Limping

Most often the idea of “having a limp” is indicative of some sort of problem with your hip, knee, ankle, or foot.  If the limp is bad enough, we end up at the end of an orthopedic doctor’s treatment plan to get rid of it .

For a moment, let’s think about an alternative kind of limp. Faced with the daunting reality of having to come face to face with his brother Esau, Jacob finds himself in a very difficult place in life. (Genesis 32) From Esau’s point of view, Jacob would not be named “Brother of the Year” by any set of reasonable standards. It has been a while since they have seen each other, and an ocean of water has gone over the proverbial dam.

Jacob sends messengers to tell Esau that he was returning home with lots of indicators of success. The messengers return with a message to Jacob – Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob suddenly becomes quite the prayer warrior, and sends valuable gifts from his flocks and herds to Esau. He hopes to make up for his previous ill treatment of Esau. Jacob sends his wives and children and herds to a place of safety.

All alone in the midst of darkness and night Jacob wrestles all night with a man he does not know, who has a Name the man won’t reveal. As daybreak approaches two things are different about Jacob. He has a limp because his wrestling partner “touched his hip;” and his name is no longer Jacob (the one who supplants) but Israel (the Prince of God). 

When the new day dawns, Israel looks up and sees his brother, Esau, approaching. In what could have been a reality show hit titled “Worst Family Reunion Ever,” everything turns out remarkably different. There is a lot of hugging, crying, bowing, and giving. Two potential enemies somehow manage to walk away from the family reunion brothers, not enemies.

Having never had such a “face to face” encounter with God – Jacob names the place Peniel, meaning “I have seen God face to face” – I still think we have potential for an “alternative kind of limp,” and maybe even a name change.

We have this very mysterious, sometimes a bit odd, book we call the Bible. Maybe we prefer the term Scripture. Or Holy Bible. Or Holy Scripture. But it claims for itself to be the trustworthy word of God. If it is that – and I believe that it is – then in my study of it (which sometimes could be described as a wrestling match as I think like the world in arguing with the One who is not of this world) I’m thinking that sometimes I am going to walk away with a limp. In fact, if I’m not walking away with a limp, then I’m wondering if I am really encountering God after all.

Maybe the great sin of our age is that we, both theological liberals and theological conservatives, have often tried to tame the Bible into some ordinary book that soothes and encourages us at every turn, when it really is anything but ordinary and is often a bit caustic and in our face. 

That’s the stuff of name changes and life-long limps!

Come . . . And Find Rest!

On Friday, we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document that claimed for us, as Americans and not Brits, the right to experience “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  One need only to Google the word “stress” to realize (if you don’t already) that the realization of those “unalienable rights” can’t be found in the kingdoms of the world, including our own.

In Matthew’s story of Jesus’ life and ministry, we find Jesus speaking more authentically to such human desires when He says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NRSV)

Having had the privilege to travel in a number of countries where it is more difficult to follow Jesus than it is in the culture into which I was born, I’m not one to discount the privilege of growing up in a nation where “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are core values for our government. Yet that same privilege of travel has reminded me that the real gift of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is not found in nations, but in Christ alone. 

Just before Jesus offers “all” the invitation to come to Him, even those who “are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,” He reminds us that what he came to bring was not just for the “wise and intelligent,” but in fact was revealed to little children. He also makes it more than clear that His unique relationship with the Father was such that our only access to God was through the Son, whose mission it was to reveal the Father to all willing to come. 

The “blessing of our birth” as Americans, is not that some form of government can really provide “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” but that we have the freedom to pursue the One who can provide such blessing to us. To the extent that we expect our government – either in its current expression or in our remembrance of some more idyllic form in the past – to offer what only Jesus offers, we will experience the “weary and heavy burden” kind of life that creates stress. To the extent that we confuse a form of government created by man with the gospel of Jesus, we fail to be faithful to the One who calls us.

Jesus invites us “to come and learn.” In Matthew’s story of Jesus, learning – being a disciple – seems always to be front and center. When I accept that invitation and begin to learn of a kingdom that is not of this world, a kingdom that moves beyond the present with its constant awareness of the day of His appearing, life changes. This surely is why Paul could say “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18, NRSV) 

So if you feel a bit “weary” and it seems as though you are carrying a “heavy burden” on this anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, remember the freedom we have is best appreciated when we recognize that its best blessing is the freedom to pursue the One who truly is “gentle and meek” and can offer us “rest for our souls.”

