Monthly Archives: November 2009

A writer’s perspective

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As a writer, when I put words to a situation or a scene I’ve witnessed, I try to incorporate details that help a reader to put themselves in the moment. Who was there? How many were there? Were there adults and kids present? What about dogs, cats or other animals? What did those people look like? What were they wearing? What was the mood of the scene – tense, joyful, chaotic? What drew the people to that place – a common belief? curiosity? were they there unintentionally?

There are many passages in the Bible that I wish had more of these details. Probably because I’m a concrete-sequential kind of person. I don’t like to leave anything unscripted. For example, I’d like to form my own picture of what Jesus looked like rather than relying on paintings portraying him as a bearded man with long hair.

The Message interpretation of the Bible helps fill in some missing details. And even then, I’m left with questions. Look at the Message version of Luke 10:38-40:

“As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. ‘Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.’”

I still have questions: What does Martha’s home look like? How did Martha make Jesus feel quite at home? The big dinner was only one piece of it. Modern-day hostesses (not me) might offer him something to drink, a few appetizers. Maybe there is a fire in the fireplace and candles burning. After a long day of traveling, perhaps Martha gave Jesus a place to nap before dinner?

What about Mary? She was sitting at Jesus’ feet in a room full of men. Was she oblivious to the others around her? Were the disciples mumbling under their breath that Mary didn’t belong in their circle? What was Mary wearing? What did she look like? Was she the type that often tried to get out of kitchen duty (I can relate to that!)?

And, of course, there’s Martha. How many of us can relate to her and her “I-can-do-it-all” attitude at first and then her pity party later? What was she cooking? What did she look like? Was she wearing an apron? She was probably frazzled by her last-minute guests. How did she act out her worry? Was she in the kitchen pacing or talking to herself? Was she slamming pots and pans to make a point to unhelpful Mary in the other room? When she asks Jesus to tell Mary to come help her, what do you think his expression was? I sense he was compassionate. Did he touch her hand or her shoulder as he spoke? Did he smile reassuringly? (Did you know the only reference to smile in the NIV is in the book of Job?)

I guess there’s room for interpretation of the minor, scene-setting details in this passage and others. Thankfully, there’s not that latitude on important things like how to get to heaven.

John 11:25-26: Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

Conviction versus Condemnation

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So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6b

Conviction has a healthy role in the life a Christian; condemnation does not. Conviction comes through the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Condemnation comes through the voice of the enemy.

When one is convicted by the Holy Spirit, he or she comes to understand that a behavior is wrong and turns from the behavior. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people turn from gossiping, judging, hurtful anger and other sinful behaviors. It is how we as Christians put on a new nature as we leave behind our old sinful nature. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) Godly conviction leads to positive changes in our lives.

Condemnation, in contrast, goes beyond conviction. Once one is made aware of a sinful behavior through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, he or she takes it further—internalizing the conviction, and blaming, degrading and hating him or herself for a behavior. Condemnation is destructive. It is hurtful to ourselves and it is not how God wants us to treat ourselves. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves. I fear many of us love our neighbors more than we love ourselves because we condemn ourselves for our mistakes and shortcomings. We need to have the same merciful attitude toward ourselves that God has towards us. Condemnation is Satan’s way of keeping us down and limiting our effectiveness for Christ.

Anyone weighted down with condemnation is surely not content or at peace. Remember, the wages of sin is death and Christ has already paid that price for us. Why should we continue to persecute and condemn ourselves and pay for our wrongs that have already been paid for? Our condemnation can never accomplish more than Christ’s sacrifice. The price has been paid. Accept the gift of grace and mercy, and be kind to yourself.

Are there behaviors in your life that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to change? How do you respond to conviction – by changing your behavior or condemning yourself? How can you help yourself draw the line between conviction and condemnation and not let yourself cross the line to destructive condemnation?

An apology, sort of

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Well, I haven’t scared you away yet. Others, that’s not the case. Many have visited once and haven’t come back.

For those who haven’t come back, I feel like I may owe them an apology. I realize some of what I write here may be a little over-the-top for people. I may write of things that some don’t understand. I may hold views that don’t agree with yours. I may challenge readers in ways that make them uncomfortable. My hope is that they’ll welcome the challenge rather than turn from it. Should I apologize?

In considering Matthew 10:32-33, I don’t think so. Here Jesus says: “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” (NLT)

That verse really gets my attention and encourages me to continue doing what I’m doing. I want Jesus to acknowledge me when I get to heaven.

A former work colleague and now friend recently mentioned reading my blog. He expressed surprise at the nature of the posts. He knew I was a Christian but I don’t think he was prepared for the views I expressed. I sensed he may have been a little uncomfortable with the way in which I have come to express my faith. I’m sure he’s not alone.

Should I apologize?

I don’t think so. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (NIV)

I believe I am following the will of God by writing. And I certainly don’t want to be one of the people condemned to the lake of fire for eternity.

I will, however, apologize for the times when I speak in “Christianese,” using words not commonly used outside of Christian circles. I try to filter those words out but I’m sure some slip through.

