To Do Justice

Abraham. He is acknowledged as the “father of nations.” Muslims, Christians and Jews all claim him as their patriarch—an ancestor to be respected, admired and highly esteemed. God singled him out for a special relationship. God promised to bless Abraham; but not just for the good of Abraham and his family. God promised to bless Abraham so that through him the whole world would be blessed.

One way to imagine Abraham fulfilling that purpose might be to picture Abraham as the person designated to distribute all the good gifts of God—spiritual and material—to the rest of the inhabitants of the world. God makes deposits into Abraham’s account; and then Abraham writes checks to disburse the funds. That might have been fun for Abraham; but it would have probably not been fun—or effective—for long.

You really don’t have to wonder what God meant, though. God is quite clear about his intention: “I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just” (Genesis 18:19). The way the world will be blessed through Abraham is that he will teach all the members of his family to do what is right and just.

When Moses was instructing the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land, he was clear, “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Deuteronomy 16:20). Even the queen of Sheba recognized the most valuable role Solomon played in God’s plan: “Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness” (1 Kings 10:9).

In spite of this consistent theme—this command to tell the truth, to ensure the rights of the poor are respected, to guard the welfare of foreigners, to be generous with those who have experienced hard times; the people God set apart to bless failed their primary purpose. Repeatedly God sent messengers to remind them in one way or another of the desire of God’s heart: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). It is difficult to express how utterly God’s people failed to live out this standard—or how their failure set them up for the disappointment they experienced.

God still longs for those he calls his own to do what is right and just; and we still fall short. The good news is that God still extends his mercy, shows us patience, and welcomes us when we turn toward him and seek the Spirit’s guidance to live as champions of righteousness and justice. 

Accentuate the Positive!

If you have the responsibility of supervising employees, you might want to check out an article I stumbled across a few days ago.  The author acknowledged that being the boss can be a real challenge—especially coping with employees who do their jobs well; but are equally skilled at annoying both you and their colleagues. This article shared one consultant’s list of the six most common problem personalities: The Gossip, The Grump, The Overachiever, The Suck-up, The Slacker, and The Clown.

If any of these people were not performing adequately, the author admits the easiest solution might be to fire them. You might be tempted to think that you would just be better off without them. As much as you might wish you could do everything yourself, the truth is you need other people to help you complete the work.

While the advice for how to deal with each of these different personality types was slightly different, the consistent theme was to redirect each person’s energies toward a specific task that would benefit them and the rest of the team. Encourage employees to talk about the things they have in common to strengthen relationships with one another. Make sure people who seem unhappy or insecure feel heard and that their contributions are recognized. Find ways to give people tasks that connect with their passions and interests so they have a reason to be more engaged and less disruptive.

Years ago Johnny Mercer wrote a song several artists made popular, “Accentuate the Positive.” You may remember the chorus:

You've got to accentuate the positive,

Eliminate the negative,

Latch on to the affirmative,

Don't mess with Mister In-Between.

Telling people only what you don’t like about what they are doing is rarely effective in altering their behavior. When you can show them a better way to accomplish their objectives, everyone benefits. That strategy works personally, as well. If you spend all your energy punishing yourself for some persistent bad habit without identifying a positive alternative, you are most likely to end up disheartened and discouraged, if not defeated.

Lent is an appropriate time to consider any habits you might have that are keeping you from becoming the person God created you to be. It is also a great time to adopt a discipline that will put you in a better position to accept the freedom and power God wants to give you, so you can experience every blessing God has prepared for you.  

Finding the Courage to Say "No!"

A friend was sharing his frustration the other day. He confessed that he might not be making the best use of his time. A lot of his work is done on the computer, and he uses the internet to access some of its resources. His concern was that there seemed to be more and more times when something would distract him and take him to another site where he would find something else that seemed interesting; and much too quickly, thirty minutes—or an hour—had passed and he still had not completed his original search. He asked me to pray for him.

When Jesus left his disciples for the last time, he gave them pretty clear and concise instructions: “Make disciples.” They had been following Jesus down a very particular path for a few years. They had heard Jesus teach others about God’s love and God’s intention that people love one another. They had heard Jesus invite others to follow him. They had witnessed Jesus sacrifice everything to demonstrate God’s love. From its first days, the church has embraced the mission to make disciples—people who faithfully follow the way of Christ.

Like my friend there have been times when the church has been distracted from its primary purpose. It has become fascinated with different media and methods, with a variety of liturgy and architecture, with nuances of theology and doctrine.

