Inspiration Is A Calling

How do you get a person to a place where they want to learn?

I remember taking a class in high school on world history.  I was looking for an elective type of class and I enjoy the stories of history.  I don’t remember dates well, but the stories behind the information is what makes me enjoy history.  Our history teacher was not known to be a very gentle spirit.  In fact he was rather gruff, stated the information, and if you didn’t retain it, well, that was your fault.  I remember even having a run in with him as he chastised the class for doing poorly on a test that he thought we should have done well on. 

The entire class did poorly.

There was some sort of prompting along the lines of, “What do you have to say for yourselves?”  The quiet teenager that I was, I raised my hand. 

“Harper.”

“You know, you don’t really inspire me to learn more about history.  I want to be inspired to learn.”

What followed, I now realize, was a conversation on responsibility and duty versus joy and fulfillment.  My teacher responded that his job was not to inspire me but to present information.  My rebuttal was something along the lines of asking if he enjoyed history.  He responded, “It doesn’t matter if I enjoy it, it matters if you retain the information I give you.”

I didn’t push it much further than that.  I found out later that this teacher enjoyed my company about as much as much as oil enjoys the presence of water.

I was a terrible student in high school and only did well in one class that wasn’t a cake class.  My basic classes like English/Grammar, Math, etc were horrible.  I was relieved to see a “C” on reports.  I did have one teacher in my Biology class that seemed to get me.  He inspired me to care about what we were learning, understood that I didn’t learn as the status quo, and in that class I had a solid “B”.

I keep these two in my mind as I work on, ironically, being a sort of teacher myself.  In matters of faith we, who are believers, are called to make disciples or “learners”.

So how does one do that?

Well, I can tell you that if our concept of attracting “learners” is merely to present information, we will fail.  If our attitude about our faith fits that of the History teacher, I can tell you that most people (like me) are going to react similarly and ask, “Why would I want to learn about something that you aren’t passionate about?  Sure you know the information, but how does that inspire me to want to know the information?”

I think the western church may unintentionally have fallen into this trap.  It isn’t that this group is mean, nasty, and snide.  It is that they don’t look much different than anyone else and when they try to give their point of view, they look rather silly trying to “teach” others to live what they aren’t passionate about themselves.

On the other side of things, as my Biology teacher taught, he was passionate and excited about what he taught.  If he saw someone struggling (like me) he would find ways to incorporate me into what he was passionate about.  His fervor for what he taught made me want to learn.  He didn’t force me to learn, in fact there were others that did not respond well to his style of teaching…but they didn’t respond to any teaching.  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to learn, it was that I wasn’t inspired to due to numerous things happening in the background of life.

                The point is, as believers, are we inspired?  Are we living a life of passion and from that life of passion, incorporating others to join in with us?  I am not asking you to go all Ned Flanders, please don’t misread what I am trying to say.  We will definitely have tough times in life and hove down seasons, but even in our darkest times we can reveal our passion by relying on Christ. 

The passion in our lives is the inspiration to the next person we are called to teach or disciple.

Don’t let your walk become duty or forced, rather, let it be your joy.  Don’t let the enemy steal that joy, it is our strength.  Otherwise, the students that are watching us may learn nothing of the love that God has for them.  We must be passionate students teaching others to be passionate students as well. 

That is the great calling of the great commission!

Inspiration is a calling!

Misplaced

 

       This past week my daughter, Arianna (3), unplugged my mother –in-laws cell phone from the charger and was carrying it around playing with it and acting like she was talking on it.  About ten minutes later my wife (Denise) noticed that Arianna wasn’t carrying the phone around anymore. 

“Arianna, where did you put the phone?”

Arianna’s eyes grew…

“I dunno.”

             I can only imagine it was one of those moments like when I was a child and my mom asked me a question and I realized I had lost something I shouldn’t have been playing with or had gotten into something I shouldn’t have and gotten caught.  You know that feeling, whatever it is.  That, “Oh man, I am busted and I need to think of something to make it seem like it isn’t as bad as it really is” feeling.

         I got that same feeling this past week as I was preparing to share on Sunday from Matthew 8:28-34.  The passage opens up with Jesus landing on the other side of the sea.  He and the disciples get out of the boat and are met by the demoniacs.  What transpires from there is a story of freedom for the men possessed, a conquered enemy, and a town full of people that cared more for their possessions and income than a persons’ life or the very presence of God.

Caring more for possessions than God or others…

…Love God…Love others…

…aren’t those two the most important commandments?

         I had to really look within myself.  I am not, what I would call, a frivolous man.  I drive an old car.  Most of my clothes are gifts from Christmas, birthdays, or some other event.  I look for deals, buy used, and enjoy being accused of being a spendthrift.  However, it all comes back to the question…

“If all I had was my relationship with Jesus, would it be enough?”

