Forgiving Their Past (Matthew 1:18-25)

Last time, we talked primarily about how we all have a mixed bag of good and bad in our family trees. But what if, because of the evil perpetrated by one or more of these ancestors, you were never allowed to reach your potential...and not just your potential, but your God-given right to lead your nation as their king?

Many of us may be able to identify with the first portion of that last question, but few in history would understand the unfairness of being stripped of a title you rightfully deserve. Joseph, step-father of Jesus, husband to Mary, was just such a man.

I recently heard Rabbi Johnathan Cahn say that if the Davidic line would have remained on the throne, if there had never been an exile to Babylon and the slow trickle of the Diaspora returning to Jerusalem, the first son of the first son of the first son...left to reign on the throne of Israel, would have been Joseph. Yes, that Joseph. I don't know why we are not taught this in Sunday school or church, but there it is. Just read the first chapter of Matthew.

This may seem insignificant, but as I dwelt on this for several weeks, the beauty of just exactly what this means was not lost on me. Instead of sitting on a throne, pampered, served and filling his coffers with treasure and wives, Joseph is a carpenter, trying to survive and start a family in a backwoods portion of the former glorious Israel. The calloused hands of a woodworker, should have been dipping in water bowls before tucking into a feast. The threadbare tunic of a commoner should have been exchanged for purple robes of royalty. And the king that should have had dozens of wives and concubines (although this practice wasn't condoned by God, it was "normal" for the era), was instead attached to a faithless teenager who has now turned up pregnant by another man (or so Joseph thought).

Best of all, Joseph can fully blame his ancestors for having the opportunity to rule Israel ripped out from underneath him. Yes, there were great, godly kings like Josiah in his family line, but the kings of Judah who wholeheartedly followed YHWH were few and far between. Instead, Joseph can give thanks to progenitors like Manasseh for ruining his life of ease and comfort. Manassah was so evil, that we are told he was more wicked than all of the Amorites before him. He not only participated in, but led his subjects in, the practices of child sacrifice, witchcraft, and divination. The depth of his depravity is maybe best exemplified in this one statement: "Manasseh shed very much innocent blood until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another." (2 Kings 21:16)

Fast forward a few hundred years, to a man who would be king...if it weren't for his horrific ancestors who led all of Judah into some of the worst debauchery mankind has ever known. Royal blood flowed through Joseph's veins and the people around him had to have known it. Matthew surely wasn't the only Jew who knew the names and whereabouts of the descendants of David. It would have been an honor for Mary to be betrothed (promised) to such a man.

You want to talk about depression? This man had earned the right to curl up and hide away from the world, incessantly licking his wounds and blaming his distantly removed family for his current circumstances. He could have himself chosen to become an evil tyrant, lashing out at anyone and everyone that crossed his path. Add to all of this, the disgrace of having picked the wrong woman to bind yourself to, and there are few people today who would say that Joseph wasn't entitled to be just a smidge angry.

Instead, we are told: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was a follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly." (Matthew 1:19, emphasis mine)

The man who had every right to have Mary executed by stoning, is described as "righteous", which is a succinct way of saying he lived out YHWH's justice. How could he not want vengeance, retribution and the proverbial "pound of flesh"? I think the answer lies between the lines of what we have never been told.

Joseph must have been the living embodiment of humility. A family that was fallen from the throne to the woodshed would either be consumed with bitterness and rage or overflowing with grace and humility. There really is no third option. Joseph chose grace.

After forgiving your ancestors for ruining your present because of their unseemly past and doing it in such a way that the entire kingdom had to suffer the consequences..."sending (Mary) away secretly" was really the only option for a man who had come to terms with this pain. I call it a "humbling".

When you've lived through something, that through no fault of your own, drags you down into the quagmire of human depravity and shame, only by the grace of God, can this "humbling" wash over you and help you stand stronger and resiliently above the muck of this world.

How can I prove that Joseph had long ago forgiven his messed up ancestors? Because someone arrogant enough to believe they would never do the exact same thing if they "were in Solomon's shoes", can't possibly put away any offense quietly. Someone who fills their days accusing others for every wrong and unjust thing that has happened to them, misses the beauty of grace all around them. And someone who believes others could be below or beyond redemption or belongs in a future without the favor of God...will miss seeing the face of their Savior.

In the Old Testament, people were told they could not see the face of YHWH because it could kill them, Joseph's prize for living a humble life though was not only to see His face, but also to live the rest of his life in the Presence of the One sent to redeem us all.

Joseph taught YHWH incarnate how to walk, how to talk, the lengths a protective father would go to save his child. He taught Messiah the Torah and took Him to Jerusalem at the appointed times. He broke bread with Him daily and showed Him the living example of a righteous, humble man.

We all know that YHWH in flesh walked among us and was brought low...humbled...so that after His death, He would be exalted and raised up to sit at the right hand of His Heavenly Father. What we often neglect to remember is that this infant God, who now rightfully sits on His throne, was permitted to live because another king, who lost his own throne, didn't resent it.

**If the goal is to "Live a Life Like Jesus", then here's my homework: Who's choices am I blaming for my present situation? I need to ask YHWH for the humility to see them through grace-filled eyes. Pray for release from the bondage of blame. And pray these things in the Name of Jesus and by the power of His Blood.

Where Do We Come From? (Matthew 1:1-17)

When you turn to the first gospel account of the life of Jesus to try to understand Him, His mission and the legacy He longs for us to carry on, you first have to deal with the genealogy of Jesus, the man. After all, just like every one of us before Him and those who have followed in His wake, there is a list of ancestors that stretches back into the far reaches of when time began. Jesus is no different.

The genealogy of the Messiah is slightly irregular than most, as His human stepfather, Joseph, is the ancestral line we are given in Matthew 1:1-17. Having no earthly father, this is a logical presentation for Matthew to make.

We all have unsavory characters in our family. We also have spiritual forefathers who broke with their culture and followed YHWH no matter the cost. Most people gloss over the lineage of Jesus, son of Joseph. After all, those "begats" get slightly confusing. But as we delve into His heritage, we find a treasure trove of information and an even more amazing gift of how to deal with our own.

One of the first things you'll notice is that there are five women who are also named in the lineage of the Messiah. This was not normal protocol of the time period. "Bar" in a name meant son of...and a woman's moniker never followed. Thus, Jesus bar Joseph (Yeshua bar Yosef) would have been the earthly identity of Jesus in His village, not Jesus bar Mary. It just didn't work that way. So to have women specifically named in His lineage must be significant.

