Seeking God Daily

I watched one of my all-time favorite movies last week, the 1981 Oscar winner for best picture, Chariots of Fire. It’s a marvelous tapestry of compelling storyline, believable performances, and thrilling race scenes (can you tell I always wanted to be a film critic…look out Roger Ebert). Nearly thirty years ago my wife and I were sitting in bed watching the Academy Awards and didn’t think that a movie with such an overt Christian message had a chance to take home Hollywood’s biggest prize on her biggest night. But,  the film about the “flying Scotsman”, Eric Liddell, brought home  movie industry’s gold medal.

Every time I’ve watched this flick I’ve walked away inspired and challenged. This viewing was no different ,although the scene that provoked my thinking this time didn’t have Liddell in it. Liddell’s greatest threat to being  beaten in any given race, was England’s speedy sprinter, Harold Abrahams. In their first race against each other, Liddell defeats Abrahams in the 100 meters. Abrahams takes the “beating”, as his girlfriend calls it, like a pouty child. Sitting in the empty bleachers looking like he was about to cry, he whines to her, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!” She responds with an in your face retort, “Harold, grow up! If you don’t run you can’t win”…simple, direct, obvious and very profound.

Got to thinking about pouting…you know … when the bottom lip protrudes in displeasure looking like a hooked carp . You see it predominately in children but it’s certainly not uncommon to see a sullen smirk on a big person, e.g. Harold Abrahams… or how about The Pouters Hall of Shame in the Bible.

CAIN displayed a jealous pout after God chose his brother’s sacrifice over his own. He had the dubious distinction of being the first murderer in history (Genesis 4). BEEN ENVIOUS OF WHAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS DONE OR ACQUIRED?  

SARAH displayed an impatient pout when God didn’t give her a son when she wanted one. She decided to take things into her own hands (actually she took things into her own tent) and forced her husband to commit adultery (you don’t hear that happening everyday) (Genesis 16). BEEN FRUSTRATED WITH GOD WHEN HE DOESN’T DO THINGS YOUR WAY?

MOSES displayed a limiting pout when he told God that he wasn’t qualified to be used by God to get His people out of Egyptian captivity.  Moses discovered that God could use even a tongue-tied goat herder to do great things for Him (Exodus 10). HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD ANYWAY?

THE ISRAELITES displayed an ungrateful pout after they left Egypt as a free people, no longer slaves, but complained about their wilderness cuisine. God gave them the opportunity to write the cookbook, 101 Ways to Serve Manna (Exodus 16). HOW CONTENT ARE YOU WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR LIFE?

JONAH displayed a self-pity pout when the nastiest nation on earth told God they were sorry and experienced God’s compassionate forgiveness after Jonah had delivered God’s turn or burn message. He learned that when you throw a pity party, you’re usually the only one who shows up (Jonah 4).  FELT  SORRY FOR YOURSELF LATELY?

ELIJAH displayed a childish pout after seeing God’s absolute power defeat 450 false prophets. He celebrated the victory by fleeing to the desert, laying under a tree, and asking God to let him die (2 Kings 19). HOW SECURE ARE YOU IN GOD’S CONTINUAL PROTECTION AND POWER?

AHAB displayed a greedy pout when his neighbor, Naboth, refused to sell his vineyard to him. For this and other dastardly deeds he committed, he won God’s Wicked Witch of the West Award for the Bible’s Most Evil King (1 Kings 21). HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH FOR YOU?

A RICH YOUNG MAN displayed a defeated pout after Jesus gave him an answer he didn’t really want to hear regarding how to live forever. He learned the hard way that it’s not how much you have in the bank but who you have in your heart that counts (Mark 10:17-31). ARE YOU PERMITTING ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE TO BLOCK GOD’S ULTIMATE BEST FOR YOU?

Who hasn’t been guilty of pouting for some reason or another? We’ve all wanted to throw in the towel when we didn’t get our way…you know…”It’s all about me” mentality. Ever wonder how God feels about our pouting? I think He just might say,

“Larry, (feel free to insert your name, if you dare) grow up! If you don’t love and trust me, you can’t …

…enjoy the blessings of others, let alone, your own blessings

…enjoy my perfect timing and my perfect will

…enjoy getting me out of your little box and seeing more of me

…enjoy being thankful and content in what I have provided

…enjoy your faith growing deeper and wider

…enjoy the privilege of being God’s ambassodor

…enjoy my wisdom, even when you don’t fully understand it

…enjoy living in my victory

…enjoy ME!”

Simple, direct, obvious, and very profound!

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

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been call according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

Saw this Hi and Lois comic in the “Funnies” of our newspaper this week (Does anyone still call it that?) and chuckled at its relative truth. I’ve encountered signs like this one. Haven’t you? It declares everything you aren’t allowed to do but gives no indication as to what is allowed. I saw one sign that had the list of “nos” followed by the cheery sentiment, ”Have a nice day”. Oh yeh..how?

