I started writing these for a friend who is going through a tough time. I wanted to give this person something to think about during the holiday season this year. I've been encouraged to share them. I'll catch you up here but stay tuned because there will be a new one every day from now until Christmas!
December 10 – The Census Announced
There are 15 days between now and Christmas. I often try to picture what life might have really been like for the One who went before me. What were Mary and Joseph doing on this day, thousands of years ago? I looked into how long it would have taken for Joseph and Mary to make the trip from Bethlehem to Nazareth. It's an 80 mile journey and some people guess that it would have taken a caravan of healthy young people about 4 days to walk it. With Mary pregnant and on a donkey, the journey could have lasted as long as a week for the two of them. SO, we know they haven't left yet. In fact, they're probably sitting around Nazareth right now as soldiers ride into town to tell the people that there will be a census.
Imagine it! You're sitting there making bread with your future in-laws and your pregnant fiancé and some soldiers come and tell you that you've got to get moving soon! Imagine Joseph's anxiety. So he turns to her dad, thinking "How am I going to tell him I have to leave and travel because I'm not from here?" Yikes! How are these two going to make it through this?! A journey of that length could have led to Joseph never coming back. What if he got killed or hurt? And now he has to leave a pregnant fiancé?! Little does he know, but she's going to insist on coming with him and THAT journey will be better than anything they could have ever envisioned!
December 11-Hands and Feet
Yesterday, we took a look at how Joseph might have felt when the soldiers arrived to announce the census. We considered what it might have been like for this man to think about the sudden change to his situation and we pondered what his feelings might have been regarding his next step. Today we are now two weeks from the arrival of the greatest gift known to mankind. Let’s take a look at what might be happening today.
Joseph has to find a way to approach Mary’s dad, Joachim, about the truth regarding the census. I imagine that stirring sensation in the pit of his stomach as he thinks about what to say. He looks across the table at Mary during a family lunchtime. Her snood and mitpachat cover her hair and he is left to gaze in wonder at her profile. He’s about to incite her father’s wrath. Joseph swallows and opens his mouth to speak. He describes his home city, Jerusalem. He remembers the peace on quiet nights and the way the dust filled the cracks in the home of his birth. As he tells Mary and her family what must be done, he watches their eyes grow wide. Oddly, Joachim does not reproach him. Mary’s father understands what it is like for a man in these times. He must do what is right and report to be counted.
Mary, on the other hand, stares at Joseph openly. She does not speak. There is a quiet reservation about her but Joseph senses determination. What is she thinking? How will they survive this? What if something happens on his journey? He would be leaving her alone and with a child that everyone already knows is not his. Joseph is torn between his duties as a man and his duties as a would-be father and husband.
How often are we torn between what is happening around us and what is happening in heaven’s realm? We often have trouble picking out the difference between the two. Sometimes, more often than we think, the two are inseparable. Heaven’s hand touches Earth daily. Now, unbeknownst to the world, heaven’s feet are about to grace it’s roads.
December 12 – A Mother’s Heart
Joseph has revealed what must be done and he has escaped angering Joachim. While we know we are simply imagining what “might” have happened, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume that Mary’s father would understand what another man has to do, especially if it meant being obedient to the law. But, what about Mary? What does she say about all of this?
They are walking, side by side, down the busy street of town. As they walk, they ignore the stares of the neighbors. “There she goes” they say. “What DOES he think he’s doing?” they whisper. The two of them, lost in their own thoughts, fail to notice this time. Joseph has been worried since yesterday. What is she thinking? Is she angry? Is she scared for him?
“Joseph, my place is with you,” she says. “You are my husband and it is only right that I be at your side.”
Joseph begins to protest but she stops in her tracks and turns. One look into her eyes and he knows there is nothing to be said on the matter. She has decided. Even in her current state she will go with him. Without another word, they turn towards her house to tell her family.
Mary stops on the threshold and touches the doorpost. Her delicate hand brushes the mezuzah and she quickly prays. As Joseph passes, he does the same. Once inside, Mary wastes no time telling her mother, Anne, she has decided to join her husband on his journey. There is ensuing protest and arguing. Each woman states her case and each woman is equally stagnant in her position. Joseph simply stands back, too smart to get in the middle.
Anne’s heart is breaking. Her daughter is in no state to travel. It is too soon to be letting go of her little girl. Anne can almost hear the childish squeals of laughter that once bounced off the walls of their home. As Anne looks up from the floor, she is taken aback by the woman standing before her. Mary is deep into her pregnancy and the look on her face is one of peace and determination. Anne falls silent. She knows it is time. She turns her head away in silent surrender. Mary breathes in a sigh of relief. Little does she know but, one day she will remember the anguish on her own mother’s face when she watches her Son begin His own treacherous journey. There is dust on Mary’s cheeks. There will be blood on His.
December 13- The Best Laid Plans
Everyone knows the plan and everyone seems to be on board. Today, as he works, Joseph is thinking about how they will travel, what roads they will take and how soon they should leave.
