Saturday, October 26, 2013
Light
I
cautiously approached the campfire, nervous about what may happen at this nighttime rendezvous with a religious zealot. This could ruin me, but I was compelled. I watched the flames stab the air and lick
hungrily at the dead cedar branches his friends had dragged into the fire pit.
These men were camping out - living off donations. I had to admire them. The flames almost seemed symbolic of the
hunger I felt in my soul.
The
man whose fire I was nearing had captured my attention. He spoke with
authority. He commanded disease, demons
and the elements. As I stepped into the light
of his fire, He rose and we greeted one another. He introduced his friends and
offered me a seat and some refreshment as we engaged in small talk. He was
easier to talk to than I expected. I was
a high-ranking leader in my community, but I had requested a covert meeting for
fear of what others might say. If my
cowardice was evident, He didn't let on.
I
complimented Him and admitted that I believed he was sent from God. I thought he would blush and express
humility, so His response seemed a
little odd. Jesus replied, “I tell you
the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
I
was taken back and intrigued. He obviously felt it was an important point to
make - or else he could see right through me.
But I wasn't sure what he meant.
I knew this must be a key concept so I asked, "How can a man be
born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and
be born?"
Jesus
replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born
of water and the Spirit." He
probably saw the confusion in my eyes, because he went on to explain. The wind
blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it
comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of
the Spirit.”
The
Spirit thing sounded so powerful and wonderful. But I didn't know if I had the courage to
leave the comfort of flesh and live in the spirit. I wanted it... but then again. I
have to admit, I didn't understand everything he was saying, but I was
beginning to see His point. We were all
focused on the signs and wonders, but he was focused on eternity and saving
souls... including my soul. That is why
he agreed to meet me in the dark of night. he was giving me a chance to really
believe.
He
went on to explain that "God’s
light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light,
for their actions were evil. All who do
evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be
exposed. But those who do what is right
come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
Jesus
had me in a corner so I was forced to ask myself, "did I love darkness
more than light. Did I believe? Down inside I was as hungry as those flames
that now flickered and danced. At the
same time I was intimidated by my family
and friends and colleagues. Was Jesus
asking me why I wanted this meeting in the dark? It almost felt like he was challenging me
stand up and be a man.
Later
I understood that you can't just believe with your head. You can't just believe
in a miracle worker. You have to believe
in Jesus enough to buy in with your whole life.
You've got to fear God more than man.
That
meeting changed my life. Although it was an uncomfortable conversation it was a
pivotal moment in my life. I eventually
found the courage to go public with my faith a little at a time. I gave evidence in favor of Christ at the
trial before Pilate. When Jesus was killed I took spices and anointed his body.
Soon after Pentecost Peter and John baptized me. Because of my faith, I was eventually
deprived of office and banished from Jerusalem by the hostile Jews. I had bravely left the darkness and walked
into the light. Most of my colleagues
never got it. Until you live in the spirit you can't understand it. How about you?
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Little Giants
If
you were to happen upon a fight between the animals listed below, who would you
predict to win?
-
lion vs gazelle
- moose vs German shepherd
- bear vs fish
- cat vs mouse
- two pound gull vs 50 ton whale
- pit bull vs toy poodle
- eagle vs rabbit
"It
sounds ludicrous, but it could just be true: scientists say seagulls may be
responsible for hundreds of southern right whale mortalities off the Argentine
coastline. Since 2003, scientists have documented the deaths of 605 southern
right whales (Eubalaena australis) near Península Valdés which the whales use
as a nursery... Scientists now hypothesize that kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus)
may be behind the high death rate, since the gulls repeatedly land on southern
right whales pecking at them to tear off chunks of skin and blubber for food....The
attacks are very painful and cause large, deep lesions, particularly on the
backs of young 2-6 week-old calves. The whales flinch violently and swim away
to flee from the attacking gulls, This harassment can last for hours at a time.
As a result, right whale mothers and their calves are expending much precious
energy during a time-of-year when mothers are fasting and at a site where
little to no food is available to replenish fat reserves. The gull harassment
and the extensive wounds they make must have a very negative effect on the
health and body condition of these whales and is certainly very
stressful." (http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0508-hance-right-whales-gulls.html)
One
might refer to these gulls as little giants.
Their size is minimal, but their incessant pecking is evidently deadly. So often we are aware of, and vigilant
against, our "big" enemies. We
guard against drugs, alcohol, unhealthy foods, immorality, terrorists and thugs
-- and we should. But I wonder if we
have underestimated the danger of other subtle enemies -- enemies we might
easily defeat if sufficiently educated as to their danger. I am thinking more
specifically about enemies that destroy families and communities and cultures. Consider
those little culprits such as: nagging, cheating, cursing, pretending, lying,
procrastinating, or rudeness. These seem like harmless little pests, but they
diminish the character of a person and of a culture.
On
the positive side, the world is made infinitely better by some equally small
things. Saying "thank you" and
"please," chewing with your mouth closed, washing your hands, saying
grace, always telling the truth... they are all important features of a healthy
person. I am thankful for mothers,
teachers, churches and friends who insist on being careful about those little
things. While some may complain that
such influencers are petty, prudish or rigid, I would encourage us to stop and
appreciate the constructive power of small things. A kind word,
an honest answer, a fair discussion, a genuine prayer. These small traits eventually produce big
things, like a nurturing mother, a man of his word, cities that are healthy and
safe and nations that can be trusted -- they, too, are little giants.
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Hunger is Good but Not Wise
The
16-foot hamburger laden with lettuce, tomato, pickles and cheese stared down at
millions of commuters from its new perch in the middle of the city. Sprawled in front of the tempting graphic was
one word: hungry? In the bottom corner
of the billboard was the name of a restaurant. I am guessing that advertisement caused more
than one person to re-route to the suggested destination. Restaurants everywhere are counting on the fact that you and I get hungry on a daily
basis. The cycle can be productive : hunger
motivates us to find food, food is not free, so we are motivated to work, which,
in turn, makes us productive. Without hunger societies would become
unproductive and people would die from
malnutrition.
In
the above sense, hunger can be good. But
hunger is not wise. A child has to be
taught what kinds of things are good to eat and what kinds of things are
"yucky". Whole societies
adjust their diet as they discover which foods are most nutritious. My point is that the feeling of hunger is no
proof that one should eat everything in sight -- a bicycle, paint or rocks. God did not design
us to be undiscerning like goats. We can
reason, learn. For example when we
observe someone eating rotten squash and later see them in the restroom
throwing up we can conclude that rotten squash is not a wise choice for
satisfying our hunger. Hunger is good, but it is not wise.
This
concept should be applied to the topic which has obsessed our world -
love. What many people call being in love
is very likely simply love-hunger. A feeling that you need intimacy is no
evidence that the person to whom you are attracted is a good, healthy or morally
acceptable choice. The desire for love
is good, but it is not wise.
I
have no doubt that my personal experience had greatly influenced my views on
this matter. I needed love. I searched until I found someone who shared
my values and would be faithful in her relationship with me. After carefully determining that my wife was
not someone who would use me nor allow me to use her, I was able to enter into
the best love relationship of my entire life.
I am forever indebted to parents, teachers and preachers who spoke into
my life and helped me to be wise in pursuit to satisfy the love-hunger within
me. I am glad that they held me to boundaries
that kept my premarital relationships courteous and respectful. The influence of God and church taught me the
dangers associated with unhealthy, emotional and sexual encounters that leave
both parties unsatisfied and wounded. I
learned that my emotional needs were legitimate and good but not wise. Wisdom came with restraint, selflessness and
listening to others who had established successful relationships.
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