The go-to God

Today: Luke 4-5

Have you ever known a go-to guy or a go-to girl?

This is the person EVERYONE trusts to be a real friend who actually comes through on their promises...for example, go-to guys and girls are the people who help you move or put together IKEA furniture. A go-to guy or girl is also someone who is REALLY good getting things done at work, home or a volunteer team. The go-to guy or girl embodies dependability, loyalty and integrity. I love go-to guys and girls (and try to be one as well).

What was interesting to me in today's reading was the fact that Jesus is what I'd label The Go-to God. In these two chapters, I noticed how just much people went to Jesus for many different things--crowds followed just to hear Him, people asked him to cast out demons, heal leprosy, heal a fever, help them fish, heal a paraplegic, and come to parties at their homes. Wow--that's a lot to handle!

But think about it--before Jesus, people had to talk to a priest if they were sick, sinned, struggled with something or if they wanted celebrate God's goodness. When He came to the planet, it opened up a whole new level of going to God directly with anything.

I love that in this passage, people go to Jesus for (what I think are) more minor things--a dinner invitation, fishing or healing a fever. But I also love that they brought major physical and spiritual things to Him as well--leprosy, demons and a guy who was paralyzed. Nothing was too big or too small for Him to handle.

Let me be clear...I DEFINITELY don't think God is like a genie whose ultimate purpose is to serve our commands. He knows what's best for us and has a bigger plan at work that surpasses what our brains can handle. He may not always answer our requests in the way we want...but I believe He always answers and perhaps even more important or interesting than that, He actually listens to every prayer, thought and request we make.

I love in this passage that people saw Jesus as someone they could trust--an accessible God who could get things done for them. I love that He can be like that to us--a go-to God who comes through on promises and can change things in our lives.

Tomorrow: Luke 6-7

Paintings, people and true colors

Today: Luke 2-3

I'm not an art expert. But today I visited the Vancouver Art Gallery and saw famous paintings by the likes of Rembrandt and Vermeer. It was fascinating to see such amazing creative work in person. There's something about the colors, textures and overall mood of a great painting that can never fully translate into print. Seeing the true colors up close revealed the masterful skill of the artists.

People can be like paintings. Sometimes our true colors (good or ugly) can be hidden--but God has a way of bringing them to light.

In today's passage, I think the words of Simeon, an old man who saw Jesus as a young child, stood out to me. He talked about how Jesus would be rejected by people in Israel when he said:

But the rejection will force honesty,

as God reveals who they really are.

The phrasing is interesting here--"rejection will force honesty"? I think Simeon was saying that the people, ideas and things we reject show our "true colors"--they in a sense reveal who we are. By rejecting Jesus, some people--who previously followed Him--would show that they didn't really believe. Sad. :(

But in this passage, another portion touches on the "true colors" topic in a more positive light. John the Baptist taught:

It's your life that must change,

not your skin...

What counts is your life.

Is it green and blossoming?

I think that here, John is teaching the mark of those who love God is not necessarily an external thing. People who follow Christ represent different races and ethnic backgrounds, for example. John taught that our true colors are shown through changed lives--are we growing, maturing and getting healthy and strong in our faith?

If I'm like a painting, I don't want to be a printed copy--flat and dull in my faith. I want to be an original masterpiece with all its texture and true colors shining--even under the revealing honest light of God's perspective.

Tomorrow: Luke 4-5

Inside-out beauty

Today: Luke 1

"You're beautiful," she said, "I saw you worshipping today and you just radiated with this real, genuine, inside-out beauty. God's beauty. It really blessed me."

She was a (non-weird) middle-aged woman who noticed me at church. I wasn't standing at the front of the stage...probably in one of the back rows of a 40-person choir. I wasn't wearing sparkles, bright color or a ballgown. But this woman noticed me for some strange reason.

This scene happened a few years ago and I still remember it. It wasn't the first time I heard that I was beautiful, pretty, hot, or gorgeous. I'm definitely not perfectly beautiful by the world's standards (e.g. I'm not 5'10" or taller, a size 2 with perfect hair, fake boobs and a perpetual tan)...but I'm not chopped liver either.

I think I remember this compliment partially because she said it with no ulterior motive (I didn't know her well and she wasn't a single guy trying to impress me). But I also remember it because of her strange-sounding verbiage--"inside-out beauty."

Reading Luke 1 today reminded me a bit of that moment. Mary encountered a similar situation with the angel Gabriel who told her:

Good morning!

You're beautiful with God's beauty,

Beautiful inside and out!

God be with you.

