The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:4-8
When stories compete
The book of Jeremiah starts out with God telling a story. The story of who Jeremiah is, who he’ll become, and what he’ll do.
Some people use words like “destiny” or “fate” when referring to outcomes in life. The word “fate” derives from the the latin word fatum which literally means “that which has been spoken.”
So, God is speaking something to, over, and about Jeremiah. His “fate” if you will. But, Jeremiah is telling a different story. A competing story.
“I don’t know how… I’m too young.” (verse 6)
Now before we give the young lad a hard time for arguing with Almighty God, let’s at least acknowledge that he’s merely recounting the facts.
The number on the scale read 272. At one time or another, most of us carry a few extra pounds but that number was much more than “a few extra.” Needless to say, I needed to make some changes.
Motivation
I don’t enjoy exercise for the sake of exercise. I understand the value and benefit, but to be honest, I hate it. On the other hand, adventure and exploration have great appeal. A goal to reach or challenge to meet is much more in line with my nature.
I need something on the calendar to motivate me. A looming date that if I don’t train and stay in shape, I’ll die. Not literally, of course. Well, possibly. Not really… but, maybe.
In 2010, I decided to climb a mountain with a buddy of mine. We set a date and put money down on a guide company. It got serious quick and was time to get to work.
I dropped the weight. Got in shape. Six months later I was standing on top of Mount Rainier, the tallest glaciated volcano in the Lower 48. It was a blast!
Like many of you, I’ve spent some time over the past few days reflecting on 2018 and looking ahead to 2019. Of course, there have been tough spots and low points just like any other year. Because my nature is to only focus on areas that need improvement, I’m aiming to celebrate more.
My Best Nine for 2018 on Instagram
This list took some effort and I think it’s solid. And, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. Some of these are a bit more personal. Others might seem self-congratulating. But, my hope and prayer is that through my sharing, it will inspire you to look back and find those gifts from God in your own life. We don’t deserve them, yet because of God’s generosity and love, we have the freedom to enjoy them.
I also hope it challenges you to reach higher in 2019. When I look at this list, I certainly feel that. I’m humbled and grateful but also ready to get after it.
So, without shame or qualification, I invite you to celebrate 2018 with me. Here’s my Top 100 for 2018:
“I’m doing great! Work is good. Just finished up a huge project. The kids are busy with soccer and music lessons. My wife is leading a small group at church and is really into it. We’re busy but life is grand!”
That wasn’t the question asked. I didn’t ask for a list of activities or what you are accomplishing. I asked… “How are you?
It’s been said so many times before that it’s become a cliche’. You are a “human-being”… not a “human-doing”. But, we rarely stop long enough to change the flow of this tide.
Our identity is wrapped up in what we’ve done, are doing, and will do. I’ve got a lot of friends in vocational ministry and there’s no other place where this is more true.
“God loves human beings. God loves the world. Not an ideal human, but human beings as they are; not an ideal world, but the real world. What we find repulsive in their opposition to God, what we shrink back from with pain and hostility, namely, real human beings, the real world, this is for God the ground of unfathomable love. God establishes a most intimate unity with this. God becomes human, a real human being. While we exert ourselves to grow beyond our humanity, to leave the human behind us, God becomes human; and we must recognize that God wills that we be human, real human beings.”
Today is the day when people around the world celebrate the simple truth that God does things differently… much much differently.
A couple of weeks ago I was trying to explain this to my nine-year-old when we came across Paul’s writing, “God chose the foolish things to shame the wise.” I broke it down like this…
“I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand-from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry-forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”
I wonder how many of us live on “crusts of hearsay and rumor” of who God is, what he is like, and what he expects and requires.
Much suffering
It’s not lost on me that Job’s revelation comes after much suffering, pain, and subsequent wrestling and even accusing God.
And so I wonder… Could it be that suffering is the only gateway to firsthand knowledge of our Creator? Could it be that failure is actually the only stepping stone to a deeper understanding?
God becomes human, a real human being. While we exert ourselves to grow beyond our humanity, to leave the human behind us, God becomes human; and we must recognize that God wills that we be human, real human beings.
“You don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.”
Edwin Louis Cole
If you follow me on Twitter or are a regular reader here, then you know I’m a big fan of People of the Second Chance. Right now, they’re in the middle of a series asking the question “Who Would You Give a Second Chance?”
POTSC is launching the NEVER BEYOND Poster Series: 25 posters representing well known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be displayed as a touring art exhibit.
Grace is Provocative
Because they’ve included figures like Casey Anthony, Mike Tyson, Darth Vader, and a KKK Klansman, the art series is provocative to say the least. But, I don’t think it’s provocative because of the people they’re choosing to highlight. It’s provocative because radical grace itself is provocative.
“Who does God love more? The murdered or the murderer?”
I’ll never forget when I heard the news. It was in an emergency room and I thought maybe I was facing the wrong way. Or maybe the doctor was talking past me to another parent. I was so taken aback. So caught off guard. Shocked… surprised… stunned…
…numb.
Thinking back on that moment years ago, I understand it. It’s only natural to be shocked to hear your child has cancer. But what if isn’t? What if being caught off-guard by trials is more our conditioning from the influences of Western culture, both secular and religious. What if our world is rocked because we have a skewed definition of what we “deserve”?
We’re good at marketing
Sometimes I think we do a better job of marketing the Bible than we do believing it or walking it out. Take this for example…
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (emphasis mine)
See that middle part right there. The part where I used the nifty CMD+I trick. We like to leave that part out. It doesn’t market very well, especially that “sorrows” bit. I mean, that’s the opposite of the canned “I’m blessed, brother. And, you?”
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
The fact that God is “this” means we must go through “that.” And “that” stinks. Sometimes very, very badly.
We shouldn’t be surprised…
…when trouble comes. But often times we are. Maybe I was caught off-guard because deep down I really believed God owed me something. He would never let that happen to me… to my child… to my family. But that’s not what he promised. Seems like I’m really good at marketing as well.
But looking back, I know He was there and still is.
What he did promise however is that He’d be there. My personal experience was that I never felt like he was. Like wandering in the desert with no help or end in sight. But looking back, I know He was there and still is.
If you’re going through a difficult season…
Here are a few things I’ve learned:
God doesn’t “owe” me anything
I’m normal. Pain, deep pain, is part of the broken human experience.
Give yourself permission to experience all the emotions that come with what you’re facing.
Ask for help.
Pray honestly. Even is it’s simply, “Help us…”
It’s worth hanging in there with the relationships that matter… even when it’s toughest.
It won’t happen overnight. It may take years so settle in for the long haul.
You probably won’t feel much simply because your body, mind, and spirit are all wired together and clarity doesn’t come easy but…
God is real.
He does love you.
He’s not blind even when he’s silent.
He’s working on your behalf even now.
He believes in you even when you don’t believe in him.
If you’re not going through it… this is for you:
One day, and probably soon… you will be.
Until then…
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (emphasis mine)
