In thinking through Ecclesiastes, one of a number of things that stands out is how the one "under the sun" learned, one might say, to keep themselves preoccupied with the good things of life, even including their work. Ecclesiastes is a challenging book to figure out, and how to read it with reference to the whole, as well as its conclusion (commentators often don't see eye to eye on it). That appeals to me, because it seems to reflect life, and our experience of it. It often makes little or no sense, and is full of complexities.
When I'm troubled over life, or my experience of it, I find, evidently like the writer, or the character, Qoheleth, "the Teacher" (or "Quester"- The Message), that I do well to get to the everyday task as well as routines of what I have to do, and am working on besides. Sooner or later I find a kind of pleasure in what is at hand, and I more or less, usually more or completely, forget the troubles, or they diminish. At the same time, I am working on bringing them to God and being in the word, something I can do more or less (a favorite phrase of mine today) all day on my job.
To be preoccupied with the good things God gives us can bring joy, as we receive them as God's gifts to us. And his gift to us includes our ability to work through difficult things in the way of Jesus. And as we receive this good gift from God, we can thank him for the help he will give us to see us through any trouble. And in the end, like the book of Ecclesiastes, we'll conclude that we're called to simply fear God, and keep his commandments. Finding in Jesus and in the way of Jesus a loving and gracious Father.
Any thoughts or something you'd like to share from your life on this?
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
relaxing with what one can do
I have several books I want to read now, all at the same time. Some are challenging intellectually, probably all of them to some degree. And there's just no way I have time to do justice to them all, or finish them as soon as I want to, or think I need to. Add to that other responsibilities, and you get the picture.
In such places, whatever it is we may be doing we need to learn to relax with what we can do, rather than hurry and end up distraught over what we can't do. In this we have the joy of working hard, but well. When I put too much on my plate, I can eat too fast, hardly enjoying the food, or at least not enough, and I am probably eating too much, and end up uncomfortable, at least. With too much to do, I can end up the same way, really getting little out of it, and glad when it's over. Hardly what was in my mind and heart at the beginning when I was eagerly looking forward to it.
In all of this is humility as well. It is a walk with God and with others in this life, not just me individually with God. We need God and each other. We each have our part in this, and we need to simply learn to relax with what we can do, what God has called us to do. As the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, "Much study wearies the body...The end of the matter is Fear God! And keep his commandments."
And we should love to work hard, but it should be like play as well. As much as that is possible in this fallen world, where toil and difficulty are inevitable.
What would you like to add here, or any thoughts?
In such places, whatever it is we may be doing we need to learn to relax with what we can do, rather than hurry and end up distraught over what we can't do. In this we have the joy of working hard, but well. When I put too much on my plate, I can eat too fast, hardly enjoying the food, or at least not enough, and I am probably eating too much, and end up uncomfortable, at least. With too much to do, I can end up the same way, really getting little out of it, and glad when it's over. Hardly what was in my mind and heart at the beginning when I was eagerly looking forward to it.
In all of this is humility as well. It is a walk with God and with others in this life, not just me individually with God. We need God and each other. We each have our part in this, and we need to simply learn to relax with what we can do, what God has called us to do. As the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, "Much study wearies the body...The end of the matter is Fear God! And keep his commandments."
And we should love to work hard, but it should be like play as well. As much as that is possible in this fallen world, where toil and difficulty are inevitable.
What would you like to add here, or any thoughts?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
life is more than work
My father taught me to work, but not to love it. I never did like to work, and I don't deny it. I'd rather read, tell stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh - anything but work.Abraham Lincoln (from Al Gini, The Importance of Being Lazy, 15 quoted by Scot McKnight, 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, 101-102).
While in Ecclesiastes we're told that God can give us enjoyment in our work, and in all of life, received as a gift from God's hand, nevertheless, I think these are words we need to hear, particulary in busy, businesslike American society.
As Scot McKnight says in the book mentioned above, we're not to be centered in our work. Our lives are not to revolve around it. Not that we're not to work hard, and sometimes have to do so for long periods of time.
Our work should be one expression of our endeavor to be centered on "God and God's ways" (McKnight, 104). And we need, somehow by grace, to find pleasure in our work. Not that that is always possible. But by God's grace and gift we can find such pleasure. As we endeavor to do it as an expression of love for God and for others.
And one of the blessings of work is the rest and relaxation which follows. Add to this that we should do what we enjoy doing. And this should include loving God with all our strength. Because toilsome labor in and of itself is not normally desirable. We need to keep who and what we are to be centered on, in Jesus, in view.
What would you like to add to these thoughts?
Friday, October 31, 2008
working hard
Yesterday at work I had a job that kept me active doing much the same things, but not coming from a machine. So it was up to me as to how much I would get done. Actually I enjoyed it for the most part, except for the hand taper and the big roll which kept giving me fits. But it was fun, time went fast, and I tried to do so as one in the yoke with Jesus while also doing it with all my heart.
