As we transitioned from Fall to Winter, I wrote about a season of my life that was also shifting (Click HERE for the earlier post)--I had prepared myself for a season of quiet, intimate, intentional time with God: time to sit at His feet and have him reach into my heart to mold it in preparation for what was to come. That is, in fact, exactly what happened. I feared it would be painful. It was. I worried I'd grow restless. I did. I believed that in the midst of all my imperfection, God's sweet, perfect plan would be worked out in me. It has been.
I spent the winter studying the life of David, a person whom I have come to love dearly--I'm a fan now. I can't wait to spend time with David in heaven! I'm struck by many things about him--I'll not babble on here about the many things about David that make me love him...we can have coffee sometime and talk about all that. The one thing that truly stands out to me about King David is his imperfection--this celebrity of both Jews and Christians--this role model, this "man after God's own heart" was just as imperfect as anyone you'll meet. In fact a case could be made that his great godliness and virtue was matched only by his imperfection.
Murderer
Adulterer
Liar
This alone isn't the message God seems to be sending me, because it isn't a surprise that God often chooses imperfect people to carry out His will. The message I hear over and over and over again is this: David was imperfect ALL THE WHILE. He didn't stop being imperfect when God chose him to be King. He didn't stop being flawed after he was crowned. He didn't stop being a broken, sinful man...EVER. And God still used him.
For too long the enemy has successfully convinced me that I can't be used until I'm "fixed." That I can't do "kingdom work" until I've done away with any and all sinfulness, forever. He's smart, that Satan. He knows God wants to use me--that I'm willing and eager to be used. He can't convince me this isn't true, and so instead he just says "well, not yet." And this has worked up to this point.
Not any more.
I'm never going to be any less imperfect than I am now. The day will never come when I will "have it all together" This is true for us all.
But what is also true is that every GOOD thing, every strength, every talent, every ability--I already have it. God created me to do His good work and I have every tool I need to do just that. The time to put those talents and abilities to use for God's good work is NOW. No more waiting.
This weekend I had a sweet opportunity to spend time with the Church family at First Assembly in Benton, worshiping under the leadership of Dennis Jernigan. I've long been a Dennis Jernigan fan, and, as you might expect, the evening was super sweet...God moved in a very real, tangible way. It was a treat!
And sure enough, halfway through the service I reached up to wipe tears away from my eyes and guess what my hand came back with? Yup: about 4 eyelashes. For the next hour I continued to pull them away, as I have so many times before. The seasons are changing, and I'm ready to move into the next one. God, help me to walk humbly and with the purest of intentions as I step out into the next season you have prepared for me. Thank you for giving a front-row seat to see what you want to do in my life and the life of those I love!
In Him,
Mikey
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
"...Since way back in Philly..."
I got to take a little time away from my "real life" this weekend and visit some dear friends in Abilene, TX. Sweet Sally Gary was my ever gracious host for a weekend filled with brownies and belly laughs. We saw a movie. We sat around playing music. We shared meals together. Pretty sweet.
Now, back in the daily grind of everyday life feeling refreshed and renewed, I find myself thinking back on my weekend away trying to figure out what exactly it was that has renewed me so much--If I can figure out what we did that brought such renewal, maybe I can incorporate elements into my daily routine, and the need for renewal won't be so strong in the future. Alas, it seems that the "getting away" was a big part of it--the perspective that comes from stepping back and looking at the world through a more objective, less blinder-bound lens.
And I find myself smiling. It was sweet to get to spend time looking at life through a wide-angle lens. The movies, music, and meals were all punctuated with conversations about life. We all shared--laughing at times and crying at others. We shared our stories, the events that brought us to this place, together. I got to tell about life as a child in rural Arkansas. I got to recall and recount the time that I spent living on Camac Street in the heart of Philly. I got to describe life in Seattle, travels in Europe, heartache, hurt, etc, etc... Sure, our stories often weren't about much more than missing a flight or loosing a tooth or getting a new job--but telling those stories, sharing my life--that was significant to my renewal because it helped give me a sense of perspective.
Thank you, God for dear friends you given us to laugh and love with. Thank you for showing us, just when we need to see it most, how you've always been with us and always loved us. Thank you for perspective.
Now, back in the daily grind of everyday life feeling refreshed and renewed, I find myself thinking back on my weekend away trying to figure out what exactly it was that has renewed me so much--If I can figure out what we did that brought such renewal, maybe I can incorporate elements into my daily routine, and the need for renewal won't be so strong in the future. Alas, it seems that the "getting away" was a big part of it--the perspective that comes from stepping back and looking at the world through a more objective, less blinder-bound lens.