        I John 1:1-4 tells us that experiencing God and from that having fellowship or sharing that experience with others (whether telling your experience or sharing experiences) makes our joy complete.  So, why do I find myself relying on so many other things for joy?  Why do I feel unhappy if I have to let go of something, or feel that God may be telling me I should let go of something or not spend as much time focused on a matter?  Have I made something else more of a priority that God?  More of a priority that others?   I mean, who hasn’t gotten a little off course in that area?  However, it is our job or our calling as believers to cling to what we hear in I John and continually search for that connection with God, that experiencing of the presence of God.  Then taking that experience and sharing it. 

         I kind of feel like I was called out, kind of questioned, “Adam, where is the time that you need to commit to me?  Are you actively looking for at least one person to share your experience with Me? ”  Much like Arianna, my eyes grew as I knew I “caught” in losing focus on what truly matters.  It isn’t about guilt, although the enemy would love for it to become that.  It is about the great God of the universe, full of love, mercy, grace, truth, power, justice, and infinitely more coming here to die for our reconnection to Him and us understanding that that reconnection is the best thing for us and not a labor or duty. 

If we expect the life God has for us, we must search to experience His presence as a priority.

If we expect the life God has for others, we must share our experience.

         Have we experienced?  If so, we find that it is so worth it to experience His presence.  Sometimes we experience and then we get busy and lose focus.  In those times, we must not approach with guilt and fear, rather, we enter with joy in knowing God is longing for our time that we spend with Him and will meet us.  As we share with others, there may be a little fear, but don’t let it cripple you.  I am not saying to shove your beliefs down someone’s throat.  I am suggesting sharing your personal experience.  Be ready for the opportunity to present itself and react.

       Today, take time to reflect and take time for Him.  Seek an experience with God and don’t be afraid of what He may ask of you.  If He is asking you to reprioritize, realize that He will empower you to do so.  The enemy will distract, but remain faithful in your relationship with God.  Be encouraged, after all, the God of all things wants to spend time with you…and that is pretty exciting.

...By the way, we never found the phone lol.

Battling the Empire (Prayer)

            It’s been a while since I have written.  In some part it has been because I have had a few technical difficulties, it appears I am further behind the times than I realized.  The other part is because I have been on quite a journey recently.  I have learned so much that I am sure that I couldn’t fit it all into one session here, but I am sure you will see the bits and pieces here and there throughout the next several entries. 

One such lesson has stemmed from the idea that I have made my relationship with God very empirical.  To try to explain this, it is the idea of a kingdom.  Many of our relationships with God would be similar to having a conversation with someone in a medieval time and asking the random peasant if they had ever met the King.  The answer would something along the lines of knowing they had a king but had certainly never met Him.  After all, why would He come down amongst the peasants?  

Indeed.

Our King did come here. 

…but in my interaction with Him, do I act like it?

I have recently uncovered a more “Abba/Father” vein in my journey. 

This doesn’t make Him any less a King, but it actually makes me more His son. 

I classified myself as a peasant in the grandeur of all that is God (this Father view has also opened my eyes in that department).  It is easy to do.  We can look at Isaiah and see how we may react in His presence.  We may “melt” in His glorious presence. However, we are also invited into His presence now through His Spirit.  We are invited into this relationship that He has built to connect Creator with the creation. 

That is not the distant king philosophy, but I get stuck there sometimes. 

I don’t want to forget or lead astray that God’s holiness is in any way lessened by our ability to come close to Him.  However, I do want anyone who may struggle with this to avoid attempting to draw closer to God, or be hindered in any way, because we feel unworthy. 

Grace.

Or don’t we believe that?

When Christ taught us to pray, how did He start out?

“Our Father…”

I don’t think I really viewed Him as this loving Father, but it certainly changes my perspective.  I mean, I talk about it a lot, but do I apply it?  Do I really believe it?  Do I act upon that as I pray to Him?  Are my prayers more like a report to the king?  Or a conversation with Dad? 

When I interact with my daughter, sometimes she is sitting there and talking to me (kind of at me since she is almost 3), I stop her and say, “Come here.” And I just wrap my arms around her and say, “I just need a hug, I just want you to be close.” 

I think I missed this…and still catch myself talking at Him.

My God is the King, and He is my Father.  I am His son, made so by Christ.  So when I talk to Him, there are certainly times I address Him as the King, there are also times I just need my Father to hold me. 

If nothing else, I hope this would challenge you to think and talk to God (whether you are an avid pray-er or not) in a deeply loving and natural way.  I know there are those that would disagree with me…but I have found a deep, wonderful, and lasting peace in my time with Him because I have realized that He is the King, but I am no peasant, I am His child.

"I think we would more clearly see His Kingdom from a place closer to His vantage point as His children than from the vantage point of a peasant."

Sideways

Have you ever been walking along and through some unfortunate turn of events you find yourself flat on the ground.  Maybe you slipped on some ice.  Maybe you tripped.  Whatever happened…

…there you are…

…laying flat…

This doesn’t happen often; at least I hope it doesn’t.  When it does, often our mind scrambles for answer, “How did this happen?”  Even if we know, we ask.

