Wednesday, August 24, 2011

It's All In The Beatitudes

The 5th chapter of the Book of Matthew presents us with truths that we commonly refer to as "The Beatitudes'.  Boiling the Lord's message down into a nutshell we learn ... Blessed are those who see that it's NOT all about us ... but rather, it's all about God ... no if's ... no and's ... and expecially NO 'yes but's about it!!!

Take as an example of this truth, a time in your life when you were driven to anger.  Soon the natural effects of the moment engulf you and suddenly your countenance exposes a 'new' you ... someone that is entirely different than the person that you earnestly strive to be.  Then, not long after the moment of ignition, a secondary fire flares up within you as you attempt to defend your righteous position with, 'yes!...but Lord' that disguises itself as self-pity.

This happened to me not so long ago.  Looking back on the event I can see clearly that I was innocently caught off guard.  I fell into a trap set by the enemy but as it turns out, that mattered not, for even in times of innocence, anger is ugly.  Even during these times the cries of 'yes!...but Lord' are heard by someone whose heart's desire is to love unconditionally.  I, on the other hand, must confess to you that with the settling of the dust came one last expectation ... my defiant spirit wanted to hear an apology ... for surely in my innocence I was deserving of that ... but wait ... could it be that I had fallen into another trap? .............

It was then that I found that time spent with the Lord somehow gives new perspective ... divine insight ... that WOW moment in which you're left speechless by an awe of Him ...

During our time together the Lord encouraged me to read the Beatitudes through the lens of His eyes.  There His light illuminated words like mercy, humility, purity of heart, peacemaker.  As the scales began to drop out of my line of vision I could see plainly that in order to obtain the blessing that He so earnestly wanted me to enjoy, I first had to be all that He wanted ME to be.  It was clear beyond measure that I was to 'let go' of everything that I laid claim to and 'let God' take care of those things that only He can change.

Miraculously my heart began to melt.  Without hesitation I could see that my innocence wasn't the main story line here ... and it wasn't me who was deserving of the apology.  I knew, deep within my heart, that I had no right to claim the glory that was His as the heart of the remorseful turned to Him.

Thank You, Jesus, for our time together.
Forgive me, Father, for my haughtiness.
Thank You, Jesus, for the joy that now fills my heart as I clearly see Your footsteps in which I am to follow.

Father God ... always thankful ... always in Jesus' name ... I give You now all my praise for the beauty of the Beatitudes.  May I always remember that they first point to You!
Amen and amen.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Birthing Humility ...

Although it was 33 years ago, I remember, as though it were yesterday, the morning I went into labor with my son, my first born.  I had enjoyed a beautiful pregnancy, a time of amazing preparations and incredible discoveries, but the time had arrived for me to go through the birthing process.  As the contractions became increasingly apparent I sat on the corner of our bed and soon realized that I wanted NOTHING to do with the labor that lay ahead of me.  Fear of the unknown overwhelmed me and despite all that I tried to think of to escape the ordeal ... I had no choice in the matter ... I had to go through the tough part of the birthing process in order to get to the other side where the Lord's glory would so obviously prevail.

The same can be said of situations that come into our everyday lives.  Many of us deal with lifelong afflictions ... and others of us fall upon the unexpected diagnosis of some dreaded disease.  Whether it's something that is suddenly thrust upon us or it's been a part of our lives for a long time, our inclination is to sit on the corner of our beds and do all we can to find a way to avoid the 'labor' that lay ahead of us.  We gather prayer warriors and go to the Lord asking Him to remove the cup from us when, in fact, the assignment that lay ahead of us is to be faced head on.  In God's nature we can be assured that He does not set out to assign us with times of overwhelming labor, and there are times that the Holy Spirit will display His power through divine impartations of deliverance, but equally notable are events in which we ... like Jesus Himself ... find that we must endure the cup for the glory of the Father.  This isn't something that comes naturally ... or by any means easy ... but nonetheless, our ultimate peace will come as we see that we have birthed a humility in which God's glory is displayed.

Our assignment then comes as we study the Apostle Paul's time spent on the corner of his bed looking for a way to avoid his thorn in the side ... his 'labor' assignment.  There, in 2 Cor 12:9 Jesus Himself tells Paul ... "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Not the answer he was hoping for, I'm sure, but when birthing humility ... that perfect surrender of our will over to the will of the Father ... you soon realize that your assignment involves a journey in which we, in and of ourselves, are unable to endure ... to labor.  But given the power of the Holy Spirit that lies within us we can be assured of a day in which we stand before the Lord and hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Mt 25:23)

Father God, seeking to encourage, I pray for peace in times of labor.  I pray that Jesus is seen by all as truth and strength ... as encouragement and love ... even in our darkest hours.  All praise to Your perfect plan.  All praise for Your hand that rests on our lives.  All praise to the King of kings and the Lord of lords ... our Savior, Jesus, in whom we now pray.
Amen and amen.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

Recently I celebrated an anniversary at work that puts me on mark to hit what many would consider to be yet another 'milestone'.  The great company that I work for, with its remarkable workers, has faithfully seen me through some of the most difficult challenges I've ever known ... all the while sharing with me some of the most precious moments that lay within the recesses of my heart.  It can be argued whether or not these folks are actually part of my family ... I defy anyone to tell me that they aren't.

