Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him! (Luke 15:29-30) Who's that whiner? It's the good boy, the guy who stayed to serve and work and make his daddy proud. It's the arrogant boy, the young man who would rather see his little brother punished then restored and rejoiced over. In short, it's the stationary prodigal. Oh, we're aware of the story of "The Prodigal Son," and even if we haven't read the account in the Bible, there's a lot in the title that gives us a good idea of what happened. But just for a refresher, here's what went down: Rich dad, two sons, younger says he wants his inheritance while dad is still kickin'. Little guy (and older son) get the wealth divided between them and baby brother blows it all in Sin City, shortly thereafter hitting rock bottom, repenting, and returning humbly to dad who welcomes back his prodigal. Enter: comments above from "faithful" big brother. It's easy for me to read this story and mostly hear, "God (the father in the story) is a gracious God and forgives repentant sinners." That's true and applies to me as a sinner, but it's not going far enough for me because I'm too much like the older son, doing what's right on the outside and trusting in my own goodness to make Father proud. What that means is that I have to throw down some hate on the runaway who can't keep his act together. After all, look at what happens when you're a bad boy; see all the consequences and all the problems you cause...for...me through your...existence!? Even the argument breaks down without looking for the theological reasons of why I should rejoice any time I see God's mercy extended to the one in need. Yep, I'm the older son, quietly seeking my own glory and praise. I'm the one who forgets that a God motivated heart means coming to the Father like the "traditional" prodigal on an everyday basis in humble repentance, overwhelmed by the fact that there is any grace at all left for a whiner such as me. And I'm the stationary prodigal who needs to extend the kind of love my Daddy shows when that trouble-making bad boy shows his face.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
God Motivation and Sean the Jerk
There was this guy, Sean, at my house for supper the other night who is such a jerk. It's not like he made a huge scene or totally bit anybody's head off; it was more of a deal where he was dismissive of others, grumpy when spoken to, impatient with my kiddos, and fairly cold toward Gen. I should just warn you now that if you ever come over or catch me out and about somewhere, he just might be hanging around with that same old idiot attitude. What's the story with this rotten guest? Who is he? In short...he's me. You see, for whatever weird reason, people have a hard time remembering that my name is Seth. I'm not just talking about people that I've maybe met once several years ago; it's more strange than that. It can be a person that I see on a pretty regular basis who says without hesitation, "Hey, Sean." I don't really like it but I've learned to accept it. When other Christians do it, I just make fun of them in my mind as people who don't know their biblical characters very well: "Oh, silly inferior Christian--you just gave your lack of love for the holy Scriptures away." But at moments like that, Sean is more present than ever; it's actually him that is reflected in those thoughts. Here's the deal: I have decided to embrace the name of Sean but (out of complete lack of appreciation for him) just relegate him to the position of "sinful nature man." Usually in referring to what the Bible calls "the flesh" or "the sinful nature" church folk will say something to the effect of, "That was the old me coming out" when they do something out of step with Jesus' way. Odd lingo no doubt, but pretty true at the same time. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me...(Galatians 2:20). That's right, Sean is actually dead. My problem is that I keep inviting him to the dinner table, to the workplace, even to my early morning times of quiet and study with God. The fact is, for a dead guy he shows up a lot and stinks up whatever room I drag him into, and until Seth grows in God Motivation, until he says that it's a heck of a lot better to show off how awesome Jesus Christ is instead of putrid Sean, everybody better stock up on the Febreze--Fresh & Clean is best.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
God Motivation and a Poo Prayer
My little 2 year old girl is starting to pray...not just when we prompt her, but when she feels she needs help from the Lord. The current prayer sounds something like this as she finds a private wall, leans against it with head bowed and hand outstretched to balance in a pose that looks somewhat like a healing service (for the wall), and says, "Dear God, please help me poop."
LOVE IT--her tiny (slightly-pained-but-ever-so-cute) voice, her innocently saying "God" and "poop" in the same sentence, and the fact that she's giving me one of the best exhibitions of in everything by prayer and supplication (Philippians 4:6) that I will likely ever view in my life.
My little sweetie's got the kind of God Motivation that brings tears to daddy's eyes. In moments like that, she wants Him, and then will be the first to smile and run around the house saying, "Thank you, God!" leaving a little trail of heavenly stink in her wake.
Thanks for the lesson, Moom-Tucket, and thank you, Lord, for showing me something beautiful through my saggy-diapered little blondie.
