Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
This was God's command to Joshua after Moses had died and Joshua was to take his place as leader of God's people. Joshua's job was to lead the Istraelites into the Promised Land. Can you imagine how overwhelmed Joshua must have felt? Here the leader he'd looked up to most of his adult life was gone, and now the burden of leading this group of spoiled, snotty Israelites fell directly on his shoulders. I can only imagine how scared Joshua must have been. Apparently, so could God because He repeated the command to be strong and courageous three times. (vs 6 and vs 7)
Ever been in a position where you feel overwhelmed by the load or task that you're about to undertake? I know I have. Back in the day when I was still teaching I felt overwhelmed more often than not. So much to do. So little time. The weight of the world hung heavy on my heart - these students were entrusted into my care. I was responsible for teaching them what they needed to learn. All those subjects I needed to know; math, reading, writing, social studies, science. All the papers to grade. All the preparations to handle. And that before the kids even entered the room. Everyday it seemed as if a month of work was crammed into that single day. Yes, feeling overwhelmed as a teacher was an understatement.
The first year I began teaching I came across a verse in the Bible that helped me find hope and strength even on the craziest and busiest of days. The verse comes from 1 Chronicles 28:20.
David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until the work [of building the temple] is finished.
These were the words and wisdom of David as he was speaking about the most important task Solomon was to undertake during his reign; building a temple of the Lord - a house where God's glory would preside, a place of worship for the Israelites. Why would David choose to share this wisdom with his son? Mostly, I suppose, it was because David knew what it was like to be king. After all he'd reighned for forty years. Not only that, but he recognized the huge task that Solomon had before him.
These words of wisdom that David shared with his son became so important to me that I copied them down and taped them to my desk. Every morning before the bell rang, I would read the verse. It was like a pep talk. The phrase that stuck out to me most was "Do the work." Notice it didn't say 'Wait on the Lord and he will do the work for you.' No, this was a command, "Do the work."
Whenever I'm struggling with depression, I remember this verse and, in particular, its command to do the work. Even if I don't feel like it, even if I want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head. No matter the effort it takes to just begin the task this verse always encourages me, and, in some cases, gives me a kick in the butt. Do the work don't be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? I don't care what you do for a living or what tasks you have to tackle, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that all of us, at what time or another, have been overwhelmingly overwhelmed. So here's my encouragement to you . . . when you're facing a mountain of tasks that you just don't think you can handle remember these verses, "Be strong and Courageous and do the work." And, even more importantly, take claim of the promise at the end of the verse. " Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord God, . . . is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until the work . . . is finished."
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Step by Step
Well, what should I write about today? Jack had his tonsils out last Thursday so he and I have been out of commission for a week. Feels good to sit back in my chair and let my thoughts flow onto paper, or, in this case, screen. Anyway, here goes.
Been thinking about my future - what will happen when I finally head back to "work" and by work I mean the kind where you actually leave your house, do your job, and get paid. I've done work these past seven years, without pay or sick leave, mind you, but I have to admit it's been kind of fun. Being master of my own domain, setting my own schedule, taking coffee breaks with friends. Yea, it hasn't been all bad.
So what do I do now? After six years of being a stay-at-home mom, I feel kind of out of the groove. Should I go back and teach, or work part time, or get an "easy gig" where I can put in my hours at work and not have the bother of bringing more home.
Sometimes I feel sorry for my hubby. I know he wouldn't want me to, but he goes through a lot of stress at his job. I have stress but it's a different kind. I don't have anybody but myself to answer to. I don't have anyone breathing down my neck to get this or that done. I don't have to worry about if I'm doing this right or that wrong. Well I take that back, I worry a lot about whether I'm doing a good job raising my kids, but those are manageable worries. I can control even those thoughts.
I know that one of the reasons that I am so stable and relatively anxiety free have, in part, been due to the fact that I don't have a job outside the home. Like I've already said, I am master of my own domain. I can do what I want, when I want, and how I want to do it.
