We're all familiar with the fairy tale of the genie and the lamp. "What do you wish of me?" You'd be asked to make 3 careful wishes... and no wishing for more wishes. In real life, we don't get such wishes, but we do ask things of our Father in heaven, and He grants unbelievable blessings. Just like Solomon, He gives us even more than we ask
1 Kings 3:5-15
5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
6 Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
7 "Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.
I felt rather like Solomon this weekend. I asked for something simple- for a future husband who would love the Lord. But, like Solomon, I was granted so much more. I was given family and friends who love me and share in my joy with me. On Sunday I was overwhelmed by the beauty of seeing so many friends and family come together to shower me with gifts of love, time, and so much more. Their love and generosity were so humbling, offering me so much that is so helpful right now. Their generous gifts are enough for us to get a bed! It may sounds silly, but that is a huge relief right now, one less thing to worry about as we look for places, think about downpayments and everything else.
I told my mom that I would've been fine with something much simpler, but she said, "Everyone knows that. But they all love you, and they wanted to do this for you." I feel so very loved and blessed... by the "moreover" gifts given to me (which remind me of the gifts given to Solomon). I asked for a simple gathering, but moreover- I was showered with love, the presence of so many people that I love and care about- some traveling so far to see me, generous gifts that will help us in our new step, time and effort of the preparations for the beautiful party- lovely flowers, a scrapbook that I will treasure forever, delicious food, fun Katie O trivia! So many blessings, so much love... I am humbled by the gift of friendship and family ties which I saw so vividly on Sunday, reminding me of the best gift that God has given to us... each other, and the command to love one another. That is the most perfect gift that I was reminded of on Sunday.
And now I ask that in my marriage, God would grant me the discerning heart of Solomon, to continue to follow Him and do His work.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
You're the man? He's the man.
By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works. —Ephesians 2:8-9
In recent times, "You're the man!" has become a common slang turn of phrase to declare someone 'cool' or 'in' or 'great.' We emphasis 'the' and turn it into a superlative. Not just a man, but THE man.
Monday night, we talked about the need not to make too much of our gifts or too little of our gifts. Making too little of our gifts dishonors the giver, our Lord who blessed us greatly with gifts and talents to use in our service to him. Making too much of our gifts, however, is another dangerous tendency. That might lead us to foolish self-reliance and the idea that we can be saved through our works and what we do.
In today's reading, there are two examples of places in our lives where we might make too much of ourselves... thinking we're the (wo)man instead of recognizing that He's the "man"... the one who has made all things possible.
1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4 "Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him."
5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity."
7 Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'
11 "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' "
13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." -2 Samuel 12:1-13
David seemed to think that he was "the man." He was given gifts aplenty... annointed as the king, wives, palace, etc. But he wanted more. Covetousness is the sign of a lack of contentment with what we have. And perhaps a part of David's fall was the fact that he thought more highly of himself than he ought to. If we aren't arrogant, we won't think that we deserve- the perfect house, another car, a better job, a more beautiful table. But... the interesting thing to point out here is that the Lord states that He "would've given [David] more." But the fact that David took without asking was the upsetting part... the fact that David thought he was the one in charge.
In my life, I've experienced so much of this. Only in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be able to make it in grad school, that I'd have a chance to continue studying in a top PhD program, to serve God in Brazil, to have a future husband who loves God and is so very attractive as well! I certainly would've been content with the change to use my bachelor's degree, with BVS even in the States, with a husband who loved God and wasn't quite so handsome. But, God gave me more... more than I could've dreamed for myself. He's the man! He has given me my dreams, blessings, talents... and for that reason, I desire to give it all back to Him... in His service.
10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
13"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight. -Luke 16:10-14
Money is another great trap for our egos, for making ourselves feel that we 'earned' something or 'deserve' something. This world teaches us that our money is ours. We work hard for it, so it's ours to use. It also tricks us into thinking that it's the only economy that matters... that money can buy all that we need- protection, sustenance, security. But time after time... we learn of all the things that money cannot buy.
Though we give money so much value, it is not what Good highly values. In fact... it is detestable in God's sight! Those are some pretty strong words! It's strange for a lot of girls to deal with me- an uncommon bride. I'm not really into a lot of the 'things' in the wedding. I can make fast decisions about things, because I never dreamed of my wedding. Ever since I can remember I'd say... "if I get married" when people would ask me about "when I get married." I only would get married if I really knew it was right. I never took it as a given, and I never thought up plans like I guess other girls do. So, for me... what I look forward to is the marriage, and the chance to celebrate that marriage with all the people that I love. And for me, all the special 'material things' in the wedding come attached to some special people in my life. And for me... those special relationships are all connected to my Father who has given me such a supportive and wonderful community to love me through all these years, and now to love both Brad and myself in our new life together. Another gift from my Father... the gift of community... He's the man!
In recent times, "You're the man!" has become a common slang turn of phrase to declare someone 'cool' or 'in' or 'great.' We emphasis 'the' and turn it into a superlative. Not just a man, but THE man.
Monday night, we talked about the need not to make too much of our gifts or too little of our gifts. Making too little of our gifts dishonors the giver, our Lord who blessed us greatly with gifts and talents to use in our service to him. Making too much of our gifts, however, is another dangerous tendency. That might lead us to foolish self-reliance and the idea that we can be saved through our works and what we do.
