Last week I posted a bit on thoughts of heaven. To continue a bit in this train, I wanted to write a bit this morning about the journey and the process. There is a fantastic hymn written by Henry Francis Lyte, called Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken. Besides the fantastic, Anglican grammar that calls to me from these verses - it is the story of the journey to constantly follow Christ that compels me to worship when I hear/sing this hymn.
The first verse says:
Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my All shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I've sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.
This weekend I was reminded again about the loneliness that following Christ can bring into your life. I've seen women who choose to follow Christ even when their husbands refuse to acknowledge that He exists. I've witnessed high school students who confess that Jesus is Lord, and then have to go home that night to parents who would rather drink themselves into oblivion than step foot into a church. There are young children who have faith that can move mountains, when their parents merely go through the motions - thinking that if they just show up, they will be blessed financially.
It was a sermon on doubt, that reminded me all the more that I have this lonely journey in my own life. At times it seems that no one can escape this portion of the journey. I have yet to meet a single soul who has lived out their life following Christ and everything has been huge, wonderful, lush green hills and no valleys of despair.
This brings me to the last verse of this hymn:
Haste, then, on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heaven's eternal day's before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close the earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope soon change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.
This journey on the earth is hard, often times destitute, and even filled with people who forsake you. What should we expect though? "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you," John 15:20b. There are strong divisions in families, because there are strong-willed people in families. The only thing that will bring you through these times of hardship on the journey is to focus on the fact that one day we will go from Grace to Glory. The earthly mansions will be closed, our pilgrim days will be ended - and we will forever praise and worship in full sight of God, our Awesome Savior. Rely on God's Hand - He is surely faithful to guide you through the valleys, even over the hills, and into our heavenly home.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Too Much Heaven on Their Minds...
10 points to the first "cool" person who knows where my blog title comes from! Go!
Let me pose a question to you. When was the last time you, dear Christian, marveled about heaven? Let's get even simpler for our non-creative geeks in the room, when was the last time you simply thought about heaven?
Hopefully, it was recently, as in yesterday, or a couple of hours ago, or even minutes ago, or, "Hey, I'm thinking about it right now!" Maybe I am starting a series here on Christian disciplines or something, but I think that it is VITALLY important to our relationships with God to reflect, think, meditate and hold strong hope in/on Heaven VERY OFTEN, if not consistently constantly.
When our minds are filled with the hope of heaven or the thought of heaven, you know what happens - we evangelize more.
When our minds are focused in on the fact that we are NOT home right now, you know what happens - we spend less money on frivolous things like Starbuck's Grande Pumpkin Spice Lattes and begin to tithe more than 10%.
When our minds are set on the wonder and amazement of a heavenly dwelling that is being prepared for us, you know what happens - we get to grasp what it means to worship God with our whole heart, mind, soul in Spirit and in Truth.
Some encouragement then, because maybe, like me, you have no idea where to start when it gets to thinking about heaven. First, read Revelation 4-5, 19-22. Yep, actually read that scary book at the end of your Bible. You'd be amazed at how much you will be understand (even without a PhD in Greek).
Second, find theologians, church fathers, great pastors, who have written down their thoughts and reflections on heaven and soak it in! Maybe you are not filled with great elocution like Augustine, Milton, Edwards, Moody, or Piper - but that is the great thing about being a member of the body of Christ! You get to use other parts of the body for what they are made for - to uplift the rest of the body, to equip them, and to disciple them. What a fantastic thought!
So, to begin your thoughts on heaven today, I am leaving you with a quote from none other than my personal "hero of the faith," C.S. Lewis (you probably could have guessed that). This is from The Problem of Pain, something we should all read! : )
"Your soul has a curious shape because it is a hollow made to fit a particular swelling in the infinite contours of the Divine substance, or a key to unlock one of the doors in the house with many mansions. For it is not humanity in the abstract that is being saved, but you - you, the individual reader, John Stubbs or Janet Smith. Blessed and fortunate creature, your eyes shall behold Him and not another's. All that you are, sins apart, is destined, if you will let God have His good way, to utter satisfaction. The Broken spectre 'looked to ever man like his first love', because she was a cheat. But God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love. Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it - made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand."
