How to Figure God Out

Most relationships are like rollercoasters - up and down, up and down. And, though some may argue they have one that is mostly up (or mostly down), it is safe to say no relationship will ever grow if it is 100% up. Why? Because we're dealing with vastly different people. Like snowflakes, we are all completely different from one another; different mindsets, approaches, ideas, hobbies, dislikes, and triggers for different moods.

Being different from someone close to you can be difficult. Why? Because life is easier when everyone agrees with you or looks up to your lifestyle. Teams work better when they agree to a common cause. Congregations form when they agree to the Scriptures and the concepts being taught at church. Everybody feels better when the environment breeds a sense of agreement, nodding of heads, and the word "yes" and "no" said in unison.

Usually, when we come across someone too different than us, but close enough to us, we do one of four things:

1. We try to change them.

2. We conform to what they do/say.

3. We completely walk away from that friendship

4. We accept them for who they are, despite being different than us.

At this point, it is safe to say any other response or reaction would probably fall under one of the three categories listed above.

For example, say your close friend does not like any physical sport, and you do. You have gone all of this time avoiding any physical sport with this person because he will awkwardly join in and fail miserably or he will continue to say no. You have spent most of your friendship agreeing with yourself that you will save him the turmoil of wishing he had never joined in on the "fun," so you never ask him to join you. Finally, the day has come when you ask. Well, if you were following #1 in the list above, you would strive to devoting all of your time changing that person's mindset, treating your friendship with that person as if you were a salesperson and he were your client. You expend all of your energy trying to change that person.

After failing to get your friend to succeed at enjoying what you enjoy, you step into option #2. You consider this to be the only opportunity to save the friendship - by conforming to the very hobbies your friend loves. You try as hard as you can to enjoy World of Warcraft, but it's simply not the same as a good game of basketball. This virtual world is too exhausting to enjoy, so you politely tell your friend this isn't working.

Now you are left with option #3 or #4: walk away or accept them. 

Interestingly, we do these things with God sometimes. In our minds, we want God to be a certain way so we can like him. We try to change him in our minds. We use the grace he has given us as an excuse to do whatever we want. We talk about how some of the laws are so "Old Testament." We want God to fulfill our every need and go as far as disguising our wants as needs. "But God, I need this..." We exchange a heart of gratitude to a tongue that demands from a long list. We complain to God and call it "venting." 

Sometimes, we shrug our shoulders and pout, "Ok...fine. You are God and I am not..." We treat the journey like it is something to whine about until God "hears" us. This, like option #1, takes so much energy and time. We are not fully grateful to God because we are tiring ourselves out with prayers that begin with "But God...." Whether we speak these things directly to God or not, we have this mentality that my life will have to be a living Hell if I am going to have to follow him. We are tricked into believe that God will put us behind bars and take away our fun the moment we show ourselves to him.

So we are left with two options. We accept God for who he is or we walk away from God because of who he is not to us. Unfortunately, there are many who choose the second option. They are tired of the mysteries and the false hope and trying to solve God like he's a puzzle that's missing the last piece. Over time, these people move on and accept the notion that God is not worth their time. 

Whatever the case is, each option above takes so much effort. It takes endless amounts of hair-pulling, teeth-grinding, face-grabbing, and tear-shedding to understand the depths of who God is. Most give up. They separate themselves from him and depend on ignorance and/or bitterness to move on, independent from believing in what they do not understand. Some believe the world will be good to them, giving them fame and attention. And some, still bitter, choose to live the rest of their life slamming God every opportunity they can. Why? Because we long to figure out what we don't know. We desire to have life understood. We crave knowledge and yearn for that knowledge to be at our fingertips. When we don't understand, we look for something else to take its place.

All along, 1 Corinthians 2 exists. And all along, Paul has it clear-cut. We don't need to solve God. We don't need him to be like us or us to be exactly like him to know who he is. Besides, the best relationships are not about what you do together, but about getting to know each other. A relationship with God does not need to involve hobbies or the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable, but it is simply about getting to know the deep love that God desires to lavish on you. God loves you more than you know, and though it comes as a mystery, it is worth pursuing. God is the captain of a ship called Love, and he is good at what he does. He is masterful at it. You don't need to be good at it to receive his love. It doesn't need to be your "hobby" for God to pour it out to you. The moment you spend time with him, with a heart wide open, you become one with him. You share his thoughts and think his ideas (1 Corinthians 2:12)

As we walk this journey, many will falter. Many give up. You might be on the verge of giving up, or you know you never will, but you question God. You are angry at God. You don't understand him, so you are bothered. But be encouraged. Paul says, "What we have received is not the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words" (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). 

God and his spiritual realities cannot be taught through mere human words. It cannot be fully understood by man's words, but words inspired by God himself, which is Scripture and those who listen to the prompting of the Spirit:

2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 - "For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power,with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."

These two truths keep us grounded in our faith, and because of our faith - being "...fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises" (Romans 4:21) - we can be counted as righteous in his sight. We believe God for what he reveals to us in his timing. As we trust him and believe in him without wandering thought, we receive the blessing in knowing more of him and being promised "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).

We know his thoughts, and he freely gives his thoughts to us. Just be you. Let God be God. You don't need to be him when he wants you to be you. He wants to show you, teach you, and instruct you to see things the way he does. That can only happen when we act like his child, not his owner. It isn't your job to figure God out. It is God and the Holy Spirit's job to reveal him to you. And He will do it. Just listen, love, and be amazed by what he has in store. As we continue walking, running, tripping, stumbling, and sprinting through life, remember:

"'What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived'—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit" 
(1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

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).