Dreams

Posted on January 20, 2012 by day1of1

In the movie, Up in the Air, George Clooney plays a complex character named Ryan Bingham. Over the course of the film, we see many different sides of his personality. He is a loner, unmoved by many of the feelings and emotions that most people would consider needs. However, he is not completely devoid of compassion. In many ways his cold demeanor makes him more effective in his job as a corporate downsizing expert. One conversation he has with a man as he’s firing him stands out to me.

Understandably frustrated, the character we only know as Bob wonders aloud what he’s going to do to support his family. Ryan consoles him while at the same time offering him advice designed to challenge him as he moves forward with his life.  This leads to the following exchange:

Ryan Bingham: Your resume says you minored in French Culinary Arts. Most students work the fryer at KFC. You busted tables at Il Picatorre to support yourself. Then you got out of college and started working here. How much did they pay you to give up on your dreams?

Bob: Twenty seven thousand a year.

Ryan Bingham: At what point were you going to stop and go back to what made you happy?

up-in-the-air-2

How much did they pay you to give up on your dreams? It’s a question that struck me when I first heard it. To many, Ryan’s pep talk may seem ill-timed and even a bit heartless. The more I think about it, the more I realize that Ryan is not only speaking to a man at an occupational crossroads. This is a question that applies to anyone who has ever dreamed of doing something they love.

Dreams are a special gift that God places into our lives. The world might tell us that our dreams are the creations of our minds wherein we imagine things that are seemingly impossible (or the consequences of eating strange foods before bed).  For many that definition would be enough, but as a believer in Christ we are able see dreams for what they really are – a revelation of what God has spoken over our lives. Unfortunately, despite this knowledge, many of us are like Bob. Life brought about challenges that scared us into abandoning the promises revealed in our dreams to pursue quick fixes and easy paths leading nowhere in particular.

Numbers 12:6 is clear in telling us that “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.”  Our pursuits in life are designed to lead us to that place where we can discover who God created us to be and how our life fits into His plan here on earth and eternally in heaven.  We can take comfort from the certain knowledge that we were created and designed by a God who made us with a purpose in mind and a role to play.

May we strive to search those dreams in accordance with God’s will for His people and for the world.

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Thin Skinned

Posted on December 16, 2011 by day1of1

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. – 2 Corinthians 4:17

As a child, it was rare to have an opportunity to sit down in front of the television and watch anything with my dad.  He never really watched much television, choosing instead to spend the majority of his home time working on some project around the house.  When he did sit down in front of the TV, it was usually to watch a western or the professional bowling tour.  These weren’t exactly my faves, so they usually prompted me to find something else to do in another room.

 
That just dawned on me – Dad was smarter than I gave him credit for…
The one thing he’d stop to watch and we could enjoy together were boxing matches.  Back when boxing was still a sport that you could see on regular TV and long before MMA was the rage, dad and I would sit and watch boxing matches together, picking who we’d think would win the fight, marveling at the speed and power of the men in the ring.  We weren’t barbaric about it, nor did we ever place bets; it was just a fun diversion and something we could enjoy as a father and a son.
As I watched, I remember struggling to understand how the two fighters could stand in the ring for so long taking so many hits without giving up.  Having grown up with an older sister, I knew what it was like to get hit, and these guys were punching much harder than she ever did.  So I asked my dad about it and he told me something strange.  He said that one of the ways the boxers get ready to be hit by getting hit.  In preparation for a fight, boxers will get slapped in face or hit in the stomach with a medicine ball.  The point of this is to build up the muscle and thicken the skin by pounding it until it hardens.  The thicker skin will allow the boxer to endure the punishment to come in a prize fight.