There is sweat in his left eye. It’s been burning since mid-day. Joseph continues to build on the house he is preparing for Mary and the child. He used to have friends who would stop and chat but no one seems to linger at the base of his ladder anymore. As he idly pictures the road between Nazareth and Jerusalem, a section of the straw Joseph was attaching to the roof falls to the ground. Suddenly all of his doubts and fears come crashing upon him. Joseph throws his hands in the air in frustration. “That’s it!” he says out loud. It’s proof! He isn’t fit to be a husband and father! What IS God thinking?!
Joseph climbs down off of his ladder and places his right hand on the Eastern wall of the house. His head hangs in defeat. All at once, his current situation becomes very real. He’s going to be a father! He starts to shake and he can feel his heart racing. He’s not ready for this! He thought he had at least a few years before something like this would be happening. God sure has strange timing. But, if there’s anything Joseph is learning, it’s that he has no clue what God has in store for his life. God only asks for obedience in this time. Faith? Joseph knows he doesn’t have enough of that. Some days he has a hard enough time believing that the sky won’t fall on his head. Other days, he wonders if he is hearing God right. Most of the time, he can barely manage enough strength to get out of bed. He’s definitely short on faith. But obedience? Right now he has obedience in abundance. He can listen and he can follow.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Three Realizations
I had several epiphanies tonight at church. The message was on asking God to expand our faith and the pastor was relaying memories from some of his mission trips. He told wonderful stories and I found myself remembering some similar experiences from past missions I have been on. At the end of the service, he shard a provocative video in which a foreign minister outlined the extent Christian's in countries like China and North Korea will go just to meet together and worship God. The pastor encouraged us to not take our position in this world for granted. That made me think about my current circumstances and I came to some important conclusions, the nature of which surprised even me.
First, I am reminded on a daily basis that my current stage in my career gives me the chance to be part of people's lives at important and momentous times. This is a key opportunity for me to share what God has done for me and what God wants to do for them. I never push this talk on anyone because my training demands that I be culturally sensitive and obey certain rules but God has (and will) provide those perfect moments. This requires that I try to always listen and it doesn't allow for much room to hesitate when He moves. Now, some of you may be saying, "Duh. Don't you say you think about this all the time?" That's true. I do talk about this a lot. Still, it's hard to remember when I'm two patients behind, I have a stack of paperwork and I'm tired.
Second, being a doctor is going to open doors. I'm not sure what eventually being certified in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics means in all of this but it's going to be fun finding out. Maybe this specialty will give me the chance to enter countries like North Korea. I'm sure they have children who need the kinds of evaluation and treatment I will be specialized to provide. This leads me to something I remembered during worship. The pastor talked about experiences he's had in the past. I found myself thinking about a dream I had many years ago. It went a little something like this.
I was walking through a garden. There was a man in front of me and he was pushing the branches of low lying trees and bushes out of the way. He was dressed in a white pair of pants and a short white coat. His hair was neatly trimmed in the fashion you see in most Asian countries. I could see the sandals on my feet and I was wearing a long skirt that went to my ankles. I was carrying a black bag that contained my stethoscope and other instruments. The man continued to lead the way through the garden and I followed behind him without question. At last we came upon a small clearing. In the shade of a large tree sat a gazebo and inside the gazebo buzzed a small group of children. I had been brought to examine them and I did so while we all laughed and smiled. The man in the white pants and coat then led me back to a home where I was to chat with the rich man whose children I had been sent to see. I sat across from the man while he asked me about my home in America, where I had studied and what I hoped to do in the future. He inquired about the health of his children and I had the opportunity to share a little about my faith and how I had found myself so far from the US. The visit was relatively uneventful and there the dream ended. For the longest time, the most important part of that dream was my chance to serve those children and share my faith with that man. Tonight, I realized something else. I was alone in that dream. I was ministering without a partner.
Which brings me to my third realization. Point blank: I am okay with being single. For many years after my divorce I wondered if God had a plan for a husband and family for me. I'm not saying He doesn't and I'm not saying I would throw away the opportunity if it ever presented itself. What I am saying is that I finally realize the potential behind being single. The things God is going to call me to do in the future will sometimes be dangerous. It will require travel, planning, money and personal sacrifice. As a single person, I can give those things without the added complication of worrying about a spouse or family. I sit here tonight writing instead of bathing a child and putting them to bed. I'll prepare for clinic tomorrow instead of packing lunches for school and work. The things I am going to be called to do will be much easier if I am not asking a spouse and children to sacrifice as well.
Does this mean that my heart is permanently changed? No. I loved being married. There was nothing like being part of that kind of team. I liked being a wife and I know in my heart of hearts that I am built to be lead in a very personal way by a spouse. I would really enjoy hearing a child laugh in my home. There is a place in my soul that still longs to kiss the top of a small child's head. The difference is, I can see the real benefit in my current situation.
