After a few extremely busy work weeks, I have had a few days off which usually means I peruse the internet and catch up on the latest buzz in the evangelical church world. A couple of prominent issues captured my attention and reminded me how we evangelicals love to attack each other.
For example, a well-known and influential pastor who has an impeccable history of fidelity to orthodox beliefs and the Bible is under severe attack for what he did NOT say in a single message within an 8-week series of sermons (yes you heard that correctly). Wow.
I was listening to a friend of mine this week on a discussion panel of a popular reformed conference define the inevitable dangers of the recent resurgence of gospel wakefulness among evangelicals. His answer was telling. He warned that one of the dangers is that those who claim to embrace and believe in the importance of the gospel tend to become legalistic with our own understanding of how the gospel should and should not be preached, lived out, and emphasized. Inevitably those who claim to believe in the magnitude, capability, and necessity of the gospel run the risk of appointing themselves and judge and jury for who is and is not proclaiming it.
Gospel has become the new buzzword among many evangelicals (similar to the word missional a few years ago). Without getting into a lot of the boring details, this return to the gospel is a reaction to another corrective pendulum swing from a few decades ago when the church had become so inward focused that it lost sight of its missional mandate. This movement to re-emphasize the gospel is a reactionary and positive step. Yet it comes with the same risk that originally generated the need - the risk of flawed humans deciding who is and who is not proclaiming "enough" of the gospel.
As a result, well-intended and theologically-minded self-appointed guardians of the gospel begin to critique and criticize others in their own camp who they believe are not proclaiming the gospel as it should be proclaimed. And soon circles are drawn in the sand to determine who is in and who is out. And the cycle continues...
It is amazing to me that often those who claim to be adherent defenders of the gospel are often the same ones who tend to rule someone else out of order who may not articulate certain doctrinal truths exactly how and when the defenders prefer.
Some questions to consider:
Do we truly believe in the power of the gospel to transform lives?
Do we truly believe in the power of the gospel to restore fallen Christ followers?
Do we truly believe in the power of the gospel (and not our rules) to sanctify believers?
Do we truly believe the gospel is bigger than we realize?
Do we truly believe the gospel operates in ways with which I may be uncomfortable?
Do we truly believe in the power of the gospel we claim to believe and defend?
If we can honestly answer "yes" to these questions, then perhaps we should learn to trust both the gospel and the bearer of it when they articulate the good news a little different than we prefer for it is "God's power for salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16). Let's trust it.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
He began it in you. He will continue it without you.
Philippians 1.6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (ESV)
Recently I have been processing how this verse applies to my life. Almost a decade ago God planted a vision in my heart that eventually became Grace Point Church. It is a vision that was birthed in my heart alone, and yet it is a vision I was disqualified to lead because of my own sinful choices. I forfeited the right to continue a vision God planted in my heart.
A couple of thoughts to ponder:
- Did God know I would disqualify myself before He planted that vision in my heart?
- Is a God-planted vision discontinued when the leader disqualifies him/herself?
- Is God capable of raising up other people to continue a vision He planted in someone else's heart?
Here's a reality I have been processing lately: God is continuing a good work without me that He began with me.
Grace Point Church started in one person's heart. Nothing can change that reality. But Grace Point has continued and been sustained through the hearts and lives of thousands who have become apart of that original vision. That's how God's work continues.
Important thought: God's good work is always about Him and not about us. God's work is not limited to our human abilities or choices. God's work is always bigger than any individual. It is always about Jesus and not about us.
HE began a good work that HE will complete (with or without you or me).
When God planted the vision of Grace Point Church in my heart, He began a work that focused primarily on a few simple things. These identifying marks emerged after years of praying, thinking, reading, processing, and developing. Yet these same traits mark countless visions generated by God because the church is about Him and not about us. Here are some of the primary values God birthed in my heart that continue to define God's church.
Life Transformation through the Gospel
Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can change hearts and lives. Cool set designs and marketing are beneficial to the presentation of the gospel but only the story of Jesus truly transforms hearts. Christ-centered worship reflects those stories of life transformation.
Serving
God planted a vision in my heart years ago of helping restore the shalom (wholeness) of a community through unconditional, no agenda serving. We are called to serve as He served.
Missional Living
Every Jesus follower is called to be a missionary in their context - to engage their culture with the unchanging gospel of Jesus. That call never changes.
Strategic Stewardship
God calls every Jesus follower to invest their time, treasures, and talents to advance God's kingdom.
Authentic Community
God calls Jesus followers to live in raw and real relationship with each other.
