Drop Your Stone and Pray - The Right Response to Sin

I recently read of a local pastor who had been accused of a sinful and shameful act. This man was a leader, a teacher, a councilor, and a theologian lead astray by sexual temptation.  I can hear the murmurs of unbelievers who caught wind of the story, mocking the man, mocking Christianity, and generally using the account as an argument against God.  Not surprising because the unbeliever often looks for a slip of the tongue, an inconsistency in moral conduct, or hypocrisy to say, "Look, he's no different than anyone else; maybe even worse!"

Maybe you know this story or one like it.  Maybe you had feelings of disgust, anger, sadness, bitterness, or judgement.  What should the believer's response be to the sin of a fellow believer, even when the sin is particularly offensive or egregious? Not to be cliche-ish, but WWJD?  (For those not from this planet - What Would Jesus Do?)

Now let me first say that there are earthy consequences for breaking the law and for sin in general but this is not about what happens in the court of law but what happens in the human heart.  What is the internal dialogue that goes on in your head when you hear a story of someone else's fall? What is the external dialogue that happens as you discuss the story with your friends and family?  What is whispered from ear to ear down the length of the church pew and at the church's Wednesday evening potluck? "Can you believe . . .?"  "He seemed like such a nice man."

So, did you pick up your stone yet?

There was a woman "caught in adultery" who was brought to Jesus by the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees.  They "made her stand before the group."  I assume "caught in adultery" means that someone walked in on the act which, I imagine, was quite embarrassing but then making her stand before the group was humiliating.  Deserved?  Maybe yes, maybe no but how did Jesus respond when the Pharisees asked him if she should be stoned, as required by Old Testament Law?  With his finger writing in the dust of the ground, Jesus said, "Let anyone of you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her."  One by one the stones fell to the ground as they walked away.

If you have a stone in your hand, you might want to loosen the grip just a little.

In Luke chapter 6 Jesus said, "Do not judge and you will not be judged." Then, in chapter 7,  he followed with "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged."

Loosening the grip a little more?

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus told his followers, "You have heard that is was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment." and "anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Feel the stone starting to slip from your hand?

The Apostle Paul will pry the last two fingers from your stone with these words: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life." Herod Antipas (who beheaded John the Baptist), Cain (who killed his brother Abel), Jezebel (who sacrificed babies to the idol Baal and murdered many prophets), yet Paul says twice that he was the WORST OF SINNERS! Thud! Your stone should be on the ground.

Now within Christian leadership there is accountability and consequences for overt sin and rebellion which the elders will hopefully handle biblically with love and grace through prayer both to protect the flock as well as to bring the straying back in line through repentance.  Jesus was clear that leaders and teachers would be held to a higher standard and Paul taught us that God "chastens those he loves." But, this post is not about consequences as much as is is about the hearts of fellow believers toward the sinner. Hearts of judgment, bitterness, hatred, or disgust versus hearts of grace, compassion, combined with prayers for repentance, healing, and restoration.  God says his "grace is sufficient" for us, for little sins and for big ones.  I pray for this man, for his family, for his church, for his school, for those he offended, and for you and me (that we would remember without the Cross of Christ we too would be condemned).

Peace,

David

Don't Fight the Wrong War

Do you remember the dramatic scene? Jesus leading thousands of his passionate followers through the streets of Jerusalem carrying signs of protest. "End Roman Rule Now!" "No More Taxes to Caesar!"  As they made their way through the city, they knocked on every door and handed those, who's doors were opened to them, fliers that read, "Jesus for Governor".  Of course, if they could install a charismatic Jew into leadership then the world would be as it should be.  Right?

After the demoralizing crucifixion  of Jesus, the Apostles were given the task of convincing the Romans, the Greeks, the Samaritans, and the Jews that they were immoral and needed to stop their sinful ways.  It was a moral crusade!  If only they could just make society better one person at a time. So, they started campaigns to stop prostitution, end capital punishment, and to make illegal the selling and consumption of wine. They stood side by side with the leaders of the Roman Pagans, the Jews who denied Jesus, and the worshippers of Mithras the sun-god because their common desire for goodness was greater than any religious differences that might separate them.  Arm and arm they walked carrying out demostrations in front of brothels, cross making plants, and vineyards.

