Unpacking

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:18-30 (MSG)

Jesus calls and invites us….”Come. Get away with me. I want to show you something new.”
Me: “OK.” And I show up with a large trunk, a big and small suitcase, a backpack and multiple pouches of things stuck in my pockets and hanging around my neck.
Me: “I need to bring all this. I don’t go anywhere without my stuff.”
Jesus: “Are you sure you want to carry all that?”
Me: “Yes, I’ve got this. I’ve been carrying it for years.”
Jesus: “OK. Let’s walk together.”

We start our journey. As we walk together, I see glimpses of Him that I’ve never seen before. He loves people and touches them in ways that are new to me. I see Him send others that love Him to help folks. I watch literal miracles happen before my very eyes. After some time, I realize that my big trunk has become a nuisance because I am trying to keep up and it’s slowing me down.

Jesus: “You sure you need that big trunk?”
Me: “Well, let me look.” I open it up and inside I see a bunch of old hurts. I see things that happened that made me feel small or insignificant. I realized that lately I haven’t felt those things so I take them out and throw them away. I throw away some of the old hurts too but I keep some. I move them to a smaller bag. Not sure I am willing to let go of those yet.
Jesus: “Let’s walk.”

As we continue our journey, I began to help Jesus with some of the things he is doing. I put down my bags and reach out to others. On one of these side stops, when we started walking again, I accidentally left the small suitcase. After a moment of panic, I realized I didn’t really need it. We kept walking.

One of the things I noticed was that on our journey, I started picking up other things. Things like a peace I couldn’t explain and this inner happiness that seemed to be around a lot. I didn’t have anywhere to put them so I started taking stuff out of my big suitcase so I could take them along. Jesus said I didn’t need to pack them. They were always going to be part of who I was and would travel with me. I realized that I had taken quite a bit out of my large suitcase. Insecurities, anxieties, fear were laying there on the ground. I put them back in the suitcase and took it to the trash. I left it there.

Jesus: “You ready to keep walking?”
Me: “Yes.” By this time, I had a backpack and some pouches of things that I couldn’t seem to let go of. Some of them were possessions I thought I couldn’t live without. In one of the pouches I kept money. I couldn’t go anywhere without knowing I was fully prepared and had my money. In one pouch was the need to be successful….you know, the way the world defines success. These things defined who I was. I couldn’t leave them.

 As we continued our journey, we hit a bad storm. Really bad. My backpack and some of my pouches were ripped from me. I was panicked. I wasn’t sure what I would do without those things to identify who I was.

 Jesus: “Don’t worry. Just keep in step with me. Look to me for your identity.  And your money? Not needed here. I will provide all you need.”

 This part of the journey was the hardest. I was reluctant to believe that he would do what he said. And how in the world do you identify with Jesus? I wasn’t even sure of how to get my arms around that one. But as we continued to walk, I realized he was right. He provided for all my needs and in this process of letting go of my “stuff”, I found myself. I knew who I really was.

I look back and marvel at the way Jesus let me come, just as I was. He didn’t have any expectations that I was going to show up without my bags and be perfect. He knew I couldn’t. He let me walk the journey with Him, let me experience the unforced rhythms of grace. I still have some pouches stuck here and there. It seems sometimes I empty one and an old one fills back up. It’s OK. I know Jesus is walking this journey with me and will never leave me to figure it out on my own.

Actually Alive

During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 (NLT)

I can’t help but wonder when reading this verse what he did to prove to them that he was actually alive. The verse says he proved this to them in many ways. Just in case they didn’t get it the first or second time? Just in case one way convinced one person but another person who saw things differently didn’t notice? Maybe they were distracted during one proof so he did it again. Did he want to make sure they all got it so he showed them in many different ways? Again. And again.

That is so like Jesus. He shows up to each and every one of us in many different ways. There is not one way to know him. There isn’t a right way or a wrong way. Every time we experience Jesus is a good time. Every glimpse we see that he is alive and well, is a proof.