God has taken my divorce, easily one of the most terrible things that has ever happened to me, and He's turned it into an opportunity for Him. So, when the pastor tonight reminded us to not take our current position in this world for granted, it made me stop and think about the unique place I am in. There are still days when I don't see it as ideal and there are moments when I long for companionship. Tonight has reminded me that that every situation fulfills a purpose. My ultimate desire is to serve God and, while I do that, He will expand my faith so I can step back and let Him fill in all the details.
First, I am reminded on a daily basis that my current stage in my career gives me the chance to be part of people's lives at important and momentous times. This is a key opportunity for me to share what God has done for me and what God wants to do for them. I never push this talk on anyone because my training demands that I be culturally sensitive and obey certain rules but God has (and will) provide those perfect moments. This requires that I try to always listen and it doesn't allow for much room to hesitate when He moves. Now, some of you may be saying, "Duh. Don't you say you think about this all the time?" That's true. I do talk about this a lot. Still, it's hard to remember when I'm two patients behind, I have a stack of paperwork and I'm tired.
Second, being a doctor is going to open doors. I'm not sure what eventually being certified in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics means in all of this but it's going to be fun finding out. Maybe this specialty will give me the chance to enter countries like North Korea. I'm sure they have children who need the kinds of evaluation and treatment I will be specialized to provide. This leads me to something I remembered during worship. The pastor talked about experiences he's had in the past. I found myself thinking about a dream I had many years ago. It went a little something like this.
I was walking through a garden. There was a man in front of me and he was pushing the branches of low lying trees and bushes out of the way. He was dressed in a white pair of pants and a short white coat. His hair was neatly trimmed in the fashion you see in most Asian countries. I could see the sandals on my feet and I was wearing a long skirt that went to my ankles. I was carrying a black bag that contained my stethoscope and other instruments. The man continued to lead the way through the garden and I followed behind him without question. At last we came upon a small clearing. In the shade of a large tree sat a gazebo and inside the gazebo buzzed a small group of children. I had been brought to examine them and I did so while we all laughed and smiled. The man in the white pants and coat then led me back to a home where I was to chat with the rich man whose children I had been sent to see. I sat across from the man while he asked me about my home in America, where I had studied and what I hoped to do in the future. He inquired about the health of his children and I had the opportunity to share a little about my faith and how I had found myself so far from the US. The visit was relatively uneventful and there the dream ended. For the longest time, the most important part of that dream was my chance to serve those children and share my faith with that man. Tonight, I realized something else. I was alone in that dream. I was ministering without a partner.
Which brings me to my third realization. Point blank: I am okay with being single. For many years after my divorce I wondered if God had a plan for a husband and family for me. I'm not saying He doesn't and I'm not saying I would throw away the opportunity if it ever presented itself. What I am saying is that I finally realize the potential behind being single. The things God is going to call me to do in the future will sometimes be dangerous. It will require travel, planning, money and personal sacrifice. As a single person, I can give those things without the added complication of worrying about a spouse or family. I sit here tonight writing instead of bathing a child and putting them to bed. I'll prepare for clinic tomorrow instead of packing lunches for school and work. The things I am going to be called to do will be much easier if I am not asking a spouse and children to sacrifice as well.
Does this mean that my heart is permanently changed? No. I loved being married. There was nothing like being part of that kind of team. I liked being a wife and I know in my heart of hearts that I am built to be lead in a very personal way by a spouse. I would really enjoy hearing a child laugh in my home. There is a place in my soul that still longs to kiss the top of a small child's head. The difference is, I can see the real benefit in my current situation.
God has taken my divorce, easily one of the most terrible things that has ever happened to me, and He's turned it into an opportunity for Him. So, when the pastor tonight reminded us to not take our current position in this world for granted, it made me stop and think about the unique place I am in. There are still days when I don't see it as ideal and there are moments when I long for companionship. Tonight has reminded me that that every situation fulfills a purpose. My ultimate desire is to serve God and, while I do that, He will expand my faith so I can step back and let Him fill in all the details.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Famine, Feast and Faith
I went to church today for the first time in a long time. While I was worshipping, I had the following vision and I feel compelled to share it with you.
I was standing on a beach. The ocean stretched out in front me, blue and beautiful. Behind me loomed a tall mountain. I was hungry, more hungry than I have ever been in my life. Something inside told me there was a feast on top of that mountain. It was a feast so grand that I would never be hungry again. I gazed at the mountain and I was afraid. There were fires that lept high into the sky. I could hear wild animals and see their shadows move through the trees. There were poisonous plants dotting the paths. Raging rivers flowing down the mountain. In short, there was no easy way to the top. My decision was easy. I would have to find food somewhere else. I turned back to the beach in search of options.
