Perhaps you’ve seen the bible study or read some books which ask the question are you a “Fan” or are you a “Follower” of Jesus? A fan would be one who sits on the sidelines, cheers (also complains when things aren’t going the way they expect them to go) but never really gets onto the field to do any of the real labor within the realms of faith.
I don’t mean to rail against the Church…well maybe I do a little. This isn’t about not loving people, actually it’s quite the opposite. What can we do to change the perception of the Church? What can we do to change the perception of the “Fan Club”?
1. It begins with You & Me:
We can’t change the polarizing views of some people who use the name “Christian” but do not act like Christians. BUT we can change the way that we conduct ourselves and how we live in community with those around us. It has to begin with you and me! Without this internal determination to change, the “Fan club” wins.
2. Move with Love:
When we allow it to begin with us and allow the Holy Spirit to move us we can’t but help to love and serve. It’s about loving and serving the Almighty as well as loving and serving other people around us. Faith has to have feet in order for it to change lives including our own. We aren’t merely fans of Jesus, we MUST be His followers. Love compels us forward even into places that we would never consider going because it is no longer about “Me” but it’s about “Him”.
We can tear down these walls that separate the Church from the “real world”…but it means that we can’t just take shelter in our buildings and presume people will find us. Jesus didn’t hang out in temples for the entirety of His ministry here on Earth, He went to people, and if we are to be like Him, if we are to follow Him then we ought to go to people too!
Jesus doesn’t need anymore fans…He needs followers who are willing to do the hard work, not because hard work will get us into heaven, but rather because we have put feet with our faith. Are you ready to move?
There are preconceived ideas floating around about what a Christian is and isn’t. I am most certainly not the end all and be all of answers here, but from my experience and knowledge of what a Christian should and shouldn’t be, let me make a list of a few myths for everyone today. I am sure this may spark some conversations and hopefully help to clarify this thing we call “Christianity”. These aren’t in any specific order, just placed as I write them now…so here goes.
Myth #1 – “Salvation saves my soul and after conversion there is no need for further repentance or spiritual growth.”
Let us be clear. Salvation is just the first step towards spiritual growth. Without Salvation we are lost, but at the moment of conversion the Holy Spirit begins this transforming work within us. To say that we only need repentance once and that growth isn’t needed is foolish and closes the door to a deeper, more fuller relationship with God. We should also look more closely at the need for further repentance. Repentance is crucial in our continued growth as Christians or Christ-followers. As Spiritual maturity takes root in our lives so must we come face to face with lingering or flawed recesses of our hearts, souls and minds. These are fragments of the old life still living within us. The Holy Spirit’s work in us leads us towards Holiness which is the image of Christ, but we cannot fully realize this until we are willing to repent and surrender these lingering fragments. Continued repentance is crucial for our continued spiritual growth.
Myth #2 – When you become a Christian you are no longer allowed to have fun
This may sound funny to you, but I’ve heard it said of Christians that once you become “saved” you have to stop having fun. Sorry to tell you this, but some of the craziest (by crazy I mean funny) people I know are Christians. I believe God has a great sense of humor (afterall He created you and me didn’t he?) and so did Jesus. I can almost hear even a sense of sarcasm in some of Jesus’ words at times. Humor is vital to life. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves and revel in the frivilous from time to time. The fellowship of believers shouldn’t only be about serious content and plastered frowning/pious faces, we should also seek to have fun in this life as well! I seriously think that many people who are not Christians think we all wear funny clothes, and sit around singing hymns in latin. If that was the case, perhaps I would seriously think of heading for the exit as well. But I know Christians who are just plain down to earth people. These same people have a very humorous, sharp sense of humor. When people become Christians and embrace faith in Christ they do not (or should not) lose their sense of humor. Humor is not only refreshing but many times intrinsic to a person. It is almost like a fingerprint and is essentially tied into the identity of that person.
Myth #3 – Christians are just out for YOUR money.
Let me just say how much I despise certain types of Televangelists who prey on the false hopes of the weak. These charlatans will tickle the ears just enough to score another buck from the naive and the hurting. This type of Christianity is more parlor trick than it is an accurate reflection of a real Christ-follower. I usually stay away from churches that essentially beg for more and more money. There is a big difference though between the discipline of tithing to the Lord and supporting a ministry that uses much of its funds to empower and provide luxury to the pastor/televangelist. One should consider the fruits of the labor within those “religious” entities and look very closely at where the funds go.
Christ certainly didn’t go around asking people to give Him money. He did ask of a Samaratan woman for water and He did ask His disciples to do extraordinary things, but money was not in the asking. Jesus did talk a lot about money and possessions but it primarily centered around the questions of “what possesses you? What are your idols? Does your material wealth and pursuit of such earthly riches consume all of your time?”