These values reflect a God-given vision. The truth of the matter is that every church in every culture is called to reflect these values at some level. The lingo may change. The wording may alter. The verbiage may fluctuate. The manner in which a church fulfills these values may shift. But at the end of the day, God's vision for the church is constant because it is His church and not ours.
The church is comprised of Jesus followers and following Jesus is primarily about taking steps on the spiritual journey toward being authentic and passionate disciples of Jesus (loving Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind & loving others). His work in us.
I am thankful God allowed me to be the key initiator of a work He began - a work that He and He alone will continue - a good work that transcends any one human. God will bring to completion what He started because each and every church is first and foremost His work. Leadership changes. Language varies. Values adjust. People sin. But at the end of the day, God-given visions are sustained because the church is His church and not ours.
God began a good work in me. That work will always reflect His initial work in my life. Yet He will continue that particular work without me. And guess what? That's okay because His work is always about Him. And guess what? His work IN ME continues as well and He will complete IN ME what He began.
Regardless of my own personal struggles and choices, I have always known the work God started in my heart was about Him and not me. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in me will bring it to completion.
What is it in your life that God started and someone else may complete it? Embrace it. Own it. And know that God may complete it with or without you.
Recently I have been processing how this verse applies to my life. Almost a decade ago God planted a vision in my heart that eventually became Grace Point Church. It is a vision that was birthed in my heart alone, and yet it is a vision I was disqualified to lead because of my own sinful choices. I forfeited the right to continue a vision God planted in my heart.
A couple of thoughts to ponder:
- Did God know I would disqualify myself before He planted that vision in my heart?
- Is a God-planted vision discontinued when the leader disqualifies him/herself?
- Is God capable of raising up other people to continue a vision He planted in someone else's heart?
Here's a reality I have been processing lately: God is continuing a good work without me that He began with me.
Grace Point Church started in one person's heart. Nothing can change that reality. But Grace Point has continued and been sustained through the hearts and lives of thousands who have become apart of that original vision. That's how God's work continues.
Important thought: God's good work is always about Him and not about us. God's work is not limited to our human abilities or choices. God's work is always bigger than any individual. It is always about Jesus and not about us.
HE began a good work that HE will complete (with or without you or me).
When God planted the vision of Grace Point Church in my heart, He began a work that focused primarily on a few simple things. These identifying marks emerged after years of praying, thinking, reading, processing, and developing. Yet these same traits mark countless visions generated by God because the church is about Him and not about us. Here are some of the primary values God birthed in my heart that continue to define God's church.
Life Transformation through the Gospel
Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can change hearts and lives. Cool set designs and marketing are beneficial to the presentation of the gospel but only the story of Jesus truly transforms hearts. Christ-centered worship reflects those stories of life transformation.
Serving
God planted a vision in my heart years ago of helping restore the shalom (wholeness) of a community through unconditional, no agenda serving. We are called to serve as He served.
Missional Living
Every Jesus follower is called to be a missionary in their context - to engage their culture with the unchanging gospel of Jesus. That call never changes.
Strategic Stewardship
God calls every Jesus follower to invest their time, treasures, and talents to advance God's kingdom.
Authentic Community
God calls Jesus followers to live in raw and real relationship with each other.
These values reflect a God-given vision. The truth of the matter is that every church in every culture is called to reflect these values at some level. The lingo may change. The wording may alter. The verbiage may fluctuate. The manner in which a church fulfills these values may shift. But at the end of the day, God's vision for the church is constant because it is His church and not ours.
The church is comprised of Jesus followers and following Jesus is primarily about taking steps on the spiritual journey toward being authentic and passionate disciples of Jesus (loving Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind & loving others). His work in us.
I am thankful God allowed me to be the key initiator of a work He began - a work that He and He alone will continue - a good work that transcends any one human. God will bring to completion what He started because each and every church is first and foremost His work. Leadership changes. Language varies. Values adjust. People sin. But at the end of the day, God-given visions are sustained because the church is His church and not ours.
God began a good work in me. That work will always reflect His initial work in my life. Yet He will continue that particular work without me. And guess what? That's okay because His work is always about Him. And guess what? His work IN ME continues as well and He will complete IN ME what He began.
Regardless of my own personal struggles and choices, I have always known the work God started in my heart was about Him and not me. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in me will bring it to completion.
What is it in your life that God started and someone else may complete it? Embrace it. Own it. And know that God may complete it with or without you.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Easter and Wounds
This Sunday Christians around the world will celebrate Easter - a day set aside specifically to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, the lynchpin of the Christian faith. Easter is about life: the God-man died for our sins and is now alive and offers eternal life to those who believe in Him. That truth is Easter Theology 101. However what is lost sometimes in the bigger picture of this truth is what accompanies this cardinal doctrine.
