Unworthy Servants

Luke 17:7-10 (New International Version, ©2010)

7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

So, I am a very undedicated blogger, because it's been about two months since my last post. Oops! Too much to do, and too many things crowding out space in my brain for reflection and deeper thought. What a shame.

Introductions aside, I was going through my Bible and this passage caught my eye, particularly the last verse, which, I had underlined at one point. This passage is tough to swallow, but not tough to understand. Clearly, as Christ's servants, we are called not just to keep the ten commandments and obstain from murder and sexual immorality, along with avoiding drunkenness, lying, and stealing, but to also purposefully act in ways that please our Father while obstaining from sin. I think it's easy as a Christian to rationalize and say, "Well, God, you know I never tell a lie and don't go to crazy parties. I'd never even think of taking something without buying it, and of course, you know murder is out of the question because I risk my life dodging small creatures on the road..." (maybe your train of thought is different, but that's my first response) Yes, He says, you don't do those things, but what HAVE you done? Did you encourage your roommates today, even though you yourself needed encouragement? Did you explain to that man, when he asked you about religion, that he too can have a relationship with me? Did you seek my face throughout the day, setting time aside to read my truths and listen to my voice, instead of ________? (fill in the blank)

It's easy to be a Christian that avoids the obvious sins. The kind of person that people assume is Christian because nothing in their life screams otherwise. But does your life scream, without question, that you are in love with Jesus and His people? If so, you (and I) will have to do more than flee temptation, but also put on our work gloves, tie our running shoes, and get active. Actively love Him and others, by doing those things which only a believer would do, that only Jesus would do.

Hello 2011!

To my blog followers, I wish you all a Happy New Year as we embark on the next 365 or so days of the year 2011. I would like to state that I have not made, as they term them, "new year's resolutions" since I keep coming up with the same resolutions each week and to state them at the beginning of the new year would be redundant, and show my inadequacy in upholding them.

All this set aside, I would like to focus on my health (go with me on this one) in four aspects this year, and make that a priority, the four being Spiritual, Physical, Mental, and Emotional. I recognize that my quiet time could use some work, and I want to be more diligent in digging into the Scriptures instead of skimming mere words on the page. I want to grow in my prayer life, so that I approach God with a better understanding of who He is, which in turn helps me understand who I am. Secondly, the physical. I need to make exercise a daily part of my routine. Supposedly it's good for you, but I can never maintain the habit of it long enough. When faced with the option of sleeping in, or getting up to go to the gym, the gym never stands a chance. Hopefully I can improve on that one... Thirdly, the mental aspect: I want to dive into my studies this semester and the world around me with an active and inquisitive mind, and stretch myself. This will probably be the easiest of the four goals.

And lastly, the emotional. This goes hand in hand with the Spiritual. I realize more and more, that my heart is divided. The Bible talks about the heart being the center of the person, from which everything else flows. In Proverbs we are admonished to guard our hearts, since it is the wellspring of life. I want to place my heart in the hands of my heavenly Father, so that no matter what set-backs, disappointments, or pains I encounter, I'm always resting safe and secure in Him. I do believe this may be the hardest of the four, and I know it will be a life long process. When I begin to feel overwhelmed and on the verge of a meltdown, I love recalling this psalm: "You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:24-26). I love it. When everything is whirling around, all that matters is you and God, and as long as those two things are straight, you have nothing to fear. That's a great comfort to me.

I don't know what your goals or resolutions are this year, but I hope that you remember what's truly important, or rather Who is truly important.

Speak Out and Speak Now!

I was reading in Proverbs, and I ran across a verse that started a domino effect of thoughts and ideas that became this blog. This is the verse:

"Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and the needy." ~Proverbs 31:8-9

When I first read this passage, it really struck a chord. In my bible, this is under the heading "The Sayings of King Lemuel," so naturally it would seem Lemuel is giving advice to future kings. But, should we not also, as citizens in the 21st century, speak up for those who are not heard or acknowledged, and make their cause known when governments, wicked leaders, society, and others in general try to keep them in silence? Sometimes they are silenced intentionally, but other times, people are just so unaware of the poverty and need in the world. I couldn't even begin to name them all...AIDS, famine, natural disasters, poor treatment of women... Although these thoughts came to mind, I also began thinking about issues in the U.S. around where I live that this verse could apply to. How could I speak up for others? As a writer, one could expose the injustice around the world, which is noble and an exciting prospect. But also, what about the poor man on the street, or children with handicaps? There are many categories of people in our society that are overlooked or just can physically not plead their cause. Abortion is also a major issue, perhaps THE major issue. Clearly, that would be speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. As I continued to think on this a quote bounced around in my head, which I retreaved with the help of Google:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me."
~Martin Niemöller

All I remembered of this quote, was the haunting last line, that "they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me." According to the source I found, Niemoller was a German Protestant pastor who spoke out against Adolph Hitler and his evils, and ended up in a concentration camp for seven years. He believed that the German people as a whole, and their Protestant leaders, had remained far too silent as hundreds of people were slaughtered, and he was right. It made me think. Who could (or should) I be speaking out for? It is frighteningly true, that if we, as humans, simply rely on our survival instincts of self-protection, we may remain "safe" for awhile, but in the end have no advocate. So I'm challenging you and myself, to speak out and speak out now, before it's too late for them, or for us.