Alright, so I made all that up.  But it's not so far from Western Christianity in 2013.  Why do I care? Why should you care?  Because Jesus did not, at any time, wage war against the government that oppressed them.   Nor did he try to crusade for moral change in a culture that denied him.  He did not attempt to better society by fighting social injustice along side those of other faiths.  His message was clear.  "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy ladened and I will give you rest". "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." If he had a message of condemnation it was for hypocritical religious leaders who were "white washed tombs, full of dead mens bones."  But to the rest he was interestingly silent.

Likewise, Jesus' followers didn't go town to town speaking against the immoral practices of society at large or walk arm and arm with other religious leaders in seeking better social conditions.  Jesus and his followers gave their lives in one pursuit, the spreading of the Gospel. They knew that anything short of salvation by faith in Jesus through his atoning death on the cross was only a bandaid on a fatal wound.  They were fighting the right war, the war against the wages of sin and death, not death of the body but death of the soul, eternal separation from God.  Jesus clearly taught us to love, to care for widows and orphans, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to mourn with those who mourn but those things never were in leu of the message of life and grace through HIM.

Jesus left all other wars to the worldly.  He knew God the Father was sovereign in the affairs of man.  God raised up kings and brought them down.  God led the Jews into captivity and led them out again.   No matter who is in office or what party is the majority, God is on the throne!  No physical or social battle would change the world.  We should know that by now.  Immorality, war, and chaos continue today as they did in the Book of Genesis.  Jesus knew that what they needed was not more religion, better morals, or a new government.  They needed HIM.  We need HIM.

I also find myself getting caught up in the polarized, political debates of the times.  I have a bent toward one side of the isle but I forget that as we move toward the return of Christ, the world will not become a better, more holy, or more Godly place.  In fact the Bible tells us the opposite will occur. Why?  Sin.  We don't have a political problem, a drug problem, an abortion problem, a God left out of the pledge problem, or a sexual orientation problem.  We have a SIN problem.  And the problem will not go away with ballot proposals, new legislation, interfaith coalitions, or by wearing purple bracelets.  The only answer to the problem of sin and death is JESUS.  Thats why Paul said,

"And so it was with me, brothers and sisters.  When I came to you I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."  1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Here's the deal.  Jesus was born, was crucified, and was raised to save sinners.  Our war, as his disciples, is the same one: to save sinners, of whom Paul said he was the worst (I think I could give him a run for his money). Along the way we will meet those who need our love and support in many ways (food, clothes, shelter, comfort, and grace) and it is the working out of our faith to provide all of that and more but it is not our mission to fight as the world fights.  I promise that it will be a loosing battle.  Please know that this doesn't mean ceasing to love and help those in need but don't get distracted by politics.   I know this next statement will bring backlash but it is a weapon of the enemy to join Christians with those who deny the Lordship of Christ in the pursuit of social justice.  Why?  Because if we place a higher value on ending discrimination, poverty, and education than we do on salvation, Satan will have won a battle for souls.  The end to the war, however, will be when Jesus returns on a white horse as Lord of Lords.   Until then leave the worldly wars to the worldly.

In Him, David

Only Jesus

I was in the truck yesterday scanning the radio for a football game when I stopped to listen to a religious program that caught my attention.  As I listened I heard mentioned a number of times the name of the religion and the spotlight was on a particular New Testament Bible figure (not Jesus).  I listened for quite a while but there was no talk of Jesus nor the gospel so I moved on.  Later in the evening I was again scanning the stations and like before landed on this same station which was again was talking about the same Bible character and that particular person's holiness.

I tried to listen for a while but was grieved in my spirit. I though for a few minutes then prayed about this.  I asked God to give me insight because as I have read the scriptures the focus never seemed to be on anyone but Jesus (even the Old Testament pointed to him). All others who were lifted up, worshipped, or revered tore their garments and got low. I mean they knew their utter weakness and need for Christ.  Paul said he was the least of the Apostles and called himself "wretched".  When John fell at the feet of the angel who appeared to him the angel exclaimed, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!" Isaiah, when given the chance to be in God's presence, admitted his unholiness, "'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips."

I woke up early this morning, forgetting about the radio program, I asked the Lord to give me something to say today.  I admitted to him that if I said anything from my own power it would be useless or worse, it might be dangerous.  I opened to the Book of Ephesians and began to read.  It hit me like a Mike Tyson right hook.  "Jesus Christ", "Christ", "God's Son", "in him", "through him", "Through Jesus Christ our Lord", "by the blood of Christ", "through his blood", "through the cross". It was all about Jesus. It wasn't about Paul or Peter or Moses or Mary.  From Genesis to Revelation it was about God's plan of salvation through his Only Son - Jesus - the Christ.  

