Out On A Limb

As fallen people, we tend to live a large portion of our lives "out on a limb." We hang there, clinging to the only thing that keeps us from falling into the abyss we fear most - death. It's the limb of our desired identities. It is the person we must be in order to stay alive, and not die, in this fallen world.

And so we hold on so tightly, straining to be what we desperately believe we must be; defending and climbing away from any indictment or circumstance that makes us what we must not be.

The limb looks like a sentence. 

"I must be ________ in order not to die."  OR  "If I am ________ I will die."

Most men fill in the blanks this way: I must be strong, dependable, trustworthy, handsome, a leader in my home, church, or job, as well as a provider for my family. I must not be weak, puny, perverted, ugly, small, or insufficient. If I am not the former, or, if I am the latter, I will die. People will laugh at me, detest me, cast me into the dungeon of social shame, and reject me forever. 

Most women (I tend to think) fill them in this way: I must be beautiful, desirable, and sexy. I need to be a good, loving, and caring mother, wife, and friend. I must be a good home-maker and parent, keeping things in order. My children must behave well. I must not be ugly, gross, or lazy. I must have things in control in my relationships, home, and family. If I am not the former, and if I am the latter, I will die. My social life will spiral out of control, people will think bad thoughts about me, and I will be rejected forever. 

Navigating the limb is tough. It is exhausting, constantly strategic, and filled with anxiety, fear, and unrest. One wrong move, slip of concentration, or even a small nap and down we go. Unbearable shame, scorn, chaos, rejection, and ridicule are soon to follow. 

Therefore, other people are dangerous. If they were to reveal one of our inadequacies, that'd be like pealing a finger away from the limb. If they find us out, we'd surely fall. They may even be so clumsy as to cast their burdens upon us. We'd become heavier. Our limb would flex. Our grip would surely fail. So we become angry, anxious, and judgmental. By becoming safer from others, we become unsafe to others. 

Not only is this life dangerous, it is completely unnecessary. 

Because we are so focused on ourselves (the person we must or must not be) we fail to realize the safe foundation just below our feet. His name is Christ Jesus the Lord. When we let go of the limb, when we "lose our lives", we can live in the safe pasture of our Good Shepherd. There we can run because we are ransomed. We can hear criticism because he has been crucified (Gal 2:20). 

Letting go means coming to terms with, and confessing the truth about, ourselves. When indictments about our looks, character, and/or abilities come, we can resist the temptation to cling to the limb of our own over-desired identities. By the power of the Spirit, we can humbly consider the possibility of truth in their words. 

Most of the time people are right about us, regardless of their motives or reasons for confronting us. If they call us a jerk, we can say, "You know what, you're right. I am a jerk. I'm sorry." "If they say we are irresponsible or inadequate, we can say, "You are right, I am those things. Can you help me?"

What if they are wrong about us? This just means they aren't seeing us clearly. They need help - Gospel help. Rather then worrying about ourselves and our identity, we are free to love even those who [wrongly] accuse us.

This is letting go of the limb. 

The Good News of the Gospel is that "letting go" is completely safe if our foundation is Christ. Because he died, we won't die. He is just below our feet. It makes no sense holding on. We must daily fall upon the One who is perfect in character and ability, who is completely sufficient, responsible, and good. He is sufficient for us. As we rest in him, his identity is freely ours by God's wonderful grace. 

Why We Need the 'Hood

In my latest article for the Reformed African American Network (RAAN), I talk about some of the main reasons why we need the 'hood. Here is a blurb:

We are also there because we need what the ‘hood has to offer. There are jewels, if you will, in marginalized communities that are missing from the Church’s crown. Without these jewels, the Church sparkles less.

You can read the rest of the article here. I hope it blesses you...

The Strangest Thing Happened Today

I think it is important to know that the Lord is always near us, with us, and even in us. He is always present, in a deep and significant way; even when we do absolutely nothing to draw near to him; even when we actively run away.

We are the children of a strange God who doesn't count our sins against us. He doesn't wait for us to draw near to him in order to draw near to us. He isn't hindered by our irresponsibility, nor is he resisted by our seemingly random situations.

Typically, I begin my day in the Word. Sitting in a quiet place under the Scriptures helps me to approach my crazy days. It is primarily during these times that I gain a sense of direction, become satisfied in God, and find motivation to love others.

Today was atypical. I forewent the Scriptures and began work around the house. The strangest thing happened. As I was washing dishes at the sink, before I thought of the Lord or meditated on his Word, I felt an overwhelming sense of his presence. I felt his love for me.

It was profound and preceded any action of my own towards God. He came to me. Without invitation, he entered my heart's door. He invaded my space. He loved me.

This may be a foundational truth of Christianity - that the Lord reaches us before we reach for him. But I often forget the practical aspects of this truth for my life. It was refreshing and praise-inspiring to know that he is faithful and pleasantly-impatient. Yes, he is patient in that he doesn't immediately punish, but he is impatient in that he doesn't wait on our actions to actively love us.

Today, it was so good to know that my Father in heaven loves me. It was good to feel his mercy and care. And it was humbling to since his pursuit of me, especially when I did not pursue him first.