Let me pose a question to you. When was the last time you, dear Christian, marveled about heaven? Let's get even simpler for our non-creative geeks in the room, when was the last time you simply thought about heaven?
Hopefully, it was recently, as in yesterday, or a couple of hours ago, or even minutes ago, or, "Hey, I'm thinking about it right now!" Maybe I am starting a series here on Christian disciplines or something, but I think that it is VITALLY important to our relationships with God to reflect, think, meditate and hold strong hope in/on Heaven VERY OFTEN, if not consistently constantly.
When our minds are filled with the hope of heaven or the thought of heaven, you know what happens - we evangelize more.
When our minds are focused in on the fact that we are NOT home right now, you know what happens - we spend less money on frivolous things like Starbuck's Grande Pumpkin Spice Lattes and begin to tithe more than 10%.
When our minds are set on the wonder and amazement of a heavenly dwelling that is being prepared for us, you know what happens - we get to grasp what it means to worship God with our whole heart, mind, soul in Spirit and in Truth.
Some encouragement then, because maybe, like me, you have no idea where to start when it gets to thinking about heaven. First, read Revelation 4-5, 19-22. Yep, actually read that scary book at the end of your Bible. You'd be amazed at how much you will be understand (even without a PhD in Greek).
Second, find theologians, church fathers, great pastors, who have written down their thoughts and reflections on heaven and soak it in! Maybe you are not filled with great elocution like Augustine, Milton, Edwards, Moody, or Piper - but that is the great thing about being a member of the body of Christ! You get to use other parts of the body for what they are made for - to uplift the rest of the body, to equip them, and to disciple them. What a fantastic thought!
So, to begin your thoughts on heaven today, I am leaving you with a quote from none other than my personal "hero of the faith," C.S. Lewis (you probably could have guessed that). This is from The Problem of Pain, something we should all read! : )
"Your soul has a curious shape because it is a hollow made to fit a particular swelling in the infinite contours of the Divine substance, or a key to unlock one of the doors in the house with many mansions. For it is not humanity in the abstract that is being saved, but you - you, the individual reader, John Stubbs or Janet Smith. Blessed and fortunate creature, your eyes shall behold Him and not another's. All that you are, sins apart, is destined, if you will let God have His good way, to utter satisfaction. The Broken spectre 'looked to ever man like his first love', because she was a cheat. But God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love. Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it - made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand."
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
When it's time to let things go
Then let's not forget the things that we keep in our life because we just love them. For students this could be playing on sports teams, being in a play or musical, or being a part of debate club. For adults, we still cling to what we loved as a child - so finding a group of "old" people that wear knee braces and pound the hardwood to shoot a ball through a hoop, or participating in your local theatre guild, or being on the Board of your community's art society - WHATEVER, it's a bunch of stuff, right?
It's stuff that fills your day. Lots and lots of stuff. My mom, still to this day, loves to make lists of all of the things that she has to accomplish each day. (I know now where some of my OCD comes from). One day, when I was young, I noticed that on her list, she had written down "Make my list for tomorrow" as a thing to do. This makes me chuckle, even to this day.
All that to say is when do we let some things go in our life? When do we realize that enough is enough, or that maybe we should not commit to one more evening being spent out as we cling onto our past. Not that these things aren't enjoyable, don't get me wrong - I still love to grab the old running shoes and pretend that I "got game" with a bunch of "old" people. But I learned a long time ago that playing basketball on a scheduled basis like I did growing up won't fit into my schedule now.
Recently, I've had quite a few people come to me saying that they are having a hard time with everything. They've added that when they are in church they rarely get anything out of it. I ask them about their life, and the reply in each situation has been an overwhelming amount of stuff that's going on. None of the stuff is bad, in fact, most of it brings these people joy and happiness. But, the stress and anxiety is rising, and sure enough, God feels far away.
Can I say something? God is NEVER far away. That Bible that is growing dust on your shelf, is ALWAYS there. So, my next question is always about their devotion time. Sure enough, it's a rarity. There just isn't enough time in the day. And I believe them. With the schedules that I heard about, getting up earlier isn't going to happen. And if it does, it's only going to lead to the person getting sick, being crabby, and really not having a good time reading the Word at 4 am.