In a very short while I came upon a picnic. On a red checkered blanket rested fruit so luscious I could feel my mouth begin to water. My stomach growled and I decided this would do just fine. There were pears twice the size of my fist, grapes dripping with juice, soft peaches and apples so red and ripe I could smell their fragrance from a distance. I picked up a pear and took a big bite. The taste was indescribable. As the juice ran down my chin I looked back up the mountain. This had been the right decision. I took another bite but I noticed something strange as I chewed. At first it was gritty. Then it was hard. As I continued to chew the taste simply disappeared. Suddenly, the piece of pear in my mouth seemed more like sand than fruit. I spit it out and, to my surprise, it was sand! I looked at the fruit in my hand only to discover it was a clump of beach. This had to be a mistake somehow so I dropped what I was holding and wiped my hand on my shirt. I reached for a clump of grapes. The first grape was like heaven. Succulent, sweet and moist, I held my head back and swallowed with satisfaction. The next grape was a little less satisfying. The third grape was terrible. The fourth grape was gritty and at last, again, I was eating and holding sand. I thew my handful down in disgust. In the spirit of insanity (expecting a different result) I picked up an apple. The same thing happened. I became very angry. I started pitching apples and pears and peaches into the ocean. I screamed at the sky and exhausted my self in frustration only to realize I was now more hungry than when I started. That's when I turned to face the mountain.
It was tall and mostly dark. The peak was enveloped in clouds. I did not even know for certain if it ever ended. Again, somewhere deep inside, a small voice reminded me "There's a feast at the top". I could smell the smoke from the fires and hear the growls from the animals. My hunger became so great and I knew I could die on this beach if I chose to. My head swam with doubt. The sand under my feet was hot and dry. I decided to start walking.
I passed through the foliage at the base and began to climb. My stomach was so empty, it felt like it was digesting itself. My mouth felt like dry parchment. At one point, I slipped and almost fell off the mountain. I held on by the tips of my fingers, crying out in fear until my toes brushed a ledge. It took hours to get back on my feet. Yes, I was scared, but there were moments of peace, too. The dirt between my toes was soft. The sun disappeared and heat was replaced by a cool, moist breeze. I could see bears and wolves, snakes and mountain lions but they paid me no heed. I came upon a fire and a way through it presented itself. Raging rivers became babbling brooks and trickling streams that washed my feet and cooled me on my journey. I climbed for so many days that they all ran together. A fog developed as I passed through the cloud bank and I could barely see my own hand in front of my face. My exhaustion became tangible. Almost blind in the fog and deaf to anything but the sound of my pounding heart in my ears, I considered quitting. Then it happened.
My leg brushed something hard. My had reached out and I grasped the end of a table. I ran my left hand along the table and used it as guide. The table continued and continued. Its smooth wooden surface was cool and firm. The fog slowly lifted as I walked. The foliage disappeared and the sun came out overhead. I blinked in disbelief and used my right hand to shield my face. Heart pounding, gasping for breath, I lowered my hand. The view in front of me was overwhelming. The table seemed to never end and it had so many chairs around it that I lost count. The food was heaped high in the center and laid out on the plates. And the view - I could see the whole world all around me! I found my chair and sank into the cushion. I reached for my glass and drank deep of the water it held. I ate and was satisfied. No words can describe the tastes, smells, and textures of that feast.
As I chewed, I thought back on the journey. I remembered my foolish decision to try and be satisfied with what was easy, what was convenient. A path had been placed before me with an unspoken promise and I had tried to lean on what was seen only to be disappointed. In the end, none of the shadows or the dangers had mattered. Faith, not fear, had been the key. My provisions were far greater than my needs and all I had to do was believe.
I was standing on a beach. The ocean stretched out in front me, blue and beautiful. Behind me loomed a tall mountain. I was hungry, more hungry than I have ever been in my life. Something inside told me there was a feast on top of that mountain. It was a feast so grand that I would never be hungry again. I gazed at the mountain and I was afraid. There were fires that lept high into the sky. I could hear wild animals and see their shadows move through the trees. There were poisonous plants dotting the paths. Raging rivers flowing down the mountain. In short, there was no easy way to the top. My decision was easy. I would have to find food somewhere else. I turned back to the beach in search of options.
In a very short while I came upon a picnic. On a red checkered blanket rested fruit so luscious I could feel my mouth begin to water. My stomach growled and I decided this would do just fine. There were pears twice the size of my fist, grapes dripping with juice, soft peaches and apples so red and ripe I could smell their fragrance from a distance. I picked up a pear and took a big bite. The taste was indescribable. As the juice ran down my chin I looked back up the mountain. This had been the right decision. I took another bite but I noticed something strange as I chewed. At first it was gritty. Then it was hard. As I continued to chew the taste simply disappeared. Suddenly, the piece of pear in my mouth seemed more like sand than fruit. I spit it out and, to my surprise, it was sand! I looked at the fruit in my hand only to discover it was a clump of beach. This had to be a mistake somehow so I dropped what I was holding and wiped my hand on my shirt. I reached for a clump of grapes. The first grape was like heaven. Succulent, sweet and moist, I held my head back and swallowed with satisfaction. The next grape was a little less satisfying. The third grape was terrible. The fourth grape was gritty and at last, again, I was eating and holding sand. I thew my handful down in disgust. In the spirit of insanity (expecting a different result) I picked up an apple. The same thing happened. I became very angry. I started pitching apples and pears and peaches into the ocean. I screamed at the sky and exhausted my self in frustration only to realize I was now more hungry than when I started. That's when I turned to face the mountain.