In today's reading, there are two examples of places in our lives where we might make too much of ourselves... thinking we're the (wo)man instead of recognizing that He's the "man"... the one who has made all things possible.
1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4 "Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him."
5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity."
7 Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'
11 "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' "
13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." -2 Samuel 12:1-13
David seemed to think that he was "the man." He was given gifts aplenty... annointed as the king, wives, palace, etc. But he wanted more. Covetousness is the sign of a lack of contentment with what we have. And perhaps a part of David's fall was the fact that he thought more highly of himself than he ought to. If we aren't arrogant, we won't think that we deserve- the perfect house, another car, a better job, a more beautiful table. But... the interesting thing to point out here is that the Lord states that He "would've given [David] more." But the fact that David took without asking was the upsetting part... the fact that David thought he was the one in charge.
In my life, I've experienced so much of this. Only in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be able to make it in grad school, that I'd have a chance to continue studying in a top PhD program, to serve God in Brazil, to have a future husband who loves God and is so very attractive as well! I certainly would've been content with the change to use my bachelor's degree, with BVS even in the States, with a husband who loved God and wasn't quite so handsome. But, God gave me more... more than I could've dreamed for myself. He's the man! He has given me my dreams, blessings, talents... and for that reason, I desire to give it all back to Him... in His service.
10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
13"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight. -Luke 16:10-14
Money is another great trap for our egos, for making ourselves feel that we 'earned' something or 'deserve' something. This world teaches us that our money is ours. We work hard for it, so it's ours to use. It also tricks us into thinking that it's the only economy that matters... that money can buy all that we need- protection, sustenance, security. But time after time... we learn of all the things that money cannot buy.
Though we give money so much value, it is not what Good highly values. In fact... it is detestable in God's sight! Those are some pretty strong words! It's strange for a lot of girls to deal with me- an uncommon bride. I'm not really into a lot of the 'things' in the wedding. I can make fast decisions about things, because I never dreamed of my wedding. Ever since I can remember I'd say... "if I get married" when people would ask me about "when I get married." I only would get married if I really knew it was right. I never took it as a given, and I never thought up plans like I guess other girls do. So, for me... what I look forward to is the marriage, and the chance to celebrate that marriage with all the people that I love. And for me, all the special 'material things' in the wedding come attached to some special people in my life. And for me... those special relationships are all connected to my Father who has given me such a supportive and wonderful community to love me through all these years, and now to love both Brad and myself in our new life together. Another gift from my Father... the gift of community... He's the man!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Rejoice in the Light
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. —Matthew 10:27
speak a word in season to him who is weary -Isaiah 50:4
Matthew reminds us that we are to speak in the light (or in the public) whatever we are told in the dark (in private). Now, the other day we reflected on the importance of speaking harsh words, when necessary. But we need to be careful of getting to far over that side of the fence, because we also need to speak of joy. Some times it's all too tempting to enter into the culture of complaining.
In the past 2 years I've met my share of disgruntled grad students. In fact, when you hear a grad student speak pleasantly about their program, it's surprising. Just Friday at our GCF meeting, Mike teased me, when I began talking excitedly about Deborah's theories of conversation analysis and studies on high/low involvement speakers:
Mike- How's that PhD going for you, Katie?
Katie- Well... I'm not in the program yet.
Mike- Too bad.... You know, the life of a grad student, it isn't a bad life.
Can we too stop our complaining for a moment to "speak a word in season to him who is weary"? Can we take a break from the whining to see the joy and beauty and blessings which God has given to us? Let's take our example from David and the parables that Jesus told this morning, where we see outward expressions of joy... joy that is felt in the dark (inwardly) but expressed in the light (outwardly).
Rejoicing in Dance
16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.
17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings [f] before the LORD. 18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"
21 David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor." -2 Samuel 6:16-22
Just before this, David almost became disheartened when Urrah touched the ark and was struck dead. He wondered, "Will the ark of the covenant of the Lord ever reach me?" Perhaps we can relate to this, "Will ____ ever?" disheartened, wondering feeling.
I felt the same way myself as I moved here to Tucson, beginning to wonder, "Will I ever find someone? How could I ever find someone if I continue to move about every year?" Perhaps God's plan in bringing me here was to get me into a program that would keep me in the same place for more than 6 months. But when He brought Brad into my life, there was no end to my 'leaping' and 'dancing.' Of course, it was just figurative. But you could see it on my face. Brad asked my parents in NJ before he officially asked me, and we promised to only tell the family after he officially asked me. But my mom told me as we went to see the family, "They're going to know. You're just radiant!" With my big goofy smile, I must've looked as foolish as David, with his dancing. But I didn't care. I couldn't wait to tell everyone, for everyone to see how God had blessed me, how my wondering became a fulfillment of His promises.