So, my question to them is when is enough enough, and what are you going to cut out? It is so incredibly hard to admit that we can't handle the situations that we put ourselves in. It is even harder to let things go in our life, in order to be able to build up our relationship with God. But, it has to be done. Sometimes maturing in our walk and journey as a Christian is realizing that our commitment to God comes before anything else that we commit to. If you can start off your day spending time meditating on His Word, praying to Him, and seeking His face for your day, then the anxiety about the tight schedules, or all of the things that have to get done won't be so bad. Because He is faithful - we cast our cares upon Him.
My last bit of advice to these people has been this - practice saying, "No." Not only practice saying it, but put that practice into play. Actually be mature enough to know when your schedule is entirely too full, and realize that maybe it is time to let some things go. I read somewhere anyways that this world is filled with "vanity upon vanities," so what are we really letting go of anyways? Don't worry about it - God is faithful. I guarantee that if you put devotion to Him back in your life, you won't miss out on anything you are supposed to be a part of. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go check off "blog" on my list for today. ; )
Monday, November 1, 2010
Happy Belated Reformation Day to All!
So, I literally have 5 minutes, 5 MINUTES, to express some sort of profound love for what is known in huge circles as Halloween, but in choice circles as Reformation Day. Yesterday is quite possibly my favorite holiday (aside from Christmas Eve, that will always remain #1 with a bullet). We celebrate Luther nailing 95 thesis to Wittenberg's church door written against the works-based salvation through the system of indulgences that was proclaimed at one time in the RCC.
Luther was not the beginning of free-form thinking that went against the papacy, but he was at such a time that it became the most widespread revolt against it - what with the moveable press taking off, the German princes wanting to stand up for themselves, and well, the near bankruptcy of the RCC. All of these added up to one massive revolution, that was intended to be a reformation.
I must confess, I do not have any brilliant thoughts on the subject of the Reformation, just a few questions that I want you to ponder over. First, let's all agree that for all its original intentions, the Reformation failed. While, saying this, you might get a little squirmy in your seat, but it's true. Luther wanted to reform the Roman Catholic Church, not start a new church. While, his attempt failed, I whole-heartedly agree that Luther had every right to stand firm on the truth of the Gospel. I wouldn't be here today if he didn't.
If you google the question, "How many Christians are there in the world?" the typical response will be that there is somewhere in the ballpark of 2.1 billion*. The asterisk is there, always, because it is hard to define what a Christian really is. Yep, I kid you not, being a Christian is almost undefineable for the outsider. If you google, "How many Muslims are there in the world?" there is no asterisk. Just a straight number. Now, I am not suggesting that this is the fault of Luther and Reformation Day. But, it is something to think about. Luther and the Reformers started the ability to question the authority, especially when the authority placed itself higher than the Word of God. This, of course, is a great thing. But, it is a scary thing that there is no certainty now in the world's ability to define what a Christian is. There are so many denominations, so many different practices, so many theological debates - the outsider looking in is going to be confused, and happy to place * next to our name.
Ponder that for a moment, or a day, or a week - and ask yourself what am I doing to help Christianity not be defined with a *? Then ask yourself, what definition am I giving it? If it is more than the simple Gospel, that we are saved by faith through Christ alone, then we have something more to ponder, yes?
Luther was not the beginning of free-form thinking that went against the papacy, but he was at such a time that it became the most widespread revolt against it - what with the moveable press taking off, the German princes wanting to stand up for themselves, and well, the near bankruptcy of the RCC. All of these added up to one massive revolution, that was intended to be a reformation.
I must confess, I do not have any brilliant thoughts on the subject of the Reformation, just a few questions that I want you to ponder over. First, let's all agree that for all its original intentions, the Reformation failed. While, saying this, you might get a little squirmy in your seat, but it's true. Luther wanted to reform the Roman Catholic Church, not start a new church. While, his attempt failed, I whole-heartedly agree that Luther had every right to stand firm on the truth of the Gospel. I wouldn't be here today if he didn't.