Individuals who make the commitment to follow Christ also find themselves wandering off the path from time to time—chasing after other pursuits that seem to promise profit, prestige, or power.

Sometimes the best way to get back on the path is to recall the commitments you made when you began. During Lent, the church has focused on teaching persons how to follow the path of Jesus. The keys to avoiding distraction and staying focused are central to the baptismal covenant. That’s why focusing on living out those vows in our everyday life can be a meaningful practice during the season of Lent.

I pray this will be a season for you to reflect on the path you are following. Are there things that are distracting you from keeping the commitments that are most important to you? May you find the courage to renounce and reject those things, so you may walk in the way that leads to life. 

Love One Another

Valentine’s Day is coming up in just a couple of weeks and there are lots of marketers aiming for your wallet. They hope to convince you that spending a few dollars to purchase their product will touch the heart of your true love.

Showing your love for others is important—and not just to those whom you might expect to return the affection. Jesus says a lot about love: love for God, love for our neighbor, even love for our enemies. And when you think about the love Jesus demonstrated, you begin to understand that Jesus is not just talking about having a positive regard for others. He is talking about doing something practical to improve the quality of their life. Jesus fed people who were hungry. Jesus healed people who were sick. Jesus people welcomed people who were left out. Jesus restored the hope of those who were drowning in despair. Furthermore, Jesus says that the way everyone will be able to tell if we are really committed to faithfully following him, is when we love each other (John 13:35).

John Wesley found a slightly different way to talk about how important love is: “In a Christian believer love sits upon the throne which is erected in the inmost soul; namely, love of God and man, which fills the whole heart, and reigns without rival.” For Wesley, too, this love had real world ramifications. Reflecting on Chapter 13 of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, Wesley writes, “The love of God, and of our neighbour for God's sake, is patient toward, all men. It suffers all the weakness, ignorance, errors, and infirmities of the children of God; all the malice and wickedness of the children of the world: and all this, not only for a time, but to the end. And in every step toward overcoming evil with good, it is kind, soft, mild, benign. It inspires the sufferer at once with the most amiable sweetness, and the most fervent and tender affection.”

This kind of love goes way beyond stuffed animals, bouquets of flowers, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, or frilly cards. It is also much more costly. But without this kind of love, all the other is just claptrap and garbage that will be discarded in a few days. Loving others the way Jesus has taught us will make an everlasting difference in us, in those we love, and in the world. 

A Voice in the Wilderness

There are two stories I remember hearing while I was a child that I must admit influence the way I listen to anyone who steps forward to announce some momentous event. One of those stories was about the boy who cried, “wolf!” The other was the story of “Chicken Little.”

The first story was about a boy who was not happy with the job he had guarding the sheep. The work was not that hard, but he got bored with the long hours and wondered whether anyone appreciated the job he was doing. To break up the monotony he raises the alarm and is delighted when the people from the village rush out help him protect the sheep from harm. Discovering there is no threat, they return to their work in the village.

After a similar sequence of events occurs several more times—with diminishing fervor from the townspeople on each occasion; a wolf does actually attack the flock. When the boy raises the alarm this time, people pause, look up from what they are doing, shake their heads, and then go back to their work. The flock (and in some versions, the boy) is lost.

In some ways Chicken Little is more successful in raising the alarm. She is struck on the head by an acorn as she is pecking around the farmyard, and mistakenly concludes that the sky is falling. As she goes from one resident of the farm to the next, she is quite convincing. With each voice adding to the alarm, the anxiety becomes even more palpable, and leads the whole crew to fail to see the very real danger of following “Foxy Loxy” into his den (from which they never return).

When a voice breaks through the noise today, I have to admit that I filter what they say through a skepticism that had its genesis in these stories from my youth. But I also face a more personal challenge when I am the one who is charged with raising the alarm: How do I call the community of faith to take seriously the challenge “to prepare the way of the Lord”?

He has come and he is coming again. “And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

Remembering Jerry

Scarcely a week goes by when we are not reminded that we live in a troubled, broken, and violent world. This week the evidence has been particularly personal and profound. On Monday morning Jerry Kaiser was the victim of a catastrophic collision on Lyne’s parkway.

Brenda and Jerry were returning from a trip to Savannah when they were hit by a car being driven the wrong way up I-516. The impact shredded the passenger’s side of both vehicles from the headlights to the rear axle. Skid marks, stains from engine fluids, and gouges in the concrete are evidence of the severity of the event. Most bitter of all, our friend and brother suffered injuries that abruptly ended his life.