Easter goes beyond the doctrine of the resurrection. The life Jesus offers also has to do with restored Jesus followers living life to the fullest - being made whole and complete in Him. Most of us are satisfied with and justify incomplete living - a lack of wholeness. Instead of allowing Jesus to heal our wounds and scars, we tend to adjust to them. Usually it is because we feel like we deserve our scars at some level. And as a result, our spiritual wounds often mark and plague our lives.
We feel like we deserve to live with our wounds. "I am who I am because of _______ (my upbringing, my sinful decisions, my addiction, my selfish tendencies, etc)." We become satisfied with incomplete living and it limits the power and effectiveness of the gospel in our lives.
In Isaiah 53, the prophet speaks of a Suffering Servant, a Prince of Peace, who provides redemption and healing for sinners. This Sacrificial Messiah bears the weight of our sin so that we find healing. In short, the Healer dies so that the fatally wounded can live.
Here's a summary of Isaiah 53: we are broken people. We chose our own path, do our own thing, sin against God and diminish who God created us to be by choosing sin. Sin breaks, destroys, hurts, and violates our relationship with God and others. It wounds our souls and leaves us scarred inside and out. And the reality of our sin lurks within our souls rearing its ugly head to remind us we are mortal and sinful.
And Isaiah reminds us that the story of Jesus invades our depravity. God did what was necessary to mend the brokenness. He was pierced, scarred, maimed, mutilated, and killed to remove the sin barrier. He was raised to life to offer forgiveness, hope, peace, joy, eternal life - wholeness.
Wholeness is not about perfection. It is about being healed by Jesus - a process of spiritual transformation that continually makes me more like Jesus and less like me.
The language of Isaiah 53 is substitutionary. He took what we deserve. Because of sin, we deserve to face God's judgment, the consequences of our sin, spiritual punishment. Yet we receive healing, wholeness, forgiveness. We receive LIFE - life to the fullest. By His stripes, we are healed.
And this spiritual transformation only happens because of Easter - the gospel - the story of Jesus. It only happens because Jesus is alive and offers life to spiritually wounded sinners.
Like you, my life is scarred. I am wounded. Yet because of the story of Jesus I do not have to allow my scars and wounds to define my life. Jesus died so that I might live life to the fullest - and that is the story of Easter.
Easter goes beyond the doctrine of the resurrection. The life Jesus offers also has to do with restored Jesus followers living life to the fullest - being made whole and complete in Him. Most of us are satisfied with and justify incomplete living - a lack of wholeness. Instead of allowing Jesus to heal our wounds and scars, we tend to adjust to them. Usually it is because we feel like we deserve our scars at some level. And as a result, our spiritual wounds often mark and plague our lives.
We feel like we deserve to live with our wounds. "I am who I am because of _______ (my upbringing, my sinful decisions, my addiction, my selfish tendencies, etc)." We become satisfied with incomplete living and it limits the power and effectiveness of the gospel in our lives.
In Isaiah 53, the prophet speaks of a Suffering Servant, a Prince of Peace, who provides redemption and healing for sinners. This Sacrificial Messiah bears the weight of our sin so that we find healing. In short, the Healer dies so that the fatally wounded can live.
Here's a summary of Isaiah 53: we are broken people. We chose our own path, do our own thing, sin against God and diminish who God created us to be by choosing sin. Sin breaks, destroys, hurts, and violates our relationship with God and others. It wounds our souls and leaves us scarred inside and out. And the reality of our sin lurks within our souls rearing its ugly head to remind us we are mortal and sinful.
And Isaiah reminds us that the story of Jesus invades our depravity. God did what was necessary to mend the brokenness. He was pierced, scarred, maimed, mutilated, and killed to remove the sin barrier. He was raised to life to offer forgiveness, hope, peace, joy, eternal life - wholeness.
Wholeness is not about perfection. It is about being healed by Jesus - a process of spiritual transformation that continually makes me more like Jesus and less like me.
The language of Isaiah 53 is substitutionary. He took what we deserve. Because of sin, we deserve to face God's judgment, the consequences of our sin, spiritual punishment. Yet we receive healing, wholeness, forgiveness. We receive LIFE - life to the fullest. By His stripes, we are healed.
And this spiritual transformation only happens because of Easter - the gospel - the story of Jesus. It only happens because Jesus is alive and offers life to spiritually wounded sinners.