Work is a blessing from God, we were created to work, and sin and the curse it did bring only resulted adding difficulty to our work, maybe like my hand taper and big roll yesterday. We were created to work, and in the new creation we will continue to work, a reality in Jesus that begins now.
Work is to be an expression of love to God and to our neighbor. And so we're to do it with all our hearts, souls, strength and mind. Of course I'm glad for some jobs in which I can meditate on Scripture, and even sing a song, like this one I was singing some yesterday.
You get home, and you're tired. I had a pleasant visit with Deb, another wonderful meal from her, then I pretty much went "out" until I awakened later. But rest and sleep is a gift as well as our work.
Does our work glorify God? Are we busy, doing our Father's business? Are we doing the works of God who calls us into his work with him- amazingly, while it is still called "Day", since when "Night" comes, no one can do this kind of work, anymore?
What thoughts might you like to add to this?
Work is a blessing from God, we were created to work, and sin and the curse it did bring only resulted adding difficulty to our work, maybe like my hand taper and big roll yesterday. We were created to work, and in the new creation we will continue to work, a reality in Jesus that begins now.
Work is to be an expression of love to God and to our neighbor. And so we're to do it with all our hearts, souls, strength and mind. Of course I'm glad for some jobs in which I can meditate on Scripture, and even sing a song, like this one I was singing some yesterday.
You get home, and you're tired. I had a pleasant visit with Deb, another wonderful meal from her, then I pretty much went "out" until I awakened later. But rest and sleep is a gift as well as our work.
Does our work glorify God? Are we busy, doing our Father's business? Are we doing the works of God who calls us into his work with him- amazingly, while it is still called "Day", since when "Night" comes, no one can do this kind of work, anymore?
What thoughts might you like to add to this?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
a time to work, a time to play/rest
Yesterday's post pointed out the need to slow down. In it I was not primarily thinking of needed sabbaticals or rest stops which we all need, and often don't get enough of. I was thinking of how we work.
Rest is important. We need those times where we kick back, relax and do nothing. Nothing at all. Maybe read from a book we really want to read from, get some extra sleep, best case: get away and enjoy some of God's good creation somewhere (and here), or maybe a place less strenuous like here (or more likely for us- here- here).
Today I want to remind myself and any reader of the importance of good old fashioned work. I may need to slow down in it, but I also need to be reminded of the goodness and value of work.
Work is not post-fall, but pre-fall. God put Adam in the garden to work it, and made and brought Eve alongside him to be his helper in doing so, as well as for the procreation of more humans to inhabit and rule over the works of God's hands. Work is a big part of who we are, made in the image of God. And it will go on forever.
Of course work now is bereft with problems that are the result of sin and the fall. It's now by the sweat of our brow and with thistles and thorns (Genesis 3). It seems like no matter what we do, there's always something undermining it. It takes plenty of endurance and perseverance to see a work finished, and hopefully well done.
We must be careful in reacting to our American bent (over here) to work excessively so as to fulfill our version of "the American dream" that we don't throw work overboard in the name of our faith. Quite to the contrary we need to be known as good workers who are not negligent in their work.
I find that when I'm discouraged it's easy for me just to throw in the towel and do nothing. But in Jesus we're called to good work. We're callled to a work that will bring rest to our souls, a work in which we are side by side with our Lord himself!
To the title, balance is not such a bad word in all this. We need to have fun and play in the midst of our work. We need to know when enough is enough. And also when we need an extended rest, recreation and rehabilitation. I love to work hard on something I'm interested in. But I also love to enjoy something just for the sake of enjoying it. I don't see this as wrong, but as a part of living as one of God's children in our Father's world. And I believe that someday we'll have this down perfectly, forever. Of course not having the limitations we have now due to the fall. But what we do now in its imperfection carried along by God's grace, perfectly fulfilled in God's ongoing grace in Jesus then.
What would you like to add to this? And where would your dream vacations take you?
Tomorrow: "Palisade Cliffs - doubt", from L.L. Barkat's book, Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
Rest is important. We need those times where we kick back, relax and do nothing. Nothing at all. Maybe read from a book we really want to read from, get some extra sleep, best case: get away and enjoy some of God's good creation somewhere (and here), or maybe a place less strenuous like here (or more likely for us- here- here).
Today I want to remind myself and any reader of the importance of good old fashioned work. I may need to slow down in it, but I also need to be reminded of the goodness and value of work.
Work is not post-fall, but pre-fall. God put Adam in the garden to work it, and made and brought Eve alongside him to be his helper in doing so, as well as for the procreation of more humans to inhabit and rule over the works of God's hands. Work is a big part of who we are, made in the image of God. And it will go on forever.
