excitement. I think I see where the kids get it.
We fail to feel or express excitement because we have become broken. We have seen our hopes dashed too often, had expectations fall short too frequently, and had the roof of reality crash down on our dreams. We don't expect the amazing, because we fear that it will never come- or worse yet, be less than we hoped.
I wish that we could engage life with that child-like wonder, free of the broken promises and broken hearts that come with years. Maybe we can still get that back--its not too late. We can choose to run and play in the snow, rather than gripe about the driving conditions (and drivers). We could look forward to the joy of opening presents on Christmas, rather than the stresses of the holidays. We should go play on a playground, or visit a toy store more often. If you have kids, try to learn from them about the joy of life and living. If you don't have kids, I know some people who would let you borrow theirs for practice for an evening. :)
We are broken, we need to be healed. Then, maybe we will look at life with wide eyes, toothy grins and bouncy toes.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Living the Daily Epic
We have some friends that took their young family, sold most of their possessions and moved half a world away to place not comfortable with Christianity in order to tell others about Jesus. There is a family right here in College Station who is moving mountains to get a ministry going that reaches the growing number of international students at Texas A&M. I've known people who raise well adjusted kids, only to see those kids, believers in Christ, rebel- yet these people don't give up and fight for their kids. I've seen people make tough choices about what to do on day to day basis. I know of people who love every second of their job. There are still others who spend their every waking hour just struggling to survive.
All of these are epic stories- if we want them to be.
That is the thing about epics, we have to want to be a part of something bigger. We can't look at our Civil Wars, or Mordors or Wicked Witches and give up. We can't resign ourselves to mediocrity, we must rise up. And we must daily choose to do that. As Hebrews 10:39 says: "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."
When we shrink back from our epic struggles to overcome sin, or reach the lost or simply live FOR God, we are destroyed. We are destroyed the same way God told Adam and Eve that they would die if they eat the fruit. It is not an instantaneous, Snow White-biting-the-apple destruction, it is a daily destruction. Our hopes fade. Our optimism dies. Our energy disappears. And we give up. We lose sight of the big story- that we are in pursuit of King as He is in pursuit of us. We are fighting battles of meaning, even if there is no physical enemy to face. We are making stands upon principle, even if there is no grand courtroom for us to argue in.
We need to once again realize that it is vital that we speak with God in prayer, as if our lives depend on it. That we read His Word as though it were food for an empty stomach. That we share with others the story of rescue as though they were prisoners of war.
These things remind us that we are in a great story, one written by the Great Storyteller.
All of these are epic stories- if we want them to be.
That is the thing about epics, we have to want to be a part of something bigger. We can't look at our Civil Wars, or Mordors or Wicked Witches and give up. We can't resign ourselves to mediocrity, we must rise up. And we must daily choose to do that. As Hebrews 10:39 says: "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."
When we shrink back from our epic struggles to overcome sin, or reach the lost or simply live FOR God, we are destroyed. We are destroyed the same way God told Adam and Eve that they would die if they eat the fruit. It is not an instantaneous, Snow White-biting-the-apple destruction, it is a daily destruction. Our hopes fade. Our optimism dies. Our energy disappears. And we give up. We lose sight of the big story- that we are in pursuit of King as He is in pursuit of us. We are fighting battles of meaning, even if there is no physical enemy to face. We are making stands upon principle, even if there is no grand courtroom for us to argue in.
We need to once again realize that it is vital that we speak with God in prayer, as if our lives depend on it. That we read His Word as though it were food for an empty stomach. That we share with others the story of rescue as though they were prisoners of war.
These things remind us that we are in a great story, one written by the Great Storyteller.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Epic Recipe
It's quite simple: If you want to live an epic life, take one serving of your ordinary life, and pour it into God.
"Wow, cheesy much?" is I'm sure what you're thinking. And if you're not, you should be. But would it be any better if I told you "7 Steps to an Epic Life" or handed you a devotional on "40 Days to an Epic Life?" Yet, that seems to be what we desire for our pursuit of God- a list of things to do. Things like, read your Bible daily, pray for xx minutes each day, share your faith with at least xx people each day/week/month/etc, go on a mission trip. Or we offer our insights into Christ in the form of bumper stickers, like "My boss is a Jewish Carpenter." So its cheesy, or its a recipe.