In my life, what moves me to know that he is alive, may not move you. And what you see as concrete evidence may not even be on my radar. Each of our relationships with Jesus is unique. Every time he speaks to us, shares with us, moves us forward is personal. It is a gift that he gives us every single day. Again. And again.

And I bet, just like he talked to the disciples about the Kingdom of God during those 40 days….I bet he’s talking to us about the same thing. Question is, are we listening?

Who's Power?

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT)

I have some weird health issues. Every now and then, this one thing will happen and when it does, it is super unnerving. It’s scary to me and to anyone who notices it. It happened again recently, while I was preaching. By the grace of God, I finished the sermon and most people (except for those closest to me), didn’t know.

But I did and let’s just say my first thought was that I wasn’t going to preach ever again. Even though God finished the sermon, I became super afraid that this would happen again and what if it didn’t go so well the next time? What if?

Those what if questions pop into your head a lot when there is something in your life you can’t control. And as I ponder those questions, they get worse and the fear grows more intense. So, I pray. Because hey, the only person who can control it is God.

During my prayers I think of Paul who had a thorn in the flesh. I keep praying because that didn’t make me feel any better. (just being honest.) Everyone keeps saying I should slow down, I should rest. So what? I sit on a couch my whole life and do what? I believe God has a call on my life (by the way, I believe God has a call on all of our lives). If that is so, I am pretty sure it isn’t to sit on the couch and rest. And, that is not how God wired me.

But, I don’t want to be afraid either. I don’t want to not step into my calling because of fear. That would be a tragedy. So I prayed some more. And God brought today’s text into my worship. Jesus died so I would not live my life as a slave to the fear of dying. And I’d like to take it a step further. Jesus died so I would not have to live my life as a slave to fear. Period. He broke the power of death. He broke the power of fear. He broke Satan. WOOT!

This verse spurred a talk with God about what it was I was actually afraid of. And as I discussed these things with him, this verse popped into my head.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

I guess I have two choices. One, walk around being afraid and have that limit what I do or two, lean into the power of Jesus Christ. The rest of that verse says:

So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

I’ll still be praying because it is still scary sometimes but I will also turn it over to Jesus. I will boast about my weakness so Jesus can shine through. He loves me so much he died so I could live being sure of who holds my life and my future..

How Do You Worship?

But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” John 4:22-24 (MSG)

As Jesus leaned in and talked to the woman at the well, he did what he always does with us, he started focusing on her heart. He pointed out things in her life that were not what they should be. He highlighted her sins with his “only Jesus can fix this” spotlight. Jesus gently let her know that he could see what she was struggling with.

As the conversation between them became more intimate, she did what we all do. She deflected. This was getting too personal and uncomfortable. Let’s talk about something less heartfelt…..like where we should worship. Should we worship in this church or that church? Which denomination is better, yours or mine? The woman tried to make the topic of importance about something other than her life.

Jesus cut to the heart of the matter again.

He said all that stuff doesn’t matter. It is semantics. What matters is what is in your heart. What matters is that you worship God with all of your soul, with your very being. When you are in a relationship with me, your life will be changed. You will become a different person. That new being, that new person is where the worship starts. The way you live your life is your worship.

Are you living your life in worship? Do the decisions you make and the way you live life reflect a heart that is in love with Jesus? If not, then there is something missing. We were not created to just attend church and check the box. We were intended to worship with all of our heart, soul and mind.

That’s what a life surrendered to Jesus looks like.

Still Thirsty?

But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. John 4:14 (NLT)

The woman came to the well. Same routine as yesterday and the day before. As she walked there in the middle of the day, the sun beat down on her. It was hot. But she came now because she couldn’t face the people in her village. Her life had been a series of one mistake (or bad choice) after another. And because the village was small and they all knew each other, everyone knew her history.

People are not kind. If you do something they don’t like, they judge you and make you feel like an outsider. That’s the way she felt. So instead of facing it every day and going to the well with the crowd, she went alone. Alone was painful but less painful than the people were.

