Tag: Lent 2019

Lent 2019 | Day 28: Sorrow

Salvation is a gift, one that can never be revoked. However, our obedience is constantly being challenged.

What is the difference between sorrow and despair? 

Most people don’t know the difference. The difference is hope. Sorrow is a state we pass through. Despair is a place we make a home in. We should do the former and avoid the latter as much as possible. If we claim the name of Jesus, we have been born again to a living hope. This means that we should not despair, even when we might feel there are reasons to. We have to reorient our minds and hearts to hold onto the promises of God in Christ.

As Christians, sorrow is a critical part of our lives. There are three reasons for this.

1. Godly sorrow brings about repentance.

Paul says that the byproduct of godly sorrow is repentance. If we are going to be faithful Christians, then we must live a life that is in line with our repentance. We are not constantly repenting for salvation, but for a lack of obedience.

Salvation is a gift, one that can never be revoked. However, our obedience is constantly being challenged. We have to strive for deeper and lasting obedience every day.

2. Godly sorrow cultivates compassion.

When we have been transformed by the grace of God, we are given a new heart. With this new heart, we are called to see the world through new eyes. It is in this new “seeing” that we become aware of God’s love for his creation. Compassion is a something we have to work at. It does not come naturally to most of us because we are instinctively selfish.

Our sorrow over our sin helps us to see the needs of others in theirs. As our sensitivity to this reality increases, so will our compassion. Compassion is the sacrifice we make to enter into the sorrow of others. It will be costly and it may even hurt.

3. Godly sorrow promotes a humble spirit.

Repentance and compassion are two vital fruits of godly sorrow. But, this last one is key to continued growth in the purposes of God for our lives. Humility is difficult, not because we don’t want it. Humility is difficult because we don’t often like what we get.

Humility many times looks like being taken advantage of. Humility often times looks like being a pushover. Humility many times looks like being old-fashioned. But, humility does not seek to be right all the time or to defeat others. Humility is a disposition of the inner spirit, that no longers seeks or finds satisfaction in what the world champions.

When we understand the nature of our sin through repentance; and when we see the state of affairs of the world with compassion, then we can live in humility. The first two create the conditions for humility to flourish in our lives.

Surrender to God in repentance.

See the world with the love of God in compassion.

Live humbly before God.

Lent 2019 | Day 27: Solitude

The idea of community is as “Christian” a notion as there can be.

God said that it was not good for man to be alone. The Apostle Paul encouraged the earlier church to intentionally and regularly gather together. Jesus encouraged the disciples to see each other as brothers and sisters in God’s family. The idea of community is as “Christian” a notion as there can be. But, in spite of this need for community, there are seasons when we must spend time alone.

The solitude we should practice should be measured and purposeful. We do not spend time away to hide or to run away from what is happening in our lives. The reason for solitude is to focus our attention and our mind on God and his will. Periods of solitude can reduce the distractions that life affords. We should not be afraid to engage in it.

I would offer the following suggestions for your time spent in solitude.

  1. Determine the length of time you will commit to before you begin. It could be a few dedicated hours or a structured retreat for a weekend.
  2. Decide what you will do so you can prepare. You may decide to spend time studying a passage of scripture or engage in a time of structured prayer. Find the resources you will need, or if you are not sure how to prepare, consult with a minister or trusted and mature believer.
  3. Commit to complete what you have planned. It would be good to journal during your time. Or, you can tell someone that you will be setting aside the time and ask them to follow up with you as a form of accountability.

Solitude is not the enemy of spiritual growth. It may well be an untapped reservoir for strengthening and deepening your faith.

Lent 2019 | Day 26: Security

One of the more difficult lessons of faith is that security comes when we seek to deepen our obedience.

Ever since I became aware of my need for God, I was consumed by a second need, related and unavoidable. My need for security in my salvation. The reality of the first will invariably lead to a desire for the second.

Over the years what has become clearer has been that the closer I grow to God, the securer I feel. This may seem counter-intuitive, but the character of God is consistent. It never falters and never waivers. This is important if any of us are going to live faithfully before God.