Paul's letter to the Ephesians was not like his other letters.  He wasn't writing to correct one particular error but instead to encourage and build up the church. It was to remind them of the faith for which Paul himself was suffering.  It was to point them in the right direction and to focus their eyes on their only hope, Jesus.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:4-10 (emphasis mine)

In this letter Paul reminds us through whom our salvation comes (Jesus), how it was obtained (through the shedding of Christ's blood), how we receive it (by faith), and for what purposes are we saved (so that we might be blessed by God with the incomparable riches of his grace and that we might do good works).

Jesus was mentioned directly 50 times in the six short chapters and that doesn't include the indirect references (e.g. "him"). We are reminded that our lives, our holiness, and our access to the Father are "through him", "in him", "in Christ", or "through Christ" thirty times.  It was and is all about Jesus.  When we begin to focus on other people or put our hope in religion we, like Peter who took his eyes off of Jesus, will find ourselves sinking in the waves around us.  

I urge you to find twenty minutes this week to read Ephesians. Go slowly. Let each verse sink in.  God says that his Word never returns void but accomplishes the purpose for which he sends it. I promise you will be changed.

Love you guys,

David

The God on the Shelf - Who is God to You?

Who is God to you?  Really.  I mean on any given day at any particular moment who is God to you.  Now the reality is that God is who God is regardless of what you think of him but who he is to you determines how you live and how you die. You might initially give me a laundry list of the usual Christian responses:

"He is my heavenly Father."
"He is my friend."
"He is my guide."
"He is my Lord."

I'd like to give you a picture of what I believe most of us have done with God and maybe what you're doing right now.  Be careful not to put up your shield of defense right away. Instead meditate on this and let it do its work in you.  I think we all can see a little of ourselves in this.

God is often a god on the shelf; a definable, compartmentalized, usable god.  We put him on three different shelves depending on where we need him.

First, is what I see as the work shelf.  It's like a shelf in a workshop, carrying a cordless drill, a belt sander, and a couple hammers. Oh yeah, and a tiny god. He sits on our work shelf silent and lifeless until we have a job for him to do. We go about our days and weeks with little or no acknowledgment  of his presence and we rarely if ever look at him in awe of who he is.  That is, until we need a little financial help, maybe maybe we're in legal trouble, or in a relationship struggle.  It's time to go to the shelf, dust him off and see it he can get the job done.  We cry out, "Why God? Why this or that and why me?  Help me please!" When the situation passes we place him back on the shelf in case we need him in the future.  Off we go,

The second shelf is more like a mantle above the fireplace.  It's a place where we keep our trophies and various awards.  It's the shelf of religiosity of pride.  It's where we place God to show others that we have him. It may look like a weekly trip to church where we really don't meet God or truly worship him. It may look like the donations we can tell our accountant about at tax time.  However, like the god of the workshop, this god is also lifeless and doesn't play any real part in the minute by minute reality of our lives.

The last shelf is like a shelf in the medicine cabinet or vanity. Like the mantle place god this is also a god of religion but based less on pride and more on guilt.  We look in the mirror and see a blemish a rash or a sore.  We are sick or just don't look very good. We open the mirror pull out the little Bandaid god or the makeup god and cover up the blemish.  This god doesn't heal the wound or make us younger, it just makes us look better.  Then back in the cabinet, on the shelf and the mirror closes.

Before you say, "Not me!!" think carefully about your typical day.  How does it start?  Does it start in prayer, in worship, in acknowledging Him?  How do you make the hundreds of decisions you make every day?  Is God  . . . GOD . . . in your life?  I mean a living, all powerful, all knowing, ever present, eternal, Holy, loving, creator GOD in your life?  Because whether we act like it, live like it, or acknowledge it, that's who he is.

God loves you (cordless drills, trophies, and mascara can't love). God can do amazing things in you, through you, and for you.  He is El Shaddai "God All Mighty", Elohim "God the Creator".  You see a hammer can't create.  It can only create if it is carried.  God needs no help.  He is there to help in times of need but not as a part time god on a shelf.  He is Yahweh-rapha "The God who Heals".  He heals our insides and outsides, not just covering up the wound but healing it. Jesus died so that we might have life.  He made blind eyes to see, deaf ears to hear, lame legs to walk, and brought the dead to life. If God has at times been a shelf god in your life (as he has in mine) ask him to forgive you and walk with him in a new way today.