As she approached the well, there was a man sitting there. A Jewish man. What was he doing here? He was n Samaritan territory. This was unheard of. She thought to herself, “I am going to get my water and get out of here. He won’t speak to me anyway. Jews don’t talk to Samaritans and men don’t talk to women. Ever.” As she approached the well, he asked her for a drink.

She almost dropped her jug. What in the world? As he engaged her in conversation, she felt herself relaxing. There was something different about him. He was talking about giving her water. He didn’t even have a bucket to draw water with. What was he thinking? Then he began to tell her about his water. His water was different. He said if you drank it, you would be filled up. Never thirsty. Never empty. He said if you drank his water something inside you would change.

Something would start and it would keep bubbling up to overflowing. She desperately wanted that water. She wanted to quench the thirst in her soul for something better than this life she was living. Her heart yearned for it. In that moment she decided. She would take some of this water. She would let it change her.

I want this water too. Each and every day I will look for the water that Jesus offered her. I will drink it and my soul will be satisfied. How about you?

A Minute In It - What Do You Want?

A minute in God’s Word will change your life. Take a moment to read the texts below and then answer the questions at the bottom of the post.

35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39 “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”

42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. Luke 18:35-42 (NLT)

When the blind beggar heard Jesus was coming what did he do? Why?
Why were the people trying to quiet him?
As Jesus was walking in the middle of the crowd, what did he hear?
What did he do when he heard him?
What did he ask him?
Why didn’t Jesus just heal him from across the road?
If Jesus were to ask you “What do you want me to do for you?” what would be your answer?

Slowing Down To Be Saved

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed (or saved) you.” Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

Normally, when we read this story we focus on the fact that nine men did not come back and thank Jesus. But as I read it again, two things stood out to me. Isn’t it great that each time you read something in the Bible God reveals something new?

Verse 14 says “As they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.” This made me think of our lives. Most of the time, when we need healing from something, whether it be physical or spiritual, it’s a process. It’s something that happens as we go. This is especially true with spiritual things. Each day, as we look to Jesus, we are changed. Sometimes in ways we can’t even recognize until we look back. But all along the way he is working in our hearts. This process is called sanctification. I think the “as you go” part is especially important because God uses our challenges, our suffering and our lives in general to grow us.

Another thing that stood out to me was what Jesus said to the man who returned. He had already been healed. Jesus said “Your faith has saved you.” It’s never our external condition that saves us. It’s never about what we look like on the outside. It’s more about what is happening on the inside. It’s from the inside that we show our love and praise for God. The man who returned entered into relationship with Jesus. He didn’t just continue on his way. He stopped, he drew near and he praised. That is what saved him.

It’s so easy to continue down our path and not take note of what God is doing or has done. It is super important to stop, draw near to Jesus and ponder God’s goodness. Isn’t it?

A Little Goes A Long Way

And his disciples believed in him. John 2:11b (NLT)

The story in John 2 of when Jesus turned water into wine is one that I ponder. I’ve heard people discuss this and wonder why. Why was this the first miracle? Compared to the times he raised people from the dead, this is really small potatoes. In the big scheme of things it seems so inconsequential.

So why? Maybe we’ll never really know the answer to that but we can look at the things we do know.

We know Jesus came to show us the Father. What can we see in this story?

1. We can see that Jesus was social. Even though he had a tremendous work to do, he still hung out with people and was part of a community.

2. We know that he cared about the little things, like this man’s wedding. Maybe in the big scheme of things this miracle was inconsequential but it wasn’t inconsequential to the bridegroom. Jesus showed up where the bridegroom was and helped him with something that was important to him.

3. We know that God is a very generous God. Jesus could have turned the water into very mediocre wine. Even God’s mediocre would be better than their best. But he didn’t. He produced the very best wine. He gives us his all.

4. We know that after this first miracle, his disciples believed in him.

To me, this is the best result of this story. Every single day God is working in our lives to reveal his love to us. A lot of the time, we miss it. But when we do see it, we are amazed and we believe. And that is truly why Jesus came. He came so we would see who God really is and turn to him. He came so we would look at the stories in our own lives and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we are loved by a very generous God.