And I find myself smiling. It was sweet to get to spend time looking at life through a wide-angle lens. The movies, music, and meals were all punctuated with conversations about life. We all shared--laughing at times and crying at others. We shared our stories, the events that brought us to this place, together. I got to tell about life as a child in rural Arkansas. I got to recall and recount the time that I spent living on Camac Street in the heart of Philly. I got to describe life in Seattle, travels in Europe, heartache, hurt, etc, etc... Sure, our stories often weren't about much more than missing a flight or loosing a tooth or getting a new job--but telling those stories, sharing my life--that was significant to my renewal because it helped give me a sense of perspective.
Thank you, God for dear friends you given us to laugh and love with. Thank you for showing us, just when we need to see it most, how you've always been with us and always loved us. Thank you for perspective.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
On whose terms?
This holiday season, I spend a great deal of time in meditation on/prayer for my many friends whose family gatherings are not filled with love, joy, and celebration--to be sure these gatherings are quite difficult. You see, for many of these dear friends of mine, their experience with "family" and "church" has been less than nurturing, less than loving, less than "safe". They have been, for many years, awkward, difficult, uncomfortable, etc.......
We live in a society for whom sin is "relative." That is, some sin is more socially acceptable than other sin. The distiction comes not from scripture, but from imperfect, flawed, human, tradition. In the U.S. today, there are simply certain ways of living life that are more socially acceptable than others--oddly not based on what scripture has to say about such lifestyles, but based on the opinion of others--the social opinion--the opinion of what is "acceptable" and what is not.
So, as it happens, many of my brothers and sisters (sometimes myself, if I'm honest) are faced with a holiday schedule that isn't at all restful or relaxing--it is, in fact, a schedule that brings the most real and tangible kind of stress. This stress is brought on by the time spent with family, old friends, and community members whose assessment of the way in which we live places them in a position that is simply not acceptable to those doing the assessing. Most of us have had the following experience: We've forged a life based on our own experience with God and the world, and this experience has dictated the type of life we live. Sometimes that life has characteristics that are not socially acceptable to members of the community in which we were reared (including our very own families). And so during the holidays, we're often faced with situations, conversations, even confrontations about the lives we live. Merry Christmas!
I am a lover of tradition. I long to honor the tradition of faith that my parents and their parents before them have handed down to me. It is because of their faithfulness, in fact, that I know who God is. I celibrate this! I want to honor their legacy, and thank them for the gift of faithfulness that they have given to me and others.
I also long to make faith my own. Faith in God is a gift from those who come before us, to be sure--but ultimately each of us must forge his or her own way in faith--seeking God and what he has to reveal to us PERSONALLY, as individuals. God has most certainly revealed Himself to our parents--but that revelation cannot make up the whole of our personal faith--Our faith MUST come from God's revelation of Himself to us as individuals--in spite of the revelation of Himself to our dear Fathers and Mothers.
This is difficult for the following reason: God gets to do what He wants. His wisdom far surpasses our own. I must be ready for God to reveal Himself to someone else differently than He has revealed Himself to me. In practice, what this means is that we don't get to question, doubt, challenge, judge, correct others when they express the ways in which God has revealed Himself to them--NO MATTER TO WHAT DEGREE IT DIFFERRS FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE.
But we DO in fact question, doubt, challenge, judge others because of how they live their lives--we challenge them because we're convinced of who God is based on his revelation of Himself to us (not inherantly a bad thing) without leaving ourselves open to the notion that God might (in his Holy wisdom) reveal Himself to each of us in a different way.
Our guide MUST be Holy Scripture. We're taught in scripture that no one is without sin (Rom 3:23) and that, amidst all our imperfection, God sent his Son to stand as a sacrifice, paying the price for the sin of all (Rom 3:35). This means, simply, that I am no better than any other. I have no monopoly on right (or righteous) living. I have no better method of "doing life" than any other person. My sin, my brokenness, my imperfection renders me less than YOU (whomever YOU happen to be) thereby preventing me from making any claim of righteousness that I might use as a basis for judgment. God forgive my arrogance--I am in no way better than any other person.
Scripture tells us that all are sinful, and there is none righteous--NO NOT ONE! (Romans 3:10). Because this is true, there is no such thing as a socially acceptable sin. Sin is sin. A gossip, fornicator, a liar, a prideful man--each of these is looked upon as exactly the same by God--and so it should be with us.
Forgive us, Lord, for asking others to meet us on OUR terms rather than YOURS. Your Son Jesus, our Savior, loved all where they were--He went to THEIR homes, he met THEIR needs, and did so selflessly, making Himself their servant. My prayer is that I might deal with each of your children the same way--not on MY terms, but on Yours--They are your creation. You love them. They have a place in the Kingdom, and therefore, they are my brothers and sisters. Send your Spirit, oh Lord, that He may guide me as I strive to meet this goal. Bless my efforts--forgive my imperfections and shortcomings. Glory be to You, oh God.
All the best to each of you this holiday season.