It was tall and mostly dark. The peak was enveloped in clouds. I did not even know for certain if it ever ended. Again, somewhere deep inside, a small voice reminded me "There's a feast at the top". I could smell the smoke from the fires and hear the growls from the animals. My hunger became so great and I knew I could die on this beach if I chose to. My head swam with doubt. The sand under my feet was hot and dry. I decided to start walking.
I passed through the foliage at the base and began to climb. My stomach was so empty, it felt like it was digesting itself. My mouth felt like dry parchment. At one point, I slipped and almost fell off the mountain. I held on by the tips of my fingers, crying out in fear until my toes brushed a ledge. It took hours to get back on my feet. Yes, I was scared, but there were moments of peace, too. The dirt between my toes was soft. The sun disappeared and heat was replaced by a cool, moist breeze. I could see bears and wolves, snakes and mountain lions but they paid me no heed. I came upon a fire and a way through it presented itself. Raging rivers became babbling brooks and trickling streams that washed my feet and cooled me on my journey. I climbed for so many days that they all ran together. A fog developed as I passed through the cloud bank and I could barely see my own hand in front of my face. My exhaustion became tangible. Almost blind in the fog and deaf to anything but the sound of my pounding heart in my ears, I considered quitting. Then it happened.
My leg brushed something hard. My had reached out and I grasped the end of a table. I ran my left hand along the table and used it as guide. The table continued and continued. Its smooth wooden surface was cool and firm. The fog slowly lifted as I walked. The foliage disappeared and the sun came out overhead. I blinked in disbelief and used my right hand to shield my face. Heart pounding, gasping for breath, I lowered my hand. The view in front of me was overwhelming. The table seemed to never end and it had so many chairs around it that I lost count. The food was heaped high in the center and laid out on the plates. And the view - I could see the whole world all around me! I found my chair and sank into the cushion. I reached for my glass and drank deep of the water it held. I ate and was satisfied. No words can describe the tastes, smells, and textures of that feast.
As I chewed, I thought back on the journey. I remembered my foolish decision to try and be satisfied with what was easy, what was convenient. A path had been placed before me with an unspoken promise and I had tried to lean on what was seen only to be disappointed. In the end, none of the shadows or the dangers had mattered. Faith, not fear, had been the key. My provisions were far greater than my needs and all I had to do was believe.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The View from the Top... and the Bottom... and the Side
Perspective. We could all use a little. Sometimes in life things happen and we find ourselves caught up, spun around, and knocked on our behinds. It hurts, but it happens. Funny thing is, if we never ended up sitting on our duffs we wouldn't gain the advantage of a new point of view.
I had a patient the other day who came into clinic wearing this beautiful vest. When I walked in the exam room I noticed it immediately. It was yellow, red, green, white, and black. From across the room it looked like crochet. The patient's mother said he had made the vest himself. I was even more amazed because this young man had some pretty severe disabilities. He does not talk and he will never be able to care for himself. We proceeded with the interview and, as we began to address her main reason for presenting today, I approached him for my physical exam. As I got closer I started noticing some new things about the vest. The individual threads were slightly rougher than I originally thought. The edges were a little less even. The colors were actually more varied up close than was evident from acorss the room. I reached out and touched the vest. It was not crochet. It was made out of... twist ties! Suddenly, what seemed amazing and beautiful was now astounding and inspiring. How long had this taken? There were thousands of twist ties comprising this vest. That's a lot of twisting! That's a lot of ties!
Perspective. Of course, it works in reverse too. Sometimes things seem so beautiful and so good and then we get a taste and... blech! I like to cook. Most of the time I'm successful but when I'm not, well, let's just say I bow my head and thank the Lord for delivery. Like the time I grilled fish for my parents. The dish came out looking like a magazine picture. We all sat down to dig in. The table looked nice. My mouth was watering. Mom, dad and I opened up for our first bites AAAAAND DISASTER! What I thought was garlic powder was actually onion powder! It was a short meal. My spices are labeled correctly now.
One person from scripture who I imagine gained A LOT of perspective was Eve. How did she end up deciding what was for dinner that night in Eden? Maybe it went a little something like this:
Adam: "What do you want for dinner?"
Eve: "I don't care."
Adam: "I know you have an opinion. What do you want?"
Eve (shrugs): "Really. I don't care."
Adam: "Okay. How about some oranges?"
Eve (examinng her hands): "Wellllll, oranges are niiiice. They have loads of vitamin C but the rind gets under my nails..."
Adam: "Okay, what do YOU want?"
Eve (shakes head and purses lips): "I don't care."
Adam (exasperated and throwing his hands in the air): "See! I can't take it! Every night, it's the same conversation! You're on your own for dinner, woman! I'll meet you back at this tree in an hour!"
