3 Steps

Posted on January 23, 2011 by day1of1

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. – Colossians 3:12-14

This is one of the most difficult things for many Christians to learn to do.  First of all, we are instructed to live our lives filled with things that come from God.  By our own strength, we can be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient to some degree.  However, to really be able to possess all of these things and to turn to them more often requires help from the Creator – the source from which all of these gifts come.

Next, forgiveness is not natural.  Our human nature drives us toward anger and revenge.  We certainly struggle with patience and bearing with one another – it is far easier and in many ways more personally satisfying to either hold the grudge, seek revenge, or to simply ignore the person or the situation that is causing us strife.  Even if we don’t go that far, we may find ourselves harboring feelings of offense.  This can be even more hurtful; it’s minor, long lasting, and can quickly grow to greater levels of resentment, leading our focus away from our Lord.  Maybe that’s another reason why God forgave us first.  “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” isn’t a guilt trip – it’s another example of God modeling the principles by which He wants us to live.

Finally, God asks us to wrap this all up in a unifying love.  Unity in the world is a short-lived and highly complicated thing.  We put many restrictions and requirements on others before we choose to unite and many unions remain tenuous – never solidifying and becoming the strong alliances that support and uplift in the way that God envisioned.  Why do we limit love?  Yesterday’s sin can set today schedule if we truly forgive.  This isn’t to say that I should allow myself to be victimized repeatedly in the name of forgiveness.  But where there is repentance and a willingness to let the Spirit of the Lord work within us there must also be restoration and maintenance of the relationship as God desires.

This may seem like God is asking a lot of us, but shift your paradigm a bit and you’ll discover this to be well within your capabilities.  God has not only called us to be above the world in this matter, but that He has made it possible for us to do so as well.  Our greatest efforts in these areas will always fall woefully short, but in God there is no failure.  God’s desire is for us to live maximized lives; fulfilling our destinies and receiving every blessing extended from the throne of grace.  He gives us the direction and then guides us along the way.  We are thankful for what He has provided and continue pray diligently that we will not ignore the gifts or the guidance He is giving.

May the Father, whose love for you knows no limits, fill you with each of these three things that they may drive your actions throughout your life.

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Beautiful

Posted on January 17, 2011 by day1of1

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. – Psalm 138:8

 
“Mirror, mirror on the wall…”  A classic line from a classic children’s story.  Of course in today’s politically correct world this story would be blasted.  Why must women seek the approval of shallow apparitions trapped inside of mirrors who judge your worth based solely upon your appearance?  Can you see the protests?  Today’s kinder, gentler mirror would reply back with something more accepting, demonstrating the value of the whole person.  But I digress…

 
Most of us don’t need a voice activated mirror to tell us what we see.  Some of us don’t need the mirror at all.  We know what’s there without looking and make decisions that can impact our lives in the short and long term based on our personal knowledge of who we are and what we can do.  Call it humility, insecurity, or ignorance, but more often than not we view ourselves to be far beneath our true capabilities.

 
Why is it that somebody else can look at you and see things that you can’t?  That seems odd.  You would think that we would know ourselves better than anybody else – filled with the knowledge and confidence that we have in our gifts and abilities.  But something happened along the way.  We lost sight of who we are and what God called us to be.  The enemy whispered in our ear, causing us to doubt and fear that God’s promises really weren’t for us.  And so we accepted mediocrity (or less).

 
When you look in the mirror, who do you see?  Is it the person you dreamt it would be when you were growing up?  Is it the person your family and friends expected?  Probably not – but thankfully, those are not the important questions.  The only question you need to ask yourself is this:  Is that the person God created to serve a specific purpose in His Kingdom?  Of course that answer is yes, and because that is true, there is nothing – absolutely nothing that God cannot and will not do to help you accomplish according to His perfect will.  The words to Francesca Battistelli’s song “Beautiful, Beautiful” help to illustrate this truth.

“Don’t know how it is You looked at me,
and saw the person that I could be.
Awakening my heart, breaking through the dark,
Suddenly Your grace…

Like sunlight burning at midnight,
Making my life something so beautiful, beautiful.
Mercy reaching to save me, all that I need
You are so beautiful, beautiful.”

Click Here to hear the song in its entirety (YouTube)

 
The lies of the enemy have convinced us that we can’t do everything we’ve been called and created to do, and he makes the lie easier to believe by leading our flesh away from where we should be.  This is evident in many areas of our lives.  When times get tough, it is easy for us to quit trying – giving up on the chance for something better by settling for something safe.  When times of stress come upon us, we use them as excuses for bad behaviors, ranging from blowing up at somebody, doing something reckless, or just blowing our diet in a carton of Ben & Jerry’s.

