A Strong Calling

Have you ever come across those "hard to love people"? There can be tons of reasons as to why a person is hard to love. It can be as extreme as someone is being very cruel towards you and constantly acting in anger. Maybe it's someone who is in authority over you, continuing to make your life difficult just because they can.  It can be as simple as someone with an opposite personality than you.  We are all faced with the challenge to love people. I have found in my life that the times I have struggled to

love other people is usually a time when God was trying to reveal to me an area I needed to grow in. The issue would quickly go from seeing how someone is hard to love (based on a superficial reason) to seeing that the reason I couldn't love that person was because of my pride or selfishness. It also could have been my lack of acceptance and care. 

The times I have been blessed enough to realize God was up to something, I realized that I was trying to muster up the love on my own.  I was trying to love people by my own strength instead of allowing the love of God to flow freely from me. 1 John spells this out a little for us.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."(1 John 4:7-12 NIV)

We love out of a response to what God has done for us by sending His one and only son to die for our sins. God freely gave His love to us, there is nothing that we have done to deserve this love and there is nothing that we could ever do to make God love us any more or any less.  Romans says, "While we were STILL sinners Christ died for us." You see when we come to fully understand the love God has for us, how can we even think that we have the right to decide who we show love to or not? The love that God has for us transforms our hearts towards other people, it has to!  A little bit later in chapter 4 of 1 John it says,

 "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus."  (1 John 4:16-18 NIV)

This is a tall order to live like Jesus did but the bottom line is that this is our calling. In scripture we never see Jesus repaying evil for evil. We never see Him talking wrongly against the people that persecuted Him. Even as he was hanging on the cross suffering he was asking for the forgiveness of those that were persecuting him. He is in the business of loving people. One of my favorite stories in the bible is the one about the woman at the well.

Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Galilee and scripture says they had to go through Samaria. Geographically going through Samaria to get to Galilee was the shortest route to take but one that Jews never took. You see Jews had such hatred for the Samaritans that they looked at them as the outcasts, the despised. A Jew that had any contact with a Samaritan was viewed as unclean. It was very uncommon for Jews to go through the Samaria so when John said that “he had to go through Samaria” the necessity in going was not for geographical reasons but for the purpose of saving the lost.

There was a woman who had to go to the well in the scorching heat of the day in order to avoid people. Because she was a known prostitute she was looked down upon, people would judge her, and ridicule her. Most women during this time would take the long trek to the well for more water during the cool of the night while in community together. Jesus went against what culture said and went out of his way to find this woman. Jesus was living in such submission to God that he was aware of the divine appointments that were before Him. It didn't matter to him that his disciples thought he was crazy or that people would wonder why he was at the well with this woman alone. Jesus saw it as a chance to love someone that was an outcast in society, someone who was judged for the way they lived their life. The love of God was clearly being lived out in Jesus' life.  It was evident that he lived in such a way that love and compassion flowed freely from him, and remember that 1 John 4:17 said, "in this world we are to be like Jesus".  

As you encounter those "hard to love people" this week there are two things you can be thinking about. You can ask God if he is trying to reveal to you an area that you need to change in your own life in how you love others. You can also look at every encounter you have with someone as a God ordained appointment just like Jesus' appointment at the well. Cling to the cross for your strength and allow the love God has for you to flow freely from you as you love those around you like Jesus would.

The Dreaded "C" Word

When you hear the phrase, the dreaded “C” word, what comes to mind? For many, it is the word “cancer”. That silent disease that unbeknownst to us can lie lurking, with the potential to overtake and destroy cells, organs and bodies. Once active it begins a quiet assault against good, strong and healthy cells leaving in its wake a mass of diseased tissue. Left unnoticed and unattended, over time it brings bodily breakdown, pain and can ultimately lead to death.

I am thinking these days of another “C” word that when left unchecked within the body of Christ can be just as subtle, just as destructive and deadly. It has the ability, power and potential to divide; to bring pain; and it will harm and hinder the health, vitality and functionality of the body. The “C” word I am referring to is very simply “confusion”. At first glance you might question why I would suggest this, but let me explain.

