Leah

When we read or study the Bible, we often focus on the main character and all too often dismiss its supporting characters.  Leah is such a person (Genesis 29-30).

In Genesis 29:14-30, we hear the story of Jacob’s great love for Rachel.  We see the effort that Jacob went through to obtain her as his bride.  In verse 25, after their wedding night, Jacob woke up, opened his eyes and the Bible says, “There was Leah!”

I’ve noticed that there is a lot of drama in Scripture.  Jacob’s life could be made into a “Reality Series.”  However, I’ve often wondered, “What about Leah?”  How does she feel?  What’s going through her mind?”

Leah must have known that she was a “stand-in” in the marriage ceremony.  How did she feel as she looked into Jacob’s face the morning after the wedding?  What was going on through her mind as she heard Jacob yelling at her father?  What was her reaction after she heard that her sister, Rachel was the one that was sought after?  Up until the birth of Leah’s first child, Leah has no voice in the story.

Leah’s story reminds me of our society today.  When I listen to the news, I hear the cries of, “Listen to me!  Listen to my story!  I’m being abused!  I’m a victim of being treated unfairly!  I want to be heard!  I want justice!”

The underlying cry is one of desperation.  It is a search for meaning, love, value, appreciation, and acceptance.  Rachel might seem like she was in a better situation, but Rachel’s voice is not heard as well.  Even though Rachel was highly prized, she was treated like a commodity as well.

The message that comes from scripture is that the Gospel is being revealed.  Listen to Leah’s heart as she names her children: Reuben, “because the LORD has seen my misery”; Simeon, “because the LORD had heard that I am not loved”; and Judah, “This time I will praise the LORD.”

There is another victim in all of Scripture.  Perhaps I’m hearing things, but I hear the cry, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.  Listen to Him!”

Dialogue with God

One of the ways that God and the Bible come alive to me is to dialogue with God through the Bible and its characters.  For example, one day as I as I was reading, “our light affliction, which is but for a moment…” (II Corinthians 4:17), I remember telling Paul, “That’s easy for you to say,” with thoughts about how hard and long life can be.  Paul enumerated the hardships he encountered in his life (chapter 6).  As I listened to Paul, I noticed the attitude, spirit, and power in his words.  I told Paul, “I want what you have.  How do I get it?”

James jumped into the conversation and said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault…every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father…” (James 1:5, 17).

Paul reminded me, “…you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by Him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit…” (Romans 8:15-16).  Then Paul brought me back to where the conversation started and said, “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day to day” (II Corinthians 4:16).

I had nothing more to say to them.  Instead, I began a new conversation.  “Father…”

Marriage

There are two quotes about marriage that I keep close to my heart.  The first one is, “Most people spend lots of resources for their wedding, but invest very little in their marriage relationship.”  The second one is, “Marriage is like a call in the middle of the night.  First comes the ring, then you wake up.”

The latter saying is hilarious, but it is as sobering as the first thought because we initially dream about the person we want to be with all day long.  However, when the thought of being with someone 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the rest of your life becomes a reality, it is quite an awakening.

When the Bible tells us to “pray without ceasing” (Proverbs 3:6, Ephesians 6:18, I Thessalonians 5:17), it is exhorting us to seek an intimate relationship with God.  One word used to describe this relationship is “walk” (For example, “Enoch walked with God,” Genesis 5:22); this walk is a lifetime journey.

The New Testament writers picture us as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33, II Corinthians 11:2).  To me, this means our earthly marriage is a rehearsal for our real marriage, for we are practicing what we will be doing for all eternity. . .

World Changer

Last year my brother-in-law sent me a Youtube video on how the presence of wolves changed the Yellowstone National Park which I thought was fascinating.

Here’s a summary of what the documentary says: After its absence for about 70 years, the wolves were reintroduced to the Yellowstone National Park in 1995.  Prior to the wolves’ reappearance, Yellowstone had been over run with deer.  When wolves showed up, not only did they eat some of the deer, but they radically changed the behavior of the deer.

The change in the deer’s habits led to a change in the ecosystem.  The vegetation changed.  Bare places became forest sites.  Some bird and animal populations increased.  The change in the deer’s habits also resulted in a change in the behavior of the rivers.