Like you, my life is scarred. I am wounded. Yet because of the story of Jesus I do not have to allow my scars and wounds to define my life. Jesus died so that I might live life to the fullest - and that is the story of Easter.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Dealing with the Fallen
I was asked recently what suggestions I would give to people who are trying to reach out to someone in their life who has made or is making a bad decision or who has fallen into some type of sin. How should we approach the person? What is or is not effective and appropriate in those moments? How can we love a person while disagreeing with them?
I can't tell you how to deal with these situations in every circumstance but I can share what I have learned through my experience. Here are some things I would encourage you to consider when dealing with someone you love who is choosing self over what appears to be God's best:
Guilt is rarely an effective motivator. Guilt rarely generates true change. And even if you are able to "guilt" a person into making the right decision, rarely will that decision change or sustain their heart.
You do not know the whole story - don't assume you do. There is always more to the story than what you know. Embrace that reality when you are dealing with both the wounder and the wounded. Remember that most people make bad decisions because they are dealing with a wounded and sinful heart and not because they want to ruin their lives.
Reach out to him/her regardless of what others say. I'll never forget a friend of mine telling me that he did not reach out to me because a third party told him I would not talk to him. He apologized deeply for making this assumption based on what someone else said instead of reaching out to me personally.
Don't give up on him/her. I was flooded with phone calls, e-mails, and texts. Many people reached out to me once and I never heard from them again. I'm not sure what the balance is between I'm here if you need me and I'm not giving up on him/her. I'm not sure how many calls are enough or too little. I'm not sure what the limit is on reaching out to someone. I just know Jesus never gave up on me - He pursued me even when I didn't want to be pursued. I think you just have to ask yourself, "to what length would I want someone to pursue me?" And whatever your answer is - go a little further.
Love him/her with an "in spite of" love and not a "because of" love. Wounded and hurt people do not always need to be reminded of their depravity. But they often need to be reminded that someone loves them in spite of them. We all need people in our life who will love us even when they totally disagree with our decisions. Be that person.
Pray. Regardless of whether you feel God is hearing and answering your desires, keep praying.
Don't fall into the gossip trap. We love to talk about other people's sins to the point we commit sin ourselves in the form of gossip, slander, and backbiting. Just a reminder: it often takes more discipline to abstain from a sin like gossip than it does a "big" sin like adultery. But also remember: both are sins! Be a part of the solution - not the problem.
Befriend during tough times - don't defriend. I wrote a blog about this idea several months ago so I won't repeat it here. But just remember: your true friends manifest themselves during the down times - not just the up times. Be a true friend.
Speak the truth. In Love. I also wrote about this difficult balance a few months ago so no need to elaborate here. But just remember that you tend to default to one of the two sides of this equation. Pray that God will enable you to know how to do both.
Never forget the power of the gospel. We tend to limit the ability of the gospel to forgive and heal.
Grace is greater than sin. I desire to fault on the side of grace and not on the side of condemnation. But to be honest until I recognized the depth and capability of my own depravity, I was unable to comprehend the magnitude of His grace. I'm not sure we truly grasp our need for grace until it is all we can rely upon. Pray for God to help you understand your own need for grace - it will enable you to act with grace in the tough times.
I am more prone to listen to you when I know you love me. Once someone knows you love them in spite of them, they will more likely listen to you - even if they make a decision with which you disagree. You have no authority to speak personally into the lives of people in whom you have not invested personally. Loving someone with the love of Jesus grants you the right to speak into their life.
Never forget - broken people can still love Jesus. I am broken. You are broken. Jesus gave His life for broken people.
These suggestions are based primarily upon my own experience yet many of the truths are transferable into most situations when you are dealing with someone who is making or has made a wrong decision. Hopefully you can apply the ones that are relevant to your life and in those difficult situations seek to be Jesus in those moments people need Him the most.
I can't tell you how to deal with these situations in every circumstance but I can share what I have learned through my experience. Here are some things I would encourage you to consider when dealing with someone you love who is choosing self over what appears to be God's best:
Guilt is rarely an effective motivator. Guilt rarely generates true change. And even if you are able to "guilt" a person into making the right decision, rarely will that decision change or sustain their heart.
You do not know the whole story - don't assume you do. There is always more to the story than what you know. Embrace that reality when you are dealing with both the wounder and the wounded. Remember that most people make bad decisions because they are dealing with a wounded and sinful heart and not because they want to ruin their lives.
Reach out to him/her regardless of what others say. I'll never forget a friend of mine telling me that he did not reach out to me because a third party told him I would not talk to him. He apologized deeply for making this assumption based on what someone else said instead of reaching out to me personally.