-Mikey
We live in a society for whom sin is "relative." That is, some sin is more socially acceptable than other sin. The distiction comes not from scripture, but from imperfect, flawed, human, tradition. In the U.S. today, there are simply certain ways of living life that are more socially acceptable than others--oddly not based on what scripture has to say about such lifestyles, but based on the opinion of others--the social opinion--the opinion of what is "acceptable" and what is not.
So, as it happens, many of my brothers and sisters (sometimes myself, if I'm honest) are faced with a holiday schedule that isn't at all restful or relaxing--it is, in fact, a schedule that brings the most real and tangible kind of stress. This stress is brought on by the time spent with family, old friends, and community members whose assessment of the way in which we live places them in a position that is simply not acceptable to those doing the assessing. Most of us have had the following experience: We've forged a life based on our own experience with God and the world, and this experience has dictated the type of life we live. Sometimes that life has characteristics that are not socially acceptable to members of the community in which we were reared (including our very own families). And so during the holidays, we're often faced with situations, conversations, even confrontations about the lives we live. Merry Christmas!
I am a lover of tradition. I long to honor the tradition of faith that my parents and their parents before them have handed down to me. It is because of their faithfulness, in fact, that I know who God is. I celibrate this! I want to honor their legacy, and thank them for the gift of faithfulness that they have given to me and others.
I also long to make faith my own. Faith in God is a gift from those who come before us, to be sure--but ultimately each of us must forge his or her own way in faith--seeking God and what he has to reveal to us PERSONALLY, as individuals. God has most certainly revealed Himself to our parents--but that revelation cannot make up the whole of our personal faith--Our faith MUST come from God's revelation of Himself to us as individuals--in spite of the revelation of Himself to our dear Fathers and Mothers.
This is difficult for the following reason: God gets to do what He wants. His wisdom far surpasses our own. I must be ready for God to reveal Himself to someone else differently than He has revealed Himself to me. In practice, what this means is that we don't get to question, doubt, challenge, judge, correct others when they express the ways in which God has revealed Himself to them--NO MATTER TO WHAT DEGREE IT DIFFERRS FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE.
But we DO in fact question, doubt, challenge, judge others because of how they live their lives--we challenge them because we're convinced of who God is based on his revelation of Himself to us (not inherantly a bad thing) without leaving ourselves open to the notion that God might (in his Holy wisdom) reveal Himself to each of us in a different way.
Our guide MUST be Holy Scripture. We're taught in scripture that no one is without sin (Rom 3:23) and that, amidst all our imperfection, God sent his Son to stand as a sacrifice, paying the price for the sin of all (Rom 3:35). This means, simply, that I am no better than any other. I have no monopoly on right (or righteous) living. I have no better method of "doing life" than any other person. My sin, my brokenness, my imperfection renders me less than YOU (whomever YOU happen to be) thereby preventing me from making any claim of righteousness that I might use as a basis for judgment. God forgive my arrogance--I am in no way better than any other person.
Scripture tells us that all are sinful, and there is none righteous--NO NOT ONE! (Romans 3:10). Because this is true, there is no such thing as a socially acceptable sin. Sin is sin. A gossip, fornicator, a liar, a prideful man--each of these is looked upon as exactly the same by God--and so it should be with us.
Forgive us, Lord, for asking others to meet us on OUR terms rather than YOURS. Your Son Jesus, our Savior, loved all where they were--He went to THEIR homes, he met THEIR needs, and did so selflessly, making Himself their servant. My prayer is that I might deal with each of your children the same way--not on MY terms, but on Yours--They are your creation. You love them. They have a place in the Kingdom, and therefore, they are my brothers and sisters. Send your Spirit, oh Lord, that He may guide me as I strive to meet this goal. Bless my efforts--forgive my imperfections and shortcomings. Glory be to You, oh God.
All the best to each of you this holiday season.
-Mikey
Friday, December 11, 2009
'Tis the season. Gifting your heart (leave the stuff alone!)
'Tis the season, no? Autumn was great, and is gone--we know because the pumpkins have be replaced by wreaths, lights twinkle on just about anything that will stand still, and folks are making lists and checking them twice. The lists include goodies of all sorts, and why wouldn't they? This is the season of giving--we're expected to give "stuff" to each other and, in fact, we're taught that this is how we show love--the gift of "stuff" Our society is built from the ground up on the notion that getting "stuff" is very important, especially this time of year.
I believe, however, that love is what makes a gift. The "stuff" is fine, but then you have all this "stuff" and rarely does is do much more than weigh you down and leave you wanting other "stuff". What we really want (need, actually) is each other's love which lifts us up instead of weighing us down--then, when we want more of THAT, we find it to be available in abundance. Soon, when we discover how our gift giving can have an impact far beyond the initial gift--our "love" button gets pushed and giving takes on a whole new meaning. Here are some gift suggestions that have pushed my "love" button and how they might keep kiving long after the gifting season is gone.
1.) Home baked goods.