Perhaps you’ve seen this Youtube or maybe you’ve heard this story before, but when I first saw the title, “How Wolves Change Rivers,” I wondered how it was even possible.  After watching the video, it made perfect sense to me, but I still was suspicious so pursued it a step further (both links below).

Now when I think of wolves, I think of them as world changers.  It reminds me of another world changer.  The advent of His life shook the world in His day and continues to alter the course of human history.

We too, have been and continue to be affected by His life.  And as our lives are being transformed, we affect the lives of others.  We may not have a clue as to how we affect our world, but that is okay because we should not be overly concerned how much we look to others as much as how we live our lives out before the LORD.  When we fix our eyes on Him, we can be reassured that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16).

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ysa5OBhXz-Q?feature=player_embedded

https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/wolf-reintroduction-changes-ecosystem

The Spot on the Glass

Have you ever been fixated with a spot on a glass or window?  Have you ever been so intent with something—like a bug on your window that the window may as well been made of concrete because you did not see past the glass?  In instances like this, someone could be standing on the opposite side of the window, waving frantically to you—all for naught because you are so engrossed with what is on your pane.  Has something like this ever happened to you?  This can be detrimental to our health, especially if the spot was on our windshield as we are driving. 

Often times, this is the way we look at life.  We are so consumed by our circumstances we are unable to see past the moment.  Even in our pursuit to follow Jesus, we often fail to see beyond ourselves.  This is where the Hebrew writer calls us to “Fix our eyes on Jesus” because this is where our lives intersect with God.

Looking through the apostles’ eyes, when Jesus was crucified, life had come to an abrupt halt.  All hopes were dashed.  They felt the sentence of death.  They experienced desperation, despair, and they thought what happened to Jesus was final.  Little did the apostles know that the nail driven hands with the outstretched arms were the window of opportunity or an invitation to something bigger and more glorious.

The Apostle Paul had this to say: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead…this is my gospel…Here is a trustworthy saying, ‘If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him…’” (2 Timothy 2:8-12).

Redeeming the Time

Have you noticed how time conscious we are?  We are obsessed with time and I hear its buzz words everywhere I go.  Efficiency.  Organization.  Time management.  Multitasking.  The irony of it all is that we are trying to save time so that we can do more stuff.  I am reminded of the gerbil on the wheel or the person in a rocking chair—it doesn’t matter how long or how fast run, they’re going nowhere.

Isn’t that the way we feel about life?  When was the last time you had thought the following, “This is useless.”  “This is a waste of time.”  “What’s the purpose?”  “Why do I even bother?”  Why am I doing this?”  We can hear it in the expression, “Same old, same old.”

Sometimes we can fool ourselves into thinking that what we do is good, honorable, and worthy.  I think that is an ancient theme which has its roots in our desire for purpose, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life.  However, in our quest for a meaningful life, we often come to a dead end.  The reason for this?  We are micromanaging our lives because we are short sighted.

Solomon came to the same conclusion.  In Ecclesiastes, after he pursued everything under the sun, he concluded that “everything is meaningless.”  This statement came from the wisest man in the world.

What Solomon says is depressing.  Part of me screams, “I don’t believe it!”  Yet, when I consider what Solomon says in the context of life, I have a sinking feeling of, “Yup, he’s right.”

Fortunately, that’s not all of what Solomon says and what makes him truly wise is his final statement: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”   (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

 The New Testament says it this way, redeem the time; Make the most of every opportunity; and yearn to hear, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!” His words will ring in our hearts for all eternity.

The Word of God

I suspect that there are a number of us who are apprehensive about sharing our faith.  I think that there’s even more of us who are reluctant to lead a Bible Study with those who are not part of the church.  I think that is understandable because there are gaps, inconsistencies, and unanswerable questions in the Bible that make us feel very inadequate at best.  So how can we have a conversation—an intelligent conversation, especially with those who scorn religion and religious people?

One thing that has been very liberating for me is to know that the Bible is not God.  In my warped mind, I can see someone saying, “God’s in my house.  He’s sitting on my bookshelf.”  I don’t have to tell you that conversation is on a downward spiral.  If you go that route, you may as well flush that conversation away.

