Grace on Main Street

So I'm driving down the Main Road and notice that some folks are trying to cross the street. I am not in a hurry so I stop to let them walk on over to the other side. I am happy to do it. It is my pleasure. But my pleasure turns to annoyance when I receive no acknowledgment for my act of kindness. Nothing; not even a slight wave of the hand. I always acknowledge the kindness of drivers… even when I’m in a crossing zone.

Now you might think this is a message about the unbelievable attitudes of some people who take the kindness of us drivers for granted. But it's not. It is an indictment of me. Here I am breaking the law of Jesus Christ by expecting something back from someone.

I am a Christian and yet at those moments I find my EGO is really apparent to me – my desire to be acknowledged. Didn’t Jesus say somewhere that if I only greet people who can greet me back what is the status of my heart before God? I do good because it is the will of God, not because I get a reward. My ego wants a reward. I find my ego is rather needy. I might instead call it sin that is dwelling in me – like Paul called it in Romans 7.

I don't need no stinkin' acknowledgement. I stop to be kind and merciful, not because I need someone's gratitude. That’s the attitude of Christ.

Now don't think this is just a lesson about street crossing delinquents. No, this is more about how I view all people I encounter. Can I be kind in my thoughts and deeds or is it about what I can get out of it (including some good gossip if things don't go my way).

So no more grumbling for me. I will still stop for pedestrians, and even hope that I am not appreciated. I do it because it's right. That’s all. And I love others because it is right; even if they annoy the heck out of me.

In fact, I should love them FOR annoying me because I might learn something about my ego. See, when I was young I needed that ego to get along in the world. Now that I am almost grown up it's time to let go of that ego....trade it for the one that Jesus wants to give me.

God bless you all.

George

Living on the Inside

Read Ephesians 3:16 and following

Life on the inside. I’m not referring here to jail but to the inner spirit within us where Christ resides (although that inner person might feel like jail sometimes).

But too often we live on the “outside”, affected by so much that is not helpful to our growth as Christians. We live by what we see, and how we think others see us. I know that for myself at times I am too concerned with what others think of me and so I forget to look inside of myself where Christ is telling me that I am his beloved. And others might define me by my appearance, my age, even my mistakes and my sins – rather than the relationship I have with Christ way down deep inside of me.

That's why prayer is so important.... looking inside and being with Christ.... just being quiet in the presence of God. We need to think more about God's love for us and not be caught up in the external pressures of life.

I don't want to live on the surface of life; I want to live deeper inside where Paul prays I will know Christ (Eph. 3:16). It is in this deep inner place that I can come to say, “Thy will be done”. Living on the surface of my life is too often about my will. But hopefully the more time I spend on the inner life, the better the life on the outside will be.

God invites us to go deeper, to abide with him, stay with him, rest with him, to be loved by him. That cannot happen until we obey him – “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD” (Psalm 46).

Life on the inside is where I come to know myself better and, to be honest, the first glance might not be all that pretty. But I present myself to Christ and he interacts with my spirit to give me new life.

Maybe that's why Paul writes in Colossians that our real lives are hid with Christ. See, if you are a believer in Christ, according to Colossians 3:3 the life you see in the mirror is not your real life. Your real life is the life that God sees through his Son Jesus Christ, who died for you. God sees you as His Beloved son or daughter. And believe me, God is at work in our lives even if we are not aware of it.

So next time you see me, remember to look deeper inside because that's where I am living.... with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Yours in Christ,
George

Leaving and Returning

The late Henry Nouwen wrote a book called Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Prodigal Son. In it he speaks of the son’s leaving home and returning home as something we all experience on a spiritual level.The idea of leaving home and returning to God is a daily routine and theme. As each day comes, I am invited to remember that I am loved with an eternal love by God. This love isn’t because of what I have or what I do, but rather because of who I am in Christ. I am God's beloved child because of God's decision to make me so. I have God's blessings. When I choose to do my own thing, like the prodigal son I am leaving home. This happens daily whenever I step away from the Father and go to the far distant land of selfishness and ego-centered living. Whenever I worry, I am leaving home. Whenever I am greedy or jealous or lustful, I am leaving home. In all these ways I am saying, “Father, I am taking my blessings and leaving.” And it happens daily.

Returning home happens daily also. When I realize what I am doing, whom it is that I left, and where my real life resides, I am returning home. I come back to my heavenly Father and discover that he is running to greet me; to welcome me home and lavish his love on me with a feast of heavenly delights.

So let's get used to this leaving and returning. It will happen often on the road to our final home. But remember that the best part is the party, for it says in Luke 15 “There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who comes back home than over all the others who think they have no need to return” (a slight paraphrase on my part).

Anyway, this whole story is found in Luke 15. You might want to read it again - for the first time.

Yours in Christ,
George