All joking aside, who doesn't like a home baked goodie? I happen to be a sucker for a well made fruit cake and don't understand why in the world people groan when recieiving them. Breads, cookies, candies...these are fun, eco-friendly, and carry no consumerism baggage. When enjoying a sweet or salty treat given by a loved one, I can feel the love they've poured into the package--and the best part is you can share it, sending the love down the line! That is the point of gifting, right?
2.) Theater Tickets: The ultimate experience in community.
Yes, I know that because I make my living as a theater artist this might look like a self-promotion...but know that I work in the non-profit theater sector primarily because I believe in it. Most theaters across the U.S. are run as non-profit organizations, and well they should be. The impact that a local theater company on any given community is HUGE--they stimulate local economy, they improve quality of life for patrons, which in turn stimulates growth and the economy, and they provide students with learning opportunities that impact every part of their lives (not just the artistic part)--All of this is done in collaborative way that involves the corporate community, the education community, and on and on, and on. Plus--its plain fun. When you purchase a ticket to a local, non-profit theater you are truly investing in your community. Plus you've given your loved one a culturally significant experience. I could go on and on--
3.) Time, times two.
Speaking of non-profit organizations, what better way to give of yourself than to give to your time--it's the most precious and valuable thing you have, and you have more than enough to give. Organizations abound that allow you to serve the needs of others. Can't put that under the tree for your nephew you say? Sure you can!--try this: Make a list of 5 organizations in your community, and make a time matching gift. YOU spend 20 hours at the homeless shelter(etc), and so will I! We'll do it together. This way you've doubled your time gift, and built your relationship with that nephew in the process (not to mention taught him a valuable lesson about the joy of giving rather than receiving.)
4.) Reusable water bottle.
Did you know that it costs more money to drink bottled water than to put gas in your car--up to five times more--due mainly to its packaging and transportation. Plus the damage done to the Earth by all those left over bottles is devastating...all for very little benefit as bottled water is statistically no more healthy than tap water. By carrying your own water bottles around you make a huge difference in the world--and what with all the trendy cool models like THESE by the good people at SIGG, water bottles make the perfect accessory. Bring your own bottle, save the world, and look hot doing it...how could you do better that that?
5.) A Furry Friend.
Giving a home to a needy animal brings unmeasurable rewards! Furry Friends offer companionship, contribute love, and make a house a home. Every town or city in the U.S. has a shelter that is brimming with sweet, cuddly pets-to-be, and the one nearest you is sure to have a critter that is just the right fit for your friend. Get uber-creative and sustainable by gifting a laying hen who will produce eggs for feasting and provide an opportunity to teach youngsters responsibility. An additional family member in the form of a family pet is never a bad way to go!
6.) If it's living, it's love.
As living beings we're programmed to share life with other living beings--what a gift it is to care for something living, watch it grow, and enjoy the world with it. So, give a plant, a flower garden kit, a rose bush. Not "Christmasy" enough for you? How about this snassy Heirloom Scotch Pine Christmas Tree starter from Cafe Gratitude? You get to plant the tree, enjoy raising it, and in doing so, invest in the future...what a handsome Christmas tree it will grow to be! Plus, helping out the good people at Cafe Gratitude is just a snugly thing to do--way to make the gift count!
7.) Give your zip code
Know any local artists, wood-workers, bakers, etc.? Buying from these folks is great on so many levels. Your money stays in your community, it stimulates your economy, and it insures that your loved ones get one of a kind goodies. In my community, we have quilters. In my community we have wood-workers. In my community we have local musicians. In my community we have sculptors and potters. By supporting these people and stimulating their business (thereby stimulating their work) you give a gift to EVERYONE--your support ensures that they'll be around longer and everyone benefits. If you're eating your zip code through the year you might decide to give some canned food items from your pantry. Whatever it is, you'll find that you and your loved ones are blessed by spending your resources locally.
8.) Buy it used, make it "New Plus You"
Old stuff isn't old when you pour yourself into it...a "New Plus You" something or other is, in fact, one of a kind, which makes it even better! Re-furbish an antique piece of furniture to make it beautiful and filled with your love. You'll have given something far more valuable than you could ever purchase in a national store, and you'll have spent less doing it.
9.) The gift of taking away.
A dear friend of mine has two little tykes and she's made a beautiful tradition in her home that teaches her little ones to give. Each Christmas, they count their new gifts and for each new toy received, they must choose one to give away to someone less fortunate. I love it. What a concept! The gifts go to those who need to be loved most. The gifts are green (cuz they weren't purchased new) and free of consumerism baggage. Best of all, the giving of these gifts will instill a spirit in the kids that will outlast their parent's choices...likely spreading to the generations. I can think of no better gift to give those kids than to teach them to give things away!
10.) Inspiration
Each of these gifts come with an added bonus...by gifting this way, you inspire others to do the same. When they feel the warm fuzzy love you've given and realize that they can learn from your example, you'll have acheived something special--your gifting will have gone on to innumerable others. What a thought.