In the same way, we are to emulate Christ when it comes to earthly possessions and the uses of riches. Money can be a resource to help us provide for our families, to put food on the tables and to support missions of a loving and caring church. Christians are not…(or should I say) should not be all about the money, money.
Myth #4 – Christians are hate-mongers
I at times bristle at this accusation. In the same breath though I know that there are those segments of the Church (like the Westboro Baptist church – sorry to name names) who have made it a mission to condemn and judge any and every people group that they deem worthy of their condemnation. This is NOT the Christ that I know, and If Jesus had lived this way while on earth I doubt I would have followed Him. The harshest words that Jesus ever spoke were directed at the teachers of the law, the “religious” people of the day who knew better but certainly DID NOT live as they demanded others to live. Jesus’ message was one of hope and love and restoration. He breathed this into His disciples who in turn continued that mission throughout their lives regardless of the consequences (even death).
Jesus actively engaged Himself within many sub-cultures of His day even the outcasts who the “Religious” teachers despised. He went to the homes of tax collectors, he healed lepers, He talked with women of questionable backgrounds…His message was of love not hate.
Salvation doesn’t come to us by shoving Heaven and Hell down someone’s throat, but rather through real genuine concern and love. Any church out there that relays Christ’s message any other way other than love has misplaced His purpose for coming in the first place. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -John 10:10
There is a difference between preaching repentance within the realms of Salvation and preaching hate and condemnation. Christianity, if lived out in the hearts of the genuine Christ-follower, should reflect and possess the same aroma of Christ in His love for the sinner and the saint regardless of where they’ve come from.
Myth #5 – Christian are all hypocrites and gossipers
There’s a funny sign that reads:
Unfortunately the truth may hurt a bit at times, but there are no perfect people in church. The church should be a place where both sinner and saint come for Spiritual triage and are not judged or condemned by the “righteous”. Romans 3:10 says “There is no one righteous, not even one…”
Truth be told, it would serve the church and the church member well to bring this verse to mind when considering other children of God.
Can I say that the church never has this problem with hypocrites and gossipers? NO! In fact this may be the only myth that I think hits too close to home sometimes. BUT if Christians can be humble, truly humble and loving towards everybody who chooses to enter the church doors, what a real opportunity that would be! Think of the difference and what may transpire if this one small issue was completely eradicated from the Christian heart? How would lives be changed and transformed? Think of the opportunities to save souls!? The Church is NOT full of Hypocrites and Gossipers, although we certainly have our fair share.
These are just five myths about Christianity. There are many more, but for now this is enough.
For the Christian: Consider what it means to truly be a Christ-follower. How you might be perceived (right or wrong) by those who have yet to make a decision for Christ. Be open minded, full of grace and purposeful with friends, family and neighbors who aren’t Christians. Remember we are not the judge, God is. Just as we are in need of His love and grace, so too are others who live in this world as well. Real evangelism doesn’t begin with a tract or a bullhorn, but with a handshake and a hug of compassion and genuine love. Get to know people. Spend time with them. Tear down these false perceptions by the way that YOU live and conduct yourself. There isn’t enough lip service in the world that can out-do faith in action!
For the questioning soul out there: The Church should be a place of safe harbor to ALL people. Christ was the only perfect person who ever lived and He came to save us all. Don’t’ judge the merits of Christ by what you may have experienced (most likely bad experiences) in a church setting. Imperfect people exist in and out of church. People make mistakes, even Christians. I am not apologizing for all Christians, but I am saying this: be open minded and perhaps, just perhaps some of these myths might be debunked.
Thanks for allowing me time to share these thoughts.
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” -2 Corinthians 5:20
One of my favorite words in the English language is “Reconciliation”. The etymology of the word reconcile comes from the Latin “reconcilare” which means “to bring together again”.
When Jesus came into this world and identified with humanity as the God-man He sought to bring together again the original creation of man with God the Father. Did you catch that? At one time, in our original state, we were together with God. He would walk with Adam and Eve. He would fellowship with them in the garden of Eden. He actually, physically, walked WITH them.
But.
Because of original sin, which entered the picture, we became separated from God. Think of it like a great big, messy divorce…except we were the offending party and God the Father did nothing to deserve our infidelity. How it must have wrecked His heart to find us unfaithful to Him. To find out we (Adam and Eve) deliberately and consciously disobeyed Him. But we all know this story don’t we? We understand the consequences of the fall of man…don’t we?
Yes Jesus came.
He came to set things right with us.
