But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”
Luke chapter 19, verses 41-44; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Be like Jesus! That’s been the goal of every true follower of Jesus. At least, it should be. But did you know that Jesus wept? I’m not talking about the shortest verse in the Bible. I’m talking about His character and His heart. In today’s passage this is exactly what’s happening. Jesus begins to WEEP! Not just a single tear, but WEEPING! The Greek verb Luke used means: weeping as the sign of pain and grief for the thing signified: i.e. the cause of the pain and grief. What caused His pain and grief? Jerusalem–not the place on a map–but the people who lived there!
And it’s even more powerful to realize the point at which Jesus begins to cry! This is what is referred to as Jesus’ Triumphant Entry! You may know it better as Palm Sunday. And before the week is over, Jesus will die a horrible death. And He knows it! Imagine if you will, the crowds waving those palm branches while shouting Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of The Lord! The people lay those branches, even their cloaks to make an impromptu red carpet. Got this image? Great!
As Jesus walks the red carpet amidst all those Hosannas, He begins to cry! Not just a single tear, but a flood of tears. These are not tears of joy, but tears of pain and grief. He’s lamenting You can’t lament just a little. And those tears aren’t about the pain and suffering that clearly lies ahead. Nope! It’s for the people! All people! In all ages! In all places! That includes you and I. Jesus has that ability and power to see beyond the present–and to see much deeper.
Now, remembering this scene, here’s my question of the day! Are you being like Jesus? When was the last time you wept for our world–the people in it? I mean, just breaking down and sobbing where the tears just keep on coming and coming! Let’s face it, we rather be like Jesus in Luke’s next epic sage. You know, the one where Jesus makes a whip and drives out the merchants and money-changers in the Temple. Now, there’s a Jesus a lot of folks appears to really wanna be like!
I mean, look at how much complaining we’ve been doing. Please take note of the pronoun I carefully selected: WE! I think about some of my musings and rants about my former Tribe (the United Methodist Church). And I will admit that it felt real good pointing out their flaws and downright errors. But these past few days, The Spirit has been asking me a question; a question that I didn’t want Him to ask. This question has been fermenting in my mind.
And here it is: Randy, have you been crying over your former tribe? Did you cry over them BEFORE I led you to a different path? I’m not heartless. There were those moments a tear or two rolled down my cheeks. But lamenting in deep pain and grief? To my shame and dishonor, I must say that I haven’t. But if I really wanna be like Jesus–then this is exactly what I must do. Not only for my former Tribe–but for what lies before me: Our world!
And here is my final point: It’s time to stop making whips, and start crying our eyes out! For churches. For co-workers. For neighbors. For family. For the lost. For those who are being deceived. For those who hate us. For our enemies. And yes, even for Audrey Hale who murdered 3 children and 3 adults yesterday in Nashville, Tennessee. Just one observation here: we’ve been making whips and it ain’t helping. Maybe it’s time we started making some tears–uncontrollable tears. It’s what Jesus did!
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians chapter 2, verse 20; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Just exactly who are you? What determines the essence of you? What is the bottom line? Fact Time: Everyone has a, call it, bottom-line identity. It is what you are known by to others. Are you identified by your roles? Dad? Mom? Lawyer? Plumber? Preacher? Son? Daughter? Sister? Brother? Accountant? OR is your bottom-line identity in what you do? Kind? Helpful? Patient? Caring? Friendly? Empathetic? Energetic? And when it comes to your spiritual life (and everyone has one of these), what is the singularity that marks your life?
Do you consider yourself a Christian? Maybe I should ask a tougher question: What makes you a Christian? Is it an identity based on things like confessing and repenting of your sins and saying the sinner’s prayer? Being baptized? That you are a member of a particular church? That you read your Bible and say your prayers? That you avoid certain vices? Or is it because you show love to others? That you volunteer at the local homeless shelter? That you support the local food bank? That you demand justice for animals? That you cry out for equality for all people? So tell me, which is it? What you say or what you do?