Of course boxing isn’t the only place where we hear the term “thick-skinned,” nor is it the most common.  Usually we use the phrase when referring to a person’s ability to put up with situations in life.  Sometimes these are physical confrontation, but most often they are in the form of emotional reactions from verbal attacks.  The world gives us simple solutions when it comes to dealing with such things.  How young were you when you first heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never harm me”?  Similar forms of the same concept can encourage us to consider the source of the words and determine their validity, or to ignore the words, denying the speaker the satisfaction of knowing he’s hurt us.  Of course all of these things are limited in their effectiveness.  Try as we might, it is impossible to completely ignore what someone says to us.  We may not give an outward response, but we heard it, it’s entered our thoughts and it will stay in our minds for as long as we give it room.  And once it’s in, it is very hard to remove.

Ah!  But that’s why thick skin is so important!  It gives us the ability to be truly unaffected by such things.  Again, I disagree.  God made us with hearts designed to feel a full range of emotional stimuli.  To deny ourselves the ability to feel everything limits us and leaves us less than what God created us to be.  Furthermore, to continually thicken and harden the skin will lead to callousing and ultimately deaden the skin to any stimuli.  This might be uncomfortable on our fingers or toes, but a calloused heart is far more dangerous.  But for many, that becomes the coping mechanism.  They fight the pain through desensitizing their emotions, eliminating hurt by simply choosing to feel nothing at all.

Where do we draw the line?  How tough do we want that skin to be?  On one side I believe we need to be strong enough to stand up to the trials that come with life, but we can’t become so calloused that we go through life separated from the things God designed for us to feel.  To this end, the Bible guides us for both situations.  The Bible is clear in telling us that we will experience hard times, temptations and direct attacks from the enemy.  I Peter 4:12-13 provides a straightforward reminder, but a promised blessing as it tells us to, “…not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”  But as we endure we don’t give up.  In Romans 12:2 Paul instructs us to avoid succumbing to the world and its way of doing things, directing us to seek God ‘s will for our lives and enjoy the blessings that come from aligning ourselves to Him.  By balancing our lives to face struggles without deadening ourselves to life, we grow more aligned with God’s will and in that place we find unimaginable peace, joy and blessings.

Place your trust in the Lord.  He will be with you always – through thick or thin!

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Value

Posted on December 1, 2011 by day1of1

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” – Luke 21:1-4
Everyone is looking for the best value for their dollar.  Mom and Pop shops are long gone, replaced by the supermarket and department stores.  But even supermarkets and department stores are now under fire by membership warehouses to create a greater value for their customers.  And while people may not like the Wal-Marts of the world, you can’t blame the company for operating under the rules given to them under capitalism any more than you can blame the people who shop there for wanting to save money.
Value is top quality for the price, or working to maximize the return on your investment.  The story of the widow’s mites is commonly used to show an example of sacrificial giving – which is something God calls us to do.  But we need to realize why He calls us to do it.  Is it because He’s a stickler for rules?  Is it because He needs the money?  Is it because he wants us to live meager lives?  Or is it because He wants to expand our minds to understand that what we have is given to us by Him in order to provide bread for the eater, but also seed for the sower?
Some people like eating seeds, but even if you enjoy them, you know that they are a snack at best.  Seeds don’t make a meal, they don’t satisfy long term, unless they’re planted, cultivated, and harvested as fruit that produces even more seed.  The widow understood that her gift was her act of worship.  She was thanking God for what she had been given and trusting God that He would take the seed that she planted and produce a harvest with it that would provide her with more bread and seed for tomorrow.  What greater value could she have found on the investment of her money?
At times, you have to step out away from your comfort zone, drop the world’s safety nets, and rely totally on the power of God.  This is not easy to do, but God’s promises are clear.  Hear the promise God makes to those who give to God what He has commanded as written in Malachi 3:8-12.
“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.”
May we find to true value in our lives by valuing the will of God.