The inclusion of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary have typically been explained as Matthew wanted to signify that Jesus came to save the Gentiles as well. Nice thought, but Matthew is writing to a predominantly Jewish audience. The genealogy is proof of the Jewish roots of Jesus. In his recent book Reversing Hermon, Dr. Michael Heiser presents interesting scholarly reasons why these specific women were chosen as representatives of precisely whom Jesus was descended from. It goes back to Second Temple teachings on Genesis 6 and the sin of the Watchers. (Definitely a conversation for another day!) For our purposes here though, I just want to emphasize that there is no sin too big for Jesus to reverse/redeem and no sinner that Jesus would like to push back into the closet to hide in the darkness.

If I Live Like Jesus, I embrace the good, the bad, and even the downright ugly in this sordid, messy tapestry of lineage that was woven decades and centuries before I arrived on the scene. In fact, I wear those "incidents", "whispers", and "goings on" like a badge of honor...because they made me precisely who I am!!

I also don't hide the yuck, because only Darkness hides. Jesus is the Light of the world. We all know that Darkness can only be stopped by the Light. So throw open those closets, knock down those cobwebs and toss the skeletons out in the trash were they belong. 

This definitely is not as easy as it sounds. And don't throw this information out on social media for the ridicule and condemnation of everyone you met at a Gymboree play class for your kids. Instead, start by pouring it out to Jesus. Let him break the generational sins that have their hooks in your family. If you don't even know where those hooks are digging in, just ask Him...He'll be well-pleased to show you exactly where they are located.

Remember, every single one of these women and men for whom we know the darkness of their past...it was recorded in the Old Testament thousands of years ago...were also in the lineage of Joseph. Joseph had these sordid characters in his past too! This is what he brought to the table for Jesus, his divine step-son. Beth Moore says, 'to every generation is given the opportunity to break the chains of the past. It's just a matter of who is going to do the work.'

Next post, we'll look at how I believe Joseph 'did the work.' Without embracing every facet of who he was, who he was destined to be...yet failed to become, Joseph may never have been humble enough to recognize this child for who He really was...the Son of God.

It's Been A Long Time

Over 2 years ago, I wrote my last blog post. I knew then it probably wouldn't be the last one ever, but I knew it would be a lengthy hiatus at best. There were several reasons for this, and now there are several reasons for returning.

A lot has happened in the last 2 years...politics aside...I mean personally. For the last year, I worked in a homeless shelter. You want some perspective on what matters in this world, go to work for a population of people who carry all of their personal belongings in a backpack. Also, about 2 years ago, I embarked down an area of study in my spiritual life that has completely changed the way I look at this world and my place in it. More importantly, God has awakened me to His power within me and the dark forces that are at work against every single one of us, whether you're a Christian or not. Just being human means you have an enemy that wants to destroy you, because he wants to destroy everything and everyone that God created...and that means you.

But as a Jesus-follower, I am empowered with certain gifts...promised to each of us...that will not only aid in my survival, but will actually help me soar above the muckety-muck of this world we call home.

I'm now at the cusp of yet another new beginning on this Journey. And as the Holy Spirit always does, He has been prepping me for this one too. I don't yet know where it will lead, but I do know it will involve growing things and growing people. That's pretty much how He's summed up my purpose here. And because of the heart He's given me, I know those things include plants that feed people, and the people will involve those on the fringes of our everyday lives.

I've struggled a lot over the last year, first with my health, and then stress and anxiety that were digging deep roots into my soul and taking hold in ways I didn't know were possible...and I've had a lot of stress in my past. (Just read previous posts...particularly in years 2009-2011!) But as I finally listened to what He's been telling me to do for the last 2 months, the source of the stress is gone, and now I just need to let Him work on digging up the stump. I know He will be faithful to do it!

Not coincidentally at this same time, He's been calling me to get back to finding out who He really is. A lot of the teaching I've heard, and the lessons I've learned amid the cacophony of voices that seep into our lives through news, media, the internet and even our churches, is so diametrically opposed to who God says He is, that part of my stress has involved simply trying to hear His Voice.

The best way I know to get back to the heart of God is through Jesus. Who did He say He was? How did He live His life? Not just what did He say, but what did He do? To whom did He go?

I have to strip down that muckety-muck I referred to previously and look with new eyes upon the One who gave everything just so I could commune with Him. So the best place that I know to start is in the gospels...Matthew to be specific. I know I'll find Him there, because He promised that when I seek Him, I will find Him. (see Jeremiah 29:13)

Do you want to join me on the Journey? He promised there is no greater adventure! I don't know how long it will take, but it would be good to hear your thoughts and observations along the way. Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't insert here that the plan isn't just to find out who He is, but to put it into practice too! After all, James the half-brother of Jesus, told us that "faith without works is dead." (see James 2:20) I honestly don't need any more head-knowledge, do you? What I do need is the transformational power of Jesus to so infect my life that the world is different because I know and love Him!

I can't think of anything more worthy of my time, energy and attention...let's get started!

My Co-worker

As I've been making my way through 1 Thessalonians I kept coming across some wording that struck me as odd, yet I'm certain it's intentional in the way that Paul, Silas and Timothy chose to write it.

"and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ; to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith." (1 Thessalonians 3:2)

Note what it does and does not say: Timothy is their brother and God's fellow worker. Other versions use "fellowlabourer" (KJV) and "God's man for spreading the Message" (The Message). 

I confess, I don't often think of myself as God's co-worker. I think of other Christians as my fellow labourers. But what if I saw them all as my brothers and sisters only? 

I would probably be more gracious, forgiving and tolerant of the little things that being human crop up and annoy or frustrate us. We're all much more forgiving with family. Usually.

And instead of thinking of trudging along with other flawed humans as my partners...what if I actually believed that God's plans hinged on me showing up for work?

Aside from the obvious problem of getting fired (because God would never fire us), there are people depending on you for your "goods and services". If no one showed up at the local Amazon warehouse, we'd all be doing without a whole lot of stuff.

And what happens when one (or a handful) of people are left to do all of the work while everyone else huddles around the water cooler or breakroom just wasting away the day? In the real world, the "few" would probably be resentful, angry and ready to quit. But just for the sake of argument, let's say they are gracious, absolutely love what they are doing, wouldn't trade their job for the world, and find great personal meaning and fulfillment in what they believe is their calling? 

