Three Words for the Road Ahead

 “The point of your life is to point to Him.”—Francis Chan

“What Would Jesus Do?” often sounds heroic — too heroic, in fact, for just a WWJD wrist band. It can also be subject to “but what if?” hypothetical situations, and suggest a sense of keeping a safe distance, of observing rather than engaging in His first call to every disciple: “Follow Me.”

But “What Did Jesus Do?” gives you something you can wrap your arms around, something tangible, something you can model, something that can deepen the greatest relationship of them all and help eliminate a lifestyle built on someone else’s quotes and bumper sticker slogans. And not only that, as 2020 has taught us, the very idea of WDJD can cut to the heart of what really matters faster and better than a million good ideas, books, programs, the latest and greatest worship songs, and the implication that everything happens on Sunday morning in a building. 

So, what did Jesus do? A lot of things; so many, in fact, that the disciple whom He loved wrote: “There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can’t imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books.” (John 21:25, The Message)

But here’s one, maybe a little less obvious than others, to carry into the new year:

“Each day, Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening, He went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives…” —Luke 21:37

Each day. Each evening… What Jesus did was give us the blueprint for cultivating good habits that will help point our lives to His, both before we head out the door and after a long day. They are things we know but quickly forget — regular healthy rhythms in the Father’s presence that will buffet a world filled with the pressure of people demands, conflicting messages, and non-stop noise, and will build our faith, strengthen our resolve on the Journey, and brighten our reflection to those around us.

Some days, some evenings, the cultivating is like plowing through soft soil, and is refreshing if not powerful. Many days and evenings, though, the cultivating feels like plowing through rocks. Life happens. But WDJD says, in so many words...

 “...Forward, never give up, fix your gaze steadily on Me just as I looked to My Father, for lo, I am with you always.”

Each day. Each evening.

And don’t forget the WDJD importance of place. Jesus had a go-to place called Mount of Olives — a place to get away, to reconnect, to refuel. It’s a reminder that cultivating good habits in the new year also means tapping into those places where you know you regularly meet God in a special way — a mountain trail, a roaring ocean or still lake waters, a woodworking shop, a favorite chair in a quiet room. The Mount of Olives places in our lives are not just beautiful, or peaceful, or energizing, they are sacred places of Encounter. This year, like Jesus did, I want to be more intentional about not taking these sacred spaces lightly, because they have been designed for me — for us — before time began when God knew just how each of us would be wired to best connect with Him.

There's much more to living in the land of What Did Jesus Do, and a lot of it is challenging to the sensibilities if not costly. But the longer I walk this highway, the more I realize that the simplicity of regular rhythms of Presence and places of Encounter are what God uses to carry us through even the craziest of times. It's a simplicity that needs continual recalibrating, but it is where the foundation of all that really matters can be found. Words from Martin Luther drive the point home:

“What more would you know? What more do you need, if indeed you know Christ, if you walk by faith in God, and by love to your neighbor, doing to him as Christ has done to you? This is indeed the whole Scripture in its biggest form: That no more words or books are necessary, but only life and action.”

Thursday night, when the calendar moves forward to a clean slate, my list of “the point of your life” goals and resolutions will probably be short. Behind them will be an anthem of just three words, but a weighty theme song for every 24/7 ahead…

...Give me Jesus.

Traditional Spiritual; sung by Danny Gokey, from the album "Christmas Is Here"

[Updated from 12-31-17]

Heading in the Right Direction

 (Photo: enriquelopezgarre @ pixabay.com)

We say, “If I could just figure this thing out.”

The Christmas story says, “Maybe you’re looking in the wrong direction”...

...The Mary and Joseph in our nativity may look older and wiser but they were just teens.

And nothing made sense about the birth of their son. If anyone deserved to say “If I could just figure this thing out,” it was these two. And yet Mary said: “Be it unto me according to Your Word,” and after some wild and crazy dreams about it all, young Joe “did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him.”

Those shepherds may be known for watching their flocks “on a cold winter’s night that was so deep,” except the actual time of Jesus’ birth was closer to September than December, when it is hot by day and in the 60s at night. Even so, here were the low end of society’s totem pole being visited by and shouted to by angels of God. And perhaps like us wondering...

“Wait. You? You speaking to me?”

The shouting, the singing, the blinding light of Glory, the mysterious declaration of some child born in Bethlehem.... “If we could just figure this thing out.” But instead of just shaking their head and carrying on with their sheep watching, they said: “Let’s see for ourselves what the Lord has told us about.”

The “we three kings of orient are” wise men from Persia may have been three…or not. They may have been kings…or not. No one knows for sure. They were sure about a lot of things when it came to figuring out astrology and what the alignment of stars might mean, but when they looked up at this star, even they wondered, “If we could just figure this thing out.” Wise as they were, they didn’t have all the answers to life, but they set a simple tone for all who would follow Jesus ever since: “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2, NLT)

Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise Persians, all had the same response to the age-old question of wanting to figure things out when life doesn’t make sense — the same response the grown up baby in the manger would urge His first followers and those of us following 2,000 years later:

“But first and most importantly seek, aim at, strive after His kingdom and His righteousness, His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God—and all these things will be given to you also.”

—Matthew 6:33, Amplified

Seek first the Kingdom of God and not human logic or expert advice…and worship.

Seek first and keep on seeking Him at the start of each day, one step in front of the other, even if you aren’t sure where it all leads…and worship.

“Seek and deeply long for the Lord and His strength His power, His might; seek…and deeply long for His face and His presence continually.” (Psalm 105:4. Amplified)

Keep looking Up…and come, let us adore Him.