That it’s both? Being a Christian is more than a title or a label. It’s more than a statement about what you did. And it’s more than actions we think makes us a Christian! It begins with the recognition that it’s something we are totally powerless to become. It requires that admission that we ARE sinners. And more than admitting we ARE sinners, it’s being honest enough with self to say we are tired of being sinners! It demands a total surrender of heart, mind, and will to Jesus. Then, we trust that what Jesus did on the Cross was done purposefully by Him for us sinners. And that a whole new life is now in front of us!
And as difficult as they may seem for some, it’s only the beginning. Being a Christian isn’t a matter of personal holiness or social holiness. It’s both!!!! (Notice the extra exclamation marks!!!!) This is exactly what Paul was trying to tell the Galatian church. Following Jesus begins with faith. It continues with faith in actions. And to the Church in the United States, Jesus didn’t live, die, and rise up from the death to create a Christian nation. He did all this to call us to storm the strongholds of Satan and reclaim the territory he stole for the Kingdom of God. No, actions don’t save us. But our actions do determine if we are or are not saved.
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.
Matthew chapter 14, verses 22 and 23; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Sometimes you just gotta get away from it all; all of it! And this is exactly what me and Debbie are doing this week. We are at Pensacola Beach, Florida for the rest of the week. WHAT?????? With the mess our culture is in and the mess in the United Methodist Church, you’ve gone AWOL? Missing in Action? Yes, Virginia, I’m on vacation–but I’m not AWOL, nor am I missing in action. The Master gave me a week’s pass and I’m taking advantage of it!
Look carefully at today’s story. Jesus had been teaching all day. Fixed lunch for thousands of people. Taught some more. Then notice what He did. BEFORE He pronounced the benediction and sent the crowd back home, He MADE the disciple get in that boat! This tells me they didn’t want to leave. He MADE them get in it. I would imagine it was like trying to get first graders get in a straight line and be quiet. Difficult task to do. And I imagine that when He pushed that boat away from the shore, He breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, they’re gone! So He turns his attention back to the crowd. Pronounced the benediction, and sent them home.
Another sigh of relief! Now, take notice and pay careful attention to what Jesus does next! He gets away from EVERYTHING! In case you missed it, I’ll say it again: JESUS GOT AWAY FROM EVERYTHING! Just Him and Dad. No lesson plans to give to the disciples. No great messages for the crowds. No miracles. None of that! For a season, Jesus withdrew. Were there still things to do before His death? Absolutely! Were there miracles still to be performed? Yep! Did He need to spend time with the Disciples to prepare them for what was ahead of them? You betcha! Still. . .Jesus got away from it all.
And what about you? Do you take time to get away from it all? No, not for just a few minutes. But really get away from it all? Think about it: could Jesus have still done everything He needed to do without that away time? Absolutely! But remember–Jesus is modeling for us the life that God is offering us. He’s showing us how to live–even in the midst of so much chaos and turmoil. Don’t you think there was chaos and turmoil when The Master walked this earth as one of us? Sisters and brothers, in times like these, follow the example of Jesus and remember: SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA GET AWAY FROM IT ALL! And that’s exactly what we are doing!
So, what is YOUR tell? In the game of Texas Hold Em’ Poker, there’s this thing called The Tell. Well, at least that’s what I hear because I don’t play it; well, except occasionally on an app on my phone. They say that the best poker players don’t have a Tell. That’s how they become the best players. They will wear sunshades, put their hand over their mouth–all to try to hide their personal Tell. Oh, you don’t know what The Tell is? A “Tell“ is something that a person does to unknowingly indicate the strength of their hand or what one of their future actions might be. Notice the last part of that definition: what one of their future actions might be.
Forget Texas Hold Em’ for a moment and zero in on that last part. While the best poker players try to hide their Tell, in real-day-in-day-out life there is an indication of what our future actions might–or probably–will be. And while we might be able to hide our Tell it will eventually come out. Everyone has a Tell. And just like in poker, over time it is revealed in our eyes, our faces, our voices–and these come from within our heart. And they are a good indication of what our next action will be.