To be honest, the loyal, hardworking labourer can only carry the dead weight for so long. If we're talking about a multi-billion dollar company that spans every corner of the globe, has about 2 billion employees and only about 2 million of them or less are actually doing any work, that means .1% (0.001 or one-thousandth) of the employees are actively engaged in the job to be done. And since there's the global-potential to reach 7 billion "customers", that is 1 co-worker for every 3500 potential clients. If we were Hunger Games people we would say "the odds are definitely not in your favor." 

Anyone out there with a client-base of 3500 people that they need to introduce to the product, peak their interest, sell them the goods, and then provide life-long customer service if need be? Yet, this is exactly the burden we place upon those who are working in the Kingdom if we even have 2 million workers in the fields. Jesus told us two thousand years ago that "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." (see Matthew 9:37, NASB) It seems not much has changed in those two thousand years.

Now, while I've crassly placed salvation and God's plan for all of mankind in the context of business, goods, sales and everyday life, I do so for what I hope has become an extremely obvious point:  We take God's grace and Love for granted.

What employer would allow 90% or more of His workers to fill pews, wax philosophical and armchair-coach-away the problems of the world and how they would solve them "if they only had a chance"? That would be the most gracious, loving, kind and longsuffering employer you would ever have.

But here's the beautiful part: He doesn't consider Himself your employer, He is your fellowlabourer.

He's right there in the trenches with you, cheering you on, delighting in your successes and commiserating in your trials and pain. He meets you around the water cooler when you need to debrief and He discusses the next step and the vision in the "business" plan when He's groomed you and you're ready for the next adventure in your career. And no one could be any prouder when you reach "retirement" and hang up your briefcase. Nothing's changed in the company manual in over 5000 years and it will remain the same long after you've reached your Reward.

So here's the question that is begging to be asked:  When your loved ones gather around for the "retirement roast", what will they say of you? Will they mention your financial portfolio? Will they reminisce about your good intentions and ideas? Will they put a gold-plate on the pew that you warmed? Or will your children "rise up and call you blessed" (see Proverbs 31:28, NASB)? Will there be anyone to shake your hand in the Promised Land and say, 'if it weren't for your work, your labor of love (see 1 Thessalonians 1:3), I would not be here?'

It's time to work. No matter what you think the sacrifice may involve, it pales in comparison to the joy and blessings that will be received. Paul went so far as to say, "for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:8) 

I'm ready to "really live"...aren't you? So let's go back to the Manual and ask our Co-worker to show us the next phase of His personal Vision for us and as Nike reminds us "Just Do It"!

Obadiah: A Small Book, but Mighty in Word

I had never before realized that this one-chapter book of Obadiah's was actually addressed to the people of Edom. The Edomites were the descendents of Esau, the brother of Jacob. If you know your Bible history, you know Esau had some good reasons to be ticked off at Jacob. (To read the back story, start in Genesis 25)

Now, hundreds of years later, God sends Obadiah to the people of Edom and cautions them with words like 

"Do not gloat over your brother's day." (verse 12)

and

"Do not gloat over their calamity" (verse 13)

Do you ever see a tragedy on the news and instantly begin judging? I know I have.

I'm not attempting to exploit any particular incident, but how many times have we seen a school shooting, a worker who went "postal" or a famine in a developing nation and asked questions like...

Where were his parents?

Why didn't anyone see the signs of his mental illness?

Why did his mom have guns in the house if he was so dangerous?

Why don't they just stop having babies and move where there is food?

Be honest. We've all heard comments like these, and more. We may have even verbalized them ourselves. I know we have at least allowed them to flit through our minds.

But here's what Obadiah is teaching me...

isn't that just a form of gloating?

When I hear of a couple getting divorced, don't I instantly jump to the conclusion or whose fault it was? Don't we watch the news and place judgment upon those that have not yet been convicted in a court of law?

I could ask many, many more questions like these and one (or more!) will jump out at you because we have all done this.

God said through Obadiah..."Don't!"

Even if that person is my enemy.

*************************************

Thus the title of this post. Obadiah is a very small book...only 21 verses to be exact. But in my lifetime, I will never fully be able to plumb the depths of this message, the same message Jesus vocalized a few hundred years later...also with only a few words:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (see Matthew 5:43-45)

Consistency in the Old Testament with the message of Jesus in the New, that is one thing I'm seeing as I wade through these Minor Prophets. If God took so much effort to express Enemy-Love within his written Word, don't you think that means He is asking the same of us today?

Enemy Love.

Not a new concept, but one I need to engage with everyday.

Pride

Anyone near-abouts my age might have started humming "In the name of love". But that wasn't necessarily the direction I thought I was headed with this post.

Or is it?

You see, I've been thinking about pride...as in the kind that 'goeth before the fall'. (see Proverbs 16:18) At least that's what all of us who grew up in the church were told that we needed to guard against, almost more than anything I can remember...with maybe the exception of sex.

But several years ago, before our downwardly mobile lifestyle began, God's Spirit specifically whispered the word 'humility' to me. I knew at the time that humility was my next big lesson. I just didn't realize how humbled by my circumstances I could become. How could I have known? I couldn't...plain and simple.

And while I've read cute little sayings that remind us 'humility is one of those things that as soon as you think you have it...you've lost it,' God's clarifying humility a little bit more for me. Or rather, He's shining His light on some wisdom and discernment that myself and many others need to remember.

Here's what I've been noticing:  We are so concerned and hyper-aware that we do not want to be prideful...we are denying the glory to God for the things He has done!

Can I get an 'Amen!'?

Allow me to elaborate.

When I spoke in our Bible study recently, I shared with the ladies a Bible verse that perfectly describes me. "They shall eager utter (or bubble over with) the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness." (Psalm 145:7)

If you give me a chance, I am going to fill your ear with God's goodness and His righteousness. That is just who I am. I'm almost to the point where I simply can't help it anymore. For someone that used to be so terrified to speak up regarding Jesus and His workings in my life, it is nothing but Him that causes His goodness to just roll right off my tongue. I wish everything that came from my mouth were always as good as Him. (But that lesson is for another post)

There was another result of the lesson I taught on that day though (and with the help of Emily Freeman's book, A Million Little Ways)...I realized, this is what I was born to do! 

Sharing God's grace, the Love of Jesus and the discernment of the Holy Spirit either through home schooling, teaching a Bible study, writing a blog or growing a garden (yes...in my brain, it does apply!)...this is what makes me feel ALIVE! And I'm no longer going to apologize for it...sweep it under the rug...try to be something I'm not...or "humbly" shy away from acknowledging how God has gifted me.

