Give It Up

Jesus called Peter, James, and John into ministry at the same time. They were fishermen by trade and had been fishing all night with no success, which was an aberration for men of their experience and skill. After teaching from Peter's (Simon's) boat he told him to push out into deeper water and put down their nets. Peter mentioned that they had been fishing all night with no results for their efforts, but agreed to do so. When they lowered their empty nets into the water they were filled with so much fish that their nets began to break. Jesus then issued the challenge to follow Him and they obeyed by walking away from their lives to pursue this new adventure.

Jesus showed these fishermen what worldly success looked like. He allowed them to gain a glimpse of great fortune and the fulfillment of all they had been working for and then asked them to give it all up to follow Him. I believe He provided this opportunity so that they understood exactly what they were walking away from. It had to be an active choice to leave behind something that was good for what was best.

The request is no less for us. God wants us to make a choice with a full understanding of what we are doing. If we don't realize what we are giving up it isn't truly sacrifice.

Circular Thought

Riding on a carousel is enjoyable when you are a child. There is something magical about the lights, the music, and being able to ride up and down on a variety of creatures. As I've gotten older the appeal of this ride has faded. A carousel loses some of it's glamour when we realize we aren't really going anywhere when we ride it. There is no sudden drop, change of pace, or big excitement. It is a repetitive cycle that doesn't really make any progress.

While our physical desires may change, we still choose to follow that merry-go-round pattern in the rest of our life. We stick with routines of ease and comfort, foolishly thinking it will take us to the destination we desire. We keep riding around the same track and even get frustrated when we don't end up where we want to go. We have the sense of moving, but those circular patterns of thought, behavior, and sin will never take us further down the road. This is true in our finances, marriages, parenting, and spiritual development. We've settled for acting like children and pretending that we were maturing.

The only way growth happens is when we realize that the soundtrack hasn't changed and this ride we're on isn't taking us anywhere. We have two choices at this point: ignore our lack of progress and maintain status quo or get off the ride and start moving towards a different future.

Taking a Chance

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. Matthew 28:16-20 (The Message)

Even though the disciples knew Jesus and the evidence was right in front of them, some of them weren't willing to take the risk of fully engaging Him. If that was true of people who had the risen Messiah in their presence should we expect any less from us today? 

The truth is that there is great risk involved in following Christ. Changing our life focus can mean giving up our reputation, the security we have worked to create, our social status, our family position, and even close relationships. If we choose not to take those steps of faith however, we see that Christ continues ahead with His plan. The Great Commission was given even in the face of people who were unsure of their commitment. The challenge remains the same: to reach the world. God's success doesn't hinge on our faithful obedience even if God desires to use us to bring it to fruition. 

The irony is that unwillingness to gamble everything on Christ is actually an ill-advised risk that you are right about eternity and God is not. 

Performance Anxiety

I struggle with the need to constantly prove myself. It is a misguided notion that my value is only measured in my contributions to other people or to an organization. It is an endless trap that can potentially cause damage in relationships and in my job. It actually reflects a deeper dissatisfaction and misunderstanding in my relationship with God. I think it is a fundamental issue that many people struggle with-believing that God loves us no matter what we do or do not do. 

As a reflection of our earthly relationships, I think that we expect God to toss us aside after we have struggled with the same sin for the 117th time or because we didn't react the way a "good Christian" should. Because so many of our human interactions are evaluated on the "what have you done for me lately?" scale, we tend to think that God is terribly disappointed in us and treats us with disdain. 

While there is value in constantly striving to improve and being diligent in our work ethic, we can't determine our self-worth with God by these measurements. The foundation of spiritual maturity is confidence in our kinship with God and His adoring love for us as His children. I love my own children regardless of their attitude and actions and nothing they can do would remove them from me. Our self-esteem can be boosted by this same assurance in our position in Christ.

We aren't part of His family because of our performance. We are lovingly included in His plan because of His unconditional love that was fulfilled on the cross.

Stuffed

It's hard to push away from the table when the food is particularly good. There is an enjoyment to the taste of a freshly grilled hamburger and all the fixings that go with it. Our normal reaction can be to eat past the point of easing hunger and on to ridiculously full. We will keep going back until there is no possible way to fit anything else into our stomachs.

The same principle applies to us spiritually. If we continue to stuff ourselves with our own agenda, selfish ambitions, and self-gratification, we leave no room for God. God can't fill a person that is filled with themselves.

What Are You Waiting For?

In his book, The Rules of Management, Richard Templar says, "If you are a middle manager, you should be acting and talking as if you were already a senior manager." He is referring to a principle of preparation that will eventually lead to success.

If you aspire to be something greater than you presently are, don't wait for the opportunity to fall into your lap. Instead start acting like that is your reality today. If you desire to be a better husband and father, you should start doing the things that man would do and you'll start to see the change take place. Don't sit and wait until God gives you the opportunity before you begin to lead, pray, develop, strategize, and dream like that person.

When you start to develop those attributes and skills, God will lead you into the right opportunity for change.

Don't Be That Guy

In Matthew 15:16 Peter is asking a question that he should have known the answer to. Jesus responded by asking, "Are you being willfully stupid?"

When does that question apply to us? It is when we ignore the truth of God that is in front of us. We conveniently forget what we already know to be true & start living out a lie that makes us feel better about the choices we are making.

We see it in our financial decisions and when we neglect family issues & hope they will resolve themselves. The evidence is in the slow fade of purity through lustful thoughts & actions. Being willfully stupid is demonstrated as we nod our heads in affirmation on Sunday, yet live the rest of the week as if we hadn't bothered to come to church at all.

Our dissatisfaction with our current life standing can't be blamed on other people or projected on our circumstances. It is often due to our own willful stupidity that ignores the teachings of Christ and what we know to be right.