Just as David mentions... it didn't matter if he himself looked foolish or became humiliated, which has its root in humility. We are to always humble ourselves before the Lord... and this means in our rejoicing as well! God's blessings are perhaps the most humbling... knowing that we could never have planned something so beautiful for ourselves, knowing that we don't deserve this but He gives it to us anyways. I am so filled with joy that God has brought me together with Brad. He blessed me with everything I could ever want for myself and more:
a man who loves God
a man who serves others
a man who cares for me
a man who sings me to sleep and calms my fears
a man who listens to me and takes me into account when we make decisions
a man who is very handsome in face and character
a man who speaks Spanish and Portuguese
a man who attends Bible studies and church with me
a man who loves me... for better or for worse
Rejoicing Together
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -Luke 15:1-10
These two parables are very similar, but what's interesting in light of today's theme is the part that I've highlighted. They are most similar in the fact that the person doesn't just rejoice alone (in the dark, inwardly). The individual upon finding what was lost, goes and calls their friends and neighbors together and says, rejoice with me! There is value in rejoicing together... recognizing God's blessings multiplies the blessing within the community!
That is one thing that I have loved about our Romans Bible Study group this year. The whole group is so wonderful, and we've been able to learn so much from Romans. I'll certainly miss everyone over the summer. But, this year we've been able to rejoice with those who are rejoicing- with Jenn when she got her apartment set up, with Shijie when she got accepted to the Law Journal Review, with Blake when an article he wrote got accepted for publication. There are so many wonderful things that are happening in our lives, and when we share them... we can all share in that joy and together praise God for all He is doing.
Similarly, I'm looking forward to the (hopefully un-showery) wedding shower this weekend, just like the upcoming wedding in June. It'll be a moment when I can take my joy from the dark into the light... we can together rejoice in the beautiful union that God has created between Brad and myself. I'm so happy to call together my neighbors, friends family and say, "Rejoice with me; I have found the one God intended for me!"
speak a word in season to him who is weary -Isaiah 50:4
Matthew reminds us that we are to speak in the light (or in the public) whatever we are told in the dark (in private). Now, the other day we reflected on the importance of speaking harsh words, when necessary. But we need to be careful of getting to far over that side of the fence, because we also need to speak of joy. Some times it's all too tempting to enter into the culture of complaining.
In the past 2 years I've met my share of disgruntled grad students. In fact, when you hear a grad student speak pleasantly about their program, it's surprising. Just Friday at our GCF meeting, Mike teased me, when I began talking excitedly about Deborah's theories of conversation analysis and studies on high/low involvement speakers:
Mike- How's that PhD going for you, Katie?
Katie- Well... I'm not in the program yet.
Mike- Too bad.... You know, the life of a grad student, it isn't a bad life.
Can we too stop our complaining for a moment to "speak a word in season to him who is weary"? Can we take a break from the whining to see the joy and beauty and blessings which God has given to us? Let's take our example from David and the parables that Jesus told this morning, where we see outward expressions of joy... joy that is felt in the dark (inwardly) but expressed in the light (outwardly).
Rejoicing in Dance
16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.
17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings [f] before the LORD. 18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"
21 David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor." -2 Samuel 6:16-22
Just before this, David almost became disheartened when Urrah touched the ark and was struck dead. He wondered, "Will the ark of the covenant of the Lord ever reach me?" Perhaps we can relate to this, "Will ____ ever?" disheartened, wondering feeling.
I felt the same way myself as I moved here to Tucson, beginning to wonder, "Will I ever find someone? How could I ever find someone if I continue to move about every year?" Perhaps God's plan in bringing me here was to get me into a program that would keep me in the same place for more than 6 months. But when He brought Brad into my life, there was no end to my 'leaping' and 'dancing.' Of course, it was just figurative. But you could see it on my face. Brad asked my parents in NJ before he officially asked me, and we promised to only tell the family after he officially asked me. But my mom told me as we went to see the family, "They're going to know. You're just radiant!" With my big goofy smile, I must've looked as foolish as David, with his dancing. But I didn't care. I couldn't wait to tell everyone, for everyone to see how God had blessed me, how my wondering became a fulfillment of His promises.
Just as David mentions... it didn't matter if he himself looked foolish or became humiliated, which has its root in humility. We are to always humble ourselves before the Lord... and this means in our rejoicing as well! God's blessings are perhaps the most humbling... knowing that we could never have planned something so beautiful for ourselves, knowing that we don't deserve this but He gives it to us anyways. I am so filled with joy that God has brought me together with Brad. He blessed me with everything I could ever want for myself and more:
a man who loves God
a man who serves others
a man who cares for me
a man who sings me to sleep and calms my fears
a man who listens to me and takes me into account when we make decisions
a man who is very handsome in face and character
a man who speaks Spanish and Portuguese
a man who attends Bible studies and church with me
a man who loves me... for better or for worse
Rejoicing Together
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -Luke 15:1-10
These two parables are very similar, but what's interesting in light of today's theme is the part that I've highlighted. They are most similar in the fact that the person doesn't just rejoice alone (in the dark, inwardly). The individual upon finding what was lost, goes and calls their friends and neighbors together and says, rejoice with me! There is value in rejoicing together... recognizing God's blessings multiplies the blessing within the community!
That is one thing that I have loved about our Romans Bible Study group this year. The whole group is so wonderful, and we've been able to learn so much from Romans. I'll certainly miss everyone over the summer. But, this year we've been able to rejoice with those who are rejoicing- with Jenn when she got her apartment set up, with Shijie when she got accepted to the Law Journal Review, with Blake when an article he wrote got accepted for publication. There are so many wonderful things that are happening in our lives, and when we share them... we can all share in that joy and together praise God for all He is doing.