Every part of my being is oozing with His goodness and I want everyone to know it! 

With the help of Freeman's book...which I can only read in small doses because it is chock full of godly wisdom...God's Spirit is helping me overcome the fear of my "first thoughts". I shouldn't downplay my gifts. And it is not pride that keeps me from doing so. How do I know this? Because James 1:17 tells us that "every good thing given and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

Thus, if my heart is surrendered to serving God my Father and He chooses to use the gifts He's given me, it is not prideful to acknowledge the gift and, in turn, give Him the glory. I have even recently heard some people leading up to sharing something that they did...as clearly prompted by the Holy Spirit...and yet, quickly skip over the gift they were able to give away to someone in need! I completely understand that they did not want to sound prideful...but God is the giver of everything we have; He alone prompts us to be giving and kind (that does not come from our Enemy...ever!); and if someone is blessed by that gift...we should not shy away from giving Him the praise.

I will caution that Jesus told us to give in secret (see Matthew 6:4). As someone that has been the recipient of many generous gifts, I almost think this is more to protect the weaker one on the receiving end than to protect the giver from pride. This way, the recipient owes no one. There is no "one-upmanship". There is no burden lurking between the two parties involved. In other words, no strings attached. Also, as the giver, it frees me from taking any credit.

But, admittedly, when I am comfortable and have a rock solid relationship with the one to whom I am giving, I love being able to say, 'I hope we're beyond having to do the secret thing and that you know this didn't come from me. It's from God.' One of my dear friends said to me, upon receiving a gift from her, that she just didn't want any weirdness between us. With the confidence of the Holy Spirit, I could tell her, "No weirdness here. I didn't ask for the gift and it was prompted by the Holy Spirit...so thanks for being faithful to do it." See...God is worthy of the credit, not us.

What might this look like then?

Obviously, I'm assuming that we're not bragging about the gifts we've given to someone in need...directly to their faces. But I don't see any pride in admitting to a friend or companion in Christ that "God gave us this extra blessing and I am thankful He prompted us to share it." It also means living out daily what He leads us to do by the power of His Holy Spirit...and not shoving it aside because it doesn't seem "practical" or it looks "foolish". It's okay to say "I don't take credit for _________________ (Insert gift or talent here). It's what God is working out in me so that I can be the person He created me to be."

It's that simple. God is given the praise. I don't know about you, but I don't ever want the rocks to have to cry out in my place. (see Luke 19:28-40) I'm even beginning to think that when we don't acknowledge how God has gifted us, that is more evidence of pride than anything.

Is it not selfishness and pride that would cause us to deny gratefulness and thankfulness for God's gifts to us?

So here's where I'm at in my processing of this question, What makes me feel alive? Well, obviously, I feel most alive when I am doing, saying and living out the gifts God has innately programmed me to have. My continued existence is proof that there is still something He has left for me to do for His Kingdom that is on Earth as it is in Heaven.

I'm tired of being deceived by my Enemy into somehow believing that it's prideful to want to live out these gifts. I am, quite frankly, exhausted at shoving these gifts to the periphery of my life when God's Spirit keeps trying to draw them out to the forefront, which is precisely where they should be. It's a spiritual "tug of war" that I didn't even realize I was waging until this past month.

It's time, my friends! 

Time to start coming alive, live out the Vision God has for your life and to stop apologizing for it! Augustine is quoted as saying, "The glory of God is man fully alive." We all keep saying with our mouths that we just want to glorify God...I think it's about time our lives looked like it too!

Are you ready?

Go!

What Would It Be Like?

I acknowledge that my brain works a little "differently". That is to say...I question everything. You could surmise (and it has been said) that I'm a rebel. For some reason, God hardwired me to not only see the elephant in the room...but to ask the room full of oblivious people: Why the heck is there an elephant in the room and no one is doing anything about it?

Such is my life.

Now...I have happened to become quite comfortable with my hyper-analytical, logical and questioning self. But I recognize that it's not exactly easy for some people to share in my comfort. In fact, in the last few years, I've begun to notice that some people keep me at arms' length because I might discern a little bit too much. No...I am not going to point out the big, hairy mole on your nose...but I honestly don't understand how the Holy Spirit will sometimes lead conversations and bring thoughts to my head in a way that makes others want to squirm.

Believe me...I don't go seeking out these opportunities!

Keep that in mind as I share something I came across last week in the Bible study I'm doing. My brain is warped...and I'm not looking to pick a fight...I just don't want to back down from the proverbial elephant either.

I was reviewing the week's lesson to see if there was some material for blogging and this idea lept off the page. It follows fast on the heels of my Living the Vision mini-series. The entire study revolves around the life and lessons of Joseph, son of Jacob. [You can find a link at the bottom of the page.]

In the midst of our lessons regarding the betrayal of Joseph's brothers, author Mary Englund Murphy provides a column where we can list some things we think the world values versus what God values. (see page 62 of the study). On the day I read this, I specifically asked the Holy Spirit to give me some insight. Here's what I wrote-

The World Values:                                                 God Values:

Education                                                              Wisdom
Experience                                                             Passion
Great conquerors/competitors/heroes                   Humble servants
Power                                                                    Sacrifice
Indulge desires                                                      Delayed gratification

This is where I stopped, mainly because I ran out of space...but I think the list could go on much longer. And here's what I noticed...even most Christians I know are caught in the trap of the first column. I know I am!

It is so easy to place all of our faith in education and experience to pull ourselves up and out of less-than-optimal circumstances. But what if being savvy and wise and also passionate about life and work were valued just as highly.

If you think I'm blowing this out of proportion, then I'd love to have you analyze your opinion of fast food, retail and warehouse workers. I recently had a Christian hint to me that her summation of adults in one of these industries was that they must have made a "mistake" to be stuck there.

I almost blew up an entire post about this one...but I wasn't angry with the person for her comment and if she read it, I didn't want to make her feel bad. What absolutely frustrates me though is that even Christians have formulated castes and pecking orders to our society. I know I'm generalizing, but I think this person merely put words to a pervasive attitude that I have discerned.

*Why can't someone spend their life serving Jesus in a poor working class occupation, love people, be a light and live out redemption in an otherwise very dark place? Do we really only have to take a vow of poverty if we're going to go serve in a third world country? What if 'selling everything you had and giving it to the poor' (see Matthew 19:21) wasn't just your possessions...but also "selling" your idea of what it means to be successful...or "selling" your own comfort in order to give your very life away to the poor? Poor, financially yes, but the poor of spirit, soul and mind.

