“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” Psalm 2:3 (NLT)
I was chatting the other day with an avowed atheist. Raised as a child in the church, my friend was not taught to be an non-believer. At some point, for some reason, they chose out – and struck out on the path of unbelief. I find that fascinating and I look forward to more conversations and hearing more of my friend’s story.
I thought of my friend as I read today’s chapter and came to the verse above. Along the journey I’ve met many people who’ve chosen the path of unbelief. As they share their stories I’ve noticed that their decisions are often as much reaction as they are reason: anger against repressive parents, anger against injustices done by the religious, crisis of faith from a personal tragedy, and etc.
Every one has their story. Every one walks their own journey. Sometimes they choose a path I would not choose. And so, when we cross paths I try simply to walk along side, to listen, and to try and be the best friend I can be. Jesus told me never to judge (that’s His job, and His job alone), and always to love.
Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”Acts 26:32 (NLT)
There is mysterious union of our choices and God’s divine purposes. We make decisions that determine our steps. God weaves His plan in, through and around those decisions to direct our ultimate path. I don’t pretend to understand it, but marvel to see it at work in my own journey and those with whom I share it.
In 2004 amidst the throes of a long-troubled marriage and two daughters entering adolescence I chose to take the step of uprooting the family and moving to Pella. The thought of moving to and living in Pella had never been on my radar. It was not my idea, but I chose in. It was my decision. Within a few years I would find my marriage over. I would meet and marry Wendy. The girls would graduate and step out onto their own individual paths. I made choices without any comprehension just where the path would lead. I can play the “what if” game as long as I want to, but it is a waste of time and mental energy. Those who know me best and have journeyed with me the longest will testify to witnessing God’s divine purpose in the circuitous trail on which my choices led. I look back on the past eight years and scratch my head as I perceive the eternal mystery of the intersection of my temporal choices and God’s divine purposes.
In today’s chapter we learn that Paul could have been free had he not appealed to Caesar, but he did appeal to Caesar. Paul will go to Rome in chains and continue to proclaim God’s Message there. Did God want Paul free, or did God want Paul in Rome? How does God’s omniscience and eternal purposes intersect with Paul’s finite thought, human emotions and earthbound motivations?
Today, I’m praying for wisdom in choosing my steps, and gratefully trusting God with the direction of my path.
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Hebrews 2:14 (NLT)
I do a lot of public speaking. I’ve done a lot of it in my career and in my personal life. Conferences, lectures, workshops, training sessions, and even sermons. When speaking in front of a group for the first (and perhaps only) time, the host always wants a bio to read in introducing me. For the record: I hate writing my bio. I hate updating my bio. I hate listening to my bio read.
Writing a bio is basically making a public claim about yourself. It feels like you’re trying to impress people with your education or your accomplishments or whatever. It always feels like I’m trying to justify why people should listen to me. As soon as you lift yourself up there are those will start tearing you down. So, my preference is just to leave off the introduction and the bio. Just let me say what I have to say and make a judgment about me based on my message, not on my resume.
Perhaps that’s why Jesus was quick not to make public claims about Himself. He actively told people not to tell others who He was. Nevertheless, when pressed He did make a claim. He made the most audacious claim that one could make. Jesus claimed to be God in human flesh, born to live among us, to die as a sacrifice for all of our wrong doings, and to be raised back to life to make a way for the rest of us to experience Life.
C.S. Lewis famously pointed out that we all have to make our own decision about the claim that Jesus made about Himself. Lewis reasoned that we have one of three choices:
Jesus knew He was not God and, therefore, lied to us all.
Jesus was not God, but honestly thought and claimed that He was, which means that He was a lunatic, because claiming to be God is the act of a delusional person.
Jesus was exactly who He said He was. In which case, I must take seriously what I’m going to do in response to what He said and asks of those who follow.
Today, I’m thinking about the person of Jesus. I’m new and afresh thinking about who He claimed to be and my choice to accept His claim. I’m reviewing my own choice to follow, however feebly, the path He laid out for those who would take up their own cross and follow.
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NLT)
In my work, I’m constantly encouraging people to improve their service to customers. As I coach individuals, it is not uncommon for some of them to get frustrated. They want to be deemed as “good enough” in the quest for service excellence. But, like all who pursue excellence in their endeavors, the term “continuous improvement” is more than a catch phrase. It does not diminish a persons achievements or belittle the good job they are doing. It merely points out the fact that there is always room to hone our skills, improve our consistency and reach for new heights.
In our spiritual lives, I find the same struggle. There are those I meet along the path who simply want to be bestowed with the mantle of “good enough.” No introspection. No thought. No sanding down rough edges. No struggle to put away foolish, childish ways and reach for new levels of wisdom and maturity. “Give me an easy path,” I hear them saying. “How about a straight path and a level road that won’t take too much work. In fact, can you put me on one of those moving walkways like they have at the airport so I can just stand there and let it propel me through life?”