Similarly, I'm looking forward to the (hopefully un-showery) wedding shower this weekend, just like the upcoming wedding in June. It'll be a moment when I can take my joy from the dark into the light... we can together rejoice in the beautiful union that God has created between Brad and myself. I'm so happy to call together my neighbors, friends family and say, "Rejoice with me; I have found the one God intended for me!"
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Obedience & Humility
Obeying God's Answer in Humility
1 In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked.
The LORD said, "Go up."
David asked, "Where shall I go?"
"To Hebron," the LORD answered.
2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." -2 Samuel: 1-7
Sometimes I admit, I just wish it were so simple as it appears here. David asked, God answered. And sometimes I think maybe it is. Maybe it's just harder for me to hear God's answer. Or maybe it's harder for me to heed God's answer. Whatever it is, it is important. And the one thing I've learned from all those respected pastors I've asked about a 'calling' is that ... if it's a calling, you won't be able to escape it. You can take the high road, or the low road, but somehow that's where you'll end up.
And in the end, it's comforting to see something similar happen in my own life. Though I took the job teaching at CB, I was quickly rerouted back to my original plan of doing BVS (Brethren Volunteer Service) for 2 years. And while I'd thought about the U of A for grad school, I waited a while before getting here. It's interesting to think about calling- is it something that you 'just know'? If you felt that you'd like to be somewhere or do something at a certain point, was it meant? Was it God?
Here I see a great obedience and humility in David. He was appointed to be king. He does not go boasting about it, and he seeks God for discernment.
Obeying God's Invitation in Humility
15When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."
16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
22" 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'
23"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' " -Luke 14:15-23
And here, we see God's invitation. Some were haughty and proud and so caught up in their own lives, that they did not obey. They did not join the party. And here we also see a high price for those who were invited and didn't come. They won't get a taste. There's no turning back or changing your mind.
He called the humble, because the proud were too haughty to truly recognize the beauty and miraculous calling to be a part of this great banquet, this Kingdom of God, this amazing family.
1 In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked.
The LORD said, "Go up."
David asked, "Where shall I go?"
"To Hebron," the LORD answered.
2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." -2 Samuel: 1-7
Sometimes I admit, I just wish it were so simple as it appears here. David asked, God answered. And sometimes I think maybe it is. Maybe it's just harder for me to hear God's answer. Or maybe it's harder for me to heed God's answer. Whatever it is, it is important. And the one thing I've learned from all those respected pastors I've asked about a 'calling' is that ... if it's a calling, you won't be able to escape it. You can take the high road, or the low road, but somehow that's where you'll end up.
And in the end, it's comforting to see something similar happen in my own life. Though I took the job teaching at CB, I was quickly rerouted back to my original plan of doing BVS (Brethren Volunteer Service) for 2 years. And while I'd thought about the U of A for grad school, I waited a while before getting here. It's interesting to think about calling- is it something that you 'just know'? If you felt that you'd like to be somewhere or do something at a certain point, was it meant? Was it God?
Here I see a great obedience and humility in David. He was appointed to be king. He does not go boasting about it, and he seeks God for discernment.
Obeying God's Invitation in Humility
15When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."
16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
22" 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'
23"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' " -Luke 14:15-23
And here, we see God's invitation. Some were haughty and proud and so caught up in their own lives, that they did not obey. They did not join the party. And here we also see a high price for those who were invited and didn't come. They won't get a taste. There's no turning back or changing your mind.
He called the humble, because the proud were too haughty to truly recognize the beauty and miraculous calling to be a part of this great banquet, this Kingdom of God, this amazing family.
Friday, April 16, 2010
It's Friday, But Sunday's Coming
The well-known pastor Tony Campolo has a famous sermon entitled, "It's Friday but Sunday's coming." He uses the analogy of the gloomy "Good" Friday when all was sad and dismal and upsetting and Sunday when there was cause for celebration and rejoicing in order to compare that to situations in our lives today. An example from his sermon might be this...
"It's Friday and... you're upset, you're feeling low, you lost your job, you're ___,
but Sunday's coming!"
No matter what curves and difficulties and "tribulations" (to use the Paulian terminology) might come our way, we as Christians have the promise of a Sunday that is indeed coming, maybe not today or tomorrow but the next day, in our eternal Sunday, our union with Christ in heaven.
Friday of Weeping, Sunday of Rejoicing
3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David's two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. -1 Samuel 30:3-6
Sometimes I think the verses in the Bible which display sadness are as comforting as those Psalms which are filled with joy. It just makes it all feel more real. I believe there is a reason that the author did not skip over the intense emotions felt by David and his men who "wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep." In life, we feel sadness, we experience pain. But we can learn a lesson that after that moment of "great distress" was over, "David found strength in the Lord his God."
And that strength brought David from his gloomy Friday to his Sunday where he, with the help of an Egyptian slave, recovered all the plunder they had taken from them... every single person and material possession. (See the rest of this chapter for more of wonderful uplifting story!)