 The book that we refer to as “The Word of God” has so many limitations.  It doesn’t walk, it doesn’t talk, it doesn’t think, and it doesn’t feel.  When I think of the words that we use to describe the Bible like inerrant, infallible and perfect, I also think of some similar words like blameless, spotless, and pure.  However, as I reflect on these words, I don’t think of a book.  Perhaps this is the reason why the Person who John calls, “The Word,” says, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.  These are the Scriptures that testify about Me…” (John 5:39)

I don’t think that I’m debasing the Bible; I hear the same distinction in Mary Artemisia Lathbury’s words.  In the Hymn, “Break Thou the Bread of Life,” she writes these words, “Beyond the sacred page, I seek Thee, Lord; My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!”

The Apostle Paul had a high view of Scripture (Acts 18:4, 19).  But Paul knew how to keep scripture and his faith in perspective.  The Good News, Paul told Timothy was: “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day” (II Timothy 1:12).  That’s the starting point.  That’s why I think the Hebrew writer says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2).  In other words, “Who is Jesus in our lives?”  When we can answer this question boldly, we will have the confidence “to give the reason for the hope that you have” (I Peter 3:15).

Job

The more I study Job, the more I’ve been appreciating him and his story.  In his story, Job says and asks things that are in my heart.  Things like, “Why me?  This isn’t fair!  I want to know why this is happening to me.  Life is random and it really doesn’t make sense.  I want to have an audience with God!  I wish I was dead.”  Sometimes I am aware of the cries of my heart.  Other times I am not conscious of what’s going on and still other times I ignore the unrest of my soul.

One of the reasons why I like the story is because Job’s life shows me what it’s like to seek God.  One of Job’s problems is that like me, he’s talking at God and about God instead of talking to Him.  I don’t know if Job could not or would not go to God, but the good news is that God came to Job.  This is the Gospel message that Jesus brings to us.  Jesus’ life tells us that God is a God who wants to make Himself known and He wants to be in relationship with man.

To know God doesn’t answer the “why” questions of life.  But knowing Him satisfies the soul.  This is why Job acknowledges, “My ears have heard of You but now my eyes have seen You.  Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6).  I hear the Apostle Paul agreeing with Job as he declares, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Philippians 3:7).

Meaningful Conversation

The first time I heard an explanation of a “meaningful conversation” was when I heard Gary Smalley define it in one of his seminars.  Gary said that one day while speaking to his wife, she blurted out that they didn’t have any meaningful conversations anymore.  In that moment, Gary said that he understood what she meant.  A meaningful conversation with his wife was a conversation that was meaningful to her.

This definition is very helpful to me in my relationship with others and especially with God.  Up until that time, I used to pray and think that I had meaningful conversations with God.  However, after this explanation, I began to think, “Does God think we have meaningful conversations?”

In prayer, I am the one doing the talking, and as I speak to God, I often do not anticipate a quick response, much less an audible one.  Since I am not “listening” for an immediate answer, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not having a conversation, much less a meaningful one with God.  However, meaningful conversations are very important to the intimacy of a relationship.

When two people are engaged in conversation, one person speaks and the other listens.  Participants take turns as they respond to each other.  God listens to us, but He also wants us to listen to Him.  Apparently God doesn’t like monologues (Matthew 6:7).  God wants us to know what His Kingdom is like, learn His Kingdom’s language, and ultimately know Him, the King (Matthew 6:33).

Consider these questions: Why do we pray, “LORD, be with me (or us)?”  Hasn’t God said something about this?  Based on what He has already said, what do you think God’s thinking when we speak this prayer?  What can we do to make our prayers more meaningful, which will produce intimacy?

We draw closer to God when we “dialogue” with God on the basis of His Word.  When we hear what God has to say and understand it, that moment will not only be meaningful, but our want to inform Him of our situation diminishes.  Instead, we should not be at all surprised if our desire to tell Him of our predicament is replaced with the desire to regularly come alongside the Psalmist and:

 …Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; [offering thanksgiving] to Him and [praising] His name.

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  —Psalms 100:3-4

Identities

I’ve been thinking about our identity—that is, who we are and what we are about.  I’ve been also pondering about what our identity in Christ looks like.  When I read Scripture,

I don’t think the Bible uses the word, “identity,” but I hear about it repeatedly in words like, “being found in Christ,” “hidden in Christ,” and “being clothed in Him.”

That being said, I see many examples of identity in Scripture.  I am reminded of a couple of people who went through a crises of identity.  Job went through an identity crises when all of his earthly possessions, family, and health were taken away.  John the Baptist was bewildered when he was imprisoned because his identity was wrapped up in his mission and work.