When I go back to work will I be able to handle the stress, or will anxiety once again be breathing down my neck paralyzing me with its constant nagging. So what do I want to do when I grow up? If you told me I could write and get paid for it I'd be all about that. I love to write. Love, Love, Love it! At this point I'm leaving that in God's hands praying and knowing that he'll guide me to the place or places I need to be.
Hope you feel guided in your life, too. Do you every feel a little bit disgusted that God doesn't give us a road map to point out the way - where we should be going and how we're going to get there. I know I could use a big neon sign that told me exactly what to do. But that's not the way life works is it? Because, after all, we're supposed to be living by faith; the faith that is sure of what it hopes for and certain of what it does not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
Abraham lived with this kind of faith. So did all of our Christian ancestors. Nobody got to see what was in store for them. You and I are in good company. Living by faith is hard, but I do believe it will be worth it when we enter into heaven. Then, all our questions will be answered and we'll find out that we were being led in the right direction all along. So take heart, we're being guided by a Master who takes us step by step as we follow his lead. I'll finish with one of my favorite quotes - a quote that reminds me to take life one step at a time.
Lead, kindly light . . keep thou my feet ; I do not ask to see the distant scene one step enough for me. (John Henry Newman)
Been thinking about my future - what will happen when I finally head back to "work" and by work I mean the kind where you actually leave your house, do your job, and get paid. I've done work these past seven years, without pay or sick leave, mind you, but I have to admit it's been kind of fun. Being master of my own domain, setting my own schedule, taking coffee breaks with friends. Yea, it hasn't been all bad.
So what do I do now? After six years of being a stay-at-home mom, I feel kind of out of the groove. Should I go back and teach, or work part time, or get an "easy gig" where I can put in my hours at work and not have the bother of bringing more home.
Sometimes I feel sorry for my hubby. I know he wouldn't want me to, but he goes through a lot of stress at his job. I have stress but it's a different kind. I don't have anybody but myself to answer to. I don't have anyone breathing down my neck to get this or that done. I don't have to worry about if I'm doing this right or that wrong. Well I take that back, I worry a lot about whether I'm doing a good job raising my kids, but those are manageable worries. I can control even those thoughts.
I know that one of the reasons that I am so stable and relatively anxiety free have, in part, been due to the fact that I don't have a job outside the home. Like I've already said, I am master of my own domain. I can do what I want, when I want, and how I want to do it.
Lead, kindly light . . keep thou my feet ; I do not ask to see the distant scene one step enough for me. (John Henry Newman)
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Bratty and Whiny
Reading a new book called The Story. In it excerpts of the NIV are carefully crafted together to tell one of the greatest stories of all time. Really, really interesting to read. What's come across to me so far is how bratty and whiny the Israelites were. No matter what they had, it was never enough, never the right thing, never the right time.
The story unfolds with one of their forefathers, Abraham. God makes great and wonderful promises to him, promises like "through your offspring all nations will be blessed". And when, by God's leading, Abraham travels to a strange and distant land, God makes a great and wonderful promise once again. He tells Abraham that someday his descendants will posess this land - a land flowing with milk and honey. In turn, God promises the same to Issac, Abraham's son, and to Jacob, Abraham's grandson. With all these promises the nation of Israel is completely confident that God is able to do what he says he will do, right? Well, not exactly.
Flash forward a few hundred years. Abraham's descendants are now in Egypt where they are being mistreated and abused as slaves. When they cry out for deliverance, God, being the almighty and loving One, hears their cries of distress. What does he do ? He acts. He intervenes. After all, that's what he promised Abraham, and Issac, and Jacob he would do. God delivers the Israelites from slavery to go to the land that he once promised to their ancestors.
