First Word: Openness

Last year I identified four words that I found to be keys to grasping the height and depth and length and breadth of Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God. This week and for the next three, I want to focus on these words.

The first key is openness. Since the kingdom is best understood as “the age to come” breaking into the present age, kingdom concepts are so counter-intuitive and counter-cultural. So many forces within us object to the life that comes from the age to come. All this means that if we are going to let the kingdom life take up residence in our hearts, we have to make a decision to be radically open, and then reaffirm that decision again and again.

Our minds are full of beliefs and agendas. To live a kingdom life, we must surrender all those beliefs, enter a state where we are being transformed and then be open to thinking in totally new ways—even ways that will likely seem crazy to an old mindset schooled in the ways of the world.

If you are tempted to think, “I have been through that stage; I have been in the church 20 years; or I have been a disciple for 15 years,” be careful. Most religion is some kind of synthesis of the world’s wisdom and biblical ideas, with the world’s ideas often being the tail that wags the dog. If you are certain this could not be true of you, you are most at risk. We must humble ourselves at the feet of Jesus and be deliberately open to allowing the other-worldly kingdom to come and for God’s will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Focus Scripture

Matthew 18:1-5

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

Critique of Complaining

I recently attended a funeral service for a long-time friend of my family. As in other such services, I heard him described as a man who never complained even though he suffered in many ways in the last years of his life.

Each time I have heard that comment about someone living or deceased, I know that this could not be said of me. Until a day I well remember more than thirty years ago, I would say I had become a chronic complainer. On that day I let my wife and then others know that I was repenting of that nasty habit that does nothing good for anyone. That was part of a larger effort to seek a new heart.

Since then I have had lapses, but have not lost my conviction that complaining is something I don’t want in my life. It just doesn’t fit with sharing in the kingdom of God, with having tasted the powers of the age to come, with having a Heavenly Father who promises you his “much more.”

I understand that there are times when it seems helpful to vent our pain and frustration, and I wonder if some of those who are honored for never complaining may have stuffed when they needed to be more open. I am thankful for my wife and brothers who have allowed me those times of catharsis. However, apart from such “exorcisms,” I want the tenor of my life to be one of gratitude and anticipation and not one of complaining. The kingdom calls us to nothing less.

Focus Scriptures

Philippians 2:12-18 (NIV)
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[c] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:12-18 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,[e] just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Ephesians 4:29-32 (New International Version)
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 5:4 (New International Version)
4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving

Shabbat Shalom

From sundown last Friday to night fall last Saturday, Sheila and I observed a Jewish-style Sabbath (Shabbat) to give us time to prepare our hearts for Easter. We read about Shabbat from Jewish and Jewish Christian writers and as novices to Sabbath observance, we sought to follow as many of the guidelines as possible.

At 6:48 Sheila lit the candles, waved her arms and said the blessing. After sundown at 7:09 I said the Kiddush to bless the wine. Since we were not attending a service, we soon enjoyed a “festive” meal by candlelight, using no electrical lighting the rest of the night.

After dinner, we read more articles on the meaning and value of Shabbat, read a section of a new book titled Distracted, and let all these writings guide some special conversation. The television and computers were shut down. No phone calls were allowed to interrupt. Most Jewish writers describe Shabbat as a blessing, and we understood why.

Just to keep it real, this quiet time to focus, eventually found us discovering some hurt we both were feeling. As we explored these things, it seemed that our time of renewal had taken a wrong turn. But as has been so often true over our forty years of marriage, prayer remarkably brought us to a good place.

Somewhere, sometime I will write more about what we experienced that Friday night and the next day until nightfall, because like creation itself, it was very good. We came away from this island of tranquility fully refreshed.

In my younger years, I was taught that the only thing we need to know about the Sabbath is that we Christians don’t have to observe it. I now want to teach others that we are free to observe it and that we might be surprised at what a gift it can give us.

Remembering Resurrection

This week is called Holy Week in many churches. I just finished reading a long article describing the history of Holy Week and the different liturgical elements that one tradition includes in its services this week. Honestly, it was bit exhausting trying to retain all the rituals, symbols, genuflections and prostrations.

When I read the New Testament, I am struck by the simplicity that characterizes the way we are to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul describes the church together taking the bread and then taking the cup and remembering the Lord’s death. In so doing they declared that he will return as the resurrected Christ.

And, of course, this wasn’t done just one day during the year, but again and again as the disciples came together. While I never want to leave this simplicity, I have thought about what I can do to prepare myself for a special time to remember the resurrection this Easter.

Sheila and I have decided to observe Shabbat (the Sabbath) before Easter, treating it as a Sabbath day of rest (which means, for one thing, staying away from the computers!). We will follow the traditional Jewish times, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Having more time to pray, one of the needs we will focus on will be those who we know are considering Jesus and could soon be united with his death and raised with him from baptism.