Do you know why epic stories endure, and are, in their very essence, grander than other stories? They are not cheesy, and they break new ground. They dare to go beyond what has come before. Lord of the Rings wasn't just about elves and dwarves, Tolkien created a world and language and culture- he took fantasy seriously. There were no winks to the audience that this wasn't real, it drew you in- it was more like reading a real history than a novel. This was new for the genre, and so is the standard, along with Chronicles of Narnia, for much of modern fantasy. Star Wars was much the same. It took the material seriously, and broke the rules about what sci-fi could be.
Our lives, in order to be epic, must take our source material seriously. We must start by believing that God is capable of really doing what He did in the Bible. Fire really can fall from Heaven, seas really can be parted, donkeys really can talk, a kid can stop a mercenary, a man can heal the sick, the dead will rise (minus the hunger for human flesh that seems to be common amongst the risen dead in most movies these days). Believe what we say about God being bigger than our struggles. Believe that God can free us from the burden of temptation. Believe that God is capable of rescuing us.
Our lives, in order to be epic, must veer off the well trodden path. Robert Frost, in my most favorite poem, talked of taking the road less traveled, saying:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Moses took a different path, the prophets took a different path, and Jesus took the most different path: A king became a servant, a conqueror became the slaughtered, and because of that, we live. Rather, we have the opportunity to REALLY live. Break the routine of religion, walk freely in the abundance of grace, and breathe the breath of God.
So, the recipe for an Epic Life is that there is no recipe. You live with eyes wide for the glories of God, you look for inspiration in great stories and songs, on shows like Lost and movies like Gladiator, in books that challenge you- whether they be fact or fiction. You long for the beauty of Creation in sunsets and if you are so inclined, sunrises.
To be epic, be naive enough to have faith, and do not give in to cynicism.
"Wow, cheesy much?" is I'm sure what you're thinking. And if you're not, you should be. But would it be any better if I told you "7 Steps to an Epic Life" or handed you a devotional on "40 Days to an Epic Life?" Yet, that seems to be what we desire for our pursuit of God- a list of things to do. Things like, read your Bible daily, pray for xx minutes each day, share your faith with at least xx people each day/week/month/etc, go on a mission trip. Or we offer our insights into Christ in the form of bumper stickers, like "My boss is a Jewish Carpenter." So its cheesy, or its a recipe.
Do you know why epic stories endure, and are, in their very essence, grander than other stories? They are not cheesy, and they break new ground. They dare to go beyond what has come before. Lord of the Rings wasn't just about elves and dwarves, Tolkien created a world and language and culture- he took fantasy seriously. There were no winks to the audience that this wasn't real, it drew you in- it was more like reading a real history than a novel. This was new for the genre, and so is the standard, along with Chronicles of Narnia, for much of modern fantasy. Star Wars was much the same. It took the material seriously, and broke the rules about what sci-fi could be.
Our lives, in order to be epic, must take our source material seriously. We must start by believing that God is capable of really doing what He did in the Bible. Fire really can fall from Heaven, seas really can be parted, donkeys really can talk, a kid can stop a mercenary, a man can heal the sick, the dead will rise (minus the hunger for human flesh that seems to be common amongst the risen dead in most movies these days). Believe what we say about God being bigger than our struggles. Believe that God can free us from the burden of temptation. Believe that God is capable of rescuing us.
Our lives, in order to be epic, must veer off the well trodden path. Robert Frost, in my most favorite poem, talked of taking the road less traveled, saying:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Moses took a different path, the prophets took a different path, and Jesus took the most different path: A king became a servant, a conqueror became the slaughtered, and because of that, we live. Rather, we have the opportunity to REALLY live. Break the routine of religion, walk freely in the abundance of grace, and breathe the breath of God.
So, the recipe for an Epic Life is that there is no recipe. You live with eyes wide for the glories of God, you look for inspiration in great stories and songs, on shows like Lost and movies like Gladiator, in books that challenge you- whether they be fact or fiction. You long for the beauty of Creation in sunsets and if you are so inclined, sunrises.
To be epic, be naive enough to have faith, and do not give in to cynicism.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Epic
There are stories. Stories like Leslie was telling not too long ago that always ended with a bear going "Rawr!" And that was with no regard for where the story started, be it the woods or a mall. She would begin telling a story, and the suspense would build as we waited for the reveal of the bear. A good story, maybe not a best seller, but entertaining nonetheless.