Through Moses, their leader, God does amazing things - things never seen before. He sends plague upon plague to the Egyptians until they practically beg the Israelites to leave. The Egyptians even load them down with some of their own posessions giving Israel plunder to carry away. Then, when Pharoah changes his heart and decides to chase after the Israelites, God intervenes with an act that will never be forgotten. The Red Sea parts. The Israelites pass through unharmed. But when the Egyptians pursue them the waters crash back together. Pharoah and all his army are destroyed.
Just like that the Israelites have experienced the mighty deliverance of God. So you would think they would be bursting with thankfulness, full of faith, hope, love. But, after a few weeks, they do what comes natural to most of us - they complain. They don't have any water. They don't have food. Why did Moses bring them into the desert - a place where they could starve to death or die of thirst? They were better off in Egypt, or so they say. Just three short days after they'd come safely through the Red Sea, this is how they act.
For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" Exodus 15:22-23
Long story short, God provides the water they were crying out for. Finally, at last, they believe that God is with them. He is their protector. He will guide. He will provide. And, if they doubt God's guidance, they need only raise their eyes to the horizon. God's very presence is with them every step of the way - pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night. Unfortunately, that's not the way it happens:
On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into the desert to starve this entire assembly to death. Exodus 16:1-3
Are you kidding me? Really? Hadn't God provided for them thus far in miraculous ways. What did they have to worry about? What did they have to complain about? But those Israelites were stubborn, hard headed. They complained about everything; their circumstances, their situation. You name it, they complained about it. There wasn't enough food. It wasn't the right kind. They were without water, or the water didn't taste good. And, as if that weren't enough, when they weren't complaining they were crafting golden calves to worship and bow down to. What was their problem?
Yea, those Israelites really had some trust issues. But when I really stop and think about it, it reminds me of someone else I know. Me. I worry about this, I worry about that. I don't have enough of this, or I have too much of that. It's rainy when I want it to be sunny. It's sunny when I want it to be rainy.
I can think back to all the times God's provided for me, delivered me, given me my daily bread. Yet I find myself getting worked up about so much. God's never lacking in love, so why do I freak out? The Israelites had their issues, but, sad to say, I can be as bratty as the best of them.
Well, I'd like to say that in the end the nation of Israel learns their lesson. But they don't. Just before God leads them in to take possession of the land he promised to Abraham this is what he has to say to those bratty, whiny, Israelites
During the forty years that I led your through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet . . . I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.
Just because they didn't learn their lesson doesn't mean I can't or that you can't. The next time you're tempted to worry or be anxious about something, stop and think long and hard about those Israelites. God may not be guiding you by a pillar of cloud or a big ring of fire, but he's certainly proven himself to be worthy of our trust. The moral of the story? Learn to be thankful, not anxious. And, the next time you're tempted to complain about something, think about those Israelites. Determine to rise above all the whinyness and bratiness that they could never seem to get over.
The story unfolds with one of their forefathers, Abraham. God makes great and wonderful promises to him, promises like "through your offspring all nations will be blessed". And when, by God's leading, Abraham travels to a strange and distant land, God makes a great and wonderful promise once again. He tells Abraham that someday his descendants will posess this land - a land flowing with milk and honey. In turn, God promises the same to Issac, Abraham's son, and to Jacob, Abraham's grandson. With all these promises the nation of Israel is completely confident that God is able to do what he says he will do, right? Well, not exactly.
Flash forward a few hundred years. Abraham's descendants are now in Egypt where they are being mistreated and abused as slaves. When they cry out for deliverance, God, being the almighty and loving One, hears their cries of distress. What does he do ? He acts. He intervenes. After all, that's what he promised Abraham, and Issac, and Jacob he would do. God delivers the Israelites from slavery to go to the land that he once promised to their ancestors.
Through Moses, their leader, God does amazing things - things never seen before. He sends plague upon plague to the Egyptians until they practically beg the Israelites to leave. The Egyptians even load them down with some of their own posessions giving Israel plunder to carry away. Then, when Pharoah changes his heart and decides to chase after the Israelites, God intervenes with an act that will never be forgotten. The Red Sea parts. The Israelites pass through unharmed. But when the Egyptians pursue them the waters crash back together. Pharoah and all his army are destroyed.