Of course work now is bereft with problems that are the result of sin and the fall. It's now by the sweat of our brow and with thistles and thorns (Genesis 3). It seems like no matter what we do, there's always something undermining it. It takes plenty of endurance and perseverance to see a work finished, and hopefully well done.
We must be careful in reacting to our American bent (over here) to work excessively so as to fulfill our version of "the American dream" that we don't throw work overboard in the name of our faith. Quite to the contrary we need to be known as good workers who are not negligent in their work.
I find that when I'm discouraged it's easy for me just to throw in the towel and do nothing. But in Jesus we're called to good work. We're callled to a work that will bring rest to our souls, a work in which we are side by side with our Lord himself!
To the title, balance is not such a bad word in all this. We need to have fun and play in the midst of our work. We need to know when enough is enough. And also when we need an extended rest, recreation and rehabilitation. I love to work hard on something I'm interested in. But I also love to enjoy something just for the sake of enjoying it. I don't see this as wrong, but as a part of living as one of God's children in our Father's world. And I believe that someday we'll have this down perfectly, forever. Of course not having the limitations we have now due to the fall. But what we do now in its imperfection carried along by God's grace, perfectly fulfilled in God's ongoing grace in Jesus then.
What would you like to add to this? And where would your dream vacations take you?
Tomorrow: "Palisade Cliffs - doubt", from L.L. Barkat's book, Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
Monday, June 16, 2008
slowing down
Scot McKnight at Jesus Creed has an interesting post about a book advocating "slow spirituality". I think this British author, Ian Stackhouse is making an excellent point I need to hear.
I don't see myself as a hurried person, though the nature of my factory work at RBC Ministries sometimes demands that. But I have found myself simply trying to get as much done of this and that as possible, without sufficient thought and prayer as to the reality that I'm to be doing it all out of love for the Lord and as to the Lord, as well as out of love for others. And with the thought of savoring and enjoying it at least because I want to do it as to the Lord.
Slowing down for me is going to mean reading less Scripture. Many years of my Christian life I've been through Scripture at least two or more times a year, either by listening to it, or more recently by reading it. I've decided that I need to slow down, make it a reading - praying time, try to be consistent in keeping set times as a rule (but not as a binding law) which majors on drawing near to God, hearing his voice, and prayer.
For myself I find that I end up getting more done that is worthwhile and lasts when I slow down. There may be moments when we need to do something quickly. But in thinking about how Jesus lived his life on earth it seems like it was one thing at a time with always an openness to the Father and a life led by the Holy Spirit. Paul and Jesus' disciples seemed to learn from the Lord in regard to this. They were devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word of God, and I'm sure like their Lord, they spent time alone with God. And we need quality time with each other, as well, and that cannot be rushed. Being busy with our hands should be done in the same spirit.
So just starting this morning I broke my Scripture reading fast (actually it hasn't been a total fast, though relatively speaking it has) and it was wonderful not to be in a hurry as I was reading through the psalms and praying from them and for others and myself. As well as praying "the Lord's prayer".
What would you like to share with us about slowing down spiritually?
See A Time to be Quiet from Been Thinking About - Mart DeHaan
I don't see myself as a hurried person, though the nature of my factory work at RBC Ministries sometimes demands that. But I have found myself simply trying to get as much done of this and that as possible, without sufficient thought and prayer as to the reality that I'm to be doing it all out of love for the Lord and as to the Lord, as well as out of love for others. And with the thought of savoring and enjoying it at least because I want to do it as to the Lord.
Slowing down for me is going to mean reading less Scripture. Many years of my Christian life I've been through Scripture at least two or more times a year, either by listening to it, or more recently by reading it. I've decided that I need to slow down, make it a reading - praying time, try to be consistent in keeping set times as a rule (but not as a binding law) which majors on drawing near to God, hearing his voice, and prayer.
For myself I find that I end up getting more done that is worthwhile and lasts when I slow down. There may be moments when we need to do something quickly. But in thinking about how Jesus lived his life on earth it seems like it was one thing at a time with always an openness to the Father and a life led by the Holy Spirit. Paul and Jesus' disciples seemed to learn from the Lord in regard to this. They were devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word of God, and I'm sure like their Lord, they spent time alone with God. And we need quality time with each other, as well, and that cannot be rushed. Being busy with our hands should be done in the same spirit.
So just starting this morning I broke my Scripture reading fast (actually it hasn't been a total fast, though relatively speaking it has) and it was wonderful not to be in a hurry as I was reading through the psalms and praying from them and for others and myself. As well as praying "the Lord's prayer".
What would you like to share with us about slowing down spiritually?