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Faith to Decide

Posted on November 16, 2011 by day1of1

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. – Psalm 40:1-5

You’ve heard the phrase, “Good things come to those who wait,” but is that entirely true?  On one side, the idea of being patient and not rushing into a decision is a good thing.  Many people struggle with this idea.  We develop an idea of what we would like to have, but then we jump straight to receiving it without taking the steps needed to prepare ourselves for it.  Many ten year old boys dream of playing in the NFL, but unless they dedicate themselves to the hours upon hours of work necessary to accomplish it, they will not only be unsuccessful on football field, but also in danger of being badly hurt.  So taking our time and being deliberate in our decision making is important, but we’re not finished here.  There is more to the process than simply taking our time.  We must not only think carefully, but also faithfully.

People can learn how to take their time and make a fully informed decision, but in the life of a Christian there is another step; seeking the will of God.  We may look at a situation – a job offer, investment decision, relationship option, or some other opportunity to get something that we want, – and everything looks good.  But the world’s eyes simply don’t offer the clarity of the big picture that only comes from God.  He knows everything that there is to know about us, our lives, and the path that He has laid out before us.  He even knows what we’re going to choose before our choice is made.  His plan is far better for us than anything we might ever devise, but are we diligently listening to Him leading us?  Are we asking Him what we should be doing and when?  Are we effectively connecting ourselves into the principles that God has given us so that we may also connect in God’s abundance?  These questions, and the process by which we discover their answers, are the major elements that we as Christians must focus upon in every decision that we make.

Psalm 40 gives us a valuable set of advice:  Don’t view God through the eyes of the world.  Instead, view the world through the eyes of God.  Tap into the strength and certainty that comes from God and God alone.

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The Reason

Posted on November 2, 2011 by day1of1

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. – Colossians 1:15-18

 
I have spent the bulk of my life in and around Lutheran Schools.  I attended both an LCMS elementary school and high school.  After one year at a community college, I enrolled at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan so that I could earn both a bachelor’s degree as well as my Lutheran Teaching Diploma (LTD) in order to become a commissioned minister, eligible to take a call as a teacher in a Lutheran School.  I served as a called worker for 14 years before earning my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership (at CUAA) which is now where I currently work as the Coordinator of Secondary Education.  A big part of my job is to help prepare the next generation of middle and high school teachers for work in a variety of settings, but primarily to be commissioned ministers in Lutheran schools.  I say all of this to provide a foundation to share what has been on my heart for some time regarding an issue the LCMS now faces.

 
A case was recently argued before the U.S. Supreme Court involving a Lutheran school and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  At the heart of the suit is the question of whether a teacher in a Lutheran school who primarily teaches secular curricula can be considered a minister.  Having established my background, it should surprise no one that I do believe that a teacher who completed the LTD or colloquy program is a commissioned minister.  It should also come as no surprise that I am deeply concerned about this case and the potential impact that this decision will have upon not only LCMS schools, but all religious based education in America.  But while this may be the most serious attack I’ve seen on this position, it is not the first.

 
As a Lutheran educator, I have had more than one pastor tell me in no uncertain terms that “the only true ministers within the church are those who are ordained.”  Usually, this idea would be followed with more catchy clichés like: “The buck stops in the pastor’s office,” or “Go run your school and when it comes to the direction of ministry, do what you’re told.”  Yes, there are differences between the offices of pastor and teacher – no argument there.  But as Romans 12 reminds us, we are one body in Christ.  And if we intend to strengthen and grow that body we must not allow this idea to remain.  Doing so gives validity to the inferiority of commissioned teachers and adds fuel to the secular view.

 
Another attack I’ve seen has come from within the ranks of the teaching ministry itself.  The state and federal governments have imposed incredible regulations upon the American educational system.  They believe that we need to improve the quality of our schools and are spending billions of dollars to do so.  As public schools have undergone these sweeping reforms in the name of educational improvements, Lutheran schools have felt the need to follow suit.  We never want it to be said that our schools don’t measure up, so we’ve worked hard to meet or exceed the standards whenever possible.  But in doing so, we have begun to ever so slightly shift our focus away from our primary purpose for existence; to unapologetically demonstrate that Jesus Christ is first in every facet of our lives and ministry.  This shift has made it possible for the high court to look at our schools and compartmentalize our curriculum.  As some claim, we teach a religion component, a math component, a science component, a social science component, a reading component and so on without any intermingling.  Our teachers are content area specialists, having taken tests required by the state to earn an endorsement.  We market these achievements, often leaving our Christian values to be taken for granted – after all, the sign out front says Lutheran.  Isn’t that enough?