Just like that the Israelites have experienced the mighty deliverance of God. So you would think they would be bursting with thankfulness, full of faith, hope, love. But, after a few weeks, they do what comes natural to most of us - they complain. They don't have any water. They don't have food. Why did Moses bring them into the desert - a place where they could starve to death or die of thirst? They were better off in Egypt, or so they say. Just three short days after they'd come safely through the Red Sea, this is how they act.
For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" Exodus 15:22-23
Long story short, God provides the water they were crying out for. Finally, at last, they believe that God is with them. He is their protector. He will guide. He will provide. And, if they doubt God's guidance, they need only raise their eyes to the horizon. God's very presence is with them every step of the way - pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night. Unfortunately, that's not the way it happens:
On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into the desert to starve this entire assembly to death. Exodus 16:1-3
Are you kidding me? Really? Hadn't God provided for them thus far in miraculous ways. What did they have to worry about? What did they have to complain about? But those Israelites were stubborn, hard headed. They complained about everything; their circumstances, their situation. You name it, they complained about it. There wasn't enough food. It wasn't the right kind. They were without water, or the water didn't taste good. And, as if that weren't enough, when they weren't complaining they were crafting golden calves to worship and bow down to. What was their problem?
Yea, those Israelites really had some trust issues. But when I really stop and think about it, it reminds me of someone else I know. Me. I worry about this, I worry about that. I don't have enough of this, or I have too much of that. It's rainy when I want it to be sunny. It's sunny when I want it to be rainy.
I can think back to all the times God's provided for me, delivered me, given me my daily bread. Yet I find myself getting worked up about so much. God's never lacking in love, so why do I freak out? The Israelites had their issues, but, sad to say, I can be as bratty as the best of them.
Well, I'd like to say that in the end the nation of Israel learns their lesson. But they don't. Just before God leads them in to take possession of the land he promised to Abraham this is what he has to say to those bratty, whiny, Israelites
During the forty years that I led your through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet . . . I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.
Just because they didn't learn their lesson doesn't mean I can't or that you can't. The next time you're tempted to worry or be anxious about something, stop and think long and hard about those Israelites. God may not be guiding you by a pillar of cloud or a big ring of fire, but he's certainly proven himself to be worthy of our trust. The moral of the story? Learn to be thankful, not anxious. And, the next time you're tempted to complain about something, think about those Israelites. Determine to rise above all the whinyness and bratiness that they could never seem to get over.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Say It Now
Mom received so many compliments the night of the visitation and the day of her funeral. No, scratch that. We, her three children, received the compliments. People who knew and loved her came up telling us what a wonderful person, teacher, friend she was. But to be brutally honest, she could have cared less at this point. Who needs human praise when you’re in the glories of heaven? Don’t get me wrong. Many came up to her when she was still living and expressed their gratitude. Some said she was the best teacher they ever had. Others commented on how well they did in high school English because she had prepared them. Honestly, I can say that she was one of my best and favorite teachers. That’s saying a lot since when she taught me I was in my middle-school-rebellious-my-parents-drive-me-crazy- age.
All these compliments made me wonder something. Why don’t we let people know how much we care about them, how much we appreciate them or what an inspiration they’ve been to us before it’s too late? Why don’t we take time for that? Why is it that when they lie cold and lifeless, indifferent to every compliment or praise given, we choose to speak our gratitude? Why do we wait? Say it now. Make that your mantra. If someone’s helped you, or you enjoy their smile, or they’ve been your true friend in a dark hour tell them. There is never a better opportunity to tell the truth than now. Before they go to the grave people should be told what a friend, mentor, parent, colleague they were and how they influenced your life for the better. I know when I receive a compliment, no matter how simple it is, it makes my day.