Think about those first disciples after that Unique Pentecost Celebration. You know, the one when the promised Holy Spirit arrived to live in them (See Acts chapter 2). It wasn’t long before they were arrested by the Sanhedrin. And the charge? Healing a man in the name of Jesus and teaching the Good News of The Kingdom of God. And standing before this austere group, their Tell was obvious. Listen to what these “leaders” said about them:
13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say.
(Acts chapter 4 verses 13 and 14 from the New Living Translation; emphasis mine)
Now, back to my opening question: What Is Your Tell? It is THE indication of your future actions–and what you will do in the next moment. Right now, I talking to just those who claim to be Christians. Does your world recognize that you have been with Jesus? While poker players do all sorts of things to hide their Tell, don’t you dare hide your tell. Remember what Jesus said:
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Matthew chapter 5, verses 14 thru 16, from The New Living Translation
Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to HIM!
The title is not a typographical error nor is it an example of using a wrong word that sounds like another word. The word is: Sow! Early this morning, while it is still dark, I was wondering what to write about today. And there wasn’t any idea floating around in my gray matter. Then it hit me! Not an idea! But a pain–a pain caused by yesterday’s activity.
Rain was coming, and I needed to get a green field planted for the upcoming deer season. I do not have a tractor–but I do have a tiller and hand tools. I loaded up the tiller, fertilizer, and seeds and off I went. I tilled up the soil, fertilized it, tilled it again, then planted the seeds. Not just one kind–but a variety of seeds. Oats. Winter Wheat. Rye grass. A variety of clover. And turnip greens.
Though the air temperature wasn’t all that bad yesterday, we did have typical Alabama humidity of somewhere around 110-125%. There were more than a few moments when I just wanted to stop and wait until another day to finish this project. But I set myself a goal–and I completed it. And now my bones, joints, and muscles ache–oh, brother do they ache! But it did get me to thinking–about Sowing Seeds as well as the end results.
Why plant such a variety of seeds? I want the deer to see a smorgasbord of great and wonderful things to eat–things that are proven they like to eat. I want to attract them in–so why plant anything they won’t eat? And what does all this have to do with Kingdom Living? This is what.
Every moment of every day every person is sowing seeds of some type. And those seeds will produce something that will either attract or repel. You can’t plant saw briars and hope to produce roses.
Even The Bible teaches this horticultural principle. Look at Galatians 6:6-7 (NLT)—“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” Many people are sowing seeds of:
Anger
Apathy
Resentment
Bitterness
Rage
Prejudice
Hate
Malice
Selfishness
Fear
Doubt
Mistrust
ad infinitum
ad nauseam
Just look around! Watch the news! Listen to people talk! Such seeds as the aforementioned are growing everywhere. They repel people. They are repulsive and destructive. The fields look like kudzu patches–choking the life out of anyone and everyone. It’s not surprising to see what grows from such sowing. It’s that horticultural principle–sow seeds, add nutrients and water–and they grow into their nature. You can’t plant spinach seeds and expect to see watermelons.
But here’s the thing. There are a lot more varieties of seeds that can be planted, other than the aforementioned list. And these seeds live by the very same horticultural principles. Humor me with a few examples:
Kindness
Graciousness
Helpfulness
Mercifulness
Love
Tenderness
Compassion
Empathy
Forgiveness
Patience
Peacefulness
Hopefulness
Faithfulness
Joyfulness
Sincerity
Genuineness
Truthfulness
Honesty
Selflessness
And so many more wonderful seeds!
These types of seeds are far more attractive than repulsive. These types of seeds come from Jesus Christ. And Jesus promised that if He was lifted up, people would come to Him. I want to close out with a word to those who think they are or self-identify as “Christians”. Make sure the seeds you are sowing are the seeds that produce the character of Jesus. When Jesus was walking in the midst of His creation as one He created, sinful, messy, broken people were attracted to Him. Religious folks, not so much–with a few exceptions. There’s another verse in Galatians 6 related to sowing. Verse 9: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
After 4 hours of working on my greenfield, I was giving serious contemplation to giving up. But I let the thought of what it will produce override my pitiful desire to quit. So, what are you sowing today?