The person who never lost his identity was (you guessed it) Jesus.  When His life looked like it was going to end in tragedy, He said, “…it was for this very reason I came to this hour” (John 12:27).  The Hebrew writer tells us that when Jesus came into the world, He said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me..I have come to do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:5-7).

The Apostle Paul understood his identity in Christ.  Instead of lamenting how he was going to carry out his mission as an apostle after he was thrown in prison, he just continued preaching and writing letters.

When we know Who we belong to, life is not fatal, tragic, or terminal.  We’re just passing through—on our way Home.

Growing

How do we know we’re growing spiritually?  The answer is we’re changing physically and spiritually.  I didn’t say that.  The Apostle Paul did.  Paul says that as our bodies are rotting away, we are being conformed to the image of Christ.  Ouch.  That sounds harsh.  But isn’t that what he says in II Corinthians 4:16,

…outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

In other words, the longer we walk with the LORD, the more and more we should look like Jesus.  On one hand this rings true, generally, but not so much in our spiritual journey.  Perhaps it’s because we stopped following or walking with God.  Maybe it’s because we’re not pursing God with the same intensity that we had when we were younger.  Maybe we feel stuck where we are because we’re not getting the results that we want and we feel helpless, perhaps hopeless to go on because of the huge gulf between us and God.  To which Paul says,

Do not lose heart…fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  –II Corinthians 4:18

The only true “thing” that is eternal is God.  This is why the Hebrew writer tells us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) because He is our beginning and our end.

It is okay to occasionally look back and see where we’ve come from.  It’s also okay to reflect on who we’re becoming.  But our true focus should be on the One who began the good work in us and will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).

As we continue to seek to stand in His Presence, He will not only transform our lives (II Corinthians 3:18), but His greatness will produce fruits in our character (Galatians 5:22-23) and praise from our lips (Hebrews 13:15).

Waiting

I’ve spent a lot of time waiting;  I imagine that you have too.  Train stations.  Bus terminals.  Airports.  Doctor’s offices.  School bells.  Time clocks.  Telephone calls.  Meals.  Hospitals.  Day Breaks.  Traffic lights. Checkouts.  The list is endless and I bet we’d be amazed and perhaps shocked if we were to add up all the time we spent waiting.

One of the themes of Scripture is waiting on God.  From Scripture, we know that Abraham waited over 70 years before Isaac was born.  Noah waited around 80 years before God sent the rains.  The Israelites waited 400 years to be set free from bondage.  Then there’s Daniel…and Joseph.  This list also goes on.

However, waiting on God presents a challenge.  As my daughter-in-law, Amy used to say, in her charming British accent, “It ain’t easy, is it?”  Waiting can produce anxiety and stress.  Waiting can demand action.  Remember Jacob?  As I read about his life, I am reminded of the quote from a children’s story: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive.”  Life is already filled with uncertainty and conflicts.  I really am not seeking for more thrills in my life.

One of the benefits of waiting on God is that there is no self-induced drama in our lives.  And it’s almost counter intuitive when Isaiah tells us that waiting on God not only brings us peace (26:3), but will energize us (40:31).

Perhaps this is why Peter tells us that God is not delinquent in His promises (2 Peter 3:9) and Paul also reminds us, “…when the proper time had fully come, God sent forth His Son…” (Galatians 4:4). 

I guess there will always be some kind of tension waiting for God.  However, I appreciate the way Paul describes what it should look like for God’s People.  The picture that I get is not one of stress and anxiety, but in eager anticipation (Romans 8:18-27) of something wonderful to come.  I think I’ve got something to work on…

Technoidiot

When it comes to technology, I am an idiot, hence the term Technoidiot.  For instance, even though we’ve had our DVD player for years, forget about recording something, it’s still a challenge for me to get it to play.

I remember when I was introduced to the computer at work, some 30 plus years ago.  I knew nothing about computers.  The computer language was foreign to me.  I think that was why the company was going to give me access into their programs remotely.

I was being guided on the phone with a woman from the corporate office.  After she told me what a mouse was, she instructed me to click on the ikon.  I had trouble locating it, but once she realized that I was looking for a Greek God on my computer screen, the person on the other end of the phone had to describe the thing I was to click on.

