Offerings, vows and building a (gingerbread) house

Today: Numbers 28-30

A few weeks ago, I built a house--a gingerbread house, to be exact. Before the project started, I gathered a bunch of materials to decorate the house. I was looking forward to showing some skills in creating a cool, polished gingerbread house to rival my friends/competitors...but I had some major construction issues.

It took me awhile to figure out how the pieces of the house fit together. I wanted to rush through the (boring) construction phase and get to the fun part...decorating! But the roof of my house had other ideas... :)

Unlike many of my friends, I decided to be Ms. Independent and build and decorate the house by myself--not a good idea either. Going solo took longer and was definitely more difficult than partnering up with someone else. .

When I read today's passage and opened my laptop tonight, I wasn't sure what to write about--offerings? Or vows? Then I remembered my gingerbread house building project and the importance of understanding how things fit together.

It's not an accident that this passage talks about offerings and vows--both of them involve making and keeping promises. Offerings and vows both require giving and a level of sacrifice. And offerings and vows are both about partnership. Let me explain a bit...

In terms of offerings, God promised protection and blessing to His people for giving offerings. I think today sometimes we think about that promise of blessing in monetary terms--and to some extent, I think that's okay. In my own life, I've seen God bless me financially as I remain obedient and faithful in giving (I have a few pretty cool stories...but maybe I'll save them for later). However, God's promises of blessings extend WAY beyond finances. Sometimes we may not recognize or even know about the non-monetary blessings of God, but I know He brings them into our lives, partly because of our obedience (and partly because He's just full of grace and love). Giving offerings is something that we do as an act of obedience and worship...but it also signifies a partnership with God. When I give, I'm in essence saying to God, "I recognize that I'm NOT Ms. Independent who can do everything by herself. I need You. You provide everything--life, salvation, a job, a home, everything--to me. Thank you!"

Likewise, a vow is a promise by definition. God takes vows and promises seriously, as evidenced by this passage. Any kind of vow requires giving--whether it's a couple pledging to love each other forever at their wedding or a lender giving money to help someone buy a home. Vows can't be made in isolation--they require partnership with another person, organization or with God Himself.

I learned about understanding how things fit together and the importance of having a good team while reading this passage and building a gingerbread house. Next year, I'll be better equipped to understand how my gingerbread house should fit together and plan ahead to choose a partner. Hopefully, as I continue this project and life in general, I'll also get better at understanding how things fit together and instead of trying to tackle things on my own, I want to recognize the importance of trusting God and people along the way.

Tomorrow: Numbers 31-32

Passing the torch

Today: Numbers 26-27

Can you believe the winter Olympics are starting soon? This time around, they'll be in my other home city--Vancouver (a few of my friends actually get to see some of the Games live--I'm a little jealous, actually, I won't lie here...). :)

One thing that always symbolizes the Olympics is the torch. Before the Games, the torch begins its journey in Greece until it finds it way all to the site of the Olympics. "Passing the torch" is a tradition that happens with the Olympics, but it also happens in our lives. Parents "pass the torch" of their values and family history to their children. Teachers "pass the torch" of knowledge to their students. And mentors "pass the torch" when they share wisdom that helps us grow--so that we can eventually lead and mentor others.

Today's passage included a "passing of the torch," when Moses ended his time leading the Israelites and God chose Joshua to lead the next generation.

God placed His Spirit in Joshua and asked Moses to take Joshua to the high priest and publicly introduce Joshua to the people as their leader--using his authority to "pass the torch" in a way that set up his successor for the job. God specifically indicated that as the leader, Joshua should listen to the prayerful advice of the high priest.

I wonder how Moses felt in the moment? I mean, he was the guy who God used to free the Israelites and lead them through a desert for 40 years! Yet Moses did NOT get to lead Israel into the Promised Land because of a serious mistake (see "Missing the Promise"). However, the moment was probably bittersweet because Joshua was one of Moses' most trusted leaders--a guy who had been with him from the beginning and held him up (literally at moments). Though passing the torch may not have been easy, Moses did it God's way...with class.

Tomorrow: Numbers 28-30

Guts to choose God's side

Today: Numbers 23-25

I think a lot of people picture Christians as kind of...wimpy. If you ever see a Christian portrayed in a movie or TV show, they usually seem to be pale, frail or just plain weird around people. That's sad.

I'm hoping that this generation will start to change some of the stereotypes because if there's one thing Christians shouldn't be, it's wimpy. It takes some real guts to choose God's side--and people with guts are usually NOT blah. They're leaders. They're straightforward. And they're interesting.

Take Balaam in today's passage, for example. Yesterday, he was the guy who heard from a donkey (definitely interesting!)...and from God, too. In today's passage, he had some major guts to stand up to a guy named Balak who asked him to curse the Israelites (God's people). I LOVE Balaam's responses to Balak. Here are a few of the cool things he said:

"...How can I curse whom God has not cursed?

How can I damn who God has not damned?..."

"Does he (God) not speak and do what he says?

Does he promise and not come through?"

