‘”I forgive you. Daddy, I love you!” Isn’t that the sound of hope?’
‘We have this huge God who loves us, who says over and over to us, in the moment of our sin, where we need Him most desperately, He says, ‘I love you! You’re forgiven!’ That’s the sound of hope to me.”
We all need hope. We’re sinners living in a broken world.
Thankfully, God’s grace and forgiveness is free.
but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more – Romans 5:20
* While you’re at it, pick up Jason’s new album on iTunes HERE.
Have you ever been praying, and start to think of your to-do list for the day?
Suddenly, things pop into your mind out of nowhere that take you off to another place, and your mind is adrift at sea.
I’ve been told that those things are a distraction. That I just need to concentrate harder and seek God more, and that when my mind wanders, I need to have more discipline to stop thinking about ______, or ______. I’ve been told that my wandering mind is a sign of weakness.
But I’m not sure that what I’ve been told is right. I’m not convinced that a wandering mind is a weak, undisciplined mind. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s not so much a sign of weakness, but a sign of
what I’m valuing at the moment. This is both a heart-check (what’s really important to me?) and a “Wow, I’ve really been thinking about that a lot…maybe I should pray about it.” Our mouths speak (or, in this instance, “our minds think”) what our hearts are full of. (Luke 6:45)
God helping me remember things that I need to do. Is it not God that is the creator of the mind? Does He not know all things, including what we need to be in the business of doing? Does He not hold all things together? (Colossians 1:17) We are commanded to ask God for wisdom…don’t be shocked when He gives it. (James 1:5)
God reminding me people and situations I need to pray for. Ever have someone or something, seemingly random, pop into your head when you’re praying? I do. And I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing.
I know that prayer is not all about me and my situation and my relationships and my life. I realize that connecting with God through prayer is essential for simply building my relationship with my Creator.
But I’m going to be easier on myself when my mind starts to wander. I’m taking every thought captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Kevin Na, 27 year old PGA Tour golfer from South Korea, turned pro at age 17. He skipped his senior year of high school. He’s no slouch of a golfer.
He was playing in the PGA Tour’s stop in San Antonio, the Valero Texas Open. During round 1, on the 9th hole, Na had…um…one of those holes. If you’re a golfer, you know what I mean. It’s one of those holes where nothing goes right, and you feel like you have no clue what you’re doing. You begin to wonder why you’re even playing golf, and if in fact you have ever played before.
After going right, into the trees, off of the tee, re-teeing, going right again, and proceeding the knock it around in the woods for a while, Na finally sunk a 6-footer for a cool 16. He set the record for the most strokes in a PGA tour event on a par-4.
Here’s his meltdown.
But here’s the rest of the story. Na turned and played the back nine at -3. He didn’t give up, even after an epic meltdown! Here’s what he said in an interview:
“I was pretty proud of the way I handled the situation. And after that, I shot -3 on the back nine.”
That takes some courage, doesn’t it? Likely many people would’ve just walked off of the course and quit the tournament. They would’ve packed up their bag and been done for the day. But not Na. He knew he still had work to do.
Maybe you’ve felt like Na.
You’ve had an epic meltdown. You’ve failed your work, your church, your home, your family. And it feels like it’s time to hang it up. Call it quits. Give up on any significant dreams or goals. And just give in to a life of insignificance.
But thankfully, God’s in the business of restoration. And He loves to redeem His people. He’s done it throughout history. And He can do it again in your life.
Na may have still missed the cut. But he didn’t quit.
You may have lost your job, your career, and some significant relationships in your failure. You may feel like there’s nowhere to go from here.
But don’t quit. If you’re still alive, God has plans for you on this Earth.
Take a step of faith in the right direction.
Thankfully, God hasn’t quit on you.
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. – God (Hebrews 13:5)
Love is patient and kind; love never gives up. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7)
I’ll start treating my wife with respect…tomorrow.
I’ll become a better parent…starting tomorrow.
I’ll quit doing ______…tomorrow.
I’ll choose to forgive…tomorrow.
I’ll choose joy, not anger…tomorrow.
I’ll choose to serve…tomorrow.
I’ll take charge of my spiritual growth…tomorrow.
Stop. Saying. Tomorrow.
Today is the day.
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. – James 4:13-14
But when you’re making the changes, don’t spark change by slamming other systems.