This morning my inspiration came from Terry Teykl (check him out here). It was yesterday’s email that I finally got around to reading this morning. He said, well, just let me Control C and Control V (that’s “copy and paste”): “Jesus was crucified between two thieves, one on each side of him. Today, we also live with the possibility of two thieves taking their place on each side of us. One thief is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow. Both of these thieves steal from us and stop us from living in the present. But gratitude is an antidote to their thievery.”
When we allow the chaotic culture that is inundating us to hold our attention, then Terry’s 2 thieves get on each side of us; and the results are annihilating any sense or hope of being Kingdom People. You’ve seen it: people who are pining day after day for what use to be. Then there are those whining that the future is hopeless. Two thieves who taunt us into submission. And we, who should be That Different Voice, have pined and whined our way into The Enemy’s Camp. Trust me on this one, The Enemy takes great joy when those who should be following Jesus allow the thieves to steal our purpose.
I propose to you today that there is a third option. Instead of pining and whining why not start Shining? Supposedly the British author Charles Dickens once said that in America we have it all mixed up. He said, “Use that one day just for complaining and griping. Use the other 364 days to thank God for the many blessings he has showered upon you.” Sound advice, even if he is from across the pond.
What better way to counter the culture than choosing to be grateful! Read and listen carefully to what Paul wrote:
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
Paul didn’t say to be thankful for, but be thankful in! Think you don’t have anything to be thankful for? Check out Joe’s story! He was pampered and spoiled by his daddy. He was daddy’s favorite and he loved to brag about it. But one day his brothers threw him in a hole, took his prized coat, covered it with blood to pretend he had been dragged off by a wild animal, and then sold Arrogant Joe into slavery. If that wasn’t bad enough he was sold again in a country where he didn’t know their language. He managed to rise up only to be lied about and thrown into prison. If that wasn’t bad enough, he helped a fellow prisoner who said he wouldn’t forget Joe–but he did; for 2 years he forgot all about Joe.
Joe could have pined for the days when he was his daddy’s favorite son with all the perks it brought. Joe could have whined about his situation in that Egyptian prison–which was not much more than the hole his brothers pushed him into. Two thieves on each side of Joe; but Joe did not choose to pine or whine. He made the conscious choice to Shine! All those bad times really did to Joe was sand off his arrogance and taught him the importance of Godly Character.
And when Joe could have exacted revenge on those brothers–he didn’t listen to Pining and he ignored Whining. Here’s what he said:
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
I love how The Message renders it: “Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.” Joseph was not thankful for the pit or the prison or the injustice. Joseph was thankful that God was busy at work redeeming all the bad in order to bring out The Shine!
Don’t let those treacherous thieves called Pining and Whining steal your life. Do what Paul said, Be thankful! So today, go out there and be thankful. When you’re thankful you can’t help but be joyful, kind and helpful. It will make you Shine like the sun; better yet–Shine Like The Son! God is working for good in your life and mine–even if we are unjustly thrown in prison like Joseph. And if that’s not enough to cause you to desire Gratitude in this day–do it anyway because it will annoy the stew out of the piners and whiners. I’d call that a great day!
Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Him–and it will when you choose GRATITUDE!
As we close out this Blueprint For A Brand
New You, I wanted to find the word that brings all this together. When it comes to following blueprints for a
house, each specialist looks only at their part. But for the home to be built everything needs
to come together in the right way at the right time, otherwise there is chaos
and confusion. I want you to be able to
see clearly how thinking in a new way, having eyes that are open, and learning
to step out in faith can transform you into a brand new person.
Neither God nor I want you to just become a
different person, but to become the person that God Created And Redeemed
you to become. God takes the
junk out of our lives but He also gives us a reason and a purpose in life.