The more I am involved in other people’s stories and the longer I am a participant in the body of Christ, I see a theme emerging that clearly points to the destructive and negative nature of confusion. It is so often the root cause of relational discord, misunderstanding and can lead to division and isolation. It can so easily take us off the track of truth and skew authentic and original meaning. It can easily send up a smoke screen to blur our vision and our path and keep us from knowing how to navigate forward, immobilizing us in the end. It can fog and distort our thoughts, perceptions and emotions which may entice us to build a case against another, all out of inaccurate information, far and very different from the true purpose or meaning. Confusion can over time subtly destroy healthy environments, strong teams, and intimate relationships, leaving chaos in its wake.

How many relational problems begin as a result of something being said or done that causes the other person to walk away in a cloud of confusion. That in and of itself isn’t the issue – we are all prone to not explain ourselves effectively or doing things that can come across inaccurately. The problem begins though when we walk away and don’t address our confusion. This opens the door for our minds to twist and skew what has just taken place.  Over time if the confusion isn’t clarified it will build until it is impossible to see clearly and accurately any longer.

I have a friend who is diligent in this regard. Many times after I have interacted with them I will receive a call later on. A quick, but intentional conversation to clarify something one of us may have said. It has been sobering to realize how many times one of us was reading something in that was not reality at all. How freeing to know that in the end we are both on the same page and we never have to question or doubt or wonder any longer. We stop confusion in its track so that we can go forward unhindered and unencumbered.

In closing, here are a couple of thoughts…

• The opposite of confusion is ‘understanding’ and Psalm 119:130 says, “The unfolding of your Words give light; it gives understanding to the simple.” The first place to begin if we are confused is to seek Jesus and scripture, to ask for His counsel to sift and sort through the confusion in order to gain truth.
• Anytime confusion exists, especially relationally, it is both our right and responsibility to ask for, and seek clarity. A simple question or request for explanation can eliminate confusion before any misunderstanding sets in.
• Don’t let too much time go by before confronting confusion. Like cancer, early detection and elimination is critical. If not dealt with in a timely manner it has the ability to create chaos that will take intense time and energy to unravel.

Father, give us the ability to communicate clearly with others. Give us courage to do our part to eradicate confusion. Thank you Jesus that as we draw close to you and seek understanding, you are faithful to provide. Help us to live together in unity, clarity and understanding. Amen

Prayer for Mercy

By St. Maria Faustina

As people who are in constant need of mercy we pray,

Help us Jesus, that we ask of You - we will give to others - Mercy, both in deed and word

Help us, O Lord, that our eyes may be merciful, so that we may never suspect or judge others, but always look for what is beautiful and good in my neighbor

Help us, that our ears may be merciful, so that we may give heed to others' needs and not be indifferent to their pain

Help us, O Lord, that our tongue may be merciful, so that we will never speak wrongly of others, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all

 Help us, O Lord, that our hands may be merciful and fulled with good deeds so that we may do only good to others and try to take upon the more difficult and toilsome tasks

Amen

Getting Perspective

“Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”  Psalm 16:5 & 6

Thursday morning I was reading this Psalm and as read that line “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” my immediate thought was “Wish I could say that.” The Psalmist David seems to be saying his life has gone well, he’s had it pretty good. Some people seem to have all the luck; its always up and the right for them. Others seem to barely get by. You can guess which camp my mind was in Thursday morning.

As I pondered on my life I thought about dreams I’ve had to let go of, people I’ve lost, wounds I’ve received, and how I seem to never really get ahead. My boundary lines don’t seem to have fallen in pleasant places…at least in my opinion.

 Right in the middle of this “poor me” pout I began to think about literal boundaries. I thought about the border of Canada and the U.S. that I’ve crossed many times. As I viewed a mental map of Canada and the U.S in my head the Holy Spirit began to whisper to me as he revealed where my boundaries have fallen, starting with my geographic boundaries. I live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I have seen sites that people travel around the world to experience. I’ve had the privilege to live in complete freedom in the U.S. and now Canada.

