Perfection is overrated

We have perfected the banana.

Now it is facing extinction.

Big Mike was the preferred banana until the early 1960s when it was all but wiped out by a fungus called Panama disease, a relative of the Dutch Elm disease.

In lue of going without bananas, the industry switched to the Cavendish banana.

Wherever you go in the world, the Cavendish banana looks the same.  It has been perfected.  But a new version of the Panama disease is now threatening the Cavendish crops.  Soon, we may have to face eating our average of 26.2 pounds of bananas per year from a different species of banana.

Perfection is overrated.  We thought we’d fixed the banana problem, and here it goes again.  Life seems to be that way as well.

Every time we find that we have managed to determine that:

• We are not in control
• God is in control
• We ask Him to fix things instead of trying to do it ourselves

Every time we find we are able to forgive ourselves and accept forgiveness, forgive others, and forgive God,  life changes.  A new situation, a new blight hits us in the face.

So if we aren’t trying to be perfect, what is it all about?

It’s about the Journey.

Paul, talked about this journey to the Philippians:  (I am) confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Have you ever felt like there was “rot” in your life, things that you just couldn’t overcome?

Some days it seems that just as you get one Panama Disease destroyed another one crops up.

You have a Creator who loves you.  He knows you down to your molecules, and He loves you.

More than that, He has a purpose for you.  Not a purpose like a cog in a wheel, but a purpose that will fit exactly with your personality, limitations and abilities.  Nothing about you surprises God, yet He has a purpose for your life.

Your purpose isn’t to be perfect.  He is the one who does the perfecting.  We just let Him do it.

We are powerless, God is Powerful, We let Him do it.

Did the Dream Die?

Have you ever felt disillusioned and felt like giving up?  There is a story in Genesis 37-40 that I want to look at with you.  Joseph really amazes me.

First, we find Joseph having a dream.  Two of them, actually.  Here’s the first one:

“Listen to this dream I had:  We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

Here’s the second one:  “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”  (Gen. 37:6-7, 9)

God gave him amazing dreams.  The next thing we see is Joseph, in the bottom of a well, being sold by his brothers into slavery.  Can you imagine his thoughts on that long walk to Egypt with the slavery traders?

“Man, the wrong person is bowing here.  My sheave seems to have been burned.”

“What was I thinking?  I must have drank waaay too much of dad’s secret stash the night before those dreams.”

Or maybe he was more hopeful. “I don’t know how God is going to fix this one, but the sun, moon and stars are in Egypt too.”

Well, it wasn’t long before things started looking up.  He was a servant in Potiphar’s home and rose to the top of the ladder.  Maybe he would find a way to go home.

Just when hope was about to really take root in his heart, Potiphar’s wife accused him of rape, and he ended up in prison.  There is really no way out of prison.

Now, here is really amazing part.  Joseph had been sitting in prison just about long enough to lose heart when two people come in and have dreams that need interpretation.

Now, let’s review Joseph’s position:

• his dreams he believed to be from God had proven themselves bankrupt – not once, but repeatedly.
• every time things started to look up for him, they got worse.

Yet, when he comes across two dejected men, he immediately believes that God will give him the interpretation of their dreams.  He kept hope against all hope for all those years.  Not just that God would show up someday, but that God would use him now.

In fact, over about 12 years, he kept enough hope to be able to stand before Pharaoh, in boldness, without warning.  You can’t stand as a leader if you are riddled with doubt and fear.

When life is piled against you, follow Joseph’s example:

1. Do what you can.  Joseph always put his hands to work.
2. Look to help others.
3. Believe that God will show up – probably when you least expect Him.

How Does It Do That?

Jesus says, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 6:63

He also said that although God prunes those that bear fruit, the words Jesus spoke to the disciples made it so that they were already pruned. (John 15:3)

Jesus’ words are powerful.  We need them for spirit, life, growth and fruitfulness.

We need to listen to Jesus.   What are three things you can do this week to spend time listening to Jesus.  Better yet, what are one or two of your biggest obstacles to hearing His voice?

My last question:  Jesus’ Word brings us life, pruning (and therefore) growth and fruitfulness.  How does it do that?

Cracked Pots needing GRACE

Stress causes weird things to happen.

For example, I’ve crashed my car twice in the last two months – just the fender, but still…

During times of stress, the fender benders of life are sometimes in our relationships. It is important to sprinkle those we love with lots of grace.

God, help me to see others the way You see them, and not through my eyes. What I see isn’t always the whole truth.

Relationship comes before reaction. A lot of times, I just want to react to someone’s actions. In times like that, I need to be careful not to damage the relationship – to wait and not react. Remember the fender bender? I was running into things not because I was a bad person, or because I meant to, but because I had other things going on in my head.