See A Time to be Quiet from Been Thinking About - Mart DeHaan
Saturday, April 26, 2008
a friend's blog, work, and troubles
I want to share about a blog I've sidelinked from a friend who is receiving medical treatment for cancer. Scott Steiner is exactly what this blog, Lessons from the Lathe depicts, since I've worked with him at RBC Ministries. He's a devout Christian who takes all his work seriously and does it all well, without compromise, to God's glory. He is discouraged right now, and could use our prayers and love. And he has a son-in-law in Kansas married to his oldest daughter (eight children in all) who is struggling with cancer and not doing well, in his twenties. It's a hard time for them.
You'll find his blog to be a blessing, and for those of us who might be interested and able, there is a most interesting product there to buy. So go there and check it out, and as you remember, please pray for Scot, his wife and children.
You'll find his blog to be a blessing, and for those of us who might be interested and able, there is a most interesting product there to buy. So go there and check it out, and as you remember, please pray for Scot, his wife and children.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
meeting L.L. Barkat
It was so much fun for Deb and I to get to meet L.L. Barkat, in town for the festival of faith and writing at Calvin College. She graciously took the end of a busy day, and really, busy two days, to meet with us. The hour went fast as we sipped on some tea, and shared from our lives.
L.L., like on her blog, is warm and engaging, and creative in her thinking. And real. I realized that while meeting someone like this is good, and you get a better sense of who they are, it is still limited. This reminds me of first impressions and the like. But I think our visit with her reflected pretty well, even in that limited time, who we each are. None of us are people who want to put on airs.
We had a good laugh as I remembered how at first, for a time, I thought L.L. was a man, and she reminded me that I had commented how I had thought L.L. was letting his wife do some postings or be involved in the postings. Funny, and I was a little chagrined when I found out the truth!
L.L. shared with us what she is going through with the success she is now experiencing in writing, and how this in some ways is more challenging to her. She has some important decisions to make in the coming days, and would appreciate our prayers.
This makes me want to read her book (which I find quite good as I'm reading it now) and books to come, as well as her blog, all the more. And to remember that we're all in this in Jesus for each other, to the end of helping others in mission in Jesus to the world.
I will be blogging on L.L.'s book, Stone Crossings, very soon. I think it's a great book for all of us, for who doesn't need to find God's grace in the hard places of life?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
God has something for you to do
In Jesus, God has something for each one of us to do, something very special. Indeed, we're told that there are works prepared for us in advance by God, that we should walk in those works, that is, that doing them should be a way of life for us.
This is true no matter how down and out you may seem to be. No matter what seems to be against you and me. Or even true, no matter how we may be sinning at the moment, or tempted to sin. Or having to work through a disappointment or ongoing difficulty in our lives. Yes, God is there in Christ, with a special work for each of us to do.
There are general works, and there are specific or special works. Passages such as 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 open up general categories of giftedness from the Spirit to each person in Jesus. I believe there are both constitutional gifts and situational gifts (as in 1 Corinthians 14). They may go together or be related, but not necessarily always the case.
For myself I have something in mind that I can begin to work on for the rest of my life, however long or short that may be. And if I'm right, it's something I rather shrink back from and am disinclined to specifically, though regarding the task generally, it is something I'm very much drawn to.
Be open to the gift and creativity and blessing you can be to others. Whatever it is on your heart that is good, pray and work on fulfilling it. We can be, in Jesus, a blessing to others. God has something special for each of us in Jesus to do today. Let's pray that we have the faith to see what it is, and of course, prayer itself should be one part of it, and sometimes it's the only work we can do for a time. And for some, it is a big part of what they do.
What about you? What works does God have for you to walk in, or do, today and beyond?
This is true no matter how down and out you may seem to be. No matter what seems to be against you and me. Or even true, no matter how we may be sinning at the moment, or tempted to sin. Or having to work through a disappointment or ongoing difficulty in our lives. Yes, God is there in Christ, with a special work for each of us to do.
There are general works, and there are specific or special works. Passages such as 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 open up general categories of giftedness from the Spirit to each person in Jesus. I believe there are both constitutional gifts and situational gifts (as in 1 Corinthians 14). They may go together or be related, but not necessarily always the case.
For myself I have something in mind that I can begin to work on for the rest of my life, however long or short that may be. And if I'm right, it's something I rather shrink back from and am disinclined to specifically, though regarding the task generally, it is something I'm very much drawn to.
Be open to the gift and creativity and blessing you can be to others. Whatever it is on your heart that is good, pray and work on fulfilling it. We can be, in Jesus, a blessing to others. God has something special for each of us in Jesus to do today. Let's pray that we have the faith to see what it is, and of course, prayer itself should be one part of it, and sometimes it's the only work we can do for a time. And for some, it is a big part of what they do.
What about you? What works does God have for you to walk in, or do, today and beyond?