 
As I continue my journey, God is reinforcing 3 simple truths.  Number 1:  God loves me more deeply than anybody else can.  Number 2:  I can rely upon Him in every situation.  Number 3:  I don’t need to live in fear because God is going to keep His promises in my life.  We can trust His Word.  We can trust His timing.  We cannot let anyone convince us that what He has promised will not come to fruition.  Align your confession with His will and then just watch God be God.  He will help you.  Remember, in God’s eyes you are beautiful – and you ARE!

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Character Development

Posted on January 9, 2011 by day1of1

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. – 1 John 3:18-23

Have you ever looked at someone and saw something in them that they could not? For over 15 years I have had the opportunity to work with students. As a teacher and professor, I have been blessed with the opportunity to see these young men and women grow and develop academically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As I watched this development, I could see patterns emerge and strengths develop that would allow me to clearly see a future to which they were still oblivious. Why does it work that way? Why do others see it before we do? Wouldn’t it make it easier for everyone involved if we just knew what the story was supposed to be so we could get started working on it right away?

Of course, this is just a part of God’s plan for us. Any good story has to take a little time to develop. You have to have a compelling plot, interesting characters, villains to defeat, heroes to inspire, obstacles to overcome, and a few quirky incidents to help bring humor and perspective. To simplify this process would cause us to lose critical elements of the story. The plot would become simple, the leading man or lady would be one-dimensional, and the conclusion would be predictable. That’s a book you wouldn’t read or a film you wouldn’t watch, so why would we want that to be the life we hope to live?

As the author of your life, God knows you completely. Or as John puts it in verse 20, “God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” He knew who you’d marry. He knew what your occupation would be. He knew where you were going to live. He knew who your best friend would be. He knew when you would be born. He knows when you’ll be returning home. As a believer, you already know this and are thankful that He’s in charge of those major life events. However, we must realize that there is far more to it.

God also knows why you went to the elementary school you attended, what teacher you were supposed to have and what the seating chart would be so you could learn what you needed to from that boy you sat next to in second grade. To us, that feels like one blip of one moment of time from years ago. It’s an insignificant fact; a brief sentence in the novel of our lives. But for the story to be told with accuracy and for the plot to be made complete, the Author must envision, design, and write it in its entirety. We may not see its value upon first glance, but once the connection is made, the significance of that moment will never be forgotten. It is truly a gift of God that His love for us is so great that He will turn chaos into unity, noise into harmony, confusion into certainty as He writes our story. Celebrate this gift as you turn the page and start your next chapter.

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Iridescent

Posted on January 4, 2011 by day1of1

I recently watched “Flipped,”  a Rob Reiner film based on the young adult novel written by Wendelin Van Draanen.  I must admit that I have never read the book and had no clue what the plot would be, except that it was “a coming of age romantic comedy.”  My main interest in the film came from the fact that one of the scenes was filmed in the Earhart Manor on the campus of Concordia University – Ann Arbor, so I really wanted to see how my alma mater looked on film.

As I watched, I found myself enjoying the plot and the interactions of Bryce and Juli.  Having taught 7th & 8th graders for many years, I could see things in their interactions that reminded me of days gone by.  I also enjoyed watching the film with my son, who also happens to be a 7th grader – just to gauge his interest in the plot and to use the film to spark future conversation.  But as I watched, I found myself blown away by one quote.

Our leading “man” Bryce is talking to his grandfather about Juli – a neighbor who “flipped” for Bryce the moment she first saw him as a 2nd grader.  To say he didn’t share her feelings would be an understatement.  Bryce didn’t hate Juli, but she was definitely caught somewhere between being odd and having cooties.  Juli came to the attention of Bryce’s grandfather after he read a newspaper article about her refusing to come down out of a tree that was about to be cut down.  Grandpa Chet recognized Juli as a kindred spirit of his recently deceased wife, and seeing that connection he brought it to the attention of Bryce.  Of course, Bryce wanted nothing to do with the advice, the article or with Juli, but he listened dutifully as his grandfather described the feelings he held for his late wife as they were rekindled by Juli’s protest.

“Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss. But every once in a while you find someone who’s iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare.”