Allow space. People who are under stress need space – no hovering. They just need to know you care, and are available when they are ready to talk.

Create times of joy. You need to laugh. It will reduce stress considerably.

Expect, beg, plead for God’s intervention. You can’t change things, only God can. None of us can make it through more than a couple seconds without God’s help. When you have friends who are going under, pray for them – pray for God to do a mighty work on their behalf – and expect God’s activity.

Why God chose to have relationship with us is beyond me, but I am so grateful. By ourselves, we are a bunch of broken vessels – cracked pots actually – but with the oil of the Holy Spirit and the creativity of the Father who makes all things new, Cracked Pots become beautiful pitchers and vases for His glory.

You are precious. You were created for God’s purposes. He wants to breathe life into other people through you today.

Discover What God is Saying

How do you discover what God is saying in a community?

• Listen to the questions
• Look for the needs
• Look for the spiritual dilemmas

Become part of the conversation.  Become part of the solution.  You are God’s hand extended.  Walk with people and listen.  Be their friend.

Imagine Jesus walking along the road.  He walked and talked a long time.   Then out of the blue he looked up and locked eyes with Zaccheaus.  He picked Zaccheaus out of a whole crowd to have dinner with.  And he didn’t preach, he had dinner. In fact, he let Zaccheaus serve him dinner.

Zaccheaus was changed by Jesus’ presence, love and caring – because He noticed.

Become part of the conversation, become part of the solution.  Pray, and God will show you what to do next.

Listening to the Overtones – Generosity

In the last week, I’ve ‘listened’ to Exponential, Catalyst West and QTalks.

When a choir is in perfect tune, you can hear a note that isn’t there.  It’s called an ‘overtone’.  Sometimes, if you listen between the spaces, you can hear what God is saying.

This is the overtone that I am hearing:

God is calling us to Generosity.

Generosity of emotional resources. It is easy to live in isolation.  We can go through life fulfilling all of our functions and never take the risk of allowing other people to know us for who we are.

Yet in those real relationships we find authenticity, discipleship, and an honest reflection of ourselves as God sees us.  ‘Letting people in’ emotionally means giving to people who will be cranky at times and perhaps hurt our feelings.  This is hard!  But it is in those risky relationships that we find God working on us and through us to show Himself.

Generosity of time resources. Time is our commodity right now.  When we give our time, we give what we hold most precious.  Most people, no matter their background, are lonely and need to be listened to.  Others need you to given your time and energy to help make their life a bit easier.  Giving of our time means letting God set our agenda.  To us, this feels very risky.

Generosity of intellectual resources. Admitting we don’t know it all is the first step to wisdom.  Being willing to be part of  a conversation with others – to share our perspective and honestly listen gives value to others who aren’t like us.  Many  people find others who think just like themselves and find those conversations comfortable.  There is risk in sharing what you know with people who might not understand your perspective right away.

Generosity of physical resources. Whether it is the gift of hospitality, or the gift of giving, we have so much to give.  What would it take to invite a family from the homeless shelter to share an evening meal and game of Uno with your family?  We can give globally, like Tom’s Shoes, but we can also give locally – many around us just don’t have family, a home environment, or the ability to relax for an evening.  Looking at our resources from a different perspective can help us think with an attitude of generosity.

Generosity of spiritual resources. We have forgiveness.  We need to extend it to others.  We have mercy.  We need to extend it to others.  We have relationship with God.  Does it affect our lives so that others can tell?

As Christians, and as church leaders, we stand in the middle of culture and bridge the gap.  You know when you introduce two people?  Where do you stand?  Between them.  You speak both of their languages.

We have relationship with God.  We need to share it with others.  Not just in words, but through forgiveness, hospitality, ministry of presence (just hanging out), authenticity.  All of these take risk.  Risk is good.  It’s what makes bungee jumping a rush, what makes skiing/snowboarding worth the exorbitant price, and why people jump out of airplanes.  Why not risk for the sake of others instead of just for the rush?  It is so worth the landing!

More Wisdom from Tots

So, working with 2 year olds has caused me to remember my early childhood mantras that I developed with my own children.

This week, I heard pop out of my mouth, without thinking “we need to change our wanter (pronounced “want-er”), don’t we.”  Wow.

I hadn’t thought about my “wanter” in a long time.  What happens when our wanter is out of control?  I know we get real unhappy.  Usually we also gain

• unhealthy activities,
• unhealthy attitudes,
• and unhealthy appendages (pounds for example)

What do we do to unload ourselves of a wanter that has the upper hand?

