Love in Every Language

September 11th, 2001 was a horrific event where America witnessed a first-hand account of a terrorist strike on our own soil. The Twin Towers went down with a crash, and many lives are still effected by it 13 years later. When it comes time to tell the story of 9/11 to 5th graders, who were born in 2002 or 2003, teachers are quickly reminded how little the children know about this deadly attack, especially since we haven't seen an event of this magnitude happen on our soil since.

Similarly, there is also great separation from how much we can relate to God's ultimate demonstration of love when he sent his son thousands of years ago. We so easily forget about that act of love and what it meant for us. We watch Passion of the Christ to get an emotional charge, but it only lasts so long when Jim Caviezel acts the role of Jesus. We can even read John 3:16 multiple times and begin to let the Holy Spirit guide us through the visuals, but the truth remains: It is difficult to relate to something that happened long before we were born. Like the 9/11 attacks, we try to close our eyes and imagine Jesus being hung from a tree by nails driven into his arms and legs, but we can only visualize what is concocted in our brains through limited visuals and constricted imaginations.

All of this comes from our limited perception of past events, but what about the simple fact that God's act of love is profound whether we are there to witness it or not? After all, this ultimate sacrifice and demonstration of love covered all sin: past, present, and future. Before even a single fiber was formed in our body, we were forgiven. It is the ultimate act of love that no historical event which occurred and will occur can ever even compare to.Today, our existence is predicated on that single act of love from our Father. That is how deep God's love, mercy, and grace is. It extends beyond that past event when Jesus, age 33, was unjustifiably punished for being considered a blaspheme. However, this event cannot be comprehended because no one was around to see it physically. We must depend on the Holy Spirit to take us to that place.

Oh, that's great, we ponder. God sent his son so we can live!

With all sincerity, we are grateful. I don't doubt that we are grateful, but I am certain most of us cannot fully comprehend what it would look like for God to love us so much that he would send his only son to die a brutal death for us. How many of us has made that kind of sacrifice for someone - especially when they do not deserve that sacrifice? It is unfathomable.

Then again, the beauty of God's love and grace is that it is transferable. While the September 11th attacks only happened once (and will hopefully remain that way), God's demonstration of love and grace continues generation after generation. We can fathom just a piece of God's love because it not only happened before Jesus' death and resurrection, but it continued on afterwards. Furthermore, it did not just happen sporadically throughout history, sprinkled here and there, but it was shown in a multitude of ways. Let's look at Scripture as a way to guide us through those ways, before and after the resurrection of Jesus:

Genesis 1:28 - God's Gift to Mankind
"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Not only did God make mankind "in his own image" (v. 27), but he also promised dominion over everything not human. Our father will forever entrust us to supervise, care for, and give proper treatment to everything he created. He has empowered us to do so, which is the ultimate gift alongside life itself.

Joshua 1:5,8 - Words of Affirmation through a Guidebook/His Promises
"Keep this book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
If you consider historical context, Joshua is the rightful successor to lead the Israelites post-Moses' era. The Lord, knowing Joshua would be frightened of this new role, constantly reminded Joshua to be strong and courageous. Verse 5 says, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you." God has a two promises for Joshua: 1) to never leave Joshua's side and 2) that there will be success when the Law is carefully followed and studied. Through these promises, Joshua was a successful and prosperous leader. Despite trial and tribulation, the Lord was faithful, and these words of affirmation carried Joshua through.

1 Samuel 23:26-29 - Love in the Form of Refuge
"Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them, a messenger came to Saul, saying, 'Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.' Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines... And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi."
Again, historical context is needed to understand these verses, and this came at a time when David was fleeing Saul. Saul strongly desired to kill David, and it was "the strongholds of En Gedi" that not only prevented David from getting killed, but it provided an encounter between the two men that led to forgiveness and a mended relationship in the moment. David's life was spared and David went on to spare Saul's life. From both Saul and David's perspective, God showered his love on each man so that they may live to see another day.
Furthermore, En Gedi is found in the middle of the desert, but can be described as a tropical paradise flowing with water, vegetation, and greenery. While David was fleeing in the desert, he must have been growing weak, hungry, and discouraged. When he came upon the caves of En Gedi, not only was he able to hide, but he was also able to stay within "the strongholds of En Gedi" for some time after Saul traveled back home. Ultimately, the strongholds of En Gedi became a refuge for David, from God. Just another gift from God to his people.