"Didn't I tell you earlier: 'All God speaks and only what he speaks, I speak'?"

"Didn't I tell you upfront when you sent your emissaries,

'Even if Balak gave me his palace stuffed with silver and gold,

I couldn't do anything on my own, whether good or bad,

that went against God's command'?"

Balaam was a guy with guts--I kind of like him, don't you? Some of the things he said put him in a tough spot with Balak, a powerful man who actually threatened him. Choosing God's side takes guts at times, but it's always the right thing to do--you always win!

Tomorrow: Numbers 26-27

When a donkey talks, it's time to listen

Today: Numbers 21-22

If you have animals, you've probably talked to them at some point (it's okay to admit it--you've probably at least tried to teach them commands). But what would you do if one day, your pet talked back? What if it wasn't just one word at a time like a parrot (believe it or not, I actually had a talking parrot at one point in time!), but what if your pet engaged with you in conversation?

I'd seriously freak out--or feel like I suddenly landed in the middle of a Disney movie and just start singing back. :)

Joking aside, a talking Harley (my other--canine--roommate) would definitely get my attention. In today's passage, God actually made a donkey talk to get the attention of Balaam, a prophet.

Balaam was on his way to meet up with some guys who summoned him and asked him to put a curse on the Israelites (God's people). When Balaam's donkey backed off from the road (as donkeys sometimes do) and refused to move forward toward the meeting, Balaam beat the donkey three times. The donkey talked back and wasn't exactly thrilled about the beating. God opened Balaam's eyes to see why the donkey was backing off from the road--an angel of the Lord was standing in her way. Here's what it says:

God's angel said to him:

"Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times?

I have come here to block your way

because you're getting way ahead of yourself.

The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times.

If she hadn't, I would have killed you by this time, but not the donkey.

I would have let her off."
Balaam said to God's angel,

"I have sinned.

I had no idea you were standing in the road blocking my way..."

When I read that today, I had a "whoa" moment. Here are a few of the things I thought as I read this story:

1. God can really use anything to speak to us. If He used an ass, He can certainly use a friend, church, book, television show, child, blog post...anything!

2. Don't beat the messengers in your life...they might be doing God's work. Balaam beat his trusted donkey three times and said to God later, "I had no idea you were standing in the road blocking my way..." Particularly if your "messengers" are people you generally trust and respect (perhaps close friends, parents, mentors, leaders, etc.), they likely have your best interest at heart. Don't shrug off their advice, feedback or constructive criticism. Most of time, I think you can even learn something from people you don't even like or trust (including "what NOT to do").

3. God's not a genie. He doesn't always answer with "yes"--and sometimes, that's to our benefit. Especially today, I think there are a lot of modern Christians (myself included at times) who believe that if God loves them, everything they need and want will happen. Not true. God promises to always love us and meet our needs--but He does not promise to grant every wish instantaneously. I've seen what looks like "no" or negative answers from God--things like layoffs, serious illness or even death--turn into beautiful things that He used to move people into better circumstances (e.g. better jobs, miracle healing) or to bring them closer to Him.

4. "Blockades" aren't always from the Devil or simple obstacles you need to find a detour around. This point is kind of in line with my third observation. Sometimes we see things as obstacles when really, they are meant as gates to block us from hurting ourselves or others. Sometimes blockades are there for reasons we don't understand--and may be there to push us in totally different, God-led directions. For example, imagine an unemployed person getting a "no" for a job at a great company. The "no" might seem like a blockade, but maybe it's because something totally different and truly in line with the person's purpose is waiting ahead. Sometimes this truth can only be found in hindsight--but think about "blockades" that helped push you in the right direction before. It happens.

5. Blockades aren't always permanent. In Balaam's case, God used the blockade to get his attention, but then allowed Balaam to proceed into the city. Sometimes God calls us to remain patient before bulldozing ahead toward something we're not ready for yet (hello, single people who have charged ahead into bad relationships...).

If there's one thing I want to leave you with today it's this: When a donkey talks, it's time to listen.

Tomorrow: Numbers 23-25

Missing the Promise

Today: Numbers 18-20

Some of the most tragic stories are those of people who get inches away from their dreams...and just barely miss. Why does that happen? Sometimes, there's no way to explain it. And other times--perhaps the most tragic--it's because of one bad choice.

In today's passage, we read such a tragic story: why Moses and Aaron missed out on the Promised Land. Here's what it said:

God spoke to Moses: "Take the staff.

Assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron.

Speak to that rock that's right in front of them and it will give water.

You will bring water out of the rock for them;

congregation and cattle will both drink."
Moses took the staff away from God's presence, as commanded.

He and Aaron rounded up the whole congregation in front of the rock.

Moses spoke: "Listen, rebels! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?"
With that Moses raised his arm and slammed his staff against the rock—once, twice. Water poured out. Congregation and cattle drank.
God said to Moses and Aaron,

"Because you didn't trust me,

didn't treat me with holy reverence in front of the People of Israel,

you two aren't going to lead this company into the land that I am giving them."