I also apologize if my words feel condemning, self righteous or judgmental. They are certainly not intended to be. I struggle with sin, surrendering to God, relationships and spiritual disciplines just like most other people. I hope you sense that in what I write.

I am sorry if you feel it necessary to avoid me in person for fear that I’m going to “preach” to you. Those who know me will tell you that I’m much more reserved in person than I am online. For some reason, I’m able to express things in writing I would not say in person. I feel a sense of anonymity, I guess. Please don’t be afraid of me. I haven’t lost all social graces and know when and where it’s appropriate to speak my faith.

I will continue writing. I just hope that some continue to reading. I hope that you appreciate the perspective and the challenges I lay out. More importantly, I hope my words encourage you in your faith and help you grow deeper.

More on Purpose

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After writing about finding my purpose, I came across this article on “career menopause” from the Harvard Business Review. The author explains how she grew discontent in her career and wanted to make some changes. She sought greater fulfillment in her life and made changes to give her that chance to explore her options. It parallels some of the thoughts I shared last week in What’s Your Purpose. We will continue searching for a “better” job only to realize once we get it that it wasn’t any better than the previous. It becomes a discouraging process. We will never be fully satisfied in our lives as long as we live outside our divine purpose and calling.

Are there changes that you may be able to make today to help you take a step toward your purpose and calling? Where might God be leading you? Not sure? Ask him for clarity and open doors…and the courage to walk through them.

Innocence of Youth

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(c) Amy S. Lewis

Foals are so much fun to watch. The way they wobble on their legs shortly after birth. And the way they’re curious about everything new. A dog or cat. People. A halter. As they grow they become accustomed to the stimuli around them. The excitement wears off. Experience and mom teach them what’s acceptable and safe.

People new to their faith often have a similar enthusiasm for their new life, particularly when there’s a community of faith supporting them. Their curiosity about the Bible compels them to read it, maybe for the first time. They may sign up for classes or Bible studies, or read any number of books about living a Christian life. If they don’t have a community of faith surrounding them, their enthusiasm may be short lived, crowded out by the world we live in.

It’s vitally important that we as Christians support those new in their faith. Welcome their questions. Suggest books to read or classes to attend or simply talk with them regularly to encourage them or discuss a sermon. Anything to help them pull closer to God and away from societal influences. Their new walk will seem uncomfortable yet exciting. Help foster their enthusiasm.

In the same respect, we also need to let them be curious. I’m afraid many of us, myself included, dampen the faith of others. We are not to conform to the world around us – but that doesn’t mean that every Christian fits a mold and follows the same path, taking the same studies, talking the same ways or serving others as you have. God created foals individually as each of us is an individual. Allow that individuality to shine through in your fellow Christians, your kids and anyone while you shepherd them through life. Our diversity makes the Kingdom engaging and exciting, and God builds upon that diversity.

As foals mature into adulthood, so too do new believers that are encouraged by mature Christians. Support them. Encourage them. Honor their individuality.

1 Timothy 4:12b-13: Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity…focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Questions for Reflection:
1. Who can you encourage in their faith today? How?
2. Looking back, have you witnessed new Christians who have returned to worldly ways? How could you have helped them be drawn into their new life?
3. Is your church one of conformity? How can you break the mold and step out boldly for Christ?

Does Conformity Kill?

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All my life I’ve strived to become a person of credibility and reliability. I’ve assimilated into the roles prescribed for me. I’ve come to have a stable, comfortable and predictable life. A success by most accounts.

I don’t necessarily feel successful though. Truthfully, I’m confused as to who I really am. I find myself wondering, am I the person I want to be or who others want me to be? Have I become what society expects only to sacrifice my true self? Have I been swept away by the current of day-to-day life as though I have no say in my future – as though God has no say in my future?

Tough questions. After much introspection, I may realize that yes, I am right where I want to be. Or, I may realize that my inner self is yearning to come out; I have been led astray by the gravitational pull of society. The end result will likely be somewhere in between.

I used to think of Romans 12:2 only as a call for Christians to rise above the evil/sinful behaviors of the world around us, which it is. It says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)

I also see it as a call for us to be individuals – to not conform to the expectations of society. In general, society expects kids to grow up, go to college, get married, get a decent job, have 3.2 kids (or is it 2.3 kids?), climb the corporate ladder and settle down in the suburbs. Those of us who break the mold often feel pressure to get back in line, to downplay our differences, or risk disappointing others.

I believe that society’s conformist nature and expectations kill individuals’ passions. The result is unfulfilled, discontent people who feel trapped in a contrived life; people who are longing for more meaning and purpose in life. And, our society is less varied while people in general become less accepting of people who don’t conform. Would you agree?

Let’s no conform or expect those around us to conform to our expectations either. How can you express acceptance for people who break societal norms? What changes have you longed to make in your life that you haven’t because of fear or others’ expectations? Will you take a step today toward implementing those changes? If you’re a parent, how can you encourage the individuality in your kids? How can you encourage the development of their imaginations?

Consider the words of this poem by Fanny Levin.

1 Thessalonians 2:4b: Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of the heart.