Psalm 1:3/Psalm 42:1-2 - Quality Time at the River
"[The righteous] person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not whither - whatever they do prospers."
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"
These verses are so similar because David is at a point of intimacy with God. He longs for God, as a deer longs for a drink. The interesting correlation between these verses are how they each connect to a sense of a continuous pouring in, where no one will thirst or hunger again. The tree planted by streams of water continues to be filled by Living Water that never, ever runs dry. It's roots dig deep, clinging to its ever-flowing resource and relying on the River to provide growth inside and out. This tree becomes prosperous and useful, benefitting from the water of life. In the same way, the deer longs for this stream not only as a want, but a need. It will starve without it. David makes this comparison because he too recognizes a strong need for the Lord. When can I go and meet with God? There is a sense of urgency - that without God, no such life will exist. A heart is shattered when God is absent from it.
God wants you to experience quality time with him because he loves you. He desires relationship and intimacy with you - will you reach out your hand and cry out to him, knowing that you not only want him, but need him?

Romans 5:8 - A Demonstration of Love - Acts of Service
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Good teachers tell students how to solve a problem. Great teachers demonstrate how to solve a problem. Why? Because to demonstrate means to show. Demonstrating is taking a problem and modeling it so students who misunderstood the concept can now correct the problem and let it change their thinking.
The same can be said about God's love. By sending his Son, he has not only shown us how much He loves us, but he has modeled for us how we can express that same kind of sacrificial love. God knew sin could easily grab ahold of us and remove all love from our hearts. Therefore, he demonstrated how we as students can relearn the concept of love and how it can be unconditionally given to others - a sacrificial love for the benefit of others. In fact, John 14:12 makes it clear that we can achieve this kind of love, because in it Jesus claims we can do greater things than him: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ” In fact, Jesus' death was not the only demonstration of his love, but his life was a demonstration as well. Philippians 2:5,7 encourages us to have the mindset of Christ Jesus: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Jesus Christ: ...he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant..." God calls us to show that same type of love to those around us. Have the same mindset as Jesus Christ, declares the Lord. And, if Jesus himself claimed we can do greater things than him through the Father, then we can certainly show the same kind of servant-like attitude to those around us.

More than Conquerers
If God demonstrates his love in these many ways, what reason is there that we should withhold or limit any of the love given to us? Romans 8:31: "What, then, shall we say in response to [bondage]? If God is for us, who can be against us?" In other words, if God's love is so intensely showered upon us that we are given new identity in him, and if "neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:38-39), then we have no reason to limit that love when it is poured into us from God himself. Nothing, not even an army of hate, can defeat and outweigh the love of God. Therefore, if our identity and stronghold is in Christ Jesus, then we are more than capable of conquering any level of hatred with the same love of God that was resurrected in Jesus and into our heart and soul.

Amen!

There is a River: Personal Story

With a chapter like this one, it is hard to determine a good place to begin. Since 2013, this chapter has been the philosophy of my life. It has made a tremendous impact on how I should view my relationship with the Lord. It has even given me a deeper understanding of how I should define my lifestyle.

                And it all started with a tree.

                In 2013, I concentrated on what that tree meant to me. It was the opposite of the wicked and it helped propel myself towards obedience in Christ. My devotion was to the Lord. I was promised prosperity through persistent communication with God. Everyone around me benefitted from the joy I gained when I walked in step with the Holy Spirit. “They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither,” the words promised. “…Whatever he does prospers” was what gained my attention the most. So, I didn’t walk in step with the wicked. I did not stand in the way of sinners. I guarded my heart, knowing that “everything [I] do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). I “fix[ed] my gaze directly before me.” Nothing could pull me under because the Lord rooted me near streams of water.

                I prospered. I was unshaken and unmovable.

                I blogged about Psalm 1; I drew art about Psalm 1. I even spoke prophetic words about Psalm 1. Everyone knew about Psalm 1 because it rolled off my tongue like a silky milk chocolate from one’s mouth. Life could no longer throw its curveballs. I was free from anything that was wicked.

                …until 2014 hit. I began school year number three. I began to pour into the students, aware that they couldn't pour back into me even if they tried. They are 5^th graders, knowing they need to learn but not always wanting to. I began at a reasonable pace until the students needed me more and more. The more they needed me, the more I poured into them. I loved on them daily, often exchanging my impatient fury for God’s heaven-sent wisdom and delight. Romans 12:8 was my verse. If encouragement was my gift – encourage. If diligence was my gift, serve with a good attitude. Romans 12:8 took me through each day. One thing Romans 12:8 didn’t do was what my chapter could: fill me up when I emptied my all into that classroom. Each night, whether it was 4pm, 6pm, or 10pm, I would leave all of my love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness (Galatians 5:22) there, behind locked doors. On every desk would be the remains of each Fruit of the Spirit. Was I content? Yes. Unfortunately, I was also empty.