This God-Created, God-Honoring Purpose
is where we truly find the life that our hearts are hungry for. More than just you being a different person
from last year, God Wants Us To Become Who He Wants Us To Become By Going And Doing
What He Has Designed For Our Life In Christ. And the only text that God would allow me to
use is from Matthew 28:16-20 (The Message)
Meanwhile,
the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain
Jesus had set for their reunion. The
moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some,
though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission
you: Go out and train everyone you meet,
far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold
name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then instruct them in the practice of all I have
commanded you. I’ll be with you as you
do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
Anyone here ever heard of the Kodak
Company? At one time it was one of the
top corporations. Where is it now? On Jan. 17, 2012, it filed for bankruptcy. It took them years to get out of
bankruptcy. Why? They forgot their purpose. They thought their purpose was to produce
film for cameras. In 1975, one of their
researchers developed the first digital camera, but company executives told him
to keep it quiet. In 2006 they stopped
manufacturing Kodachrome Film after 74 years. They thought their purpose was
making film—when their true purpose was creating images.
Ever since then, they have been playing
catch-up instead of being the leader in their industry. Imagine people going to work day after day
without knowing their company’s business, yet that’s exactly what happens when churches
don’t know where they should be going and what they should be doing.
Rather than try to find out what they should
be doing, they keep doing the same things, expecting different results. To become the Brand New You that honors God
and gives us that life of purpose and meaning, then we need to know where we
need to be going and what we need to be doing.
In the beginning of the Church, it was clear
to them—they knew where to go and what to do.
It was going into their world and doing the very thing Jesus told them
to do. They didn’t have anywhere else to
go or anything else to do, but the One Thing Jesus told them to do: Make
Disciples Of Others Through Loving Them And Sharing With Them What Jesus Had
Done In Their Life!
The One Thing that EVERY Church and THIS
Church must be is that Community of Believers who GO into the world and DO what
Jesus wants, and what Jesus wants is for the lost to know they are loved by the
Father and can have a relationship with Him!
We need to know that our One Thing, the ONLY
Thing Jesus wants is for us to Make Disciples By Showing Them God’s Love,
Sharing What God Has Done For Us, And Inviting Them Into That Most Important
Relationship Of All. It is
about becoming The New Creation by The Blood Of Jesus Christ.
Too much of what happens in many churches
today is about consumerism. We think
that the church is all about meeting our needs.
Have you ever heard anyone say, “Well, I’m not going back to that church
because it’s not meeting my needs.”? They’ve
made the church about what they want more than what Jesus wants!
Purpose Is God’s Gift To Us, Not Our Offering To God. This Means We Exist To Show The Real Love Of God To Real People In Real Ways So That They Can Become A Real Disciple Of Jesus.
To be the person that God created you to become, to live the life that Jesus died to give you, there are two steps to take and one thing to remember: Step One
1. Make The Commitment
To Go Into This World!
It is a world that is not very nice. Sometimes it’s dirty and ugly. It’s a world that is filled with a lot of
pain. It’s a world that is scary. It is a world that is unfair and
unreasonable. It is a world that is selfish
and narrow minded. It is a world that is
torn apart by disasters and wars. It is
a world that is filled with darkness and sin.
That’s what Satan is doing with God’s creation.
But it was into this same world that Jesus
left heaven and entered into. Jesus
Entered Into The Pain, The Filth, The Brokenness And The Sickness Of This World. Sometimes, people came to Him wherever He
was; but Jesus didn’t wait for them to show up.
He went to them. Jesus sat and
ate with the worst sinners of that day—Tax Collectors.
He reached out to everyone who was called
unclean—the prostitutes, the adulteresses, the lepers, the poor—by those who
thought themselves to be religious and godly.
Anyone who had been pushed aside by the world, Jesus reached out to
them. And if we are going to be His
Disciples, then we follow his example!
In order to be a Brand New You, we stop going where we want to go and
start going where Jesus goes.
Make your
commitment to go into this world. Now
Step 2:
2. Make The
Commitment To Do Something Only Jesus Would Do!
Do you know what Jesus is doing in our world
today? He is loving every single
person. When Jesus walked this earth as
a human, He came to show a world that for some who wondered if God loves them,
and for others who felt like God didn’t love them—to show that God has
unconditional love for everyone!