Don't give up on him/her. I was flooded with phone calls, e-mails, and texts. Many people reached out to me once and I never heard from them again. I'm not sure what the balance is between I'm here if you need me and I'm not giving up on him/her. I'm not sure how many calls are enough or too little. I'm not sure what the limit is on reaching out to someone. I just know Jesus never gave up on me - He pursued me even when I didn't want to be pursued. I think you just have to ask yourself, "to what length would I want someone to pursue me?" And whatever your answer is - go a little further.
Love him/her with an "in spite of" love and not a "because of" love. Wounded and hurt people do not always need to be reminded of their depravity. But they often need to be reminded that someone loves them in spite of them. We all need people in our life who will love us even when they totally disagree with our decisions. Be that person.
Pray. Regardless of whether you feel God is hearing and answering your desires, keep praying.
Don't fall into the gossip trap. We love to talk about other people's sins to the point we commit sin ourselves in the form of gossip, slander, and backbiting. Just a reminder: it often takes more discipline to abstain from a sin like gossip than it does a "big" sin like adultery. But also remember: both are sins! Be a part of the solution - not the problem.
Befriend during tough times - don't defriend. I wrote a blog about this idea several months ago so I won't repeat it here. But just remember: your true friends manifest themselves during the down times - not just the up times. Be a true friend.
Speak the truth. In Love. I also wrote about this difficult balance a few months ago so no need to elaborate here. But just remember that you tend to default to one of the two sides of this equation. Pray that God will enable you to know how to do both.
Never forget the power of the gospel. We tend to limit the ability of the gospel to forgive and heal.
Grace is greater than sin. I desire to fault on the side of grace and not on the side of condemnation. But to be honest until I recognized the depth and capability of my own depravity, I was unable to comprehend the magnitude of His grace. I'm not sure we truly grasp our need for grace until it is all we can rely upon. Pray for God to help you understand your own need for grace - it will enable you to act with grace in the tough times.
I am more prone to listen to you when I know you love me. Once someone knows you love them in spite of them, they will more likely listen to you - even if they make a decision with which you disagree. You have no authority to speak personally into the lives of people in whom you have not invested personally. Loving someone with the love of Jesus grants you the right to speak into their life.
Never forget - broken people can still love Jesus. I am broken. You are broken. Jesus gave His life for broken people.
These suggestions are based primarily upon my own experience yet many of the truths are transferable into most situations when you are dealing with someone who is making or has made a wrong decision. Hopefully you can apply the ones that are relevant to your life and in those difficult situations seek to be Jesus in those moments people need Him the most.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
I forgive you, BUT...
It is amazing how one small conjunction can change everything. The word "but" is a small word, BUT it is a word that can support or contradict everything that precedes it. For that reason alone, the word but is small in size but huge in meaning.
Consider these examples:
I forgive you, but...
I love you, but...
I support you, but...
I believe in you, but...
I want to be your friend, but...
"But" changes everything. What each of these phrases screams is conditional forgiveness, love, support, belief, and friendship.
Does but always imply conditions? Not necessarily but usually - even if the conditions seem warranted. For instance, a parent might say to their rebellious child: "I love you but we will not tolerate drugs in this house." But does not necessarily negate the original expression of love. Yet this type of "but" statement tends to be the exception to the rule.
Only God can exhibit and enable true unconditional love, grace and forgiveness. Check out how God uses the conjunction: For the wages (consequences) of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God's use of the word screams UNCONDITIONAL. God's use: "Because of your sin, you deserve the spiritual death warrant and all the subsequent consequences that stem from sin, BUT what I am giving you is LIFE and all its subsequent consequences. And the means by which this unwarranted act of unconditional love, grace, and forgiveness is being provided? JESUS - not you or your works or your goodness or your morality. You deserve death BUT I am providing you life!"
There are no "buts" in God's love expressions. Interesting enough, Jesus followers are instructed to forgive as Christ forgives - a forgiveness that does not include the word but.
It is difficult to omit the conjunctions when it comes to heart matters like love, forgiveness, friendship, and support. Let's be real - it is unnatural - especially when we have been hurt, abused, mistreated, taken advantage of, or betrayed. Conditional love, forgiveness, and grace protects us from pain. Unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace leaves us vulnerable. Unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace exposes us to the reality that we might get hurt again! That's why it is so easy to talk about and so difficult to do.
This truth is one thing that makes the love, forgiveness, and grace of God so amazing. He loves us without the but knowing that we will hurt, abuse, mistreat, take advantage of, and betray Him again and again. And yet He loves. He forgives - without conditions, unwarranted, undeserved.