Perhaps one of the moments of greatest distress is that when we lose a loved one. This morning I am reminded of my colleague who has lost his father. One of the most difficult times was when I lost my own cousin, and I remember what is described here- "weeping aloud until [you] have no strength." And in this case, I don't believe the Sunday comes in forgetting that loved one or leaving that pain... but in knowing that you will be reunited again. There is a Sunday we have to look forward to, the ultimate Sunday.
Friday of Working, Sunday of Reaching the Goal
32He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' 33In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! -Luke 13:32-33
And here Jesus talks about that ultimate Sunday. He is working and laboring, healing and driving out demons. Sometimes I imagine it must not have been easy for Jesus, such humility. A King, a Prince, our God really did the unthinkable. He came to earth, with all its problems. He came, not to the most beautiful palace but to the humble places. And even worse, he came to a people who did not widely acknowledge who he was. He was criticized, threatened, chased. Many of Jesus' unpleasant experiences on earth were like a Friday... even before that infamous Friday at Calvary.
But then there was Sunday, and Jesus rose, and proved who He was and did the unthinkable... and His Sunday came with His union with the Father.
It's Friday but Sunday's coming.
"It's Friday and... you're upset, you're feeling low, you lost your job, you're ___,
but Sunday's coming!"
No matter what curves and difficulties and "tribulations" (to use the Paulian terminology) might come our way, we as Christians have the promise of a Sunday that is indeed coming, maybe not today or tomorrow but the next day, in our eternal Sunday, our union with Christ in heaven.
Friday of Weeping, Sunday of Rejoicing
3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David's two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. -1 Samuel 30:3-6
Sometimes I think the verses in the Bible which display sadness are as comforting as those Psalms which are filled with joy. It just makes it all feel more real. I believe there is a reason that the author did not skip over the intense emotions felt by David and his men who "wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep." In life, we feel sadness, we experience pain. But we can learn a lesson that after that moment of "great distress" was over, "David found strength in the Lord his God."
And that strength brought David from his gloomy Friday to his Sunday where he, with the help of an Egyptian slave, recovered all the plunder they had taken from them... every single person and material possession. (See the rest of this chapter for more of wonderful uplifting story!)
Perhaps one of the moments of greatest distress is that when we lose a loved one. This morning I am reminded of my colleague who has lost his father. One of the most difficult times was when I lost my own cousin, and I remember what is described here- "weeping aloud until [you] have no strength." And in this case, I don't believe the Sunday comes in forgetting that loved one or leaving that pain... but in knowing that you will be reunited again. There is a Sunday we have to look forward to, the ultimate Sunday.
Friday of Working, Sunday of Reaching the Goal
32He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' 33In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! -Luke 13:32-33
And here Jesus talks about that ultimate Sunday. He is working and laboring, healing and driving out demons. Sometimes I imagine it must not have been easy for Jesus, such humility. A King, a Prince, our God really did the unthinkable. He came to earth, with all its problems. He came, not to the most beautiful palace but to the humble places. And even worse, he came to a people who did not widely acknowledge who he was. He was criticized, threatened, chased. Many of Jesus' unpleasant experiences on earth were like a Friday... even before that infamous Friday at Calvary.
But then there was Sunday, and Jesus rose, and proved who He was and did the unthinkable... and His Sunday came with His union with the Father.
It's Friday but Sunday's coming.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Not Peace, But Division: Family Feud
We have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function. —Romans 12:4
Though there is so much packed into today's scripture reading, I'll choose to reflect on one of the more challenging themes, especially challenging for us tried-and-true pacifist Brethren. For in it is one of the verses that challenge the pacifist stance: Luke 12:51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
Interestingly enough, the ODB reflection, included this Romans verse on the members of one body, how we are called to the same function... how we are called to unity, good old Romans. (I've gotten so much out of the insights of our Bible Study this year.) Unity? Division? How does this work? What does this same function have to do with it? I believe today's scriptures can help clarify this unsettling point.
Good Judgment
3 His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings.
14 One of the servants told Nabal's wife Abigail: "David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. 16 Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him."
18 Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs [b] of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19 Then she told her servants, "Go on ahead; I'll follow you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
32 David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. 33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak." -1 Samuel 25: 3,14-19,32-34
I love the story of Abigail- that girl had strength, wisdom, and definitely good judgment. And David recognized this- ten days later, when Nabal her "Foolish" husband died, he took her as his wife.
The division is clear in this story. There is a division between the purposes of the earthly family of husband and wife- Nabal and Abigail. Nabal's purpose is to keep everything for himself, not trusting who he'd be giving his meat and bread and water to someone he didn't know. It's interesting also to note that Nabal didn't seem concern for his own well-being or that of his servants or his family, nor do we see the servants confide in him about the danger of the situation. Perhaps this was left out or perhaps it speaks of his division and separation from his servants.
Abigail's purpose on the other hand, was to watch over her 'extended family.' Although she was divided in purpose and goal with her husband, she was united with concern for the well-being of her servants and her family, as well as David and those who had watched over her livestock.
Additionally, while there was a noticeable division in the household, there was at the same time a peace that came from this literal 'peace offering.' David praises Abigail from 'keeping [him] from bloodshed" (33) and this is presented as a very good thing.