Then there are epics. Beowulf, King Arthur, Gone with the Wind, Braveheart, The Dark Knight. Stories that transcend, that go far beyond just entertainment for one generation, one group of people. Stories that will be told and passed on for generations.
Most of us are living "bear stories." They are fun for us, not terribly developed or thought provoking, but they get us by. Our stories are filled with paying bills, meeting deadlines, staying in shape, maintaining relationships, buying stuff, and trying to occasionally be a nicer person.
Few of us live stories of great battles, sweeping romances, or rising up to great challenges. We are sure there are people living them, like missionaries or soldiers, or celebrities, but those lives of epicness could never be ours. Could they?
The thing about epic stories is that the main characters run toward things, rather than shrink back from them. Frodo CHOOSES to take the ring to Mordor when logic says flee. William Wallace goes to "Pick a fight" rather than cower and concede like the other Scottish nobles. Rhett Butler sticks with Scarlett, despite her rejection, and the fact that he is not a 'stick around' kind of guy. But we, we flee intimacy, conflict, and anything that exposes us.
Can our lives be epic? Can we take the mundane days in front of a computer, or at a desk, or watching the kids, or trying to love our families, or trying to stay above water, or trying to find God and make them epic?
It won't be easy to change our view, to look for the bigger picture we're a part of. But then, if it were easy, it couldn't be epic.
Then there are epics. Beowulf, King Arthur, Gone with the Wind, Braveheart, The Dark Knight. Stories that transcend, that go far beyond just entertainment for one generation, one group of people. Stories that will be told and passed on for generations.
Most of us are living "bear stories." They are fun for us, not terribly developed or thought provoking, but they get us by. Our stories are filled with paying bills, meeting deadlines, staying in shape, maintaining relationships, buying stuff, and trying to occasionally be a nicer person.
Few of us live stories of great battles, sweeping romances, or rising up to great challenges. We are sure there are people living them, like missionaries or soldiers, or celebrities, but those lives of epicness could never be ours. Could they?
The thing about epic stories is that the main characters run toward things, rather than shrink back from them. Frodo CHOOSES to take the ring to Mordor when logic says flee. William Wallace goes to "Pick a fight" rather than cower and concede like the other Scottish nobles. Rhett Butler sticks with Scarlett, despite her rejection, and the fact that he is not a 'stick around' kind of guy. But we, we flee intimacy, conflict, and anything that exposes us.
Can our lives be epic? Can we take the mundane days in front of a computer, or at a desk, or watching the kids, or trying to love our families, or trying to stay above water, or trying to find God and make them epic?
It won't be easy to change our view, to look for the bigger picture we're a part of. But then, if it were easy, it couldn't be epic.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Trials
It is interesting to watch people go through trials. Notice I said 'watch,' as I hate going through them personally. The way in which people deal with things from minor to massive is very revealing. I for one do much better with HUGE trials, and fall apart when a minor hiccup comes along.
I watch Leslie and Kenna as they experience the trials of growing and learning. Leslie is persistent in her pursuit of the perfect handstand, and she's getting pretty close. Kenna is currently facing the trial of learning personal responsibility. I must say she is doing better than some adults I know, and probably pretty often she's better than I am.
Kristin and I have been married now for 7 and 1/2 years, and we have faced and endured trials from job stuff, to personal loss, to illness, to the trial many face today of financial difficulties. We are blessed to have each other, because usually when one of us fails to stand, the other is there to help out.
James 1:12 tells us, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Perseverance is the key to success, just as Leslie pursues that handstand, and Kenna pursues independence, we are to doggedly pursue victory. And having a partner, be it a spouse or friend or family member is important as well. Others need to share in our struggles, so that they may rejoice in our victories. Imagine winning the gold medal at the Olympics, yet having no one to hug and cry with after the fact.
What I find interesting about that verse, is that it doesn't say when we get the crown of life. Lots of times, I think, "Duh, in heaven, of course!" But what if the reading is more literal...and present? What if what James is saying is that standing firm through trials is how we live? Life might be too boring and monotonous if we never had to endure or strive. Then we wouldn't appreciate the glory it is to be alive, blessed with the opportunity to savor moments of beauty amidst the smoke and haze of our daily battles.
So let us steel our gaze. Let us stretch up to our full height, no longer slumping under the weight of our perceived burdens. Let us resolve to persevere, and collect our crown.