The Holy Spirit began to zoom me in to the boundaries of the states and province I’ve lived in: Oregon, Colorado, and Alberta. Each a mind blowing example of beauty in creation. I zoomed in tighter to the boundaries of the counties and cities I lived in. In Oregon I was an hour away from the Pacific Ocean, two from world class skiing and hiking. I could be on a river fly fishing in 60 minutes and deep in thought riding through a forest on my motorcycle in 20.

You’re starting to get the idea right? So was I. So I spent the rest of my time with God and Holy Spirit asking them to show me closer and closer close ups of my boundaries. The people I’ve been able to meet, the activities I’ve been able to participate in, the family I’ve been allowed to love, the house I get to live in, the wife and kids I’ve been blessed with. It was a good exercise for me and it changed my perception.

I wonder if a similar exercise would be helpful for you. Find a time and space to reflect on this Psalm and ask God to show you your boundaries. Start with a big picture (Earth or the hemisphere, the continent, your country) and slowly allow the Holy Spirit to zoom you in closer and closer, from continent, to country, to province, to county, to city, to block, to house, to room, right to the point of where you are sitting and praying. Ask for God for insights and the significance of each of these boundary snap shots.

An exercise like this is good for perspective. It allowed me to take a big step back and remember how good I’ve got it. Truly the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Fear of Falling

Ah, Alberta and its wonky weather winters. It’s the last week of January, and the unusual warmth has made me wonder if I should head up on the ol’ roof early this year and take down the Christmas lights. Even though I stop turning them on after New Year’s Day, they usually sit up on their precarious perches until at least the end of March.

I don’t look at it so much as procrastination… more like self-preservation. You see, there is one second-story strand that cannot be reached from below with a ladder, thanks to a crab apple tree that is slowly becoming one with the front of my house. To reach that second-story strand, I have to climb onto the roof and get at it from above—an experience that never ceases to get my heart pounding and my mind questioning my sanity.

I clearly remember the first time I made my way onto that second-story roof. My parents were arriving that day for a brief pre-Christmas visit, and I wanted to welcome them with a festive-looking house. So up I went, strands in hand. As it happened, I ended up too terrified to get within three feet of the edge. After a few agonizing attempts, limbs trembling and sweat pouring, I finally left the roof in defeat. As I descended the ladder, my parents drove up.

The sight of me stepping down from the ladder with a strand of Christmas lights coiled in one hand must’ve been enough for my Dad to get the picture. He gently offered to help me out, and, in that confident manner he always had, began climbing the ladder. Chagrined and a little embarrassed, I followed with the lights. Soon we were on the roof, Dad eying the situation, and me beginning to feel my pulse racing again. Then he reached out for the strand and, as comfortable as if he were on level ground, knelt by the edge of the roof and began to attach it to the eaves.

Now, my Dad is not a small man. He’s always towered above me at his 6’ 3” height, and has that imposing farm-bred physique that reminds me every time I see him that I’ll probably never be able to take him in an arm-wrestling match, even when he’s 100 years old. But somehow, seeing him kneeling right at the edge of that rooftop without a hint of fear did something in me. With jaw set, I stepped to the edge of the roof and knelt beside Dad. Mimicking his posture, I began clipping those tiny lights to the eaves, one at a time.

And just like that, the fear evaporated.

Soon the strand was in place and plugged in. Standing there on that rooftop, admiring our handiwork, I couldn’t help but reflect on the difference between how I had felt when I had been on the roof alone and how I had felt when Dad was there with me. Somehow, the simple fact of my dad’s presence changed everything.

I could have resisted my Dad’s offer to help, mind you. I could have played the bravado card and tried to salvage my pride. I could have made excuses or tried to distract him. But I knew Dad could see through all of that. Besides, his wasn’t an offer that mocked my shortcomings; it was an act of love that bore the potential of revealing new possibilities.

The same is true with our heavenly Father, isn’t it? So much of life is daunting. Some of it is even terrifying. Many of us are right now standing near a relational, career or health-related precipice, scared out of our wits. Perhaps we’ve even come face-to-face with our limitations, but are resisting God’s gentle offer to help—choosing self-reliance instead.