Remarkably, Brenda’s wounds were much less severe—at least physically. Still what she, Jerry’s other family members, and all those who knew and loved Jerry carry is a deep and powerful sense of loss as we grieve this tragedy. Our hearts ache and our minds long for answers. Trials like this take us to our limits.

If there is anything we should have learned from Jerry, it was how to face adversity. He had anticipated quite a different life in retirement than he got. Still he never resigned to his disability; rather he continued to push himself to accomplish all that he could and to make the most of every opportunity to witness to his faith.

I don’t know how many miles Jerry covered in his power chair; but I do know that this neighborhood is one of the most prayed over areas in the county. Jerry knew that many in this world do not love God or follow God’s ways; still he devoted his energies to praying, not only for those who live in the vicinity, but for all who have not yet made the decision to follow Christ. He befriended strangers. He invited people to join him in worship. He encouraged people who were struggling with their own issues. In the face of great trials, Jerry demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and an unrelenting commitment to love and serve others.

I pray his endurance will inspire us to ask God for the strength to press on through this trial—and through the many trials that will continue to confront us—as we seek to live faithful lives in this troubled, broken, and violent—but ultimately, redeemed world.

When Your Heart Hurts

Receiving the news of the death of someone is never easy. Whether you are close friends or merely acquaintances; whether the news comes at the end of a long illness or as a complete surprise; whether they lived an exemplary life or spent their years as a prodigal; there is a finality in the news that they have died that feels like a punch to the gut.

Unfortunately, such news has become commonplace. Widespread disease, recklessness and distraction on our highways, armed conflict and terroristic attacks, outbursts of violence, and even personal despair take their toll on great numbers of people each and every day. At times, it can seem overwhelming.

Indeed, you may be tempted to adopt a strategy of denial. If you don’t think about it at all, maybe you can move on as though nothing significant really happened. While that might serve as an effective short-term strategy, it rarely proves helpful to becoming the kind of person God has created us to be.

Grief is a natural response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone who has died. While it has an emotional component, it involves every part of who we are as persons created to be in relationship with others. The process of grief involves not only mourning, but also the acknowledgement (even the celebration) of all blessings we received because we were together (if only briefly) in this life.

When David received the news that King Saul and his son, Jonathan, had been killed in battle; one might think that it would have been easy for him to discount the loss. After all, he and Saul had been at odds for quite some time; and his relationship with Jonathan had been deeply stressed. Nevertheless, David acknowledged the greatness he had witnessed in both of them, and gave thanks for all they had done for him and for the nation of Israel.

Having a heart for God means more than having the faith to face great challenges; it also means allowing yourself to feel the hurt of significant loss. It is a sign that we are not only grateful for the ways God blesses our lives through others, but also that we trust God to continue to bring people into our lives who will show us the promise and potential of a life well-lived.

Into the Valley

Anointed, yet not acclaimed
No crown, no army, no domain.

Called from pastures feeding sheep
Sent by his anxious father
Bearing bread for his brothers
Carrying cheese for their captain
David reaches battle camp
Soldiers running for trenches
Commanders shouting for battle.

Across the valley
The enemy's champion
Bronze armor flashing
Shouts his well-practiced taunt
Insulting Israel
Distressing Saul
Terrifying Israel's army.

"Who is this who defies God's army?"
Such questions kindle a brother's anger
And a king's attention
"I'll go fight him!"
David volunteers
Recounting God's deliverance
Saving sheep from lion and bear.

Casting off the king's own armor
Grabbing staff and sling
David descends into the valley 
Pausing as he crosses the stream
Choosing five smooth stones
Ample ammunition for one
Trusting in the Lord's protection.

Goliath adds insults and curses
To the taunts he hurls
Still David knows and testifies
"The Lord owns this war.
I will strike you down."

The Philistine moves to attack
David moves more quickly
Stone in and out of sling
Soon sinking into the pagan's skull
Seizing sword from Goliath's sheath
David slays the blasphemer and proves
The Lord rescues those who trust in him. 

Looking for the Fruit

When God speaks to Moses at the burning bush, God has more than escape in mind. Not only is Moses called to set the people free from slavery in Egypt, he is also to lead them to the “promised land” – “a good and broad land, a land that’s full of milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). Pharaoh makes the release as difficult on the Israelites as he can, and the journey across the desert is marred by complaints and questions about Moses’ competence; but after a couple of years and a couple of months they are poised to enter the land of Canaan.