*What if, instead of obsessively following sporting events like the Super Bowl, Olympics or March Madness, we wagered our lives on humbling serving the people around us. What if your favorite "team", the ones that received our devotion and the one whose clothes and paraphernalia we purchased were the widows and orphans? Single moms, women rescued from trafficking, ministries that give to orphans and feed starving people...what if we bought the clothing they produce, the purses they make or jewelry they fashioned with their own hands. There are far too many organizations to mention here, but a few of my favorites are I Know Hope, It's Only Fair, Carabello Coffee and Hands Against Hunger. If you don't know where to start just contact me and I'll put you in touch with someone who can. I truly believe almost anything we buy could be purchased "smart" and with purpose. Maybe we could buy less and make it matter. I mean really? Does the NFL need one more dime of my money for their merchandise?

*What if, instead of glorifying the strong and powerful, like politicians and celebrities...we taught our children to look to those living sacrificially as role models? When a Disney kid grows up and goes rogue, or yet one more football player is arrested for brutality, wouldn't it be wonderful to not have to debrief our children? Wouldn't it be amazingly beautiful if their heroes were Mother Theresa, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the pretty awesome Pope Francis? None of these people were (or are) perfect, but their contributions to humanity are astounding.

*What if, instead of buying whatever we want, whenever we want it, we set aside that desire long enough to seek the Holy Spirit's wisdom about whether we actually even need it or not? This is a huge struggle for me. When you live in the land of stupendously, outlandish plenty...why would you stop and ask if you even need to go to the store to buy that one ingredient that you're missing? Do we really need the latest iPhone, iPad, software update or gadget or are we allowing the marketing gurus of Madison Avenue to rule our very lives?

I guess basically I'm wondering if Jesus really meant what He said and if so...how come we're not living like it? If you read the Living the Vision series, you're probably sensing a theme here.

I may not know much...but I know when there's an elephant in the room and there's a humongous one lurking in most of our American-version-of-church lives: God, through Jesus, has shown us how He wants us to live, what our priorities should be, and why this life as we know it is not all there is.

In other words, we have been called out to be set apart...living lives of sacrificial love, peace and joy. Once again, I will ask so why aren't we living like it?

Living the Vision, part 6: Everything is Finished

**This is the last in a of a series of posts that are a more in-depth look at a lesson I recently taught to a group of women in our church. To read the additional posts, you can easily access them by clicking on the links at the bottom of the page or in the body of this text.**


Yes, it is finally coming to an end...sort of. See...I think this "Living the Vision"-thing is a lesson that never ends. When I shared how God is drawing me to "live like the vision is complete", it includes coming to Him daily and thanking Him that it is done, and asking Him to show me how to live like it...just for today. Today is enough to worry about, Jesus said. (see Matthew 6) I think He actually meant it, although it flies directly in the face of everything we have experienced in this life.

So to pull all of these posts together, I have taken a little longer to ponder and process for this final segment. It is by far the most potentially volatile and could conceivably be misconstrued on many different levels. Therefore, I am asking you not to take my word for it. Instead, go to the Holy Spirit and ask for His discernment. He has challenged us to
"...cry for discernment, 
Lift your voice for understanding; 
If you seek her as silver 
And search for her as for hidden treasure;
Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:3-5)

You also need to know up front that I despise "prosperity gospel" and "name it and claim it" heresy. The "power of positive thinking", might lower your blood pressure, but no where did Jesus equate blessings with wealth, happiness with stuff, or Christianity with an easy-street-pass for ever and ever. Amen!

With that disclaimer in mind, I still want to persuade you of something. This is why I used words like "revolutionary" to describe this "revelation" on how to approach God's will and even how I would pray.

The "thing" is this:
When the Holy Spirit lays a request or desire upon your heart for which to seek His will, wisdom or discernment...we should automatically accept that it is done!

Go ahead...think of something for which you have been praying. Ask these questions...

• Is it good?
• Is it within God's will?
• Can only good come from it?
• If I remember that God still gives visions and dreams; this world as we know it is not all there is and that God dwells in the fullness of time is there any reason why God couldn't complete this "thing" some day?

James teaches us that "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17) If only good will result from it...I can guarantee you the prompting is not from your Enemy. Again...I am not talking about stuff! We Americans have to stop thinking of prosperity, blessings, joy, and happiness in terms of wealth and stuff!

When I ask, "Is it within God's will?"...this isn't really as complicated as we make it either. I don't know how many times myself or others have absolutely agonized in prayer over someone's salvation. Is it God's will that a person be saved? Absolutely! If not, then Jesus died for nothing and His blood sacrifice was a waste.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us that, in fact, God wants everyone to come to repentance. Now...don't go around saying that I've become a universalist. Do I think everyone will be in Heaven? Actually, Scripture teaches that many will not. I am saying their salvation is complete. They still have the option to choose it or not.

But God also told us that if we delight in Him, He would give us the desires of our hearts. (see Psalm 37:4) As we delight in Him...His desires are reflected in our desires. If He lays upon my heart to pray for someone to seek a relationship with Him...I am 100% certain that for God...it is done!

We no longer have to agonize over if it's His will for someone to know Him. Instead...keeping the focus simple, as with the Vision for your life...when the Holy Spirit reminds us to pray for a person, we can confidently thank Him that "Joe's" (insert any name He leads you to) salvation is complete! It's done! Hallelujah!

The second part of that prayer is this...Now today Lord...draw them just one step closer to living like it! And then, when we see "Joe" being kind...or generous...or loving...or merciful...or forgiving...or anything that is good...recognize it, remember that "Joe" is on a Journey to becoming the soul God created Him to be and thank God for how you see Him working in "Joe's" life. Once again...I can guarantee none of those "good" attributes are anything "Joe" just drummed up out of the goodness of his own heart. No...Scripture also tells us twice that "every inclination of the human heart is evil." (see Genesis 6:5 and Genesis 8:21) 

Do I think that all "good" people will get into Heaven? Bottom line...I am not God and I will never presume to decide who's in and who's out. What I do know is that Jesus said He is the way to the Father (see John 14:6) I just happen to believe that it absolutely does not matter how God chooses to bring a person to that conscious choice.

