It all started last Monday, almost two weeks ago (actually it started before the creation of time, but that’s another story - I came in last Monday). We had a men’s time on a private beach and did a bunch of different physical things and team building things. They were really intense and awesome. But that was just the beginning.
We then moved into a time of walking. We all were adorned with our own personal hindrance. One of us was tied to his feet. Others were taped to 2x4’s. Several were tied to cinderblocks. I was blindfolded.
At first I was very confused as to why I was blindfolded. I wasn't sure if it would be ultra hard or maybe less burdensome than all the others. I mean, it wasn't a cinderblock...
I learned a couple things from this.
First, it was ultra hard. The whole point was that these hindrances were meant to represent the unchecked and un-dealt with sin in our lives. And let me tell you, it worked.
For one thing, unchecked sin proved to be completely incapacitating. I was unable to function, unable to help others, unable to be of any use at all in any way.
Although God can use us whenever He wants, and He is in control, we miss out on nearly everything when we choose to WALK in sin. We will always sin, but walking in sin brings death.
"Then, after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to DEATH." James 1: 15
Number one - Sin is the absolute worst thing in the world and is poison in every sense of the world.
Another thing was that I could NOTHING by myself. Walking on a beach blindfolded and alone would have either run me into a tree, the ground, or the water, none of which are good options. I absolutely depended on my brothers to guide me.
Number two - without community, the Christian life is next to impossible.
God designed us to be relational, as He is. We need our brothers and sisters to urge us in the right direction, because in times of trial, the Christ in our brother's heart is stronger than the Christ in our own heart (Dietrich Boenhoeffer quote, not me...).
Next, I learned that God WANTS us out of sin. Not because He is yelling at us to follow His rules better, or that He is cranky and wants us all to live His way or the Highway, but because He knows that His way is the BEST WAY POSSIBLE.
He created us to live a certain way. We messed that up. Therefore, we know it is wrong. We are not ok with all the hurt in the world. So living well means living the way God intended us to - to fit into the original design and plan.
Number 3 - He desires goodness for us because it is best for us.
So all of this was wonderful. There are a few more things that have played into this lately, and it is all going to be in this one post. Split it up if you have to... it may get lengthy.
Psalm 18: 1-19
David says this psalm after being delivered from his powerful enemy, King Saul.
You should read it so I don't have to post it...
Let's follow the general direction of this psalm.
1. David Loves God because God saved him.
2. David was at the point of death, and desperately cried to the Lord for deliverance.
3. GOD IS ANGRY. He proceeds to shake the earth, expose the valleys of the sea and foundations of the earth, blow fire from his mouth, soar on the wings of the wind, route the enemy with hailstones and lightning, and thunder from Heaven. That is terrifying.
He was angry because His servant, His child, was in trouble.
4. "He rescued me because He delighted in me."
God is willing, and will, do anything to save us. HE DELIGHTS IN US!!!
Somewhere along the way, I had forgotten this. Sometimes I feel like a hammer. Something in the toolbox that you did really want to buy, but now just use when you want other stuff. I felt as if all that mattered to God in regard to me was my effectiveness in bringing others into His kingdom. What I forgot was that I am not a hammer. I am a child, an adopted son, FOREVERMORE. God loves me just as much as anyone else, and continues to save me on a daily basis, because for some reason that is beyond my understanding, my God delights in me.
The funny thing is, after I finished writing this all down, making a mark in the ground to remember this beautiful truth… I sneezed. And it wasn’t a dry one either – not at all.
I was immediately brought to Guatemala. I started to think about the little kids Lauren is caring for and loving right now. They are funny, cute, snotty, and not the most lovable sometimes. Sometimes, they are just gross little kids.
But, it is amazing how we can see through all of that when we truly love someone. I don’t know this feeling yet, but I believe it is like the love of a parent. Absolutely no matter what a child does, however snotty and gross he is, you just have a love that wipes that all away in an instant.
What I never want to forget is that God has this love for me. He is Father. Through all the stuff, good and bad, God is my good Father who delights in me.
Along with this, a quick note on God's will. What do you think of when that term is thrown out there?
An almighty plan?
A mysterious schedule for us to keep on track with?
Something hidden and secret that God throws at us whenever He decides to?
1 Thessalonians 4: 3a
"It is God's will that you should be sanctified."
You ever look for twenty minutes for the keys that you are actually hanging on your belt loop?
Or the hat that is on your head?
Or God' will that you believe to be hidden in the depths of prayer and meditation and Godliness?
...Have you checked on your belt loop yet?
God's almighty will, His desire for our lives, is that we should be sanctified. Made pure. Made more like Him. Made good in every way.
God's plan, yes is a little more specific, and deserves meditation and understanding and all of that. But we know His goal! It is to make us good, as he intended originally. To allow us to live beautifully in a hurting, misshapen world.
Not so hard to find, all you have to do is stop thinking so hard.
And, how encouraging is that? We are not hammers and screwdrivers, just a part of the goal of writing more names in Heaven. We are meant for intimate relationships with God because he loves us and wants us to be whole and to delight in Him,
as He does in us.
Amen to that.
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