                I was so empty that I couldn’t show anymore fruit in my basket. I would cry randomly, for no reason. If someone looked at me, they would see straight through me. My face would show the emptiness. I was transparent. Then the Lord took me back to 2013. He told me about that same tree, drinking from that same stream. The stream never went dry and the tree never withered. The Lord came down to my level, my empty-cup level, and started filling my roots with that same water, from that same stream. It never went dry. As He poured, He whispered, “When the world beats you down, there is a river.”

                When the world beats you down, there is a river.

                I lost it. My cup overflowed through my eyes and my tree didn’t just drink up. It grew leaves, flowers, and my branches grew thick. Where? That same stream. It never left me, and it never will. I didn’t need to know about how to be righteous. I didn’t need to know what happens to the wicked. I didn’t need to know the difference between the two. I needed to know that God richly blesses the righteous and that I will be richly blessed because “The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight” (2 Samuel 22:25). It is his sight of me that I am righteous, and I made righteous because of His grace.

                The Lord saw me as an empty vessel, and He did what only He could do on that August 28^th, 2014: He filled me up and recharged me so I could continue being a vessel.

                That tree can prosper because there is a particular stream that fills it. Psalm one is all about the stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. However, it is also about the beauty of God’s unending grace and love when we are “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). When we choose to be righteous in all we do and allow God to work in us, He promises to fill us with the gifts of the Spirit.

                As we encounter God in a variety of ways, we can rest assure that God will bring us into His glory throughout our lives. Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” If we fix our eyes on the Lord, He promises to fill us in ways only He can do it. In all you do, remember that His love is available to those who seek Him wholeheartedly.

Whenever you doubt the Lord’s faithfulness. Whenever you feel lonely, doubtful, and burdened. remember:

There is a river (Psalm 1:3).

You See Ruins...He Sees Rebuilding.

               Ever heard of an ordained city? Ever heard of a city doused in the very blessings of God, let alone man? Well, there is a city out there, and it’s been around for quite some time. In fact, it is considered the “City of the Great King.” Psalm 87:5 (NLT) claims “The Most High will personally bless this city.” Zechariah 8:3 quotes the Lord, saying, “I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City.”

Wow. A city ordained by God himself; truly remarkable.

                Another reference in Scripture that connects the dots between Jerusalem and God’s favor is Hebrews 12:22: “You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” In other words, Mt. Zion rests in the city of Jerusalem and is synonymous with God’s dwelling place. As a matter of fact, Barnes’ Notes Commentary suggests that “Jerusalem was the center of religion in the land; the place where the temple stood, and where the worship of God was celebrated, and where God dwelt as a visible symbol, and it became the type and emblem of the holy abode where He dwells in heaven.”

                Jerusalem was a symbol of God’s inhabitance and protection over the city, and since God dwelt in the city of Jerusalem, His constant care is over it. Isaiah 49:16: “See I have written your name in the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.”

This land, the mighty land of Jerusalem, is where God’s temple stood. It was home to God our Father. It does not matter its condition because God was still watching over His beloved city. Shambles or no shambles, God loves his city more than words can express. The city is not beautiful because of its condition, but because of who loves it. He would never leave it nor forsake it.

Most of the time, our circumstances seem bigger, taller, and more powerful than ours. We lose sight of what’s good because our circumstances destroy us. We are in ruins. We are wrecked, beaten, and torn down from head to heart. Every piece of us is shattered, just like Jerusalem.

 Pop singer and songwriter Mat Kearney sings a song titled, “Renaissance.” Near the end of verse two, Kearney sings,

“Humbled, it took this much to break down and understand, Spent half my life on castles made of sand,

Tossed in the breakers in the palm of your hand

Now I can finally stand”

               

                Now, whether Mat Kearney was singing with Isaiah 49:16 in mind, it is clear he is trying to communicate that through his own unfortunate ruins (“castles made of sand, tossed in the breakers”), he can still rest “in the palm of [God’s] hand” and finally stand…whether shattered or not.

                Often, our perspective of God gets skewed when there is so much “bad stuff” going on around us. Sometimes, our perspective comes in the shape of an outstretched fist, clenched accusingly in God’s direction. “Why would God allow this to happen?”

                We might not always get a response we want, but every time we doubt, accuse, and blame our Almighty God, we are the ones with the wrong perspective. Romans 8:28-29 declares, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” This is a promise, and whether we are in ruins or not, we can know without a shadow of a doubt that the God is watching over us no matter what.