So he stomps off and the rest is history. Eve meets the serpent and now we all weed our gardens, work our butts off, and have to live through sweltering summers like this one. I bet in her heart of hearts Eve never again wanted to leave Adam's side and she sure as heck never hesitated to voice her opinion again!
Speaking of hearts - the perspective of the heart is tricky. My heart recently gained a new point of view. Do we love freely and take our chances or do we protect ourselves and love only when it is safe? I've always voted for "love freely" and, despite recent events, I think I'll still lean that way. Jesus loved freely. I know, it's waaay over used, but let's look at Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
No where in that passage does it say we need to worry about what will happen to the love we give to people. Unlike money or time or greeting cards, the capacity of our hearts increases with each incriment we give out. Sometimes it hurts but that's okay. In 1 Peter 4:8 we see the command "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins". It's like a drop of water in a vast pond! Who knows what shores the ripples will touch! Love is the only thing in existance that gets bigger with the more you give. I will not be afraid to give it freely and I'm thankful for that point of view.
I had a patient the other day who came into clinic wearing this beautiful vest. When I walked in the exam room I noticed it immediately. It was yellow, red, green, white, and black. From across the room it looked like crochet. The patient's mother said he had made the vest himself. I was even more amazed because this young man had some pretty severe disabilities. He does not talk and he will never be able to care for himself. We proceeded with the interview and, as we began to address her main reason for presenting today, I approached him for my physical exam. As I got closer I started noticing some new things about the vest. The individual threads were slightly rougher than I originally thought. The edges were a little less even. The colors were actually more varied up close than was evident from acorss the room. I reached out and touched the vest. It was not crochet. It was made out of... twist ties! Suddenly, what seemed amazing and beautiful was now astounding and inspiring. How long had this taken? There were thousands of twist ties comprising this vest. That's a lot of twisting! That's a lot of ties!
Perspective. Of course, it works in reverse too. Sometimes things seem so beautiful and so good and then we get a taste and... blech! I like to cook. Most of the time I'm successful but when I'm not, well, let's just say I bow my head and thank the Lord for delivery. Like the time I grilled fish for my parents. The dish came out looking like a magazine picture. We all sat down to dig in. The table looked nice. My mouth was watering. Mom, dad and I opened up for our first bites AAAAAND DISASTER! What I thought was garlic powder was actually onion powder! It was a short meal. My spices are labeled correctly now.
One person from scripture who I imagine gained A LOT of perspective was Eve. How did she end up deciding what was for dinner that night in Eden? Maybe it went a little something like this:
Adam: "What do you want for dinner?"
Eve: "I don't care."
Adam: "I know you have an opinion. What do you want?"
Eve (shrugs): "Really. I don't care."
Adam: "Okay. How about some oranges?"
Eve (examinng her hands): "Wellllll, oranges are niiiice. They have loads of vitamin C but the rind gets under my nails..."
Adam: "Okay, what do YOU want?"
Eve (shakes head and purses lips): "I don't care."
Adam (exasperated and throwing his hands in the air): "See! I can't take it! Every night, it's the same conversation! You're on your own for dinner, woman! I'll meet you back at this tree in an hour!"
So he stomps off and the rest is history. Eve meets the serpent and now we all weed our gardens, work our butts off, and have to live through sweltering summers like this one. I bet in her heart of hearts Eve never again wanted to leave Adam's side and she sure as heck never hesitated to voice her opinion again!
Speaking of hearts - the perspective of the heart is tricky. My heart recently gained a new point of view. Do we love freely and take our chances or do we protect ourselves and love only when it is safe? I've always voted for "love freely" and, despite recent events, I think I'll still lean that way. Jesus loved freely. I know, it's waaay over used, but let's look at Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
No where in that passage does it say we need to worry about what will happen to the love we give to people. Unlike money or time or greeting cards, the capacity of our hearts increases with each incriment we give out. Sometimes it hurts but that's okay. In 1 Peter 4:8 we see the command "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins". It's like a drop of water in a vast pond! Who knows what shores the ripples will touch! Love is the only thing in existance that gets bigger with the more you give. I will not be afraid to give it freely and I'm thankful for that point of view.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Love and Service
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
What does it mean to truly serve others? I find it odd that people are taken aback when they encounter an act of genuine service. I was with a friend of mine today and I apologised for not refilling his plate myself when he was at my apartment. His response was, "You're over the top. I haven't encountered anyone who wants to do things like that in a long time. Maybe my Great Grandmother... but no one else."
That made me feel sad. Is service fast becoming a forgotten art? My first instinct is no. For example, as a society today, we have a new appreciation for military service. The men and women who serve our country deserve no less than our utmost respect. They are wonderful examples of ultimate sacrifice but there are many other ways to serve. There's also the pastor, the firefighter, the nurse, the dog walker, the trash collector, the waitress and the barber - just to name a few. These are all jobs of service. In fact, according to the US Department of Treasury, service industries account for 68% of U.S. GDP and four out of five U.S. jobs. That's a lot of us in service! So, it begs the question, why aren't we better at it?
