Seeking God Daily

What is faith for a Christian? It’s all about risk taking but of a particular kind. Let me illustrate from the world of mountain climbing.  Once the ascent has begun, there is risk. If the climber climbs with the appropriate equipment, a climbing guide, and takes the necessary precautions the risk is considered calculated, responsible, purposeful, adventurous and relatively safe. He has everything he needs to make it to the top. If the climber, for whatever reason, climbs solo, no equipment, no safety belay, ignores any precautions they are considered reckless, irresponsible, foolish, and unsafe. All he has is himself. This kind of risk taking is what American sci-fi and mystery writer, Ray Bradbury, describes as, “…jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down”. Life is full of dangers, no doubt, but the only risks we face in those dangers are when we do so without our guide, Jesus. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). This kind of faith produces a great adventure that is responsible, has purpose, and results in safe passage to the summit.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5, 6

Had your flu shot yet? Got mine this week. Seems like the needle is getting longer and thicker each year while the nurse is less sympathetic to my wiggle of anticipation and wince of pain. What a gullible guy I am. I still believe her when she tells me every year that it’s “just a little poke and won’t hurt a bit”. Try  convincing  my throbbing arm of that sentiment. You’d think she’d be more sensitive to an old guy.

Upon arrival at Dr. Wilson’s house of hurt, I picked up a pamphlet in the waiting room that discussed the ins and outs of the shot and its target—influenza. I didn’t realize that  influenza is the Italian word for influence. Besides literally meaning influence, it has its roots  in a Medieval Latin word īnfluentia, which was also rendered epidemic (so called apparently from the belief that epidemics were due to the influence of the stars). Interesting reading for a doctor’s office but who cares, really? I wouldn’t under normal circumstances but since my turn for a hypodermic jab was taking much longer than usual, my mind kicked into some mental gymnastics with the words influence, influenza, and epidemic. When I got home I consulted Noah Webster. His “way with words” aroused some profound reflections upon Jesus and some probing personal questions.

Influence is simply “the power to effect decision”. Aren’t we all products of what influences us?   You can be arrested for being under the influence of alcohol. Genres of art have been born through the influence of one artist. A missed field goal in an NFL game last weekend influenced the final outcome. Parents and teachers can be influential on the children they raise and teach. Weather will often influence our day’s agenda. Whether they want to accept it or not, professional athletes have the power and platform to influence kids. What I permit to influence my thinking and subsequent acting will most likely shape how I live.

Influenza is “a highly contagious and often epidemic viral disease”. The words highly contagious jumped out at me; things that are communicable, catching, infectious, transmittable.

Epidemic is “the rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something”. This word usually denotes something that is undesirable like a disease, a riot, or greed. How about a scattering of good things like grace, forgiveness, and love?

CONSIDER THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and be began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips…”  Luke 4:18-22

He was and is still all about affecting a person’s decision making process. He not only has the power to do so but He has the highest authority supporting Him plus he always knows what is best in any situation.

He taught and lived in such a way that “multitudes” of men, women, and children were drawn to who He was, what He said, and what He did. That remains a common occurrence.

He created an epidemic that continues to circulate “good news” in a world that is too often characterized by so much bad news.

CONSIDER MY LIFE

What exactly has the greatest influence over my life?

What exactly is there in my life that is so infectious that it has the power to cause others to desire it and benefit from it?

If I were to start an epidemic what exactly would I want to spread? How would I do it?

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  John 13:15

“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:5. 6                         

“You are the light of the world…In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” 

Went to a high school football game the other night and I’d forgotten just how much I love high school football. Lots of changes:  the unevenly lit field to high tech lighting, the stale popcorn to pizza and nachos, and the occasionally synchronized marching band to precision performers. There were still the cute cheerleaders and their corny cheers, the hyper-active coaches, and the 70 or 80 pimply faced adolescent “wanna-bes” ready to enter the arena as gridiron gladiators. The sights, the sounds, and the smells transported me back to 1965 and the opening football game of my senior year. Yeh, yeh, I’m that old and, yeh, there really was football that long ago.

We entered the season as one of the favorites to win our conference and were ranked in the state’s top ten. I was part of a quarterback tandem that would alternate throughout the game. During our first series my efforts were anything but memorable. Among my exploits were getting sacked because I ran to the wrong side where there were no blockers, throwing the ball 10 yards beyond a well covered receiver when I had two other guys wide open, and then the capper. We called a play-action pass to our tight end and it nearly worked to perfection. Notice I said nearly. I faked the ball to our running back and hid the ball on my hip and rolled out away from the play. I was so amazed that my end had no one within 10 yards of him that I got excited and threw the ball 10 yards behind him right to an opposing linebacker. In shock I froze in my cleats and just watched him run down the field.