Remember the Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”? In the movie the main character gets a chance to see just how much his life has impacted others. In his darkest hour, George contemplates throwing himself off a bridge. He thinks there’s no hope for him. Enter Clarence, the wingless angel, the one sent to watch over George and teach him a lesson. Clarence, by giving George a chance to see what would happen to his family, friends, even town if he’d never been born, opens George’s eyes to just how much his life has impacted others. Well, you’ve probably seen the ending and I don’t mean to give it away, but in the end George realizes that he’s done more good in his life than he ever realized. And, in his direst need, he finds that friend, after friend, after friend rally around him showing just how much they love and care for him.
How about you? Is there someone in your life who’s impacted you in a positive way? Someone you would never have made it this far if they hadn’t been there for you. Well, what are you waiting for? Pick up your phone. Write them a letter. Even texting and emailing are better than nothing. Say It Now. Don’t wait for the end of their life to give them accolades. Chances are that, with a simple thanks, you could be giving them just the boost they need – the boost to keep them going even in some of life’s darkest times. Say it now. Say it before it’s too late.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
A New Year
Okay - jumping the gun a bit, but I figured this was a good "thank you" for the New Year. I wrote this about ten years ago and sent it to my mom after she'd had a particularly bad year. It was found when we were cleaning out her house.
January, 2001
It's that time of year again, a time to ponder all of the wonderful miraculous blessings that we have received for yet another year. Sometimes it's difficult to separate one year from another. Time flies so swiftly, and we forget that what was so troublesome to us last year has now become a distant memory at best. That's how quickly God can and does change things in our lives.
Sometimes I find myself neglecting to remember just how much God has answered my prayers. At these moments I truly realize how ungrateful I am. So God, please forgive me, and help me to remember:
Help me to remember the sore throat that went away, the toothache that never came, the car bill that wasn't mine to pay, the accident that never happened, the roommates and apartment that were mine to share, the extra money that helped me go on that trip, the doctor's visit that proved everything was A-OK.
The extra long smile from my brand new niece, the surprise week off from school, the long visit with my mom, a hug from a friend that changed my whole day, the Word of Life teaching my soul, the extra soft pillow on my bed at night, the stars shining brightly in the sky, the electricity we never lost, the rainbow reminding us that You keep your promises.
The newborn babies I got to hold, the Saturday nights we spent with friends, the Sunday morning trips to church, the cows in the meadow and the grass in the field, and every other single blessing I've received so ungratefully from such a gracious hand as yours.
Amen.
P.S. Help me to have a better memory next year.
January, 2001
It's that time of year again, a time to ponder all of the wonderful miraculous blessings that we have received for yet another year. Sometimes it's difficult to separate one year from another. Time flies so swiftly, and we forget that what was so troublesome to us last year has now become a distant memory at best. That's how quickly God can and does change things in our lives.
Sometimes I find myself neglecting to remember just how much God has answered my prayers. At these moments I truly realize how ungrateful I am. So God, please forgive me, and help me to remember:
Help me to remember the sore throat that went away, the toothache that never came, the car bill that wasn't mine to pay, the accident that never happened, the roommates and apartment that were mine to share, the extra money that helped me go on that trip, the doctor's visit that proved everything was A-OK.
The extra long smile from my brand new niece, the surprise week off from school, the long visit with my mom, a hug from a friend that changed my whole day, the Word of Life teaching my soul, the extra soft pillow on my bed at night, the stars shining brightly in the sky, the electricity we never lost, the rainbow reminding us that You keep your promises.
The newborn babies I got to hold, the Saturday nights we spent with friends, the Sunday morning trips to church, the cows in the meadow and the grass in the field, and every other single blessing I've received so ungratefully from such a gracious hand as yours.
Amen.
P.S. Help me to have a better memory next year.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Love is as Strong as Death
Wow! Stare at a blank page and wonder if any words will come to explain what’s happening. As the verse in scripture goes the Spirit intercedes for us when we know not how or what to pray. So here I am wordlessly praying that something good, even beautiful, will come out of all the pain that’s stored up in my heart.