One of the more difficult lessons of faith is that security comes when we seek to deepen our obedience. This is what God is looking for and it is what God rewards. This is what we will all long to hear when we stand before Jesus at the end of days, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Well done. This is the commendation offered to those who have fought for obedience in every circumstance of life. It is the reward we should all long to receive.

Lent 2019 | Day 25: Solemnity

Too often we do not want to remember the fact that we are still flawed and mending people.

Solemnity is not a word we use much anymore. I like words like this. It forces us to look it up and remember what it means. It is a word that speaks to being solemn; to be “grave, sober,” “serious or earnest.” While I would recommend we live in this state, there are times when solemnity is required.

As a Christian and more so as a minister of the Gospel, there is a balance I feel I must maintain. A balance between the exuberant joys of salvation and the humility inducing weight of repentance. You cannot have one without the other. Both of these are realities of the Christian experience. I would even say necessary realities.

One of the primary problems I see is, too often, we do not want to remember the fact that we are still flawed and mending people. Yes, we are broken, but if we believe the Gospel we are being healed every day from the wounds of sin, both our own and those of others. We are being restored back to the way we should have been before the fall. We are being conformed into the glorious image of Jesus Christ. We are flawed, but we should see ourselves being mended.

And at the very same time, we should never be so cavalier as to think that God’s grace should distort the ugliness of who we would be without him! Grace covers our sin, but it does not erase the memory of its effects. In fact, sin is still present in the world. It is all around us. So, just because we have personally experienced freedom in Christ, does not mean that we are not confronted with the damaging results of sin in the world in which we must live.

For me, the idea of solemnity takes shape in a two-fold concern. First, I am concerned with my own heart. Do I rejoice in God’s grace because I recognize what that grace has saved me from? Or do I just enjoy God’s grace without any lingering sense of what it cost to obtain it? The first is gospel-focused. The latter is inconsistent with the Gospel.

Second, I am concerned with the world in which I must continue and finish my race. The grace I have received should motivate me to become one of those Jesus spoke about in Luke 10.

1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:1-2 ESV, emphasis added)

I am one of the laborers. Any and every person who has heard the Gospel of Jesus and believed is a laborer. We may not all do the same work, but the harvest is bigger and present in more places than we could ever imagine.

But, it will take a degree of solemnity to see it and be moved to act. I pray we will do better at participating in the harvest Jesus said is waiting to be gathered.

 

Lent 2019 | Day 24: Sincerity

Sincerity provides us with the ability to be comfortable with who God is remaking us into.

One of the most important attributes we can foster is sincerity. It is not something we talk about very much in our world, but it should be something we strive to improve in ourselves. Why?

I think there are two fundamental reasons for being sincere. First, when we are sincere we are authentically expressing ourselves. The amount of work it takes to “put on” a persona for any and every situation is just exhausting. And to me, it just isn’t worth it.

When I worked at a church that had both a contemporary worship service and a traditional worship service, I would often dress for the second service (the traditional one). So, I would wear my coat and tie to the early service. When people asked why, I would answer by saying, “I don’t like doing the costume change.” I would have preferred the more casual clothes, but I just didn’t see the need to get all worked up about it. I was the same person regardless of the clothes. I was going to do my job the same, regardless of the context. My statement was not a judgment on those who did change. It just wasn’t for me, so I didn’t pretend that I liked doing it.

This is one of the keys to sincerity, being comfortable in your own skin without being a jerk! You don’t have to explain yourself to everyone, but you should not be offended either when someone wonders about your reasons. Most of us are not bothered by offering an explanation. We are bothered with feeling belittled or trivialized. But, even then, we have to accept that there will be consequences for the choices we make about how we will live our lives.

The second fundamental reason for being sincere is that it makes it easier for others to know who they are dealing with. When I am sincere, it makes me more consistent. I have, on more than one occasion, been told that people ask me for my opinion because they know I will offer them a straightforward and non-judgmental response. That hasn’t always been easy for me, or for the other person. But, it has made my life easier as I relate to others. And I accept the challenges and consequences of being sincere.