This story is fairly short. We don't get to read much about what happened. But I think there may have been a few reasons why God's punishment for Moses and Aaron was so severe. Here are my guesses:

1. At a very basic level, they disobeyed. They didn't speak to the rock--Moses slammed his staff into the rock to get the water.

2. Moses acted out of anger toward the people, allowing his emotions to overtake God's graciousness toward them.

3. Moses took credit. He said, "...Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?" That's A LOT different than, "God has shown mercy and will provide water for you, just as He continually provides for all your needs." By taking the credit and acting out of anger, Moses showed a lack of trust in God's provision, God's wisdom and God's sovereignty to govern His people.

Those are my guesses...but my thinking isn't God's thinking, either. I imagine that perhaps God was disappointed in His two strongest leaders who, after knowing Him and serving Him many years still didn't "quite get it." At the time, Moses and Aaron were acting as God's voice to His people...but in this situation, they chose to use their own voices. They missed the Promised Land because they missed the point--listening to God and leading His way--by giving undeserved and unmerited favor (grace) to others.

Tomorrow: Numbers 21-22

Leadership lesson on repeat

Today: Numbers 16-17

It's both weird...and expected...that lessons of the Bible sometimes feel like they're stuck on "Repeat." I think that happens in real life with God, too. The challenge is that we can quickly forget the lessons He's already taught us. A few days (and chapters) ago, we learned a lesson about leadership and dealing with conflict (see "Leadership and Leprosy").

Today's chapters focused on a similar theme. Several hundred Levites (tribe chosen to be the priests and serve in God's House) challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron. Here's Moses' response:

Moses continued with Korah, "Listen well now, sons of Levi.

Isn't it enough

for you that the God of Israel

has selected you

out of the congregation of Israel

to bring you near him to serve

in the ministries of The Dwelling of God,

and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?

He has brought you and all your brother Levites into his inner circle,

and now you're grasping for the priesthood, too.

It's God you've ganged up against, not us.

What do you have against Aaron that you're bad-mouthing him?"

It was interesting to see a deja vu problem in this passage compared to what happened with Moses, Aaron and Miriam in the chapters we read a few days ago. We already talked about how conflict (particularly between leaders) should be handled...so I thought it would be interesting to make a few other observations today:

1. This time, Aaron's authority was challenged. In the last situation, Aaron was one of the people challenging authority and this time, he's the one being disrespected. I can almost hear Justin Timberlake singing, "What goes around, goes around, goes around, comes all the way back around..." I don't think the fact that the challenge was also directed at Aaron was a coincidence--there may have been a Biblical principle of "sowing and reaping" ("you reap what you sow") at work.

2. The consequences were steeper. This time, over 14,000 people died from two catastrophes (what sounds like an earthquake and a plague) as a result of the uprising. The consequences might have been steeper because more people were involved in planning the revolt...and perhaps they should have learned from the incident with Miriam and leprosy.

3. The "repeat" of this leadership lesson is found in other parts of Scripture. For example, Satan and the demons were once angels who challenged God's authority.

I think the best way to close this post is with a few questions (for me, too!). What lessons have you seen on "Repeat" in your life? How can you effectively remember the lessons--and potentially avoid some "Repeat" testing?

Tomorrow: Numbers 18-20

The Crazy in Hope Perspective

Today: Numbers 14-15

It's New Year's Eve--and perhaps this year more than others, I've heard people talk about hope. Right now (after a day and evening out), I'm listening to Carson Daly in Times Square talk about hope (even though it's after 1:00 AM my time and the glittery ball dropped in NYC four hours ago!). It was interesting to hear Carson and his guests talk about the things people hope for--health, jobs, prosperity, love, peace. And it was interesting to hear them talk about the things and people that give them hope--stock market stability, a significant other, President Obama, possible health care reform...you name it.

I'm a hope-filled person (I've written about being Crazy in Hope before, actually). I think it's great to hope for the things listed above. It's even okay to have hopes in leaders we admire, people we love or institutions we believe in. However, ultimately, many of those people or institutions will let us down or fail to live up to our expectations.

That's why being really Crazy in Hope means putting your hope in God and what He wants. It may seem totally crazy to people around you, but I think it makes the most sense--putting your hope in the One who knows everything and is all-powerful (even though you can't see Him) beats putting your hope in the stock market or your boss (you see them, but you know they can let you down). Take a look at what Joshua and Caleb said in this passage:

"The land we walked through and scouted out

is a very good land—very good indeed.

If God is pleased with us,

he will lead us into that land,

a land that flows, as they say, with milk and honey.

And he'll give it to us.

Just don't rebel against God!

And don't be afraid of those people.

Why, we'll have them for lunch!

They have no protection

and God is on our side.

Don't be afraid of them!"

My prayer for you and me this year? Hope continually in God. Live a life of love under His leadership. FORGET FEAR. Remember faith. Walk in freedom.

I believe it's possible...here's to a happy, hope-filled new year.

Tomorrow: Numbers 16-17