To me, this outlines the importance of unity of spirit across the lines of the mere 'nuclear family.' Hopefully the nuclear family will also have the same purposes and goals, but if they don't... we need to have the greater good in mind... using good judgment for the peace and unity of the 'whole' Christian family, even if it at times causes division.
We are called to use good judgment, to be peacemakers, understanding that our care for our family does not just mean our closest relatives as determined by our DNA strand. This was wildly misinterpreted throughout the history of the COB, when individuals would interpret the church as "siding with the enemy" just because they appeared "on the fence" and refused to pick sides in war situations. In fact, Christopher Sauer's printing press, worth $5000 was destroyed because of his refusal to openly side with the 'Tories' during the Civil War. Countless other histories, including that of the famous John Kline, demonstrate how individuals didn't understand this broader definition of unity of which he wrote in his journal in 1849, "love truly virtuous... in its most comprehensive sense takes in the whole human family."
Good Stewardship
42The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
49"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." -Luke 12:49-52
Here we have a hard verse to deal with, but I believe that some further context, as well as the story of Abigail, as cited above, will help to clarify the peace/division and unity/against dichotomy.
Here we must point out that though many of the 'headings' and chapter divisions in the Bible might prove useful, they were not there in the original text. They were later added, and are therefore relatively arbitrary. It's important to remember this and cross the lines of the context which we include in our readings of passages. So, the parable that Jesus tells previous to his comments on division might very well be a prelude to it.
In fact, in those days it would be rather uncommon to have a household with one single servant. Instead, there would be various servants to perform different tasks (many members of one body with the same overriding purpose to care for the home, if you will). That was how it was meant to me, at least. However, some of the servants were divided against their own house. They weren't performing their tasks, while they felt that their master wasn't watching.
Imagine your frustration. Your advisor has to go to a conference, but he also has a lot of prep to do on finalizing a research project. He splits the work evenly, and some of you work diligently all summer. However, a few choose to put off the work. The advisor isn't around after all, and 'he's taking a long time in coming.' I'm pretty sure this would cause division among the ranks, provided the RAs didn't actually get their work done.
We each have purposes and through prayer and Bible study, we know God's will, at least to a certain extent. And I'm sure that God has 'given you much,' so we are asked much. We all have a responsibility to our entire Christian family... to use those gifts and talents for the good of our kingdom... this would be good stewardship... doing what you can with what you've got. When you're not giving all that you have to the glory of God, you are creating a divide between your Christian family and your own family.
I believe this is what Jesus means when he says, "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." Not that there is a need for division, but in our decisions to be good stewards of what God has given to us or not, we decide to create or abolish a divide.
I thank God that He has given me a beautiful faithful family, and I've experienced very little division within my earthly family, but I do remember a bit of tension when I went off to Brazil, very far away, or when I thought of moving to Mexico. I remember the harsh comment, "Well, you can come back for our funerals." Now I don't want you to think it was this way forever. My family usually comes around after warming up to an idea, but it was hard for them to recognize that I might have to leave them in order to follow Jesus' leading. However, when they saw me and heard how God was using my different gifts and talents and love of people and cultures and language in those settings, they were pleased... we were filled with love and unity and peace... as one body with the same purpose.
Though there is so much packed into today's scripture reading, I'll choose to reflect on one of the more challenging themes, especially challenging for us tried-and-true pacifist Brethren. For in it is one of the verses that challenge the pacifist stance: Luke 12:51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
Interestingly enough, the ODB reflection, included this Romans verse on the members of one body, how we are called to the same function... how we are called to unity, good old Romans. (I've gotten so much out of the insights of our Bible Study this year.) Unity? Division? How does this work? What does this same function have to do with it? I believe today's scriptures can help clarify this unsettling point.
Good Judgment
3 His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings.
14 One of the servants told Nabal's wife Abigail: "David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. 16 Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him."
18 Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs [b] of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19 Then she told her servants, "Go on ahead; I'll follow you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
32 David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. 33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak." -1 Samuel 25: 3,14-19,32-34
I love the story of Abigail- that girl had strength, wisdom, and definitely good judgment. And David recognized this- ten days later, when Nabal her "Foolish" husband died, he took her as his wife.
The division is clear in this story. There is a division between the purposes of the earthly family of husband and wife- Nabal and Abigail. Nabal's purpose is to keep everything for himself, not trusting who he'd be giving his meat and bread and water to someone he didn't know. It's interesting also to note that Nabal didn't seem concern for his own well-being or that of his servants or his family, nor do we see the servants confide in him about the danger of the situation. Perhaps this was left out or perhaps it speaks of his division and separation from his servants.
Abigail's purpose on the other hand, was to watch over her 'extended family.' Although she was divided in purpose and goal with her husband, she was united with concern for the well-being of her servants and her family, as well as David and those who had watched over her livestock.
Additionally, while there was a noticeable division in the household, there was at the same time a peace that came from this literal 'peace offering.' David praises Abigail from 'keeping [him] from bloodshed" (33) and this is presented as a very good thing.
To me, this outlines the importance of unity of spirit across the lines of the mere 'nuclear family.' Hopefully the nuclear family will also have the same purposes and goals, but if they don't... we need to have the greater good in mind... using good judgment for the peace and unity of the 'whole' Christian family, even if it at times causes division.