If that’s where you’re at, let me remind you: God is there with you (Deuteronomy 31:6). He is for you (Ephesians 1:3-14). His perfect love banishes fear (1 John 4:18), and His presence has the power to change everything.

Promise of Purpose

About 12 years ago I received an old beat up table from my grandfather’s estate. I’m pretty sure he used it in his shop. The top was coated in a thick layer of grey paint, it was covered in oil stains and the legs had this impenetrable dark substance on them… I’m not sure what it was. I attempted to clean it when I got it, but some of the old layers just didn’t want to come off, so I let it sit until this past summer.

The last year has been a rough one, let's just say this past week’s message really sums it up. I had just moved into a new place, had time on my hands and decided to take another look at the old table. My goal was to clean it up so I could use it as a desk. It was my grandpas and has some sentimental value, but it was set aside and discarded, it's true purpose yet to be discovered.

With some elbow grease and chemicals that really sting when splashed on bare legs (note to self, always wear pants when working with chemicals), but it felt satisfying to remove the old dirty layers. As I was slaving away on the sticky, gooey substance on the legs, my mind was processing all that has taken place over the past number of months. I was trying to figure out my life and how I ended up here. I don’t really think I ever asked God “why”, but the pain was so great, I couldn’t see any purpose to it. Then, as I was working on this table, removing all the old, God spoke to me. He said, "your life is like this table. I am molding you, working to remove all the old stuff - the gooey, gross sticky mess - to reveal what is underneath. Yes, I know it looks pretty beat up and there are a lot of layers to take off, but underneath there is character, not perfection, but character to be revealed."

He said He wants to take all the pain and turn it into something that will make me a better follower of Him. He has a purpose for my life, and although I can’t see clearly what that is, I need to learn to trust and believe in His promises.

One of the books I have been reading is written by Sheila Walsh called "The Shelter of God’s Promises". In it she delves deep into God’s promises in scripture. Here are a few:

The Promise of Provision – when I don’t think I have enough…
 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

The Promise of Peace – when I’m afraid and feel alone…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”  John 14:27

The Promise of Purpose – when I can’t see God’s plan in the pain
“And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

She describes “We are the ones who have been selected by God specifically for His purposes. Therefore God makes all things, good or bad, work together to bring about His purposes, which are indeed good…. Our confidence flows out of his steadfastness.”

The Promise of Relentless Love –  see Romans 8:38-39
“He loves us for keeps and tells us: I belong to you, and you belong to Me – forever.”

A week ago I finally finished my table. It’s not perfect, but it definitely has a purpose. The layers have come off, and more of its beautiful character has been revealed. Transformation can be painful and messy, dirty even. I choose to allow Jesus to transform me for His purpose, regardless of how much pain I need to go through – He ultimately provides all that I need and I choose to live in His promises and I know that He is walking with me every step of the way.

The Gift

Have you ever thought it would be easier to believe in Jesus or follow Him if you had been with him while he was here on earth?  I’ve often envied the disciples and those who spent time with him.  However, as I’ve been meditating in the gospel of John recently, I’m reminded that Jesus doesn’t agree with me on this.  He actually said it is better for us that He was going away because of a gift He would send us.  The gift of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7).  In John 14-16 Jesus  gives several reason why this will be better. The Spirit will guide us into all Truth.  He will be our Advocate, Comforter, Counselor, Helper and Intercessor. The Holy Spirit won’t just be with us, He will be in us. 24/7.  When Jesus was here he was limited to touching those within the region where he lived, the Spirit however, will minister to believers on every corner of the globe----simultaneously!

Another thing Jesus said about this gift of the Spirit is that in spite of His activity, the world will not recognize Him because they aren’t looking for him. In a fresh way this Christmas I am thanking Jesus not just for coming to earth, but for sending us the person of the Holy Spirit when He left.  As a response, I want one of my gifts to Jesus to be that I more actively look and listen to what His Spirit is saying and doing; that I will quickly obey His promptings and follow His lead. Thank you Jesus for the gift of your Holy Spirit!