Monday March 17, 2008

Luke 12:35: Watchfulness

"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, …”

Recently I was talking with some of my students about their careers. They were just beginning their first year of college. I remarked offhandedly that it is, of course, impossible to plan a career. Life is too unpredictable.

Suddenly the conversation stopped. Everyone was shocked. They just sat there staring at me. I have been teaching more years than I care to say, and I knew what they were thinking. They were thinking that the whole point of going to college is to get your ducks in a row for a career. You take certain courses, get a certain degree, interview with the right companies, get the right promotions, and eventually you’re the CEO. Now this guy is telling us that you can’t do that.

They were still staring at me, and I had to say something. I told them about alumni I had invited back to campus to tell students about their experiences. They described the twists and turns their lives had taken, none of which they would have predicted. Many went through two or three careers, at least.

I knew what my students were thinking now. “Then what am I doing here? Why am I signing up for a curriculum in X if I don’t know what I will be doing in ten years?”

I told them that life is about seizing opportunities as they arise. At some level we all want to make a contribution, to make the world a little better. For most of us the contribution is small, but for a few it is large. It’s not up to us. It depends on what opportunities come our way. To use religious language, we are called.

We can’t answer the call unless we are prepared. This is what we do in college, and in life. We learn as much as possible, and develop as many skills as possible, while we have the chance. We dress out for service and keep the lamp of knowledge burning. Then we will be ready.

Tuesday March 18, 2008

John 13:5:
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Have you ever attended a foot washing service? Holy week leading to Easter Sunday is my favorite of the liturgical year, especially Maundy Thursday. It captures and honors the Last Supper, when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.

The church we attended before FUMC held a solemn service. It began with a meager meal of soup & bread; then we processed into the sanctuary while chanting. You can guess the scripture readings. A circle of wood chairs sat by the altar railing, with a basin of water on the floor. You voluntarily came forward, took your seat & took off your shoe & sock. The pastor kneeled in front of you and washed your foot. A congregation member dried your foot with a towel.

Can you imagine giving your foot to Jesus, who is kneeling in front of you? You would be seated looking down into Jesus’ face. Wouldn’t you rather look up into his face? Jesus is holding your foot. He washes it with water. [Now, the foot is a goofy body part, not pretty or attractive. But feet have great purpose: they hold us up, take us where we want to go, & keep up balanced. Funny these odd looking things perform such important work.] Maybe your foot is stinky & dry with calluses; Jesus still washes it for you. Then, of all things, he takes off his robe (towel) and dries your foot. Maybe he is naked.

What do you do now?

Where do you look?

What do you say?

How do you feel?

Jesus’ act of foot washing was a profound expression of HUMILITY, in the utmost sense.

HUMILITY is defined as: the quality of being humble; lack of pride, modesty or pretense; showing deferential respect; an act of submission. Think about these words. Can you live into them? How long would it take? Could you come from this place of humility and wash Jesus’ feet?

We should learn humility. If we can, our feet will be better prepared to do their work:

holding us up in God’s faith,

take us where we want to go to spread the Word as Jesus’ disciples,

keep us balanced as we strive to walk in his truth and reflect his light.

Please, may I wash your feet?

Wednesday March 19, 2008

Matthew 20:28:
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

I used to subscribe to all the magazines. I wanted to be surrounded by information from people that knew things. I expected to become ‘better’ as a result. But, invariably, I found myself in a place where I knew nothing. And, as I found out, my subscriptions had given me leaders that knew about everything except me. Was it always going to be like this, I thought?

As I began to understand my religious faith, I discovered that I didn’t know everything and did not always end up in the right place. But, I was not abandoned. A long time ago Jesus showed what it meant to be a servant leader who cared about everyone; a leader that would always be there and be a servant during failures. When I read the words of this hymn, my servant leader becomes very real to me.

THE NINETY AND NINE

There were ninety and nine that safely lay But none of the ransomed ever knew
In the shelter of the fold. How deep were the waters crossed;
But one was out on the hills away, Nor how dark the night the Lord passed thru

Far off from the gates of gold. Ere was found the sheep that was lost.
Away on the mountains wild and bare. Out in the desert was heard its cry,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. Sick and helpless and ready to die;

“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; “Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way
Are they not enough for Thee?” That mark out the mountain’s track?”
But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine “They were shed for one who had gone astray
Has wandered away from Me; Ere the Shepherd could bring one back.”
And although the road be rough and steep, “Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?”
I go to the desert to find My sheep, “They are pierced tonight by many a thorn;

But all through the mountains, thunder driven
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of Heaven,
“Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!
Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!”

Dear Lord, Help me to be a leader that can serve the needs of others.

Thursday March 20, 2008

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Ironic that we selected this passage and are writing our devotional on the same day we finally submit to completing our 2008 family budget. As a newlywed couple who just signed a 30 year mortgage for our first home, we find ourselves getting caught up in our finances on a daily basis. How much should we budget for groceries? How much do we need to be saving for retirement? Should we start saving for children? Can we afford to put money towards home improvement projects? How can we boost our income?