This week should not really be more “holy” than any other for Jesus’ followers, but I would encourage you to think about what you might do to have a special week, remembering the most mind-changing event in history.

God's Problem?

I heard a distinguished author being interviewed on radio. He stopped believing in God because the Bible didn’t answer his questions about the problem of human suffering.

As I thought about his words, they seemed to raise an interesting question for the author and others. Do we only believe in God if he answers all our questions? What kind of God would he be if we can put him on trial and reserve the right to banish him if we don’t hear from him what satisfies us? Am I missing something or doesn’t giving our conditions to God and saying “I expect you to meet them,” lead to a god who couldn’t possibly be spelled with a capital “G”?

Recently a man told me he wanted my help in overcoming his arrogance. He sees something the famous author seems to be missing. Sure, many of us struggle with the suffering that comes from earthquakes, storms, drought, poverty, disease and the like.

But we have crossed the line from honest questions to arrogant posturing when we say to the Creator we are considering, “You won’t get my trust unless I decide that you have done the right thing.”

I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans 11:

"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
35"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
36For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

From reading the Book of Psalms I would say God has no problem with our questions. From reading the whole of Scripture I would say he has a big problem with our arrogance.

Focus Scriptures

Job 38:1-7
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2"Who is this that darkens my counsel
with words without knowledge?
3Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

4"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone--
7while the morning stars sang together

Job 42:1-3
42:1Then Job replied to the LORD:
2"I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
3You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.

God's Book of Poems

Last week, I told you that we were able to hear John Ortberg talk about Christians being “God’s workmanship,” making the point that disciples are never mass-produced; they are handcrafted by God, with each of us being uniquely formed. The word for “workmanship” in Ephesians 2 is the Greek poiēma, from which we get the English “poem.”

With this in mind I have asked Sheila to share with you something she blogged about on “My Bucket of Sand.”, following up on these thoughts…

-----

As I reflect upon the fact that all poems are completely original and individual, just as people are, I am encouraged in two ways.

First, it reminds me that I am special to God. He loves me, quirks and all. And as I yield myself to him, he is handcrafting me into the “me” he has prepared me to be.

Second, it reminds me that every person is special to God. Think about another disciple whom you find it difficult to like, maybe one who really gets on your nerves. Now think of a person you genuinely like and are eager to spend time with. Each one is God’s poiēma. Each one is being handcrafted by the God of Creation to be exactly who he or she was born to be.

I know what it feels like to share poems I have written. There is a certain vulnerability, a fear of rejection and a flush of victory in the risk.

As God shares his poems with each of us, every day, in our interactions with others, let’s remember to listen to the heart of the poem, and not to judge its style or delivery. Let’s try to look more through the Poet’s eyes and less through our own.

Psalm 139:1-16

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

    O Lord, you have searched me

        and you know me.

    [2] You know when I sit and when I rise;

        you perceive my thoughts from afar.

    [3] You discern my going out and my lying down;

        you are familiar with all my ways.

    [4] Before a word is on my tongue

        you know it completely, O Lord.

    [5] You hem me in--behind and before;

        you have laid your hand upon me.

    [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

        too lofty for me to attain.

    [7] Where can I go from your Spirit?

        Where can I flee from your presence?

    [8] If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

        if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

    [9] If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

        if I settle on the far side of the sea,

    [10] even there your hand will guide me,

        your right hand will hold me fast.

    [11] If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me

        and the light become night around me,"

    [12] even the darkness will not be dark to you;

        the night will shine like the day,

        for darkness is as light to you.

    [13] For you created my inmost being;

        you knit me together in my mother's womb.

    [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

        your works are wonderful,

        I know that full well.

    [15] My frame was not hidden from you

        when I was made in the secret place.

    When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

        [16] your eyes saw my unformed body.

    All the days ordained for me

        were written in your book

        before one of them came to be.

   

Uniquely You

Have you ever heard someone talk about some spiritual practices such as getting up every morning at 5:00 to pray for an hour, or reading three or four chapters in the Bible each day, or keeping a daily spiritual journal, and then you feel guilty and unspiritual because some of those things just don’t seem to work for you?

A few days ago I heard author John Ortberg give three messages, and his point each time was that God is not into mass producing disciples, but instead he handcrafts each one of us. He quoted Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The Greek word for workmanship is “poiēma” from which we get our word “poem” which refers to something created.

Just as every poem is uniquely designed, so each of us is uniquely designed. We will not all learn the same way. We will not all grow the same way, and we set up something harmful if we decide there is one way to be spiritual and that everyone must be poured into that mold.

This doesn’t mean that Scripture leaves us without give us direction. Everyone needs to listen to the Word, pray, be devoted to relationships, pass on the message and care for the poor. But the way I do those things may not be the best way for you to do those things. However, if both of us seek first the reign of God in our lives, he will shape each of us according to his will, and the “you” he makes will fit very nicely with the “me” he makes.

Focus Scripture:

Ephesians 2:4-10 (NLT)

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.