Influencers

Somehow in God’s providence, I was born into a family of great faith, and blessed with two parents who modeled being Jesus to others every day. My Dad, though no longer in this world, still influences my daily walk, and the kindness of my mother’s voice reminds me in every conversation to be more concerned about others than self.

Equally remarkable, I married into a family of great faith. Though neither of Vicki’s parents is still living, seldom does a day go by that somehow their faith doesn’t influence how I live. Their generous, but unassuming approach to being a follower of Jesus did not go unnoticed by me – and no doubt many others.

One of the lessons I learned early from my own parents, and quickly after I became a part of Vicki’s family, was that you ought to pay attention to people of faith who model what it means to say you love Jesus. What I have discovered in following that advice is that it is surprising how many people God places in our individual journeys of faith who, if we are paying attention, can strengthen and encourage us along the way. 

The past Saturday, Vicki and I were in Johnson City, Tennessee to attend the celebration of life for one of these “strengthening and encouraging people” in our lives, Eva Hoffman. Last fall we were there for the same kind of service for her husband Carl. Carl and Eva – Chief and MaMa – were two of God’s great gifts to us since we first met them in August, 1976,

I met Carl first. He had just retired as a Captain for Delta Airlines and I was entering my first year of teaching at what was then Atlanta Christian College. I had heard stories about this airline pilot who had purchased a seven-seat Cherokee airplane and was going to fly people from the college around and also take some classes. He was sitting on the front row of the first class I ever taught – Hermeneutics and Exegesis as it was called back then – and I was a just out of graduate school young guy who thought he knew enough to teach the class. 

It wasn’t long after that first class that Vicki and I met Eva, we were going to fly with them to a convention in Florida. That three day trip sealed the relationship and Chief and MaMa became lifelong friends – examples to a relatively young married couple who would benefit greatly by being on the inside of their lives. We spent weekends with them in Williamson, Georgia where they lived at the time. Went on countless trips in that little airplane representing ACC, and most importantly, we took advantage of their example. I was privileged to help them celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows.

When our two daughters were born, Chief and MaMa took them into their lives. Despite being 90 years old and in poor health, and having lost her husband just this past fall, our daughters still received birthday cards from MaMa in April and May of this year. So did I. And no doubt were she still among us, Vicki would have in August. 

I heard Carl speak on multiple occasions and probably attended a Sunday School Class or two that he taught. I was in a class on basic flying skills in which he was a part of the instruction team. I don’t remember that I ever heard Eva doing any official public speaking. But I learned more about life than I have time to write about this morning from just watching and paying attention. Following the lesson my parents and Vicki’s parents taught us, I was greatly blessed by Carl and Eva Hoffman. 

The Hoffmans spent several years living in Tarpon Springs, Florida. We were fortunate to visit with them a couple of times since Vicki’s parents lived in St. Petersburg. Carl had a great boat and took us out on Tampa Bay. He was as well informed and intrigued by boating as I had known him to be about flying. They were deeply involved in the church there – just like they had been everywhere they lived. 

Carl loved great music and had the stereo system to prove it. He and Vicki often had conversations about music that left me (and I think sometimes MaMa) behind. The gift of hospitality and encouragement possessed by MaMa made Carl’s life possible and together, the two of them are at the top of my list of people who have influenced my life and Vicki’s and our girls.

I had the opportunity to visit briefly with MaMa back in March. She was a cheerful and encouraging as ever despite her declining health. She wanted to know how Vicki was doing health wise, and thrilled to know how much better she was. She bragged on Sarah and her editing of the Point Magazine and wanted to know how far along Bethany was in her PhD program. She even bragged on me! I went there to encourage her. I left there encouraged. There was no litany of illness, struggle, and difficulty. I left her home reminded of what a great thing it is to pay attention to the people God places in your life.