LOVE IT--her tiny (slightly-pained-but-ever-so-cute) voice, her innocently saying "God" and "poop" in the same sentence, and the fact that she's giving me one of the best exhibitions of in everything by prayer and supplication (Philippians 4:6) that I will likely ever view in my life.
My little sweetie's got the kind of God Motivation that brings tears to daddy's eyes. In moments like that, she wants Him, and then will be the first to smile and run around the house saying, "Thank you, God!" leaving a little trail of heavenly stink in her wake.
Thanks for the lesson, Moom-Tucket, and thank you, Lord, for showing me something beautiful through my saggy-diapered little blondie.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Good Portion
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:38-42 ESV)
Step 1: Welcome Jesus in. Step 2: Make dinner. Step 3: Get annoyed with Mary. Step 4: Tell Jesus what's up. That was the way Martha rolled as a "get 'er done" kind of lady. She was the type that knew at a certain level what was important as she welcomed Jesus into her home and wanted to hospitable things while He was there with her family. But somewhere along the way in her multi-step process, she lost track of her priorities. It probably happened right around the time where she was trying to set tables, get the bread out of the oven and tidy up the room all at the same time. We're told that she was distracted with much serving. Her problem wasn't with one of the seven abominable sins, running away from God, or drinking the night away. Her problem was one of portion control--only she had this issue before dinner was even ready. Apparently, the fact that she had a problem at all was not even on her radar screen. She "knew" without a doubt Mary needed a straightening out. In fact, she was so convinced that this was the case that she took the liberty of trying to straighten out Jesus as well! Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? And then, so as not to tax poor Jesus' brain, she gave Him the solution: Tell her then to help me! A bit presumptuous perhaps? Or perhaps a bit like you and I?
I've been a bit overwhelmed lately, always with so many things on my "to do" list (a list which in many ways is self-administered) and I tend to assume that by staying worked up about my list, I will be choosing the good portion of productivity--let's call it the Marthinian method of work. But as noble as this method seems to those of us who "serve the Lord" through our striving, the Lord Himself doesn't seem all that impressed. So what exactly was Martha's problem? Over-productivity? Not taking enough time for rest? Maybe she struggled at times in those areas, but I don't think that's what Jesus' main concern here. Notice when it was that Jesus gave her a gentle rebuke. It came when she decided that time at Jesus' feet was inferior to time in Jesus' kitchen. What Martha was not understanding was that being consumed with Jesus (and not Jesus-related service) is what is truly best. The good portion isn't necessarily sitting quietly and absorbing great information (though we need those times daily), but the good portion is ultimately Jesus Himself. This is why He told his indignant disciples who were upset about perfume being "wasted" on Jesus instead of sold to benefit the poor, "you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me" (Mt. 26:11). The Master of our work and leisure is concerned that we see Him as the must-have treasure at every moment and that we encourage others in the same. He is to be our continuous linked-up-to-Him motivation for everything we do. Let us begin well, as Martha did in welcoming Jesus, but then follow through as Mary did in seeing Jesus as the good portion we're all desperately in need of.
(Luke 10:38-42 ESV)
Step 1: Welcome Jesus in. Step 2: Make dinner. Step 3: Get annoyed with Mary. Step 4: Tell Jesus what's up. That was the way Martha rolled as a "get 'er done" kind of lady. She was the type that knew at a certain level what was important as she welcomed Jesus into her home and wanted to hospitable things while He was there with her family. But somewhere along the way in her multi-step process, she lost track of her priorities. It probably happened right around the time where she was trying to set tables, get the bread out of the oven and tidy up the room all at the same time. We're told that she was distracted with much serving. Her problem wasn't with one of the seven abominable sins, running away from God, or drinking the night away. Her problem was one of portion control--only she had this issue before dinner was even ready. Apparently, the fact that she had a problem at all was not even on her radar screen. She "knew" without a doubt Mary needed a straightening out. In fact, she was so convinced that this was the case that she took the liberty of trying to straighten out Jesus as well! Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? And then, so as not to tax poor Jesus' brain, she gave Him the solution: Tell her then to help me! A bit presumptuous perhaps? Or perhaps a bit like you and I?