As humans created in the image of God, we just don't want anyone to suffer. But sometimes it takes great loss and great tragedy for a person to lean upon an Almighty God. Are we willing to walk through great suffering, loss and tragedy with someone...if it means they can spend eternity with their Saviour? Sometimes I think we want to make everything neat, tidy and pain free. But if someone had to endure pain and decimation in order to experience the full glory of God...wouldn't that be worth it? There is no fuller glory than knowing the redemption of a loving Saviour!

The other example I'll give is when we pray for a person's healing. I don't want to belabor the point, but suffice it to say no one has ever entered Heaven with a tumor on their back...or brain...or colon...or carried a congenital birth defect into eternity. And no matter how much we pray for healing in the now...none of us will be whole and healed until we stand before Jesus.

Can God heal in this life? Absolutely! Does He sometimes choose to do so? Again..a resounding "yes!" But we have to stop thinking that if we agonize in prayer just a little bit more...maybe He'll do it in regards to the loved one for which we pray. Too many parents are beating themselves up for not being faith-filled enough. And too many people begrudge a God that "chooses" not to heal them. 

If we can remember that this life as we know it is not all there is then when the healing occurs doesn't matter...because we know it will!!! Again...God dwells in the fullness of time so for Him your healing is complete...now for today...what do we need to do to live like it?

I would never belittle another person's pain. I also know there are parents with children for whom their prognosis gives great uncertainty as to what their future can hold. I just know that when I am praying as the Holy Spirit leads...I can confidently pray that for Him, that person is healed. But even better...there will be a day when I get to hear the story of how God healed them and how His presence was so real during their illness that they knew He was near.

For me, it does not matter if I hear their story in this life...or the life to come. I will hear it!

And Beautiful Beloved...you will one day have that amazing child look you in the face and tell you how they always knew you were there and they never missed one minute of what you did to love and serve them. And that parent or grandparent that right now struggles to remember your name will very soon sit across the table from you and remind you of your patience, care and joy during the journey of their slow decline.

You see...for God...there is only healing.

I've got to wrap this up, but thank you for hanging with me. I pray you do seek God's wisdom in regards to not only the Vision He has for your life...but how to live it out for today. But more than that...my prayer is that we can boldly and confidently believe Him. Instead of laboring painstakingly to effectively pray and drum up the faith to make the prayers come to fruition and agonizing over when and how the results will be revealed...we can embrace that for God, His will is already complete.

So why aren't we living like it???

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I would delight in hearing how God works this out in you and draws you closer into discovering His Kingdom is already at hand. Feel free to leave me a comment and allow me the joy of rejoicing with you! Amen!

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See also the other posts in the "Living the Vision" series:

Part 1, God Still Gives Visions and Dreams

Part 2, This Life As We Know It...

Part 3, God Dwells in the Fullness of Time

Part 4, The Vision is Complete

Part 5, How Do I Live Like the Vision is Complete?

Are Your Wise Men on the Move?

Nearly a decade ago, I read a little something in a children's magazine about a cute and clever way to commemorate The Day of Epiphany on January 6th. Considering I did not grow up in an orthodox, Catholic or other mainline denomination, this was a new concept to me. As someone that has always wanted to penetrate what I have been told about Scripture to get to the truth of what it really says...I embraced this little holiday completely.

Each year we pick one set of Wise Men to make the journey. This year, I chose my favorite tree ornament. The picture above shows their current location in our hallway. 

Although after all these years we don't always do it perfectly or consistently...the Wise Men making their journey across our family room, bedrooms or kitchen to arrive at the nativity, although not completely accurate...does remind me of a few things that we often forget about the real story:

• The wise men did not arrive at the stable. So while it's cute and sweet, wise men in nativity sets are not historically accurate.
• We are told that they were wise, not rich. We are making that assumption based on their gifts to Jesus and their reception by King Herod. But whether they were wealthy or not, their journey was long, arduous and at great peril to themselves and their companions. 
• Scripture hints at the length of the journey when the Wise Men do not return to give Herod the report he has requested. Herod has his own men calculate the timing of the appearance of the Star and then has all male children that age and under slaughtered. Two years is the age given. If this is two years by our reckoning, then it is three Jewish years. A person's age was calculated from birth as year one. Thus, our two year olds in ancient Jewish terms were in their third year. Whether Jesus was two or three when visited by The Magi, their journey was a great distance. This was no two week journey through my family room. (see Matthew 2 for the full story)

My entire purpose for starting this tradition was to remind myself and our children that there is always  more to the story, if we will just take the time to plum the depths of it.

On January 6th, we celebrate in a small way...either with a small gift, a little candy or a special dinner. The point is simply to remember the risk these great men took to meet the Savior. This year I need to be reminded that my willingness to leave all behind to follow my Lord needs to be just as compelling when He calls. 

As an added bonus, I have a challenge to all of the "elf on the shelf" people out there who also call themselves by the Name of Christ. I don't want to chastise you for having fun and playing the elf game leading up to Christmas...it's your family, thus it's your call. I would simply like to invite you to spend a little less time and energy on a new tradition...one that teaches history, love, dedication and determination to get to the Savior no matter the distance. Sure, there's a little gift at the end of the journey, but that wasn't the point was it? No pressure to be "good", no threatening letters when bad, or shenanigans in the middle of the night...just a passion...a fervor...a daring to risk it all just to meet my Messiah.

I think that is a tradition worth embracing.

Internal vs. External

It seems everywhere I turn there is this running theme: God is not concerned with what I do but He is very interested in who I am.

I shared my friend Chandra's powerful words. Yet, too many times to count, I have struggled with this overwhelming desire to do something for Jesus...and not just something...but something HUGE. I have wrestled with the passion to serve vs. being in the limelight. I want everyone to know this amazing Abba (Daddy) that consumes so much of my life. In all honesty, at times I have to adamantly sift through whether this is because of Him drawing me to this or my "need" to be noticed.

I sat through one of the most profound Beth Moore sessions I've ever watched or listened to yesterday at the Believing God Bible study I attend. The insight she taught regarding God's priority of the internal over the external was a resounding affirmation to what He has already been teaching me. I sat there with all of my accompanying "Amens!", oohs, aahs, moans and sighs as God's Spirit challenged me to take my eyes off of this big, unknown "something" out there in the vast expanse of Christendom and to instead refocus with laser-like precision on what He longs to do inside of me.

This morning as I was doing my ritual morning catch-up on Twitter and Facebook, God decided to sum it all very concisely for me...just in case I'd missed it so far. And the quote came from Gregory Boyd.