Many people enter the jobs I mentioned above with the desire to help others. Along the way, those motives might change. Sometimes we're compensated with money, other services or the knowledge that someone owes us a debt. Does it still count as service if we're compensated in some way? I think it still counts. Compensation for services rendered doesn't change the act but it might change the motive. Even volunteering has changed in recent years. When you ask the average high school or college student why they've volunteered recently, you'll hear all kinds of responses. Volunteer service is almost as important on a CV or application as past job experience or grades. Volunteerism is "popular" and even considered "trendy" in some circles. There are more ways to volunteer today than there were 10 years ago and, according to the U.S. Economic News Release, more people volunteer every day. In short, more people are working in service, more people are volunteering and the numbers are increasing all the time. This is all very reassuring, but why is my friend surprised when I want to serve him in my home?
Jesus surprised the disciples when he washed their feet (John 13:1-17). Of course, Simon Peter protested the idea that his Lord should do this but Jesus corrected him. This act of service was meant to be an example for how we should all serve each other. No one is above serving his fellow man and true service should come from love. 1 Peter 1:22 says "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart". I think the difference is love.
The bible mentions four kinds of love: Eros, Storge, Phileo, and Agape. Of course, we all know Eros. That's everywhere. It's on the TV, it's in a magazine, it's on the street. It BELONGS in the marriage bed but that's a whole other blog post. Phileo is for our friends and Agape is that supreme love that comes from God. We can and should strive for Agape for our fellow man. Storge is a little less discussed. Storge is what we are encouraged to have for our fellow man. It is a supportive love that I think comes out of practicing Phileo and working towards Agape. Over and over in scripture we are implored to love one another. True service is the ultimate expression of love. When we refill our friends plate, when we open the door for a stranger, when we clear the neighbor's driveway of snow - we are saying I love you. I want to encourage you all to serve, and love, each other today. In big ways, in small ways, in expected and unexpected ways, serve and be served. Love and be loved.
Philippians 2:1-4 ESV
What does it mean to truly serve others? I find it odd that people are taken aback when they encounter an act of genuine service. I was with a friend of mine today and I apologised for not refilling his plate myself when he was at my apartment. His response was, "You're over the top. I haven't encountered anyone who wants to do things like that in a long time. Maybe my Great Grandmother... but no one else."
That made me feel sad. Is service fast becoming a forgotten art? My first instinct is no. For example, as a society today, we have a new appreciation for military service. The men and women who serve our country deserve no less than our utmost respect. They are wonderful examples of ultimate sacrifice but there are many other ways to serve. There's also the pastor, the firefighter, the nurse, the dog walker, the trash collector, the waitress and the barber - just to name a few. These are all jobs of service. In fact, according to the US Department of Treasury, service industries account for 68% of U.S. GDP and four out of five U.S. jobs. That's a lot of us in service! So, it begs the question, why aren't we better at it?
Many people enter the jobs I mentioned above with the desire to help others. Along the way, those motives might change. Sometimes we're compensated with money, other services or the knowledge that someone owes us a debt. Does it still count as service if we're compensated in some way? I think it still counts. Compensation for services rendered doesn't change the act but it might change the motive. Even volunteering has changed in recent years. When you ask the average high school or college student why they've volunteered recently, you'll hear all kinds of responses. Volunteer service is almost as important on a CV or application as past job experience or grades. Volunteerism is "popular" and even considered "trendy" in some circles. There are more ways to volunteer today than there were 10 years ago and, according to the U.S. Economic News Release, more people volunteer every day. In short, more people are working in service, more people are volunteering and the numbers are increasing all the time. This is all very reassuring, but why is my friend surprised when I want to serve him in my home?
Jesus surprised the disciples when he washed their feet (John 13:1-17). Of course, Simon Peter protested the idea that his Lord should do this but Jesus corrected him. This act of service was meant to be an example for how we should all serve each other. No one is above serving his fellow man and true service should come from love. 1 Peter 1:22 says "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart". I think the difference is love.
The bible mentions four kinds of love: Eros, Storge, Phileo, and Agape. Of course, we all know Eros. That's everywhere. It's on the TV, it's in a magazine, it's on the street. It BELONGS in the marriage bed but that's a whole other blog post. Phileo is for our friends and Agape is that supreme love that comes from God. We can and should strive for Agape for our fellow man. Storge is a little less discussed. Storge is what we are encouraged to have for our fellow man. It is a supportive love that I think comes out of practicing Phileo and working towards Agape. Over and over in scripture we are implored to love one another. True service is the ultimate expression of love. When we refill our friends plate, when we open the door for a stranger, when we clear the neighbor's driveway of snow - we are saying I love you. I want to encourage you all to serve, and love, each other today. In big ways, in small ways, in expected and unexpected ways, serve and be served. Love and be loved.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Star Struck
I was at the grocery store tonight waiting in line to check out and I did what I always do. I picked up one of the more "reputable" tabloids and for a few minutes I dove into the world of expensive dresses, fancy jewelry, and outrageous lives. I read story after story about things I know I will never experience and I found myself thinking, "There's no way these people are REAL." No one lives like this. No one experiences these things. No one travels around with crowds of people. No one speaks a sentence and the world hears about it in 24 hours. No one influences people by just wearing a certain color or changing their hair style. No one laughs and then the world laughs. No one lives this BIG. No way. I'll never see these people in person. I'll never touch them or talk to them. Celebrities just can't be "real".