God speaks to Moses again. This time God tells Moses to select a man from each of the twelve tribes to explore the land and bring back a report. Moses gives them thorough instructions, concluding with an interesting request: “bring back the land’s fruit” (Numbers 13:20).

They explored the area for forty days. While they were there they cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes that was so big that two men carried it on a pole between them. When they got back they showed everyone the fruit and gave their report: “We entered the land to which you sent us. It’s actually full of milk and honey, and this is its fruit” (Numbers 13:27). This fruit of the vine was not only clear evidence of the fertility of the land, but also of God’s faithfulness to his promises. It should have been an occasion for celebration.

Years later the Psalmist imagines the people of Israel as a vine God brought out of Egypt and planted in a place especially prepared for it. Isaiah compares God to a man who planted a vine in a protected vineyard expecting it to produce fine grapes; plainly saying, “Indeed Israel is the vineyard of the LORD” (cf. 5:1-8). Jeremiah delivers this message from God to Judah: “I planted you in the land like a special vine of the very best stock” (2:21).

So when Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches;” he is connecting his ministry to the history of God’s covenant people. He is also warning them not to repeat the mistakes of those who had gone before. “My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples” (John 15:8).

May people be delighted and amazed by the fruit they find among us.

Loving Strangers

Forty years had passed since they had escaped from Egypt. That was not the original plan. A journey that should have been completed in a few weeks lasted for decades. Moses certainly imagined things would go differently. Still God had been faithful. Neither their clothes nor their sandals had worn out. They always had food to eat and water to drink. Their enemies had been defeated time after time. Now they were on the verge of entering “the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you” (Deuteronomy 27:3b).

On the banks of the Jordan River, Moses prepares the people for their triumphant entry. He urges them once again to be faithful “to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (10:12b). He calls them “to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees” (10:13a). He reminds them “the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations” (10:15).

In the midst of his parting message, Moses says something quite interesting: “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing” (10:17-18). Furthermore, “you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (10:19). The people of God are called to love the people God loves.

The Sunday before Passover Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem like a triumphant king. The people shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13). Many expect to Jesus to ride right into the palace, to run the Romans out of the country, and to restore Israel to its former glory; but Jesus is not there to serve himself, orchestrate a coup, or engage in wish fulfillment. Jesus has come to show God’s love to the world.

Paul explains it to the Ephesians like this: “Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us…. In his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us…. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us” (2:13-14, 18). And so it continues; the people of God are called to love the people God loves—particularly strangers and foreigners. 

Scandalous Love

“There was a man who had two sons.” That’s the way Jesus begins one of the most familiar of all his parables. Indeed, it is so familiar that most people fail to appreciate how shocking it must have sounded to those people who heard him tell it for the first time.

It is true that most people still place a high value on family relationships; but in first century Palestine, family identity was at the core of your personal identity. It provided your connection to the rest of the community. It conferred your role in the history of God’s people. Being part of a household insured your life, especially in a country occupied by a foreign military force. In this culture it was essential that everyone in the household be fully devoted to each other’s wellbeing.

For a child (particularly, a son) to approach his father and ask for his share of the inheritance would have been not only an insult; but a threat to the family’s very existence. In an era when our children live all over the world, it is hard to imagine how scandalous it would be to hear that this same child chose to pack up and move off just a few days later.

As Jesus continues the story it becomes more clear that this rebellious son did recognize his father’s loving and generous spirit. As he recalls the evidence of his father’s gracious generosity, he’s convinced that even being one of his father’s hired workers would be an improvement over his current condition. As the story unfolds and his recollections prove true, his initial rebellion seems even more mysterious and perplexing, if not incomprehensible.

Then just as the story seems to be reaching a happy conclusion, Jesus shocks his audience again. Now the other son—the elder son—the “good” son—refuses to participate in the celebration of his younger brother’s return. Without apology, he expresses his contempt for both his brother and his father. This is a different form of rebellion; nevertheless, it is a clear expression of his failure to appreciate the depth of his father’s love for him.

Jesus leaves the story unresolved. The party is in full swing. The father has explained the situation to his older son; but there is no indication how he will respond. Immediately Jesus begins the next story.