I approached our bench with my head down but I could still hear jeers and boos from the crowd and even some comments from some teammates and coaches, “Man, did you blow it!”, “Coach’s gonna bench him for sure”, “What were you thinking Medcalfe?”  But to everyone’s surprise the head coach walked up to me, patted me on my helmet and then firmly said, “Get your head up and get ready to get back into the game. You’ll be alright”.   And that’s exactly what I was, alright. Why, because the coach had not given up on me. His words sparked a courage and confidence to go back into the game despite my mistakes and the angry crowd.

Many years later, while reading Psalm 3, it occurred to me that this Psalm’s author, David, faced a similar situation but on a much larger scale. His opposition didn’t want him out of the game, so to speak, they wanted him dead!  Because of some major wrong choices and increasing enemies David knew that people were saying that “God would not deliver him”. In verses 3-6 David turns his attention away from his foes and onto God. He desperately needed protection, a purpose to go onward, and a push. David describes what God would provide when he cried out to Him. “You are “my shield” of protection; You are “my glory”, my reason to live; You are the one who “lifts up my head” so I can see clearly what I must do.” What a statement of support from our heavenly coach!

When we get down, disappointed, and depressed our heads droop and our hearts  become disheartened. But, if we would humbly cry out to God in confidence like King David, God will lift our heads up, fill us again with renewed courage and contentment, declare that we are alright, and put us back into the game!

“But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and  lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.”  Psalm 3:3, 4

I climbed a tree with one of my grandsons last week. It happened to be a tree that I used to climb when I was his tender age of seven and possessed his nimble knack of “tree-frogging”. In spite of a few arthritic aches and tentative moments, Tate and I were able to ascend the tall timber to a height that permitted us to see the neighborhood from a different perspective . “Wow, I can’t believe all I can see from up here”, he marveled.  My grandson was exuberant, I was amazed, my daughter in-law closed her eyes, and my wife lovingly smiled while shaking her head. I’ve never been accused of having a lot of sense or being very smart. In fact, I was recently cited by an “old” friend as refusing to grow-up. Hmm, that could be taken a couple of ways. Was she acknowledging my child-likeness and youthful energy or was she exposing my lack of maturity and good judgment; probably guilty on all accounts.

As a baby-booming, dyed in the wool Disneyite, I was indelibly influenced by Peter Pan’s proclivity (what a fun sounding word) toward eternal youth. I still find myself singing his tune of protest…

I won’t grow up,
I don’t want to go to school.
Just to learn to be a parrot,
And recite a silly rule.
If growing up means
It would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree.
Then I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up,
Not me!
Not I,
Not me!
Not me!

Funny how God often uses unusual places and unexpected moments to drive home an important message to us. That’s exactly what he did to me while I was sharing a branch with Tate and, by the way, having a great time. It occurred to me that God doesn’t want me to grow up and yet He does want me to mature. Huh? Yep, you heard me right. Sound like double talk, an oxymoron? Perhaps in most circumstances, but consider some interesting thoughts from the Bible:

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:2, 3

“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…”  Hebrews 6:1

Here are some of the messages that came blowing through the leaves:

I don’t ever want to grow up in my innocence toward sin.

I don’t ever want to grow up in my need for God.

I don’t ever want to grow up in my trust of God.

I don’t ever want to grow up in my wonder of God.

I don’t ever want to grow up in my desire to take risks for God.

I don’t ever want to grow up in my curiosity to learn new things from God.

I do want to see more from God’s perspective.

I do want to know more of God’s mind.

I do want to be more fit to climb higher for God’s truth.

I do want to be more discerning of God’s ways and the world’s woes.

I do want to be more loving with God’s heart.

I do want to be more like God’s Son, Jesus.

When it comes to kingdom tree climbing, God wants us to be willing to go out on a limb for Him with a child-like dependence and a mature confidence. Perhaps, like Tate, we’ll exclaim, “Wow, I can’t believe all I can see from up here!”

Have you ever noticed in the Bible how many times someone or a group of someones call out to God to show them, teach them, and guide them? If you haven’t, don’t just take my word for it, check it out for yourself. It’s in The Book. (You might want to start with Psalm 25:5, 6.) At the same time, have you ever noticed how many times in the Bible God, either directly or indirectly, calls out to someone or a group of someones to look at Him, listen to Him, and learn from Him? (You might want to start with Psalm 105:4; Deuteronomy 30:19, 20; Matthew 11:29). 

