Ego

"My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me than much comfort and devotion in prosperity. Why doth a little thing spoken against thee make thee sad? If it had been more, thou still oughtest not to be moved. But now suffer it to go by; it is not the first, it is not new, and it will not be the last, if thou live long. Thou art brave enough, so long as no adversity meeteth thee. Thou givest good counsel also, and knowest how to strengthen others with thy words; but when tribulation suddenly knocketh at thine own door, thy counsel and strength fail. Consider thy great frailty, which thou dost so often experience in trifling matters nevertheless, for thy soul's health these things are done when they and such like happen unto thee."

Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, 3.57.1

These words are offered as from God the Father through the mediation of one of His saints. Take a moment and read them again.

Now consider this:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, l because they do not know him who sent me.

John 15:18-21

Brothers and sisters, as we choose to follow Jesus, we need to be aware of this. The Holy Spirit works to transform our minds, shaping us to look more like Jesus: one could go so far as to say this is the truest form of the Imitation (to use Kempis' terminology). Now for the point: if we are imitating Christ, this will cause friction with the world. It makes people uncomfortable, because while the Gospel is the message of God's love, mercy, and grace, it calls us to life set apart—sanctified— and freed from the bondage to our sin and to our own egos. It calls for a life devoted to Kingdom principles, living out the ideals and commands of the King, which are not the principles or values of the present age.

Remember the call of Christ: "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24, emphasis mine).

Bibliography

Benham, William, trans. The Imitation of Christ. Enhanced Media, 2017. Kindle.

ESV Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001. Kindle.

Details in the Fabric

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

John 3:30

In a society that thrives on celebrity and acclaim, this verse is a stark challenge to our very nature. We want people to know us. Think about social media: we publicize details and events in our lives, waiting eagerly to see who will like, comment, or retweet.

I do not believe that social media is a bad thing when used in moderation. Used correctly, it is an amazing tool for networking and even ministry. That being said, let us not forget that our story is not the story.

The sovereign God of the universe calls us to be a part of His story throughout history. His is the narrative and the glory. He is the main character. The narrative is not about what we can do or accomplish, but about what He has done and is still doing.

God, empower us to be content to be details in Your story. May You receive all the glory through our lives. You must increase, we must decrease. 

Bibliography

ESV Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001. Kindle.

Returns: One Happy, Many Tragic

It has been too long! To my readers, my friends, I bid each of you a fond hello. The last 15 months have been very exciting. Every day has been a new adventure! It has been for me a time of great growth, but not without often greater struggle. Perhaps it has been the same for you. Conversations for another day, I suppose.

Tonight I return to my writer's desk for just a few brief minutes. As I was reading this morning, I was struck by what may be, in my humble opinion, one of the saddest verses in Scripture. Take a look at Psalm 106:43:

"Many times He delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin."

This text is a theological reflection on the journey of God's people, beginning its chronology during their time in Egypt. While recounting history, the author hits on a recurring theme: people really don't change that much. As their fathers had, they continued to run to sin.

I dare not speak for anyone else, but I feel as though this is probably true for us today. We all run to our own sins. May God help us to chase after Him instead.

I hope that it will not be another 15 months before we meet again. Times are busy, but it is in these times we most need to encourage each other. All the best to you, friends!

Bibliography

NIV Archaeological Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005. Print.

The Choice in the Journey

I've always been a fan of adventure stories. Like so many of you, I love the thrill and the possibilities. Granted, yes, there are some similarities and recurring themes/events throughout the genre, but it is the nuances to each story that makes the adventure. One of the interesting things that usually occurs early in these stories, whether film or literature, is that the hero is given a choice. He can continue with life as usual, or he can leave the unknown behind and seek to answer the call which he has been given.

It is interesting to observe the similarities between the Heroic Journey and the call of God on the life of a disciple; one key similarity is that of the choice. I had a professor in college who was fond of saying that "Following Christ is a political decision." What he meant was this: when we choose to submit to Christ as Lord of our lives, when we claim Him as King, we are setting down our claim to the throne. The biggest governing factor in our lives is no longer partisan politics or our own opinions, but rather the voice of the King of Glory as He reveals Himself through His word by the power of the Holy Spirit. This changes everything.

In my last post, our focus was on the fact that we need to be aware of what is going on around us. However, being aware is not enough. The Church, the body of Christ, is called to make an impact on our communities. We are called to be difference makers. That's what is so incredible about the Great Commission. When Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20), He was not giving the command that we should share the Gospel simply for the sake of philosophy. This call imposes a change in the way that we think and the way that we act.

This change will carry over to the ways that we respond to needs. Will we always respond correctly? Will we use every opportunity? No; we are still markedly human. But, as Christ calls and equips us, He gives us the chance to share the Gospel, meeting both spiritual and physical needs in ways that so often depend on circumstance. Some days we will have the money to give and we can supply it. Other days, we may be the driver that pulls over to help out in a moment of distress. Most days, we may just be the friendly voice and ear that someone needs.

Whatever the circumstance, we, as followers of Christ, are called. We now have the responsibility to be difference makers: not for our own glory, not just so that others can benefit, but so that God may be glorified in our actions. But, as all do who take the journey, we must now make a choice.

Bibliography

"The Hero's Journey." TV Tropes. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2014.

New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1977. Kindle.