I imagine the crowd shaking their heads as they puzzle over what they have just heard.  “How could…why would anyone respond like that to such a loving and gracious father?” Perhaps that is just the question Jesus hopes we will ask ourselves as we consider the ways we have rebelled against God’s love.

A Question of Authority

     You’ve heard it before, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Nevertheless, publishing companies invest lots of time and talent into the design of book covers that will, at least, increase the likelihood that you will not only pull their text of the shelf, but will actually consider paying the price to carry it home.

     Of course, the art department has a role to play in making one work stand out among the rest, but you may have noticed a marked increase in the number of review excerpts included on book jackets. They want you to know that other people have read and enjoyed this particular tome.

     Particularly with works of non-fiction, you may find the first few pages dedicated to short testimonials from “experts” (or if not “experts,” at least, celebrities) in the field. They routinely mention the significance and importance of this particular contribution to the field; or the author’s advance of the conversation; or something like that.

     If there are enough positive comments, and they are made by people you admire or respect; you must admit it increases your consideration of a purchase. While the bold title and interesting art work may have prompted you to pick up the book, the combined testimony of critics and colleagues goes a long way toward convincing you to seriously consider what this writer has to say.

     With more and more people filling pages, web sites, and air waves with their own particular (and quite often, peculiar) messages, it makes sense to take the time to consider the source. Do they have a vested interest in promoting their particular narrative? What are the likely results of their suggested course of action? Who are their allies and what are their goals? Are their values aligned with what you know to be true?

     The more challenging question, though, is could you respond confidently to someone who questioned you about the declarations you make, the decisions you take, the actions that define your life. Who gave you the authority to do the things you do?

Joy to the World

Joy can seem astonishingly elusive—even during these days leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The announcement of the angel—“Behold, I bring you good news of great joy…”—echoes in your ears; but you struggle to force a smile when anyone wishes you, “Merry Christmas.” If there is any word that comes close to describing your state of mind, it is “anxious.”

The flood of catalogs filling your mailbox and sales inserts spilling from your newspaper, remind you of all the things you don’t have (but wish you did). Still you know you won’t get much sympathy as you sort through all the letters asking you to respond to the great need of the “less fortunate” in the community and around the world.

Bombings and beheadings overseas, riots and demonstrations across the country, and shootings in the streets you drive every day, leave you feeling hopeless when the carolers sing of “peace on earth.” Even the relationships with the people you’ve shared your life with for years seem strained and unsettled.

You move slowly as you start your day—going though an inventory of your aches and pains. You listen carefully to the ads that punctuate the morning news with the promise of some new drug that will alleviate your ailments. As the announcer continues to list all the possible side effects and contraindications of the cure he is promoting, doubt that there is any possibility of healing adds to your distress.

Nevertheless, as a community of faith, we gather excitedly, stand expectantly, and wait patiently for the one who proclaimed, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

May you discover indescribable joy as you affirm the great gift God has given you—the gift of life through faith in Jesus who was born in Bethlehem and is coming again.

The Way of the Cross

For most of the time I have been serving as a pastor in the United Methodist Church I have heard conversations, read books and attended conferences addressing the decline of the church in general and the denomination in particular. I have been asked to consider myriad causes, scores of diagnoses, and more remedies than I can recall. Much of what I have seen and heard has been helpful. Most of it is heartfelt. Still there are times when I wonder if most of those doing the assessment of our current condition are failing to acknowledge the primary source of our malaise.

Soon after Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; he scolds Jesus for explaining what that will mean for him: opposition, suffering, death. In spite of Peter’s well-meaning expression of concern, Jesus is unwavering—and even extends the implications of his identity and the mission to which has been appointed to include all who would choose to follow him: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

Years before his death in 1963, A. W. Tozer identified “a notable heresy [which] has come into being throughout our evangelical Christian circles—the widely accepted concept that we humans can choose to accept Christ only because we need Him as Savior and we have the right to postpone our obedience to Him as Lord as long as we want to!

“I think the following is a fair statement of what I was taught in my early Christian experience….

“‘We are saved by accepting Christ as our Savior; we are sanctified by accepting Christ as our Lord; we may do the first without doing the second!’”

“The truth is that salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred Scriptures. Peter makes it plain that we are ‘chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit for obedience’” (1 Peter 1:2).

If you are concerned about the decline of the church, let me ask you to pray that more people will not only accept Jesus as their savior; but will also allow Jesus to be their Lord and resolve to take up their cross and follow where Jesus leads.

Learning to Relax

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.”