Sometimes it is less sudden.  Sometimes it is sickness and we lie there, in bed, longing for a time when we felt better.

Sometimes we can get up…sometimes we it takes time…sometimes we can’t get up without help…and sometimes…we can’t get up at all.

                I think in the spiritual sense, I have been sideways recently.  I can’t really figure out what happened, or how, but I feel like I have found myself on my back and wondering what happened.  Much like a person who has suddenly fallen and lies there grasping for an answer, I felt that spiritually.  Wind knocked out of me, I just kind of lay there taking in this new perspective of what I am seeing and wondering how did this change.  Instead of a path in front of me, I see the sun breaking through the trees.  For a moment, it feels almost paralyzing.

I know I should get up, but think I just kept laying there for a bit trying to get my bearings.

                Since I am the type of person that likes to figure things out on my own, try as I might, I have found that I can’t get up on my own every time.  I need some help.  I need to get on my feet.  I have my part to play, but that doesn’t mean I can do it alone every time.

I don’t like that…

…at all.

                I had a little help this week with some perspective straightening enlightenment from some well spoken gentlemen.  I kind of feel like they sat me up, and maybe even stood me back on my feet.  However, as my line of sight has changed back from the sky breaking through the trees to the path in front of me.  I have realized that I need help.  I can’t do this on my own. 

Even relying on myself alone to walk with God is something I know I need help with…I can’t do it alone.

For me to be the man I know I am to become I must desperately depend on God.

                For me to be the man I know I am to become I must have others who believe in God’s plan for my life to pray with me for clarity and discernment as I walk this path.  When I fall, they help me up, in fact they pray with me for clarity so that I may not fall in the first place. 

Intercessors.

I don’t like being sideways.  Sprawled out on my back and wondering what happened?  What went wrong?  I don’t want to be there, and mostly, I don’t want to stay there.

                How are you?  Are you sideways?  Maybe something knocked you down, or you slipped.  How long have you been there?  Figuratively speaking, reach your hand out for some help.  Ask for prayer believing that things can and will change.  Don’t stay sideways.  It isn’t how we were designed to be.

Grow #1: "Why is God Important to You?"

We are going through a series at FUSED called "Grow."  This is the first attempt at a follow-up vlog to go along with our lesson. 

Focal Point:  For God to be important to us, we must experience Him in a truly loving, truly gracious, truly saving way!

Scripture:  John 3:16-21, Psalm 103:10-12, John 4:1-42

Challenge;  How have you felt His love today (or recently)?  How have you experienced His grace today (or recently)?  How have you felt His "saving" (a daily God-is changing and growing me) today?

Undesired Handprints

Have you ever watch concrete set up?

I mean, not sat there the ENTIRE time it was drying…

…but I think you know what I mean.

There is often caution tape draped around it, a few boards making sure it stays in place, and everything is set up in just the right way so the concrete is allowed to set up and become the solid substance it is supposed to become.  

Then some kid comes by and puts a hand print in it.

Why?

Because they know it will set up with the handprint in it, and they will be immortalized…kind of.

Is the concrete ruined?  Not necessarily, it may be able to carry out its function, but there is definitely a difference in what the plan was.

If our lives are a lot like concrete, and we aren’t quite firmed up yet, what is leaving its mark on our lives?

Some things are good, some are terrible, and some things bring fullness, while others suck the life right out of you.

Does the imprint define you?  Does it change who you are?

I have found that it seems far easier for many people to let the bad things change them and the good things have little to no lasting imprint on them.  We let the terrible things in life ruin us.

Is it even possible to find something good in the bad?

A lot of times, I tend to run off with how much better my life is as I experience God.  It is never my intention to come across that I never have any bad times.  What I hope to communicate is that even in the tough times, there are lessons to be learned.  In those lessons, I can learn to appreciate so much in my life and rely on a strength beyond my own and in that have a greater and deeper experience with God. 

 

Crazy, right?

Maybe, but I can tell you that I am who I am because of the impressions that have been made in my life (both good and bad).  He has taken those situations as a master potter and shaped and molded my life into something that I consider beautiful.  It may seem common to others, but to me, my life is precious because He has shown me that my life is precious to Him.  Through the tough times, through the hurt, He has shown me that the impressions that I don’t necessarily want don’t ruin me…they shape me… and He can work in that and will as I turn those situations over to him.  

I don’t know what it is that is pressing itself into your life now, I don’t know if it is wanted or not, but I do know you have a choice.

Let it rule you for the worst, or let it shape you for the better.

He wants what is best for you.  He has eternal perspective.  He knows what is best.  Let Him work through this time, whether it is good or bad.  Let’s step back and see what He can do in this.

You aren’t ruined.  There is still a lot of life to be lived, too much to let something rule you.