If you google the question, "How many Christians are there in the world?" the typical response will be that there is somewhere in the ballpark of 2.1 billion*. The asterisk is there, always, because it is hard to define what a Christian really is. Yep, I kid you not, being a Christian is almost undefineable for the outsider. If you google, "How many Muslims are there in the world?" there is no asterisk. Just a straight number. Now, I am not suggesting that this is the fault of Luther and Reformation Day. But, it is something to think about. Luther and the Reformers started the ability to question the authority, especially when the authority placed itself higher than the Word of God. This, of course, is a great thing. But, it is a scary thing that there is no certainty now in the world's ability to define what a Christian is. There are so many denominations, so many different practices, so many theological debates - the outsider looking in is going to be confused, and happy to place * next to our name.
Ponder that for a moment, or a day, or a week - and ask yourself what am I doing to help Christianity not be defined with a *? Then ask yourself, what definition am I giving it? If it is more than the simple Gospel, that we are saved by faith through Christ alone, then we have something more to ponder, yes?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Elect Complacency?
It's probably no huge secret that if it would not look utterly ridiculous, I would probably tattoo "Just Read Calvin's Institutes" somewhere visibly on my body for all to see. But since I love my husband, and I really don't want to outright offend some people, I will not be doing that any time soon. This past week I have been in two discussions that involved the acronym T.U.L.I.P. and wouldn't you know it, in both conversations the opposing converser brought up the idea formatted below:
1. You are elect to be saved by God.
2. If you are truly elect, you will persevere throughout said elect life until the end.
3. Why then evangelize, and why go to church?
Now, there are vast holes in that logical formula, but go with it for a moment. I am continually baffled that non-Calvinists will think that Calvinists believe that evangelism, missions, preaching of the Gospel is not necessary because if someone is elect by God to be saved, well then clearly God will save them. Maybe its the term "elect" that immediately puts in to mind a small, collective group - but I am telling you, that as a Calvinist, I hope and pray that God's elect is the majority, not the minority. A Calvinist does not believe in a small god; a Calvinist does not believe that God's works are minor; a Calvinist does not sit back and wait for God to take care of that small portion known as "the elect." We read the same Bible that you do. I sit back, in tears, marveling over Paul's words in Ephesians 3:14-21:
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!!" (emphasis mine)
I feel a little like Shylock saying this, but if we read it, are we not moved? Is the Holy Spirit not at work within us? Is the power of the Almighty, Amazing, Wonderful God of the Universe not at work WITHIN us? No one comes to the Father except through Christ. How are they to believe if they have not heard? How are they to hear without someone preaching? How are they to preach unless they are sent? Why would a Calvinist ever deny this?
Just because we believe that the elect are chosen by God to be saved at His appointed time, does not mean that God magically reaches down from the Heavenly throne and stamps their forehead with a tattoo that says, "Elected!" and that's it, they are saved. No! They are saved because they heard the Gospel, repented and believed. This happens because God ordained it from the beginning of time by His gracious and good will.
Ah, and here is where all the wonderful "what if" questions come up. "What if that person was elect and at that time they were supposed to hear, and they didn't. What then?" Please see blog post here. Nonsense is still nonsense even when we talk it about God. This is the great and wonderful thing of missions and evangelism that the church of God gets to be a part of. Is there no better time in the life of a follower of Christ than to pray with someone as they believe in Jesus as their Savior? Is there no better time that is more precious and more wonderful than that? Think about it on a vastly huge, cosmological level for a second. God ordained for that moment to happen not only in the life of the vessel chosen for glory, but in your own life as a harvester of the Word that was sown. You are given the opportunity to see God's greatest action of all, salvation, happen! PRAISE GOD! IS THERE ANYTHING THAT IS BETTER THAN THAT?