After reviewing and discussing this passage at length, our interpretation is that ‘money’ in this sense goes beyond funding everyday needs (i.e. shelter, food, electricity etc.) and includes what we consider to be the luxury items in life. We have found the desire to obtain luxury items can be destructive to both our savings account and our relationship. It can also lead to living beyond our means in order to keep up with the Jones’. It seems too easy to become overwhelmed and frustrated with finances and to turn away from one another. We have chosen instead to make a commitment to turn together toward God by living a comfortable spiritually driven life and not a life motivated exclusively by the pursuit material goods. Subsequently, we have decided our family mission in 2008 is to work toward keeping up with Jesus and not the Jones’. Please don’t hesitate to ask if we are on track when you see us next Sunday!

Dear Lord,

Please walk with us as we seek your wisdom while planning for the future both spiritually and financially. We seek to be your servants and to be mindful of those who do not have the means to meet their everyday needs. We are so thankful to be your blessed children. Amen.

Friday March 21, 2008

John 3:17

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

The Pharisees dragged a sobbing, disheveled woman into the Temple courts and placed her before Jesus and the crowd. “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery,” they accused. “The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” Trembling with fear, the woman waited for Jesus’ reply.

“I’m surely doomed,” she thought. But to her surprise, the Lord remained silent.

Then Jesus stooped and began to write in the dirt with his finger.

“Answer our question!” the Pharisees demanded. Ignoring the religious leaders, the Teacher continued to write.

“How odd,” the woman puzzled, straining to read the scrawls.

Once again the Pharisees goaded Jesus to respond. Straightening up, he declared, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone:” The woman watched in amazement as the crowd gradually dispersed, from oldest to youngest, until only she and Jesus remained. As she focused on the Lord’s face, her fear and shame began to dissolve. Instead of a cold, condemning stare, her eyes met a gaze filled with warmth and compassion. “I’m such a sinner! How can he love me?” she marveled.

“Woman, where are your accusers?” the Teacher asked. “Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she answered. Resting a hand on her shoulder, Jesus replied, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” Then he dismissed the woman with a nod and a smile. And she returned home a transformed individual.

Saturday March 22, 2008

Luke 9:62:

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Have you ever used a plow? I can honestly say that I only used a plow but once or twice in my lifetime in my youth. The plow was much faster and more efficient that just digging by hand. However you had to keep your focus on the stake that you placed at the end of the row so that the ground you just turned was straight.

Jesus is teaching us that in order for us to have our eyes toward the kingdom that we too must keep our focus on our relationship with God. How do we keep this focus? Don’t look back. In today’s culture we are told that we must look back at our past and analyze what it is we did wrong. Well not according to this passage.

According to this passage it doesn’t say that you will not hit a rock or come across some hard dry ground. It says that if you keep your hand to the plow and not look back that the Lord Jesus Christ will guide you to the kingdom. Lord, teach us to keep our focus on you so that one day we will surely be fit for service in the kingdom of God, Amen.

Sunday March 23, 2008

Matthew 28:6: EASTER
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay

Throughout this Lenten season we have been preparing for today. We have thought and prayed about:

· Humility Obedience

· Compassion Sacrifice

· Perseverance Service

Each of these qualities of our Savior has taught us something about himself, and even more about the character of our God. Today we rejoice and celebrate. Can we imagine what it was like to be Mary at the tomb? It is pretty rare for us to have real life encounters with angels. It isn’t very often that the figures of authority in our lives are shaken like the guards at the tomb. Yet, the women were open to the angel’s message. The rest of the passage tells us that, “they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy.” And on the way, they meet Jesus who tells them, once again as he often has, not to be afraid.

Today we leave the tomb and hurry on our way. We have things to do, people to see. Along the way, however, we must be ready to meet Jesus. He will be on our road! How will we recognize him? How will we greet him? Will we step aside and hope he doesn’t make eye contact with us? Will we make excuses, and tell him later, we are too busy right now?

As our Easter prayer let us take our Lenten journey into the Easter season and forward in our lives. Let us keep these reminders before us:

· Will we keep our openness to humility, to listening to the angels? Help us to learn and grow in faith and understanding

· Will we nurture compassion in ourselves and others? Help me feel God’s love stirring in me when I open my heart to others.

· Will we remain faithful, even when we start to lose hope?  Help me will keep my promises to God although I become discouraged and impatient.

· Will I listen and follow God’s leading? Help me understand that even though I think I know what needs to be done, God understands more and I should follow his guidance.

· What am I willing to give up to fulfill God’s desires? Help me give up things that take my attention, and give more of my attention to God.

· Am I praising God always and following God’s directions? Help me to recognize Jesus in my daily life and create more healing and joy.

EASTER FAMILY ACTIVITY:

Using the plastic Easter eggs that we put surprises in, have your children write reminders of the six qualities of Christ that we have focused on during Lent. At family mealtimes you can open one and talk about how it is active in your daily lives.