He came to Reconcile us (back again) into the Father’s arms.
Think about that for a moment. Isn’t that beautiful? Doesn’t that evoke in you some sort of longing to physically be embraced by God the Father as you enter into the wedding feast? Jesus came to restore us. He came for the whosoever…those who would actually come seeking Him.
But, wait…there’s more.
When we face the God-man, Jesus Christ, for who He is and what He came to do, we make a vital decision. We, who have then become Christ-followers, we choose to become like Him in our daily living. A part of this “becoming” is to pick up where Jesus left off. We follow in the footsteps of the Rabbi, but in so doing we shuck off our old identities and adopt (not just imitate, but become) Christ in our everything!
Taking it a step further, we are to be Christ’s ambassadors to the world relaying the vital message of reconciliation to the whosoever. There is a misnomer though that I think we buy into once in a while – “Reconciliation is only for the sinner”. This is simply not true. Though we have become like Christ in every way, shape or form (or so we think thus far) we are still in need of THAT reconciliation daily!
The Hebrew words associated to the word “Ambassador” are: “tsir” or “melits” and “malak”. Essentially they mean “an interpreter” or “a messenger”.
When we think of Ambassadors today we think of politicians from certain countries whose job it is to broker peace and trade agreements with other countries. But we as Christ-followers are also called to be ambassadors of reconciliation to the sinner and the saint. Taking it a step further being an Ambassador also implies that we are to literally breathe Christ’s message into other people by our words and more importantly by our actions.
How can we provide clear interpretation of God and that of His love to those around us if we have not fully adopted and reconciled ourselves to His love as well? If this reconciled life is not within us then we cannot breathe this into other people’s lives. So as an Ambassador it has to begin with You…and it has to begin with me.
It first must become personal…daily, even moment by moment breathing Christ’s holiness and likeness into our own hearts and minds through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 4:8).
Prayer:
Dear Lord, let it begin with me. Breathe on me breath of God, allow me to be reconciled to You daily. Help me to see that I am called to be your messenger to others, even other saints. Help me to be the best Ambassador for you that I can be. May it be my lifelong passion which begins moment by moment with you. In Your Holy name I pray these things, -Amen.
John 4:7-26 (NIV) 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
He seated himself beside the well sun beating down, heat of the day swelling and shimmering in the heat a mirage swiveled and swirled in the distance she came, reputation and all she walked the dusty path alone she bore the scorn and shame every day like this.
He saw her pensively waiting there, waiting for Him to move on waiting for Him to step aside so that cool water, crisp and clean could be drawn and taken home… Yet He doesn’t falter He looks at her, as if He knows her shame. Yet, undeterred He remains no look of disgust of retribution of Anger He looks at her, asks for a drink then offers her something more something lasting Identities are shared, His sends her running back into town with news beyond her reputation beyond her guilt and fear of the town’s gossip… Messiah – with Eternal Water drink deeply, receive and share it is for the whosoever… after all.
You have all probably seen this project already on Pintrest, and I’m in no way claiming that it’s mine…because it’s not, but I would like to incorporate a teachable lesson to accompany it. Please find the elements of this project accompanied by scripture passages below free for you to use if you so choose to do so. This teachable craft can be used for youth programs, women’s ministries, senior adult ministry or even at home with your family.
Elements & Scripture Discussion:
1. The Potting Saucer –
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth – Genesis 1:1
the saucer for this Easter craft represents (at least to me) the world in which we live. God created it and we live in a location and placed that was formed by His hands. We are blessed to live in such a world and should take care of this world as best we can. Genesis 2:5 – “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” God still wants us to take care of this world that He has entrusted us with.
2. The Potting Soil –
The potting soil represents you, me and all of creation.
“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
God created this world for us and He desires to have fellowship with us. He longs for us to love Him in return and so in this Easter story we recognize that we too play a part in the crucifixion and the resurrection. Jesus came to die for us because we really and truly matter to Him. He created us and this Easter story is about our salvation through Christ Jesus.
3. The Gardening Rocks
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” -Romans 3:23
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” -Romans 5:12
The gardening rocks represent sin in this world. It weighs us down and keeps us bound in our slavery to it. We cannot save ourselves from its weight, nor can we do enough good works to receive eternal life. We need help. We are all fallen, each one of us and because of this Jesus came to set us free and to remove the weight of sin from our lives.
4. The Three Crosses
With younger children you might want to tie these for the kids before hand.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!” -Philippians 2:8
The Cross of Jesus is suffering and death. But it was suffering and death for a purpose. Jesus died so that the sins of every person on earth could be forgiven and also that we could be restored in our fellowship with God. Without the cross and Jesus’ suffering we are still hopelessly lost. We must look to the cross and Christ on the cross for our source of salvation.