I could list dozens of things I learned from Carl and Eva but that would miss the greater blessing. The greater blessing is presence and influence. The details are important, but not the issue. The issue is that when you were in their presence, you had the opportunity to be influenced to be more and more like Jesus.

I’ve been a bit distracted since Saturday morning just thinking about Carl and Eva, and a host of other folks whose paths crossed mine in life. I am so thankful for parents – both mine and Vicki’s – who were great influences in my life. And I am thankful that they taught me to pay attention to the people around me. 

All of this makes me wonder if this isn’t what the writer of Hebrews was thinking about when he wrote, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that, some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2) 

The providence of God is an amazing thing! Pay attention.

Winning Respect

In my neck of the woods, we have just endured (suffered might be a better word) the primary season for the upcoming November elections. Unfortunately, Georgia law requires a 50% plus 1 vote count in order to win, so we are now in a similar world of run-off elections to see who will be the nominee for various offices – from county commissioners to state legislators to the governor to  US Senate candidates. 

In a state where the civic Jesus is still pretty popular, candidates often approach elections by seeing if they can “out Christian” their opponents. Seemingly every issue before every government has an official “Christian option” and the politicians are determined to identify that option with their campaigns. When more than one candidate sees the same “Christian option,” then the effort to “out Christian” each other takes on Mach level speed. 

All of that has had me thinking about the use of adjectives. In particular, it makes me wonder about the need to attach the adjective “Christian” to my points of view, my position on issues, and especially on my life. If I truly am a “Christian candidate,” wouldn’t you know that without the adjective “Christian” on every campaign poster? Even more complicated for me is the fact that all sorts of positions get labeled “the Christian option” when I’m pretty confident Christians might view that issue differently. One of the mailers in my box recently declared “Christians stand for the Second Amendment.” Really?

In a remarkable little sentence in 1 Thessalonians 4, just before he launches into a protracted (for 1 Thessalonians) discussion of the reappearing of Jesus, Paul is talking about our daily lifestyles and notes that how we live is important so that “your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12, NIV) That is prefaced by his admonition that we should “live a quiet life, mind our own business, and work with our hands.” 

The word Paul uses that is reflected in “win the respect of outsiders” is from a family of words, not used very often in the New Testament, that suggests “decent, proper, becomingly, appropriate, and presentability.” I’ve tried, but failed, to find a way to think that Paul really isn’t suggesting that how I daily live my life is how I win the respect of outsiders, that is, unbelievers. But it seems pretty obvious that this is precisely what he is saying. When all is said and done, my most important avenue for influencing non-believers is what they see me do in my daily living.

You don’t have to do a lot of research to know that at this particular juncture in Western culture, believers aren’t at the top of the list of things people respect. The civic Jesus roars with a bit of arrogance that this simply demonstrates how far our culture has drifted from its moorings. But the Jesus of Scripture would remind us “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” (Matthew 23:37, NIV)

If you think about it, when the choice is a “lecture on what is wrong with you” or “an invitation to come and find protection,” that really isn’t a hard decision to make. It boils down to the nature of the gospel itself – is it “fix your lives and come to Jesus” or “come to Jesus and let’s fix our lives together.”

I’m confident that the answer is the latter of those two options and equally confident that is why Paul wants us to live our daily lives in a way that “wins the respect of outsiders.” It shouldn’t require an adjective before my name and life to make that happen.

When the Kingdom of God Breaks Out

I’m not sure why, but at the end of every spring semester I find myself surprised. It happens every year, so you would think I’d be prepared. But I’m not. I know the answer has something to do with new wine skins and brand new garments that Jesus said would describe His kingdom. You can’t bottle up, to use a mixed metaphor, new wine – and my Theological Foundations for the Christian Life class yesterday was living proof that Jesus knew what He was talking about.

The 41 students in my class were put into 11 groups earlier in the semester. Instead of writing a term paper on some theological topic, they were given instructions about finding a way to model something we learned in class in a meaningful way. The instructions included the fact that their project couldn’t be done in the context of a local church – not because I don’t believe in the church, but because that would be too easy. I wanted them to do something that would challenge their comfort levels, express authentic biblical thinking, and make an impact.