"If you think you're going to DO something that will give your life more significance than it already has, you are in deceptive bondage."

When I want to proclaim to the nations all that I think my Abba would love for me to share, I lose sight of the harvest He's already procuring in me and the lives of those immediately surrounding me. This is a constant struggle for me and has been for many, many years. I know we all long for significance and apparently my Enemy knows this is particular weakness of mine. Seeing this "longing" described as bondage was the proverbial "slap in the face" I needed. In fact, I think the quote is going up on my mirror.

Jesus left us with the the command to go into all the world and make disciples (see Matthew 28:19-20) but He never left it entirely on my shoulders. He is the One that is drawing all men to Himself, not me. And when I forget that I'm one of those that needs to be made a disciple, I'm putting myself in the wrong place...Teacher instead of the Student I was designed to be. 

The Kingdom of Needle Eyes

I've already blogged about the "rich young ruler" passage in Matthew 19:16-26. Ash Barker writes, "Jesus's life gave authority to the lives of the poor and gave a new reference point for all to see." The question I've been asking myself lately though is this: What am I afraid of seeing?

The rich young ruler walked away after Jesus told him to sell everything and give it away to the poor. He couldn't do it. Jesus said, you know...a camel can get through the"eye of a needle" easier than a rich person can get into the kingdom of heaven. Peter wants to know, if that is the case, then how can anyone be saved? Jesus tells him right up front...in your own strength, you can't...but with God "all things are possible."

Barker adds, "Jesus was turning upside-down the notion of the day that 'blessing equals wealth.' This was even more explicit in Jesus's sermon on the plain, where he said, "Blessed are you who are poor...but woe to you who are rich" (Luke 6:20, 24). The rich are not good enough, and the poor are not good enough; but the poor are generally under no illusions about their situation." (emphasis mine)

What is it that I'm not willing to give up? Barker delves into a brief comparison of the rich young ruler to Peter, one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus. When Jesus was at His lowest, Peter denied even knowing his best friend three times...yet he went on to become the founder of the new church movement that began after the death and resurrection of the Messiah. Peter was just a simple fisherman, but it was the only life he knew. Barker states, "Sure, he didn't really have that much to lose compared with the rich young ruler. Yet, he was giving up something real and something that he knew. In the end, it was a small price to pay to help change the world and have an eternal impact."

These few sentences speak very loudly into my life right now. I don't have a lot of "stuff" to lose, but I have my way of life, my comfort, my "familiar" that could be taken from me in a heartbeat. And that's what's scaring the living daylights out of me.

Just How Deep is His Mercy?

I'm continuing through the red letter words of Jesus, slowly but surely. Yesterday, something fell together that reminded me exactly how much God loves each and every one of us. It also spoke to the depth of His Mercy for all.

In Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus tells us that we should "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Why? "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." But in case that isn't reason enough, Jesus gives us the example of how far His Father will go to care for (aka love) His enemies. "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Did you notice that it's His sun? Or had you ever considered that He is the one who sends the rain? He doesn't have to share His sun. And He doesn't have to give us rain. Don't believe me? James 5:17 reminds us that there was a man, just like us, who prayed for God to shut up the heavens because of the wickedness of a generation...and God granted Elijah's prayer for three and a half years! One dry year in some parts of Africa creates a famine. Can you imagine what the famine of Elijah's day was like?

He prayed again and God sent rain to everyone. (The full story begins at 1 Kings 17) These weren't spotty showers only on the repentant ones. God, in His unlimited depth of mercy, sent rain to all. There is so much contained in these verses that I could ramble at great length. It's taken me two days to get this far. I've had much difficulty thinking how I should conclude this post. 95% of the time, my writing just pours out. It's very rare that after two days I still have no direction, summary, outline or conclusion.

I think the point is, that it (His mercy) never ends. I'm not sure that it can be "summed up".

Have you ever doubted that God would forgive what you have done? Do you sometimes feel like you have gone so far from Him that He would never take you back?

Did the sun come up today? Then His mercy continues on and He's ready to wash away the grit and grime too. Whether you ask for it or not, the rain is coming! You can choose to remain blind to the One who shares these gifts with you or you can open up your heart to the cleansing promise of another day to (with His help) get it right.

We Have Been Told to "Go!"

There is a story in the New Testament that we Christians have dubbed "The Rich Young Ruler". It's not one of the parables of Jesus, it was an exchange of words that took place between the Messiah and someone that was attempting to make himself feel better about his choices and wealth. Turn to Matthew 19:16-30 to read it. This was evidently so impacting that Mark and Luke recorded the conversation too.

In the book I'm currently reading, the author "unpacks" this passage and I readily admit that what he has to say is not always what my American-church ears want to hear. "Many Christians are more like the rich young ruler than any other New Testament character. Well-resourced, bright, charming, able to engage in religious discussion--talk about poverty, even--but unable to even comprehend what Jesus invites them to do and be."

After this young man had affirmed that he was religious, righteous and pious by having upheld all the commandments that Jesus reminded him to live by, Jesus exposed the man's true heart with this statement: "Go, sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me." (Matthew 19:21)

Ash Barker, author of Make Poverty Personal starts with the same two letter word that Jesus did..."Go!" A week later, I'm still pondering the implications. Because, you see, this isn't just a word of statement or fact...it is a command. Barker writes, "Go is a non-negotiable command."

It's non-negotiable...just like when the Gentile Centurion shows up and says to Jesus, 'My daughter is ill and I want you to heal her. No, you don't need to come to my home to do it, I know that You are a Man of authority...just like I am. If I say to someone "Go!"...he does it. I just need a word from You that she is healed and it will be so.' Jesus appropriately replies, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." (Matthew 8:5-13 for the full story)

Jesus also told the disciples to "Go and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus even prefaces this with revealing to his followers that "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  Barker writes, "There is never any ambiguity in these calls to obedience. The only options are to obey or disobey, with all the consequences that this might have."

So why...about 2000 years later...when three different writers believed that Jesus' command to the rich young ruler was so important that they took care to document it...do we Christians so quickly (and sometimes adamantly) explain away this command? We tell ourselves, 'It was only for that one man', or 'Well, Jesus could see that in his heart the man was bound by his possessions,' or simply, 'Yeah...but Jesus wouldn't ask that of me...I have a family and others that depend on me.' Well, according to Barker, to be called "wealthy" or "rich" in that day indicated he was "responsible for the livelihoods of hundreds of people." Think of an English manor with an earl that has tenants renting land, growing crops and making a living off his land and you have the general idea. Jesus knew He was asking everything of this man...and the rich young ruler did too.