In no way am I trying to put myself on the same level as Mary. But I think the whole concept of inside-out beauty is interesting...and Mary exemplified it so much better than I ever could.
I can't imagine being in her shoes.

Can you think of what it would have felt like to tell people, "No, I didn't sleep with my fiancee--this baby is God's Son." Can you imagine the reactions people had to that statement? They probably thought she was crazy, lying or a slut (to be blunt). Pregnancy or sex before marriage was pretty non-existent back then. If it happened, it was definitely hush-hush and shameful. Mary probably received lots of dirty looks and snide comments. Some of her friends and family members might have disowned her. She wasn't perfect--she probably had days when she cried (heck, she was a pregnant woman in the desert with no A/C, pizza or DQ Blizzards on demand).

Here's her response:

I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve.

Let it be with me

just as you say.

Wow. Mary's inside-out beauty was exemplified by her love for God and willingness to serve Him and His purpose. She was unselfish--risking her life and comfort to carry Jesus. But her desire to please God trumped her desire to please people. That's beautiful.

Tomorrow: Luke 2-3

Stunning silence

Today: Mark 15-16

Have you ever witnessed stunning silence?

By this, I mean a quiet kind of beauty--something or someone stunningly amazing because of their silence?

When I think of stunning silence, I picture something in nature...watching snow fall at night through the street lights or staring at majestic Mt. Rainier during a sunset drive home from work.

I'm usually not stunned by the silence of human beings. About the only example of this I can think of right now is watching a baby sleep.

More often, people are praised for their words. When you think about many of the people who are considered great or great leaders, they're usually great speakers--think President Obama, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, Jr. Or think of great actors and singers--people continually in the public eye known for using their mouths exceptionally well.

But did you know Jesus was stunningly silent?

As I read today's passage, I noticed this wording about Him, as He stood before Pilate facing false and downright crazy accusations:

Pilate asked again,

"Aren't you going to answer anything?

That's quite a list of accusations."

Still, he said nothing.

Pilate was impressed, really impressed.

Wow.

I think there's something I can learn from Jesus in this situation. How many times have I opened my mouth, engaged in a debate, or gotten defensive--when I should have just stayed silent?

Don't get me wrong--I don' t think silence is always the right solution (and neither did Jesus for that matter).

But in this case, silence was evidence of strength. Jesus could have chewed Pilate out. He could have won a debate hands-down. He could have called lightening to strike Pilate and his palace. By staying silent, Jesus showed Pilate (and others) His strength--Jesus was intent on His mission. He wouldn't detract from it, though He would have had every right to. Now that's impressive.

Tomorrow: Luke 1

Leadership, example and dealing with difficulty

Today: Mark 14

"Do as I say and not as I do," is a saying I absolutely hate.

Yup, I actually said HATE (and I rarely say or write that!). I hate that it's such a cop-out. It's like saying, "I don't believe in what I'm saying enough to actually do it or be it." It's admitting you're a hypocrite. It's a saying for people who want to lead, but don't have the integrity, discipline or willingness to do what it takes.

Thankfully, Jesus definitely wasn't a leader like that, particularly when dealing with difficulty.

Let me give an example...

At the Last Supper, Jesus told the disciples, "You're all going to feel that your world is falling apart and that it's my fault." How many times have people--before and after the disciples--felt exactly that way when faced with difficult circumstances?

Several paragraphs later, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane suffering. He knows the plan--He's about to die for the sins of humanity. But He also knows the Father--He knows the grace, love and all-powerful nature of God. And He has those characteristics Himself.

But the scene in the garden revealed how He dealt with difficulty--leading by example. He didn't turn up the drama and say that His world was falling apart. He didn't point fingers and say that it was all His Father's fault. He stayed faithful. He stayed focused. And He prayed, "Papa, Father, you can—can't you?—get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want—what do you want?"

Tomorrow: Mark 15-16

20 Questions with Jesus

Today: Mark 12-13

Why is the sky blue?

Why do peanut butter and chocolate taste SO GOOD together?

Who was the twelfth president?

Where IS Duluth?

When most of us are children, we have a lot of questions about the world--and we're not afraid to ask them. I'm not a parent (yet), but I DO know that one of the favorite pasttimes of toddlers is asking "What's that?" And for teenagers, the question becomes, "Why?"

As we grow up, I don't think the questions go away. They just get harder. We ask ourselves things like, "Why am I here on this planet?", "Why do bad things happen to good people?" and "Does God REALLY exist?" However, most adults don't ask questions like these out loud.

But if Jesus came visit you in person, I bet you'd have some questions (I know I would!).