Having her so close to death during the Holiday season is certainly no fun. It makes me wonder if this time of year will ever be celebratory again for my family and me.
Lately, I have wondered in my heart why God would allow my mother’s last days to happen during a season that is supposed to be filled with hope, joy, and peace. Is this some cruel twist of irony? I have to say that as I watch her walk through this final struggle I almost feel angry with God. What kind of God would do this to us? Why should the holiday season be forever tainted by this loss?
But the other day as I drove up to be with her, I played Christmas music. Don’t’ ask me why. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time. And though my stony heart rebelled against the joy, the hope, the peace of the music, in time it became perfectly clear to me why losing mom during this Christmas Season is a beautiful thing. God has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NIV)
I know it sounds crazy and that losing her now means that the holiday season will always be bittersweet. But it is the season we are in now that gives me hope. There is a passage in the bible that reminds me of something. It reminds me that while my mom will be leaving her earthly body soon there is something that is even stronger than death. The verse comes from Song of Songs:
6 Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy[c] as enduring as the grave.[d]
Love flashes like fire,
the brightest kind of flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love
with all his wealth,
his offer would be utterly scorned. (NLT)
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy[c] as enduring as the grave.[d]
Love flashes like fire,
the brightest kind of flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love
with all his wealth,
his offer would be utterly scorned. (NLT)
The phrase that caught my attention? “Love is as strong as death.” I’ve been thinking about it and reflecting on it. It all ties together with a moment when everything clicked for me.
A few weeks ago, I called Mom to check in on her. At that point she was still feeling relatively well - more like her “old self”. At the end of every phone conversation we always express our love to one another, but at the end of this phone call mom uttered an addendum to the normal “I love you.” Her three simple words, “Never forget that,” were a benediction of sorts - a memory that will burn in my heart for years to come
Since that conversation her health has continued to deteriorate, and, while I know that when she passes life will go on for the rest us, there is a part of me that will never be the same. But even in the midst of this loss, there is hope. Though the grave may take her from us, for now, – the love more powerful than death will hold us in an inseparable bond – mother, daughter now and always. And no death is going to rob me of that joy – not ever. 1 Corinthians 13:12, 13 Now we see but a poor refection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Is God a republican?
I've been thinking a little bit lately about how much we judge a book by its cover in many areas of life - especially when it comes to judging people. We try to stuff a person into a box as if they are only one dimensional in their personality, character, looks, beliefs. Oh he's a conservative that must mean that he has no appreciation for preserving nature, no inclination to reach out to the poor and needy assisting in any way possible. Or that liberal must not be a Christian based on their beliefs.
I remember in 2008 when Obama was running against McCain I watched a debate that was mediated by Rick Warren. One of the points of hosting the event, Warren explained, was to engage people in a civilized debate - a debate that would pave the way for understanding rather then "demonizing" the other side. And aren't we really good at that - demonizing the "other side".
But you know what when I think about it I really don't fit every stereotype that one might label me as a Conservative Republican. I do care about the environment. I don't believe the rich should get richer while the poor get poorer. I think it's important to be socially responsible to all people regardless of creed, color, or beliefs.
Some might say that if God were on earth he would be a republican. But really, really do we think that God takes sides when it comes to politics? Personally, I don't think he does. Rather, I believe that He's above the fray, the debates, the indignation that some feel towards the other party.
You might wonder why I came to that conclusion. Well, part of it stems from how Jesus responded to "politics" when he walked on the earth. Over and over again he told the people that his kingdom is not of this world. Rather it is an eternal one. It is a kingdom of people not of politics. It's about individuals - individuals he loves and would die to save - people he would sacrifice anything for to bring back home.