The comic got me thinking about how many people look at Christianity with a similar disdain. They feel Christianity is only about all of the things that they are  not supposed to do. They accuse the Bible of being a book of no-nos with very few yes-yeses.  Their belly-aching begins with the ‘thou shalt nots” of the Ten Commandments followed by all of the prohibitions in The Law and then they highlight the laments and taboos announced by God’s prophets.

Now we could argue with them that those no-nos are all in the Old Testament before Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus was all about yeses. But then they counter with, “ OK, let’s look at some of Jesus’ tidings of good joy (I believe you call that sarcasm.):

LOVE PEOPLE WHO HURT YOU AND PRAY FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T EVEN LIKE YOU?  Is that normal?

 OFFER YOUR LEFT CHEEK AFTER YOU JUST HAD YOUR RIGHT ONE SMACKED?  The Rocky Balboa mind(less)set…ok, go ahead and take your best shot!                       

 BE WILLING TO LOSE EVERYTHING SO YOU CAN GAIN EVERYTHING?  Huh? How does that work?

 LIKE  SUFFERING? Why sure, doesn’t everybody?

ASSOCIATE WITH THE LOSERS OF SOCIETY?  Only if they’ve taken a bath and had a recent background check.                                                

IT’S BETTER TO HAVE TREASURES IN HEAVEN, A PLACE YOU CAN’T SEE, THAN A LOT OF MONEY IN A BANK THAT YOU CAN SEE?  Who’s your financial planner anyway?

BE THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING, EVEN IN CRUMMY TIMES?  You bet. I love being down, disappointed, and depressed.                                                    

 GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS TO YOURSELF?  Yeh, I always wanted to be a puppet.

And then he has the audacity to declare that he came to earth so people could enjoy an abundantly full life…full of what? Sort of like saying, “have a nice day”. Oh yeh…how?

Well, I’m glad you asked that question.

When Jesus told his disciples of “then” and “now”, “If any man would come after me he must first deny himself…” (give up your rights to yourself; Matthew 16:24) he was saying, in essence, that when you say yes it really means no and when you say no it really means yes. What? Before you get your Fruit of the Looms all in a snuggie, let me explain.

If a person says yes to Jesus as their Lord, Savior, and Best Friend, they are saying no to some dreadful realities such as …

…hell

…separation from God,

…accountability for sin,

…guilt, shame, and doubt,

…anxiety and stress,                                                             

…imperfect self sufficiency,

…uncertainty of the future,

…live relying upon common sense,

…love with conditions, just to name a few.

If a person says no to themselves they are saying yes to some wonderful realities such as …

…living forever,

…friendship with God and adopted into his forever family,

…forgiveness of sin,

…incomprehensible peace and confidence ,

…eternal purpose,

…perfect God sufficiency,

…confidence in the future,

…live relying upon supernatural sense,

…love with no conditions, just to name a few. And lest I should forget, they are saying yes to the above skeptic’s complaint list.

If you’ve already said yes to Jesus, there is absolutely no limit to what God has available for you from his heavenly storehouse. You might say, the sky’s the limit. If you’ve yet to say yes to Jesus, there is absolutely no way that you can access any of God’s good stuff, which includes God himself, without Jesus.  And all of that good stuff…that’s just God’s way of saying ,“have a nice day”…everyday!.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realm with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”  Ephesians 1:3

 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”  2 Peter 1:3

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.” 

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)

Surely you have heard, read, or seen that legendary coach John Wooden died on Friday. He was lengendary in the minds of basketball players, fans, coaches, analysts, and the record books but far be it for “the coach” to ever consider such a distinction in his own mind. Much that Coach Wooden has said and even more that has been said about him defines who he was and what his life stood for.  This week’s Seeking God Daily is dedicated to the legacy he left us; not as a great coach but as a humble man of God. I’ve selected seven of John’s quotes that have been  an encouragement to me as I seek God daily and I pray that they will bless you as well.

“I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we are on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere.” 

Growing up as a kid I permitted sports to have center stage in my life. As a young man my wife and children had most of my attention. At the height of my ministry years I often found myself more concerned with doing things in the name of Jesus than seeking to becoming like Jesus. What is of ultimate importance to your life? Your family, friends, fortunes, fun, _____________ (fill in the blank) or what about your faith?  With all of the fame and acclaim John Wooden received in his life I believe he clearly understood what really mattered. “If I were ever prosecuted for my faith, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me.” Is that the desire of your heart?