So, I would like to correct the assumption that is out there that Calvinist's don't do missions, don't see the need for church, don't evangelize to people. Instead, let's think of it this way:
1. You are elect to be saved by God.
2. If you are truly elect, you will persevere throughout said elect life until the end.
3. Why then evangelize, and why go to church?
Now, there are vast holes in that logical formula, but go with it for a moment. I am continually baffled that non-Calvinists will think that Calvinists believe that evangelism, missions, preaching of the Gospel is not necessary because if someone is elect by God to be saved, well then clearly God will save them. Maybe its the term "elect" that immediately puts in to mind a small, collective group - but I am telling you, that as a Calvinist, I hope and pray that God's elect is the majority, not the minority. A Calvinist does not believe in a small god; a Calvinist does not believe that God's works are minor; a Calvinist does not sit back and wait for God to take care of that small portion known as "the elect." We read the same Bible that you do. I sit back, in tears, marveling over Paul's words in Ephesians 3:14-21:
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!!" (emphasis mine)
I feel a little like Shylock saying this, but if we read it, are we not moved? Is the Holy Spirit not at work within us? Is the power of the Almighty, Amazing, Wonderful God of the Universe not at work WITHIN us? No one comes to the Father except through Christ. How are they to believe if they have not heard? How are they to hear without someone preaching? How are they to preach unless they are sent? Why would a Calvinist ever deny this?
Just because we believe that the elect are chosen by God to be saved at His appointed time, does not mean that God magically reaches down from the Heavenly throne and stamps their forehead with a tattoo that says, "Elected!" and that's it, they are saved. No! They are saved because they heard the Gospel, repented and believed. This happens because God ordained it from the beginning of time by His gracious and good will.
Ah, and here is where all the wonderful "what if" questions come up. "What if that person was elect and at that time they were supposed to hear, and they didn't. What then?" Please see blog post here. Nonsense is still nonsense even when we talk it about God. This is the great and wonderful thing of missions and evangelism that the church of God gets to be a part of. Is there no better time in the life of a follower of Christ than to pray with someone as they believe in Jesus as their Savior? Is there no better time that is more precious and more wonderful than that? Think about it on a vastly huge, cosmological level for a second. God ordained for that moment to happen not only in the life of the vessel chosen for glory, but in your own life as a harvester of the Word that was sown. You are given the opportunity to see God's greatest action of all, salvation, happen! PRAISE GOD! IS THERE ANYTHING THAT IS BETTER THAN THAT?
So, I would like to correct the assumption that is out there that Calvinist's don't do missions, don't see the need for church, don't evangelize to people. Instead, let's think of it this way:
1. You are elect to be saved by God.
2. If you are truly elect, you will persevere throughout said elect life until the end.
3. If you are elect, someone will have come into your life to tell you about your Savior Jesus Christ, and you will grow in the grace and knowledge of your Savior both personally and corporately as you worship God here on this earth and in eternity.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
What Nonsense!
This week I have been reading The Problem of Pain by none other than C.S. Lewis (I know, shocker of the century, I am yet again reading another Lewis work). The first time I read this book, I was entirely too young, too stupid, and my brain not yet fully formed, so I understood probably next to nothing in it. This time around though, I have my highlighter set to stun, because I am literally coloring in almost every page as Lewis waxes on.
Sharing with you a bit of the second chapter - Divine Omnipotence, Lewis writes:
"If you choose to say 'God can give a creature free will and at the same time withhold free will from it', you have not succeeded in saying anything about God: meaningless combinations of words do not suddenly acquire meaning simply because we prefix to them the two other words 'God can'. ... It is no more possible for God than for the weakest of His creatures to carry out both of two mutually exclusive alternatives; not because His power meets an obstacle, but because nonsense remains nonsense even when we talk it about God."
I'm going to try my hardest not to turn this blog post into a gush on how much I LOVE LEWIS and his wonderful words, instead I want to point out the utter simplistic genius of Lewis statement - "nonsense remains nonsense even when we talk it about God."
Dr. Hawking, a man much smarter than myself and most of the lowly human life forms on this planet, recently published a new book, The Grand Design, in which much hoopla was given over him stating: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the Universe going."
Clearly, I am no mathematician, scientist or physicist - if anything I probably belong to that wing of the world called "Philosophy" which Dr. Hawking insists in this very book that it is dead. So, being a part of the world that is dead, I am going to start off by taking offense. A very good friend and deeper thinker than myself wrote a wonderful response to this already, please read it here. Dr. Hawking has vast contradictions in his statement, something cannot come from nothing. The universe cannot cause its existence unless something was there to cause it. Come on, that's Philosophy 101. It also should be a part of Logic 101 in the wonderful world of Mathematics, but whatever; let's get to the point of this blog.