HOME! Random thoughts, and please, no "Happy Holidays"

YES! I'm finally home for Christmas break, a good month to sit around and read books of my OWN choice, write 'til my pens run out of ink, be unproductive for days straight, and dabble in my artsy hobbies. Hallelujah! Unfortunately, my creative energy feels sapped after half a dozen tests and multiple papers in a week, so I will have to get back to this blog when I actually have an enlightening thought to share. The only thing that's been on my mind lately, is that I want to find ways to reach out to others around me: my neighbors, those in need, strangers. This life is about relationships, and when we face the end, that's all that counts. God summed it up: Love God and love others. Love. Live it out. So, I'm thinking about ways I can brighten someone's day this holiday season, and I'm going to make every effort to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of those people determined to say Happy Holidays. No, Merry Christmas. Be thankful that Christ came as a child for you. Indeed, that's a merry and joyous thing, and I will not wish you Happy Holidays in light of the all-surpassing birthday of Christ.

The Deception of Division

In class the other day, we were discussing important leaders like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois and their approaches to racial equality. I'd like to say that any form of racism is over, and it may appear so, but it's far from true. Racism isn't just an American issue; it occurs around the world. In the U.S., it seems less active, and what may appear as segregation may be simply separation based on preference and commonalities. This is just one division: the amount of melatonin in your skin placing you in one group or another. What about division based on gender, intelligence, income, or hereditry? All an illusion... "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29)

I began to think farther, about this concept of a divide among us. It happens between groups, sub-groups, etc... But also on an individual, more devastating level. It begins like this: "I must be different, no one feels this way; She has everything together; I must be weak if I struggle with this; People will not accept me if they know the real me." These are dangerous, devisive lies from no where else but the Father of Lies. In the same way that we isolate ourselves from "other" groups, we isolate ourselves from other individuals, living in fear instead of faith. We live behind invisible walls to protect ourselves, preserve our identity, and remain "happy." But, guess what, God created us for relationships! At the core, we are all broken, hurting souls placed within an outer-shell of a body. If Satan can convince of we are weird, strange, un-Christian to think such thoughts, hypocritical, he will prevent our growth and freedom in choosing emotional intimacy. I would have to say, that not until college did I discover that all my struggles, were common struggles. I was not so different. The girls on my hall dreamed the same dreams, felt the same pains, and also experienced the same emotions.

I cannot say how freeing it is to sit down with a sister in Christ and feel acceptance and a lightening of the soul in sharing my heart. To have someone say, yes, I've been there too, or yes, I struggle with that, is liberating. So next time you try to isolate yourself in your own little group or in your own little self (whichever it may be), remember the unity in Christ and commonality in mankind, and risk relationships and friendships, even accountability, with another soul made in God's image.

A Beautiful Child

I was waiting in line at Walmart the other day, a fairly normal experience. Also, as usual, I was ever so slightly impatient and aware of the time (when am I not?) and thinking a bajillion thoughts most likely at once. Then the people-watcher in me kicked in, and I started to scrutinize the customers around me. I glanced around, and a young, beautiful face halo-ed by wispy pale curls met my gaze. Two innocent, precious, light-colored eyes met mine, followed by a shy smile. The child couldn't have been much older than a year or so. I smiled back. What an invaluable thing a young life is. I watched the child in awe, thinking of my once untouched face, with blue eyes and curly golden hair, much like this child. I was further struck with the realization that that child, would someday be my own. In the not so distant future, I could be that mom at Walmart, with the great responsibility and immense blessing of caring for a life that God Himself formed. Amazing. It definitely makes you feel old. Thinking of one's future kids is always overwhelming, but what an opportunity of a lifetime to love on young lives that have been, in a way, loaned to you from God, and to realize that although you are teaching them, they are teaching you more about yourself and their heavenly Father each day. How precious life is, and how sad it is that society insists on de-valueing (is that a word?) it.

Thought #1: Be Here Now (aka- Take Out the Ear-buds)

I've had two thoughts lately, and this is thought #1: Be Here Now. It's much more difficult than it seems, and many things distract from the present (such as incessant texting, facebook, and television). But I mainly want to focus on the peril of living life attached to your i-pod. Although I haven't seen too much of it, people walk and move and breathe without unplugging from their musical world. Now, I would be the first to say I love music, and life should be a musical. :) This though, is not the problem here. The issue is not only a physical safety hazard (how can that kid crossing the street hear the approaching bus over Metallica?) but also a social, mental, and perhaps spiritual set-back.

Think of it this way: if you're plugged in, will you be as aware of your surroundings? No... so therefore, you won't be engaged in the people around you or their conversations. Further, not only does that potentially weaken your relational ties, but also weakens your mental IQ if you are not participating in stimulating conversation or soaking up new ideas. This does not just effect you, the extreme hip-hop fan, but also the person in your class, on the bus, driving the bus, walking beside you, or whatever. What if you missed out on an opportunity to meet a kindred spirit or minister to someone who just needed a kind word? Would you know, if you were not "here now"?

I feel that Jesus, as He walked on Earth, was constantly aware of the people and needs around Him. If He wasn't in touch with the present reality, He was in touch, off alone, with a greater reality, God the Father. So, all this is to say, please, for the love of your life, your friends, your future friends, your intellect, and your spiritual health, pull those ear-buds out of your head and exist in the moment God's blessed you with.