Peace and love to you all this gifting season.
May your giving be about sharing,
May your giving be about love!
Mikey
I believe, however, that love is what makes a gift. The "stuff" is fine, but then you have all this "stuff" and rarely does is do much more than weigh you down and leave you wanting other "stuff". What we really want (need, actually) is each other's love which lifts us up instead of weighing us down--then, when we want more of THAT, we find it to be available in abundance. Soon, when we discover how our gift giving can have an impact far beyond the initial gift--our "love" button gets pushed and giving takes on a whole new meaning. Here are some gift suggestions that have pushed my "love" button and how they might keep kiving long after the gifting season is gone.
1.) Home baked goods.
All joking aside, who doesn't like a home baked goodie? I happen to be a sucker for a well made fruit cake and don't understand why in the world people groan when recieiving them. Breads, cookies, candies...these are fun, eco-friendly, and carry no consumerism baggage. When enjoying a sweet or salty treat given by a loved one, I can feel the love they've poured into the package--and the best part is you can share it, sending the love down the line! That is the point of gifting, right?
2.) Theater Tickets: The ultimate experience in community.
Yes, I know that because I make my living as a theater artist this might look like a self-promotion...but know that I work in the non-profit theater sector primarily because I believe in it. Most theaters across the U.S. are run as non-profit organizations, and well they should be. The impact that a local theater company on any given community is HUGE--they stimulate local economy, they improve quality of life for patrons, which in turn stimulates growth and the economy, and they provide students with learning opportunities that impact every part of their lives (not just the artistic part)--All of this is done in collaborative way that involves the corporate community, the education community, and on and on, and on. Plus--its plain fun. When you purchase a ticket to a local, non-profit theater you are truly investing in your community. Plus you've given your loved one a culturally significant experience. I could go on and on--
3.) Time, times two.
Speaking of non-profit organizations, what better way to give of yourself than to give to your time--it's the most precious and valuable thing you have, and you have more than enough to give. Organizations abound that allow you to serve the needs of others. Can't put that under the tree for your nephew you say? Sure you can!--try this: Make a list of 5 organizations in your community, and make a time matching gift. YOU spend 20 hours at the homeless shelter(etc), and so will I! We'll do it together. This way you've doubled your time gift, and built your relationship with that nephew in the process (not to mention taught him a valuable lesson about the joy of giving rather than receiving.)
4.) Reusable water bottle.
Did you know that it costs more money to drink bottled water than to put gas in your car--up to five times more--due mainly to its packaging and transportation. Plus the damage done to the Earth by all those left over bottles is devastating...all for very little benefit as bottled water is statistically no more healthy than tap water. By carrying your own water bottles around you make a huge difference in the world--and what with all the trendy cool models like THESE by the good people at SIGG, water bottles make the perfect accessory. Bring your own bottle, save the world, and look hot doing it...how could you do better that that?
5.) A Furry Friend.
Giving a home to a needy animal brings unmeasurable rewards! Furry Friends offer companionship, contribute love, and make a house a home. Every town or city in the U.S. has a shelter that is brimming with sweet, cuddly pets-to-be, and the one nearest you is sure to have a critter that is just the right fit for your friend. Get uber-creative and sustainable by gifting a laying hen who will produce eggs for feasting and provide an opportunity to teach youngsters responsibility. An additional family member in the form of a family pet is never a bad way to go!
6.) If it's living, it's love.
As living beings we're programmed to share life with other living beings--what a gift it is to care for something living, watch it grow, and enjoy the world with it. So, give a plant, a flower garden kit, a rose bush. Not "Christmasy" enough for you? How about this snassy Heirloom Scotch Pine Christmas Tree starter from Cafe Gratitude? You get to plant the tree, enjoy raising it, and in doing so, invest in the future...what a handsome Christmas tree it will grow to be! Plus, helping out the good people at Cafe Gratitude is just a snugly thing to do--way to make the gift count!
7.) Give your zip code
Know any local artists, wood-workers, bakers, etc.? Buying from these folks is great on so many levels. Your money stays in your community, it stimulates your economy, and it insures that your loved ones get one of a kind goodies. In my community, we have quilters. In my community we have wood-workers. In my community we have local musicians. In my community we have sculptors and potters. By supporting these people and stimulating their business (thereby stimulating their work) you give a gift to EVERYONE--your support ensures that they'll be around longer and everyone benefits. If you're eating your zip code through the year you might decide to give some canned food items from your pantry. Whatever it is, you'll find that you and your loved ones are blessed by spending your resources locally.
8.) Buy it used, make it "New Plus You"
Old stuff isn't old when you pour yourself into it...a "New Plus You" something or other is, in fact, one of a kind, which makes it even better! Re-furbish an antique piece of furniture to make it beautiful and filled with your love. You'll have given something far more valuable than you could ever purchase in a national store, and you'll have spent less doing it.
9.) The gift of taking away.