That’s really unfortunate, but the CDC goes further to report, “For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.” Factors that contribute to the risk of death by drowning include a lack of close supervision and a lack of barriers around pools and other bodies of water.

Still the number one factor the CDC lists is the “lack of swimming ability.” They also are quick to point out, “Research has shown that participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children aged 1 to 4 years.”

I don’t know if my mother knew all of this when we were growing up or not. She was a public health nurse, so I suspect that she did. Nevertheless, she enrolled us in swimming classes at the YMCA when we were very young. I don’t even remember learning to swim. I just remember loving to swim. And I still love it.

As a former American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructor I loved teaching kids to swim. They were so excited as they learned one skill, which led to mastering another, which led to undeniable proficiency in moving through the water from one side of the pool to the other.

One the first things I had to teach my students was that the water would hold them up. They could float. One at a time I would take a student from the side of the pool, ask them to roll on their back while I held them loosely by the shoulders. I would tell them to relax, and pretty soon I could show them my hands were no longer holding them up. They were floating.

Sometimes this didn’t last too long. They would become anxious, tense up, and start fighting the water. I would step in, lift them to the side of the pool, and let them catch their breath so we could try it again in a few minutes.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:29). Makes me wonder how many people would feel less like they are drowning if they quit struggling so hard and received the rest Jesus has offered to give.

A Cup of Cold Water

For some people the summer offers an opportunity to ease off on the throttle, slow down a little, and enjoy the scenery. Still there are many people who continue to live life wide open, hurrying from one place to another, overwhelmed by the feeling of being constantly behind.

The stress can take its toll. Pretty soon, in addition to feeling exhausted, you begin to see other people as an interruption, if not a threat. You begin to question yourself—your motives—your values. Even if you are certain the things you are doing are helping make the world a better place for you and your family, you begin to wonder if it’s worth all the effort.

When you begin to doubt whether you have the strength to take another step, you are also in the position to appreciate the value of even the smallest gesture of encouragement.

A cup of cold water doesn’t mean much when you’ve been sitting on the couch for an hour or so; but if you’ve been out weeding the garden in the hot sun, it is refreshing nectar and you are delighted to receive such a gift.

I wonder how our world would be transformed if more of us looked for those people who need a cup of cold water—a word of encouragement—a sign of appreciation for the work they are doing to make the world a better place. I know it is much more effective to reward good behavior, than it is to punish bad behavior. More importantly, it is a much more gracious way to live.

As he comes to the close of his message to the Hebrews, the writer reminds each of us: “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (13:1-2).  

Let me encourage you to encourage others, welcome them, and look for ways to show them hospitality; and I’ll be praying that others will offer you that cup of cold water at just the right time.

Getting Noticed

Fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead—and ten days after the disciples watched him ascend into heaven—the band of believers who had followed Jesus throughout his public ministry experienced a transformation that could not be ignored.

Luke tells us a lot about the sequence of events of that day: they were all gathered in one place; the sound of a great wind; tongues of fire; and a newfound ability to speak in other languages. It is a remarkable scene and it is not uncommon to spend time imagining what it must have been like to be in that room when the Holy Spirit showed up. Were they praying or singing or sitting silently staring into space?

After a few moments spent wondering about the circumstances, you might find yourself wishing you could recreate them. I wonder how many worship planners secretly hope they can devise the right sequence of prayers and songs and silence to get the Holy Spirit to show up in their worship space. They may feel successful when they witness a few tears, people hold up their hands, and sway from side to side. I fear they may be missing the real significance of the day, though.

What happened outside that room is what really matters. People who thought this group of uneducated rabble should slink back to the countryside were bewildered and amazed. People who thought they had a pretty good handle on what it meant to worship God were astonished and perplexed. People who had already dismissed Jesus’ ministry—his teaching, his healing, his work of reconciliation—were cut to the heart by the proclamation of Peter and the others.

When the Holy Spirit descended on the believers it attracted the attention of the people in the street. Peter and the others did not linger in their special moment. They rushed into the world—and the world noticed.

The Holy Spirit is still calling, equipping, and empowering believers to go into the world with the proclamation of the good news of all that God has done to show his love to those who are hurt, lonely, lost, and afraid. Pentecost is our opportunity to remember and celebrate this reality even as we ask God to prepare us to join him in this mission that bewilders, astonishes, and amazes the world. 