Then maybe we will ENJOY our OWN trial, instead of watching others from a distance.
I watch Leslie and Kenna as they experience the trials of growing and learning. Leslie is persistent in her pursuit of the perfect handstand, and she's getting pretty close. Kenna is currently facing the trial of learning personal responsibility. I must say she is doing better than some adults I know, and probably pretty often she's better than I am.
Kristin and I have been married now for 7 and 1/2 years, and we have faced and endured trials from job stuff, to personal loss, to illness, to the trial many face today of financial difficulties. We are blessed to have each other, because usually when one of us fails to stand, the other is there to help out.
James 1:12 tells us, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Perseverance is the key to success, just as Leslie pursues that handstand, and Kenna pursues independence, we are to doggedly pursue victory. And having a partner, be it a spouse or friend or family member is important as well. Others need to share in our struggles, so that they may rejoice in our victories. Imagine winning the gold medal at the Olympics, yet having no one to hug and cry with after the fact.
What I find interesting about that verse, is that it doesn't say when we get the crown of life. Lots of times, I think, "Duh, in heaven, of course!" But what if the reading is more literal...and present? What if what James is saying is that standing firm through trials is how we live? Life might be too boring and monotonous if we never had to endure or strive. Then we wouldn't appreciate the glory it is to be alive, blessed with the opportunity to savor moments of beauty amidst the smoke and haze of our daily battles.
So let us steel our gaze. Let us stretch up to our full height, no longer slumping under the weight of our perceived burdens. Let us resolve to persevere, and collect our crown.
Then maybe we will ENJOY our OWN trial, instead of watching others from a distance.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Conflict of Contentment
Greed is a theme of a lot of stories. But then, so is people who have it all discovering they miss the most important thing. For every "Wall Street" there is "A Christmas Carol."
The issue is contentment. Leslie and Kenna both (though its more Leslie) really seem to struggle with this when it comes to food. They may eat a full meal, but within five minutes, they want a snack. Then five minutes later, snack. And so on. Yes, I realize this teaching them horrible eating habits. And I'm not even going to get into the discussion about how if they see a toy ad they want it.
But thats natural for kids- to want more. And in some ways, I think thats healthy, as they are wanting to know more and explore more of their world and they desire stuff as a way of feedinf that.
Unfortunately, most people always struggle with contentment. I collect action figures, and as new sets of figures arrive every few months, I feel a strong desire to collect them. Alas, finances become an issue.
Kristin and I have been staring at a 20 x 25 foot mud pit where our back patio area is to be for more than a year, but the funds to complete the project aren't there. Everytime we clean the kitchen floor, our dog Missy (and I) track mud over the sparkly floor.
I know of people with money to do whatever they want, yet they never seem happy. Always looking over their shoulder lest it all go away. Or maybe hiding in their stuff to avoid getting close to other people unless its on their terms.
The conflict for all these is contentment. Paul says to be content whether in plenty or want, well fed or hungry. Rather than looking at what we don't have, we should be thankful for what we do have. So the next time I find myself stopping at another random Wal-Mart or Target to find the elusive Aquaman figure, I'll try to remember the super cool Green Lantern I have at home and be thankful.
Better yet, I'll just be thankful to have a home, and one filled with a wonderful family. Some of whom never seem to get enough to eat.
The issue is contentment. Leslie and Kenna both (though its more Leslie) really seem to struggle with this when it comes to food. They may eat a full meal, but within five minutes, they want a snack. Then five minutes later, snack. And so on. Yes, I realize this teaching them horrible eating habits. And I'm not even going to get into the discussion about how if they see a toy ad they want it.
But thats natural for kids- to want more. And in some ways, I think thats healthy, as they are wanting to know more and explore more of their world and they desire stuff as a way of feedinf that.
Unfortunately, most people always struggle with contentment. I collect action figures, and as new sets of figures arrive every few months, I feel a strong desire to collect them. Alas, finances become an issue.
Kristin and I have been staring at a 20 x 25 foot mud pit where our back patio area is to be for more than a year, but the funds to complete the project aren't there. Everytime we clean the kitchen floor, our dog Missy (and I) track mud over the sparkly floor.
I know of people with money to do whatever they want, yet they never seem happy. Always looking over their shoulder lest it all go away. Or maybe hiding in their stuff to avoid getting close to other people unless its on their terms.
