When I was a kid I was, how should I say, rambunctious. Hyper. Busy.
Coupled with being very competitive I was every teacher's aggravation. An occasional thorn in their side. Not on purpose. I just had a bad case of the "can't help its."
Every task was always a race. I wanted to be first to finish every worksheet. First in line at the water fountain. And what was worse, I liked to talk. A lot.
Needless to say I spent many days staring at blank walls in the hallway writing sentences or multiplication tables.
Did I mention my mom was a school teacher? In the same school where I was!
So, it shouldn't have been any surprise to hear the words "How was your day?" at the most inopportune times. "Good" or "fine" were always the wrong answer on those days. She wouldn't let well enough alone as she continued to pry and prod at the sore spots of my inability to stay focused, stay quiet, and stay seated.
On more than one occasion, I asked, "How did you know?" Seriously, how many times would it take before I finally believed her when she said, "Haven't you figured out, I know everything!"
It was like she was sitting in class with me watching my every move. And boy, were there a bunch of moves to note!
As savvy as my mom was at knowing so many of the uncanny details of my childhood, there's still one who knows more.
I feel like we often mistake Jesus as being impersonal and far away. While at other times we bring Him so close that He looks as imperfect and messy as we are.
The Bible says that 'all things were created through Him and for Him.' In other words, He is above all things and among all things.
To be above all things means He is eternal. He stands outside of time. He is before and after all things. He is perfect. He has never failed or had a lapse in His other-ness. He is all-powerful. The plan He has put into place cannot be thwarted in any way. It was always come to pass.
To be among all things means He is present. He doesn't take the day off, not one minute away from His very nature to show grace. He is faithful. He can be trusted and His words are sure. He is compassionate. He isn't taking resumes for those who might qualify for His attention. He is reaching into the lives of those who perhaps feel most dis-qualified to give hope and a future.
His eyes are on you. He sees you. He knows you. And while He loves you He will not be content to leave you where you are. He is above all things and He has a plan for you. He sees the end from the beginning. He is among all things and He promises to never leave or abandon you on this journey of getting you from where you are to the place He wants you to be.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Friday, October 07, 2016
Ford Broncos and Dirt Roads
I recently saw an advertisement that the Ford Bronco is back!
It reminds me of one epic night gone wrong from my teenage years.
A band of teenage boys piled into our friend's Ford Bronco headed for Jack's River. One dreary night. In one vehicle. One unprecedented, unstoppable force of a vehicle.
As we approached Jack's River bridge, currently out of commission for repairs, we noticed large equipment and a huge puddle of mud where these backhoes had been excavating the river's banks. It had simultaneously become our quaintest dream and greatest temptation.
The last words I remember were, "Gas it!"
And off he went, steering the unsinkable ship right into the dregs of this amazingly deep puddle of mud that nearly swallowed up this beast of a Bronco like a matchbox car in the bathtub.
Did I mention we made this trek to the wilderness area of Jack's River at night? Midnight, to be exact!
After several failed attempts to place sticks and some random 2x4 under the tires to inch our way out of the mess we'd made, we began our journey down the long dusty roads of shame.
We walked two hours in the middle of the night before we ever crossed paths with some random couple driving through the mountains who could only offer a ride to my friend who had driven the Bronco into the gaping hole of perilous defeat.
I don't think it ever dawned on us, "what was this couple doing driving through the mountains at 2am?" At that point, we didn't know and we didn't ask. We just wanted to be home. We wanted to see daylight again!
And do you know what I learned that night? That my parents were right! Nothing good happens after midnight!!!
And here's what else I learned. Enthusiasm should be coupled with wisdom. Looking back, what we did was fun but it wasn't smart.
Veering off the course has detrimental consequences; that was a long, scary walk through the night. And our parents were not happy. At all.
Nothing man-made is invincible; every mortal has its limits and eventually will expire.
When we gather in our homes or around the table in a restaurant, we re-tell stories like this because these experiences have shaped and helped define who we are.
But the truth is, if we miss the point or the principle these memories were meant to teach, we may find ourselves repeating them. And repeating the painful stories that have already unfolded in our life isn't God's intent.
To be smart, to do good, to depend on others; those are noble pursuits. But sometimes God allows us to take detours in life to learn these lessons. To remind us that we don't have this figured out. That we still need Him to be present in our lives.
So, the next time you feel like driving your Bronco off the road or you feel like you've been hit by a Mack truck, remember, God is willing to walk with you down that long dusty road in the middle of the night. And you can rest assured; morning is coming!
It reminds me of one epic night gone wrong from my teenage years.
A band of teenage boys piled into our friend's Ford Bronco headed for Jack's River. One dreary night. In one vehicle. One unprecedented, unstoppable force of a vehicle.
As we approached Jack's River bridge, currently out of commission for repairs, we noticed large equipment and a huge puddle of mud where these backhoes had been excavating the river's banks. It had simultaneously become our quaintest dream and greatest temptation.
The last words I remember were, "Gas it!"
And off he went, steering the unsinkable ship right into the dregs of this amazingly deep puddle of mud that nearly swallowed up this beast of a Bronco like a matchbox car in the bathtub.
Did I mention we made this trek to the wilderness area of Jack's River at night? Midnight, to be exact!
After several failed attempts to place sticks and some random 2x4 under the tires to inch our way out of the mess we'd made, we began our journey down the long dusty roads of shame.