 
I recently had the opportunity to visit Spiritus Sanctus Academy, a Catholic elementary school located in Plymouth, Michigan.  As a student teaching coordinator, I’ve been in dozens of different schools over the years, but SSA featured something different.  As I walked in the door I noticed a sign placed prominently outside of the office which read…

 
“Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this school.  He is the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes.  He is the model of its faculty, and the inspiration of its students.”

 
An impressive statement, but what made it all the more impressive was the way that sign permeated the school.  Every student, teacher, staff member, and parent volunteer demonstrated that belief in the way the worked, talked, volunteered, worshipped and served.  Now I’m not so naïve as to believe that conflict is repelled because of the sign. But as I toured the building, I didn’t doubt the truth of that statement for a moment.  It serves as a reminder, a tone-setter, and measuring stick by which the school assesses itself at every level.  It can also be the basis upon which we as individual Christians assess our every thought, word and deed.

 
A mission statement has no value if it is not indicative of the unique work and behaviors of those people who make up the organization.  So if we are going to reemphasize the pre-eminence of Christ in our schools, it must first start within the hearts and minds of every individual student, parent, teacher, administrator, board member, pastor, secretary, janitor, and volunteer.  We must surrender our lives to Christ, and through Him make decisions to live by His word at all times.  We must share the love of God that is living in our hearts to every person we encounter in every situation throughout every day.  We must support and encourage one another to best their best, offering prayers whenever possible and forgiveness whenever necessary. This isn’t to say that we don’t care about academics.  I know hundreds of LCMS teachers – all of whom are highly qualified, well prepared, effective educational professionals.  The quality of our academic program has never been the question.  So while our small, safe and successful environment is inviting, I pray that our complete, unquestioned love and modeling of Christ in action will excite them.
 
This is why we exist.  This is who we are.  Let’s show the rest of the world!

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A Heart Undivided

Posted on October 25, 2011 by day1of1

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. – Psalm 86:11

Think for a moment about the number of roles you play.  There is no shortage of them: child, parent, spouse, grandparent, friend, employee, employer, boss, teammate, volunteer, mentor, neighbor, and so on.  We may not be all of these things at once, but I am willing to bet that most of us can easily fill five or six of these plus a few more that didn’t make my list.

Now as if this juggling act isn’t difficult enough, add into the mix the need to keep everything balanced.  You hear that all the time; maintain a proper balance in your life.  How is that possible with so many roles and responsibilities weighing us down?  How can I be good at all these things when each  pulls me in a different direction, demanding my immediate attention without a shred of concern for the needs of the other areas of my life?
Simple:  Don’t divide your heart.

If you pour everything into your job, your family life will suffer.  If you pour everything into your family you’ll have no time for your community.  If you volunteer for every group you can find your job performance will deteriorate.  This is true because on your own power, you can’t possibly manage to spread yourself thin enough to perform all of these tasks efficiently enough to satisfy everyone.  So instead of trying to do it all, seek peace in God through a right relationship with Him, and then ask God to show you what you should be doing.

If you look back at my list you’ll notice there is nothing related to our faith life.  That’s understandable because it highlights our self-centered natures. We don’t think to look to God first.  We know the importance of being independent.  We strive to work longer and harder to accomplish everything on our own and the results speak for themselves.  But let me ask you a few questions:

Are you successful at work at the cost of your relationships?

Are you befriended by many but don’t know what to say to your own children?

Are you confident in your abilities to lead others but unable to listen to what those people are saying to you?

If you didn’t like the answers you gave to those questions it’s likely that you’re suffering from a divided heart and are now trying to manage multiple things with only a portion of the strength required.  It’s like putting a spoonful of sugar into your coffee one granule at a time.