The fact of the matter is that sometimes we say wild and crazy things and think that they are immensely intelligent and universe shattering all because we begin the sentence with "If God can" or "What if it was possible to." But let's face it, nonsense is still nonsense. The very laws of science do not allow for the fantastical "what ifs" that we dream up. Just because my brain imagines a world where every time I put my hands in the air I, and only I, am able to grab a beautiful, brilliant rock called a diamond that is worth millions of dollars does not mean that this is possible.
We become indignant and full of self-righteousness at times, saying that God should have done this to change the world, or that God should have created this world without certain people or things if he was really all powerful, all loving, all knowing. That's the rub though, we try so hard to talk about creating a perfect world according to our own standards and thoughts, but what if (yep I said it) our own thoughts and standards are evil to someone else in the world. We would be creating what is supposedly perfect, but yet would still be harmful to someone else.
That is the wonderful and amazing thing about God. This world may not be perfect, but He is and He was - living in this world as the God-man Jesus. So, while we try to imagine a perfect world that God should have created, He is sitting there offering you abundant life in this fallen world now, and a perfect eternity to come in the new heaven, new earth. It might sound "crazy." It might sound entirely stupid to you, but it's the only thing that is not nonsense, because the Creator, the Perfect God, has said it. Instead of constantly putting the blame on God for this world and the harms it has done to you, try learning more about who God is, why He loves you even though you have done nothing to deserve it, and why He is even now preparing a place for you that is, for all intents and purposes, something that would be nonsense in this world.
Sharing with you a bit of the second chapter - Divine Omnipotence, Lewis writes:
"If you choose to say 'God can give a creature free will and at the same time withhold free will from it', you have not succeeded in saying anything about God: meaningless combinations of words do not suddenly acquire meaning simply because we prefix to them the two other words 'God can'. ... It is no more possible for God than for the weakest of His creatures to carry out both of two mutually exclusive alternatives; not because His power meets an obstacle, but because nonsense remains nonsense even when we talk it about God."
I'm going to try my hardest not to turn this blog post into a gush on how much I LOVE LEWIS and his wonderful words, instead I want to point out the utter simplistic genius of Lewis statement - "nonsense remains nonsense even when we talk it about God."
Dr. Hawking, a man much smarter than myself and most of the lowly human life forms on this planet, recently published a new book, The Grand Design, in which much hoopla was given over him stating: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the Universe going."
Clearly, I am no mathematician, scientist or physicist - if anything I probably belong to that wing of the world called "Philosophy" which Dr. Hawking insists in this very book that it is dead. So, being a part of the world that is dead, I am going to start off by taking offense. A very good friend and deeper thinker than myself wrote a wonderful response to this already, please read it here. Dr. Hawking has vast contradictions in his statement, something cannot come from nothing. The universe cannot cause its existence unless something was there to cause it. Come on, that's Philosophy 101. It also should be a part of Logic 101 in the wonderful world of Mathematics, but whatever; let's get to the point of this blog.
The fact of the matter is that sometimes we say wild and crazy things and think that they are immensely intelligent and universe shattering all because we begin the sentence with "If God can" or "What if it was possible to." But let's face it, nonsense is still nonsense. The very laws of science do not allow for the fantastical "what ifs" that we dream up. Just because my brain imagines a world where every time I put my hands in the air I, and only I, am able to grab a beautiful, brilliant rock called a diamond that is worth millions of dollars does not mean that this is possible.
We become indignant and full of self-righteousness at times, saying that God should have done this to change the world, or that God should have created this world without certain people or things if he was really all powerful, all loving, all knowing. That's the rub though, we try so hard to talk about creating a perfect world according to our own standards and thoughts, but what if (yep I said it) our own thoughts and standards are evil to someone else in the world. We would be creating what is supposedly perfect, but yet would still be harmful to someone else.
