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)

While watching the NBA playoffs, a question kept floating around in my brain. Why do people wear tattoos? You could probably count on one hand the number of players that didn’t have a tattoo…or at least one that was visable. I don’t really have an opinion about them other than why pay for pain when your little brother would gladly accommodate you for free.

Among the plethora of reasons given for having colored ink syringed into one’s body the following testimonial would probably be shared by most tattooists.  Tattoos “say who you are, where you come from, and who you want to be”. In other words it’s all about identity. Cartoonist Jeff Larson humorously addressed tattoos in his cartoon, The Back Pew, when he asked “what would Jesus tattoo”? His whimsical conjecture got me thinking about the identity of Jesus and his disciples. Jesus was known for being the true radiance of his heavenly Father’s love in the world. Drawing attention to God was his tattoo. Now that Jesus is with his Father in heaven it is equally clear on how to recognize his disciples; we are to be the radiance of Jesus’ love in the world. Drawing attention to Jesus is our tattoo.

“…As I have loved, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:34, 35)

Love Story was nominated for a best picture Oscar in 1970. It was the romantic story of an unlikely match that defied the odds; different backgrounds and different interests, but love happened anyway. Kleenex sales soared during Love Story’s run in the theaters as Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal’s love affair sizzled and then fizzled leaving audiences emotionally exhausted when the leading lady valiantly loses her battle with cancer (whoops, sorry if you haven’t seen the movie yet). On two occasions each one of the ill-fated couple declared that “love means never having to say your sorry”.  Beatle John Lennon countered by saying sarcastically that, “Love means having to say you’re sorry every fifteen minutes”. Without a trace of sarcasm or apology Jesus taught that no matter how many times someone would say they’re sorry we were obligated to forgive them (Matthew 18:21, 22). Healthy relationships are built upon the reality that we all mess up, need to own up, and then make up. If we don’t, Jesus added, we can’t expect God to make up with us (Matthew 6:1, 15). Love means I admit when I’m wrong, I need you to help me right the wrong, and I’ll take the lead by saying “I’m sorry”.

 ”…forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  (Ephesians 4:32b)

Lars and Lena had been married for thirty years and poor Lena had become a victim of affection deprivation. Rarely, if ever, did Lars express any indication that he really cared about Lena let alone loved her. Lena finally reached her boiling point and fired a barage of frustration at her husband concluding with “Lars, why don’t you tell me that you love me anymore? Lars rolled his eyes, peered above the newspaper he had been reading and coldly retorted, “Lena, I told you that I loved you when we got married, if I ever change my mind I’ll be sure to let you know.” Shame on you Lars for being so thoughtless and unkind…and yet, how consistent am I in communicating my love to my mate? How does he/she really know of my love? Just like my wife’s chocolate chip cookies are at their best when they are warm, soft, and smell so wonderful when freshly baked, marriage is at its best when it is  not permitted to become  stale. True love demands freshness. Declare your affections today, tomorrow, and everyday you’re together and you’ll not have to worry about ever changing your mind. BTW, that’s how God loves us.

“God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:23, The Message)

Next to the Bible, Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest is the most significant book I read regularly. I’d like for OC to conclude this week’s thoughts with his own insights on “making the main thing, the main thing”. 

“Think about your circumstances. Are you so closely identified with the Lord’s life that you are simply a child of God, continually talking to him and realizing that everything comes from the Father’s hands? Is the grace of his ministering life being worked out through you in your home, your business, and in your circle of friends? The life of your Lord is to become your vital, simple life, and the way he worked and lived among people while here on earth must be the way he works and lives in you.”

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  (Philippians 1:21)

Wow, how this week has flown? Where’d the time go? How am I going to get everything done? I know what the “main thing” is but how do I make it the “main thing” with so much on my plate? Sound familiar? Charles Hummel calls this the “tyranny of the urgent” in his  small but powerful booklet of the same name. An acquaintance once told him that, “Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important”. In other words, how do you determine your priorities? If you’re like me, the things that you really want to do will get done one way or the other. Jesus wants to be our top priority just as his Father was his top priority while Jesus ministered on earth. In spite of fatigue, the demands of his disciples, the distractions from his opposition, and the needs of the multitudes Jesus knew how important “the main thing” was to his ministry. To borrow a tag from Nike you might say he “just did it!” The love for his Father and his desire to obey him was far more important than the urgent matters that he would face everyday (Mark 1:35). Don’t let the urgent in your life crowd out the most important relationship you’ll ever have. “Just do it!”

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching…”  (John 14:23)

Indiana is the kingdom of basketball and for me the king who reigns is homegrown, hall of famer Larry Bird. I still love watching video of his playing days and reading of how he developed average athleticism into one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Larry was all about “making the main thing, the main thing”. His work ethic is legendary. He was always the first to arrive at the arena and the last to leave. His passion to play well was off the charts, he was extremely fit, and he never ceased honing the fundamentals of the game. He said he wanted to be prepared for anything. To me, Mary is a spiritual hall of famer. She kept her spirit fit by sitting at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42), her passion for Jesus was demonstrated by her walking in the steps of Jesus (Matthew 26:6-13), and as she honed the fundamentals of her faith Jesus opened her eyes to see him in a new light when he raised her brother from the dead (John 11:28-44). Jesus commended Mary for her spiritual work ethic. What might he say about yours? Are you pursuing the “one thing” he requires, giving the “beautiful thing” he receives, and receiving the “new things” he wants to reveal to you?

“Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her.”  (Luke 10:42)

Arguably one of the best Biblical examples of “making the main thing, the main thing” was in Mary of Bethany’s encounter with Jesus as recorded in  Luke 10:38-42. I love this account for many reasons  but mostly for the clear message Jesus communicated regarding what was most important to him. Mary’s sister, Martha,  had good intentions but they fell short of what Jesus needed from her. Mary understood what was necessary and she did the “one thing” that Jesus required by sitting at the feet of Jesus “listening to what he said”. More than anything else Jesus wants to build an intimate relationship with us and that is only possible when we make his main thing, the main thing. Are there any good intentions in your life that are falling short of what Jesus needs from you? Is Jesus’ “one thing” a daily reality for you?

“God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him.”  (John Piper)

“Make the main thing, the main thing!” I don’t remember which coach at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp firstsaid it but I have never forgotten it. Although it sounds like double talk it’s actually a great reminder of how to determine priorities in life. What’s really most important? What are the essentials for making the best decisions, developing fine tuned disciplines, and growing the deepest relationships. Those essentials are what that same coach would describe as mastering the fundamentals; understanding and executing the basics. It’s when those rudimentary  things are consistently embraced that great things are possible. What defines a truly devoted follower of Jesus?…knowing and living out His basics. And how does Jesus describe those basics? “I have set you an example that you should  do as I have done for you…learn from me …remain in me and my love…obey my…follow me.” Get the picture? Jesus’ main thing is Jesus himself.