Why would Jesus ask any less of us today just because we have more stuff or tell ourselves we're smarter or more indispensable? Barker continues, "...those who become Jesus's disciples can't do deals beforehand. They must surrender to Jesus first and then let him do through them whatever he wants to do." 

Have you attempted to work out some "deals" with Jesus, either before you surrendered to Him or even after? When He says "Go!" do you drop everything and instantly do it? Do you believe that when He has called you to "Go!" He will lead the way, equipping you for the journey? Do you long for significance, purpose and passion in your daily life? Then ask yourself, 'Where is He telling me to "Go!" and serve the poor?...and do it!

Wisdom From My Friend Chandra

Chandra is one of the single moms I am deeply privileged to know. She has not only been caring for her son as a single parent, about two years ago or so, she moved back in with her mother so she could serve her as she began exhibiting signs of dementia and possibly Alzheimer's. Chandra would never take any credit for the amazing way she has been coping with the hand that has been dealt to her...so I'll just say that if you could...you should know her.

One of the things she's great at is sharing with her Facebook friends the lessons she learns on her journey. Last night was a beautiful example and I asked her permission to share it with you.


God's patience is something to really marvel at. I mean for those of us that believe - we trust that He made the sun, moon, stars, and earth and holds it all in place - that He formed us with His own two hands in our mother's wombs and knows each of our days and how many hairs are on our heads yet when problems arise a lot of times our first instinct is to panic and not trust that He sees, hears, or cares, or will work in our favor and we have to fight and struggle to 'work up' this faith to believe that He will indeed help us again, 'this time' ....Didn't He do so the last time? And the time before that? I would've lost patience a LONG time ago with someone that acts as silly as I do with this at times.

I think of how aggravated it would make me if Chase kept coming to me everyday asking and begging in full fright, "Will you feed me again today? Will you clothe me Mom? Will you hold me? Will you tend to and bandage my scrapes and hurts? Will you ever give me snacks or presents? Do you love me? I mean do you REALLY love me? Will you protect me in the storm? Will you shield me from things that might hurt me? Please Mom, will you? Please Mom, I'm begging you" ....I mean, that would hurt (and anger) me so much if he doubted my love for him like that and was that fearful that I wouldn't care for him the very best that I could and do anything and everything in the world to make sure he was safe, happy, healthy, and had everything he needed and more. I mean haven't I proven that to him time and time again? How and why in the world would he doubt me or my love for him like that after all I've done for him?

If God sees fit to give me my very next breath, well, I think we should be able to trust that He will also care about and provide for the rest of my needs.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:9-11

"Blessed are Those Who Mourn...

for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, NASB)

Jesus just confounds me. And maybe it's only me, but somehow I doubt it. How can those who mourn possibly be "blessed"?

First of all, I think I have to overcome my American preconceived notion of what blessed means. I should have posted this link with my previous post Blessed are the Poor... Reading Ann Voscamp's take on who really is poor... puts into perspective that what we in the U.S. call blessed quite possibly isn't.

The Amplified Version of this word helps me understand what biblical blessing may include: "a happiness produced by God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace." 

My favorite version was from The Message though: "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." I like that.

Once again I believe Jesus was extending an invitation to reach the end of ourselves for that is where His embrace is most dear. But in a culture that believes you should "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" and it takes great tragedy to reveal our weakness, how do we daily live as one "who mourns" so that we can find our comfort only in Him? That's a good question for me.

Acknowledging that I don't have a clue how I'm supposed to live this life and at the same time asking Him to draw me closer to His heart so that I am broken by the things that break His is the only place I know to start.

Blessed Are the Poor...

It's going to be a very slow process, but I am continuing to pick through the red letter teachings of Jesus. I can already foresee that in many places I will have to ruminate line by line in an attempt to grasp even a small portion of the feast He has invited each one of us to enjoy.

Today, is one of those days as I found myself unable to get beyond one verse, Matthew 5:3. This begins the portion of Scripture we call The Sermon on the Mount and encompasses chapters 5 through 7 of the first Gospel of the New Testament. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God." (NASB)

What struck me initially, was that I knew this verse and could have quoted it to you verbatim, but the words "in spirit" had never impacted me before today. I have immersed myself in the book of James for so long that I have been putting more emphasis on the word poor and completely neglecting "the spirit". James tells us we should never dishonor the Poor and that God specifically chose the Poor to be rich in faith and heirs to the kingdom He has promised them. (see James 2)

So there I was asking the question for the first time: What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Do you think that it's pure coincidence that when I asked What IF He REALLY Meant It? I posed the additional question:   "But when you live among people that may not be experiencing as much financial poverty as they are deep poverty of the soul...how do I speak into their lives the Love of Jesus?" To me, this is not coincidence.

Sorting through the question, I looked up numerous references that reiterate how and whom will "inherit the kingdom". (Matthew 5:10; 19:14; 25:34; Mark 10:14; Luke 6:20; 22:29) and a recurring theme seems to be utter dependence on God...like a child or because you are persecuted. When I looked up the word poor, the definition that applies the most to me is "deficient or lacking in something specified". Spirit is described as my "conscious, incorporeal being" or the "vital principle in humans" that animates the body or "mediates between body and soul".

Even with all of this, I was still chewing.

What I realized I was stumbling over was one word...the one that starts each of the nine sentences from verses 3 and 11...blessed. Why am I blessed if I am deficient in the vital conscious being that defines and animates who I am? Perhaps, when I'm at the end of myself...I am ready to see, feel, taste and experience Who He is and what His kingdom contains...utter, complete, boundless dependence on Him and His Love.

Wow...that would be great! But then the next question that immediately comes stampeding on the heels of the first is: I'm pretty sure given the lavish Love of Jesus, He never intended for this blessing to be a one-time-deal. So how do I live in such a way that I am always poor in spirit?

There's the crux of it for me. I am being asked to always live at the end of my ability...the end of who I am and what I am able to do. That's a call for me to live in such a way that (as Frances Chan says) "If God doesn't come through, I'm screwed." It is radically living sacrificially and without reserve so that who I am and what I am able to do can only be explained by a supernatural God, the Love of His Son and the Spirit that empowers us beyond our limits. It is a call to be a Red Letter Radical!