That is the wonderful and amazing thing about God. This world may not be perfect, but He is and He was - living in this world as the God-man Jesus. So, while we try to imagine a perfect world that God should have created, He is sitting there offering you abundant life in this fallen world now, and a perfect eternity to come in the new heaven, new earth. It might sound "crazy." It might sound entirely stupid to you, but it's the only thing that is not nonsense, because the Creator, the Perfect God, has said it. Instead of constantly putting the blame on God for this world and the harms it has done to you, try learning more about who God is, why He loves you even though you have done nothing to deserve it, and why He is even now preparing a place for you that is, for all intents and purposes, something that would be nonsense in this world.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
When living is Christ
There was this guy back at my alma mater who would literally walk around with a smile plastered on his face. He would often be humming a tune, typically a hymn, and say, "Hi" to anyone that caught his gaze. Now, I must confess, I never got to know this guy, because let's face it, I was a little creeped out by him and his "perma-smile." He was genuine though, genuine in his happiness, genuine in his faith, and I am sure that today he is a great pastor somewhere - bringing hope to many through the Gospel of Christ.
He knew exactly what it meant to be "living as Christ" with his own unique personality. The passage of Philippians 1:19-30 has always been one has completely fascinated me - because it is so incredibly straight-forward and simple, but also so deeply complex.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." This statement has been plastered over and over again by Christians on their blogs, their Facebook status, and a whole world of social networking. It has become a sort of brand, if you will - "I am the type of Christian that knows that living is Christ." But do we really know? Do we really get it?
You see, because for Paul, "to live is Christ" means fruitful labor. Yep, FRUITFUL labor. Check it out, verse 22, it's right there. "If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me." Paul, ever the honest man, would much rather die and be in heaven with Christ - this is gain. I think that we all understand that - this world is fallen, broken, miserable (at times), and dying for those in Christ, means a heavenly home, eternity with an Almighty, Amazing God, Love Unbounded - pretty much incredibleness. Dying in Christ is gain.
What I think that we misunderstand though is the "To live is Christ" part. For Paul, it was fruitful labor. It was necessary for his churches (see verse 24). It was all for the glory of Christ, not only in his life and faith, but in the lives and faith of the churches that he planted, led and wrote to (see verses 25-26). Not only is it for the glory of Christ, it is for missions! Reading verses 27-30, Paul had every aim that as the people of Philippi were finding out what "living is Christ" means, that the Gospel, their faith, would become unified under their oppression and persecution - causing their persecutors to see their unified faith that would be glorifying God, and showing them that there is only destruction or salvation from the road that they have chosen.
Paul knew this road as a persecutor all too well. He, the chief of sinners, the chief persecutor of the church (at one time) knew that road. He was on his way to the path of destruction, but Jesus stopped him on a road to Damascus. Jesus stopped him completely and changed his life forever. No longer was his life living to destroy people, but it was "living is Christ." This is why he shows no fear in front of mobs in Ephesus; shipwrecks and snake bites don't stop him from sharing the good news that Jesus came to this earth to save sinners; imprisonment, what should be a shameful and despairing time, is filled with hope and opportunity to share the Gospel even more to those surrounding him on their way to death, even to those who keep him in the prison. To live is Christ, is to take all of who you are, all that God has given you the capability to be, and in every single situation present the Gospel in a worthy manner (verse 27).
There are parts of the world today where Christians can identify completely with Paul's imprisoned circumstances, but for the majority of us, our lives do not present us with such dire, life-threatening circumstances. There is still incredible hardships though. Most of my family lives in Michigan, which has been suffering for a decade in an economic downward spiral. In one day, 6,000 people were laid off from Ford. 6,000 people were out of a job in one day. 6,000 people were added to the already hundreds of thousands of people looking for a job in the state of Michigan.
Career goals, job potential, all of that no longer matters. Finding a job to feed your family, finding any sort of work just so you don't lose your house - this is the goal. The challenge now, as a Christian, as someone who professes that "to live is Christ" is to realize that the Gospel is more important than even your situation. The Gospel, your faith, being unified together as a church in order that more and more may come to know the salvation through Jesus, is what you live for - even as you hunt for a job every day, even as you struggle to make ends meet when your wages are cut, or bonuses are denied. Even when they foreclose on your home - to live is Christ, because there are those out there who dying and not gaining.
There should be some sort of comfort to know that Paul was in prison, and not a Martha Stewart, fluff prison, when he wrote these words. Paul could have sunk into a deep depression; Paul could have given up on everything and turned from God; but he stayed firm, he persevered, he found that the only way to live was in a way where the Gospel would be presented in a worthy manner in spite of every situation he was thrown into. "Living is Christ" is not an easy thing. Every step of the way there will be things to throw you off, but there is comfort in prayers and the knowledge that the Spirit is with you, guiding and helping you every step of the way (verse 19).