Moralizing is a Dirty Word

Here is a great quote from Plantinga's Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin:

Nowadays, "moralizing" is a dirty word in public education, and the consensus on what constitutes good and evil has contracted: for a regnant educational elite, moral tolerance is now the only good, and moral intolerance the only evil. In the kingdom of the elite, classroom wars between good and evil think down to angry border skirmishes between the politically correct and the politically challenged.  The politically challenged are, of course, those doofuses who still use short words whe they talk - words like good, bad, right, and wrong. The politically correct, on the other hand, prefer more leisurely and ironic expressions. To be sure, the politically correct (e.g., those who describe the lazy person as "motivationally dispossessed" and prostitutes as "sex care providers") are still willing to make moral judgments - but only of those who make moral judgments. They say things like this: "It is always wrong to make moral judgments."

Some Dangers of Personal Bible Study

Spending time each day in and under God's Word is extremely important. I am an advocate for developing the habit of regular, personal bible study and prayer. It directs us as we begin our day, it fills us to love others, and it helps us to focus our lives upon bringing glory to God in all things.

There are, however, some dangers I have seen and experienced when we, as a culture, overemphasize personal bible study. Yes, I think we can idolize bible study, making it into something it was never meant to be. Humans are very good at twisting good things in order to bring ourselves glory.

Here are a few dangers I believe we should be aware of as we seek to develop this very important practice:

First, personal Bible study will not make us righteous. I have heard, seen, and even felt it a hundred times. We base our righteousness on our relationship with our Bible. Bible study will not make us righteous, nor will our failure to study it condemn us. If something comes up (like a child waking, a friend calling, or a person knocking) that makes personal study impossible, it's okay. The Lord loves you and is with you in Christ. Remember, the Scriptures lead us to the One who makes us righteous. His grace, not our study of it, is all we need to make us righteous in Christ.

Second, personal Bible study should not cause us to undermine or neglect other ways to know and understand the Word of God. It can be and has been argued that public worship is to be preferred before private. The good news coming out of the heart and mouth of a good friend and/or preacher, felt by their relational embrace, is a significant and sufficient way to know the Scriptures. People who are thoughtful and intentional on sharing the truth in love have a way of speaking the oracles of God (1Pet 4:11) in ways that are both memorable and meaningful. If we are diligent in personal study, but less-so in public worship, we should be alarmed.

Third, we should not burden the consciences of others to spend time in personal Bible study every day. While we should certainly recommend it for the good of ourselves and others, I struggle to see the mandate (as it is commonly practiced in our day) in Scripture. Not all people are able to spend time in Bible study for long periods of time on a regular basis. I am thinking of fathers who have to work two (or three) jobs to make ends meet. I am thinking of mothers who have the constant burden to care for the home, often without much sleep.

It is a gracious blessing when we are afforded the time and desire to spend time studying the Bible. We have to understand that the Lord blesses us that we may bless others (Gen 12:3). We have to realize that we ourselves may be the means by which people around us know and understand the Word of God. Learning God's Word should always launch us into loving people with God's Word.

Fourth, individual Bible study should not cause us to neglect the riches of communal study. We are not infallible and are often limited within the confines of our own intellect. Joining with others to study, discuss, contemplate, and pray through Scripture is so rich and fulfilling that it can hardly be compared to any other practice in the Christian life. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you may have an unhealthy relationship with your Bible.

Fifth, personal Bible study should not make us unteachable. This falls right in line with the previous point. We should be so secure in Christ that we are willing to hear about our own failures and inadequacies. We should be willing to hear from others the treasures we left untouched. And when someone tells us something about a particular passage, we should refrain from the insecure and often prideful comment, "Yeah, I knew that..." We don't have to say something back. We can just thankfully receive the Word without adding our own commentary.

Sixth, personal Bible study is not the chief goal we look for in the lives of those we disciple. Just because a person studies the Bible, and knows it really well, doesn't mean that person is a Christian. More than the fruit of study, we are looking for the fruit of the Spirit. More than truth, we are looking for the truth shared in love. More than a head informed, we are looking for a heart inflamed. We are looking for more than what a person can accomplish by their own study. We are looking for a work of God.

Finally,  personal Bible study is not a full representation of the Christian life. I wish following Christ was always like my times of personal Bible study - quiet room, coffee, comfortable chair, and content that reminds me of a Father's love for me. Knowing the Father's love, however, is the substance we need when we launch into a world where people don't love us.

The Christian life is not a quiet, convenient ivory tower. It is a war - a battle ground where we are constantly fighting for our lives and the lives of others. Wounded people need us to carry them out of enemy territory. The enemy hates us and is relentless in his pursuit to have us undone, defamed, and disqualified. The Christian should not expect a life of quiet times, but one where the megaphone of sin, fallenness, and struggling constantly reminds us we are sojourners in this land.

Again, I am not saying that personal Bible study is a bad thing. It is a very good thing. But only when we keep it in its place to remind, inform, and encourage us, in the midst of our chaotic world, of the peaceful, quiet, and calm rest of Christ our Redeemer.

Rest: Being Okay With Not Being In Control

Being out of control, being at the complete mercy of another person, or being totally helpless in a particular situation, throws many of us into panic mode. The thought of being out of control makes us feel unsafe, insecure, and very uncomfortable. These feelings are felt down deep. And when they are felt, we become fearful, anxious, on guard, and bound to a life of unrest.

Many of us have very good reasons for feeling this way. We have fallen victim to others or have experienced tragic circumstances. We have gone through tragedy, and to go through the pain again would be unbearable. The uncontrollable world produces uncontrollable pain that we often have to just deal with. Time is the ever-slow healer. Sleep seems to be the only medication. 

The external world is overwhelming. The possibilities of what could happen are overbearing. There are many people in this world who haven't rested in a long while. There are many people who are very tired - tired of keeping themselves safe, protected, and guarded. 

The reality of our weakness makes us restless. 

We are very poor refuges for ourselves and must apprehensively guard our post with insufficient artillery. We are just not strong or smart enough. So we resort to gorilla warfare, hiding in the shadows of our protective lies, and, when we must, we ambush with manipulative deception and survival-like force. We do whatever it takes to make the external world safe from maverick circumstances and/or people. 

It's not that we want to harm anyone, we just don't want to be harmed [again]. If we relate, we do so reservedly. If we laugh, we do so cautiously. If we sleep we do so with one eye open. Again, many of us have not rested in some time.

But what if there was one person who was completely safe? What if this man was a perfect father, who treated all like a fragile, needy, and weak son or daughter? What if he was powerful enough to make every molecule, personal or non personal, safe? What if he actually controlled all things?

What if you were at peace with this man, and he was completely at peace with you? What if he loved you and was totally happy with you? What if the words used to describe him were fortress, refuge, Lord, or even warrior? What if you could hide safely in him? What if he was committed (and able) to defeat all of his (and your) enemies?

What if he was completely truthful and never lied? What if you never had to wonder what he was thinking (about you)? What if he said that you need not fear ever again? What if he said he would be with you and would care for you forever? What if he was committed to telling you and showing you the way to go...always?

This man does exist. He is alive. And his name is Jesus Christ. All who are in him by faith, because of his wonderful grace, can rest. We can love without worry. We can hurt with hope. We can repent without rejection. We can exist outside of the darkness of our own dungeon as we relish life in the Son. We can rest in our weakness, knowing and trusting in his strength to protect, guard, secure and love us well. He is the Lord.

May he give you rest today. May he give us all peace as we navigate this troubled world.

The Hardest Thing In The World To Do

The hardest thing in the world to do, for every person in the world, is not achieving some physical feat, reaching some monetary worth, or climbing from the dumps to a particular social or political status.

The hardest thing in the world to do is not to overcome addiction to alcohol or pornography. It is not to clean one's self up after living a dirty life. Changing one's life is difficult, it is not the most difficult.

The hardest thing in the world to do is to love another - purely, freely, and independently of the chance of their beneficial reciprocal actions.

Deeply sown into the fabric of our fallenness is the need for our actions towards others to be advantageous to us. On the flip side of that fallen coin is the necessity that our actions towards others must not be disadvantageous to us.

It doesn't matter what the other gains if we do not ultimately gain, or, if we ultimately lose. So we develop the most surreptitious stiff-arms to keep those who needs us from dragging us down.

And this is why Christianity is so hard. This is why Christ is so often hated. He demands the hardest action in the world. When we bring to him our resume of "good" actions toward others he gives us the truth we hate to hear - that we were not loving at all, but selfish throughout.

We loved only those who allowed us to remain in control of our lives. All the while we neglected the sojourner, the fatherless, the oppressed, the prisoner, and the poor. Those who impose, overly-need, and often take advantage of us. Those who may put our lives in danger of not being the greatest thing in the world.

The crown jewel of the Christ's crown, however, is his love for his enemies; his ability and strength to faithfully love people who do not love him back. He is odd because he touches lepers, and communes with sinners. He takes time for the blind, the bleeding, and the unclean. He freely gives to those who cannot give back. He died for those who actively sought to take his life.

And he expects us to carry on that Spirit-led and empowered tradition.

We have to know this about our call. Otherwise, we remain indistinguishable from the rest of those who love only the ones who love us in return.

Christ knows that doing the impossible - doing the hardest thing in the world - will get the world's attention. It will draw all men unto him. It will make self-seekers angry, it will weed out the lukewarm, and it will call sinners to repentance.

And there are a lot of sinners out there. Sinners that will come running into our churches, homes, and lives when we show them the scandalous love of Christ.

Allow me to add a quick, yet dangerous note. If you agree with what has been said, it is not enough. The feeling that accompanies knowing and agreeing with the truths of Christianity is nice, but that feeling soon fades when Christ providentially orders our life and calls this knowledge into action.

I would not be surprised if you received a phone call soon after reading this post - from your spouse, child, or parishioner. And I would not be surprised if the person on the other end of that call was needy, negative, or even degrading to you.

As the good feeling fades and the anger tempts you to rage, cling to Christ by faith. Beg for the Spirit's power to love. And hope in the reward that he has promised for doing the hardest thing in the world - for loving those who are not loving you back.