A dear friend of mine has two little tykes and she's made a beautiful tradition in her home that teaches her little ones to give. Each Christmas, they count their new gifts and for each new toy received, they must choose one to give away to someone less fortunate. I love it. What a concept! The gifts go to those who need to be loved most. The gifts are green (cuz they weren't purchased new) and free of consumerism baggage. Best of all, the giving of these gifts will instill a spirit in the kids that will outlast their parent's choices...likely spreading to the generations. I can think of no better gift to give those kids than to teach them to give things away!
10.) Inspiration
Each of these gifts come with an added bonus...by gifting this way, you inspire others to do the same. When they feel the warm fuzzy love you've given and realize that they can learn from your example, you'll have acheived something special--your gifting will have gone on to innumerable others. What a thought.
Peace and love to you all this gifting season.
May your giving be about sharing,
May your giving be about love!
Mikey
Monday, November 16, 2009
Mikey's poverty/wealth post
(WARNING: Mikey gets a little fired up when discussing this topic. And today is no exception to that rule)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19
It seems pretty straightforward to me. This isn't obscure Jewish scripture that applied to some culture generations ago thereby allowing us wiggle room. It's a command from the very mouth of Christ.
And yet.
Somehow we've come to believe that we deserve to HAVE. Have things, have homes, have...well...wealth. Treasures. It's totally AMERICAN of us to think that having "stuff" is what we're supposed to do. But we've taken it too far..
Simply put, we're UBER wealthy and don't know it. We just are. We own our homes. We own our car--often more than one. Our kids go to private schools. Consider the following stats:
I often hear phrases like "I just get by each month," or "How am I going to make ends meat?" or my favorite "I can't believe I'm in a tax bracket that labels me 'upper middle class'--it isn't fair!" All this from people whose households earn 60-70 grand a year. No kidding.
A couple of months ago at church, the preacher made this statement: "80% of the world's wealth is held by 20% of the world's people. And that means you."
Honestly, I don't think it registered. I don't think people even realize how much they have! If you own your home or a car or have a job that pays more than $10 a day, you're FILTHY RICH! If that fact actually registered with us, we'd behave differently than we do. We'd HAVE to.
Here's one that should shock you: The United Nations says it would only take $30 billion to end world hunger. The U.S. spends 18 times that on it's military alone. No kidding.
What will it take to convince us that what we have isn't really ours--it's God's. What will it take to make us realize the injustice of the severe poverty that most of the world knows? The houses we live in, the cars we drive, the designer clothes we wear, the fun vacations we take--I'm convinced are nothing short of sinful. Yes we need cars--but not 2 or 3, and not ones that cost 10 or 20 or 30 grand. Yes we need houses, but not lavish palaces (and really, I think there are more of those around than we'd like to admit)
I hear folks say "I've earned this!"
To that I say "Praise God that in His mercy and grace He doesn't give us what we deserve!"
I hear folks say "But I give alot also--I've earned much and kept much, but I've given more than most."
To that I say "To him that much is given, much will be expected."
How long, oh Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? I pray our eyes will be opened to the wealth we have, then our hearts convicted that it doesn't belong to us...it belongs to God who gave it to us!
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19
It seems pretty straightforward to me. This isn't obscure Jewish scripture that applied to some culture generations ago thereby allowing us wiggle room. It's a command from the very mouth of Christ.
And yet.
Somehow we've come to believe that we deserve to HAVE. Have things, have homes, have...well...wealth. Treasures. It's totally AMERICAN of us to think that having "stuff" is what we're supposed to do. But we've taken it too far..
Simply put, we're UBER wealthy and don't know it. We just are. We own our homes. We own our car--often more than one. Our kids go to private schools. Consider the following stats:
- Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.
- At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.
- According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die each day due to poverty.
- The poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for 5 percent of global income.
- The richest 20 percent accounts for three-quarters of world income.
- More than 80 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where income differentials are widening.
I often hear phrases like "I just get by each month," or "How am I going to make ends meat?" or my favorite "I can't believe I'm in a tax bracket that labels me 'upper middle class'--it isn't fair!" All this from people whose households earn 60-70 grand a year. No kidding.
A couple of months ago at church, the preacher made this statement: "80% of the world's wealth is held by 20% of the world's people. And that means you."
Honestly, I don't think it registered. I don't think people even realize how much they have! If you own your home or a car or have a job that pays more than $10 a day, you're FILTHY RICH! If that fact actually registered with us, we'd behave differently than we do. We'd HAVE to.
Here's one that should shock you: The United Nations says it would only take $30 billion to end world hunger. The U.S. spends 18 times that on it's military alone. No kidding.
What will it take to convince us that what we have isn't really ours--it's God's. What will it take to make us realize the injustice of the severe poverty that most of the world knows? The houses we live in, the cars we drive, the designer clothes we wear, the fun vacations we take--I'm convinced are nothing short of sinful. Yes we need cars--but not 2 or 3, and not ones that cost 10 or 20 or 30 grand. Yes we need houses, but not lavish palaces (and really, I think there are more of those around than we'd like to admit)
I hear folks say "I've earned this!"