Know anyone like that?  I pray that you do.  We all know people in flat – the woman in the car next to you on your drive home or the guy who reads your gas meter.  We all know people in satin – your high school classmates who friend you on Facebook that you haven’t seen or spoken to in years, or the other parents at your child’s school who say good morning to you, but nothing more.  We know the people in gloss – coworkers, family members we see once a year at the reunion, or our next-door neighbors who shovel the snow from your walk before you can get to it.  We all know these people; we’re surrounded by them every day.  So what does it take to be iridescent?

How can I begin to explain it?  They are those people in our lives for whom time stands still; the one who draws your attention the moment they enter the room.  They aren’t your whole life, but they enhance it in a way that no one else can.  What makes them iridescent?  Is it something they possess or is it something we perceive?  The answer is both.  We all possess gifts that God placed into our DNA which align us perfectly with certain people.  It becomes complete when we tear down our walls and allow that person to make a connection.  We can see it in the face of the man or woman we love.  Parents know this feeling the moment they see a child for the very first time.  It’s the recognition of love in its truest form, and it is a gift that comes from God.

It’s amazing to consider that a God who made all of creation: snow-capped mountains, sunsets at the beach, rainbows in the sky and heavens filled with stars would look past all of that and boldly declare that you and I are His masterpiece.  It was true when He created us, repeated when we fell, confirmed when He saved us, and will be completed when He welcomes us into His loving arms for an eternity with Him.  Paul’s words in Romans 8:38-39 clearly establish this as truth in our lives.  “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Why go to so much trouble?

Because in God’s eyes, we are iridescent.

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Everything is Possible

Posted on December 30, 2010 by day1of1

…“Everything is possible for one who believes.”  – Mark 9:23

Every year during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve the television is full of “Year in Review” specials.  Maybe it’s because we live such busy lives and forget everything that happened over the past twelve months, but for some reason we find ourselves drawn to these shows.  So whether it’s curiosity or forgetfulness, it is interesting to take a moment and look back.

new-years-diet

History (even if it is very recent) has a way of reminding us who we really are.  We can fool ourselves when it comes to the future. How many of you have already vowed to lose 20 pounds, better manage your time, organize your closets, and get your finances in order for the upcoming year?  These big four topics are also common themes this week. In fact, a recent trip to Meijer put me into a special department filled with calendars, closet organizers, exercise equipment, and budget software all conveniently displayed in the same place; similar to “Back to School” shopping.  It was an interesting display, because seeing it made me realize that the store was banking on something that most of us do not understand about ourselves.

We are reactionary.  We get motivated by arbitrary things like dates on a calendar, milestones in our lives, or comparisons with people whom we perceive to be above or below us.  These benchmarks prompt us to make statements, write lists, spend money, and try fads that promise to turn us around and launch us into a successful future.  This is where history comes into play.  There’s a reason why Meijer chose these items to group together: those were the things that flew off the shelves last year when we all made the same promises to ourselves that didn’t last until Valentine’s Day.  And this doesn’t only apply to New Year’s Resolutions.  Think about the commitments you’ve made over the past year and ask yourself these questions: How many have I kept?  How many have I abandoned?  What are the short and long term consequences of both?  So as the cycle renews, what am you planning to do differently this year to achieve a better result?

In the Mark 9 passage, we see a Father bringing his demon-possessed son to Christ, knowing that his own efforts have proven futile.  Christ explains to him and to assembled crowd, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”  Our faith in Christ empowers us to do things that cannot be done when left to our own ability and strength.  This doesn’t totally eliminate us from the equation. It shows us the importance of seeking the will of God in our lives, of bringing our concerns to Him, and trusting in His power, mercy, and grace for all of our needs.

As I look back over the year gone by I am amazed at what God has accomplished in me.  My gains were tremendous blessings for which I am incredibly thankful.  My losses have taught me lessons that God will use to prepare me for my future.  Through it all, I praise God for what He has started and for what He continues to perfect within me.  It is my prayer that we all use the opportunity that the calendar provides to once again surrender our lives to Christ, aligning our beliefs to His promises, making “Everything Possible” once again.

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I Know

Posted on December 18, 2010 by day1of1

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

 
I’m quite certain that most of you have not read Sir Francis Bacon’s 1597 work entitled Religious Meditations, Of Heresies. Well, neither have I. However, most of us are quite familiar with the most famous quote that hails from this work: “Knowledge is power.” It’s easy to see where Bacon is going with that statement. An uninformed person is more likely to make a mistake than someone who knows and understands what they are doing. This quote is a standard bearer for educators and anyone who supports life-long learning. As an educator, I have found myself promoting this line of thinking in most every class I have taught. However, in my experience I have come to a new realization.

