How do you decide where you are going to live or where you will spend time? Are there certain roads you drive on and others "no way?" Are there certain parts of town you are not about to walk around in? We do have to be smart but in our justification for having comfort and security at any cost, we will not venture into certain areas that jeopardize either of these. And perhaps we are missing being in a place where God can seriously use us.
Jesus had to go into a dangerous or at least a questionable zone because he knew his father was working there. Check out John 4:4 and 9-10. Samaritans and Jews never high fived each other because they intentionally avoided any contact at all. they hated each other at the worst and distrusted each other at the best.
So, you can imagine what the disciples were thinking as Jesus started walking down this road. Jesus not only was walking through this rough part of the country but spoke to a Samaritan woman and asked her a question. She gave the typical reply "what are you doing here and why are you talking with me?" (my paraphrase) Jesus bypassed this because he knew that God wanted everyone to experience the gift of life that was only to be located in a relationship with him.
The results of this conversation are significant. (Read the rest of the chapter) Don't be trapped by the dual demons of comfort and security. Yes, these can actually be dangerous for your life and eliminate the adventure Jesus promises if we exclusively follow him.
Take a different route to somewhere this week. Go somewhere you have never been before that you consistently avoid. Maybe you can ask someone for some water or coffee.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
What do you want?
A short scene in John 4:1-3 reveals that the religious crowd was always checking up on Jesus. What was he doing, why was he doing it, was he doing it in the right place?...and on and on. They had heard that more people were following Jesus than were following John and for whatever reason, they wanted to know what was going on.
Jesus did not care about this kind of thing. This was not what really mattered to him. They could debate and talk about what he was doing all day...he didn't care. Also, he was not interested in getting any kind of recognition for what was going on. However, he was interested in defining for those following him, what was important in life. If, when he left them they knew what really mattered and were living that way, he had done his job.
So, when he learned that these religious types were talking about this, he took off. He deliberately avoided any games these pseudo religious people were playing, He knew there was only one thing that really mattered and that their only concern was how his popularity was becoming greater than theirs.
What do you want? Who is your audience? Are you looking for a compliment from someone for some tidbit of information you know? Or, are you doing everything you can to focus people on Jesus rather than yourself?
This week deliberately do everything you can to not draw attention to yourself. Think about your conversations and what you talk about. Listening more than talking not only focuses attention away from yourself but you also learn about others.
Jesus did not care about this kind of thing. This was not what really mattered to him. They could debate and talk about what he was doing all day...he didn't care. Also, he was not interested in getting any kind of recognition for what was going on. However, he was interested in defining for those following him, what was important in life. If, when he left them they knew what really mattered and were living that way, he had done his job.
So, when he learned that these religious types were talking about this, he took off. He deliberately avoided any games these pseudo religious people were playing, He knew there was only one thing that really mattered and that their only concern was how his popularity was becoming greater than theirs.
What do you want? Who is your audience? Are you looking for a compliment from someone for some tidbit of information you know? Or, are you doing everything you can to focus people on Jesus rather than yourself?
This week deliberately do everything you can to not draw attention to yourself. Think about your conversations and what you talk about. Listening more than talking not only focuses attention away from yourself but you also learn about others.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sit Down!
It begins at an early age. We probably can't tell when but we agree that early in our life we want people to notice us. It can be for who we think we are, what we have done or whatever. We want people to notice us.
And in our relationships with Christians-nothing changes. It becomes "here is what I think", or hearing people say "you are really a great teacher" or, well you get the picture. Would the real important person please stand up? And of course that would be you or me.
Old JB had the right perspective. People were checking him out and it was not because of his diet and wardrobe. Locusts and some kind of wrap around outfit that was not purchased at Abercrombie and Fitch might catch your attention but it was what he was talking about that drew people to him.
But John was focused on the right thing. He had already pointed out that Jesus was the one who deals with sin in a way he could not. Look at John 1:29. And now someone pointed out that everyone was going to Jesus to be baptized and they were leaving John. John is not thinking "man, I've got to come up with something big to keep these people focused on me." He knows it is time for him to SIT DOWN.
He is comfortable with the purpose, gifts, personality and abilities God has given him. He says it is all given from heaven to us. He didn't earn it, have to jump through certain hoops or do anything except be content with who he is. This does not stifle our developing our gifts or abilities but it puts the focus on what is right. It also diminishes stress and anxiety in us when we chase after anything that causes people to look at us rather than God.
Don't you ever get tired of standing after a while? Try sitting down several times this week.
And in our relationships with Christians-nothing changes. It becomes "here is what I think", or hearing people say "you are really a great teacher" or, well you get the picture. Would the real important person please stand up? And of course that would be you or me.
Old JB had the right perspective. People were checking him out and it was not because of his diet and wardrobe. Locusts and some kind of wrap around outfit that was not purchased at Abercrombie and Fitch might catch your attention but it was what he was talking about that drew people to him.
But John was focused on the right thing. He had already pointed out that Jesus was the one who deals with sin in a way he could not. Look at John 1:29. And now someone pointed out that everyone was going to Jesus to be baptized and they were leaving John. John is not thinking "man, I've got to come up with something big to keep these people focused on me." He knows it is time for him to SIT DOWN.
He is comfortable with the purpose, gifts, personality and abilities God has given him. He says it is all given from heaven to us. He didn't earn it, have to jump through certain hoops or do anything except be content with who he is. This does not stifle our developing our gifts or abilities but it puts the focus on what is right. It also diminishes stress and anxiety in us when we chase after anything that causes people to look at us rather than God.
Don't you ever get tired of standing after a while? Try sitting down several times this week.
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