The bindings of the cross pieces represent (to me) the lashings that Jesus received prior to his crucifixion. It should also represent for us the truth that we (sinful man) put Him there. We bound Him to that cross, but He willingly went in place of us.
A.W. Tozer: “The old cross is a symbol of death. God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again in newness of life. God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out of death. It always stands at the far side of the cross.“
5. The Tomb and the Large Rock
“…an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!” -Bill Gaither“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb” Luke 24:2
Both the tomb and the large stone (it could be white to represent life or another color) represent Christ’s resurrection. I’m sure it’s obvious to us all, but it also represents the fact that sin & death could not hold the Son of God! We can find peace, assurance and hope in this empty tomb!
“At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.” John 19:41
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” “3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.” John 20:1-10
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” John 11:25
“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14
6) The Grass seed or sprouts (Plant the grass seed before you place the rocks)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -John 10:10
The grass seed will grow during the Easter season which will serve to remind us of the eternal life/ new life that Christ brings to us.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3
Each of these verses talks about the new life that only Jesus Christ offers to us. New life is a free gift to us all if we accept it and believe in Christ and His love for us.
As we watch this “new life” grow during the season of Easter, may it continue to serve as a remind of God’s love for us and of our deep desire to grow in our faith. We shouldn’t stop learning about this relationship. We have also been given the help of the Holy Spirit to guide us and instruct us in this new life! “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 The Holy Spirit will show us areas of our lives that we need to still surrender to God and He will continue to work within us, helping us along the way.
This new life isn’t only about getting into heaven, it is also about living that eternal life right here on earth so that others might see Christ through us. When we embrace this new life, we become Christ’s representatives (Light) into the world (which is still lost in darkness). Be God’s light to others as you bloom and grow!
***Disclaimer: Again I didn’t invent this craft, I simply adapted it and provided a simple yet effective method for teaching this amazing story of love that God has for all of us! I am sure you can tweak this and make it your own in order to fit the demographic you wish to do this teaching craft with. This lesson play is free to use as you see fit! To God be the Glory!****
It’s a new television show…but it’s something more than that. Something deep within us longs for just a few more minutes with our loved ones who have passed away. We wish within our hearts that they could see what we’ve become or that they could see how much our children have grown. Life conceivably has a beginning and an end, but in this new television show on ABC, “Resurrection” is happening all over the small town of Arcadia. It is a mystery as to why this is happening, but those who are “coming back” seem to possess intimate knowledge and even DNA coo-berating their identities.
How we wish such a miracle could take place here on earth. Most of us would dream of a scenario where we could once again hold a loved one that we’ve lost and to spend more quality time with them. The ABC producers of “Resurrection” certainly hope that we become transfixed to this concept and keep coming back for more.
Can television shows truly sell us hope? Are YOU in need of hope today?
Jesus knew a lot about life. He lived and He died, but He was also resurrected on the third day. During His ministry He even resurrected one of His friends, Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus holds the keys to Eternal life for all of us and this should give us authentic hope in our lives today!
TRUTH – We all possess eternal souls. We have been created by God himself who formed us in His image, and a part of Him is within us, which is eternal. These earthly bodies will one day wear out because they are temporal. We will one day face death…BUT the expiration of this human existence is not the end of our eternal existence. Life will go on. The real question is what destination will we choose? You see if we want to experience eternity with God and with those who followed Him and have gone on before us, we have to choose Him in the here and now! John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
If we choose to follow and love the Creator of Heaven and Earth, we will experience a resurrection beyond what television or even movies can give us. Real resurrection will happen and we should find hope in the fact that death of the physical body is NOT the end.
Check it out – “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16) It won’t be some horror show, or television script, this will be for real. I don’t know about you, but I want to experience this resurrection and new life with Christ in Heaven as well!
I love supernatural shows, and “Resurrection” looks quite interesting to me. Perhaps it might get some of its viewers to consider how precious life is and also to consider how very real Eternity will be for all of us.
(My review is strictly my opinion and not the opinion of any television network or affiliation)
“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” -Obadiah 1:15
The book of Obadiah is only a chapter long and is often overlooked, but let’s discuss if for a second through the lens of our own context.
This announcement given by Obadiah whose name literally means “servant of God” is not just for the people of Edom, it is for us as well. The Edomites were proud over their own security as a nation and that of their might, but they also lorded their power and gloated over the Israelites. Obadiah’s warning to the Edomites also included a warning for all nations as well.