 
Bacon is wrong.

 
Yes I am going to take on a knighted English author and philosopher. And with what evidence, what tool will I use to prove my point? For such a lofty purpose, I must select an intellectual whose body of work can hold up under the immense scrutiny. So in truth, I have but one logical choice: Han Solo.

 
Please consider reading on…

 
In the movie “The Empire Strikes Back,” Han Solo finds himself moments away from becoming a lab experiment. He is about to be encased in carbonite, just to see if a human can survive the process. Prior to being lowered into the chamber, Princess Leia reveals her true feelings for Han with a simple, “I love you.” Harrison Ford, the actor who played Solo in the movie felt the character couldn’t just reply in kind, so in one take he improvised the line that not only stuck, but became iconic.

 
“I know.”

 
What a curious thing to say. It conveys a bravado, a swagger on his part that is certainly consistent with his character, but where does it leave Leia? Insert the thought bubble and it might read, “Oh good, he knows. So now what?” In fairness, frozen in carbonite is no way to maintain a relationship, but in all honesty, his statement of knowledge – the admission of the information into his consciousness does not convey the reassuring message that would have been found in “I love you, too.”

 
How many people know something but still don’t do the things necessary to make the changes that would ultimately benefit them? I don’t like my weight, but I won’t diet or exercise. I don’t like my job but I won’t apply somewhere else. I have a problem with my husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend but I won’t sit down with them to discuss it. I am in pain or feel sick but I don’t want to see a doctor. All of these people have knowledge and insight regarding their situations, but all of the knowledge in the world isn’t helping them because they refuse to apply their knowledge into any concerted effort to make a change. Knowledge may be power, but power without action is like faith without works – it’s dead.

 
When it comes to knowledge, is there a better source than the word of God? What God reveals was spoken on our behalf, designed to empower us to do everything we were created to do. When we leave knowledge behind, when we refuse to fully act upon what God has revealed to us as truth, we not only miss out on the power of His word, but we impact others as well. To know but not to share can prevent others from having the fullest measure of the blessings intended for them through us. Jonah knew what God intended for Nineveh and his avoidance could have cost that city dearly. Of course, that’s where God stepped in, helping Jonah make a few course corrections that led him to do what God had intended. But while God’s will is going to happen, wouldn’t it have been better for Jonah to do what God wanted before becoming fish food? Talk about learning the difference between knowledge and action the hard (and smelly) way.

 
May we not only plug into the power of the knowledge of God, but then follow up by actively using that power to accomplish His will in our lives.

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First Snow

Posted on December 15, 2010 by day1of1

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past. – Ecclesiastes 3:11-15

 
I looked out the window today.  Winter has finally come.  The green grass, present only yesterday, has been covered by a blanket of snow – one destined to stay, to last for a season.  The color, the warmth and the light is all gone; encapsulated by the ice, the cold and the snow. 

 
For people like myself who dislike winter, the first snowfall is a discouraging event.  I don’t like being cold.  I don’t like the dry air.  I don’t like shoveling, snow-blowing, and especially driving in it.  I admire its beauty, but I can do that best while sitting outside basking in a warm sun.  So why don’t I move to someplace warmer?  It’s probably because I dislike snow less than I dislike hurricanes, earthquakes, and oversized bugs.

 
But I digress…

 
The winter has been described and defined by countless authors over the years, so I’m not going to try to reinvent the wheel, nor am I going to repeat what you’ve already heard.  What I will say is this – winter is here for its season, but thankfully, it is not the destination.  We don’t end here.  A few weeks from now my tune will change to something like this…

 
I looked out the window.  Spring had finally come.  The tree that dominates the yard was filled with buds that soon blossom into leaves.  Snow melted away, transforming the ground from drab browns and grays back to green.  Back to green, back to life, back to the hope of something promised long ago.  Spring is a time of hope, but it must not be the end because its promise is only fulfilled in summer.

 
I looked out the window.  Summer had finally come.  The buds were gone, replaced by dark green leaves.  The green serves as a background to the colors of the season.  Flowers fill the yard with reds and whites and purples.  The colors explode as they bask in the brightness of a full summer sun.  Summer is a time of warmth, but it must not be the end because its promise is only fulfilled in autumn.

 
I looked out the window.  Autumn had finally come.  The heat of the day has been replaced by cool, crisp breeze.  The green leaves have been consumed in a fire of oranges, yellows, and reds.  Each day brings less light, fewer leaves on the tree, and more urgency to make use of the time.  Autumn is a time of preparation, but it must not be the end because its promise is only fulfilled in winter.