Wisdom doesn’t have to be deep, or old, or well-educated or complex to be powerful for living well.

It doesn’t have to have all the answers.

It just knows that all that God has ever said has been true.

We just need to remember that, and the response of the Nativity characters,

And go, and seek Him first, and rest...

Especially in days like these.

“The supreme need in every hour of difficulty and distress is for a fresh vision of God. Seeing Him, all else takes on proper perspective and proportion.”—G. Campbell Morgan

No Fist Bumps

(Photo: skitterphoto @ pixabay.com)

“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!”—Jeremiah 32:17, NLT

The baby Jesus in my nativity isn’t just laying there sound asleep. His arms are fully extended upward, tiny and tender but yet stronger than that of any man who ever was, seemingly lifted toward His Father and our Father who art in heaven. Arms of One-ness and dependency and love that were with God in the very beginning. And through Him and those arms, “all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:3-4)

His arms, reaching toward us, are everywhere.

Even in Isaiah’s fantastic vision, where the train of God’s robe filled the temple, it is good to remember that under that robe are the hands of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in creation, reign and authority, and the strong arms that laugh at the barbell workouts of this world's so-called mighty men and women. His arms are howitzers of howitzers and cannons of cannons—and while God is holy and glorious beyond imagination, He is zealous in making it clear that He doesn’t just float around out there somewhere in His ginormous robe. He has always been, and always will be, a totally hands-on God.

The baby in the manger with outstretched arms is a reminder that:

God doesn’t do awkward elbow or fist bumps. Never has, never will…

• His arms are never too far away and always within reach. (Isaiah 59:1)
• His arms, especially His right one, are victorious (Psalm 98:1) and strong (Isaiah 63:12) and mighty. (Isaiah 52:10)
• His arms are outstretched in love and longing to offer redemption to all who will believe. (Exodus 6:6, John 1:12, Romans 5:)

And especially in a year like this one, when big stuff and little stuff alike are beyond figuring out, it is good to remember that none of it is, or ever has been, beyond the reach of God’s outstretched arms. They are arms not confined by time or space but come to us and with us in peace and assurance on this journey of ups and downs. And often, they come with words like these that seem to be hitting home in a fresh, wonderful way even now…

“I don’t even begin to get involved in matters too big—matters of faith, state, business, or the many things that defy my ability to understand them. Of one thing I am certain: my soul has become calm, quiet, and contented in You. Like a weaned child resting upon his mother, I am quiet; my soul is like this weaned child. O Israel, stake your trust completely in the eternal God—from this very moment and into the vast future.”—Psalm 131:1-3, The Voice  

…Not to become oblivious to the reality of things, not to be uncaring or un-praying, but to actively rest in His arms like that baby, to exhale, and to be still and know that He is exactly who He says He is—strong enough to carry the weight of the entire world yet tender and compassionate enough to hold the smallest, weakest, most helpless child of His in His arms. 

That baby in the nativity? His Name is "God with us!" And even in 2020, He’s got the whole world in His hands.

No fist bumps.

"The God who lives forever is your safe place. His arms are always under you….”

—Deuteronomy 33:27, New Life Version

Taking Sides

 

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”—Abraham Lincoln

I have heard it said many times, often in a somber, frowning tone:

“God is not on anyone’s side.”

“God does not play favorites.”

“You need to be on His side, not Him on yours.”

I have heard Abe Lincoln’s quote over and over again used as proof for all of that.

Except I don't think that's what Abe meant.

Because my Bible also says this:

“If the Lord had not been on our side—let Israel say—if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us…” (Psalm 124:1)

God IS on someone’s side!

“Yes, but Israel is God’s chosen people, of course He’s going to take their side.”

Except even God’s chosen people have a choice who they will follow and trust to guide their lives. He is on their side, as Abe says, under one condition—when they put their trust and hope in God alone, no matter the outcome, circumstance or situation. And that’s why these ancient travelers to Jerusalem could say this shock-and-awe statement, because they also declare:

“Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!” (Psalm 124:8)

And no one else. And no other option.

“Yes, but things don’t always go well. What about when there are, say, Christians on one team and Christians on another—someone has to win and lose—then whose side is God on?”

He is not on the side of teams, He is on the side of the Believers, regardless of their team or mission or organization, regardless of the outcome—for reasons well beyond a fleeting game-of-the-week.

When our help and hope is in the Name of the Lord, the same can be true for us even in crazy 2020, A very familiar passage explodes with fresh Light:

“We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. From the distant past, His eternal love reached into the future. You see, He knew those who would be His one day, and He chose them beforehand to be conformed to the image of His Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of a new family of believers, all brothers and sisters. As for those He chose beforehand, He called them to a different destiny so that they would experience what it means to be made right with God and share in His glory. So what should we say about all of this?

If God is on our side, then tell me: whom should we fear?

If He did not spare His own Son, but handed Him over on our account, then don’t you think that He will graciously give us all things with Him?”—Romans 8:28-32, Voice

Maybe not everything perfect, not everything pleasant, or not everything the way we want things to turn out, But always, always when our help and hope is in the Name of the Lord, He is on our side to carry us through…whatever. And one day, that carry-through will mean no more tears, no more death, no more hatred and injustice, no more fear.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord!

The Name of the Lord! 

But what is His Name?…

“‘Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and He shall be called “Emmanuel” meaning God is with us.”

—Matthew 1:23, Living

Nothing could be more “on our side” than that.