From black-and-white to brilliant color

Today: Isaiah 23-27

If you've ever watched "The Wizard of Oz," you'll remember the moment when Dorothy opens a door to Oz--and your screen suddenly changed from boring black-and-white to brilliant color.

Becoming a Christian is kind of like that...or like getting glasses for the first time. You start to see in new ways and notice things that you were blinded to before.

In today's passage, there was an excerpt that illustrated this phenomenon. The speaker is talking to God and contrasting the view of God's people compared to others:

Who you are and what you've done

are all we'll ever want.

Through the night my soul longs for you.

Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to you.

When your decisions are on public display,

everyone learns how to live right.

If the wicked are shown grace,

they don't seem to get it.

In the land of right living, they persist in wrong living,

blind to the splendor of God.
You hold your hand up high, God,

but they don't see it.

Open their eyes to what you do,

to see your zealous love for your people...

God, order a peaceful and whole life for us

because everything we've done, you've done for us.

Here are a few of my observations today from this passage:

• God is enough to fill a hungry soul.
  The first part of this excerpt addresses a human need that we actually talked about a few days ago (see "Hunger and wholeness"). Instead of chasing after other people or "stuff" to fill their souls, we can first look to God Himself.
  
• Without God, people can be blind to grace.
  Have you ever heard people say things like, "I never knew what love was until I had a child"?
  
  I think the same experience can happen for people when they first get a glimpse of the grace and pure love of God. There's nothing that could compare to the pure love of God in human flesh dying for you . You don't deserve that kind of love, but there's nothing you can do to make Him love you more or less. There's nothing you can do to earn a ticket to Heaven--that's God's free gift to those who simply believe in Him and accept Him as Savior(see Romans 10:9). It's overwhelming when you really start to get that God loves you that much--that He knows your name and has a plan for your life.
  
• God's the one who opens people's hearts and eyes to His love.
  Some well-intentioned Christians share their faith in God with aggressive, forceful tactics resembling guerrilla marketing. Should Christians be bold with their faith? Yes. But Jesus didn't force His message on people: He loved, cared and served others. God is not a product to be sold. It's Christians' responsibility to love, care and serve people. It's our responsibility to talk about God when we're given the opportunity and prompted by the Holy Spirit. However, it's important to remember that we're the messengers--God's the Savior. He's the one who opens hearts and changes lives.
  
• Christians can impact people through their lives...and recognition of God's transformation.
  The most important message every Christian delivers does not even require words--it's how you live your everyday, ordinary life. When Christians are content, happy and at peace with God and others, we shine. Our lives are a big signal of God's transformational power at work--a practical proof point that He's really doing something in and through us. A key thing to remember? Don't take all the credit--because everything good that we've done, God started, provided for and allowed us to finish.

Tomorrow: Isaiah 28-30

Open eyes

Today: 2 Kings 6-8

Have you ever looked at something but not really seen the whole picture?

I don't know about you, but I am totally grossed out by TV news stories that revel magnified views of sheets...teeming with bedbugs. Ewww! I know bedbugs are real, but do I need to see them? Particularly if there's not much I can do to prevent them? Most of the time, I see my sheets and not the bugs. For this I am thankful. :)

On the flip side, there are good things we totally don't see, either. Someone in your life may absolutely love you and you might not fully realize it. The coworker you've never "clicked" with may have some awesome qualities and talents that you overlook. And of course, God may be actively working in your life...but you might not see it.

In today's passage, I liked this short story about Elisha and his servant:

Early in the morning a servant of the Holy Man got up and went out.

Surprise! Horses and chariots surrounding the city!

The young man exclaimed, "Oh, master! What shall we do?"
He said, "Don't worry about it—

there are more on our side than on their side."
Then Elisha prayed, "O God, open his eyes and let him see."
The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw.

A wonder!

The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!

I love this--Elisha's servant saw the obvious--the enemy, but Elisha saw God's massive angel armies. When they prayed for open eyes, the servant also saw God at work.

Sometimes, if you want open eyes, you just have to ask--and make an effort. God is probably working in your life every single day--just look for everyday miracles. Your annoying co-worker probably does have some good qualities you have to be willing to look for them. But trust me--don't pray for open eyes to see bed bugs. :)

Tomorrow: 2 Kings 9-11

An open table

Today: 2 Samuel 8-12

In big cities like L.A. or New York, some restaurants are solidly booked months in advance, but always manage to have room for you...if you're famous. There's always room for a celebrity, professional athlete or political star. But your average Joe or Jane? Not so much.

It's quite a contrast to a story in this passage about David and Mephibosheth. First of all, David wasn't running a fancy restaurant--he was running a country! David was king of the land with vast wealth and power known throughout the region. And Mephibosheth? Not exactly a high-powered celebrity. Not an average Joe or Jane. Mephibosheth was a disabled orphan, shunned by many. He fled his home to escape death after his grandfather (Saul) and father (Jonathan) died. However, David graciously gave Mephibosheth an open invitation to his table and restored Mephibosheth's property ownership. Wow!