I came home and sat down and looked at my Christmas tree. My eyes traveled to the star on top and I started to reflect on Christmas. Do I ever feel that way about God? We talk to Him daily and we read His word. We don't touch Him and we won't see Him until the end. Regardless, the reality is sometimes I start to think of God like a rock star. He's a figure out there somewhere who is so big and so untouchable that He couldn't have ACTUALLY been here. He walked around with crowds following Him. He influenced people with just a touch, a glance, a breath. He spoke and thousands of years later, people still hear it. But He is real. He was born and we celebrate it every year. He died and we observe that, too. He rose and we marvel. He's the unbelievable, the miraculous, made flesh.
My life has been a little surreal lately. I'm facing some trials and the people around me are too. It can get hard to have faith. We all walk this unimaginable line between belief and disbelief, joy and sorrow, peace and chaos. It's a little like standing on the surface of the moon at that place where the light ends and the dark begins. A lot of people I know are standing there now, myself included. We have no idea what lies in front of us. We can only trust there is a plan and a purpose; that something is actually there in that dark place. A few thousand years ago, a group of shepherds sat in the dark looking at the sky. A star appeared and they followed it. At the end of their journey they found the ultimate wonder - a child they worshiped and touched. The first celebrity. And they were star struck too.
I came home and sat down and looked at my Christmas tree. My eyes traveled to the star on top and I started to reflect on Christmas. Do I ever feel that way about God? We talk to Him daily and we read His word. We don't touch Him and we won't see Him until the end. Regardless, the reality is sometimes I start to think of God like a rock star. He's a figure out there somewhere who is so big and so untouchable that He couldn't have ACTUALLY been here. He walked around with crowds following Him. He influenced people with just a touch, a glance, a breath. He spoke and thousands of years later, people still hear it. But He is real. He was born and we celebrate it every year. He died and we observe that, too. He rose and we marvel. He's the unbelievable, the miraculous, made flesh.
My life has been a little surreal lately. I'm facing some trials and the people around me are too. It can get hard to have faith. We all walk this unimaginable line between belief and disbelief, joy and sorrow, peace and chaos. It's a little like standing on the surface of the moon at that place where the light ends and the dark begins. A lot of people I know are standing there now, myself included. We have no idea what lies in front of us. We can only trust there is a plan and a purpose; that something is actually there in that dark place. A few thousand years ago, a group of shepherds sat in the dark looking at the sky. A star appeared and they followed it. At the end of their journey they found the ultimate wonder - a child they worshiped and touched. The first celebrity. And they were star struck too.
Monday, October 17, 2011
A Child's View of the Crown
This is an old blog post I recently discovered in the Drafts folder. Don't know why I didn't post it. It's from 2010. Here - an interesting observation:
April 2010: At church yesterday I had the opportunity to sit with a little girl who means a lot to me. As we sang in the begining of service, I listened to her sweet voice and marveled at the innocence and purity of her love for Jesus. Later, she sat on my lap during the sermon. While the preacher spoke, she played with my hands, tracing the lines on my palms. At one point, she whispered in my ear, "There are letters and a star on your hands". I smiled and she showed me different letters by connecting the lines. She played with my jewlery. I wear a ring on my left thumb; it's a crown of thorns. I got this ring shortly after my divorce and I wear it to remind me no matter how much I think I might suffer in this life, there is One who suffered exponentially more for the benefit of all mankind. She asked me about the ring and I told her it is a crown of thorns like the one Jesus wore. Her eyes grew wide and she said, "His crown should have been made of gold, not thorns. He was still King, anyway."
April 2010: At church yesterday I had the opportunity to sit with a little girl who means a lot to me. As we sang in the begining of service, I listened to her sweet voice and marveled at the innocence and purity of her love for Jesus. Later, she sat on my lap during the sermon. While the preacher spoke, she played with my hands, tracing the lines on my palms. At one point, she whispered in my ear, "There are letters and a star on your hands". I smiled and she showed me different letters by connecting the lines. She played with my jewlery. I wear a ring on my left thumb; it's a crown of thorns. I got this ring shortly after my divorce and I wear it to remind me no matter how much I think I might suffer in this life, there is One who suffered exponentially more for the benefit of all mankind. She asked me about the ring and I told her it is a crown of thorns like the one Jesus wore. Her eyes grew wide and she said, "His crown should have been made of gold, not thorns. He was still King, anyway."
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