We are called to use good judgment, to be peacemakers, understanding that our care for our family does not just mean our closest relatives as determined by our DNA strand. This was wildly misinterpreted throughout the history of the COB, when individuals would interpret the church as "siding with the enemy" just because they appeared "on the fence" and refused to pick sides in war situations. In fact, Christopher Sauer's printing press, worth $5000 was destroyed because of his refusal to openly side with the 'Tories' during the Civil War. Countless other histories, including that of the famous John Kline, demonstrate how individuals didn't understand this broader definition of unity of which he wrote in his journal in 1849, "love truly virtuous... in its most comprehensive sense takes in the whole human family."
Good Stewardship
42The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
49"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." -Luke 12:49-52
Here we have a hard verse to deal with, but I believe that some further context, as well as the story of Abigail, as cited above, will help to clarify the peace/division and unity/against dichotomy.
Here we must point out that though many of the 'headings' and chapter divisions in the Bible might prove useful, they were not there in the original text. They were later added, and are therefore relatively arbitrary. It's important to remember this and cross the lines of the context which we include in our readings of passages. So, the parable that Jesus tells previous to his comments on division might very well be a prelude to it.
In fact, in those days it would be rather uncommon to have a household with one single servant. Instead, there would be various servants to perform different tasks (many members of one body with the same overriding purpose to care for the home, if you will). That was how it was meant to me, at least. However, some of the servants were divided against their own house. They weren't performing their tasks, while they felt that their master wasn't watching.
Imagine your frustration. Your advisor has to go to a conference, but he also has a lot of prep to do on finalizing a research project. He splits the work evenly, and some of you work diligently all summer. However, a few choose to put off the work. The advisor isn't around after all, and 'he's taking a long time in coming.' I'm pretty sure this would cause division among the ranks, provided the RAs didn't actually get their work done.
We each have purposes and through prayer and Bible study, we know God's will, at least to a certain extent. And I'm sure that God has 'given you much,' so we are asked much. We all have a responsibility to our entire Christian family... to use those gifts and talents for the good of our kingdom... this would be good stewardship... doing what you can with what you've got. When you're not giving all that you have to the glory of God, you are creating a divide between your Christian family and your own family.
I believe this is what Jesus means when he says, "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." Not that there is a need for division, but in our decisions to be good stewards of what God has given to us or not, we decide to create or abolish a divide.
I thank God that He has given me a beautiful faithful family, and I've experienced very little division within my earthly family, but I do remember a bit of tension when I went off to Brazil, very far away, or when I thought of moving to Mexico. I remember the harsh comment, "Well, you can come back for our funerals." Now I don't want you to think it was this way forever. My family usually comes around after warming up to an idea, but it was hard for them to recognize that I might have to leave them in order to follow Jesus' leading. However, when they saw me and heard how God was using my different gifts and talents and love of people and cultures and language in those settings, they were pleased... we were filled with love and unity and peace... as one body with the same purpose.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
He Never Sleeps
He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. —Psalm 121:3
What are the reasons behind a sleepless night? Well, recently it has been allergies for me, since the pollen count around here has been up to 10. But, usually it boils down to worries about protection (safety and generally everything being 'ok') and provision (making the grade, making the budget, making the plan work out, solving the problem). But our Father is like my father, who would always sing me a song to lull me to sleep, when anxious. He'd calm my fears so that I wouldn't have a sleepless night. Now I have someone else to sing me a calming lullaby, but even if it's not a lullaby that we can audibly hear, reading the Bible, praying or singing a hymn remind us of our Father who spends sleepless nights so that we don't have to.
In Tri-County choir, I remember singing, "He watches over Israel, slumbers not nor sleeps." Sung softly and sweetly, it is perhaps one of the most pleasant lullabies I know, that reminds me of our Father who promises to protect and provide.
He Watches & Protects
15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17 "Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." 18 The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh. -1 Samuel 23:15-18
This is a hard verse for me to read this morning, not because it's difficult to take, but just difficult in the context of what's going on in my family. David is being chased by Saul and his armed men. Even reading through chapter 23 can make you feel a bit anxious about the situation. They're trying to elude him on the other side of the mountain, never knowing if he's just a step behind, how to get away. And Jonathan talks with David, telling him not to be afraid. Jonathan has the end in mind. He knows how the story will turn out and reminds David of this... you will be king! Saul won't harm you!
The reason this is so hard for me right now is that this verse provides protection. But right now one of my family members is being followed, as David was followed by Saul. I want to say to her- Don't be afraid. He won't harm you. You will be safe. Our God is watching over you. And I give her into His hands, praying daily for the protection that I know only God can give. I pray that God would protect her anxiety and protect her physically... knowing that God has the power to protect His little ones. And I trust that He will, because He knows this family, and I don't believe that God would give us more than we can bare.
Father, I know that You watch over us and never sleep. I pray that You care for Your precious daughter. Surround her with love and protection. Help to take the fear from her and disband the evil that chases these girls. Aid those who can help in believing and trusting and doing whatever they can to solve this situation, with Your aid and Your strong and mighty protecting arm, Lord. We've seen You do this for David, and I pray that You do this for my cousin.
He Watches & Provides
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. - Luke 12:22-31
If it is not protection we worry about, it is often provision. Sometimes I wonder what our anxious minds must sound like on those sleepless nights.