Peace, David

A Wasted Prescription

OK, it's been a while, a long while. I was dry for a spell but driving home today I felt compelled to share a lesson God showed me this week.  It's a lesson I learned as I watched someone with a serious problem.  I know deep down that the lesson is for me and I bet it's for you as well.  The story goes like this:

A young man came into my office with a large infection of the right side of his face.  It was about half the size of a tennis ball and the skin over it was red.  The paperwork on his chart indicated he'd been in the emergency room the night prior and was given a prescription for an antibiotic so I asked, "Did you start the antibiotic last night?"  "No. I didn't fill the prescription." the man replied with a look of guilt.

What!!  A man was in pain, swollen, and afraid. He drives to the ER looking for help and receives a prescription.

The definition of "prescription"

1)  a medicine or remedy that is prescribed

2) a recommendation that is authoritatively put forward

The man leaves that place of help with the prescription in hand then doesn't take the medicine.

Isn't that just like us:

"God help me!!"  God gives us his Word, his commandments, his call for repentance, his call to love, his call to forgive, his call to worship, his call to be holy, his call to trust . . . . . Jesus.  Then after we receive the prescription in hand we look at it, set it down somewhere and go about our lives sick, broken, scared, and possibly eternally dead.  We are that man!

In 2 Kings chapter 5 we read of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram,  Naaman was a "valiant soldier" but he had one problem.  He had leprosy.  There was a servant girl taken captive from Israel who served Naaman's wife.  This young girl urged Naaman's wife to send him to Samaria to see a prophet she believed could heal him.  Naaman, with his king's blessing, a note from the king to the king of Israel, and a boat load of  gold and silver went off to find his cure.  Naaman shows up at the door of Elisha but when he knocks he only gets to see Elisha's messenger who delivers this message (the prescription):

"Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."

So what did Naaman do?  Well, I would hope after this long trip and with this great desire to be healed he would RUN to the Jordan and do as the man said. But, instead he went away angry saying,

"I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, waive his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.  Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better that all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in then and be cleansed?"

He didn't like the cure. The water was too muddy.  The prophet didn't meet him at the door.  He actually had to DO something not just stand there and receive the cure.  Dip SEVEN times!! Why not once?  Thankfully, at the urging of his servants, Naaman lowered his pride, walked down to the muddy Jordan and dunked himself in seven times.  Out he came after number seven, his skin "clean like that of a young boy."

Today, if you are in a place where you know you need God's help (that should be everyone who is reading this), take the prescription God has given you and receive healing.  "What is that prescription?" you ask.

Well it might be a number of things but I know the first one is the same one given to the jailer who asked "What must I do to be saved?":

Rx - Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

After that, God may give you any number of different prescriptions for your predicament.

"Be holy because I am holy"  1 Peter 1:16

"But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always." Hosea 12:6

Love your neighbor as yourself."  Matthew 22:39

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven."  Luke 6:37

Whatever prescription the Lord puts in your hand, please don't wad it up and set it aside.  Get it filled and take it as prescribed.  Sometimes it tastes bad going down and it may be very expensive but it will ALWAYS accomplish the cure that the Lord desires to bring to you.

Peace in Christ,  David

Gaze into God's Mirror

It was 6:45 am and my eyes weren't quite awake yet.  Getting ready to shave,  I gazed in the mirror and realized that my scalp was much more noticeable than my hair.  Maybe it was my sleepy eyes.  So, I closed my eyes, rubbed them and reopened them hoping that it was just an optical illusion.  Nope, it was true.  I was loosing my hair.  The mirror doesn't lie. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.  But what does this have to do with faith?

Mirrors.  They reveal what we look like on the outside.  Important?  Not really but we all care, at least a little, about our outward appearance.  God, on the other hand, cares about what we look like on the inside.  Jesus was chastising the Pharisees when he called them "whitewashed tombs" beautiful on the outside but on the inside were full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. We can look at the Pharisees and say, "Yeah!  You guys are hypocrites!"  But, we better be careful not to throw stones in glass houses.