The conflict for all these is contentment. Paul says to be content whether in plenty or want, well fed or hungry. Rather than looking at what we don't have, we should be thankful for what we do have. So the next time I find myself stopping at another random Wal-Mart or Target to find the elusive Aquaman figure, I'll try to remember the super cool Green Lantern I have at home and be thankful.
Better yet, I'll just be thankful to have a home, and one filled with a wonderful family. Some of whom never seem to get enough to eat.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Conflicts of Faith
I confess, I love the movie Signs. At the heart of this ground level alien invasion movie is the story of a man ( a minister, no less) at the heart of a conflict of faith. Years before, his wife dies in a horrific accident, and her last words to him are as nonsensical to the minister as her death is, so he stops having faith. Even when the aliens are coming, and the kids want to pray, he balks.
It's only when he realizes that his wife's last words were not nonsensical but prophetic for the personal battle he faces in his own home against the aliens that faith begins to bud.
Too often, we, and I mean I, fail to see the bigger picture. Once, Kenna was very sick with some nasty bug that cause much expellation of stomach contents. Having dealth with this type thing with Leslie years before, I knew how bad this could get. So I knelt to pray in front of Kenna in her bouncer and as I said 'Amen' she vomitted on me. It was hard to ahve faith then. (But it is terribly funny now, I must admit.)
I think we more often fight the conflict of faith than any other conflict, but we admit that we do it far less than any other conflict. We think to struggle with believing God is shameful, we must always trust and never falter. Yet, we forget that Jesus himself struggled the night before the Cross, asking the Father if there was any other way.
Now, we struggle to have faith when the job sucks, the kids are sick, the checks don't cover the bills, our team/candidate/ballot item lost, or when we can't seem to kick that bad habit or action. We wonder if God is holding out, or testing us, and we sooner or later stop asking God to do anything- yet wonder why He never seems to show up.
I don't expect any aliens to attack us anytime soon, thus inspiring a return to faith for the mass of people. So, instead, let's just start with asking God to reveal something small, heal a tiny hurt, or break us of one tiny habit. But let us ask AND believe, as it says in James 1, otherwise, we should never expect to recieve anything from God.
It's only when he realizes that his wife's last words were not nonsensical but prophetic for the personal battle he faces in his own home against the aliens that faith begins to bud.
Too often, we, and I mean I, fail to see the bigger picture. Once, Kenna was very sick with some nasty bug that cause much expellation of stomach contents. Having dealth with this type thing with Leslie years before, I knew how bad this could get. So I knelt to pray in front of Kenna in her bouncer and as I said 'Amen' she vomitted on me. It was hard to ahve faith then. (But it is terribly funny now, I must admit.)
I think we more often fight the conflict of faith than any other conflict, but we admit that we do it far less than any other conflict. We think to struggle with believing God is shameful, we must always trust and never falter. Yet, we forget that Jesus himself struggled the night before the Cross, asking the Father if there was any other way.
Now, we struggle to have faith when the job sucks, the kids are sick, the checks don't cover the bills, our team/candidate/ballot item lost, or when we can't seem to kick that bad habit or action. We wonder if God is holding out, or testing us, and we sooner or later stop asking God to do anything- yet wonder why He never seems to show up.
I don't expect any aliens to attack us anytime soon, thus inspiring a return to faith for the mass of people. So, instead, let's just start with asking God to reveal something small, heal a tiny hurt, or break us of one tiny habit. But let us ask AND believe, as it says in James 1, otherwise, we should never expect to recieve anything from God.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Time Takes Its Toll
The man shuffled in, stooped and head down cast, their eyes weary and red. He sits gingerly yet with a bit of collapse into his seat, his breathing quickened from the little jaunt from the back of the room to his seat. The music starts, and he groans to his feet, mumbling well known words, eager for the sermon, because, let's be honest, this up and down stuff wears him out. He is snoring five minutes in, and only the elbow of his adoring, frustrated and equally tired wife will wake him. One more song and he can escape, again, very slowly and not with any excitement- the optimism of his youth is dead and gone.
Did you notice the man was just in his late twenties?
Or did you picture the typical old church man? The thing is, time takes its toll on all of us. I've known a nearly hundred year old lady who was full of joy and life and eagerness. But I've known teens that were just so worn out on faith. Time doesn't have to be in years, it can drain us in days or hours just as well.