I've been a bit overwhelmed lately, always with so many things on my "to do" list (a list which in many ways is self-administered) and I tend to assume that by staying worked up about my list, I will be choosing the good portion of productivity--let's call it the Marthinian method of work. But as noble as this method seems to those of us who "serve the Lord" through our striving, the Lord Himself doesn't seem all that impressed. So what exactly was Martha's problem? Over-productivity? Not taking enough time for rest? Maybe she struggled at times in those areas, but I don't think that's what Jesus' main concern here. Notice when it was that Jesus gave her a gentle rebuke. It came when she decided that time at Jesus' feet was inferior to time in Jesus' kitchen. What Martha was not understanding was that being consumed with Jesus (and not Jesus-related service) is what is truly best. The good portion isn't necessarily sitting quietly and absorbing great information (though we need those times daily), but the good portion is ultimately Jesus Himself. This is why He told his indignant disciples who were upset about perfume being "wasted" on Jesus instead of sold to benefit the poor, "you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me" (Mt. 26:11). The Master of our work and leisure is concerned that we see Him as the must-have treasure at every moment and that we encourage others in the same. He is to be our continuous linked-up-to-Him motivation for everything we do. Let us begin well, as Martha did in welcoming Jesus, but then follow through as Mary did in seeing Jesus as the good portion we're all desperately in need of.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
God Motivation and Three Other "tions"
God Motivation informs Christian living by way of calling for Incorporation, Limitation, and Extraction.
It calls for incorporation of those things into our life that are lacking or deficient. There are ways in which we should be more fully motivated by God Himself, items that we are simply lax in exercising. Such practices must be incorporated into our lives or increased in use so that we might live more fully for Him.
God Motivation furthermore requires a limitation of those things threatening to rule us. For though they might be acceptable practices, they are to be used in moderation to prevent them from having mastery over us. If they are not, we will begin to be motivated in life by them instead of by the Lord.
Finally, living with God Motivation will many times call for the extraction of items contrary to the will of God and opposed to right Christian practice. Such things fall into the "delete now" category. It is impossible to be God Motivated in the pursuit of things which God clearly lays out as sinful. There is no "his heart was in the right place" while engaged with things in the need-to-extract category.
Incorporation, limitation, and extraction. The one pursuing God Motivation will find the need for the implementation of these three "tions."
It calls for incorporation of those things into our life that are lacking or deficient. There are ways in which we should be more fully motivated by God Himself, items that we are simply lax in exercising. Such practices must be incorporated into our lives or increased in use so that we might live more fully for Him.
God Motivation furthermore requires a limitation of those things threatening to rule us. For though they might be acceptable practices, they are to be used in moderation to prevent them from having mastery over us. If they are not, we will begin to be motivated in life by them instead of by the Lord.
Finally, living with God Motivation will many times call for the extraction of items contrary to the will of God and opposed to right Christian practice. Such things fall into the "delete now" category. It is impossible to be God Motivated in the pursuit of things which God clearly lays out as sinful. There is no "his heart was in the right place" while engaged with things in the need-to-extract category.
Incorporation, limitation, and extraction. The one pursuing God Motivation will find the need for the implementation of these three "tions."
Virtues Quick to Fly
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
(Proverbs 3:3 ESV)
Steadfast love and faithfulness are virtues quick to take flight. We must not let them run when we are most susceptible to forgetting them. Though we may at many points say that they are fine things to have with us, great substances to display and share with others, they must be exercised even when they are not our immediate consideration. Indeed, they must be bound to us now when they seem as noble virtues; they must be put upon us as between the head and shoulders, fastened with a lock that has no key. Quick to run from the heart to the mouth, they must be stopped at the neck. We would also do well to have them carved into our hearts, so that, when from our souls something contrary to them would desire to flow, they must pass the etched sign of "steadfast love and faithfulness," hearing their rebuke and being caught short before springing forth. Let them not be the quickly deserting virtues that our flesh longs for them them to be. Through the binding of them around our necks and the tattooing of them on our hearts, enemy vices face double the gates before any expression.
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
(Proverbs 3:3 ESV)
Steadfast love and faithfulness are virtues quick to take flight. We must not let them run when we are most susceptible to forgetting them. Though we may at many points say that they are fine things to have with us, great substances to display and share with others, they must be exercised even when they are not our immediate consideration. Indeed, they must be bound to us now when they seem as noble virtues; they must be put upon us as between the head and shoulders, fastened with a lock that has no key. Quick to run from the heart to the mouth, they must be stopped at the neck. We would also do well to have them carved into our hearts, so that, when from our souls something contrary to them would desire to flow, they must pass the etched sign of "steadfast love and faithfulness," hearing their rebuke and being caught short before springing forth. Let them not be the quickly deserting virtues that our flesh longs for them them to be. Through the binding of them around our necks and the tattooing of them on our hearts, enemy vices face double the gates before any expression.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)