An interesting dynamic is at work here. Simply put, everyone, not just someone, is at some point in their life needing for something or someone to help them with the unexpected twists of life.  God, on the other hand, is looking for anyone who will permit Him to provide for them exactly what they need to contend with those unknowns. That’s a good thing. Unfortunately, there are a lot of someones who are looking at, listening to, and learning from anything and everything but God. And that’s not a good thing.  And if they don’t realize that now, I assure you, they will eventually.

Life is certainly full of the unexpected. Consider one day last week. A local family got news that their son had been killed during combat in Afghanistan. A five year old child was accidentally shot in her living room while watching TV. A super talented rookie baseball pitcher, who dazzled thousands in his big league debut, discovered that he would need season ending elbow surgery. A hurricane threatened countless homes and businesses on the eastern seaboard. A young couple was forced to have their house foreclosed due to the husband’s job being downsized. A mother of three was diagnosed with breast cancer. A church burned to the ground. Like the 1960’s Sonny and Cher classic tune declared, “And the beat goes on and on and on and on”. With these kinds of happenings occurring nearly every day, one might be tempted to cancel their newspaper, cable, and internet subscriptions.

There’s just no way to anticipate or prepare for those unforeseen moments in life? Or is there? The task at hand is not our being able to always predict accurately what may end up in our path the next moment, the next day, or the next week, but rather, to confidently know what to do with it when it does show up. When the nation of Judah faced overwhelming opposition from three hostile allied nations they were absolutely caught off guard. What they didn’t know in the past did not keep them from knowing what to do at that moment of surprise. Listen to their prayerful resolve: “O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).  Their final statement indicated that they were willing to trust God with the outcome as they looked to Him, listened to Him, and ultimately learned from Him.

And what about the outcome you may ask. God confused the three armies so much that they turned on each other until every soldier was killed. The army of Judah didn’t have to wield a sword or shoot an arrow. All they had to do was place their predicament into the hands of God and He took care of the rest. (I encourage you to read all of 2 Chronicles 20 for the rest of this amazing story.)

The God of Judah is the same God who desires to be in the middle of your weekly sea of unknowns. He wants to have a direct influence on how you respond to those unpredictable moments and on their outcomes. He wants to show you things, and tell you things, and ultimately teach you things that will amaze, encourage,  comfort, and guide you. All He wants of you is to look at His ways, listen to His words, and learn from His will…and He’ll take care of the rest.

“Show me you ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”  Psalm 25:5, 6

During a middle school conference at Green Lake Conference Center in Wisconsin this summer, Gayle and I took our two god-daughters down to the beach for a swim. Natty, the five year old, and I were having a great time swimming to the bottom of the 4 foot area examining the mysteries of the deep. As we splashed and laughed, we were interrupted by the sobbing of a 6th grade girl frantically thrashing around in the water.  “My watch, my watch”, she exclaimed, “my watch slipped off of my wrist and I can’t find it. Will you please help me look for it?”

Along with her friends, we dove to the sandy depths time after time only to end up watch-less. Natty and I decided to return to the beach but as we did I couldn’t help but notice the despondent look on the middle schooler’s face. The watch must have been very special to her and with it lost, her week would probably be majorly distracted. My heart ached for her and moved me to enter the water for another look. On my first attempt I did something I failed to do earlier…I prayed. As I dove into the water I simply asked, “Please Lord, open my eyes to your child’s watch”. The instant I opened my eyes, after my petition, I saw her pink timepiece. Yep, that’s exactly how it happened. I think I was as excited as the young teenager, but for a different reason.

Coincidence? Luck? Not hardly. Was God that concerned about the watch? Not likely? Did He want the young girl to be undistracted during the evening program when the Gospel was to be presented and an altar call extendend? Absolutely!

God cares. God understands. God hears. God acts. God always knows best.

God’s ways are far beyond ours but His ways always have our best interest in mind.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

We are in our busiest months with Youth Conferences and finishing our second book on ADHD thus making it really difficult to keep SGD current. Decided to not fight it and wait until August to continue. Looking forward to getting back to it and sharing some of the rich insights in which God has been challenging my heart and life. Thanks to all of you who have been reading SGD and for your encouraging words and additional insights.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13

Forty-two years ago tonight, 8:30 pm or so , Gayle and I got hitched.  The service couldn’t start until her uncles finished milking the cows. We got married in her home town of diminutive Dassel, MN, the chick (poultry not human) center of the midwest. Gayle had that pure, radiant glow of Donna Reed in It’s a Wonderful Life and emanated an air of cool, calm, and confidence. In a word, she was “breathtaking”. I, on the other hand, was a mess! My forehead was displaying a lovely goose egg that was inflicted when I mistook the side glass panel of the sanctuary entrance as an open door. My nerves were frayed by the fact that my best man did not show up for the pre-wedding pictures so we had to have another college classmate of comparable stature stand in for him. My head felt like it was in a vice as my best man finally showed up and finished putting on his tux in the baptistry changing room seconds before the processional began. My stomach was moaning like a moose in heat as I was sure that I was going to puke on the pastor when he asked me, “do you take Gayle to be your lawful wedded wife”. 