Saturday, March 01, 2008
routine and rest
Routine and rest. I think both of these are important for us in living out the Christian life. But at the same time both often seem impossible to us, as we see from Erika Haub's wonderful post here. So for any of you in situations that resist routine and rest, we can only pray for those of you we know, that God will give you special times of rest and a sense of routine and rhythm during this time of your life and journey.
Routine is good for me. It helps me forget my troubles. It is a part of what makes us human, we have six days to work and a seventh day to rest built into the fabric of creation. So routine and rest, however played out in our experience, are important for us.
What does routine look like for you? For me it's about things I do regularly, such as getting up, reading Scripture, getting ready to go to work, etc., with prayer interspersed through all of this, hopefully. And learning to open my little "prayer book" with written lists to help me remember to pray for others and for special requests. This routine goes until evening, and an important part I'm working on now is the need for proper, or I should say, better, as in more hours of sleep.
What does rest look like for you? For me it's about hopefully getting a little time to curl up my feet and under a blanket leisurely get some reading in. And at the end of the week, it's hopefully, either Saturday or Sunday (sometimes part of Friday included), get in some significant relaxation in more reading and doing something together with Deb, and usually more sleeping than I can get during the week.
I'm not getting into the Sabbath or what that means for us today. That's a big subject, and I'm not sure of it, though I'm more sure as to what I practice in relation to it, and how I look at it in general. It has more than one application, I believe. But the important thing here in this routine and rest, is the sense of rhythm, I believe, that we as human beings need. Both in how we practice our days, weeks, months and years- and how we look at our walk of faith in this life, with the good works in Jesus following.
These words, as limited as they are, give me strength right now. I have to avoid that which is contrary to them, and which can set me off into a self-pity party or something that is neither pleasing to God or helpful to anyone, including myself.
What other words might you like to share about routine and rest?
Routine is good for me. It helps me forget my troubles. It is a part of what makes us human, we have six days to work and a seventh day to rest built into the fabric of creation. So routine and rest, however played out in our experience, are important for us.
What does routine look like for you? For me it's about things I do regularly, such as getting up, reading Scripture, getting ready to go to work, etc., with prayer interspersed through all of this, hopefully. And learning to open my little "prayer book" with written lists to help me remember to pray for others and for special requests. This routine goes until evening, and an important part I'm working on now is the need for proper, or I should say, better, as in more hours of sleep.
What does rest look like for you? For me it's about hopefully getting a little time to curl up my feet and under a blanket leisurely get some reading in. And at the end of the week, it's hopefully, either Saturday or Sunday (sometimes part of Friday included), get in some significant relaxation in more reading and doing something together with Deb, and usually more sleeping than I can get during the week.
I'm not getting into the Sabbath or what that means for us today. That's a big subject, and I'm not sure of it, though I'm more sure as to what I practice in relation to it, and how I look at it in general. It has more than one application, I believe. But the important thing here in this routine and rest, is the sense of rhythm, I believe, that we as human beings need. Both in how we practice our days, weeks, months and years- and how we look at our walk of faith in this life, with the good works in Jesus following.
These words, as limited as they are, give me strength right now. I have to avoid that which is contrary to them, and which can set me off into a self-pity party or something that is neither pleasing to God or helpful to anyone, including myself.
What other words might you like to share about routine and rest?
Monday, February 25, 2008
against a privatized faith
Often what we hear as to what faith in Jesus amounts to in living in this world, is some kind of personal, privatized faith, kept to oneself without interfering into the personal, private lives of others. But this is not the faith of the Bible, or of Jesus.
When Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world, the Greek translated better in this case in the NRSV means that his kingdom is not from this world. But in Jesus this kingdom has already entered into this present age. And it's a kingdom that has to do with the holy nation in Jesus, scattered throughout the earth. Not with any one recognized nation.
Jesus along with the apostles following, and the prophets in the Old Testament, beginning with Abraham there- the faith they held from God was not meant to stay with them, but to bless all nations, all peoples. And not only that, but to bless in terms of taking care of the land, being God's caretakers of it, and in the favor of God seeing their work overflow into blessings for all peoples, and even for the good earth and God's good creatures on it. This is something of what I see when it comes to the kind of faith we in Jesus actually have.
This gives meaning and value to all we do in helping others in any way. When done in the Lord there will somehow be meaning and value not only for this life, but also for the life to come in the resurrection of all things.
For too many people, Christianity is some kind of otherworldly religion that has nothing really to do with the down to earth, practical matters and existence here, except maybe to make people better so they can serve the status quo here and now. But in Jesus there is nothing less than a different dynamic, shaping different stories and outcomes than what would have been possible prior to Jesus' coming. This is why, while we see the Old Testament as foundational for what was to come, the fulfillment in Jesus in the New Testament, brings a new, living dynamic into the world. Of course the complete fulfillment won't occur until Jesus returns, but it begins now in us- in the people of God in Jesus.