Slamming other churches and leaders isn’t
professional
Kingdom-oriented
God-honoring
ethical
long-term beneficial
good leadership
In the long run, what you’ll find is that stirring people to change through dissension will create leaders that are divisive, unruly, and un-leadable. When they have an idea for change, instead of working through it and wrestling through the details, they’ll begin ripping other systems…maybe even the one they helped you create.
It’s hard to see how God is honored when our systems and churches flourish at the expense of others.
Unity is a difficult concept to maintain. But it’s worth the effort, for your organization and your community.
Instead of the wanted change communicated through the lens of disunity and pride, try something different. Cast vision for change because you’re confident about what God wants. Because He has stirred your soul. Because your community needs the Gospel. Because your local church needs you. Because He’s calling you to lead.
But don’t throw other churches and leaders under the bus in the process.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:3-6
At a family dinner last week, I overheard one cousin ask another one this, about her recent dance competition:
Was it one of those competitions where you competed? Like for 1st or 2nd place?
The conversation then proceeded as normal. She just wondered whether it was a competition with prizes or one where “everyone wins” or one where there are rankings when you’re done. I get that. But in the moment, I was struck by two words: 2nd place.
Nobody competes for 2nd place, do they?
If that’s your goal, any good coach would tell you you’ve sold yourself short. Even if you’re not that good, you always start out competing for the grand prize. No NFL team says, “We hope to lose the Super Bowl game this year.” Coaches are honored and revered because they won the Super Bowl, not because they lost it. Pitchers are remembered because they won the World Series.
Nobody dreams about ‘winning’ second place.
So why in our churches do we think it’s ok to aim for second place in areas like
leadership
church events
Sunday’s music
Sunday’s announcements
the resources we produce
the small groups we lead
the trainings we offer
the meetings we plan
the blogs we write
the conversations we have
our sermon series
our outreach initiatives
community impact
Does the Gospel make it ok for us to shoot for second? Because the message is so powerful, are we then given the freedom to not give our best effort to all areas of our life and ministry? It’s tough to see how God is honored when we put forth half-hearted efforts. Ever.
So let me be your coach today. Don’t compete for 2nd place! Give it all you’ve got!
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. – Philippians 3:14
Ever read the Gospels and find yourself thinking, “Would have loved to be a fly on that wall! What an amazing conversation! Wish I could’ve been there!”
One of those stories actually came to life for me not long ago. We were studying the 10 commandments using The Ten by Liquid. We were working our way through the session on “You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).” The way the study works is that it doesn’t stop with a look at the commandment itself. It flows right into what Jesus had to say about the commandment in Matthew 5:21-22 and then what John had to say in 1 John 3:11-24.
In order to fully get the scene, you need to know a couple things about my group.
My wife and I agreed to help some friends of ours get a group started to do 40 Days of Purpose. But the thing is, they live about 35 minutes away. We really weren’t in it for the long haul. Just to help them get it started.
As our group members went around and introduced themselves on that first night…we were amazed to find out that something like 9 of the 12 who were there had religious backgrounds where they really knew very little about the Bible.
Two things have been going on since we started in October.
I dread that drive every week. Just sayin’.
Some amazing things happen almost every week.
Now back to the night we were talking about “you shall not murder.” We were wrestling with phrases like “anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment (Matthew 5:22)” and “anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him (1 John 3:15).
It was already quite a discussion. And then…without warning three different group members blurted out the equivalent of “if that’s really the way it is then am I going to hell?”
Oh. My.
It was seriously amazing. I said, “That is a great question, you guys! Let’s take a minute to clear up something right now. If you have your Bible, turn over to 1 John 1:9 and let’s get something in concrete right now.” And we spent the next few minutes making sure my new friends got the idea that we’re all human, that all of us have fallen short, and that God’s forgiveness is always only a moment away. And not only that, but that our relationship with God is always secure.
What a night! Easily one of the top 10 spiritual experiences of my life. My friends left the group that night knowing a very big thing. Their faith was strengthened. And you know what? So was mine! I’ll never look at that commandment the same way again. And neither will my friends.
Have you ever had a small group discussion that really clarified some part of the Christian life for you?
Have you ever had a “spiritual experience” in a small group?
I am a learner. And as such, I actually enjoy learning.
And when I started out as small groups pastor at Grace Community Church, I had no idea what I was doing. Some days, I still feel like that.
So I started looking for a tribe. I read books. Blogs. Twitter accounts. I went to conferences. Sent emails. Made phone calls. I just knew there had to be a tribe out there.
And I grew a ton through this process. But I got a myriad of no-responses. Or responses that went something like,
Well, I will be at this conference, and we can talk there…if you’re able to get to Dallas…tomorrow by 6 am.