Unite your heart in Christ, or as David says in verse 11 of the Psalm, “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”  When we turn to God and put our trust in Him, seeking His guidance for our lives, we are better equipped to manage our multi-faceted lives because we stop believing that we are leading it. We open our minds to the truth that it is God who leads us through it.  Deuteronomy 28:12 reminds us that if we are obedient to His Word, God will bless the work of our hands.

Everything we do will be done to His glory and will be blessed by He who created, saved, and sustains us.  It doesn’t eliminate the challenge, but through the power of God it ensures the outcome!

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From Anonymous to Infamous

Posted on October 6, 2011 by day1of1

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

 
I recently had the opportunity to watch a sports documentary called “Catching Hell.”  It tells the story of Steve Bartman, a 26 year old man whose life went from anonymous to infamous in the blink of an eye. 

 
As a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, Steve had to be thrilled to see his favorite team make it into the 2003 postseason.  What’s more, with a potent starting lineup and a bullpen filled with talented pitchers, 2003 was as good a chance as any that the Cubs ever had to break the “Curse of the Billy Goat” and make it back to the World Series.  Imagine how excited he had to be when he and three of his friends were able to acquire front row seats down the left field line at Wrigley Field for Game 6 with the Cubs only one victory away from their first World Series appearance in 95 years.  It was history in the making – if only he knew why.

 
Move forward to the eighth inning of the game.  The Cubs are leading the Florida Marlins by a score of 3-0.  There is one out and Cubs ace Mark Prior is on the mound facing Luis Castillo.  Castillo gets out in front of a pitch and has lifted a fly ball into foul territory, down the left field line, close to the seats, heading right toward Steve Bartman.  This is a baseball fan’s dream come true.  Bartman and the others around him prepared for the coming prize without a moment’s thought to what was happening in front of them on the field.  Cubs left fielder, Moises Alou, had ventured over toward the wall tracking the path of the ball.  His head was up, his eyes fixed on both the ball and his glove as he moved into position to make the play.  Finding the wall, Alou braced himself and then leaped to make the catch, but the ball never made it to his glove.  Instead, the ball caromed off of the fingers of another set outstretched arms – the arms of Steve Bartman.  Alou was furious.  Convinced he would have made the play he reacted harshly, slamming his glove and glaring at Bartman.  TV and radio crews began to debate whether the play was fan interference, so the replay aired over and over again, showing the fans, the player, and the ball trickle away from its destiny.  Filling time as the umpires reviewed the play and sensing the uneasy feeling that now fell over Wrigley, the announcers made repeated jokes and comments regarding Bartman’s actions, calling him out and noting that his safety might be in jeopardy.  These things were unsettling for the fans, but after all, the Cubs were still in command and only five outs away…

 
But then the wheels fell off.  A hanging curveball, a surprising error, and a seemingly endless series of Marlins hits followed the foul ball.  Suddenly the comfortable 3-0 was buried under 8 unanswered Marlin runs.  The game turned.  The series – although far from over in actuality was now all but conceded.  The curse lived on and Steve Bartman was public enemy #1. 

 
He was heckled, had objects thrown at him, was cursed at, threatened and for his own safety was escorted from his seat by security.  His friends left him as he sat in a security office.  He had to be disguised just to leave the stadium and after being recognized by irate fans, taken to a security staff member’s apartment to wait until the coast was clear.  But it doesn’t end there.  The media discovered his identity and reported it as part of their coverage of the game.  Media and police camped outside of his family’s home waiting for him as he remained in hiding for the whole thing to blow over.  Sadly, his beloved Cubs would lose game seven and missed the World Series.  To this day, he remains a target of reporters wanting an interview and a few fans wanting a pound of flesh.  He didn’t even have the ball to show for his troubles.  Another fan sitting a few seats away eventually caught the ball and later sold it for over $100,000.  Of course, over the years Steve has had more than a few lucrative offers to cash in on the incident, but he has quietly refused them, giving all appearances that he has moved forward clinging to his anonymity in the face of the world wanting him to embrace his infamy.

