Growing up in a Christian home, I always knew that heaven was something to be looked forward to. Yet, how often in my life did I find myself praying, “Not yet, God. I want to do or experience … first.” Yet, as my faith matured, I began to understand that things of this world are temporary and heaven is my eternal destination. I began to learn to hold things with open hands counting them as blessings to be shared with others as I had opportunity. Even things that we find necessary in this world do not have eternal value unless they are used for God’s purposes.
And yes, even in my mind, I knew that my children also were blessings to be shared and given to God for his purposes. In obedience to Christ and the church, we dedicated our infants and nurtured them in their spiritual journeys toward God. They grew in stature and wisdom and became young adults, developing their gifts and talents and using them to God’s glory. As our son unexpectedly departed from this world, I found there was still a place in my heart where I held tightly to those I love and I prayed, “Not yet, God. I’m not ready to give them up yet. We have so much to do together first.”
As I deal with the pain, Christ comes to me in full radiance and glory and says, “Come with me to a quiet place…” And he steals my heart with his great love. He teaches and instructs me with his words… “I love you…” “You are my child – you belong to me…” “Put nothing or anyone between you and me…” “God first…” “Love your neighbor as yourself…” “It is my desire that no one would perish…” “Take up your cross and follow me…” “I will never leave you or forsake you…” “Trust me…” And I begin to understand that I am an alien in this world. My home is with him. He has purposes on this earth that he allows me to participate in and when my part is completed, I get to go home to be with him forever.
When Paul was in prison, he put it this way. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” Philippians 1:20-24
What is it that causes us to hold on so tightly to this world? Is it because of all the ‘luxury’ we have here that we don’t long to be in our eternal home? Is it because we let all of our belongings and relationships crowd out our relationship with Jesus Christ? Is it our children and/or spouses or our parents? We can look at Paul and say, “Of course! It’s easy for you to choose: prison or heaven?” But I don’t see that Paul was looking at it that way. I believe Paul was so completely enthralled with Christ that he saw his life on earth as being privileged to teach others how they could have a vibrant relationship with Christ and he saw his death as getting to be with Christ forever in eternity.
When I truly understand how great God’s love is for me and for others, that he delights in us and is preparing a place for us to be with him forever, how can I do anything other than say with Paul, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain?” Heaven is my home. It is where I belong and long to be. But until then, I will count every moment of life an honor and privilege to serve the One who loves me.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Blasphemy or Honor?
It’s not uncommon for fights within churches to hit the headlines in the newspapers. Those who mock Christianity have a ‘hay day’ when we take our fights public. One member sues another member because of ‘breach of contract’ or perceived damages physically, emotionally or financially. Leaders sue or are sued because of misconduct. Denominations fight over who owns the building, the members of the church or the denomination, when churches choose to leave one denomination and join another.
Sometimes we justify ourselves by separating our physical life interactions from our spiritual life interactions. We convince ourselves it is for the sake of ‘justice’ and God loves justice.
Paul has another view on this. “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Romans 2:24 In this case, he was talking to the Jews who had been given the Law but were breaking it constantly and bickering and fighting over who was keeping it better or worse than the next person.
People are watching! They notice quickly when people in the body of Christ, his Church, bicker and fight with each other. They notice when we don’t look any different from the rest of the world when it comes to law suits, divorce, addictions, gossip, slander, etc. And Paul tells us “God’s name is blasphemed.”
I wonder, how well do I represent God’s name as I go about my daily activities? Do people see God’s ‘transformed me’ or do they see my carnal nature full of selfishness, wanting to make myself look better by putting down the next person, arguing and gossiping as I strive for my place in this world? When Eve was deceived and took the fruit, the bottom line was that she wanted to have her own wisdom instead of relying on God’s wisdom. Adam quickly followed. We are no different with every decision we make. We so quickly rely on our own wisdom rather than God’s wisdom. We want to be in control rather than allow God to have control. And God’s name is blasphemed among us.
David was called “a man after God’s own heart.” Even though he did some atrocious things, he quickly repented and received God’s correction. As I have been reading the Psalms of David and wondering about why he was called “a man after God’s own heart,” I noticed something. Very often, when David is imploring God to rescue him or save him from disaster, I see the phrase, “for your name’s sake.” David isn’t just wanting God to rescue him so he can live happily ever after and be great in the eyes of men. He is very conscious that he represents God in his leadership as king and in his dealing with other nations and with his people. So he constantly asks God for wisdom and for protection, “for your name’s sake.”
I wonder what I would look like to other people if I could constantly keep that before me, if every time I interacted with another person I saw myself as God’s ambassador. Would I act differently if I kept in mind that God’s name is either honored or blasphemed by my behavior, by my words, by my decisions?
Today, Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me in my decisions, thoughts, and behaviors as I go about my work and relationships for your name’s sake. I choose to follow you and my desire is that your name would be honored and well represented so that others would also choose to follow you because of your great love for us. Amen.
Sometimes we justify ourselves by separating our physical life interactions from our spiritual life interactions. We convince ourselves it is for the sake of ‘justice’ and God loves justice.
Paul has another view on this. “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Romans 2:24 In this case, he was talking to the Jews who had been given the Law but were breaking it constantly and bickering and fighting over who was keeping it better or worse than the next person.
People are watching! They notice quickly when people in the body of Christ, his Church, bicker and fight with each other. They notice when we don’t look any different from the rest of the world when it comes to law suits, divorce, addictions, gossip, slander, etc. And Paul tells us “God’s name is blasphemed.”
I wonder, how well do I represent God’s name as I go about my daily activities? Do people see God’s ‘transformed me’ or do they see my carnal nature full of selfishness, wanting to make myself look better by putting down the next person, arguing and gossiping as I strive for my place in this world? When Eve was deceived and took the fruit, the bottom line was that she wanted to have her own wisdom instead of relying on God’s wisdom. Adam quickly followed. We are no different with every decision we make. We so quickly rely on our own wisdom rather than God’s wisdom. We want to be in control rather than allow God to have control. And God’s name is blasphemed among us.
David was called “a man after God’s own heart.” Even though he did some atrocious things, he quickly repented and received God’s correction. As I have been reading the Psalms of David and wondering about why he was called “a man after God’s own heart,” I noticed something. Very often, when David is imploring God to rescue him or save him from disaster, I see the phrase, “for your name’s sake.” David isn’t just wanting God to rescue him so he can live happily ever after and be great in the eyes of men. He is very conscious that he represents God in his leadership as king and in his dealing with other nations and with his people. So he constantly asks God for wisdom and for protection, “for your name’s sake.”
I wonder what I would look like to other people if I could constantly keep that before me, if every time I interacted with another person I saw myself as God’s ambassador. Would I act differently if I kept in mind that God’s name is either honored or blasphemed by my behavior, by my words, by my decisions?
Today, Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me in my decisions, thoughts, and behaviors as I go about my work and relationships for your name’s sake. I choose to follow you and my desire is that your name would be honored and well represented so that others would also choose to follow you because of your great love for us. Amen.
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