There's a story in the old testament that intrigues me when it comes to this idea of taking sides. It's the story of when the Israelites were getting ready to march into the promised land. They know that to inherit the land they will have to defeat many of the peoples who have established civilizations there. Joshua is to be the leader of the armies of God. So before they enter one such city - Jericho, Joshua scouts out the land and the city itself to make a battle plan. On his way to do this he comes across a "man" who is brandishing a sword. Here's what happenes:
Joshua 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither," [the angel] replied "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." (NIV)
What?! He's not going to take sides? The Israelites are God's chosen people. The ones he led out of Egypt and guided through the wilderness to bring them to the land he promised to their ancestors. He's made a covenant with them; He is their God, they are his people. When I read this verse out of the book of Joshua, I was stunned by the angel's response. If he was sent by God wouldn't you expect him to say something like, "I'm all for ya brother, cmon on lets go kick some Jericho butt." But he didn't answer that way. So the question is if God doesn't pick sides then who are we really fighting against in this battle of life?
Ephesions 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Who are we really fighting against when we take sides, snub our noses at, or put others in boxes? It's Satan, the liar, the one who loves to create division among people, particularly God's people. So maybe the next time you feel tempted to put someone in a box, or look at them in a one dimensional way you should remember who the real enemy is. Reach out and try to understand the person you despise, disgust, loathe - the one you consider your enemy. Rather than creating more division maybe we can learn to civilly disagree, and in that understanding live without demonizing the other person or side.
I remember in 2008 when Obama was running against McCain I watched a debate that was mediated by Rick Warren. One of the points of hosting the event, Warren explained, was to engage people in a civilized debate - a debate that would pave the way for understanding rather then "demonizing" the other side. And aren't we really good at that - demonizing the "other side".
But you know what when I think about it I really don't fit every stereotype that one might label me as a Conservative Republican. I do care about the environment. I don't believe the rich should get richer while the poor get poorer. I think it's important to be socially responsible to all people regardless of creed, color, or beliefs.
Some might say that if God were on earth he would be a republican. But really, really do we think that God takes sides when it comes to politics? Personally, I don't think he does. Rather, I believe that He's above the fray, the debates, the indignation that some feel towards the other party.
You might wonder why I came to that conclusion. Well, part of it stems from how Jesus responded to "politics" when he walked on the earth. Over and over again he told the people that his kingdom is not of this world. Rather it is an eternal one. It is a kingdom of people not of politics. It's about individuals - individuals he loves and would die to save - people he would sacrifice anything for to bring back home.
There's a story in the old testament that intrigues me when it comes to this idea of taking sides. It's the story of when the Israelites were getting ready to march into the promised land. They know that to inherit the land they will have to defeat many of the peoples who have established civilizations there. Joshua is to be the leader of the armies of God. So before they enter one such city - Jericho, Joshua scouts out the land and the city itself to make a battle plan. On his way to do this he comes across a "man" who is brandishing a sword. Here's what happenes:
Joshua 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither," [the angel] replied "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." (NIV)
What?! He's not going to take sides? The Israelites are God's chosen people. The ones he led out of Egypt and guided through the wilderness to bring them to the land he promised to their ancestors. He's made a covenant with them; He is their God, they are his people. When I read this verse out of the book of Joshua, I was stunned by the angel's response. If he was sent by God wouldn't you expect him to say something like, "I'm all for ya brother, cmon on lets go kick some Jericho butt." But he didn't answer that way. So the question is if God doesn't pick sides then who are we really fighting against in this battle of life?
Ephesions 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Who are we really fighting against when we take sides, snub our noses at, or put others in boxes? It's Satan, the liar, the one who loves to create division among people, particularly God's people. So maybe the next time you feel tempted to put someone in a box, or look at them in a one dimensional way you should remember who the real enemy is. Reach out and try to understand the person you despise, disgust, loathe - the one you consider your enemy. Rather than creating more division maybe we can learn to civilly disagree, and in that understanding live without demonizing the other person or side.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)