Today as I read Mark 12-13, I felt a little bit like the people were playing a "20 Questions with Jesus" game. But sometimes, He asked them questions, too. Here are a few personal observations:

• Jesus sometimes answered questions with very clear, straightforward answers. (Example: "Which is most important of all the commandments?")
  
• At other times, Jesus answered questions by first questioning back. (See: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?")
  
• Jesus answered some questions people didn't explicitly ask out loud...but were probably curious about. (For example, I think He answered the question, "What is true generosity?" when He talked about the widow who gave all she had. )
  
• Jesus also initiated discussions by asking people questions. (Illustrated when He asks, "How is it that the religion scholars say that the Messiah is David's 'son,' when we all know that David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said...?)
  
• Sometimes, He answered questions with clues, but not clear-cut answers. (This is exemplified with His answer to, "What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?")

Jesus' approach to answering and asking questions was interesting for me to think about...mainly because I think that God still operates that way today.

Some of His answers to my questions have been pretty clear-cut...the answers are laid out clearly in the Bible so if I know what it says (or who to ask), I can find a very straight answer.

Sometimes, I think God questions us back--kind of like a good parent. For example, if I asked my mom and dad, "What do you think I should do with my life?", they would probably ask me questions like, "What are you interested in? What are your strengths? What are you passionate about doing? Who do you want to help through your work? What do you feel called or drawn to do?"

I know for sure Mom and Dad wouldn't want me to be a stripper (and I think God has boundaries like that, too). However, I think my parents would be pleased whether or not I chose to be a stay-at-home mom (well, as long as I was married first!), writer, project manager, teacher, speaker, researcher, etc. The point is that in some areas of our lives, I believe God gives us choices, but guides us to possible answers by asking us questions or providing some clues along the way.

Finally, I think sometimes God still wants to initiate discussions by asking us questions. This may sound a little strange...but I think every human being has a little bit of wonder in them (and I'm not talking about that cheap, airy white bread!). :) We wonder about the future and about the past. We wonder about good and evil, heaven and hell. We wonder about the meaning of our lives and we wonder about sickness and death. But have you ever asked yourself this important question--where does that "wonder" come from?

Tomorrow: Mark 14

The VIP section of heaven

Today: Mark 10-11

Back-to-school season is interesting, especially since I'm no longer in it. :)

I DO remember that one of the BIGGEST DEALS EVER in elementary school was where the teacher placed my desk. I was a good kid and a good student...which meant that if the teachers were strategic (like many are), I would usually end up sitting next to some loud, obnoxious and smelly boy who thought bodily functions were absolutely hilarious and ate boogers in class. Ugh!!! (Note to self: Find that kid on Facebook...I bet he's totally hot and hilarious now...which would be my luck.)

"Where you sit is important," was a lesson I learned back then.

I also learned that lesson in junior high and high school. I think most schools resemble cheesy teen movies in the fact that each one has the holy grail "Cool Table" in the cafeteria and the "Oh My Gosh I Never Want to Be Seen Here" table as well.

Even now, whenever my friends and family members go out to concerts, sporting events or comedy shows, getting REALLY good seats holds some prestige--like the time when my Dad sat in the owner's box at a Mariners' game. I heard things like, "You. Don't. UnderSTAND! It was unbelievable!!! They had a buffet table and so-and-so was there and I talked with him and...!"

As human beings, many of us learn the importance of getting a good seat. Even the disciples struggled with it. In today's passage, they fought over the VIP section in heaven (well, that's my way to say it anyway). Check it out:

"Arrange it," they said,

"so that we will be awarded the highest places

of honor in your glory—

one of us at your right,

the other at your left."
Jesus said, "You have no idea what you're asking.

Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink,

of being baptized in the baptism I'm about to be plunged into?" ...

"You've observed

how godless rulers

throw their weight around," he said,

"and when people get a little power

how quickly it goes to their heads.

It's not going to be that way with you.

Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.

Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.

That is what the Son of Man has done:

He came to serve, not to be served—

and then to give away his life

in exchange for many who are held hostage."

Whoa. If I was one of those disciples, I would have had a, "Why the heck did I even ask that for?" moment.

VIP seating in heaven is a whole lot different than it is here. It's WAY more expensive. But you don't get in heaven's best seats by being rich, cool, powerful, good, poor, beautiful, or funny. You get there by totally surrendering your life in service to others, just as Christ was willing to give His life for people. That's intense. But it's how God rolls in the VIP section.

(Yeah...I can't even begin to talk or write in a cool hip-hop style, so I'm just going to stop. Now.) :)

Tomorrow: Mark 12-13