I tend to tack on conditions with my love, grace, and forgiveness. Most of us do. I'm not sure I know the answer to this struggle. Perhaps the first step is to pray for God to enable us to love and forgive as He does and to learn to omit the "but" unless absolutely necessary.
And perhaps the second step is to let people know how much we love them before we let them know how disappointed we are in their actions.
Bottom line: true love and forgiveness begin with actions and not with conjunctions.
I can hear you now: "But Devin, what about..."
Consider these examples:
I forgive you, but...
I love you, but...
I support you, but...
I believe in you, but...
I want to be your friend, but...
"But" changes everything. What each of these phrases screams is conditional forgiveness, love, support, belief, and friendship.
Does but always imply conditions? Not necessarily but usually - even if the conditions seem warranted. For instance, a parent might say to their rebellious child: "I love you but we will not tolerate drugs in this house." But does not necessarily negate the original expression of love. Yet this type of "but" statement tends to be the exception to the rule.
Only God can exhibit and enable true unconditional love, grace and forgiveness. Check out how God uses the conjunction: For the wages (consequences) of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God's use of the word screams UNCONDITIONAL. God's use: "Because of your sin, you deserve the spiritual death warrant and all the subsequent consequences that stem from sin, BUT what I am giving you is LIFE and all its subsequent consequences. And the means by which this unwarranted act of unconditional love, grace, and forgiveness is being provided? JESUS - not you or your works or your goodness or your morality. You deserve death BUT I am providing you life!"
There are no "buts" in God's love expressions. Interesting enough, Jesus followers are instructed to forgive as Christ forgives - a forgiveness that does not include the word but.
It is difficult to omit the conjunctions when it comes to heart matters like love, forgiveness, friendship, and support. Let's be real - it is unnatural - especially when we have been hurt, abused, mistreated, taken advantage of, or betrayed. Conditional love, forgiveness, and grace protects us from pain. Unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace leaves us vulnerable. Unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace exposes us to the reality that we might get hurt again! That's why it is so easy to talk about and so difficult to do.
This truth is one thing that makes the love, forgiveness, and grace of God so amazing. He loves us without the but knowing that we will hurt, abuse, mistreat, take advantage of, and betray Him again and again. And yet He loves. He forgives - without conditions, unwarranted, undeserved.
I tend to tack on conditions with my love, grace, and forgiveness. Most of us do. I'm not sure I know the answer to this struggle. Perhaps the first step is to pray for God to enable us to love and forgive as He does and to learn to omit the "but" unless absolutely necessary.
And perhaps the second step is to let people know how much we love them before we let them know how disappointed we are in their actions.
Bottom line: true love and forgiveness begin with actions and not with conjunctions.
I can hear you now: "But Devin, what about..."
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
God is on Our Side
I have not blogged in recent weeks. To be honest with you, I still have a lot of ups and downs in my journey and sometimes I simply do not feel like writing. Usually it is because I am struggling with something God is teaching me. I have been processing a lot in recent weeks and asking God to clarify my next steps. I am not sure I have an answer but I was reminded this past week that God is in absolute control and I can trust Him.
The tone and content of most of my blogs reflects my life experience. I teach and write in a way that reflects what God is doing in my heart. Oftentimes that means that what I write or say is raw and authentic. I believe that's how most people want it - raw and real. Anything else just seems too contrived and ideal.
I want to encourage some of you today who are struggling with God's direction for your life. For the first time in my life, I am really unsure of God's next step for me. There are a lot of people in my life who have personal opinions on what my next steps should or should NOT be. But it really comes down to what God wants for me.
I think a lot of people struggle with their role in God's plan. We tend to disqualify ourselves based on our perspective and not His. I wrestle constantly with this tension. I am my harshest critic.
This past week I was interviewed by a pastor that I respect regarding my recent life experiences. The conversation was candid, eyeopening, and healing. This pastor is developing a work on young "successful" pastors who have taken a fall of some sort (moral, emotional, etc). He is studying both the commonalities among these pastors and the restorative process (or lack thereof) that most groups employ after young pastors have fallen. During the course of our lengthy conversation, he reminded me that God has gifted me in a unique way. My sin does not annul my gifts. Sin may redefine the role you perform within God's work but it does not revoke who you are as a person uniquely gifted by God.
During the course of this conversation, this older and wiser pastor reminded me that God called me into the "life change business" and that no matter what "job" I work or for how long I perform it that God's call on my life doesn't change. God used what he said to speak into my life in a deep way.