I was just trying to build some relationships and learn from guys who had been blazing the path I was peering down.
The problem was that these guys were ‘too big’ for me. They were a bit too important to talk with a rookie in Tennessee. (although rock stars Heather Zempel, Alan Danielson, Mark Howell, and Rick Howerton (just to name a few) actually did take time to answer emails and phone calls…thanks guys!).
I never want to get so important that I can’t schedule time to talk with another person who wants to learn from my mistakes. I never want to be the big shot that can’t walk someone else through principles that have helped me grow as a young pastor.
If I ever get that ‘important’ I have done something wrong. The day that happens, please unfollow me on Twitter, block me on Facebook, and unsubscribe to my blog. I’m not worth following at that point.*
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. – Proverbs 16:18-19
Will you give up the plunder with me?
*Note to future self: you’re not as awesome as you think you are.
My wife said something to me the other day. I was in the other room, so I didn’t hear her.
Valid excuse, no?
My wife said something to me the other day. I was right beside her, doing something else, so I didn’t hear her.
Valid excuse, no?
My wife said something to me the other day. I was looking her right in the eyes, and I didn’t hear her.
Valide excuse, no?
No?
Have you ever done that? You’re looking right at someone, and they’re talking and you hear what they’re saying, but at the same time you’re hearing none of what they’re saying?
I feel dumb saying, “I know you thought we were engaged in a good conversation right then, and I was even nodding my head, but I have no idea what you said.”
Ever done that with God?
We’re surrounded by God speaking.
In our Bibles. In podcasts. Sermons. Songs. Through our friends. Our small group. Books. Movies. Creation.
He is speaking through success. Through failure. Through closed doors and open ones.
And yet we don’t listen. We have no idea what God is saying, or calling us to do.
So how do we actually start listening to what He’s telling us?
How to hear God’s voice
Read your Bible. God has spoken most clearly there, and He has guided people for centuries with the Truth found in the Scriptures. Through reading more and more of the Bible, you begin to understand what moves the heart of God, where and how He’s working, and how your life can more closely reflect that of Christ. I call that a win.
Listen to solid Bible teaching. Hopefully your church offers it. If not, feel free to supplement with a Podcast from another church. There are hundreds of great ones out there. I listen to this one Matt Chandler HERE and Andy Stanley HERE. (though, thankfully, my church, Grace Community Church, offers amazing teaching). Hearing the Bible taught and applied is a great way to understand what God may be calling you to do.
Serve. Serving others is a great way to get you outside of yourself, and remind yourself that you’re not the center of the universe. It’s also a great way to find out what things you’re gifted at and where your passions lie.
Pray. Ask God to reveal to you what He wants you to be and do. If you want to hear from God, ask Him to speak.
Listen to your friends. Asking those who know you well (especially those in your small group) and you to grow in your faith, to help you know what God may be calling you to do, can be incredibly insightful. If your friends can be honest with you, they have probably seen God working in your life, and can help you know what things you may be gifted at (or not) that may be worth pursuing.
Spend some time enjoying beauty. Whether it’s in the form of nature, art, music, or movies, you can hear God speaking there, too. I’m not promising an audible, booming voice, but God can move you, and speak to you, in significant ways when you acknowledge His role in creating those things.
Be still. For me, this is probably the toughest one. I struggle to be still and silent and patient. (Psalm 46:10)
If you want to know what God’s calling you to do, both right now and in the future, try these things. And when you get finished with these things, try them again. And again. And again.
There was an AA meeting going on at this church building. And I saw this truck parked there.
Paul urges us to put “off” our sin, and put something “on” in its place (Ephesians 4:22-32). So if you struggle with lying, you should consciously start going out of your way to share the truth. If you struggle with anger, go out of your way to seek reconciliation. If you struggle with stealing, you should consciously “put on” honest work and generosity. If you struggle with a loose, corrupting vocabulary, you should “put on” words that give grace to others.
If you struggle with alcoholism, maybe it’s time to find an occupation that doesn’t feed that temptation.*
There’s a time to stick it out and work through your sins and weaknesses. But there’s also a time to run.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise… (Ephesians 5:15)
Have you ever had to quit a job because it tempted you to dishonor God?
Have you ever been in a situation where you should’ve run, but decided to stay?
*This is not a statement against AA, or against drinking alcohol. I’m simply urging cautious wisdom, and learning how to do battle against our sin natures.