"How am I going to pay that bill now that they 'downsized' my job?"
"What about that family vacation I promised the kids?"
"Will I be able to be a good father?"
"How will I ever finish this exam question on time?"
"Am I really cut out for a PhD program?"
"How are we going to have bible studies next year?"
Although this verse points out the material things- clothes, drink, food- I believe it can also relate to the non-material things that we need that are related to those. People often worry about work or money, which are related to those necessary material needs: food, water, clothing, shelter.
Sometimes I do worry too much. I admit that this is a weakness for me. I've been known to dream about "the verb give" or whatever paper I tend to be writing at the moment, sleeping very restlessly during finals. It's a wonder I get those papers written at all, on little and poor sleep. But somehow, the papers always get written, the bills always get paid. We always have far more than enough.
Somehow the mention of these simple necessities: food, water, clothing, remind me of how we have so very much more than what we need. Food, water, clothing is enough. We have enough. Praise the Lord for that. The rest, is just extra blessings, extra provisions from our heavenly Father.
Ever since I was around high school age, I've had a strong sense of the injustice that exists int the world, where we have more than enough... and so many do not even have these simple 3 basic needs. I ask God to use me and show me how I could help His provision meet those who need it. Because what I have is not my own, it's only gifts from the Father... which He means for all His children. Lord, let me be a good steward of Your blessings, and show me how I might be able to get Your blessings to all of Your children in need, to whom they rightly belong.
What are the reasons behind a sleepless night? Well, recently it has been allergies for me, since the pollen count around here has been up to 10. But, usually it boils down to worries about protection (safety and generally everything being 'ok') and provision (making the grade, making the budget, making the plan work out, solving the problem). But our Father is like my father, who would always sing me a song to lull me to sleep, when anxious. He'd calm my fears so that I wouldn't have a sleepless night. Now I have someone else to sing me a calming lullaby, but even if it's not a lullaby that we can audibly hear, reading the Bible, praying or singing a hymn remind us of our Father who spends sleepless nights so that we don't have to.
In Tri-County choir, I remember singing, "He watches over Israel, slumbers not nor sleeps." Sung softly and sweetly, it is perhaps one of the most pleasant lullabies I know, that reminds me of our Father who promises to protect and provide.
He Watches & Protects
15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17 "Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." 18 The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh. -1 Samuel 23:15-18
This is a hard verse for me to read this morning, not because it's difficult to take, but just difficult in the context of what's going on in my family. David is being chased by Saul and his armed men. Even reading through chapter 23 can make you feel a bit anxious about the situation. They're trying to elude him on the other side of the mountain, never knowing if he's just a step behind, how to get away. And Jonathan talks with David, telling him not to be afraid. Jonathan has the end in mind. He knows how the story will turn out and reminds David of this... you will be king! Saul won't harm you!
The reason this is so hard for me right now is that this verse provides protection. But right now one of my family members is being followed, as David was followed by Saul. I want to say to her- Don't be afraid. He won't harm you. You will be safe. Our God is watching over you. And I give her into His hands, praying daily for the protection that I know only God can give. I pray that God would protect her anxiety and protect her physically... knowing that God has the power to protect His little ones. And I trust that He will, because He knows this family, and I don't believe that God would give us more than we can bare.
Father, I know that You watch over us and never sleep. I pray that You care for Your precious daughter. Surround her with love and protection. Help to take the fear from her and disband the evil that chases these girls. Aid those who can help in believing and trusting and doing whatever they can to solve this situation, with Your aid and Your strong and mighty protecting arm, Lord. We've seen You do this for David, and I pray that You do this for my cousin.
He Watches & Provides
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. - Luke 12:22-31
If it is not protection we worry about, it is often provision. Sometimes I wonder what our anxious minds must sound like on those sleepless nights.
"How am I going to pay that bill now that they 'downsized' my job?"
"What about that family vacation I promised the kids?"
"Will I be able to be a good father?"
"How will I ever finish this exam question on time?"
"Am I really cut out for a PhD program?"
"How are we going to have bible studies next year?"
Although this verse points out the material things- clothes, drink, food- I believe it can also relate to the non-material things that we need that are related to those. People often worry about work or money, which are related to those necessary material needs: food, water, clothing, shelter.
Sometimes I do worry too much. I admit that this is a weakness for me. I've been known to dream about "the verb give" or whatever paper I tend to be writing at the moment, sleeping very restlessly during finals. It's a wonder I get those papers written at all, on little and poor sleep. But somehow, the papers always get written, the bills always get paid. We always have far more than enough.
Somehow the mention of these simple necessities: food, water, clothing, remind me of how we have so very much more than what we need. Food, water, clothing is enough. We have enough. Praise the Lord for that. The rest, is just extra blessings, extra provisions from our heavenly Father.
Ever since I was around high school age, I've had a strong sense of the injustice that exists int the world, where we have more than enough... and so many do not even have these simple 3 basic needs. I ask God to use me and show me how I could help His provision meet those who need it. Because what I have is not my own, it's only gifts from the Father... which He means for all His children. Lord, let me be a good steward of Your blessings, and show me how I might be able to get Your blessings to all of Your children in need, to whom they rightly belong.
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