But the faith journey is not like that. It is the path of continuous improvement. It requires attention, vigilance, introspection, and constant diligence. Just when you feel good about how far you’ve come, you realize that the path had not come to and end. You’ve not reached the finish line. It’s only a waypoint. The path leads on towards the horizon; further up and further in.
Jesus said that there are two great commands that are the pinnacle. They are the sum of all of life’s rules:
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
Love others as you love yourself
Love overflowing. Love emanating from the deepest wellspring of our being. Purely intentioned, sacrificial love pouring out in torrents like water through reservoir floodgates thrown open wide as if to empty the lake and permanently change everything downstream that lies in its earth-changing wake. Love in every thought. Love in every word. Love in every act.
Let me know when you reach thatpoint. Otherwise, let’s strain to open the floodgates a little wider, and let’s keep pressing on.
“But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand. As far as you’re concerned, we’re homeless, shiftless wanderers like our ancestors, our lives mere shadows, hardly anything to us.” 1 Chronicles 29:14-15 (MSG)
Wendy and I went for a walk the other night. It was a gorgeous summer evening and we opted for a slow, “flip-flop” walk (as opposed to a more serious “tennis shoe” walk). We conversed as we walked and I shared with her some of the feelings I have around the tremendous life shift we’ve experienced in the past year.
We’ve had both girls move out of the house. One of them got married and brought a son-in-law into our family equation. We’ve taken over my parents’ place at the lake and built a house there. We’ve watched Wendy’s younger siblings graduating from medical school, college, and high school. We’ve experience tough economic times and uncertainty about the future. And, we’ve experienced some of our own deep disappointments. It feels like the path has changed, and I’m still trying to get my footing. There are feelings of grief, joy, fear, hope, disappointment, excitement, relief, and regret all churning around inside me.
It was good to read David’s reminder today, and to try to gain some perspective. I am just a wayfarer and a wanderer. My life, my journey, is but a fleeting shadow in the grand scheme of things. All I am and all I’ve been given were from God’s hand in the beginning. I am, step-by-step, making my way home to give it all back.
Even then, though, Jehu wasn't careful to walk in God's ways and honor the God of Israel from an undivided heart. He didn't turn back from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into a life of sin. 2 Kings 10:31 (MSG)
There is a difference between believing God and following God. Acknowledging is not the same as submitting. Walking a personal path that parallel's God's for a stretch is not the same as walking God's path.
Jehu was not a God follower. He acknowledged God just as far as it would serve his own purpose. He was on the throne, the extensive family of Ahab was wiped out, the Baal cult that had been such a powerful adversary had been eliminated to ensure the security of his reign. God had served Jehu well. In the end, the opposite was not true.
Is God serving my purpose(s), or am I serving God's purpose(s)?
Naaman lost his temper. He turned on his heel saying, "I thought he'd personally come out and meet me, call on the name of God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and get rid of the disease."2 Kings 5:11 (MSG)
My wife and I sat in the living room last night talking about the way you picture your life turning out, and the way it actually ends up looking. From the time we're little children we are asked "What are you going to be when you grow up?" Without being aware that we're doing it, we begin to plot, plan and prescribe the path we want our lives to take. Somewhere along the growth curve we become aware of God's presence on the journey. Instead of relinquishing the Google map we printed in on our heart and brain of the path we're taking, we ascribe authorship of the map it to God. We mentally stamp God's approval on it. Sometimes we even get so bold as to proclaim it: "God called me to…," "God wants me to…," "God is leading me to…,"
Like Naaman, we want God to work the way we've imagined and prescribed He will. We want Him to lead us where we want to go. Then we kick and scream at every detour, or like Namaan we simply opt out and head off on our own (then find out He planned for that, too, dangit).
God cannot be confined except within boundary lines that He, Himself, has set. He certainly cannot be confined by an individual human's thoughts and desires. His plans and designs for us are infinitely more intricate and complex than we can possibly fathom. We can chart a course, but we shouldn't be surprised when the journey takes us on a much different path than the one we imagined.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
Those who keep their heads on straight will teach the crowds right from wrong by their example. Daniel 11:33 (MSG)
As I've read historical accounts of crisis and battle, I'm struck by a common theme. Great leaders are able to keep their heads on straight when bullets are flying and circumstances seem to spiral out of control around them. God's message says that character is proven in the midst of trial, and I believe it to be true. Though, the truth of it is not generally revealed in the moment, but in hindsight and reflection.
This week has been a time of reflection for me. Looking back at the journey, there is no doubt that I have traveled through some difficult stretches of road. Certainly, like every wayfarer, my feet have stumbled. Nevertheless, here I stand. I'm still pressing on. I'd like to think I've been able to keep my head on straight when life seemed to be crumbling around me. The crowds can choose to think what they will. I'm just going to keep walking towards the finish line.
Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and pleeker