A Vision of Holiness

John Wesley taught that there were four primary resources available to the community of faith as they sought to help one another grow in loving God, loving neighbors, and loving one another as Christ loves us: scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. These four resources have become known as “Wesley’s Quadrilateral.” Wesley believed these four resources guide the church as it seeks to faithfully live out its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ who seek to grow in holiness of heart and life.

Unfortunately, the church (at least, “The United Methodist Church”) is not doing a very good job of making disciples or of leading people to seek to grow in holiness of heart and life. Year after year we receive reports of declining numbers in membership, attendance, and giving. There is increasing evidence within the church of accommodation to the values of the culture. The impact and influence of the church is relegated to the margins of society. How has this happened?

I believe it is because we are misusing our resources.

Scripture is the primary source for Christian theology. It is where God reveals himself to the world. It is the foundation for understanding and interpreting Christian faith and life. It is meant to be read, studied, and interpreted as a whole as we seek to know more about God’s mystery, presence, and power. For many, scripture has become a collection of texts they rely on to support their particular agenda.

Tradition has come to mean “what we are comfortable doing.” In some churches if they do anything the same way twice, you’ll hear, “that’s the way we’ve always done it.” For Wesley, tradition was the record of the faithfulness of the people of God across the centuries. He valued those practices that had sustained God’s people from generation to generation.

God gives us the freedom to question, think, and teach in order to watch over one another in love. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Today reason has been reduced to whatever makes sense to me.

For Wesley experience meant a personal encounter with the divine presence and power. Today many point to what works as proof of its value and efficacy.

 Fifteen hundred years ago, a young Benedict wanted to know how best to live for God within a hostile environment. He emerged from his retreat convinced that the spiritual life is countercultural, counterintuitive, and counterproductive.  I pray that God may focus our vision so that we may find the power and wisdom in the resources we have to live such lives.

Which Way

One of the more significant insights from Lewis Carroll's novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, comes in a conversation between Alice and the Cheshire Cat:

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.

"I don't much care where –" said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.

"– so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.

"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

The situation seems rather humorous at first; but when you stop to consider how many people are facing a quandary quite similar to the one Alice is confronting, you realize these circumstances are disturbing—if not tragic. There is no telling how many people, who claim to be looking for direction in their life, have never stopped to consider the destination they want to reach. They have never sorted through the many competing desires that pass through their life to identify the few longings that are most important to them. They have never settled the matter of which values are worth standing for. They have never connected to a cause that claimed their full allegiance. They are merely headed “somewhere.”

In his book, The Principle of the Path, Andy Stanley writes, “The direction you are currently traveling—relationally, financially, spiritually, and the list goes on and on—will determine where you end up in each of those respective arenas.”

The question remains: “Where [do] you want to get to?” If you want to move toward a destination where you can experience deep and satisfying relationships, where you can express your gifts and talents in ways that enrich the lives of others, and where you can begin to sense the delight of God; I invite you to focus on the longings and yearnings of your heart and mind. Ask God to help you identify those passions which lead to life and joy and peace. And then it will be much clearer “which way [you] ought to go from here.”

Building Relationships

Ask anyone who has ever run a business, and they will tell you taking care of your customer is one of the most important factors in achieving success. There are a lot of people who will give you at least one chance to impress them; but even if you have a superior product, supported by excellent service, offered at a competitive price, if you don’t let people know you appreciate them, you may not get a second chance to make a sale. And you certainly won’t get their vote in any “Best of” competition.

Successful businesses—whether they are retail, service, or manufacturing—whether they are brick-and-mortar or on-line—invest time and money in developing good relationships with their customers; because they know that it is an investment that pays great dividends. In fact, a whole category of software has been created to help companies manage their interactions with current and future customers. CRM (customer relationship management) software helps companies organize information about their customers so they can provide more appropriate support, offer more targeted special sales, and even suggest future purchases. They do it all because they know it is essential to their bottom line. It is the key to their existence.

I have to admit that I find it rather ironic (but mainly sad) that companies that are in business to sell widgets, maintain machines, or serve sandwiches value relationships more than some people who say they believe that everyone is created in the image of God. More than people who affirm the call to “love one another.” More than people who claim God has transformed them into a community that represents Christ to the world.

Still the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ give me confidence that God’s Spirit can empower those who trust in God to form, repair, redeem, and sustain relationships with others that are deeply satisfying. Relationships that exceed all our expectations. Relationships that give life. Relationships that communicate God’s great good news to all the world.