Looking over the reports from yesterday, this class rang the bell! As a class, this group of Point students contributed somewhere in the neighborhood of 600+ hours of doing kingdom things. They reflect creativity and courage; commitment and generosity; and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to work together in ways that reflect what being “in Christ” is all about. Not one student in the class is perfect, which is a good thing since their professor certainly isn’t, but they were willing to engage in the idea of “kingdom people doing kingdom things” in ways that make me understand what a blessing it is to be a part of the kingdom of God and Point University.

One group went all the way to Jackson, MS where they participated in the launch of a new church that is deliberately focused on being a congregation where economic, racial, and other social distinctions are ignored. They slept in a challenging neighborhood, did all sorts of work over the weekend  in inviting the community to be at the launch, and on Sunday, set up for church, worked in the nursery, did children’s church, served as ushers in the service and lots of other “stuff” that goes into launching a brand new kingdom outpost.

Another group of guys did a Bible study in a county jail. They made all the arrangements, bought pizza and soft drinks, spent time with inmates, and led a study of Jesus’ visit to the house of Simon the Pharisee in Luke 7. One student said of that experience, “This affected me emotionally . . . Before the project I was nervous about being around inmates, but I was quick to realize that they are just people like me who made a wrong decision.” They plan to continue that project.

Another group did a “free yard sale” in one of the poorer neighborhoods in West Point. They collected tons of clothes, toys, household goods, and the like and had a “sale” where everything was free. In addition they did a cookout for the neighborhood during the “sale.” Among the things students said about this project, “I learned that no matter where you are from or what you have experienced you could lay it at the feet of Jesus and move on to bigger and better things in Christ. I also learned that we do need each other; I needed to learn this.” Another group collected supplies for Save-A-Life ministries in Lanett – helping that ministry serve unwed mothers in the area, which is a huge need. 

Another group decided they would discipline themselves to meet at least one new person a week for five weeks.  One student told about a lady he met in line at the DMV who was angry with the whole world, including God.  Because of that conversation, that lady visited the church where this student is involved the next Sunday. Another student in that group said, “Without this project I would have never thought to ask people about their story or been able to comfort them through listening and just being there for them. This has really showed me the importance of community.”

One of the more interesting groups was the one that decided to “panhandle for the homeless.” They spent a good bit of a Saturday in downtown West Point, holding signs that said things like, “I have a home, but am collecting money for those who don’t.” They raised a good bit of money for a ministry that seeks to help men who are homeless because of addiction problems. “I learned that you can make a difference for the Kingdom of God simply by volunteering your time. Our project took very little money to accomplish a great task” was how one student described that experience. Another group worked with a lady who sees herself as “a missionary in the Valley” – living in and ministering to people in challenging neighborhoods. They discovered that “you can be a missionary right here” is what one student said.

Another group did a prayer walk where they recruited other students, created three “journeys through our community” where students walked, stopped to pray, and ended up together in front of the Academic Center of Point – praying! I remember standing on the second floor balcony watching them as they came together to pray. Students from all different backgrounds, standing in front of Point – praying! One student said about this project, “This experience has given me a different perspective on what it means to live within a community. There are always going to be people that you may never see or meet. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot pray for them.”

Another group recruited a group of students and spent a while at the East Alabama Medical Center that had been very restrictive about visitors because of concerns about viruses. They were able to spend time with children (and adults) who had been in the hospital a while – taking them toys, etc. and making the day a bit brighter. Another group titled their project “Stepping out into Creation” and recruited other students, focused on the beauty of God’s creation and cleaned up some of the trails near the West Point landing for the Chattahoochee River. “We made a small jump into being what Adam and Eve were commissioned to be when it pertains to the maintaining of the world and everything in it” is how one student described that experience.

This is longer than I intended, but actually it isn’t long enough. I could have quoted from every student and described in much more detail every project. For the “Chicken Littles” out there who are pretty sure the sky is falling when it comes to young adults, you have an open invitation to my Theological Foundations for the Christian Life class late next April when we will make these same kinds of reports in class. You might have your mind changed.

But, actually you could come and visit Point just about any time and discover young adults ready and willing to serve in the name of Christ to transform our culture for Christ.

And to think, I get paid to work here!