First I'd like to remind us that our spiritual mirror isn't made of glass but God's Word.  All of the make-up, hairspray, neatly pressed shirts, plastic surgery, and hours in the gym can't hide our true selves.  God sees right through them.  He knows us.  Comforting and convicting at the same time.  When we look into God's Word what do we see about ourselves?  Do we look like Jesus or do we look like the World?  I venture to say that most of us look a lot more like the World than like Jesus.


So, we run to the spiritual cosmetic shop and do a little cover up; couple nice things here, a church service there, tune into the local Christian station, and say "Amen!" when someone says something we agree with.  Bad things?  Heck no but maybe only window dressing. Trust me.  I've deck myself out with Christian garments only to look into the mirror of God's Word to see a little Pharisee. So, if you're like me you might want to gaze for a second in the light of the Word and see what God sees.  Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount is a good place to start:


“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment." Matthew 5:21-22


 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  Matthew 5:27-28


“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:43-45


Wow, that's some tough teaching. Do we honestly live lives devoted to God or do we live like the world, doing religious things on Sunday and Wednesday evenings? Do we read the same novels, watch the same vile TV shows, and listen to the same music? Do we get a little buzzed on the weekends with our friends and laugh at the same off-color jokes?  Do we speak the name of Jesus to anyone outside of the Church building?  Do we praise God on Sunday and curse those made in his image on Monday?  If we look in the spiritual mirror, do we look a little like I did that awful morning in the glass mirror - lacking something?  


I pray that you look closely at yourself today reevaluate your spiritual reflection.  We all need to do that time and again so that we don't get to content with were we are in our walk with Christ.


Peace in Jesus,


David

Sin - Like Weeds Need to be Plucked out Root and All

I spoke with a good friend today who told me that he was getting ready to mow his law when he spotted a weed. He thought he should pluck it out instead of just mowing over the top because the later would allow it to grow back.  When he bent down to grab the weed he noticed there wasn't just one but many other weeds amidst the blades of grass.  We immediately saw the hand of God in the one square foot plot of dirt.

Sin is like that weed.  It is insidious, deep rooted, destructive, and often well hidden.  We, like the lazy grounds keeper, either ignore the weeds of sin or we just trim off the top.  We allow a few weedy sins because our lawns looks better than the neighbor's lawn.  But beware friend because we only fool ourselves.  That little weed will grow and spread and destroy the beautiful lives that God has planned for us.  Not only ours but the lives of those close to us!  Have you ever driven by and seen a lawn full of dandelions and the nice lawn next door with a few dandelions growing along the common edge?  Sin is contagious.

When God sent Israel into lands inhabited by idolaters He had them leave no one alive.  Brutal? Cruel? Inhumane?  Maybe in the worldly sense but God knew that one weed would destroy the whole lot.  One cell of yeast would infiltrate the whole bowl of dough.

Examine your life.  Look for weeds.  Get on your spiritual knees, pull out the magnifying glass, and look really closely for the little weeds.  When you find one don't just cut off the top.  "Oh, I'll just look at the Swimsuit Edition and throw out the hardcore stuff." NO!  Pluck it out root and all!  Not just that.  Put the carcass in the fire.

Before you get the cart before the horse remember that it's the Holy Spirit in believers that gives them power over temptation and sin.  It's not brute force or will power.  If you don't know Christ call on his name.  As a matter of fact, if you know Christ, call on his name.  We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength!  Visit our main site @ www.i61project.org

Peace in Him,  David

The Wonder of Adoption

"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." (John 1:12-13)


Adoption is a wonderful thing!  A child who was once without a family and without hope suddenly has both. Contrary to popular belief we are not all God's children at birth. We are indeed God's creation, fearfully and wonderfully made.  We are known and loved by him before one cell came together in our mother's womb. But, we are separated from God and without the rights and privileges of members of his family. Adoption can take a number of years and cost thousands of dollars but becoming a child of God takes only faith.  If you are walking outside of God's family it's time to come home.  Jesus paid the price so believe in his name and receive him today.


For the full Blog Post, Click on the link below.


Heirs to the Promise - The Wonder of Adoption


If you have been adopted into the family of God praise him today!  If you are alone and separated from Him by sin then pray like this:


Lord, I know I'm lost and in need of forgiveness.  I want to be accepted and brought into your family.  I trust that Jesus died in my place and rose from the dead so that my relationship with you don't end in the grave.  Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

My son's baseball coach use to yell out during the games, "Boys, what's the most important thing in baseball?" The kids would yell back, "Keep your eyes on the ball!"  In baseball, archery, and in life you need to keep your eyes on the target.  As Peter walked on the water he briefly took his eyes off of Jesus and nearly sank to the bottom of the Sea of Galilee.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”


 “Come,” he said.


Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”   (Matthew 14:28-30)


Peter "saw the wind, and was afraid." So today remember that whatever the circumstance, keep your eyes on Jesus, and he will keep your head above water.


Prayer:  Father help me today to look not at the wind or the waves of life but instead to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and his faithfulness. In Jesus' name, amen.


For the full Blog Post click on the link: 


Keep Your Eyes on the Ball

The Good, The Bad, and The Perfect

I live in the country and our front yard covers about three acres of open field, mostly tall grasses, milkweed, and goldenrod.   One gorgeous summer day about five years ago my (then) six year old son Collin and I had a great idea.  "Let's mow down a big area of the front yard and turn it into a soccer field."  We grabbed the mower, set the blade way up high and off we went.  One big rectangle down, I began to mow back and forth the length of the field with Collin right behind me.  He was having a ball,  running, jumping, and laughing at the top of his lungs.  He was laughing so loudly that I could hear him over the sound of the engine.  Then the thought hit me, "That doesn't sound like laughter at all but screams!"  I turned to see him surrounded by hornets.  They were everywhere and I could see them on his face and his arms as he screamed and flailed his arms wildly.  His terrified eyes met mine and and in an instant I ran into the swarm, scooped him into my arms, and ran.  I was brushing hornets off of him as I ran and I kept telling him that he would be OK.  He got stung.  I got stung.  We both survived.  Collin and I both learned some things that day.  Aside from the nastiness of angry hornets, we both had a real sense of the love a father has for his son and what we are willing to do for them.

The immediate connection between this real life drama and God's love for mankind may be readily apparent but I want to stretch you a bit.  I want to start with the less obvious and what will likely not feel so comfortable then I'll finish with the part that will bring you a bit more peace.

Let me ask you a question?  If you knew that there was a hive of very dangerous hornets in the middle of your proposed soccer field would you drive your lawn mower over them, your little child it tow?  Unless you are deeply disturbed, the answer will probably be, "No!"  Well, I'm not all knowing and I'm trapped in the confines of linear time and I don't know the beginning from the end.  I had no way of knowing the danger I was getting us into.  If I did, I wouldn't have done it.  I would have protected my child (and myself) from pain.  Here is the difficult part.  God knew the hornets were there.  He knew my plans and he saw the consequences before they happened. Yet, he didn't step in and prevent it.  Is it that he was unaware?  The Bible says God is sovereign over his creation and he reminds us concerning a sparrow that "not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father."  Jesus knew Peter would deny him before hand.  Is it that he is unable?  A God who is unable to no god at all.  The Bible says that he controls the winds, the waves, the creatures of the sea, and can move mountains.  I think a little hive of hornets is well within his control.

Do I know why God allowed this to happen?  Nope.  But I do know that love was made evident through it.  Courage and altruism was made known.  My son and I grew closer in one minute than we could have in a year.  This also reveals a God who's ways are beyond ours and one who's character has aspects of love and also of wrath.  I'm not saying I was being punished or that my son was but I'm also not certain that I wasn't.  I know I deserve it at times.  Collin (God bless his soul) is no angel either.

Lastly I want to tie in the beauty of this scene to the truth of Christ.  In the moment we were getting ourselves into trouble and were surrounded by the threat of death (physical and spiritual) Jesus Christ stepped into the swarm and swept up his children, taking the pain and suffering on our behalf.  His love was that great.  Jesus gave his life for us.  But here is a mind stretcher.... The Bible says it was the Lord's will to crush him.  God willingly allowed his son to die.  Evil?  No amazingly loving.  But hard to fathom.  The Bible is full of things that are easy and things that are hard to hear.  Let's not shy away from either but soak all of it up knowing that all things together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

As I have seen God's character being put forth either as one who is standing above us wanting to crush us for our mistakes or, conversely as a God who is all love and wants us just to be happy and comfortable, I am urging you to see God as one who's love is beyond our comprehension but who's holiness and justice is equally perfect.  Read the Word, seek his face, and Jesus said the truth will set you free.

Peace,

David