After a few minutes, I gave the administrator control of the computer, then she asked me, “Do you see me?”  As I gazed intently into the computer screen, I told her, “No, I don’t.”  After we repeated this dialogue, she asked me, “Do you see the arrow in the middle of the screen?”  I replied, “Yes.”  As the arrow moved in a circular motion, she said, “That’s me.”  I don’t know if I said, “Well, why didn’t you tell me!” out loud.

Even though we cannot see Him, Scripture tells us that God is present everywhere (Psalms 139:7-12).  Scripture reveals Him so that we can see Him and know Him through the Person of Jesus.  If we look hard enough we can know Jesus even in the pages of the Old Testament (John 5:39).  I love the words of Mary Artemisia Lathbury who yearned, “Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord; My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!”

A Box of Rembrance

A few days ago I got a box from my daughter, Sarah.  It was my belated Father’s day gift.  In side the box, there was another box covered with different kinds of stickers and three Charlie Brown comic strips. 

Inside that box, there was a Fathers day card along with the following items: A box of Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, a jar of peanut butter, a package of fireballs, a Hershey’s chocolate bar, 2 packages of butterscotch candy, one Slim Jim, a box of Ritz crackers, a package of Peppermint Patties, a box of Jolly Rancher freezer pops, a bag of pistachio nuts, a jar of Ovaltine—Classic Malt, and 2 Gift Cards one for Burger King and one for Dairy Queen.

I laughed the moment I opened the first box and I am still chuckling to myself as I remember the items.  The reason why I am still smiling and laughing is because every item probably has at least one story attached to it.

When I saw some items, I immediately remembered the story that went with it.  There were a couple of items that I looked at and wondered, “What in the world…”  But Robin was standing next to me confirming the obsession that I had.  There were some things that I remembered differently than Sarah and there were still other things that had little notes attached to it to remind me of something that I wish I could forget.  The reason why I’m delighted by this gift is because each item represents a memory, a story, a connection, a relationship, and has meaning to me.

When we gather around the communion table, even though we try to focus on Jesus on the cross, we might all have a different memory, but I think it’s okay.  The reason I say this is because of what Jesus says.  Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of ME.”

The sacraments, the memorial, the cross, the crucifixion, the sacrifice all points to a Person.  In fact, Jesus Himself said all Scripture points to Him (Luke 24:25-27, John 5:39).  What we think about and what we remember will be shaped by the connection we have with Him.

Jesus' Cause

When Tom did a class on “Jesus’ Cause” a few years ago, I groaned because it sounded as if we were looking for something to do.  However, as I sat through the class, I began to wonder, “What is Jesus all about?  If I were to reduce Jesus to a word, what word would best describe Him?”  The word I came up with was “compassion.”

When I took out my Strong’s Concordance and looked up the word compassion, I was surprised how little the word was mentioned.  I was even more astonished about how infrequently the word was mentioned in the Gospels.  I concluded in my mind that Jesus’ heart for people was a commentary on the few times the word, “compassion” was mentioned.  One such time was when Jesus fed the five thousand men (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:32-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15).

In Mark 6:34, Mark tells us, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  So He began teaching them many things.”

I don’t watch soap operas or Reality TV because I have a front row seat in every day life.  I watch people make bad choices and bad decisions and I kind of know how it’s going to play out.  I’d be content to sit in the audience and not be part of the drama, but there is tension in my life because my Example had “compassion and taught them...”

When Jesus saw the crowd, Matthew said that Jesus, “had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14).

My focus is usually in the wrong place.  I read verses like this and tell myself, “I am not God.  I can’t do miracles.  I don’t have the resources.  What can I do?”  I hear myself in what Jesus’ disciples say, who later told Jesus, it’s getting late.  Send the people away.  Let them fend for themselves.

I think that Jesus is revealing not only what God can do with what we have, but He is also revealing the heart He wants to give us.  We can do great and wonderful things for the LORD, but if we don’t have His heart, it’s not worth anything according to Paul in I Corinthians 13.

 According to Mark, before the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus’ disciples had come back from a very successful mission trip.  They must have been very excited as they told Jesus everything that happened.  They must have been super charged up when Jesus said to them, “Let’s go on a retreat” because of the crowds.

I think I know how the disciples felt when they arrived at their destination only to find the multitude already there.  However, Luke says that when Jesus saw the multitude, “He welcomed them…”  As a disciple of Christ, I would not be happy, but as part of the multitude, that’s Good News!