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 is helpful in many circumstances, and this is one:

“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” (The Message)

In other words, it is back to the basics – know Christ, know his Word.

Consumer Confidence

My RSS feed says that consumer confidence has tanked – every place we turn, we hear about layoffs, rising prices, rough times.  This isn’t the first time in history that this has happened.  In fact, it happened in 2 Chronicles 32 (among many other times).

Hezekiah was king, and the king of Assyria invaded Judah.  There is a whole sermon here, but I’ll jump to the end.  The king of Assyria wanted to know “On what are you basing your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?” (vs. 10)

When you are under siege, no trade goes in or out.  Supplies are very limited, so there is rationing.  The end is in sight.  On top of that, the enemy stands at the walls every day, with his vast army, and yells at you about how you are doomed.  The Assyrians would take people from the area and post them on stakes to die hideous deaths in full view of those inside the walls.  The mental torture of being under siege was more than oppressive.

Yet, the people in Jerusalem were confident.  How come they were confident?

How can we be confident in our current economic circumstances?

Listen to Hezekiah’s words to the people:

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.  With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”  And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.” (32:7-8 )

Their confidence wasn’t in winning, or stockpiles, or their ability to outsmart the Assyrians or in their weapons.  Their confidence was in God’s ability to pull them through.

God has a different perspective, and He will continue to give us purpose and perspective even in the most difficult of times.   Our confidence isn’t in the markets, the economy, our savings, our jobs, our abilities or ingenuity.  Our confidence is in God Himself.  Listen to Paul:

“Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.  Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5)

Giants in the Land

Are there giants in the land for you?

Tonight it occurred to me that to the 10 spies and the Israelites that followed them, the giants were very obvious obstacles.  In fact, common sense said that they needed to ‘count the cost’ of this venture, and avoid these real obstacles.  From their point of view, fortified cities and very powerful people were insurmountable problems compared to people on foot without any of the modern ‘tools’ (chariots, for one).

They wanted to run for the hills!  (Okay, they wanted to go back to Egypt, but you get the picture.)

Here’s the kicker.  Listen to what God said in response:

“The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.” (Numbers 14:11-12)

God was seriously offended that they didn’t trust Him.

Are you facing obstacles?  Finances, relationships, even personal growth – sometimes we just reach that wall where we say “there are giants in the land.  I can’t go forward.  I have to find a way out.”

Has God led you? He will bring you victory.

Let’s draw a line in the sand, and choose to listen to those with faith instead:

“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30)

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.  If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Numbers 14:7-9)

We can move forward.  We can find the view of faith.  There is always a view of faith and a view of the practical.  Let’s do what Joshua and Caleb did – find the view of faith by

• looking backwards to God’s record
• looking forward to the possible
• choosing to believe

Faith trumps practical because God is working.

When the Children of Israel did go into the land, finally, they found that God gave them so many miracles and new lessons.  Going forward in faith is a walk in the miraculous.  Going back to the familiar is to live in the mundane, walking around the same mountain again and again.

I choose to look for the miraculous.  What about you?

How, Then, do we Change?

How do we change something about ourselves that needs changing?

If I have something on my face, I can wipe it off, but only if I know that it is there. I either need a mirror with which to see it, or good friends that will point it out to me. Sometimes, I can feel it myself, as it starts to dry and my face gets that dried cement feeling on it.  In all these cases, all I need to do is get a napkin or wash cloth and wipe it off.

When I have a mannerism, habit, way of thinking or approach to life that needs changing, God often uses the same process. He will either show me through some sort of ‘mirror’; He will tell me through good friends and new insights; or the thing that needs to change becomes a problem and I become aware of it.

Here in lies the problem: Mannerisms, habits, ways of thinking and approaches to life don’t wipe off as easily as jam. Paul talked about his attempt to follow the law this way:

But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. (Romans 7:18-20, The Message)

How, then, do we, as broken people perfectly incapable of getting it right, fix the things that God brings to our attention?

Where we are powerless, God is powerful.  Jesus healed the blind man, the paralytic.  God raised the dead – not only through Jesus, but through Elisha, Peter, Paul, and (I’m sure) others.  If that isn’t enough, then take a look at the lives of Peter and Paul – men who were changed very quickly by the power of the Holy Spirit to be the people God needed them to be for the jobs He had for them to do.  God worked mightily in all these instances – He can do the same for whatever issue you might be facing today.  Just ask Him – stop ‘trying’ yourself, and give the Creator of the Universe the authority to do the work in you.  Rerouting brain pathways isn’t such a big thing for the One who held back waters, put the stars in place and created man from dust.

Where we are powerless, He is Powerful – let’s ask Him to do it.