 
It’s funny how life can sometimes bring situations like this to us, forcing us to face circumstances we’d never dreamed possible.  Had he known what would come of it, I dare say Steve would have stayed home and watched the game in his living room.  But then again, we rarely see the pitfalls that await us.  Nobody daydreams about battling addictions as a sixth grader.  Married couples don’t think about how they’ll divide their dishes in the divorce as they open gifts the day after the wedding.    This isn’t to say that we, like the Cubs (allegedly) are all cursed.  Yes, the Bible is clear in telling us that because sin surrounds us, troubles will find us.  But here’s the beauty of it: through the death and resurrection of Christ, we are able to overcome the consequences of our mistakes.  Though the world may want to take one moment of our lives and use it to label us for eternity, we find strength, comfort and hope in the sure knowledge that God’s view is different.  The moment He chooses to view was in a garden over 2,000 years ago as His Son rose from the dead.  His victory is enough to give us victory, to break the curse that our sin has left on our lives and to redeem us to the relationship we so desperately need in Him.  The world can think what it would like – but in Christ we find our way, we learn our truth, and restore our life.

 
Troubles will find us, but it is grace that defines us as the Savior refines us.

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Peace

Posted on September 29, 2011 by day1of1

May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity – Psalm 122:7-9
God is good. His love and His mercies endure forever. He is filled with compassion for His people, forgiving their sins through His Son and growing their faith through His Spirit. He desires that we, as His dearly loved children, live in that same peace with Him and with one another. His model is one that we can easily see and clearly follow.
So why then is it so difficult to achieve true peace? A peace that is more than simply painting a smile on our faces to cover up hurts or ignoring issues by imagining they just don’t exist. No real improvement can be made by sticking your head in the sand, but yet that is precisely what many of us do when it comes to dealing with the troubles we face. We can come up with all the excuses we want, but excuses aren’t solutions. They are attempts to justify indecision, weakness, and fear. Excuses run hollow when compared to what God desires for us. This is because man’s methods merely provide a coping mechanism while God’s deal with the core issue. The world’s way seeks personal satisfaction where God’s way offers hope and peace.
In God we not only find the true peace that He desires for us, but also the courage and strength needed to pursue and achieve it. Peace is not automatic, but through full submission to the will of the Father in our lives, the tools are within our reach. It is my prayer that we find that peace in every area of our lives, that we might better serve God in every capacity. Let our hearts be filled with the Holy Spirit, who serves as our guide to ensure that we enjoy the fullness of the peace that passes all understanding.

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Guarantees

Posted on September 21, 2011 by day1of1

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. – Psalm 37:16-19

 
Abundance comes upon us as God has promised to provide it.  Like many things in life, the method, the amount, and the timing are ultimately in His control.  However, we do have some say in the matter.  Our role comes in the choices we make between being wicked or righteous.  Do we inflate our self-worth to make ourselves seem more important, to place undue credit for our success, for our gifts, and for our lives on ourselves?  Or do we recognize the true provider of all good things and align our lives with Him in order to build ourselves into the full manifestation of who He created us to be in the first place?

 
There are many quotes that talk about guarantees – how life doesn’t offer many and about how some rather negative things like death and taxes defy that rule.  How unfortunate that most people must have their perspective skewed in such a manner.  As Christians, we need not focus our thoughts on negativity when it comes to studying certainties.  In fact, God provides us with many good things upon which we can rely.  What is the limit to God’s love?  What reason do we have to doubt His forgiveness for our sins?  Which promise has He given to us that was eventually broken?  What need of ours has gone unaddressed?  Whose life has not been impacted by the greatness of our all-powerful Heavenly Father?  There is nothing we should worry about.  There is no reason to expect anything in our lives except blessings and joy from the throne of our King.

