Not-so-trivial Pursuits

"Let us then pursue what makes for peace & for mutual upbringing."

(Romans 14:19)

I believe it was Thumper in the classic Disney movie BAMBI who said, 'If you can't say somethun' nice, don't say anything at all!'  (Actually, he was quoting his mom's advice, wasn't he!).  I wonder if we, in contemporary American culture, have lost sight of this wisdom?  We seem so quick to criticize, judge, complain & argue with anyone we have a difference with.  Our "right" to speak our mind often trumps the call for kindness.

Paul was facing a challenge in the early church.  Some believers were openly criticizing (and condemning) other believers because of what they did or didn't eat (notably, food that had been sacrificed to other gods & then resold on the open market).  Those in the faith began tearing one another down, and it made Paul's heart sick.  Rather than lay give the definitive declaration of WHO'S RIGHT, Paul instead urged them to simply "pursue what makes for peace & mutual upbringing."

We could go a long way if we followed that advice today.  Pursue peace & mutual upbringing.  How would our days change if we were intentional about not putting others down or seeking to interject how others were wrong all the time?  How would it change our interactions with our spouse, children, co-workers, people at Starbucks (even, dare I say it, fellow drivers on the road?!?)?  Who knows... I just might become a little more like Jesus.

Scarred People

"Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side."

(John 20:19b-20a)

They'd abandoned him. Fled. Deserted. Ran in fear. And now they were locked away in hiding. Crushed with guilt, fear & uncertainty. So when Jesus appeared to the disciples on the evening of his resurrection, he met a group of people in desperate need of consolation.

What was going through their minds that night, I wonder? "How could we have left him like that?" (Remembering Jesus' arrest, trial & crucifixion - but they were nowhere to be found!) "Is this his ghost, come back to haunt us?!?" "We don't deserve to live!"

Jesus knew. Everything. So the first words out of his mouth were: "Peace be with you!" NOT... "How could you?" or "I'm so disappointed..." or even, "If only..." But, "PEACE!" And then he showed them his scars from the crucifixion. He showed them the signs of the pain he had endured. Presumably to prove that he wasn't a ghost, but it was really him. And the scars changed everything. They knew it was Jesus. And they rejoiced!

I once heard a speaker say that likewise, God can use our scars and wounds to bring comfort to others in need. Which is kind of an amazing thing, don't you think? Those painful chapters from our own history... those times we either messed up big time... or got hurt by others... (or both!)... God can, down the road, use those experiences to bring comfort to others. If only we can get past the "why me?" stage. "Peace be with you," Jesus says.

No one likes scars. Whether external or internal, we know they're there. But God brings healing and new life to scarred people. We're all scarred people (sometimes even scared & scarred at the same time). "Peace be with you," he says TO us. "Peace be with you," he says THROUGH us. Wow.

Just imagine... how God might use your scars and wounds for good...

AMEN.

Things that make for peace

"As (Jesus) came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'If you, even you, had only recognized on htis day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.'"
(Luke 19:41-42)

Jerusalem. The Holy City. So much potential! But on this day, it brought tears to Jesus' eyes (and not the "touchingly good" kind, either). Jesus knew his days were drawing to a close... and the majority of the people will miss out on the fact that He is there to bring them new life, hope and peace. That's why He laments that they've failed to recognize ("on this day") the things that make for peace.

We live in a world where violence is far too often the norm. I wonder if Jesus is weeping over our cities today? Is He lamenting the fact that we're failing to recognize the things that make for peace?!? The people of Jerusalem missed that JESUS was the "things that make for peace." Jesus! Have we domesticated Jesus so much today that His radical message of enemy love, suffering servanthood, and amazing grace fail to have the impact He intended? Hmmm....

PRAYER: Peace. Peace. Peace. Teach me. Open my eyes to see. Lead my heart to follow You, Jesus. AMEN.

Lions, Tigers & Bears (oh my!)

[NOTE: THIS WAS MY DEVOTION FOR 9/13/08]

"The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling togehter, and a little child shall lead them..."

(Isaiah 11:6)

Ah yes, Isaiah's "peacable kingdom" imagery. One of the more memorable passages in the Old Testament. All sorts of natural enemies are living together in peace: wolves/lambs... leopards/baby goats...calves/lions... cows/bears... lions/oxen... children/snakes. "They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (v.9).

This is more than a "heavenly petting zoo" where all the critters have been spayed, neutered, defanged & declawed (and quite possibly tranquilized!). This is not a superimposed "cease fire" where the animals are forbidden to "act out" their aggressions. This is a complete REORIENTATION! Those who had been natural enemies (predator/prey relationships) no longer are. Their basic needs are met and their "culture" has changed. And a little child shall lead them.

As Christians, we see Jesus as "the little child," born in a lowly Bethlehem manger, as the One to usher in this new era of existence. The "Prince of Peace" comes to dissolve the human boundaries, prejudices, fears & tensions we've erected between us. We are called to envision (and work toward!) a time when everyone will dwell together in peace & security. Is this a "pipe dream"? An impossibility? Something that can never hapen? Some may surely think so. But I have to believe that it can happen. I have to be the one to start, however. I can't wait for others to change their attitudes toward me. I must seek to be a "peacable kingdom kind of guy." Will I see this vision come to pass? Who knows. That's not the point. The point is God's call towards this. Period.

PRAYER: Some things just seem so unlikely, Lord. Like everyone in this world living together in peace. And yet, your desire is for just that. Help me to not only believe that to be true... but have my actions bear out that belief! AMEN.