To that I say "Praise God that in His mercy and grace He doesn't give us what we deserve!"
I hear folks say "But I give alot also--I've earned much and kept much, but I've given more than most."
To that I say "To him that much is given, much will be expected."
How long, oh Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? I pray our eyes will be opened to the wealth we have, then our hearts convicted that it doesn't belong to us...it belongs to God who gave it to us!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
doing less is doing more
Psalm 55:22
"Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."I've spent a lot of time in my life "getting in there" and "making things happen." I am by nature a very goal-oriented person who works very hard and doesn't stop 'till his goal is accomplished. I'm a "doer." This has served me well in a lot of areas in my life--but causes problems in others.
Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend about what life looked like for me a few years back--all the crazy drugs, debauchery, etc... We talked about how the drug use was just a way to mask/hide the large amounts of pain I had inside--how I didn't know what to "do" to effectively deal with the hurts in my life so instead, I just made myself numb by using. Being a goal-oriented "doer" wasn't serving me well in those days. Then she asked this question:
"SO, what do you do NOW to take care of the pain?"
To be honest, it was a weird moment. I hadn't thought about that. And when I DID think about it, I reacted this way:
"Oh, no. I don't do that. God does that. I don't know what He does or how He does it, but He does."
It's true. I don't exactly know when or how it happened, but at some point I stopped dealing with it and let God do that. I'd love to be able to say that I've been spiritually enlightened and am just really good at being selfless but I think we all know that's a bunch of crap. God is "doing" something IN me, and to HIM be the glory, not myself.
And so now this question has been nagging at the back of my mind: What DOES God do? What is this something He's doing in me? See, I'm a "doer." I'd love to figure out what God's strategy is so I can "do" it too! And maybe, when I'm done "doing" for myself, I can get in there and "do" for others also!
I don't have any idea what God does in our hearts that makes us know that we're loved and heals the hurts of the world. Further, it's kinda sweet that I don't know--I don't think I want to know! How freeing it is to not have to worry about that part! I get to throw my hands up and say "this stuff is above my pay grade--I'm not dealing with it, I'm passing this up the chain of command," and it always gets dealt with.
Don't get me wrong--I know that God calls us to action. Faith without works is dead, right? Amen! But the action God calls us to is the action associated with His plan, not ours. And besides, that's not even what I'm talking about here--I'm talking about the beautiful, mysterious, awesome ways he moves in our hearts, softens them, heals them, loves them. That's the sweet stuff that I wish I could put in a bottle and hand out like candy.
For the past few days, I've been walking around stretching my eyes open as far as they'll go to try and recognize God's signature on things that would lift me up, encourage me, and make me feel loved. If you've ever done this you know that it doesn't take long to realize God's signatures are EVERYWHERE! He's put beautiful people in my life and shows me His love through them. Sometimes it comes in the form of a hug. Sometimes in the form of an email. Sometimes a note from a student that looks like this:
Sometimes a note from a friend that looks like this:
No matter how he does it, God spends the day healing my hurts, and saying "I love you." I am super thankful that I serve a God who takes care of my hurts and I don't have to. When I try and be the "doer," I end up messing things up. What if we passed EVERYTHING up the chain of command? What if when we get ready to "do" we check to make sure it's God's plan, not ours? When I let God do His job...things get taken care of. My prayer is that I'll learn more and more to give things over to Him so that He can deal with them. I pray I'll stop "doing" and begin to let God do his work in me.
Grace and Peace,
-Mikey
Thursday, October 8, 2009
"The God of Seasons" (a/k/a "My eyelashes are falling out!")
We've reached my favorite time of year. Fall just completely rocks! We all know when it's coming--there's just an electric change in the air. The signs are all around us: Days begin getting shorter, nights colder, and we have a few fantastically awesome thunderstorms. Then before you know it, there are mums and pumpkins on everybody's door step and specialty spiced cider drinks being featured at your favorite coffee shop. You can always tell when fall is coming, and I love it!
I have another way to know that fall is coming: My eyelashes all fall out. Really. As far back as I can remember, my body does this weird thing where it doesn't get rid of my eyelashes one at a time. No, no...my eyelashes all let go together, usually in the course of a couple of days. I'll wake up in the morning with lashes all over my pillow. I'll reach up to itch my eye, and pull my hand back to discover four lashes came back with it. Is this weird?
I've tried to find some rhyme or reason to the cycle of lash letting, and the best I can tell, it always happens with the change of the seasons. I always know when summer or winter REALLY HAS ended, because I walk around with bald eyelids.