It is really clear what Jesus wants us to do—To Love Others Like Jesus Loves Us! Jesus loves us completely, unconditionallyand sacrificially. None of us deserves this. Yet Jesus shows us how much God loves us at the cross.
And He wants us out there showing others how much God loves them. We love others with our actions and not our words. We show our love for Jesus when we give food to the hungry, clothes to those who have little or none, when we offer care to those who are sick or lonely, when we care for those who are in prison. It’s not what we talk about that shows our world the love of God, it is what we actually do to help those who are among the least, the last and the lost. Your world will never see how much God loves themuntil they see AND experience how much you love them. Do Something Only Jesus Would Do!
3. (And Here Is
The One Thing You Need To Remember:) Go
And Do Because Jesus Is With You!
When we are going our own way and doing it
our way, Jesus isn’t with us. But, When
We Are Going And Doing What Jesus Wants, We Are Never Alone. He is with you.
Did you hear how The Message translation puts it? “I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day.” He has never asked you to go and to do it alone. In fact, He Insists That You Don’t Go Or Do It Alone. In order to be a Brand New You, it takes confidence, the confidence that what Jesus said to those disciples, He really meant it and He really means it for you, too.
And You Must Believe That It Is His Presence
That Will Make The Difference In Our Life, And In Those Lives We Are Called To
Go To, And To Love. Our Life Purpose is to make new
disciples for Jesus, by going to them, by doing for them in love, sharing with
them all that God has done for us, And Then Inviting Them Into The Relationship
With The Father.
Churches that close their doors when there were people around them without Jesus, didn’t know what their business was. To be a real disciple of Jesus, to be an authentic Christian, to be a real church, we have to remember that our business is all about bringing people into a relationship with Jesus. You have to know why you are here. Do You Know?
NEXT STEPS
Is Jesus Living In You? Galatians
2:20—“My old self has been crucified
with Christ. It is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me. So I live in
this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me.” I’m not asking how much you
know about Jesus. I’m asking: Is Jesus living in you? The only way He can live in you is that you
ask Him and surrender everything in you to Him—your will, guilt, fear, your
days, your relationships, ALL that makes you who you are.
Ask Him To Give You This Week and Every Week The Opportunity To Show The
Real Love Of God To Real People In Real Ways So That They Can Become A Real
Disciple Of Jesus. You can do this
in many ways:
Don’t judge them. Sinners know they are sinners without you
reminding them.
Forgive Someone who has hurt you. The best way someone can know that God will
forgive them is to see that same forgiveness in you.
Help Someone who needs help.Open a door, give up your place in line, help change a tire, share an
unexpected gift, encourage someone with your acts rather than your words, take
someone to lunch—do you get the idea?
Tell someone what God has done for
you, especially if you didn’t deserve or earn it. The world sees us who follow Jesus as a
people who feel superior to others, or that we never have problems. This just isn’t true. Change that perception by being honest about
your issues and struggles—and how Jesus came to you in the middle of those
struggles.
Well, God just wouldn’t leave me alone about this, so here I go. Before I start, please know this isn’t about me. It is about something I did, but it’s not about me. Now that this is clear as muddy water, on to what happened to me.
Yesterday I delivered a gift from Mt. Vernon to a young single parent who is living like many single parents–under great pressure. I went to the home, introduced myself, and presented her with a gift from the Body of Christ at Mt. Vernon. As with baptisms and weddings, this is the part of my job I absolutely love. I simply told her, “God loves you and so do we.” I left and went to Wal Mart to exchange something and pick up a few more things.
I’m waiting in the refund line when my phone rang. OK, here’s where the story takes a twist. When I’m in a line I NEVER answer my phone. I consider it rude and a tarnishing of the image of me as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. The number that came up was not in my contacts. My natural response to a number not in my contacts is, “Oh, dear Lord, another telemarketer!” Usually at that point, I send it to voicemail.