"To live is Christ, and to die is gain." Once again, I am blown away by how deep and vast faith truly is.
He knew exactly what it meant to be "living as Christ" with his own unique personality. The passage of Philippians 1:19-30 has always been one has completely fascinated me - because it is so incredibly straight-forward and simple, but also so deeply complex.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." This statement has been plastered over and over again by Christians on their blogs, their Facebook status, and a whole world of social networking. It has become a sort of brand, if you will - "I am the type of Christian that knows that living is Christ." But do we really know? Do we really get it?
You see, because for Paul, "to live is Christ" means fruitful labor. Yep, FRUITFUL labor. Check it out, verse 22, it's right there. "If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me." Paul, ever the honest man, would much rather die and be in heaven with Christ - this is gain. I think that we all understand that - this world is fallen, broken, miserable (at times), and dying for those in Christ, means a heavenly home, eternity with an Almighty, Amazing God, Love Unbounded - pretty much incredibleness. Dying in Christ is gain.
What I think that we misunderstand though is the "To live is Christ" part. For Paul, it was fruitful labor. It was necessary for his churches (see verse 24). It was all for the glory of Christ, not only in his life and faith, but in the lives and faith of the churches that he planted, led and wrote to (see verses 25-26). Not only is it for the glory of Christ, it is for missions! Reading verses 27-30, Paul had every aim that as the people of Philippi were finding out what "living is Christ" means, that the Gospel, their faith, would become unified under their oppression and persecution - causing their persecutors to see their unified faith that would be glorifying God, and showing them that there is only destruction or salvation from the road that they have chosen.
Paul knew this road as a persecutor all too well. He, the chief of sinners, the chief persecutor of the church (at one time) knew that road. He was on his way to the path of destruction, but Jesus stopped him on a road to Damascus. Jesus stopped him completely and changed his life forever. No longer was his life living to destroy people, but it was "living is Christ." This is why he shows no fear in front of mobs in Ephesus; shipwrecks and snake bites don't stop him from sharing the good news that Jesus came to this earth to save sinners; imprisonment, what should be a shameful and despairing time, is filled with hope and opportunity to share the Gospel even more to those surrounding him on their way to death, even to those who keep him in the prison. To live is Christ, is to take all of who you are, all that God has given you the capability to be, and in every single situation present the Gospel in a worthy manner (verse 27).
There are parts of the world today where Christians can identify completely with Paul's imprisoned circumstances, but for the majority of us, our lives do not present us with such dire, life-threatening circumstances. There is still incredible hardships though. Most of my family lives in Michigan, which has been suffering for a decade in an economic downward spiral. In one day, 6,000 people were laid off from Ford. 6,000 people were out of a job in one day. 6,000 people were added to the already hundreds of thousands of people looking for a job in the state of Michigan.
Career goals, job potential, all of that no longer matters. Finding a job to feed your family, finding any sort of work just so you don't lose your house - this is the goal. The challenge now, as a Christian, as someone who professes that "to live is Christ" is to realize that the Gospel is more important than even your situation. The Gospel, your faith, being unified together as a church in order that more and more may come to know the salvation through Jesus, is what you live for - even as you hunt for a job every day, even as you struggle to make ends meet when your wages are cut, or bonuses are denied. Even when they foreclose on your home - to live is Christ, because there are those out there who dying and not gaining.
There should be some sort of comfort to know that Paul was in prison, and not a Martha Stewart, fluff prison, when he wrote these words. Paul could have sunk into a deep depression; Paul could have given up on everything and turned from God; but he stayed firm, he persevered, he found that the only way to live was in a way where the Gospel would be presented in a worthy manner in spite of every situation he was thrown into. "Living is Christ" is not an easy thing. Every step of the way there will be things to throw you off, but there is comfort in prayers and the knowledge that the Spirit is with you, guiding and helping you every step of the way (verse 19).
"To live is Christ, and to die is gain." Once again, I am blown away by how deep and vast faith truly is.
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