I am so grateful that I serve a God of seasons. This is such a gift! I'm not just talking about the earthly seasons that we experience through the year which are marked by a change in weather, although they ARE pretty sweet. I'm talking about spiritual seasons. Scripture tells us that "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) In all things, God gives us just what we need, just as much as we need, and for just as long as we need. We don't go through the tough stuff ALL the time, lest we buckle under despair, forget how to laugh, forget to enjoy the gift of life God has given us. We don't get the good stuff ALL the time, lest we grow complacent and take it for granted, never growing. Just for a season. That's all God asks.
God has been having a "sit down" with me the past few days. I've prayed for Him to reveal the next step for me, the next avenue I'll take in my journey to live the life I have been created to live. It seems that my bald eyelids indicate more than the changing of seasons here on Earth--it seems that the time has come for me to enter into a new spiritual season--a season of sifting.
1Thessolonians 5:23-24 begins "May God Himself, the God of peace sanctify you through and through (emphasis mine)" There's an awful lot of junk hidden in the secret compartments of my "through and through" and its time for me to let God get his hands in there to sift through it all to determine what is worthy of the journey and what will be left behind. Fears, insecurities, memories of past failure, stubbornness--there's a lot there, and it needs sifting.
As I enter into this season, I'm excited to be sure--God has given me my marching orders and nothing could be more exciting! However, I know that it won't be fun--in fact it likely will be excruciating. God intends to completely turn me inside out (just as I've asked him to). He knows I'm ready. He knows it's time. The previous season is ending, and a new one is beginning. It will glorious and sweet and heartbreaking and so very painful, but God is faithful. Besides, it's only for a season.
What season are you living in at this time of your life? Where on the map of your journey has God brought you? Is the difficult season you're facing dragging on far too long--so long you think you may not make it? Has God indicated in your life (whether through eyelashes or some other method) that it's time to move to the next season? Are you resisting? The enemy would love nothing more than to trap us into thinking that our season of joy is right where we need to stay, thereby stealing from us the gift of God's refinement of our hearts. He'd love to trick us into believing that our season of mourning or despair won't ever end and we ought to give up. Either way it's a lie. Remember that we serve a God of seasons, and He is faithful.
Grace and Peace,
Mikey
I have another way to know that fall is coming: My eyelashes all fall out. Really. As far back as I can remember, my body does this weird thing where it doesn't get rid of my eyelashes one at a time. No, no...my eyelashes all let go together, usually in the course of a couple of days. I'll wake up in the morning with lashes all over my pillow. I'll reach up to itch my eye, and pull my hand back to discover four lashes came back with it. Is this weird?
I've tried to find some rhyme or reason to the cycle of lash letting, and the best I can tell, it always happens with the change of the seasons. I always know when summer or winter REALLY HAS ended, because I walk around with bald eyelids.
I am so grateful that I serve a God of seasons. This is such a gift! I'm not just talking about the earthly seasons that we experience through the year which are marked by a change in weather, although they ARE pretty sweet. I'm talking about spiritual seasons. Scripture tells us that "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) In all things, God gives us just what we need, just as much as we need, and for just as long as we need. We don't go through the tough stuff ALL the time, lest we buckle under despair, forget how to laugh, forget to enjoy the gift of life God has given us. We don't get the good stuff ALL the time, lest we grow complacent and take it for granted, never growing. Just for a season. That's all God asks.
God has been having a "sit down" with me the past few days. I've prayed for Him to reveal the next step for me, the next avenue I'll take in my journey to live the life I have been created to live. It seems that my bald eyelids indicate more than the changing of seasons here on Earth--it seems that the time has come for me to enter into a new spiritual season--a season of sifting.
1Thessolonians 5:23-24 begins "May God Himself, the God of peace sanctify you through and through (emphasis mine)" There's an awful lot of junk hidden in the secret compartments of my "through and through" and its time for me to let God get his hands in there to sift through it all to determine what is worthy of the journey and what will be left behind. Fears, insecurities, memories of past failure, stubbornness--there's a lot there, and it needs sifting.
As I enter into this season, I'm excited to be sure--God has given me my marching orders and nothing could be more exciting! However, I know that it won't be fun--in fact it likely will be excruciating. God intends to completely turn me inside out (just as I've asked him to). He knows I'm ready. He knows it's time. The previous season is ending, and a new one is beginning. It will glorious and sweet and heartbreaking and so very painful, but God is faithful. Besides, it's only for a season.
What season are you living in at this time of your life? Where on the map of your journey has God brought you? Is the difficult season you're facing dragging on far too long--so long you think you may not make it? Has God indicated in your life (whether through eyelashes or some other method) that it's time to move to the next season? Are you resisting? The enemy would love nothing more than to trap us into thinking that our season of joy is right where we need to stay, thereby stealing from us the gift of God's refinement of our hearts. He'd love to trick us into believing that our season of mourning or despair won't ever end and we ought to give up. Either way it's a lie. Remember that we serve a God of seasons, and He is faithful.
Grace and Peace,
Mikey
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