So let's beware of any individualized, privatized faith. Yes, our faith is personal, but it's meant to become public. And in so doing bring God's new creation in Jesus to bear, in all of creation here and now.
What do you think about this? What would you like to share here?
When Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world, the Greek translated better in this case in the NRSV means that his kingdom is not from this world. But in Jesus this kingdom has already entered into this present age. And it's a kingdom that has to do with the holy nation in Jesus, scattered throughout the earth. Not with any one recognized nation.
Jesus along with the apostles following, and the prophets in the Old Testament, beginning with Abraham there- the faith they held from God was not meant to stay with them, but to bless all nations, all peoples. And not only that, but to bless in terms of taking care of the land, being God's caretakers of it, and in the favor of God seeing their work overflow into blessings for all peoples, and even for the good earth and God's good creatures on it. This is something of what I see when it comes to the kind of faith we in Jesus actually have.
This gives meaning and value to all we do in helping others in any way. When done in the Lord there will somehow be meaning and value not only for this life, but also for the life to come in the resurrection of all things.
For too many people, Christianity is some kind of otherworldly religion that has nothing really to do with the down to earth, practical matters and existence here, except maybe to make people better so they can serve the status quo here and now. But in Jesus there is nothing less than a different dynamic, shaping different stories and outcomes than what would have been possible prior to Jesus' coming. This is why, while we see the Old Testament as foundational for what was to come, the fulfillment in Jesus in the New Testament, brings a new, living dynamic into the world. Of course the complete fulfillment won't occur until Jesus returns, but it begins now in us- in the people of God in Jesus.
So let's beware of any individualized, privatized faith. Yes, our faith is personal, but it's meant to become public. And in so doing bring God's new creation in Jesus to bear, in all of creation here and now.
What do you think about this? What would you like to share here?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
be faithful where you're at
When we read the Story from God in Scripture we find the Story involving a bunch of people who lived much of their lives on the margins, not in the center of the world. This was true of Abraham, moving from the center of civilization in his day, in answer to what must have been a rather obscure, even though clear call from God to leave and find a new promised land.
Even as great as David is in Scripture there is hardly a whimper of him in the annals of world history. And Jesus himself lived in the margins most of his life. Around the age of thirty he did most of his ministry in Galilee, north of the center of the nation, Judea- and Jerusalem. And even in his ministry in Galilee he avoided the big cities with hardly a mention of them in the New Testament. Jesus did most of his work in villages and small towns and in the countryside.
Too often I'm afraid I can be quite discontent where I'm at and think of my work and life as of very little consequence. Yet it's of big consequence to my wife and daughter and to those around me, especially those I see daily. As well as to those Christians who gather with me. Even to the few I have contact with in the blog world and on emails. Everything is important in its place and time.
Teaching a toddler to walk, letting them try and fall and praising them for the one or two steps they manage is like how our Father sees us. We believe in Jesus, becoming newborn babies. Then the time comes for us to learn to walk in Jesus. God is there to encourage and help us by his Spirit and his word, and through others he places in our lives. Learning this walk is big in God's eyes. And to trust and obey him in that- big.
Often this faithfulness is needed in the midst of difficulty and disappointment. That's big in God's eyes too, as we learn to better follow God as dearly loved children, even through these problems.
We need to take it step by step in our lives. We need to have eyes and a heart to see what God has set before us to do, and to not despise the day of small things. God doesn't. Indeed that's how God works in this world. He starts from the small and seemingly insignificant. And from that, God's kingdom and work in Jesus even through us becomes evident and real. Jesus himself is seen in us.
What would you like to add to this?
Even as great as David is in Scripture there is hardly a whimper of him in the annals of world history. And Jesus himself lived in the margins most of his life. Around the age of thirty he did most of his ministry in Galilee, north of the center of the nation, Judea- and Jerusalem. And even in his ministry in Galilee he avoided the big cities with hardly a mention of them in the New Testament. Jesus did most of his work in villages and small towns and in the countryside.
Too often I'm afraid I can be quite discontent where I'm at and think of my work and life as of very little consequence. Yet it's of big consequence to my wife and daughter and to those around me, especially those I see daily. As well as to those Christians who gather with me. Even to the few I have contact with in the blog world and on emails. Everything is important in its place and time.
Teaching a toddler to walk, letting them try and fall and praising them for the one or two steps they manage is like how our Father sees us. We believe in Jesus, becoming newborn babies. Then the time comes for us to learn to walk in Jesus. God is there to encourage and help us by his Spirit and his word, and through others he places in our lives. Learning this walk is big in God's eyes. And to trust and obey him in that- big.
Often this faithfulness is needed in the midst of difficulty and disappointment. That's big in God's eyes too, as we learn to better follow God as dearly loved children, even through these problems.