As I look back over these many years I remember things ... fun things ... that somehow left indelible marks on my memory.  One such thing was an employee newsletter that asked the question ... "Who do you resemble?"  With the answers to that question came photos of co-workers who resembled Liz Taylor, Meryl Streep and even Benjamin Franklin.  It was fun to see how God craves variety all the while seeking out the fun in paring some of us up as look-a-likes of the rich and famous.

One other standout memory from years gone by relates to the time when employees were asked to help decorate a new Christmas tree in our Human Resources area.  The incredible talents of fellow co-workers offered homemade ornaments of every kind but my favorite was a small mirror that displayed this haunting question ... "Do you see Christ in this ornament?"  Political correctness being what it is these days, sadly, the ornament was not openly displayed for all to see but to this day that mirror ... with its haunting question ... rests on a shelf with the lasting reminder of whom we should aspire to resemble ... Jesus!

It is commonly said that every one of us has a double.  Someone out there who is a mirror image of us, so if I were to ask you now ... "Who is it that you resemble?" ... is there a chance that your response to me would be "Jesus"?  "No", you say, "that's not possible ... He is too perfect.  There's no way that I can walk and talk and love others like Jesus does.  I've been hurt - sometimes over and over again by the same person.  How can I be expected to extend my hand in forgiveness and compassion like Jesus would?  I want nothing more than to be an empty vessel that breathes a willingness to live as one with the Father ... but I know my imperfections - my limitations ... and it just isn't going to happen.  The chances of my truly looking like Jesus are, at best, slim.

Well, I confess that at one time in my life I too thought that way.  I took the tact that my weaknesses were greater than His strengths but I found out that when your focus is YOU there's no chance you'll see a reflection of HIM.  Now, by the Grace of God, what I see when I look in a mirror is the person that the Father sees ... His creation who, being cloaked by the loving Grace of His Son, is as perfect as His precious Son.  The Blood that Jesus shed washed away ALL of my imperfections and in the Father's eyes, I AM without blemish!

So then, my part in all of this is to live with the willingness to humble myself as Jesus did ... even when I don't feel like it.  Hug the unlovable.  Encourage those who are downtrodden.  Forgive the offender.  Over and over and over again ... until they see that you look like Jesus and they want what you have.  Jesus was, and remains to this day, the One we should strive to resemble.  I don't mean to make light of it ... it's not something that comes naturally to any one of us ... but with unwavering conviction and constant dedication you will be amazed at the joy that fills your spirit as people see a likeness of Jesus when they look at you.

Father God, I know deep down that true humility is not within my own power but by Your Holy Spirit I claim Oneness with You as I look to be a likeness of Your WONDERFUL Son!  Father, in Jesus' name I pray that it may be so.
Amen and amen

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Behold ... God's Treasure

A dear friend of mine stopped by recently and because God created within her a pure love for flowers and plants and anything that sprouts from the earth, she quickly noticed a need for me to tend to my garden.  As she gently brought this situation to my attention I found myself with a desire to cultivate within my heart the same gardening love bug that consumed her.  Immediately I set out to tidy up ... snipping first a flower that had fallen to the ground as a result of a heavy rain.  The tenderness of her heart, as she offered me direction, was equal only to the tenderness of the treasured gift from God.  Taking the gladiola into her hand she soon found some greenery that would serve to dress this single stemmed blossom up like it was the Belle of the Ball.  Her wisdom, compassion, gentleness and confidence was nothing short of a treasure to behold and I thank God for the many gifts He offered me in this brief encounter.

This morning, as I look at the flower and greenery that was so artfully placed in a vase, I see that God's incredible gift continues to offer blessings for my day.  It is apparent that time has removed the rain drops that once displayed God's nurturing ... and the luster of newness has faded a bit ... but no less brilliant is the beauty of each delicate pedal as they curl up in praise to their Creator.  New, subtle colors can now be detected.  New blossoms have erupted.  New details are standing at the ready to be discovered.  Thank You, Father, that Your amazing glory is never ending!

My friend brought God's beauty into my home and for that I am truly thankful.  I think now of the similarities that can be extended to so many other aspects of my life.  To see the beauty of the friends that God has cultivated in my life ... those who display God's master craftsmanship.  Each frail in their humanness but boundless in beauty as they encourage me, support me and build me up.

Although I go through times in which God Himself must prune the withered branches that gather in my midst, I give great thanks for His constant nurturing.  My heart's desire is to be a true reflection of who He is.  To be the best 'me' that I can be ... and do what I can to bring the best of God out in others.

May I seek to be an empty vessel that displays the beauty that God created within me.
May my eyes see only the good in others ... never their shortcomings.
May I always be willing to love and praise and seek God's will for my life.
An most importantly ... may I leave the pruning of others to the wisdom of God.

Father God, shine your light on those things that need my attention and renew within me, Lord, a desire to let you take care of all the rest.  I pray this, most fervently Father, in the blessed name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen and amen.