Inch by Inch...

My mom used to tell me, "Inch by inch, life is a cinch, yard by yard it's very hard." The funny things moms say...

I'm a big picture guy. I see the whole of things and I'm not very good with details. This makes it difficult for me at times because the big picture seems, well, big. In fact, the big picture seems too big. We'll be talking this week about some of the challenges to following what God wants you to do. For me, this is the biggest one of all...the big picture.

The big picture is overwhelming. You see hurt and pain all around you. You see it in your home, your family, your church, your community, on the tele, in your state, in your country, in the world...just to name a few places. Even if I'm willing to serve God, how on earth am I supposed to meet the monstrosity of need that's out there?

Our church staff is holding conversations with our congregation about where they see areas of need in our community. The intriguing thing is how each of the needs fit into some categories...but the overall need is still immense. So how do you do it? How does God do it? This is a little bit of what I feel I'm learning as I see how much the world around me needs reconciled to Christ.

It's done in small ways, by perhaps a lot of people. It's in taking small bites out of a big pie until the pie is eventually gone...not saying we will ever meet all the areas of need around us, but there is much we can do. I'm looking at the big picture and then asking, 'what is it that I can do today?' For example, one of the areas of concern from our Vision nights is helping out single moms. Big picture...overwhelming. But an opportunity may be presenting itself to my wife and I to help out one single mom who's going through a divorce. We're not solving the whole problem, but we're helping one.

So inch by inch it's a cinch...well, maybe it's just more manageable. What about this idea...what about if instead of looking to just a few people to do a majority of the Kingdom work we look to a whole bunch of people to do a little? What do you think would be more effective? I'm grateful that's the direction our church is moving. There's an old saying that says 'We're better together', and I believe there's a lot of truth to it.

What are the one or two things that are small and right before you? What small ways can you make a large impact in someones life as you show on a very real level the love of Christ?

Celebrate Recovery

Imagine sitting in a small circle confessing the sins of the previous week to a bunch of people you don't know. These aren't just small things either, but these are major issues that you deal with. These are things most people don't know about and if they did they may not talk to you again, or they may not treat you the same anymore. I experienced this a few nights ago at a Celebrate Recovery service.

Celebrate Recovery is a ministry New Hope is looking at getting involved with. It looks to help those struggling with anything from alchohol addictions to sex addictions to self esteem issues. It's a safe place where people come very aware of where they are in life and very honest about their struggles.

The thing that's interesting to me is that this is the mentality Christians in general should hold. If we follow Jesus we first ought to be very aware of our sin and areas of imperfection (Psalm 51...check it out). However this is not even remotely the case nor is it a recognized reality in the church. We're all afraid of people knowing our junk. When I spoke to the gentleman afterward about why they find this type of meeting so helpful it was for this very reason: there was no facade. Facade didn't work there. In fact, I don't believe there's freedom in facade.

Celebrate Recovery comes to grips with the pain. It names it. It's amazing what kind of freedom comes from naming your oppressor. I've known girls who've been abused and raped and their oppressor hangs it over their heads making them afraid. They are fearful to name who wronged them. However, in the cases where the girls muster the courage to do so a weight is lifted. It doesn't solve everything, but it brings the darkness to light and healing can begin.

So I am challenged by this idea of being honest about who we are. What you realize in these meetings is that the people involved don't care what you think about them. They've been to the bottom and realize their need for others and their inability to beat their area(s) of darkness on their own. I wonder how many of us are at the bottom and are afraid to admit it.

A great passage from James 5. It reads, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."

Be Careful What You Wish For

Do you ever wonder why people stay where they're at? Why is it their life seems to stay the same and why is there very little interest in going beyond what they consider the status quo? I believe I'm getting a glimpse into why as I see what the cost is going to be for me personally to follow God in the way I feel called to and to be a part of a church that is interested and feels called to go beyond the status quo.

First some reasons why people stay the same. Frankly, because it's easier. It's predictable. You know what your routine is and you have something you're comfortable with. By and large you know what's coming, even though there will be small interruptions along the way. In addition, it doesn't take another part of you. Once you've achieved something you've already paid the price for it, but to continue to move forward would continue to cost you...you.

To go beyond is to want more. It is to follow God on a journey of deepening faith because you don't know where it will lead or what part of you it will take next. You aren't sure how you'll be reshaped, but you know you'll have to be in order for it to happen. I'm reminded of the language of Paul in Galatians 2 when he talks about being crucified with Christ. We no longer live, but Christ lives in us. We've been crucified with Him and now we live in this body by faith in the Son of God...who loves us and who likewise has given Himself for us. As we move beyond where we currently are and as we experience the pain of growth and of deepening faith we identify with Christ who underwent the same experience. I'm not sure I've thought of it until now, but as we move beyond the status quo into a foggier journey of deepening faith we somehow identify with Christ.

So is the journey easy, absolutely not. Is it even necessary...I don't believe so. We can follow Jesus with very little cost. But if we want to be a part of the mission of Jesus, to go beyond belief in him to participating in the Kingdom, it is then we identify with a crucified Christ and face the fact this is going to be a hard road, however profitable and worthwhile.

Be careful what you wish for.