Later that night, I had to drive a couple of hours to Nashville for an event and I was talking to God, reflecting on my earlier conversation, and listening to Hillsong's God is Able. The lyrics of that song remind me of God's ability to use us beyond our own beliefs and doubts. There is a simple yet profound phrase in that song that has stuck with me the last few days: "God is with us - God is on our side."
I'm not sure I always believe that God is on my side. I would probably say that I do but I am not sure I live like I believe it. Do I truly believe that the God of the universe who created the world with a spoken word, raised Jesus back to life, and handcrafted me for His glory is really on my side? Better yet, do I live like He is on my side?
If I believe and live like God is on my side, what does that mean for my sin? for my doubts? for my insecurities? for my fears? for my excuses? for my timidity? for my anxieties? for my uncertainties? for my struggles? for my past?
Living like God is on my side is a game-changer!
What are you facing today? What sin? What doubt? What insecurity? What struggle? What temptation? What past? Remember: God is on your side!
I am not sure what my future holds. I am not sure what your future holds. But I am sure that God is able. I am sure He is on my side. I am sure He is far above all I know or can see or think.
Be encouraged - regardless of what your past, present, or future looks like - God is on your side!
The tone and content of most of my blogs reflects my life experience. I teach and write in a way that reflects what God is doing in my heart. Oftentimes that means that what I write or say is raw and authentic. I believe that's how most people want it - raw and real. Anything else just seems too contrived and ideal.
I want to encourage some of you today who are struggling with God's direction for your life. For the first time in my life, I am really unsure of God's next step for me. There are a lot of people in my life who have personal opinions on what my next steps should or should NOT be. But it really comes down to what God wants for me.
I think a lot of people struggle with their role in God's plan. We tend to disqualify ourselves based on our perspective and not His. I wrestle constantly with this tension. I am my harshest critic.
This past week I was interviewed by a pastor that I respect regarding my recent life experiences. The conversation was candid, eyeopening, and healing. This pastor is developing a work on young "successful" pastors who have taken a fall of some sort (moral, emotional, etc). He is studying both the commonalities among these pastors and the restorative process (or lack thereof) that most groups employ after young pastors have fallen. During the course of our lengthy conversation, he reminded me that God has gifted me in a unique way. My sin does not annul my gifts. Sin may redefine the role you perform within God's work but it does not revoke who you are as a person uniquely gifted by God.
During the course of this conversation, this older and wiser pastor reminded me that God called me into the "life change business" and that no matter what "job" I work or for how long I perform it that God's call on my life doesn't change. God used what he said to speak into my life in a deep way.
Later that night, I had to drive a couple of hours to Nashville for an event and I was talking to God, reflecting on my earlier conversation, and listening to Hillsong's God is Able. The lyrics of that song remind me of God's ability to use us beyond our own beliefs and doubts. There is a simple yet profound phrase in that song that has stuck with me the last few days: "God is with us - God is on our side."
I'm not sure I always believe that God is on my side. I would probably say that I do but I am not sure I live like I believe it. Do I truly believe that the God of the universe who created the world with a spoken word, raised Jesus back to life, and handcrafted me for His glory is really on my side? Better yet, do I live like He is on my side?
If I believe and live like God is on my side, what does that mean for my sin? for my doubts? for my insecurities? for my fears? for my excuses? for my timidity? for my anxieties? for my uncertainties? for my struggles? for my past?
Living like God is on my side is a game-changer!
What are you facing today? What sin? What doubt? What insecurity? What struggle? What temptation? What past? Remember: God is on your side!
I am not sure what my future holds. I am not sure what your future holds. But I am sure that God is able. I am sure He is on my side. I am sure He is far above all I know or can see or think.
Be encouraged - regardless of what your past, present, or future looks like - God is on your side!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Life is Short. Have an Affair.
A few days ago I started receiving e-mails from AshleyMadison.com. I didn't really pay attention to the first few because I just thought they were ordinary spam e-mails sent from some random furniture or weight loss or whatever kind of company. But then I noticed in one of the emails that it indicated I had an account with them so I looked more closely at the e-mail. At first I thought it must be some type of mistake. But then I realized that AshleyMadison.com is the "Life is short - Have an affair" website that generated so much publicity several months ago for providing a service that allows married people to search for other individuals looking to have an affair. Suddenly it dawned on me - someone had actually taken the time to set up an account for me! They used my name and birthday as a username - my wife's name as the password - some of my personal information for the profile - and my personal e-mail for the communication. In other words, someone intentionally set up an account in my name on a website that caters to people who have affairs. Do you think someone was trying to make a statement or in some perverted way trying to "catch" me (and I'm sure justify it somehow)?