We need to take it step by step in our lives. We need to have eyes and a heart to see what God has set before us to do, and to not despise the day of small things. God doesn't. Indeed that's how God works in this world. He starts from the small and seemingly insignificant. And from that, God's kingdom and work in Jesus even through us becomes evident and real. Jesus himself is seen in us.
What would you like to add to this?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
boredom
I believe a part of human life in this present existence consists of some level of boredom. For some this may not be true, but for most of the rest of us, I think we do encounter a sense of tediousness, as we go about our daily routines and at times, our less than exciting jobs.
It is interesting that most of Jesus' life is unrecorded. He was about thirty when his ministry began which lasted around three years before his death, resurrection and ascension. But prior to that, the only mention we have of him was when he was at the temple at the age of twelve.
Jesus by trade was a carpenter or something of some sort of trade (depending on the meaning of the word), and seemed to live a quiet existence in Nazareth. Certainly Jesus knows firsthand what it meant to face the same responsibilities day in and day out. To grow physically tired, yet to maintain a love for life that surely meant he was not bored, at least not in the way I can become at times myself.
I work at a factory; we do the same kind of things everyday. It can get tedious, but I find that it's a blessing to keep active and busy. And in the midst of it all, to seek to keep my focus on God in Christ, to try to meditate on Scripture, to pray, to be in fellowship with others, to seek to be obedient to God, cast my cares on God, and confess my sins to God. To view all I do as part of our worship of God; barely started on that one.
When I'm bored that usually means I'm unhappy with the present and want to move on, not a part of the will of God for me in Jesus. It could just mean I need some rest, as in sleep. (Wouldn't a daily early afternoon nap be nice!)
But let's not despise the days and years of what seems to be the mundane. Let's remember that Jesus lived through that most of his adult life. And by the Spirit, he can walk with us, and we with him through our daily existence with its peaks and all its valleys.
What have you learned about boredom in your life?
It is interesting that most of Jesus' life is unrecorded. He was about thirty when his ministry began which lasted around three years before his death, resurrection and ascension. But prior to that, the only mention we have of him was when he was at the temple at the age of twelve.
Jesus by trade was a carpenter or something of some sort of trade (depending on the meaning of the word), and seemed to live a quiet existence in Nazareth. Certainly Jesus knows firsthand what it meant to face the same responsibilities day in and day out. To grow physically tired, yet to maintain a love for life that surely meant he was not bored, at least not in the way I can become at times myself.
I work at a factory; we do the same kind of things everyday. It can get tedious, but I find that it's a blessing to keep active and busy. And in the midst of it all, to seek to keep my focus on God in Christ, to try to meditate on Scripture, to pray, to be in fellowship with others, to seek to be obedient to God, cast my cares on God, and confess my sins to God. To view all I do as part of our worship of God; barely started on that one.
When I'm bored that usually means I'm unhappy with the present and want to move on, not a part of the will of God for me in Jesus. It could just mean I need some rest, as in sleep. (Wouldn't a daily early afternoon nap be nice!)
But let's not despise the days and years of what seems to be the mundane. Let's remember that Jesus lived through that most of his adult life. And by the Spirit, he can walk with us, and we with him through our daily existence with its peaks and all its valleys.
What have you learned about boredom in your life?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
praying through
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray....confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
How often when trouble comes do we just throw in the towel and give up. Or we settle for some easy solution, so we can go on with our sleepy lives.
The teaching of praying through is verified time and again in Scripture, from Jacob to David to Esther to Daniel to Jesus himself, and followers of Jesus. Too often we settle for rather sleepy, half-hearted prayer, and while that might be better than no prayer at all, yet it's not the kind of praying God is necessarily going to hear, as in answering.
This takes effort on our part. Effort against the grain of who we are; effort willing to get off our face and deal with any sin issue that needs dealt with. Effort to be there for others, interceding for them, as well as for our own needs.
Praying through also requires time. It takes some serious time. If this was so with Jesus himself, how much more so with us, his followers! Praying through requires faith that is focused on God and on God's promises to us in Christ.
Too often we settle for some substitute that soothes us, or makes us forget our trouble. But God wants us to get serious before him, and get our petition or request out to him. He alone can do what needs to be done, but he uses the prayers of his people to accomplish much of what he does.
For some, this will impinge on the sovereignty of God. But not so. God's sovereignty has a certain sense of mystery. In the mix is our prayers and the acts of faith we do. God's gracious sovereign rule is at work in every aspect of the human side of work, but it remains for us to do it.
I like this rendering of James 5:16b:
And this translation of the verse:The prayer of a person living right with God
is something powerful to be reckoned with.The Message
I also like Eugene Peterson's rendering in the spiritual (I take it, primarily as against spiritual entities) warfare passage of Ephesians 6, concering praying in the Spirit:The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
ESV
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters.
The Message
There is much more to be said in regard to prayer. Here and here are two good places to consider.