 
So in a world filled with distrust, broken promises, and sin, how comforting it is to know that Christ has bridged all of it to provide us our path to Heaven and the outstretched arms of the Father.  You know this truth, and consequently, you spend every day of your life living in love and basking in blessings that God Himself has left for you.  May your days be rooted in this premise – whether you face a hectic schedule filled with many demands, or have a day all to yourself.  Be blessed!  You are truly a special creation – a masterpiece of God craftsmanship and an heir to the King of Kings.  May you always know the love of God in all things so that you may prosper in everything you do in His name.

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The Master’s Lock

Posted on September 12, 2011 by day1of1

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps. – 1 Peter 2:21

 
For several years, I worked as the athletic director of a K-8 school.  The job brought with it many of exciting responsibilities and many, many mundane ones.  One of the more important and least impressive jobs that I had every year was the task of distributing combination locks to the students for use in the locker rooms.  We provided the locks so that we’d have easy access to open them if needed.  But because the students bought the locks from the school, I was also tasked with the “important” job of teaching the students how to open the lock.

 
If you know how to open a combination lock, it’s easy.  First, you must spin the combination dial a minimum of two full revolutions in a clockwise direction, finally stopping on the first number of the combination.  From there, you make a full revolution counter-clockwise before stopping on the second number.  Finally, you turn the dial clockwise again until you get to the third number of the combination then pull.  Simple right?

 
Not really.  Every year when I passed out the locks to our new fifth grade class, I always banked a few extra minutes into the schedule to teach the kids how to open their locks, and even then I would still have a few who needed extra help and practice to get the lock to open.  This wasn’t designed to embarrass anyone.  The bottom line was for many of these kids this was the first time they’d ever been asked to open a combination lock.  Opening these types of locks for years has a way of making me forget how tricky it was the first time I had to try when I was a fifth grader.  We forget that most anything is easy if you know what you’re doing.

 
So once again, I’ve shared with you information that you read and think to yourself, “Duh! Thanks Captain Obvious.”  Identifying letters and colors became easy once we learned them.  So did reading, blowing a bubble, and tying your shoes.  So why of all of these things in life did I choose opening a lock for my analogy?  It’s because unlike all of these other things which can be learned and perfected in many different ways, there is only one way to successfully open a combination lock and that is to follow the procedure correctly.  In many ways, the choices that the world gives us are like those many other tasks I’d had listed above.  When it comes to learning how to excel at those things, there are lots of different options and methods from which to choose.  But because the lock only opens one way it is essential to know the specific steps and follow them perfectly. 

 
Of course, there is another way that you can get around the procedures and open the lock – get a pair of bolt cutters and cut it open.  This is an effective method but it is also one that can create a lot of unwanted consequences.  Say you decide to use the cutters on someone else’s lock.  Now you’ve opened it, you can have access to anything you want, but what you find is not for you, could be harmful to you, and might get you into an awful lot of trouble.  And if you use the cutters to break open your own lock you can take pride in knowing that you’ve opened the lock with more speed and ease, but by ignoring the process you’ve caused irreparable damage and left yourself open to dangers and hazards with no chance to correct it.

 
We must remember that locks are designed by God to protect and prevent us from being harmed.  Some locks are permanent – keeping us away from the things toward which we should never venture.  Other locks are temporary, prohibiting us from getting into things we are not yet ready to take.  It is God who knows what we should and shouldn’t have, when we should have it, and how it will benefit us at the proper time.  And when that time comes, the Holy Spirit will give us the correct combination and teach us the proper procedure for opening the lock safely, securely and in a way that maximizes the blessing of whatever He has chosen to give us.  Peter’s words serve as a powerful reminder that we must humble ourselves to follow in the footsteps of Christ – the One whose perfect model freed us to receive the greatest gifts that God has to offer.

 
It can be hard to follow the steps and not do it our own way.  It can be harder when you know what to do but are being instructed to wait patiently for the right time.  But thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives we have the ability to put our trust in Him so that we can lock up the joy found only in the loving arms of God.

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