But this time, I didn’t. Something, well, actually SOMEONE said, “Answer it Randy!” So, I did. On the other end of that call was that single Mom crying profusely, telling me how much that gift meant to her. She needed to express her gratitude. And God selected me to hear that gratitude. And I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I had a small part in reminding this single Mom, she was loved by God and that He remembers her every need.
But…WHAT IF….I sent that message to Voicemail? Maybe in a couple of days I would have listened to it, since it was from someone NOT in my contacts….and I would have missed the joy of her heart….and being humbled to be a part of God’s Kingdom work in even a small way.
And then I remembered….on one of those typical days when Jesus walked this earth. There was a crowd, pressing against Him. When…well just read Luke 8:45–““Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” It was that woman who had run out of hope that she could ever be whole. But she believed if she could just touch the hem of that garment, it would be OK. And Jesus knew the moment she touched that hem.
And I wonder, how many people today are looking to touch the hem of hope and reach out to us for that hope, but we are unaware of it? We live in a “Way Too Busy Culture” to notice the people pressing in against us. And that is sad….too sad. So be aware of those pressing in against you. They just may be looking for Hope! You are the HEM of HIM! If you’re too busy to help someone find Hope, you’re just too busy. Jesus knew when she touched that hem, and you can know it, too–when you are tuned in to the Holy Spirit!
Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Him!
(I must insert this disclaimer at the beginning of this blog that by no means do I consider the people in this community to be fallen, forgotten or obsolete. It’s only an illustration of my point.)
Wayside. Are you familiar with that word? Usually it’s connected with 2 statements:
Gone by the Wayside
Fell by the Wayside
I’ve wondered where in the world is Wayside? Well, I found it. I noticed it the very first time we traveled down to see our new pastoral appointment. I’ve been meaning to do this post, but wouldn’t until I stopped and got my proof. Well, Saturday on my motorcycle pilgrimage, I stopped and got these pictures as proof I know where the Wayside is located. Think about the previous 2 statements concerning the Wayside.
Gone by the Wayside. This means that something has become obsolete, like those heavy “brick” looking cell phones, which by the way, was my very first cell phone. Fell by the Wayside. This means to fail to continue or to drop out. Obsolete. Dropping out. These images are used to describe some values and people. I’ve always wondered where they went, and now I know.
When people “fall by” the Wayside, often they are either treated with great disdain or completely forgotten. People shake their head with a degree of sadness and leave them there, by the Wayside. And when long-standing Christian-Judeo values are considered “gone by” the Wayside, people shrug their shoulders, forgetting those values and declare they are now more enlightened than their superstitious ancestors. So, the Wayside becomes the place of the forgotten.
I know where the Wayside is, but does Jesus know? Absolutely He knows! The fact is He does far better and far more work in the Wayside than in many sterilized and sanitized sanctuaries. Jesus leaves no one behind. He came back for Peter after His Crucifixion, though Peter denied 3 times that he knew Jesus. Remember the Angel’s message to the women that first Easter morning? Mark 16:7 (NLT) records: “Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” He would have come back for Judas, if Judas had not given up too soon.
The work of Jesus and the Kingdom of God is for people who have fallen by the Wayside. Paul reminded the Corinthian church of this fact in 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NLT)–“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.” Look again at the bottom of this sign welcoming people to Wayside:
“A Little Bit Of Heaven”. If you feel like you have fallen by the Wayside, hold on to that last line. Wayside is a little bit of heaven because it’s a place filled with God’s grace that will forgive, redeem and restore anyone and everyone who has fallen. Jesus doesn’t hesitate to go by the Wayside because it’s filled with those for whom Jesus insisted on dying for. And where should the church be today? Well, I think that other sign says it all:
What if we all became the Church for The Wayside? It would probably be a bit messy, but it would also be a bit of heaven. Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Him!
Postscript: Don’t consider yourself obsolete if you embrace and try to live by the values of the Kingdom of God. And don’t consider His Values obsolete.