Our first night together was in another thriving MN metropolis, New Ulm, home of the Wanda Gag Home, and one motel. I had overlooked booking a room and fortunately,  got the last vacant room as the clock ticked toward  midnight. Unfortunately, the room was on the lower level next to the banquet room where Schell’s brewery was having a beerfest. Sorta difficult to be romantic when you’re listening to “Hey Ole, how about another round!”

Those unexpected events of June 14, 1968 were just a prelude for many more unexpected events that have characterized our journey of joy together. What’s this got to do with seeking God, you may ask? We believe that God is more concerned about how we go through life’s circumstances than He is about the circumstances themselves. Although it has taken a number of years to fully understand  and apply this truth, Gayle and I are convinced that God’s desire is that our contentment in life be anchored to an ongoing pursuit of intimacy with Him no matter what is or isn’t taking place in our life. It’s in those unexpected moments of life that we have the opportunity to experience God’s strength to become our strength; His wisdom to become our wisdom; His vision to become our vision and at times, His sense of humor to become our sense of humor.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence.”  (James 1:2, 3)

My Dad’s first love in sports has always been football but like most Indiana boys he also loved to play basketball. Coach Wooden told Dad that he would gladly welcome any football player to try out for the Indiana State basketball team after the football season was completed. Dad was delighted and showed up at the gym as soon as he hung up his cleats and shoulder pads for the season. According to my father, he played hard and held his own with the other hardwood hopefuls. The Coach even commended Dad for his hustle and work ethic; but unfortunately, when the final squad was announced his name wasn’t on the list. Dad remembered Coach Wooden graciously thanking all of the young men who came out for the team and wished them well with words of encouragement and challenge.

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” (John Wooden)

In spite of his disappointment he left that experience with an increased fondness for Coach Wooden. Dad reflected upon how the Coach never raised his voice, never allowed swearing, never permitted show boating or cockiness, always maintained control in practice, always spoke kindly even when dispensing correction, always was well prepared, and often quoted Scripture or made reference to God when addressing the athletes. Coach Wooden seemed more like a life coach, my Dad noted. “He was guiding young men to pursue those things in life that were most important.

“Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the           Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.”  (John Wooden)

Hearing the excitement in Dad’s voice and seeing the glow in his face as he went down memory lane with John Wooden caused me to take some up close and personal inventory of my own life. What kind of lasting impression do I leave with people, if any? Is it all about me or are people encouraged in their life because of how I’ve interacted with them? What do people really see and hear in your life?

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)

Truly great people have been influenced by other truly great people. John Wooden often talked about a handfull of exemplary people that impressed and motivated him in his own personal development. Among those were his father, Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, and Joshua from the Bible. Joshua, especially, jumped out at me in relation to the following quote from the Coach.

“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.“

Coach Wooden did not see himself as a great game coach. That is certainly debatable. What he did see was that he must be a great practice coach. And that he was. His passion for game readiness was so thorough that if his team lost the game it was not due to mental and physical preparation. Here’s how Coach explained it:

“I don’t think I was a fine game coach. I don’t think I was a great strategy guy. I think I was a good practice coach…There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in physical condition … You must execute properly and quickly the fundamentals … and you must have eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of the team…There is no substitute for hard work. If you’re looking for the easy way, if you’re looking for the trick, you might get by for a while, but you will not be developing the talents that lie within you. There is simply no substitute for hard work.”

As Joshua sought to prepare the Israelites for inhabiting Canaan he stressed the little things that, if adhered to, would result in “big things”. Here’s how he explained it to them:

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”      (Joshua 1:8)

There is simply no substitute for hard work if you want to grow into the person that God wants you to be. The easy way does not exist. It’s when God’s preparation is adhered to, when we obey his gameplan, that our life can be one of fulfillment and victory. John Wooden understood, taught, and lived this as a coach and as a man of God. How prepared are you to meet each day for God?

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord…the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life…”  (Joshua 24 & 5)