passion - Jeremiah's Vow

Lent 2018 | Day #16: Passion

We are not (or at least should not be) dispassionate observers of the cross.

When you think about Jesus and what he accomplished on the cross, what does that do to your heart? How does that affect your thoughts?

What emotions do you feel about your sin? God’s grace? Jesus’ love for you?

I don’t mean to imply that we all should feel the same things or think the same thoughts. I am just saying that we should feel something and think some thoughts in relation to Jesus. There is no category for a Christian like “professional distance.” We are not (or at least should not be) dispassionate observers of the cross. This great victory that Jesus has won should cause joy to rise up within us.

When we look at Jesus we should feel something that reminds us of what it cost God to break the bondage of sin in our lives. We should find ourselves wondering and pondering what a glorious event the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is. Because in Jesus we have life eternal. In Jesus, we have been brought near to God. In Jesus, we have access to the throne room of God. This is no mere trifle.

I know that for some it is difficult to engage their emotions when discussing religious subjects. But that may be a huge part of the problem. We are not merely talking about a religious point of view when we talk about Jesus. We are talking about our King. We are talking about our most cherished treasure. We are talking about the one who transcended time and space and entered into the disaster we call the human race. This Jesus walked among broken people, and he too became broken so that we would become whole.

During Lent, we should work to stoke into flame our passion for God, for Jesus. We should not be idle in this pursuit. We should strive to make sense of what all of this means for each of us. It’s not that we are going to understand how it works. I don’t need to understand the mechanics and physics of the engine in my truck to know that when I turn the key it will start. The hard work has been done. I just need to press the gas.

Take a few moments and ask yourself this question. Do I love Jesus more today than I did yesterday? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Until we become comfortable with answering the question and making the needed adjustments, we will flounder on this journey of faith.

I pray that we would make the psalmists passionate declaration a reality in our own lives.

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. (Psalm 41:1)

Lent Day #13 | Surrender

For the Christian, surrender is initiated when the beauty and majesty of God leaves no doubt within their heart and mind that to be ruled by God is better than to rule oneself.

Within the Christian world, the idea of surrender has a peculiar twist distinguishing it from its more common definition. When the word “surrender” is used there is usually the idea of conflict between two opposing factions. In the end, one of those groups recognizes their demise and chooses to cease fighting and turn themselves over to their opponents. The central concept is that conflict brings about the surrender.

Within the Christian worldview, surrender is not brought about by conflict (although this is not an entirely improbable possibility). For the Christian, surrender is initiated when the beauty and majesty of God leaves no doubt within their heart and mind that to be ruled by God is better than to rule oneself. The mystery here is in seeing that the motivation emanates from God’s character rather than his power.

hands outstretched

When I look at Jesus’ example I see a life surrendered to God, not because God would conquer, but rather because he was allowing himself to be conquered, which is preferable. To put it another way, we are talking about the difference between an enemy and a lover. When one soul gives itself to another, love and passion are what are exchanged. This is the image of the marriage chamber. God’s love for us is intimate and passionate. He does not merely want to crush us, he wants us to be wooed and enthralled with his majesty and utter beauty.

It can be uncomfortable for us to think of God in this way, but that is exactly the image we are given in the bible. Jesus has returned to his Father’s house to prepare a place for us. Too often, this “us” is understood in the plural. However, Jesus is described as the bridegroom. He will return for his bride, singular. We who believe have become a part of the one bride who Jesus died to redeem and purify. Therefore, the language of the scriptures is that of lovers and marriage.

As we continue our journey towards Easter morning remember that God’s love for you is not academic. It is real, personal and unquenchable. Jesus loves us and he is not indifferent to our circumstances. Why would we not want to give ourselves to him.

The Bishop and His Beautiful People | “Your Call Is Still Calling”

There is nothing more important to the work of the church than to be totally and unashamedly committed to Jesus. Any failure to love God and to love those whom God loves misses the message of Jesus.

The South Georgia Annual Conference met from June 3 – 5, in Macon, Georgia. This meeting takes place once a year and is the time for the conference to handle the business of the church. I was not able to attend, but did watch on the live stream online. One of the wonderful benefits of technology. As the conference drew to a close Bishop King shared some important thoughts with the clergy and lay members of the conference. I would like to share with you these thoughts and some of my own reflections.

Our bishop regularly greets the members of the conference by saying, “Hello beautiful people.” And he does so with such a warm smile it is hard not to smile back, knowing that this is a sincere greeting from him. I hope I never take it for granted. I am always left with the impression that the bishop really means it and he wants us to believe it for ourselves. We are a beautiful people. Not because of anything intrinsic within us, but because of who we have become and are becoming in Jesus.

Bishop King then said to those in attendance and those of us viewing online, “Your call is still calling.” Continue reading “The Bishop and His Beautiful People | “Your Call Is Still Calling””