 
The promises of today cannot be fulfilled if tomorrow never comes.  When we push ahead, trying to bring tomorrow sooner than God’s schedule, we only cheapen its value because we eliminate the One who created it for us to have.  None of us were here to see the first winter.  It is likely that none of us will be here for the last.  But as each winter comes, let us rely upon the God who created it, knows why we need it, provides us with everything necessary to endure it until the first signs of spring arrive.

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Battalions

Posted on December 8, 2010 by day1of1

“When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions…”  Hamlet Act IV, Scene 5

 
Shakespeare may have penned these words over 400 years ago, but he was by no means the first person to experience this phenomenon (and certainly not the last!).  Troubles seem to have a way of collecting in our lives in large, uncomfortable groups and at the most inconvenient times.  Just when we think we’ve finished a stretch, here comes a few more to keep it moving.  Just when we feel like things have bottomed out and we’re starting to bounce back and the problems grow deeper and more difficult.  Times of trial – walks in the wilderness – are common in the lives of Christians.  They stretch us, test us, break us down, and provide us with a revealing look at ourselves in the truest of forms.  Depending on your perspective, this can be a very good or a very bad thing.

 
I have been walking through a wilderness for a while now.  In fact, were I writing a retrospective of 2010, I would find myself using the term – “a year with two halves.”  Where I am today is far different than where I was at the start of the year and in a place I would have never expected to be.  The struggles have grown for me in most every area of my life.  I have set my confession and have worked to do all that I can to overcome changes and challenges.  But that is where I have gone wrong.  You see, I can do all that I can and still come up way short of my intended target.  This isn’t to say that I should do nothing (of course, I’ve tried that too, only to prove its ineffectiveness).  What I am saying is this – any step I take, any thought I have, any actions I execute must be prayed over, directed, and instructed by God Himself.  In Him I will find the strength to do what I need to do and to avoid those things I must not do.

 
So how does that help me out here in the wilderness?  One word: hope.  It gives me the hope to stay focused on what He is telling me instead of what my flesh and the enemy are saying.   It gives me the hope that the struggles of today are only temporary.  It builds my hope that I will take the steps necessary to align my life with His will and by doing so come to realize all of the gifts that He has in store for me – things that I’ve lost, things that I’ve missed, and things that I’ve never dreamed possible.  In Him I find peace, strength, patience, comfort and rest.  He protects me from my enemies, He provides the victory that has been promised to me, and above all He saves me from my sin and restores me to a right relationship with Him that will last for eternity.

 
I know that the road I’m on is one that is unpleasant (to say the least).  I realize that I have made mistakes to get myself here.  I feel the sting of the hurts and offenses, serving as a near constant reminder of my straits.  But I refuse to stay put, wallowing in them and allowing myself and my future to be defined by them.  God has something far greater in mind for me – a destiny for which I have been created.  I have seen parts of it.  I know some of the people, places, and things that will be integral in building, shaping, and perfecting it.  Today I place my trust in Him – the master architect – to take His beautiful design and to construct my life in a way that will serve His purposes while exceeding all of my needs to the glory of God alone.

 
Psalm 25
 
1 In you, LORD my God,
   I put my trust.

 2 I trust in you;
   do not let me be put to shame,
   nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
   will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
   who are treacherous without cause.

 4 Show me your ways, LORD,
   teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
   for you are God my Savior,
   and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
   for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
   and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
   for you, LORD, are good.

 8 Good and upright is the LORD;
   therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
   and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
   toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, LORD,
   forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

 12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
   He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
   and their descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
   he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
   for only he will release my feet from the snare.

 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
   for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
   and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress
   and take away all my sins.
19 See how numerous are my enemies
   and how fiercely they hate me!

 20 Guard my life and rescue me;
   do not let me be put to shame,
   for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
   because my hope, LORD, is in you.

 22 Deliver Israel, O God,
   from all their troubles!

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Keeping Your Edge

Posted on December 6, 2010 by day1of1

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. – Proverbs 24:16

I was channel surfing yesterday when I came across a sports update featuring the results of a women’s downhill skiing event.  Now I have to admit I really don’t watch much skiing.  Every four years while watching the Olympics, I may spend a few minutes on it while I’m waiting for a hockey game to start, but otherwise I’m just not the skiing type.  So as I stood there watching the results of this race, I was wondering to myself why I was even paying attention.  Soon, I had my answer.

