This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…hide it under a bushel? NO! I’m gonna let it shine… This verse connects with Matthew 5:14-16—part of the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus says,” 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
This past week, I’ve been thinking a lot about this song and wonder, what does it mean to let our light shine? What is the light that shines? There are numerous scripture metaphors and references using light and the more I think about the image of light, the more beautiful I see these metaphors. Looking at John 1, Jesus is the life and the light of all people. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it,” can be understood as Jesus shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome . The question of how is Jesus shining in the darkness in our lives?
Being human, we yearn for light. When I was a backpack guide in Colorado, after a long day, 6am-11pm of guiding the group and making sure we were on the right path, had food to eat, water to drink, leading Bible study, games and being sure everyone was healthy, I yearned for time to read a book or write in my journal. Often times, my alone time was at 11pm at night, when we were 7 miles from the trailhead and there was no light around besides flashlights. When I turned my flashlight on, bugs began to pester me. I yearned for light so I could see, so I would shine it to corner in my tent, the light was present, but I was unable to read my book. The light is sometimes a challenge for us to see the details, but knowing that the light is there brings comfort and peace.
Jesus is the light that shines through us—how is Jesus shining through you and how you live your life? Letting the light of Christ shine through you is not a requirement, but a response to the grace and presence of Christ in our lives. Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness; the darkness will not overcome Jesus, but will sustain and be the stronghold through all challenges encountered in this world.
Jesus is the light of the world, and Jesus is the light that shines through you. What you do in this world is not about you and not to shine yourself into the spotlight in this world. The good news is that Jesus is present in who you are as a child of God and you have the call to live in this world and let that light shine through you.
Let the light shine through you in not some parts of your life, but all parts of your life, each and every day. You may not be able to read the words on this current page of life, but the light of Christ is present and you know the truth and that is that Jesus died on the cross and forgives all your sins; may you respond to this love and grace and let the light of Christ shine through you. May you love your neighbor as yourself and let the light of Christ shine.
I’d like to close with my favorite camp song that reminds us to live in the present moment and shine where we are:
You are the light of the world.
You are the light of the world.
So shine, shine, shine where you are.
You are the light of the world.
This little light of mine, I am going to let it shine—may this be your mantra for the weeks to come.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
An Undeserving Gift for Everyone
I grew up on a farm in Small town South Dakota, where I went to school with 38 total kids in my grade. My family was part of the local Lutheran Church called Grace Lutheran Church. As a child when I heard the word Grace, I thought people were talking about where I went to church, “oh yes, we go to Grace,” to me “Grace” was where I went to church.
As I went through high school, my family began attending a different church and I became active in the youth group and actually was able to understand sermons better, my idea of grace was shifted when people started talking about this Jesus guy who died on the cross for the sins of all people—this was a gift that humanity is undeserving and pays/gives nothing to receive. Wow—now what in the world does that mean?
In high school, I began to hear friends talk about having to accept Jesus as a personal Lord and Savior before I can have Jesus in my life—later on this was clarified to me that there is nothing I can decide or do to have Jesus in my life, grace is a gift offered to all humanity and Jesus, the creator of our being has died on the cross for the sins of all humanity whether we like it and choose for it to happen or not.
Two years ago I was in a coffee shop back in Sioux Falls waiting in line to order my refreshing vanilla latte. As the woman in front of me went to pay, she caught a glimpse of me and said I am going to buy your drink too, what would you like. As I was caught speechless, she continued to say, you know, you look real familiar…after a few moments we discovered she was the person who had cleaned my teeth once a year since I was five.—I could not understand why this lady, who I only see once a year to get my teeth cleaned wanted to buy me a cup of coffee… I felt undeserving of her generosity.
Undeserving? God’s gift of grace and forgiveness is an expression of his love for humanity. We don’t understand it and we don’t deserve it, but he gives it anyway. Even if you feel like your faith isn’t big enough, it is, we can learn from Jesus about faith as a mustard seed, and how small is a mustard seed? Exactly, really small, if you have even a little faith, you can have great influence in this world and Jesus gives you the strength you need to ‘move mountains.’ You cannot measure a persons faith and you don't have to have 'big faith.' Just remember faith as small as a mustard seed is having faith and your faith is immeasurable and uncompareable to anyone in this world. The most faithful of all is Jesus Christ who offers grace, forgiveness and love to all people.
Grace is a gift of forgiveness and life. We are not perfect but God loves us for who we are no matter what—grace offers us complete forgiveness from all sins.
We don’t have to do anything to receive God’s grace, but we are called to celebrate and respond to God’s grace and share this grace with the world and everyone that we meet. How do you respond to God’s grace? Who do you share God’s grace with in your every day life?
I greatly appreciate the message translation of Ephesians 2:1-10, but I also encourage you to look it up in your Bible and reflect on that text this week. :
1-6It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
As I went through high school, my family began attending a different church and I became active in the youth group and actually was able to understand sermons better, my idea of grace was shifted when people started talking about this Jesus guy who died on the cross for the sins of all people—this was a gift that humanity is undeserving and pays/gives nothing to receive. Wow—now what in the world does that mean?
In high school, I began to hear friends talk about having to accept Jesus as a personal Lord and Savior before I can have Jesus in my life—later on this was clarified to me that there is nothing I can decide or do to have Jesus in my life, grace is a gift offered to all humanity and Jesus, the creator of our being has died on the cross for the sins of all humanity whether we like it and choose for it to happen or not.
Two years ago I was in a coffee shop back in Sioux Falls waiting in line to order my refreshing vanilla latte. As the woman in front of me went to pay, she caught a glimpse of me and said I am going to buy your drink too, what would you like. As I was caught speechless, she continued to say, you know, you look real familiar…after a few moments we discovered she was the person who had cleaned my teeth once a year since I was five.—I could not understand why this lady, who I only see once a year to get my teeth cleaned wanted to buy me a cup of coffee… I felt undeserving of her generosity.
Undeserving? God’s gift of grace and forgiveness is an expression of his love for humanity. We don’t understand it and we don’t deserve it, but he gives it anyway. Even if you feel like your faith isn’t big enough, it is, we can learn from Jesus about faith as a mustard seed, and how small is a mustard seed? Exactly, really small, if you have even a little faith, you can have great influence in this world and Jesus gives you the strength you need to ‘move mountains.’ You cannot measure a persons faith and you don't have to have 'big faith.' Just remember faith as small as a mustard seed is having faith and your faith is immeasurable and uncompareable to anyone in this world. The most faithful of all is Jesus Christ who offers grace, forgiveness and love to all people.
Grace is a gift of forgiveness and life. We are not perfect but God loves us for who we are no matter what—grace offers us complete forgiveness from all sins.
We don’t have to do anything to receive God’s grace, but we are called to celebrate and respond to God’s grace and share this grace with the world and everyone that we meet. How do you respond to God’s grace? Who do you share God’s grace with in your every day life?
I greatly appreciate the message translation of Ephesians 2:1-10, but I also encourage you to look it up in your Bible and reflect on that text this week. :
1-6It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Servanthood: Not Something you Just Do, but a Way of Life
Most people have played Monopoly before or at least have heard of the game. This is often a favorite board game and it is all about you, what you get, acquire, you want to have the most money, the most properties and the most properties with hotels on them—it’s often about taking anything that you can get so you have the most. The game is really about you and what you get…
VIDEO: “It’s all about Me” Click here to watch the video
We live in a self-centered, me-first world (generally speaking). This seems to be naturally and often goes unchecked in our lives. The opposite of the selfishness and self-centeredness is beoing others centered and being aware of the needs people have around us. Being others-centered is responding to the needs of people in our midst, both friend and stranger.
Jesus calls us to have Christ-like compassion—this is something that is a challenge but we all need to think about.
Jesus desires for us to see him when we see someone who is sick, hurting or lost. Living the gospel, living Matthew 25 is seeing Christ in our neighbors and REALIZING the needs and RESPONDING to the needs of others.
What if ALL CHRISTIANS lived a life of servanthood—all the time? What if all Christians lived Romans 12:1—“in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship…” Serving others is your spiritual act of worship to God.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS: Matthew 25:31-46—The Parable of the Judgment
This is a parable that Jesus uses to transform the time of waiting for the Son of Man to come—he encourages people to change from useless idleness to emphasizing the importance of others-centered and to care for neighbors in need.
In this parable the community's meantime of waiting for the Son of Man is changed from a useless passage of time to a redefinition of community in the care of the neighbor, and from worry about the "when" of the coming of the Son of Man to the realization that the "when" has already taken place in the face of the need, lost and lonely. Jesus was urging his people to respond to God’s love and impact the lives of others by how they live. Our conversation tonight is not about earning God’s love by how we live, but our conversation is about responding to God’s love by caring for all the people around us. For it is by grace we are saved, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-10)—there is nothing you can do to earn God’s grace and love.
THINKING ABOUT SERVANT HOOD AS YOUR WAY OF LIFE
• Who do you have the most compassion for? People who are homeless? Sick or disabled? Starving? Elderly? Bullied? Lonely? Prisoners? Refugees?
• How does the world view servanthood or serving? How about your peers?
• What’s easier: serving God or serving others? Why?
• Why is serving others sometimes so difficult?
• Describe someone you know whose life reflects servanthood.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Firsts & Lasts, What Happened to the In Betweens?
(a picture of my niece Lauren Kate on her first birthday, eating her first birthday cake)
FOCUS TEXT: ROMANS 12:1-2, 6-8 (THE MESSAGE VERSION)
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
Lauren, who is my first niece, and the first grandchild in the family was born just over a year ago—so this past year has been following her life and the ‘first’ things that have happened. I was able to see her on her first day in the world, attend her first birthday, follow her blog and have been able to see her first steps, hear her first words, and hear stories about other ‘firsts’ in her life, and will continue to as she seems to have a ‘first’ something or another every week!
We celebrate and often talk about all the ‘firsts’ in our lives. First smile, first steps, first time on potty, first birthday, first words, first day at school, first boyfriend, first kiss, first job, first car, first credit card, first child, first, first, first. Recently there have been deaths of many celebrities and well known people like Michael Jackson, and Patrick Swayze—their accomplishments and contributions in this world have been recently celebrated. We often celebrate the first and the lasts of our lives. What about the in between?
You often hear the saying, it doesn't matter how you get to your destination as long as you get there. Can I suggest to you differently? Maybe it does matter whether take the scenic road, the intrastate, or the toll road. I think it didn't make a difference in my grandparents' day but I think it does now for us because we're so obsessed in getting places first and we often have too much to do in one day to take the scenic route. Not only are we obsessed about getting to our destinations first but we want to be there in the fastest time possible otherwise we see it as ‘wasting time.’
The bible is full of stories of men and women who have taken the scenic routes in their lives. Most often, we think about the pain and extra time that comes with a detour. We don't think of how beautiful it can be. Getting to our destination is not God's top priority. The process of getting us there is equally if not more important than our destination. That's because we embark on the journey with God and not alone, and when we finally get to our destination we will be the person God has intended us to be.
Have you ever made a pottery project? You begin with a lump of clay that first has to be pounded and slapped around before it can be thrown onto the wheel. When it gets on the wheel, it is molded. After that it's left to dry and then fired in a kiln. When the first round of firing is done, colors can be painted onto it. After which it is put back into the kiln for another two times before we see the final product. Often times we admire these works of ceramics but we have no idea what great pains and many hours and days it took an artist to create a beautiful work of ceramic with its intense colors. God is like an artist that creates us for a purpose.
Moses and Nehemiah are people in the Bible who had their days in the scenic routes of their lives. But I like Nehemiah's attitude. Nehemiah's my man these days. He has an attitude worth imitating. From Nehemiah 2:2, we read that the King could tell that Nehemiah was visibly sad. It was SO obvious that he asked Nehemiah what he wanted. I don't think the King would have bothered if Nehemiah had been throwing temper tantrums or been a complainer during his years of service. He was the best cup bearer he could be. If there was such a thing in Nehemiah's time as best service award, he would have gotten it.
We're all currently in our in between years now. Can I suggest to you to live out your life like God depends on it? When we live our lives with such an attitude - life's the best, our scenic routes suddenly take a different turn. We stop to smell the roses, enjoy a nap under the oak tree and sink our feet into the first spring grass. We journey with the Lord who is our guide and companion.
You know what, I'm so enjoying my scenic drive these days that I'm taking as many "snap shots" of my drive. Do that and you'll be amazed at the roads Christ is taking you on. Continue celebrating life, especially the ‘in-between moments,’ on your journey.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
'Jesus Hospitality' in Our World Today
After reading Luke 24:13-35, often known as the ‘Walk to Emmaus’ this story is about the disciples on a journey and on this journey Jesus was with them, but they didn’t necessarily recognize Jesus right away. (That is a super brief summary.) I was recently asked the question, ‘when has someone been Jesus to you?’ Usually the question is asked, when have you had an opportunity to ‘be Jesus to someone?’ Caught off guard I was led into a memory of challenge, struggle, transformation, and a time when people offered me the hospitality and love of Jesus which is what I needed in that moment of my life. I have always thought about this experience in life as one that was transforming, but I never realized how I experience what I like to call, ‘Jesus hospitality.’ Let me take you to that experience and share about the people who were Jesus to me…
After graduating from Augustana College, I was living my dream in the Summer of 2005 serving as a backpack guide at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. In the middle of the summer I drove to the Denver International Airport to catch a flight to Sioux Falls for my sister Jana and her (now) husband Brian’s wedding. What a joyous experience to be with family and celebrate the love and friendship of two of my great friends. The ceremony was lovely, the reception and dance were loads of fun. Towards the end of the evening my friend Sven and I were Jitter bug dancing with many quick twists and turns. We were dancing in the grass because the dance floor was full and this was a horrible idea. The next thing I know I was unable to bear weight on my ankle and was in excruciating pain. My Mom, a nurse, gave me some IB profen and sent me to bed saying we’ll see how it feels in the morning.
I woke up in pain Saturday morning and unable to bear weight, so we made a trip to the ER. The wonderful doctor looked at the exterior of the injury and made the comment “I don’t think it is broken but we better do an X-ray to double check.” I had total hope, thinking I could be back on trail guiding in just a couple weeks. Minutes later the doctor returned with bad news; my ankle was broken. The tears began to flow and would not stop; here I was living the summer of my dreams; and now those dreams were crushed; I would be unable to backpack and I had no idea how I was going to call and let the camp director know that I would not be able to go out on trail to guide a group that next week. Well, I received my first pair of crutches in my life and off to the farm we went. I was suppose to be flying back to Denver the next day (which I did do, 48 hours after breaking my ankle) and I knew I needed to make the call to camp; fearful that I would not be spending the rest of my summer in the beautiful Colorado Mountains because I was unable to walk without crutches for 6-8 weeks.
Still with tears I called Rainbow Trail to let them know that I broke my ankle and Dave told me; we still have a place for you here, come on back. From this moment on, I experienced many people who were Jesus to me through my struggles. I never experience such incredible hospitality and welcome and have never felt so valued in a time where I felt like I was letting people down and letting myself down as my dreams were shattered. People would see the cast and ask, “what happened?” and I would say “I broke my heart, I mean my ankle.”
There was a girl who was a camphand on staff, at that time I knew her name and not much else about her. Andrea met me at the airport to drive me and my car back to camp—she showed me joy and she gave me the hospitality that Jesus showed so many people. If there was a need; Andrea discovered it and was sure that I was okay and had everything I needed. Andrea was Jesus to me; from her smile to her positive attitude and support from the moment we connected at the airport Andrea treated me like her sister and offered anything needed even though she did not know me well. Being best friends is not a pre-requisite to having Jesus hospitality.
Upon arriving to camp; there was no shame or guilt but a welcome home experience; I felt like the prodigal son. I was embraced with joy and laughter; amongst the many tears that remained in my struggle of shatter dreams. I was more worried about the fact that my dreams were shatter than the fact that I broke my ankle. I felt broken and useless because I was immobile. My dreams were crushed but beyond all things the love I experienced was not. Little did I know how I would reflect and realize how Dave as a leader of this camp was able to create a spirit of grace in this moment of my life and how he was able to ‘be Jesus ‘ to me and exemplify this to all others on the staff. I have never experienced the love of Jesus like I did coming home to a community that offered unconditional love and support no matter what and this is Jesus hospitality.
Jaime and Marnie were two adults up with campers that week onsite and I did not really know them but had heard many stories as they use to work out at camp. They approached me as I was lying on the couch on Columbine and said, “we are taking you to Canon City for lunch.” I responded not knowing if I would be able to do that and they told me they would be sure to arrange so it could happen and off we went to have greasy burgers at the Owl Cafe. All week they were sure to check in with me to see how I was doing and if I needed anything; often they would offer mere conversation, stories, and laughter. They were Jesus to me.
I spent many days doing ‘office work’ for the backpack program and I spent time on the front porch during family camp. The front porch at Rainbow Trail overlooks the Wet Mountain Valley and the back of Pikes Peak; amazing views. I often felt lonely because I was ‘not like everyone else’ and living my role that I came to Rainbow Trail to do all summer. Little did I know how much God was going to teach me and use me during these weeks of ‘brokenness.’ Beyond the view on the front porch I learned to just be; to reflect on God’s presence and to listen to stories and I learned the true art of conversation that took people I knew of or heard of and turned them into friends who still impact my life today. I learned to be in the moments I was blessed with and to make the most of them; from this comes my passion to hear people’s stories. The people who were with me; who took time to be; to play guitar; to share conversation; to sit with me; these people were Jesus to me.
Do you see the trend in all this? There are little things in life that can impact those around you in enormous ways. Up until recently, I have never thought about times when people have been Jesus to me, but when I was asked the question; I then realized how powerful it is to experience Jesus hospitality and love. When has someone been Jesus to you? In the journey to Emmaus in Luke 24 there was conversation and words from Jesus; but ultimately the people did not believe until they saw the actions of Jesus. How are you the actions of Jesus to those you encounter?
Being the actions of Jesus or offering Jesus hospitality is not providing when someone asks for something. Being the Jesus hospitality is intentionally offering the unconditional love and support to those around you all the time. Do you see the need? Do you fulfill the need? Do you fill this world with the unconditional love and support like Jesus did? This love and support is not about what you will get back and it is not about making yourself feel good. Humanity as a whole is on a journey together; we hear the word of God and all about the love of Jesus; but until we put this into action and share the Jesus hospitality this world will not be changed. The little things you can do each day are the Jesus hospitality moments that make a world of difference that will make this world different. From this moment discover how you can be the Jesus hospitality but don’t overlook the people who offer you Jesus hospitality because both are incredible times of transformation.
After graduating from Augustana College, I was living my dream in the Summer of 2005 serving as a backpack guide at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. In the middle of the summer I drove to the Denver International Airport to catch a flight to Sioux Falls for my sister Jana and her (now) husband Brian’s wedding. What a joyous experience to be with family and celebrate the love and friendship of two of my great friends. The ceremony was lovely, the reception and dance were loads of fun. Towards the end of the evening my friend Sven and I were Jitter bug dancing with many quick twists and turns. We were dancing in the grass because the dance floor was full and this was a horrible idea. The next thing I know I was unable to bear weight on my ankle and was in excruciating pain. My Mom, a nurse, gave me some IB profen and sent me to bed saying we’ll see how it feels in the morning.
I woke up in pain Saturday morning and unable to bear weight, so we made a trip to the ER. The wonderful doctor looked at the exterior of the injury and made the comment “I don’t think it is broken but we better do an X-ray to double check.” I had total hope, thinking I could be back on trail guiding in just a couple weeks. Minutes later the doctor returned with bad news; my ankle was broken. The tears began to flow and would not stop; here I was living the summer of my dreams; and now those dreams were crushed; I would be unable to backpack and I had no idea how I was going to call and let the camp director know that I would not be able to go out on trail to guide a group that next week. Well, I received my first pair of crutches in my life and off to the farm we went. I was suppose to be flying back to Denver the next day (which I did do, 48 hours after breaking my ankle) and I knew I needed to make the call to camp; fearful that I would not be spending the rest of my summer in the beautiful Colorado Mountains because I was unable to walk without crutches for 6-8 weeks.
Still with tears I called Rainbow Trail to let them know that I broke my ankle and Dave told me; we still have a place for you here, come on back. From this moment on, I experienced many people who were Jesus to me through my struggles. I never experience such incredible hospitality and welcome and have never felt so valued in a time where I felt like I was letting people down and letting myself down as my dreams were shattered. People would see the cast and ask, “what happened?” and I would say “I broke my heart, I mean my ankle.”
There was a girl who was a camphand on staff, at that time I knew her name and not much else about her. Andrea met me at the airport to drive me and my car back to camp—she showed me joy and she gave me the hospitality that Jesus showed so many people. If there was a need; Andrea discovered it and was sure that I was okay and had everything I needed. Andrea was Jesus to me; from her smile to her positive attitude and support from the moment we connected at the airport Andrea treated me like her sister and offered anything needed even though she did not know me well. Being best friends is not a pre-requisite to having Jesus hospitality.
Upon arriving to camp; there was no shame or guilt but a welcome home experience; I felt like the prodigal son. I was embraced with joy and laughter; amongst the many tears that remained in my struggle of shatter dreams. I was more worried about the fact that my dreams were shatter than the fact that I broke my ankle. I felt broken and useless because I was immobile. My dreams were crushed but beyond all things the love I experienced was not. Little did I know how I would reflect and realize how Dave as a leader of this camp was able to create a spirit of grace in this moment of my life and how he was able to ‘be Jesus ‘ to me and exemplify this to all others on the staff. I have never experienced the love of Jesus like I did coming home to a community that offered unconditional love and support no matter what and this is Jesus hospitality.
Jaime and Marnie were two adults up with campers that week onsite and I did not really know them but had heard many stories as they use to work out at camp. They approached me as I was lying on the couch on Columbine and said, “we are taking you to Canon City for lunch.” I responded not knowing if I would be able to do that and they told me they would be sure to arrange so it could happen and off we went to have greasy burgers at the Owl Cafe. All week they were sure to check in with me to see how I was doing and if I needed anything; often they would offer mere conversation, stories, and laughter. They were Jesus to me.
I spent many days doing ‘office work’ for the backpack program and I spent time on the front porch during family camp. The front porch at Rainbow Trail overlooks the Wet Mountain Valley and the back of Pikes Peak; amazing views. I often felt lonely because I was ‘not like everyone else’ and living my role that I came to Rainbow Trail to do all summer. Little did I know how much God was going to teach me and use me during these weeks of ‘brokenness.’ Beyond the view on the front porch I learned to just be; to reflect on God’s presence and to listen to stories and I learned the true art of conversation that took people I knew of or heard of and turned them into friends who still impact my life today. I learned to be in the moments I was blessed with and to make the most of them; from this comes my passion to hear people’s stories. The people who were with me; who took time to be; to play guitar; to share conversation; to sit with me; these people were Jesus to me.
Do you see the trend in all this? There are little things in life that can impact those around you in enormous ways. Up until recently, I have never thought about times when people have been Jesus to me, but when I was asked the question; I then realized how powerful it is to experience Jesus hospitality and love. When has someone been Jesus to you? In the journey to Emmaus in Luke 24 there was conversation and words from Jesus; but ultimately the people did not believe until they saw the actions of Jesus. How are you the actions of Jesus to those you encounter?
Being the actions of Jesus or offering Jesus hospitality is not providing when someone asks for something. Being the Jesus hospitality is intentionally offering the unconditional love and support to those around you all the time. Do you see the need? Do you fulfill the need? Do you fill this world with the unconditional love and support like Jesus did? This love and support is not about what you will get back and it is not about making yourself feel good. Humanity as a whole is on a journey together; we hear the word of God and all about the love of Jesus; but until we put this into action and share the Jesus hospitality this world will not be changed. The little things you can do each day are the Jesus hospitality moments that make a world of difference that will make this world different. From this moment discover how you can be the Jesus hospitality but don’t overlook the people who offer you Jesus hospitality because both are incredible times of transformation.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Part of a bigger picture
250,000 community service hours logged by Lutheran Youth in New Orleans in just three days! As part of my job of director of Teen Life Ministry I took a group of 40 to the National ELCA Lutheran Youth Gathering in New Orleans this July--what I thought was just going to be another youth trip of no sleep and lots of people turned out to be life changing in so many ways for so many people. Check out this article:
Imaging going to a location with 36,000 other people for the common purpose to go beyond ourselves to bring love and peace--little did we know, but this is what happened. Life transformation happened to the 36,000 people that came from all parts of the country, but long-lasting life changes came to the people of the city.
Hurricane Katrina, which happened four years ago in 2005, still lingers among the people and places in New Orleans. My first time in New Orleans was February 2009 and I did not know what to expect, but there was not a sense of joy from the community during that visit. People seemed to still be trying to get back to normal but yet there was so much destruction that remained. Driving around the city I was blown away by how deserted it still was and I felt the cloud of gloom that continued to linger over many people.
Specifically, our group cleared about half of an acre of the backyard at a church in Mandeville and also mulched the playground, I was amazed at how different things look after a day of work. From the many people I know who were also leading groups, I heard many stories of the transformation that occurred. For example, there are many parks around New Orleans that have literally been boarded up since Katrina happened. Imaging being 10 years old and walking by your neighborhood park everyday to see it as a place of destruction. There were 3 different groups that worked on this project; one day the group took down all the boards/ply-wood and the next day a group began to gut the park and on the third day the final touches were complete and the park was usable. On day two, the neighborhood kids came out to sit on the curb and watch; they offered high fives and words of encouragement. This is truly the love of God and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit at work.
Sharing the gospel and love of Jesus is not about going door to door and telling people about the love of Jesus or giving them a pamphlet about how they can love Jesus. Loving our neighbors is sharing the gospel and love of Jesus and helping them restore their community.
The people of the city showed hospitality beyond anything I have experienced in a city that size. Notice the picture above, that sign was at a palm reader station; people poured out love right back to us. I heard a story about a small group going into a restaurant and the locals buying them breakfast, this city is being more transformed than it ever has been. People would drive by and honk their horn, and some even rolled down their windows just to say 'thank you for being here' or 'thank you for helping our city'.
Words cannot express how incredible for me this experience was to be part of the 36,000 people together in New Orleans for a purpose beyond ourselves. This truly was life changing and my prayers continue for the city that they may continue to see the hope within and continue to share the love of Jesus to all people who come to visit.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Ponder This: Go sell everything, come and follow…
In my seminary degree program this Spring semester I studied the Gospel of Mark. Each week we had a focus text, Greek words to research, commentaries to read and thoughts to ponder. One particular week our text was Mark 10:17-31; I do not want to turn my blog into a Bible study, but I was pondering a lot this week; so ponder with me and what does it mean for you to 'go sell everything, and then come and follow'? How would you respond if Jesus were on this earth today and asked you to 'go sell everything, come and follow,'? What implications can this parable teach us as Christians in this world today? Think about how you live your life as a Christian, as a disciple of Jesus in this world. We are called to live in response to the Love and grace of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for all people. How are we responding to this grace and love?
The Rich Young Man
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'[a]" 20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." 21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" 24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" 27Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." 28Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" 29"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
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