                It might take every part of you to break down and understand, as Mat Kearney suggests. You might be so broken, battered, and bitter, but God sees you where you’re at and has you in the palm of His hand. He is yours, and he loves you with a fierce love that transcends our ruins and builds them strong.

                God doesn’t see your ruins as a reason to reject or deject you, but an opportunity for resurrection and reconstruction in Him. Those weak points, those crumbled walls, predicate your victory in him and through him. That's where beauty comes from - your need for him (you are ruined) to resurrect your city (he is sovereign).

                And sometimes, it is those very walls that build you up. In fact, those broken, beaten, and battered walls could be the very structures that help you stand stronger than you did before. Who says God can’t retract beauty from those ashes?

That's the paradox of love that we must accept. After all, it is those ruins that are what create a palace in the first place.

Keeping the Faith - Runner's Terms

Running is an interesting hobby. It takes time to appreciate, and most of the time, it's like a movie without a happy ending. Why do most of us run? To be happy and healthy. But, when you press play on your iPod, do your stretches, and prepare your 4-mile run, it's not the most exciting feeling. For the most part, you just want the end result. Once you begin running, time halts. Every second feels like an eternity, and every muscle in your body reminds you that bedtime is better than any physical activity you try to perform. You envision an effortless prance through the field, but you feel torment. You dream dreams of bounding with the antelopes along the lush hills of Ireland, but you are constantly awoken by the harsh realities of being out of shape. 

Often, running and life go hand-in-hand. Just like running, life can sometimes be one twisted ankle after another. Eventually, we throw our hands up and yell back, "Why me?!" When we watch the Hollywood movies and look at Facebook pictures of our friends at parties, we envision that perfect society we've created in our head. No trickery, no harsh realities. Unfortunately, what we wish for does not come true.

As life continues taking its course, it continues taking a toll on our lives. We begin to lose heart, and just like running in a race, we begin to feel discouraged. We feel dehydrated, hurt, and our legs give out. Quitting never sounded better. All of the cliche "You can do it!" posters only mock your chances of making it.

Well, you do have your reasons. You do have your excuses. And boy, are they good. They could almost convince anyone that your moping, whining, and complaining is perfectly acceptable. According to Scripture, though, no reasons or excuses are worth responding that way: "Do everything without grumbling or complaining, so that you may become blameless and pure" (Philippians 2:14-15). And, according to Philippians, this means in all circumstances. It does not say, "Do certain things without grumbling or complaining." It says everything.

So, now that we understand when it is acceptable to complain, whine, and moan, we should look at Paul's response to our desire to quit running the race of life:

Galatians 5:7-8: "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you (God)."

The Galatians - the people Paul was speaking to at the time - were believers in God and the Law, but began being led astray. They were runners who were quitting on their faith. Circumstances caused them to throw in the towel. Paul confronts them and asks, "What reasons do you have to quit? You were doing well!"

We often look at circumstances around us and think there are enough adequate reasons to stop running, unaware of how well we were actually doing. While it is crucial to attend to your feelings and understand where they come from, we have to be careful so as not to remove ourselves from the race. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "...let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith (NLT)." So, with Jesus as our Usain Bolt of life-runners, we can now follow his lead because he was a "champion" during his time on Earth. Jesus demonstrated what a Christ-like life should look like as a human being with feelings, skin, bones, and a soul.

So how can we "run with endurance the race God has set before us"? First, we can "Set our mind on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2). Additionally, we can "Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on the full amour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (Ephesians 6:10-11). Finally, we can "Rejoice always, pray continually, (and) give thanks in all circumstances..." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - also Philippians 4:6). There is nothing like combating the world's troubles with praise, thanksgiving, and genuine prayer to our Lord.

As a cross-country runner growing up, the phrase heard most often was, "Pace yourself." In running terms, that meant to save the sprint for the last .1-.2 miles left. The last leg was meant to be an all-out sprint because it was an opportunity to pass a lot of other runners who did not pace themselves very well. As a result, if the last tenth of a mile were run correctly, the runner would usually climb three to four spots in the ranks because of this all-out sprint. Despite feeling nauseous and woozy at the end of the race, there was satisfaction in knowing you gave it your all; you held nothing back. When Paul wrote to the man he was mentoring, Timothy, he said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

When you are ready to be with God in Heaven; when your time comes to a close, do you want the assurance of knowing that you were ready to meet with him for eternity?  Do you feel you could say that today? No matter what happens in this lifetime, you know with 100% assurance that you did not waver in your faith? Do you want the confidence of knowing that you fought the good fight?