The reporter showed American skier Lindsey Vonn making her run in the competition.  She is one of the best skiers in the world (she’s the only female skier whose name I could recognize, so she must be good).  The announcer drew the audience’s attention to Vonn as she came around a set of gates near the top of the run.  As Vonn turned to her left, her outside leg slid out from under her, causing her to stumble.  Amazingly, she did not fall.  She stretched out her legs and arms to regain her balance and quickly resumed her track down the mountain.

As I surfed on, I found myself thinking more about what she was able to accomplish.  To lose an edge and stay on her feet was an incredibly athletic feat.  I don’t know how she did it, but she was able to avoid wiping out – and that’s a good thing considering she was on the side of a mountain wearing waxed skis travelling at a high rate of speed.  Losing your edge at that moment may not only cost you a chance to win the race – it could cost you your career or even your life.

In a spiritual sense, we can relate to what skiers experience.  Your life is moving you forward like a skier on a mountain.  We face obstacles, hazards, and traps along the way that we must maneuver around with no opportunity to simply stop.  Even when we stumble and fall, we continue moving.  Satan would like nothing more than to trip us, knowing that just like a skier, we are most vulnerable when we fall.  So how do we keep standing?  The same way a skier does…

Vonn was able to keep going because of her physical strength and years of practice.  Her body was strong enough to fight off the physical forces that were trying to pull her to the ground.  When our faith is strong, we too are better able to fight off the natural forces that are trying to pull us away from our goals and the safety that comes from staying in form.  Moreover, by committing herself to hours of practice, Vonn knew what to do not only at the moment her ski started to slip, but she also knew how to recover and make up for the gaffe without losing her momentum.  Spiritually, our practice comes from devoting our lives to a disciplined approach to worship, Bible study, and faith development.  When we are in worship, in our word, praying regularly, and living our lives according to the Spirit at work in our heart – we too will know what to do when we feel ourselves losing our edge.

This may be a nice analogy, but we must recognize that it is far more than that.  This is critical for every believer to know and understand.  Like the skier on a mountain, we can’t simply stop our life when things get difficult.  Our responsibilities to our families, our jobs, and to everyone else depending upon us keep coming no matter what may be happening in another area of our life.  All of us have experienced times where our skis came out from under us, times when we’ve lost our edge, our momentum, and our confidence to carry on.  In those moments, we must rely upon our training – the strength we’ve gained through God’s love and the practice we have in serving Him diligently each day.  It won’t slow things down, but it will keep us on our feet and moving in the right direction – maintaining our edge and realizing our destiny no matter what our mountain may bring.

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Legacy

Posted on December 2, 2010 by day1of1

Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. – Psalm 112:1-2

 
What is it about men and our interest in the future?  Why do we care so much about the next generation and the legacy that we will leave?  For centuries, men have been driven to not only have children, but to have sons in order to carry on the family name.  Now I understand that kings needed sons to produce an heir and that families needed sons to hold onto their property, but those days are long gone.  Today it is only about keeping your name into the next generation, but for some guys you would think that this was just as important as holding the crown.  It’s not about wealth – it’s about the legacy we leave.

 
My father has been gone for three years but I still find myself thinking about not only the man he was but also the type of man he wanted me to be.  On some levels, this is silly – to think that I would still consider the words of a silenced voice the ruler by which I would be measured.  But the more I think about this, I realize that this is by design.  As his son, I am the embodiment of his unfinished work.  No man goes to the grave having completed everything he set out to do.  Work is always left to be done and it makes sense that the work would fall to the next generation.  I see that I have been put into a position where I must step up to complete his work, to fulfill my own destiny, and finally to prepare my children to continue that work when my time is done.  This is true in the earthly realm.  It is equally true in the spiritual realm as well.

 
The ministry of Christ was all about preparing Himself and the world for His death and resurrection.  In doing so, we were given the greatest gift possible.  But it didn’t end there.  As He ascended into Heaven he gave us a commission – work that we were called to do.  What He did for us is complete in and of itself.  Our job is to share that message with everyone who needs to hear it.  We do so with our words.  We do so with our actions.  We do so to our family, our friends, our co-workers, and of course with our children.  In fact – the work of instilling the Gospel into the lives of our children may be the most important work we will ever be called to do.  You see, I will ultimately not be defined by the amount of money I earn, the number of possessions I accumulate, or the memories I provide to my friends and loved ones.  My legacy will be fulfilled most effectively when Christ lives in me so strongly that His love becomes evident in my life and the lives of my descendants for generations to come.

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