Fast-forward:
Jesus is preaching the greatest sermon this earth has ever heard or will ever hear (The Sermon on the mount) and he makes this statement:
Matthew Chapter 5 –
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
There is a weight of Finality:
God’s love for humanity, even people we cannot stand, far outweighs our capacity to love them…but that is no excuse. We are to love and the consequences of that love is that the world is impacted for the better. Secondly God can shine through us.
The day of the Lord will come to us. The real question is what will the weight of that certainty be for us when it does?
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.” -Michael Jackson
I remember at the age of around seven years old, my father forced to me learn an instrument. Now I say forced, but in his loving way, he convinced me to pick it up for the first time…but I would have to say he forced me to practice that instrument. Before I could become a musician I had to become familiar with the instrument I was to play. I can still recall picking up that cold metallic brass cornet for the first time. It felt foreign in my hands. This instrument, similar to those that I had heard great musicians play was now placed in my hands, and I had no idea how to play it. The first thing I had to do in order to play it was to become familiar with how it felt in my hands. I had to learn how to place my fingers over the valves in the proper manner, while sitting with correct posture, which I had a great deal of trouble learning. These were things I had never considered to be important much less required of me in order play a musical instrument properly. The orientation of the instrument is of the utmost importance for proper implementation for performing music.
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3 (NIV)
If we are to become oriented with the music that God has placed in our very souls, we have to become oriented with the very God who created that music in the first place. But it doesn’t stop with knowing this creator God; it then becomes all important to know how God has made us. Our personalities, our temperament, our peculiarities are all vital to the orientation process. If our desire is to fool ourselves or convince ourselves of something that is not true then we will never learn the true music of our souls. In Romans 12:3, Paul reminds us of how important it is to have a sober judgment of ourselves. In other words, look carefully in the mirror, be honest with yourself. If we ever want to grow up in our faith, then true maturity begins with becoming familiar with who we are – faults and all. Only when we begin to take a long hard look at who we are now, will we then begin to see who God wants us to be. God has a whole different melody for us to play; it’s a new environment to explore and to learn, and if we never learn to understand who we are and who God has intended us to be, then we will never learn to play the music of our souls.
Turning over that cold brass instrument in my hands so many years ago…I have a confession to make, I never thought I would ever be able to learn to play it. The task seemed too daunting, my perception of myself – too limited, and if I had refused to become familiar I would have never learned to play the music.
Many of us are like this; too limited. Perhaps we never had someone to cheer us on or encourage us. Maybe, our self-confidence is so small that even imagining God wanting us to play the music for Him seems too good to be true. Some of us even think our abilities and our gifts will never amount to much, or are so insignificant that God won’t even notice if we don’t play. But the fact of the matter is, God will notice, He DOES want you to play the music and He has been there from the beginning encouraging you to pick up your instrument of gifts and get oriented. This experience requires faith, faith in our performance, faith in the music we’ve been created to play, and faith in the conductor (God) that He knows what He’s doing. This, above all else, either propels us into the ultimate performance of our lives with faith in hand; or causes us, through doubt and fear to create sounds and noises that in no way reflects true music at all.
God’s purpose for all of us is to be joined together, fitting perfectly into his symphonic masterpiece and once we are oriented and understand His will for our lives, we can begin to play, but first we have to know what we’re playing.
Orientation begins with the instrument…and it begins with you. If music is to be played at all, an instrument has to be selected. God has given us so much by way of gifts, abilities and talents, but if we don’t explore them we will never be able to master them. Exploration into the instrument is vital. If I had, on that instrument orientation day, picked up my brand new cornet and tried to play it from the wrong end it would have looked rather foolish or even downright embarrassing. I had to first explore, touch, feel, hold and finally position the instrument properly in my hands. When I understood how the instrument was to be held, how each valve coincided with the fingertips on my right hand and finally how my left hand was to hold the instrument firmly for balance and posture, then I was ready to move on to actually putting the cornet to my lips.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Our orientation with God and what He has done for us is the most pivotal moment in our lives. It can become the turning point, or the moment of clarity in which we decide that God, the great conductor, has a composition of complex melodies and harmonies waiting for us to play, if only we become oriented with what He has given us. King David knew and was familiar with the ways of God. He also recognized and acknowledged the way that God had made him: “Fearfully and wonderfully”. When we become familiar or know them “full well”, as David states, we too then have begun our orientation of the part we are to play in this symphonic life.
So don’t hold back, take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror. Recognize who you are, and who God desires you to become. It can sometimes be painful when we see our glaring failures along the way, but these pains are necessary even vital to our growth. It’s orientation time…take a look, I dare you.
Pastor's Ponderings 