As I read this story today, I had a few thoughts.

First, you and I may be like Mephibosheth. In many ways, we are broken and undeserving, but God has chosen to give us an open invitation to his kingdom--all we have to do is accept it.

Second, I wonder who might be like Mephibosheth in our workplaces, cities and churches? Are there people you and I can show love, grace and kindness toward--even though they may be rejected by others?

An open table and an open heart are beautiful things. Who can we share them with?

Tomorrow: 2 Samuel 13-15

The heart of generosity

Today: Deuteronomy 14-16

It's amazing to me how the worst of times can sometimes bring out the best in people.

I was reminded of that this week when I watched reports about Haiti and America's involvement. Often, America is criticized around the world for its military or a tendency to "butt in" to world affairs. Yet, in this crisis (and others), America is one of the first countries to respond. The American military has provided critical security, air traffic control, medical support and supplies. Our government has pledged over $100 million to help the people of Haiti (significantly more than most). Even former political foes like former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have come together to help raise money.

I'm NOT saying that America is better than other countries--but I would argue that the United States is one of the most generous nations on the planet. The current crisis in Haiti illustrates the heart of my country and its people--to give to those in need.

Take a look at what today's passage said about generosity:

Give freely and spontaneously.

Don't have a stingy heart.

The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God's,

blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures.

There are always going to be poor and needy people among you.

So I command you: Always be generous,

open purse and hands,

give to your neighbors in trouble,

your poor and hurting neighbors.

Here are a things I think we can take away from these verses:

• First and foremost, generosity isn't about money--it's about your heart: The first part of these verses (and actually, the verses that precede them) address the importance of avoiding a stingy, selfish attitude.
  
• But if you're going to have an "open purse" [ or for my male readers, wallet or "murse" :) ], you need tangible resources: I'm not saying here that to give to others, you need to be a bazillionaire. But I am saying that you can't give what you don't have. To be generous, I think you need to first manage your own finances well--following basic concepts like "don't spend more than you make." For some people, this concept may be freeing--God doesn't judge or reward your generosity by the amount you give, but by level of sacrifice and your attitude.
  
• God wants to bless those who bless others: It may seem strange, but when you give to others, you are often blessed back. Sometimes, the blessings come back tangibly--but at other times, you're blessed back with things money can't buy (e.g. a better attitude, joy, peace, etc.).
  
• Look for those who are poor or hurting: Often when we think of the poor and hurting, we picture those who are financially desperate or physically hurt. They definitely need our help. However, there are people who are poor and hurting who may be in the middle or upper classes. They may have poor relationships or self esteem. They may be emotionally scarred or depressed. Don't underestimate their needs--or your opportunity to "shine a light" and help them. Sometimes it doesn't take a word--you may help someone else by just listening or being there to care.
  
• There are always opportunities to be generous: Sadly, there is no shortage of people in need or good causes that need your support. Look for opportunities to be generous. You may not be able to give money to every great cause, but you may be able to give your time, smile or prayers to help someone in need. Just do it.

Tomorrow: Deuteronomy 17-20

When a terrorist is transformed

Today: Acts 9-10

What would you do if Osama bin Laden suddenly showed up in your town?

Imagine if he started shouting around your neighborhood, "I had a vision. I saw Jesus and heard His voice. I became blind--literally--but was healed. My life is changed! I'm not the guy I was before--I'm so sorry for the things I've done. I believe in Him now."

Holy cow.

To be honest, I don't think I'd trust him. I would call the FBI. I would be afraid--I mean, the guy has been responsible for the deaths of many innocent people. He hates Christians.

Obviously, this situation isn't real...or is it?

In Acts chapter 8, "Osama" was Saul--a Jewish guy who hated Christians so much that he hunted them down. He sought to kill them. He did kill them. But one day, he met Jesus on the road and was drastically transformed.

Some of the disciples were skeptical and afraid--they experienced the same reaction I would if this happened with Osama today. Some of Saul's former cronies tried to kill him after he believed in Jesus and started preaching around various cities.

After awhile, no one would doubt the validity of the change in Saul--so drastic that his name is changed (to Paul). The guy who murdered Christians becomes the world's most famous preacher--and risks his own life to tell the story of Jesus.

Though it's from another section of today's reading (these chapters include lots of great stories and text!), I thought Peter's words in this passage also applied to Saul...and anyone else...who has been changed by the power of God:

"It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer:

God plays no favorites!

It makes no difference who you are

or where you're from—

if you want God

and are ready to do as he says,

the door is open.

The Message he sent to the children of Israel—

that through Jesus Christ

everything is being put together again—

well, he's doing it everywhere, among everyone..."

Tomorrow: Acts 11-13