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ…I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…”  (Philippians 4:8, 9)

I was on a fishing trip in Canada a few years ago and bald eagle sightings were an everyday occurrence. We saw them feeding their young in meticulously constructed nests, dive bombing like Kamakazis to snatch defenseless Walleyes, and my personal favorite, soaring higher, farther, and faster in the face of ever changing wind gusts. I marvelled how they utilized those gale forces to their benefit. God has equipped the eagle with massive wings that have hundreds of feathers that function like flaps on an airplane guiding its movement and speed.  What are adverse winds for lesser birds are advantage winds for eagles. In fact, eagles have been sighted in hurricane force winds soaring effortlessly. Turbulence in life is inevitable for everyone and we have a choice to struggle and eventually be grounded by it or, like the eagle, rise to greater heights. How can this happen? God wants to give us wings that will enable us to turn adversity into advantage, anxiety into confidence, fatigue into energy, confusion into clarity, and defeat into victory. His wings can guide our every movement in life no matter what we face and then make adjustments when and where needed. How do we get these wings? ”…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).  This hope of which Isaiah wrote is not a wishful thinking but rather a “blessed assurance” that God wants and wills to display his presence and power in and through us. When that happens, we will marvel at how we are able to soar higher, farther, and faster in the face of life’s ever changing winds.

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

I don’t know exactly when it started but I have been intrigued by eagles for a long time. Interestingly enough, though, I didn’t actually see a live eagle until I moved from Indiana to Minnesota to go to college. While on a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern MN, my eyes first caught sight of the majestic flight of our nation’s icon. I was mesmerized. In the excitement of the moment I foolishly stood up in my canoe, nearly swamping it, and yelled, “Look, its an eagle!” At which my MN friends replied, “Oh, really?” It was a common place experience for them but a brand new one for me to see an eagle in its natural habitat. Later that year I took a class on Proverbs and came across the following statement: “There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky…” (30:19). Here’s some fodder to chew on this week as we learn some valuable lessons about God and ourselves from a big, beautiful bird: Has my relationship with God become commonplace or does it still amaze, still seem brand new everyday, and still challenge my understanding?

“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name…who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  (Psalm 103:5)

Ok, I want to live a life of faith but where does faith come from anyway? Yesterday I concluded my thought with some of the Apostle Paul’s most direct teaching on faith when he declared that “…faith comes from hearing and hearing comes from the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17 NASB). Now let’s go back to the mountains. One of the most critical aspects of climbing is found in the communication system. By this, I’m referring to the direct voice commands that must be given before, during, and after a climb in order for the climb to have maximum safety and success. It is essential that the appropriate commands are given loudly and clearly, so that all parties involved in the climb can function effectively. Blowing or misunderstanding a command could have disastrous results. On the other hand when the climber hears and responds accurately the results can be exceptional. One of the most critical aspects of Christian faith is found in its communication system. Simply put, its all about the voice of Jesus and the ears of the follower. God himself commands that we “listen to him” (Mark 9:7). Jesus himself said, “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). How’s your hearing? How’s your doing? How’s your faith?

“…Everyone should be quick to listen…So do not merely listen to the word…Do what it says.”  (James 1:19 & 22)

Another valuable faith lesson I learned while mountain climbing was in the rappel. Simply defined, rappelling is the act of descending from the top of a rock face down to where the climb began by means of a specially designed piece of hardware that creates enough friction to allow a climber to slide down a fixed rope safely. What that definition didn’t say was that the first step in a rappel has the potential of being extremely frightening.  If it wasn’t for the persistent questioning of the climber handling my safety belay rope I’d probably still be on the cliff”s edge during my first rappels. But he kept asking me if I trusted him and did I trust the equipment and I kept saying yes, yet my body wasn’t moving.  He countered with “I won’t believe that you trust me and the equipment until I see you take the first step over the edge. I need to see some action to back up your words”. Once I put my actions where my words were it was one sensational ride to the bottom. I wonder how many Christians are missing the sensational ride the Lord has available for them because their faith hasn’t progressed beyond their words. God hears our words of faith but expects to see lives that back up those words. God may be asking you why you declare belief in him but aren’t willing to step over the edge and prove it. Are you confused and afraid of how the Lord wants you to demonstrate the genuiness of your faith? Why don’t you ask him. You’ll be amazed at what he’ll reveal. “Now faith comes by hearing and hearing comes from the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

“…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead…I will show you my faith by what I do.”  James 2:17, 18

I usually learn more through experience than I do from lectures and books. Case in point is when I climbed the Grand Teton during my youth. There were moments of amazement and wonder and other moments of just wondering what in the world was I doing on the side of a 14,000 foot mountain. Exhausted, sore, afraid, and unsure, our guide persistently reminded us that the struggles could never outweigh the joys if we would listen to him, watch him, and trust him in our journey to the top. And amazingly enough, the climb was exhilarating. I saw beautiful sights and had enriching experiences that surpassed my wildest expectations. 

The Christian life is full of amazement and wonder and at the same time can issue moments of uncertainty and fear. God, the author of life, knew that following him wouldn’t be easy…nothing worth having or doing ever is. He too promises that the joys will far outweigh the struggles if we would listen to him, look to him, learn from him, and live for him daily. And oh, the exhilaration of the spiritual sights and experiences that he brings us will excede our wildest expectations. All he asks is that we trust him.

“Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you with my righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10)