With Him... For Others...

It is easy to think about what is best for yourself. It is even easier to think of the things, whether good or bad, that you might need or want. Let’s face it, it is easy to be about yourself, placing your own desires and wishes before those around. Let me let you in on a little secret, it’s not about you!

As Christ followers we are called to live with Christ for the sake of others. We are called to lay aside our fleshy desire for the benefit of those within our sphere of influence and beyond. The ways of Christ are in total contrast to the ways of the world, which propel us into individuality, claiming what is rightfully ours. Let me illustrate the contrast:

Heather and I have a bet. Once she was given the OK by her Dr. to start exercising we weighed ourselves. We each set a weight loss goal that we desire to achieve by the end of the year. On December 31, 2008 we will weigh ourselves and whoever lost the highest percentage of their goal will win the grand prize. It must be noted that we have tried this once before and we had to delay the bet because I cheated. I figured the only way to win was to make Heather gain weight. On December 31, 2007 I was the clear winner because I had maintained my weight loss and Heather had gained weight because she was with child.

Now to the point, I am in complete conflict regarding our bet; it is as if each personality (my flesh & Spirit) within me wishes to prevail. Although they appear as polar opposites, it is simply a different side to the same coin. On one hand, I want to win because I am extremely competitive. In case you are wondering what side of the coin this is, it is the backside because that is where the dust that heather will be breathing comes from as I run away (literally & figuratively) with the victory. The other side of me desires nothing more for Heather to be victorious as I embrace her with my loving arms, celebrating with her every step of the way.

Living with Christ for the sake of others means doing what is best for those around us. It means being aware and cognitive of the wants, needs, and desires of those we come in contact with. To do this, we must be determined and focused, in tune with the Spirit’s prompting and leading. In case you are wondering I am not going to lay down in defeat so that I my fleshly desire will not win, that wouldn’t be what is best for Heather now would it? I am going to be determined and focused on my goal as to drive and motivate Heather towards hers.

Over Under

Every so often I pull, Hope for the Brokenhearted, off my book shelf and read a chapter or two. The author of the book, Dr. Terveen was one of my professors at Multnomah Biblical Seminary. Just this past week, I read the chapter entitled, “In the Deepest Waters and Darkest Nights.” In this chapter Terveen takes a look at the all too familiar story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. If you are like me you might have heard this story numerous times; it most likely is one you can recite without even thinking about it. You know that the disciples departed by boat, across the lake. A storm took place and the disciples were frightened by it (this is odd because they were fisherman and would have been used to stormy weather). Amongst the chaos, they saw a ghost, or at least that is what they thought of Jesus when they saw him walking on the water. As he got closer he said. “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter, after a brief interaction with Jesus, gets up out of the boat and walks towards Jesus. He eventually removes his focus from Jesus and is reminded of the turbulent storm moving about him. It is at this point that he begins to sink and fall. Immediately, Jesus stretches his hands out, grabbing Peter, saving him from drowning.

Do you feel like that sometime? Do you feel as if your footing is unstable, causing you to stumble and fall? Notice that Peter did not become consumed by his surroundings until he lost sight of Jesus. Peter’s initial step of faith was solid and firm because it was rooted on the presence of Christ directly in front of him. I can imagine him thinking. “Hey I got this. This is easy. Hey guys, look at me I am walking on the water.” If we are honest with ourselves each one of us can imagine Peter thinking those words because we all would probably think the exact same thing. It is in our nature to draw attention to ourselves, seeking praise for what we have done through our own power. It is the other way around; we should praise and glorify God for what he has done through us through his power.

Let me leave you with a phrase that Terveen writes towards the end of the chapter as a reminder that though we may seem over burdened and afraid we have a God who loves and cares for us, stretching hi hand out to us.

“We must remember that what looks like it is going to be over our heads is already under Jesus’ feet.”

Peace ....

It is one of those verses that routinely pop into my brain. One might consider it a coincidence, but I don't because I know that it the Spirit reminding me of the words of Jesus. Jesus says. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). Notice that the same peace that is in Jesus is given to each one of us if we are a Christ follower. This peace that is given to us is contrary to the ways of the world. This means that true peace does not come from our salary, education, social status, living situation, or bank account. True peace can only come from the power of the Holy Spirit. I relax in the fact that there is a divine peace within my soul. It is comforting to know that I need not be troubled or afraid because God is in control.
This brings me to something else that has recently entered my brain. While jogging this past weekend an old school Newsboys song came on. I have since listened to it countless times as a prayer. As you read through the lyrics may they be your prayer and reality in your life, amongst the trials, troubles, and unclear circumstances in your life.

You are the author of knowledge
You can redeem what's been done
You hold the present and all that's to come
Until your everlasting kingdom

Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt

You are the God of tomorrow
Turning the darkness to dawn
Lifting the hopeless with hope to go on
You are the rock of all salvation

Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt

Oh, Lord, you are the author
Redeeming what's been done
You hold us in the present
And all that is to come

Lord, we don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead us to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt