It took me a long time to learn that being nice is not synonymous with being Christlike. I grew up thinking it was important to be nice.
And then, one day as I read the gospels I realized: Jesus was not nice. It isn't that, as the exact representation of God, He is not loving, compassionate, and kind. He is sacrificial to the point of death. But love, true love, is not about being nice. And Christlikeness is centered in God, not in others.
Being nice is about pleasing others: saying what they want to hear, dressing in a pleasing way, doing what they want you to do. That is when people will say you're "nice." When we serve others, we are putting the other person ahead of ourselves and this is a nice thing to do.
In Daniel chapter 5, however, Daniel is called to serve the king and the message he brings is not nice. It is asked for, it is necessary, and he is the only one able to translate God's message, but it is a message of death. It is not what the king, or the people, want to hear. It is not about "fixing" other people's problems or giving false reassurance. It's about allegiance to God in the face of difficulty.
I need to be a person of integrity despite the circumstances. This does not mean that I stand in self-righteous judgement or condemnation--and I have at times--for this is sin. This does not mean that I bow to the desires of others, but that I realize there will be times when serving others requires a boldness and steadfastness that is "not nice."
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Serving the Enemy
My morning reading today was in Daniel. We have a discipleship class at our church called "Growing Deeper Roots" which is a three-year curriculum focused on intentional disciple-making. Our women's group is completing its third year of study (we were short-changed last March and will draw to a close soon). For the period of time we meet, we synchronize our daily Bible readings.
I came to the end of Daniel chapter one with a new realization: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah gave up the king's food and applied themselves to a grueling three years training, only to be the most suited young men to serve their enemy: "The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service" (Daniel 1:19).
They would not overthrow this government that had laid siege to their homeland and families, that had taken them captive and physically mutilated them. They would not work covertly to undermine the integrity of this new world leader. They would not corroborate to free prisoners or support efforts at home. They gave themselves fully to the service of the king. An ungodly king, an ungodly king of a wicked nation, an ungodly king of a wicked nation that practiced evil and sought to take over the world.
Their calling was to love the Lord, their God, with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. God's purpose included rescue and release, but not for seventy years. Within that time, God had plans and purposes that He would make known through His word and these servants. But until then, these young men were to serve their enemy to the best of their God-given abilities with the strength that God provided.
When I believe that God controls circumstances (Lamentations 2:17) and that He directs the heart of the king (Proverbs 21:1), then I can apply myself to fully living out my devotion to Him despite my circumstances. My concern does not rest on changing what is happening around me, but in serving God wholly, trusting that He will use my service (regardless of its object) to glorify Himself and accomplish His will.
Am I mindful of world events? Certainly. Am I fearful of future calamity? At times. Should this affect my service? Not if my trust is in the Lord God, maker of heaven and earth. My submission to those in authority is not based on their merit, but on God's mandate and my devotion to Him.
I came to the end of Daniel chapter one with a new realization: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah gave up the king's food and applied themselves to a grueling three years training, only to be the most suited young men to serve their enemy: "The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service" (Daniel 1:19).
They would not overthrow this government that had laid siege to their homeland and families, that had taken them captive and physically mutilated them. They would not work covertly to undermine the integrity of this new world leader. They would not corroborate to free prisoners or support efforts at home. They gave themselves fully to the service of the king. An ungodly king, an ungodly king of a wicked nation, an ungodly king of a wicked nation that practiced evil and sought to take over the world.
Their calling was to love the Lord, their God, with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. God's purpose included rescue and release, but not for seventy years. Within that time, God had plans and purposes that He would make known through His word and these servants. But until then, these young men were to serve their enemy to the best of their God-given abilities with the strength that God provided.
When I believe that God controls circumstances (Lamentations 2:17) and that He directs the heart of the king (Proverbs 21:1), then I can apply myself to fully living out my devotion to Him despite my circumstances. My concern does not rest on changing what is happening around me, but in serving God wholly, trusting that He will use my service (regardless of its object) to glorify Himself and accomplish His will.
Am I mindful of world events? Certainly. Am I fearful of future calamity? At times. Should this affect my service? Not if my trust is in the Lord God, maker of heaven and earth. My submission to those in authority is not based on their merit, but on God's mandate and my devotion to Him.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Working the Harvest
Today's post is going to be a little different than the rest--this blog is generally where I collect thoughts on service to Christ, service to His Body, service to others. Maybe this experience fits better than I think....
This last Saturday our community hosted a Children's Festival. This may be the eighth year the street has been blocked off and booths that celebrate children and provide activities has been set up. The "empty lot" that now sports a permanent stage and landscaped walkways hosted puppet shows, dance troupes, and magicians. Music flooded the street and local businesses and organizations handed out crafts, books, and decorated cupcakes. I was privileged to work alongside my friend, Sandy, in presenting the good news of Jesus Christ.
We set up our canopy for Good News Club, hung our banner, and prepared to make bookmarks that presented the gospel with five simple colors and shapes: the black heart (all have sinned, Rom. 3:23), the red cross (Jesus died for our sin and rose again, 1 Cor. 15:3-4), the white heart (God's forgiveness when we agree, 1 John 1:9), the green tree (growth in friendship with God and Christlikeness, Rom. 8:29), and the gold crown (our destiny is eternal, Rev. 21: 12, 15). With each child that came to our canopy, we offered to make a bookmark--each child was guided through the process of using a paper punch and colored paper to add shape and color to their otherwise bland cardstock of words and Scripture references.
When we got home that night, 100 bookmarks were gone! In 5 hours, Sandy and I had the opportunity to present the gospel to nearly 100 children--and send it home with a children's tract from Child Evangelism Fellowship and an invitation to join our Good News Clubs in the school or to join the Mailbox Club (where lessons are sent and feedback is provided). How exciting!!
Even this morning, God burdened me to pray for the police officer who came to our booth before the event began and asked, "So what's the good news?"; for the family from Chicago with tattoos, ear plugs, and what initially appeared a scoffing attitude only to leave having shared first names and heard the news of Jesus' love; for the little girl who wandered near our canopy three times before her parents would let her stop. We continue to pray for those children who have attended AWANA and vacation Bible school with us, who have heard the message, and "just don't get it." Sandy reminds me that it is God's work. We are to remain faithful and present the good news of God's love--even if the children hear it only once each year. We covet your prayers for the work of God in our community and in the lives of those He continues to draw and save in our small corner of the world--and around the globe.
This last Saturday our community hosted a Children's Festival. This may be the eighth year the street has been blocked off and booths that celebrate children and provide activities has been set up. The "empty lot" that now sports a permanent stage and landscaped walkways hosted puppet shows, dance troupes, and magicians. Music flooded the street and local businesses and organizations handed out crafts, books, and decorated cupcakes. I was privileged to work alongside my friend, Sandy, in presenting the good news of Jesus Christ.
We set up our canopy for Good News Club, hung our banner, and prepared to make bookmarks that presented the gospel with five simple colors and shapes: the black heart (all have sinned, Rom. 3:23), the red cross (Jesus died for our sin and rose again, 1 Cor. 15:3-4), the white heart (God's forgiveness when we agree, 1 John 1:9), the green tree (growth in friendship with God and Christlikeness, Rom. 8:29), and the gold crown (our destiny is eternal, Rev. 21: 12, 15). With each child that came to our canopy, we offered to make a bookmark--each child was guided through the process of using a paper punch and colored paper to add shape and color to their otherwise bland cardstock of words and Scripture references.
When we got home that night, 100 bookmarks were gone! In 5 hours, Sandy and I had the opportunity to present the gospel to nearly 100 children--and send it home with a children's tract from Child Evangelism Fellowship and an invitation to join our Good News Clubs in the school or to join the Mailbox Club (where lessons are sent and feedback is provided). How exciting!!
Even this morning, God burdened me to pray for the police officer who came to our booth before the event began and asked, "So what's the good news?"; for the family from Chicago with tattoos, ear plugs, and what initially appeared a scoffing attitude only to leave having shared first names and heard the news of Jesus' love; for the little girl who wandered near our canopy three times before her parents would let her stop. We continue to pray for those children who have attended AWANA and vacation Bible school with us, who have heard the message, and "just don't get it." Sandy reminds me that it is God's work. We are to remain faithful and present the good news of God's love--even if the children hear it only once each year. We covet your prayers for the work of God in our community and in the lives of those He continues to draw and save in our small corner of the world--and around the globe.
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