We walked two hours in the middle of the night before we ever crossed paths with some random couple driving through the mountains who could only offer a ride to my friend who had driven the Bronco into the gaping hole of perilous defeat.
I don't think it ever dawned on us, "what was this couple doing driving through the mountains at 2am?" At that point, we didn't know and we didn't ask. We just wanted to be home. We wanted to see daylight again!
And do you know what I learned that night? That my parents were right! Nothing good happens after midnight!!!
And here's what else I learned. Enthusiasm should be coupled with wisdom. Looking back, what we did was fun but it wasn't smart.
Veering off the course has detrimental consequences; that was a long, scary walk through the night. And our parents were not happy. At all.
Nothing man-made is invincible; every mortal has its limits and eventually will expire.
When we gather in our homes or around the table in a restaurant, we re-tell stories like this because these experiences have shaped and helped define who we are.
But the truth is, if we miss the point or the principle these memories were meant to teach, we may find ourselves repeating them. And repeating the painful stories that have already unfolded in our life isn't God's intent.
To be smart, to do good, to depend on others; those are noble pursuits. But sometimes God allows us to take detours in life to learn these lessons. To remind us that we don't have this figured out. That we still need Him to be present in our lives.
So, the next time you feel like driving your Bronco off the road or you feel like you've been hit by a Mack truck, remember, God is willing to walk with you down that long dusty road in the middle of the night. And you can rest assured; morning is coming!
Monday, October 03, 2016
Fire Pits and Hay Rides
I love October!
Roasting marshmallows over a fire pit, going to the county fair, picking pumpkins, and taking hay rides; it's every kid's dream!
The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and everyone is reaching deep into their closet for a change in their wardrobe; even the hipsters are busting out their v-neck and knit scarf combo for these cool days of autumn.
But with all the noise of these festivities, if we're not careful, being present with family and friends will be invaded by a need to post one more selfie to SnapChat or Instagram.
There's a quiet verse tucked away in Mark's Gospel that says, "early in the morning he went away to a solitary place." What's so ironic about this verse is that it's preceded by a rock star like entrance onto this miracle working stage of iconic proportions.
A guy named John had been heralding His coming out party for weeks. He makes an epic appearance by the Jordan River with the sounds of heaven speaking over Him. He does miracle after miracle with sell out crowds in every town He entered. And instead of drinking one more Red Bull and feeding off the enthusiasm of His new found followers, He withdrew.
But why would He withdraw? Surely His new found fame was exhilarating. Surely the masses added value to His agenda. After all, He was doing a good work. He was making a difference in people's lives.
Living off the noise will sustain your lifestyle for a little while. But eventually the noise will create some static. The channel that you're tuned into will eventually get fuzzy. And the vision and purpose you once had will soon get blurry and start to direct your attention and gaze away from your original plan.
So, what about Jesus? I believe He realized that His alone time was not 'me' time. It was a time for His vision to be re-calibrated back to why He originally came. It's wasn't for rock star status. It was servant status.
His identity was secure; who He was would not change with a change in scenery among the crowds. His vision was clear; He saw the end from the beginning and nothing would de-rail His plan.
And it was regular moments spent in solitude alone with His heavenly father that re-united and re-ignited His relationship with His heavenly father.
So what makes us think we can forsake these moments of alone time with God and still find Him satisfying? What makes us think we can sustain a life of meaning apart from the one really gives meaning to life? What we need to find is a place of solitude to drown out the noise. A place where we can hear only His voice!
Roasting marshmallows over a fire pit, going to the county fair, picking pumpkins, and taking hay rides; it's every kid's dream!
The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and everyone is reaching deep into their closet for a change in their wardrobe; even the hipsters are busting out their v-neck and knit scarf combo for these cool days of autumn.
But with all the noise of these festivities, if we're not careful, being present with family and friends will be invaded by a need to post one more selfie to SnapChat or Instagram.
There's a quiet verse tucked away in Mark's Gospel that says, "early in the morning he went away to a solitary place." What's so ironic about this verse is that it's preceded by a rock star like entrance onto this miracle working stage of iconic proportions.
A guy named John had been heralding His coming out party for weeks. He makes an epic appearance by the Jordan River with the sounds of heaven speaking over Him. He does miracle after miracle with sell out crowds in every town He entered. And instead of drinking one more Red Bull and feeding off the enthusiasm of His new found followers, He withdrew.
But why would He withdraw? Surely His new found fame was exhilarating. Surely the masses added value to His agenda. After all, He was doing a good work. He was making a difference in people's lives.
Living off the noise will sustain your lifestyle for a little while. But eventually the noise will create some static. The channel that you're tuned into will eventually get fuzzy. And the vision and purpose you once had will soon get blurry and start to direct your attention and gaze away from your original plan.
So, what about Jesus? I believe He realized that His alone time was not 'me' time. It was a time for His vision to be re-calibrated back to why He originally came. It's wasn't for rock star status. It was servant status.
His identity was secure; who He was would not change with a change in scenery among the crowds. His vision was clear; He saw the end from the beginning and nothing would de-rail His plan.
And it was regular moments spent in solitude alone with His heavenly father that re-united and re-ignited His relationship with His heavenly father.
So what makes us think we can forsake these moments of alone time with God and still find Him satisfying? What makes us think we can sustain a life of meaning apart from the one really gives meaning to life? What we need to find is a place of solitude to drown out the noise. A place where we can hear only His voice!
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