My first reaction was pity and sadness. After all, what kind of person is so consumed with someone else's sin? What kind of person takes the time to do something like that? Obvious answer - someone so filled with bitterness or anger that they are allowing it to consume their life. Someone so consumed with my sin that they refuse to see the irony that they are committing sin in an effort to "expose" someone else's. Kinda sad huh?
I have had other people take time to list my name on websites that list cheaters. Some of the most common words people google to find out about me include the words affair or adultery or fallen. It is amazing the lengths to which people go to focus on other people's sins.
I wonder what it would look like if we were equally consumed with people's restoration or forgiveness or loving the undeserving.
We love labels. We love tagging people with titles - adulterer, cheater, manipulator - we love pinning names on people. We love reading about other people's failures, sins, weaknesses. We love tabloid Christianity. We love the drama that comes with other people's failures. We love to shoot our wounded.
Here's what God has taught me in my own journey: "Devin focus more on the titles I have given you than what others think about you. Find your identity in me."
Huge question: Is my identity going to be found primarily in my sin or in who I am in Jesus? Don't get me wrong - sin can mark your life. My sin has marked my life in more ways than you can imagine. But will I allow my sin to define my life? Big difference.
I want my life to be defined by who I am in Jesus. And here's how Jesus defines me: chosen - loved - accepted - forgiven. To borrow Paul's terminology, I am defined primarily in Christ.
Some people may label me as a manipulating adulterer who is on the prowl looking for his next opportunity to cheat through AshleyMadison.com. But that's not how Jesus sees me! Some may view me as a disqualified statistic. But that's not how Jesus sees me! Some may label me as unrepentant or arrogant or self-serving or whatever title we tend to throw at those who have failed. But that's not how Jesus sees me!
There are people in your life who are ready to sign you up for an AshleyMadison account to try and catch you or write you off as a failure or do whatever they can do to remind you of your sin. There are people whose bitterness or anger will consume them and cause them to do perverted things to hurt you. There are people who will say things or do things and not think about your pain or your children. There are people who want to identify you primarily by your sin.
But guess what? There is One who gave His life for you - who died for your sin. There is One who wants your identity to be found in Him. And guess what? He loves you unconditionally - every day & in every way.
My first reaction was pity and sadness. After all, what kind of person is so consumed with someone else's sin? What kind of person takes the time to do something like that? Obvious answer - someone so filled with bitterness or anger that they are allowing it to consume their life. Someone so consumed with my sin that they refuse to see the irony that they are committing sin in an effort to "expose" someone else's. Kinda sad huh?
I have had other people take time to list my name on websites that list cheaters. Some of the most common words people google to find out about me include the words affair or adultery or fallen. It is amazing the lengths to which people go to focus on other people's sins.
I wonder what it would look like if we were equally consumed with people's restoration or forgiveness or loving the undeserving.
We love labels. We love tagging people with titles - adulterer, cheater, manipulator - we love pinning names on people. We love reading about other people's failures, sins, weaknesses. We love tabloid Christianity. We love the drama that comes with other people's failures. We love to shoot our wounded.
Here's what God has taught me in my own journey: "Devin focus more on the titles I have given you than what others think about you. Find your identity in me."
Huge question: Is my identity going to be found primarily in my sin or in who I am in Jesus? Don't get me wrong - sin can mark your life. My sin has marked my life in more ways than you can imagine. But will I allow my sin to define my life? Big difference.
I want my life to be defined by who I am in Jesus. And here's how Jesus defines me: chosen - loved - accepted - forgiven. To borrow Paul's terminology, I am defined primarily in Christ.
Some people may label me as a manipulating adulterer who is on the prowl looking for his next opportunity to cheat through AshleyMadison.com. But that's not how Jesus sees me! Some may view me as a disqualified statistic. But that's not how Jesus sees me! Some may label me as unrepentant or arrogant or self-serving or whatever title we tend to throw at those who have failed. But that's not how Jesus sees me!
There are people in your life who are ready to sign you up for an AshleyMadison account to try and catch you or write you off as a failure or do whatever they can do to remind you of your sin. There are people whose bitterness or anger will consume them and cause them to do perverted things to hurt you. There are people who will say things or do things and not think about your pain or your children. There are people who want to identify you primarily by your sin.
But guess what? There is One who gave His life for you - who died for your sin. There is One who wants your identity to be found in Him. And guess what? He loves you unconditionally - every day & in every way.
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