Conflict comes and its how we handle it that ages or de-ages us. Too many of us are old beyond our years- Methuselahs in the bodies of Davids. I'm probably a good twenty years older than I look because I've for years now let conflict get the better of me. I'm often weary, ready for a break, looking to just vegetate a bit.
But I don't want to write a story that plays out like the opening vignette. I want to be the old man who the kids can't keep up with. I want to know more victory than stalemate. (Lets be honest, its the stalemates that kill us, not the defeats- defeats we regroup from, stalemates where we tread water offer no rest.)
Jesus says that the weary should come to Him, and James says we should believe and not doubt. So do we really believe that if we go to Him, He take up up our burdens?
Did you notice the man was just in his late twenties?
Or did you picture the typical old church man? The thing is, time takes its toll on all of us. I've known a nearly hundred year old lady who was full of joy and life and eagerness. But I've known teens that were just so worn out on faith. Time doesn't have to be in years, it can drain us in days or hours just as well.
Conflict comes and its how we handle it that ages or de-ages us. Too many of us are old beyond our years- Methuselahs in the bodies of Davids. I'm probably a good twenty years older than I look because I've for years now let conflict get the better of me. I'm often weary, ready for a break, looking to just vegetate a bit.
But I don't want to write a story that plays out like the opening vignette. I want to be the old man who the kids can't keep up with. I want to know more victory than stalemate. (Lets be honest, its the stalemates that kill us, not the defeats- defeats we regroup from, stalemates where we tread water offer no rest.)
Jesus says that the weary should come to Him, and James says we should believe and not doubt. So do we really believe that if we go to Him, He take up up our burdens?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Conflict
We remember stories for lots of reasons. Characters, locations, dialogue. But truth be told, even the most interesting of these would soon be forgotten were it not for the conflict that drives the story. Even innocuous stories like your average sitcom- ie Friends- has conflict injected to force the characters to grow and change, or make us laugh. Ross and Rachel can't seem to make it work for 10 years, Jack and Locke are locked in a faith vs science conflict, the coaches in We Are Marshall face the uphill battle of building a team from the ashes of tragedy, The Grapes of Wrath is filled to brim with conflict after conflict for the destitute family.
Our lives are not unlike stories here, either. Our conflicts are very real, struggling to make relationships work, arguments with our philosophical opposites, overcoming loss and failure, and a multitude of other less than enjoyable endeavors we engage in because we need to survive.
There are times I wish my conflict were with a monster or a supervillain or a massive storm/natural disaster. It would be far easier to drive a stake in the heart of a Dracula than to face an argument with one I love. To face certain death in the epicenter of an earthquake would be far preferable to the possibility of a very public failure. And there are definitely times I'd rather run into the Joker than one of my kids in a temper-tantrum mood.
How do we survive conflict? We press on. Jesus overcame this world, and He is with us, in us. He has given or will give us what we need to face every conflict- save for the one that ultimately takes us home to Him. Moreover, we are made to endure conflict to mature us, complete us and fulfill us. Conflict makes you a better you. Faramir, when in possession of the Conflict inducing ring of power, asks if this is "A chance for Faramire to prove his quality?"
So when that Twister is bearing down on you, or that Wicked Witch is circling your skies, or the deadline is ticking closer, rise up and face it as a chance to prove your quality.
Our lives are not unlike stories here, either. Our conflicts are very real, struggling to make relationships work, arguments with our philosophical opposites, overcoming loss and failure, and a multitude of other less than enjoyable endeavors we engage in because we need to survive.
There are times I wish my conflict were with a monster or a supervillain or a massive storm/natural disaster. It would be far easier to drive a stake in the heart of a Dracula than to face an argument with one I love. To face certain death in the epicenter of an earthquake would be far preferable to the possibility of a very public failure. And there are definitely times I'd rather run into the Joker than one of my kids in a temper-tantrum mood.
How do we survive conflict? We press on. Jesus overcame this world, and He is with us, in us. He has given or will give us what we need to face every conflict- save for the one that ultimately takes us home to Him. Moreover, we are made to endure conflict to mature us, complete us and fulfill us. Conflict makes you a better you. Faramir, when in possession of the Conflict inducing ring of power, asks if this is "A chance for Faramire to prove his quality?"
So when that Twister is bearing down on you, or that Wicked Witch is circling your skies, or the deadline is ticking closer, rise up and face it as a chance to prove your quality.
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