I know that I may say things others don’t like, not because I am trying to be hurtful, but because I want to be helpful. But in helping someone see the situation as rightly as they can, they will learn about some of the flaws in their thinking, or some of the obstacles they will have to overcome. We all want to believe that we can handle anything that happens in life, but sometimes we need someone to tell us hard things. This can’t happen without sincerity, and the fruit of sincerity, consistency.

I don’t want to leave the impression that I am never wrong. I am wrong more often than I care to admit. But, I also make a conscientious choice to get as much information as I can before I open my mouth. This reduces the damage if I am not on target.

In the end, sincerity provides us with the ability to be comfortable with who God is remaking us into and it provides others with knowledge that there is not a “Mr. Hyde” waiting around the corner.

Be sincere. It will worth the effort. And it is the most humble thing you can do.

Lent 2019 | Day 23: Silence

Silence provides us with time to listen and reflect.

I grew up in a loud house. It was the house where everyone talked at the same time. And, if you were not careful, it turned into a competition of who could our shout the person next to them. It was fun, but it also could be hectic!

As the years have passed, I find myself less inclined to be loud. (I’m still loud, so don’t misunderstand.) What I mean is that I have learned to appreciate the silent moments of life. I have learned to enjoy them.

Silence provides us with time to listen and reflect. Time to turn our attention inward and take a look at what is happening in our hearts and minds. That is if you are willing to look at what you may find.

I have known many people who have had fear about looking in, about addressing issues and past hurts. It can be hard, but it is also necessary for there to be growth and healing. Most things we can handle on our own, but a few we have to seek counsel and help with.

I want to encourage you to spend time in silence. Not to mull things over and become anxious, but to take stock of where things are and decide to move forward. The noise of life can get loud and it will take some silence to hear from God and chart a path.

Lent 2019 | Day 22: Sabbath

The command to observe the Sabbath is more important than we realize. 

I missed posting yesterday. It wasn’t intentional. I just happened that my schedule was packed with a few other things. I am not all that good at writing ahead. I like to write as something hits me. That’s part of the reason I have had stretches of little to no writing.

So, today I will put out two posts. This one explaining what I came away with yesterday, and the one for today.

Yesterday one of my brothers, had tickets to a major league baseball game, and since my mom wasn’t able to go, I got the seat! I love watching baseball live. There is something about the rhythm of the game I find soothing. Even though my team lost, I had a good time. Enjoyed spending time with family.

selective focus grayscale photography of baseball
Photo by Rachel Xiao on Pexels.com

The thought that hit me and I would like to share is this: the command to observe the Sabbath is more important than we realize. 

I often wonder why we don’t do it. I don’t want to get into which day of the week is the Sabbath, although I am sure that could lead to interesting discussions. I just want to briefly look at why we should take time for Sabbath. A time for rest.

We are not designed to go forever. We have a limited warranty and if we don’t take care to rest we will wear ourselves out. Literally.

God did not make us to work ourselves to death. Work has a value too, don’t get me wrong. But, when we do not rest we cannot appreciate all of the other aspects of life. Running on emotional, spiritual, relational, and physical fumes for an extended period of time will have devastating results on us, in all the areas mentioned.

We have to learn to slow down and do things that make us feel alive. That reminds us there are moments worth our time to enjoy. Yesterday I enjoyed a baseball game. And it was great… even though my team lost.

Lent 2019 | Day 21: The Humility of Obedience

One of the most difficult times in our journey of obedience is when we are confronted with a choice. A choice between what we think we should do and what we know we should do.

What this means is that there will be times in our lives when our obedience will not appear humble. And the reason it will not be understood as being humble is because we will be required to stand our ground. This is the great challenge of obedience. Recognizing that concession and accommodation will put us on the path toward anarchy and disobedience.

I don’t know too many people who like to fight. But, we don’t have to come to blows to engage in warfare. We don’t have to get physical or behave in an obnoxious way to become antagonistic. We do that when we allow ourselves to be moved from what we know God has proclaimed and commanded.

It takes great courage to remain steady when the voices we hear from the world are beckoning us to abandon our post. And it takes great humility to not think ourselves wiser than God and continue in obedience.

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