What might you like to share with us about praying through?
Friday, January 25, 2008
the small things
We read in Scripture that God does not despise the day of small things. What is small in our eyes, often is not so in God's eyes. And what is large in our eyes, often is not so in God's eyes.
There are those times to be there for someone in helping pull the ox out of the ditch by prayer and in works of love. But most of life hinges on the smaller matters. Faithfulness in the everyday things. Seeking to do well in all we're called to do. And thinking of small things we could do or say that in Jesus can go a long way in helping another. Praying faithfully for our loved ones, for brothers and sisters in Jesus and for friends and enemies- keeping at that in small ways, regardless how insignificant it may seem at the time.
Jesus said that those who are faithful in small things are also faithful in greater things. And those not faithful in small matters are unfaithful in larger matters. What we do in the small areas really does matter.
Am I negligent on a small matter because I'm too engaged in the big things? Too bad. That is normally wrong. We need to not let the small matters slip by, such as a faithful prayer, a faithful listening ear and heart, faithfully seeking to come into God's presence to hear his word in our reading of Scripture and his voice. Blessing others with attitudes of love, grace and forgiveness.
This is part of what God has been working on in my life lately. Never to despise the day of small things. But to seek diligently to follow our Lord, together, in everything.
What would you add to this?
There are those times to be there for someone in helping pull the ox out of the ditch by prayer and in works of love. But most of life hinges on the smaller matters. Faithfulness in the everyday things. Seeking to do well in all we're called to do. And thinking of small things we could do or say that in Jesus can go a long way in helping another. Praying faithfully for our loved ones, for brothers and sisters in Jesus and for friends and enemies- keeping at that in small ways, regardless how insignificant it may seem at the time.
Jesus said that those who are faithful in small things are also faithful in greater things. And those not faithful in small matters are unfaithful in larger matters. What we do in the small areas really does matter.
Am I negligent on a small matter because I'm too engaged in the big things? Too bad. That is normally wrong. We need to not let the small matters slip by, such as a faithful prayer, a faithful listening ear and heart, faithfully seeking to come into God's presence to hear his word in our reading of Scripture and his voice. Blessing others with attitudes of love, grace and forgiveness.
This is part of what God has been working on in my life lately. Never to despise the day of small things. But to seek diligently to follow our Lord, together, in everything.
What would you add to this?
Friday, January 18, 2008
worldly efficiency versus the Jesus Creed
At work the other day, in our often hectic activity, I was reflecting with a coworker and good friend on a pet peeve I have as to a small matter that would make matters much easier in regard to a maneuver we must make from time to time. In talking it over with him it dawned on me that in the entire matter, while I could be on the side of efficiency, I may not be on the side of Jesus, in this; I being the only one sinning in this. And I told my friend that.
We're told, in "the Jesus Creed" that we're to love God with all our being and doing, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. And the Jesus way is one of love and truth. While it is good and important for us to work well with all our hearts, it is never to be done at the expense of loving each other, or loving any other. Without this love, all our "right" activity is wrong, of course.
I was raised in a strong work ethic inherited from parents who experienced the hard times of the American Great Depression. And probably influenced somehow by the strong Protestant work ethic, which in its place is good. On top of all of this is at least the factor of an efficient American way of activity in getting the most bang for buck. And with all this, even for me as a Christian, one can fail to really follow Jesus.
So as I stood there in our work with my younger brother and friend, it was like a revelation hitting me, small as it was, yet large in significance. I had to tell myself to let it go. And instead of making an issue of it, accept the inefficiency. Maybe, in love, there could be a time and place to make a general suggestion. But even in the fast pace of work life, and perhaps especially there, we need to take care that we be followers of our Lord, loving God and loving others over all else.
What might this mean for you? Or what else might you add or tie in to this?
We're told, in "the Jesus Creed" that we're to love God with all our being and doing, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. And the Jesus way is one of love and truth. While it is good and important for us to work well with all our hearts, it is never to be done at the expense of loving each other, or loving any other. Without this love, all our "right" activity is wrong, of course.
I was raised in a strong work ethic inherited from parents who experienced the hard times of the American Great Depression. And probably influenced somehow by the strong Protestant work ethic, which in its place is good. On top of all of this is at least the factor of an efficient American way of activity in getting the most bang for buck. And with all this, even for me as a Christian, one can fail to really follow Jesus.
So as I stood there in our work with my younger brother and friend, it was like a revelation hitting me, small as it was, yet large in significance. I had to tell myself to let it go. And instead of making an issue of it, accept the inefficiency. Maybe, in love, there could be a time and place to make a general suggestion. But even in the fast pace of work life, and perhaps especially there, we need to take care that we be followers of our Lord, loving God and loving others over all else.
What might this mean for you? Or what else might you add or tie in to this?
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