The Rational Mind vs. The Morning Checklist

I've developed a very negative spiritual habit; perhaps you've got this problem too. When I wake up in the morning, I first evaluate how I physically feel. Then step two, I analyze how and why I might feel that way. For example, if my back is sore, I'll sit and think about how much lifting I did, how much of the day was I carrying around my three-year-old son, etc.. Well, anylyzing our physical ailments is not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, that's why doctors are still in business. Here's where it gets sticky. After I go through the physical checklist (Is my problem hip and knee sore?, are my eyes dry?, are any joints stiff?, etc), I sometimes switch to analyzing the spiritual aspects of my life in the same way - again, not necessarily a bad thing if done in light of God's grace, love, and forgiveness. If, for example, I happen to wake-up feeling refreshed, with no guilt or regrets, or with a spring in my step, the first thing I do is to go into analyzation mode as to what I did to make this happen. Did I accomplish all of my ministry goals the day before? Did I exert the right amount of authority and leadership? Did I stay well-hydrated?, Did I eat right? Did I spend enough time with the family? I guess you probably see the problem here. The truth is, I believe that somedays God just blesses us. Plain and simple. No strings attached. There are always habits that we can develop that can help us feel better, no doubt. But, I think we're too busy with trying to figure out what we have done to make ourselves feel good, than just simply to allow us to let go and just simply say, "God, thanks for helping me to wake up blessed!" So, tomorrow morning, no matter how you feel, give God the glory - and don't let your rational mind overanalyze your morning checklist!

Why they remain

I thought I would post an interesting thought I found in God's word today. Sometimes I wonder why God leaves so many difficult people in our path; People who just make it a pain to go about our daily lives; People who hurt us, chastise us, imprison our spirits. Well, the nation Israel wondered this too, but there, in this case and in ours, is one reason:

20-22 And God's anger blazed against Israel. He said, "Because these people have thrown out my covenant that I commanded their parents and haven't listened to me, I'm not driving out one more person from the nations that Joshua left behind when he died. I'll use them to test Israel and see whether they stay on God's road and walk down it as their parents did."
23 That's why God let those nations remain. He didn't drive them out or let Joshua get rid of them. *Judges 2:20-23(MSG)

Hmmm... Could it be that sometimes in our life God leaves these people behind to sharpen and test us? Judgement will still fall upon all for their acts and motives, and the just shall be rewarded. However, God clearly states that one of the reasons that oppressors remain is to test us.

With outstretched arms

You know, how many times have we seen a religious image of Christ, perhaps floating in the clouds, or superimposed over a church steeple, with his arms outstretched, as if beckoning us to Him? It is indeed a beautiful and inspirational picture, isn't it? The Saviour of the world, calling us to Him, perhaps longing for our embrace, longing to tell us that He loves us and has been waiting for us to "come home." Well, I must confess that despite the beauty of that image, I in my mind sometimes in the past would dismiss this image as being too "melodramatic;" merely artist's renderings put out for dramatic effect and a little emotional manipulation on the side.

However, In a recent jaunt through Romans, I discovered Paul also paints this image of God. In Romans 10, a passage where he is essentially quoting much of Isaiah, he makes reference to Gentiles that the Lord had revealed himself to, and compares this with the way he has reavealed Himself to Israel, His chosen, by saying in v.21:

But to Israel he says: All day long I have spread out My hands to a disobedient and defiant people. (HCSB, emphasis mine)

Other translations use the phrase "open arms" or "stretched...hands," but the meaning is still the same. God does stand with open arms, ALL DAY LONG scripture says, waiting for us to come to Him (or return to Him, for that matter). So, perhaps the images we see of the beckoning deity are not that far off from reality afterall.

- submitted as newsletter article on 8-15-06

A true definition of GRACE

I found a very neat scripture today that speaks well a true definition of grace. In my latest goal of rereading the book of ROMANS, I stumbled upon chapter 4:4-5, which says:

Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed. But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares righteous the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.

You know, I love receieving a salary. I''m sure you do too. Although once I receieve my check, it's usually spoken for from various providers of service: power company, mortgage company, credit card, etc. I'm sure you can relate. Even though my "job" as a minister is a little different than most, it's still nice to be able to pay the bills with "compensation for my time." However, whether you work in an uptown Charlotte skyscraper or in a factory, we can all agree that there are some weeks we feel like we DESERVE that check.

God's system is a little different.

In this passage, I really like the way Paul explains grace vs. works. We know that grace is undeserved, but freely given without expectation of repayment. If our faith was based on works: us doing something for God, heaven and salvation would be nothing more than God signing a paycheck. God does not owe us anything, as a later passage in Romans 11:35 emphasizes.

Well, I'm off to "work," not to my job for a paycheck, but my job for the KINGDOM.