Good morning. I want to share something I learned from God’s classroom at the beach. Yesterday the Holy Spirit excitedly whispered in my ear, “Did you notice that?” And I replied, “Well, yes I did! It’s wonderful that personal smiled and said to me ‘Good morning!’ You don’t see much of that in the ordinary world.” I didn’t know that person. Didn’t know where they were from, what their politics were, what their social status was, and I didn’t even know what college football team they supported.
It was the norm to see people smiling, saying hello, good morning, good afternoon. and making conversation with strangers. One man pointed out to us that there was a small stingray near us and informed us that he also saw a couple of jellyfish. Normally you would not see this type of interaction between complete strangers. But in that moment, that location, there were no strangers. Simply people sharing that bond of being at the beach
We went to Lulu’s, a well known local eating establishment, last evening for seafood. You know you can’t go to the beach without eating seafood. We went early to avoid waiting in line. There were several people who had our same idea. There were lots of conversations going on. Smiles were everywhere and lots of laughing. It was then that I noticed 1 table, a family it appeared to be. There was not much talking….no smiles….looking almost miserable in a place full of smiling, friendly people. They definitely did not fit in with the rest of the crowd. I wondered if they had brought their own misery with them, instead of leaving it at home.
We were in an environment that was counter-cultural to much of normal living–the exception being that one family. Typically one doesn’t encounter this type of friendliness in the ordinary every-day world. People rarely look others in the eye, smile or engage in casual conversation. They tend to be more guarded, even suspicious of others. And here is the question that has rooted itself in my heart and mind: Why aren’t people as friendly in the ordinary world as they are at the beach?
Now mind you, that I’m not accusing these friendly beach-goers as being unfriendly the rest of the time. Hopefully they are, but if you examine the ordinary world you do not see kind of friendliness this happening. Many are like that family at Lulu’s that was a stark contrast to the rest of that environment. Cold, reserved, disconnected from the world that is around them.
Why? Perhaps it is suspicion that causes us to keep others at arm’s length. It could be fear–fear that the other person will somehow take advantage of them. What ever the reason, we tend to be more protective “out there in the real world”. And here is where there are many moments for the Kingdom Witness–to share a smile and be friendly because we are followers of Jesus.
Why were people so quick to flock to Jesus? I think it must have been His smile and friendly personality. I do not believe that Jesus looked anything like He is portrayed in “official” church art. He looks at times too sad, too mad, and way too weak. Would you really want to be in the presence of Sad or Mad or Pathetically Weak? Don’t think so! I believe Jesus looked more like artist Stephen Sawyer paints Him. Check him out on his website: www.art4god.com
In this suspicious, unkind and manipulative culture, we need to be more like Jesus. And it all begins with being kind and friendly. Being distant and rude requires little talent and no effort. It’s everywhere. But…a warm smile….a good morning….a timely thank you…holding a door open for another person….letting someone go ahead of you in the check-out lane…leaving your quarter in your shopping cart at Aldi’s….and best of all, listening to people and taking the time to know them without judging them.
What happened to being friendly? Nothing. Being friendly is still out there. Unfortunately it seems to be reserved for special places, like the beach. What if we, who claim to be followers of Jesus, would do what Jesus did when He walked on His Creation as one He created? Smile and be friendly. The times Jesus was mad was when He had to deal with the really religious people, or with people who simply wanted Jesus to entertain them.
One of the things I am absolutely enjoying in our new appointment is the setting: rural, small town Alabama. Friendliness and kindness are seen more often. Who among us wouldn’t agree that our culture needs to change–radically change. Change happens like measles spreads in schools–one person to another person. Would you really like to be more like Jesus? Do something that Jesus did? What if you decided that your part of the world is as friendly as folks at the beach? Perhaps what would happen would be that unfriendliness would look as out of place as that family at Lulu’s. It’s easy to make it happen–smile, be friendly, engage in conversation, listen, and get to know others. I leave you with Proverbs 15:30 (NLT)
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
Now, if you will kindly excuse me, I need to leave. The bell has rung for class to begin. And The Teacher doesn’t like for us to be late. Might miss something, ya’ know. Now get out there, Followers of Jesus and be friendly!
Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Hi
Kingdom Pastor 