Fear

What are you afraid of? Stop. I meant it. Think. What scares you?

• Lose your job?
• Debt?
• Death of a loved one?
• That you don't matter?
• That you will miss out on something?
• That someone has it better?
• That you will die?
• That you will become incapacitated?
• That you will be alone?

Have you stopped reading because you don't want to think about it?

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. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:17-19 (NIV)

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. 1 John 4:7-9 (NIV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

These passages challenge me and, at times, leave me in a state of confusion.

• Fear cannot exist in the face of real love
• God is real love
• Fearing God leads to real enlightenment

I have come to believe that my fears weaken me and lead me away from loving others as I preoccupy myself with self-preservation. Fear, though seductive, is a dead end. We all die. A healthy respect for God empowers me. I know I respect God when I leave a trail of love.

May you know your fears today and may you play to an audience of one today - God.

 

A Promise Kept

McDonald’s promised me this, so I went.

I got this.

Disappointment.

People come to church hoping for this.

Often, they experience this.

Sigh.

God made you for this.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

What will you be today?

God is counting on you. The world needs you. Don't disappoint.

You may be the only Gospel someone reads - St. Francis of Assisi

Reversal

 

I was reminded today in Morning Prayer that Hannah’s Song from 1 Samuel and Mary’s Song from Luke are similar in that both speak of God’s radical reversal of roles. Specifically, those well off end up disadvantaged and those not so well off (poor) finish strong in God’s eyes. Jesus echoes this in his “First will be last and last will be first” and “a leader is servant of all” talk.  

If you read this (or write it for that matter,) you are rich. How will you prepare for eternity by embracing the poor, forgotten and suffering who have God’s favor?

Jesus said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:3-11 (NIV)

Do You Have What It Takes?

The following quotation was sent to me recently. I did not know who Hamilton Wright Mabie was but I liked his sentiment. 

The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages; the question is what he will do with the things he has. The moment a young man ceases to dream or to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks his conditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he lays the corner-stone of a solid and honorable success.       Hamilton Wright Mabie 

Jesus said something similar when the disciples bemoaned that he had asked them to do the impossible (in their minds.)  Here is my much abbreviated translation of Mark’s version of the feeding of the 5,000. If you want the real thing, look here 

Jesus: “You give them something to eat.”

Disciples (whining): “Are you out of your mind? Where are we going to get that kind of money?

Jesus: “Why don’t you see what you have first.”

Disciples (exasperated): “Where’s what we’ve got.”

Jesus: “Fine, that’s enough.”

We can do a lot more than we think we can. Our problem is that, too often, we compare with others (and pine and whine) rather than take inventory of what we really have in the way of abilities and resources. Too often, we forget that we are to carry out life depending on Jesus Christ.

Too, often we leave Christ out of our day and out of the equation.

What impossible things are you equipped to do today? When was the last time you invited Christ into your challenges? You’ve got what it takes!

A Man of His Word

My dad taught me that a man keeps his promise no matter what the cost or what better turns up. I assume that there may have been extenuating (I mean really extenuating) circumstances where a man may request to bow out of a promise. A handshake was sacred. I further assume that he meant this for a woman as well.

My dad lived this out. I remember a certain eccentric wildcatter of a man from Grants, New Mexico who paid in cash (lots of it) in the oil patch and who always keep his word. Nothing had to be in writing. He was good for it.

These people of honor I find are rarer these days. Sad. Social currency erodes. Who do we believe, trust or can we count on?

“I promise” often means (or is interpreted to mean)

• I will (unless something better comes along)
• I will (but not if it poses an inconvenience)
• I will (but I won’t look you in the eye if I am going to reneg)
• I will (but you don’t really expect me to uphold this, do you?)
• I will (but you will have to continually remind, if not nag, me)
• I will (but I will “mail it in”)

What will you do today to be a woman or man of integrity, a woman or man of her/his word? Pray that I will as well.

Jesus said, “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV)