"Life's a journey, not a destination"

How cliché is that?

BUT…how true is that? Life's a journey, not a destination. .

When I first moved to Boston, I used to get so frustrated getting around the city, mostly I would get frustrated at the amount of time it would take me to get from point A to point B. From class to home, from my friend's apartment to a coffee shop, from the Trader Joe's  to my kitchen; everything was at least a twenty to thirty minute walk through the city in snow, rain or sun. Walking is the way of life there, it is the only way to get from point A to point B with the occasional option of utilizing public transit, rain or shine, freezing or sweltering. Many times as I made these journeys, I would find myself thinking only about my destination: how much further from this landmark or that landmark, how nice it would be once I got there (to point B), how nice it would be to get out of this weather once I arrived, I can finally rest or unwind when I get there, what am I going to do when I get there…etc. As I thought all this, I would find myself getting frustrated at the amount of time it would take me to get there, to get to my destination. I wasted a lot of time walking around Boston thinking only about my destination, giving no thought or consideration to the journey from point A to point B, no thought or consideration to my present environment and surroundings. Time wasted.

BUT, the time I spent commuting those handful of miles each day was not time wasted, unless I made the choice to waste it. Unless I chose to waste it by thinking about the destination and how much further I had to go until I reached it, or my mental to do lists for upon arrival… instead of enjoying the time spent outside taking in my surroundings, the beauty of the seasons and people around me. Interacting with the world around me, that is not time wasted. How many opportunities have I missed to "build the kingdom" on my journeys throughout Boston, how many walks have I wasted thinking only about the destination?

How much of our lives do we waste by thinking about only our destinations, our 'next steps' and planning our futures?

When we are kids, everyone asks "What do you want to be when you grow up?" No one ever asks, "What do you want to do while you grow up?" That seems like an odd question, doesn't it? But the truth is, we don't ever really 'grow up', we never reach that specific end-point moment and realize, ok, now I am all grown up, I have finally arrived at my destination, now I can stop walking. Life isn't like that, is it? Life truly is a journey. A journey of doing, while we grow up, while we mature. So, the question still stands, why do we waste so much time thinking about the destination and spend so little time enjoying the world around us? Why are we so concerned about the future, and less concerned about living in the present moment?

"Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:25-27

This verse of wisdom tells us not to worry about the destination, but instead focus on the path before us, focus on the journey and the steps we are currently taking. Focus on the journey of doing, while we make our way to our destination.

Jesus is unique. He lived His life as a journey, cherishing each day, person, moment and circumstance that crossed His path. He kept His gaze fixed straight in front of Him looking the prostitute in her eyes, watching the disciples as they put to practice the words He had just preached, and making eye contact with the man on the mat before Him and not distracted by the large crowds looking on. He kept His feet on the path He was on, undistracted by thoughts of the future or temptations to the right and left of Him. He focused on the journey, not the destination. He knew His destination, was confident in where He was going to the point He never had need to worry about it. All of us living in Christ, we too know our destination. We can be confident in the fact that Christ died for us, we get to spend eternal life in heaven with His presence; that is our ultimate destination.

As Christians, why do we spend much of our life worrying about that? Worrying about where our life is going and what is going to come next? We know where our path leads by following Christ, we need not worry about the curves or mountains or valleys up ahead…we need only focus on the journey, on the path straight before us.  

Jesus was confident in His destination, AND enjoyed the journey. Each person that He encountered, He encountered and didn't turn up His radio or consume His eyes with His smartphone and tune out. He loved everyone around Him no matter what the day's agenda held. He up and dropped everything to go and raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11), was willing to go to the centurion's house to heal his servant, though He didn't know Him (Luke 7). He chose to continue spending time teaching where He was opposed to ditching the eager students for His biological family (Matthew 12). Jesus was willing to let go of the day's plans and just DO. He lived the journey, knowing His destination was secure. He did not waste any time as He got from point A to point B.  

What if I walked the streets of Boston like that? Knowing I will get to my destination and focusing on the path before me, the people and circumstances surrounding me on my journey from point A to point B. What If I let go of my daily agenda and instead of wasting my life by creating mental to dos, responded to the path under my feet, responded to the circumstances, people and moments around me giving each all of my attention, thought and prayers? Living life as a journey allows us to stop planning life, and start living it, start responding to the circumstances God has placed around us for HIS purpose and glory.

What if we lived our lives like Jesus? Knowing we will get to our destination, but kept our focus solely on the path under our feet?

"Man's steps are ordained by the Lord, how then can man understand his way?" Proverbs 20:24

So, let me ask you, since "life's a journey, not a destination:" What are you going to do while you grow up? What are you going to do...right now? 

Thy way, not mine, O Lord

"Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
however dark it be;
lead me by thine own hand,
choose out the path for me.

Smooth let it be or rough,
it will be still the best;
winding or straight, it leads
right onward to thy rest.

I dare not choose my lot;
I would not, if I might;
choose thou for me, my God,
so I shall walk aright.

The kingdom that I seek
is thine; so let the way
that leads to it be thine,
else I must surely stray.

Take thou my cup, and it
with joy or sorrow fill,
as best to thee may seem;
choose thou my good and ill.

Choose thou for me my friends,
my sickness or my health;
choose thou my cares for me
my poverty or wealth.

Not mine, not mine the choice
in things or great or small;
be thou my Guide, my Strength
my wisdom and my all."

-Horatius Bonar, 1857

Here and Now

"The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down in silence; but as for us, we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forever."

Psalm 115:16-18 

The dead do not praise the Lord. Neither can those that aren't yet here on the earth, those yet to be born. That leaves only us, only us here on this earth now, to praise the LORD. Nature praises Him continually, as do the works of His hands, and the angels in heaven. BUT God has created us, here and now, for a very specific purpose. He has given earth to the sons of man. He has allowed us to live at a certain point of history...to praise Him. Our forefathers cannot do that for us, neither can our children's children that have yet to be born. Only we can praise Him here and now. And His timing, is always perfect. 

As HIS people, HIS holy priesthood, HIS possession (1 Peter 2:9) here and now, we have a responsibility to praise Him, for that is why we were created, why we are HIS, that purpose is the only purpose that can bring us true fulfillment. It is apart of bringing the kingdom of God to earth (see earlier post). We are to be the light of the world (Matt 5:14-16) at this point in history. What a responsibility! But also, what an honor. May we live with that mindset today, the mindset that our purpose today is to PRAISE HIM here and now. Because, if we don't do it...who will?

"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Isaiah 46:10

He will be exalted. Let's do our part. Let's praise. Let's exalt. Let's truly live. 

Building the Kingdom

"Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." 

Matt 6:10

These are words prayed every Sunday at my church, words that Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, words that have profound implications and significance when spoken with sincerity, but also words that easily get lost in the translation from our mouths to our hearts and minds. Words easily forgotten. Lord, may that not be the case.

What is God's kingdom and how is it manifested on earth?

                According to the Bible,

                                àit is something to be sought (Matt 6:34)

                                àit is to be preached (Acts 28:31)

                                àyou must be born again to see it (John 3:3)

                                àit has been given to us by God (Luke 12:32)

                                àJesus is central to it (Matt 26:29)

                                àbeing a "good" flourishing seed makes us a son of it (Matt 13:38)

                                àit is Jesus on earth (Matt 3:2)

                                àwe are to pray for it to come (Matt 6:10)

As a follower of Jesus, I believe the kingdom of God is something we are responsible to build each and every day. I believe that God manifests His kingdom on earth through us, His genuine followers. Take a flip through the Old Testament…David, Samson, Moses…Now the New…Mary, Paul, Peter, John…

God's kingdom on earth is, I believe, life as it was purposed to be from the start: life without sin, life full of love, life full of God's presence. Think Adam and Eve…pre-serpent. After the fall, this life was broken with the entrance of sin and hate, and thus the rescinding of God's  presence (but not purpose) in sinners (us all). Since the fall, God has so graciously restored this original life back on earth through Jesus Christ in true believers.

As true believers, we are freed from sin through Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1), love because we were first loved by God (1 John 4:19), and are gifted with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11). We are then called to spread this life of freedom, love and God's presence to others by "loving our neighbor " regardless of who our neighbor is: whether they be friend or foe, stranger or family, foreigner or authority. That is, I believe, how God brings His kingdom to earth, through us.

When we pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is on heaven," we are praying for love, for the spread of the Gospel, for missionnal living.

We have an important role to play in God's prevailing purpose. It is an honor, really, that He has bestowed upon us. He doesn't necessarily need us to build His kingdom on earth, but He has specifically chosen us to do so. STOP and reread that. He doesn't need us, but He chooses to use us. Let that sink in.

That is true love. He has chosen to create us despite knowing we would betray Him and choose sin. He has chosen to create us despite knowing it would cost Him, Jesus, His life on earth and 3 days of separation from God. Hell. He chooses to use us to spread the Gospel and love His people despite knowing we will continually fall short and fail. Yet, He still chooses to use us.

My mom used to let me "help" her in the kitchen during Christmas roll the dough for cookies and add the flour saying she needed my help, I knew she never did. Nonetheless, in those moments I felt like I had a purpose, I was needed, and mostly, I was loved because I got to work side by side with my mom. God has allowed us to "help" Him. We get to work side by side with Him (notice it’s with Him, and not for Him.) I feel important and wanted by God when I allow Him to use me to build His kingdom.

To build the kingdom of God, it is as simple as loving the Lord my God above all else, and loving my neighbor as myself. It is choosing others' needs above my own. It looks like taking time to talk to a friend instead of stressing out over homework that has yet to be finished, it means smiling at that stranger and even initiating small talk instead of walking by with IPOD blasting or face down texting, it means going to church instead of sleeping in, it means completing an assignment with joy instead of pouring over FB posts, it means thanking the clerk at the store instead running out the door late for the next item on your check list, it means being flexible to circumstances and not stringent on tasks.

It means so many things, but in the end it is a choice we must make. Who's kingdom will you build in this moment? God's, or your own?  

Philippians 2:3-8

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

 Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves,

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset of Christ Jesus:

Who being in the very nature of God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.

Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance of man,

He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-fghqc8Oo

Ashes of Lent

Ezekiel 9:4 "And the Lord said to him, "Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations (detestable things) that are committed in it."

This morning as I waited for my bus, I came across the above verse in my shameful rush to get through a couple Ezekiel chapters. I didn't end up getting past this verse, and no, it wasn't because my bus came.

The parallel of this verse with the tradition of today, Ash Wednesday, had me in awe. I have been looking and praying for the Lord to reveal to me what Lent is truly about, and what He wants lent to be truly about for me personally, and for His people corporately. This verse and those preceding brought clarity. We put marks of ash on our foreheads today as a sign of recognition of who God is and repentance of who we are. We recognize God as Provider, as Here, as Creator, and mostly, as Worthy.

In the passages leading up to verse 9:4, Ezekiel is chosen as a prophet by God to proclaim God's words upon His people. A people that have turned their backs towards God, ignored His commands, and brought matters into their own hands because of their lack of faith in His presence, His timing, and His provision.

Chapter 8 has the Lord leading Ezekiel into the innermost courts of Jerusalem, God's chosen holy city. The "idol that provokes jealousy" is pointed out to Ezekiel as he is told that he will witness worse abominations yet. He is then instructed to dig through a hole into the inner courts of the city. Once inside he sees images that suggest evil's presence: "And there engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel. (8:10)" Also inside, he sees the 70 elders of Israel, the supposed reverent and religious leaders of God's chosen people. And what are they doing? They are not seeking God's counsel, nor praying. Instead, they are worshiping. They are worshiping: "Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising…Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? (8:11-12)"

In the darkness, each of these leaders were worshiping their own private idols, their own secret sins. They were not trusting God who had given them their position or responsibility, the God who had given breathe to their lungs. Instead they were adding to the "idol that provokes jealousy" (a literary image more so than a literal one I believe) by doubting God's promises and His presence in the land. Verse 12 goes on to say: "They say, 'The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.'" God's response: "You will see them doing things that are even more detestable. (8:13)"

Doubt of God's presence is a detestable thing to Him. Doubt of His provision, doubt of His listening ear. Dependence on self, dependence on secret sins or coping mechanisms or unworthy trusts, those are all detestable things to Him.

As I enter this Lent season, I have been convicted; convicted to examine my own life more carefully. What censer am I holding in my hand walking around in darkness worshiping? What am I trusting in to get me through each decision, each thought, each day? What idol do I have that provokes the Lord's jealousy? And, most importantly, how am I going to respond?

Asking these questions, seeking His counsel and guidance, will bring to light the nasty unwanted, and yet necessary, answers. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29:13-14)"

As we celebrate Lent, as we partake in the ashes today, as we recognize who God is and who we are, let us also respond. Respond by asking ourselves what "idol that provokes jealousy" we should be conscious of in this season and eliminate it from our habits for the next 40 days, and hopefully more. Whether it be food, or time, or dependence, or independence; let's sigh and groan as we change.

Romans 8:5 "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

Do the work.

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and DO THE WORK.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 NIV

God knows everything. He has laid out a wonderful plan for all, a plan that leads us to Him though doesn't force us to recognize Him. But if we seek Him, He will be found by us. More than that, He knows our futures and has a plan for us. (Jer 29:11-13) A purpose even. (Rom 8:28) He has even given us the great opportunity to share His story of salvation and Gospel with others, to serve others through good works. (Eph 2:10)

What has the Lord asked you to build? For Solomon, he was was chosen to build the temple. What has He asked you, excuse me: chosen you, to build, or say, or go, or do? Instead of contemplating the matter on end, "be strong and DO THE WORK."

Maybe you're not sure what God is asking you to do, unsure of the specifics at least. Keep waiting, keep seeking, but also, keep DOING THE WORK. Micah 6:8 is a great place to start. Eccl 12:13 is a great place to end. Everyone's calling comes down to this-fear God, recognize who God is. That is the essence of our WORK. Recognizing His redemption and reacting to that recognition.

Instead of contemplating the great unknown of the future, let's hold onto the promises we know from God, the commands He has given us personally and corporately through His word, and let's DO THE WORK.

What to do while we wait...

Isaiah 25:9 "And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.""

This verse comes from a prophecy of Isaiah of the end times. How beautiful. It describes our lifelong waiting as not in vain, but in rejoicing. (See post #1, While I Wait). We are called to wait as an action, not an inaction, as an attitude, as a response to God's great love and promise to us: Walk with Him, Acknowledge Him in all things, Invest in Others, Tell of His deeds. And wow, is it worth it.

However, I think we can all agree that waiting is harder than it seems. We know that Christ will return to this earth and redeem and restore it just as He is continually redeeming and restoring His children now. And while we know this to be true and trust Him, it can be hard to know what to do in the meantime, what to do while we wait for His return: What jobs and opportunities to pursue, how to spend time and money, etc. Each day we are faced with hundreds (if not more) decisions requiring our attention and choice: what to wear, where to go, where to sit at church, class, work, etc, who to talk to, what to eat, who to call or text or email…and that barely scratches the surface. Bigger decisions we are faced with include where to apply for jobs, where to live, what opportunities to pursue and which ones to let pass, what college to attend or not…trying to figure it all out on our own is downright stressful. Amen?

The good news is that while we wait, while we try to figure out the daily decisions of our short fleeting lives (Eccl.), we are not alone. Despite the futility and brevity of our lives, God has a plan and purpose in it all. What a beautiful demonstration of His love for us, His great, unfathomable, unmatchable, inseparatable love for us!!! "Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation!"

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things He works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." God will work out all the details of our lives while we wait. We need only walk with Him and acknowledge Him in all things. He will direct, guide, and protect. I have come to realize that sometimes in life, more times than I'd like, we are faced with two (or more) great opportunities or choices. It is hard to know which to choose. Both may seem viable, both may seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but both are inevitably mutually exclusive. A choice must be made. A direction walked in. Those are the times that God brings us to our knees in recognition that we can't do this life alone, we can't wait for Him without Him. We are brought to our knees in prayer and petition for guidance of what path to walk down. Take the job or stay in school? Move there or stay here? Go on a mission trip or stay home investing in family?

Once I had the choice of either staying at home and potentially getting teaching credentials, or spend the summer working at a youth missions camp. I ended up choosing the missions camp, and now looking back can't imagine my life any other way. BUT the truth is that both would have been glorifying to God, both would have utilized unique skill sets that He has given me. At the time, I didn't know which one to pursue. I didn't know if one was a better choice than the other. I even worried that if I chose the wrong one I would completely ruin my life. I know that’s not true. I know Romans 8:28 tells me just the opposite, that no matter which path I chose then God would have blessed it, God would have provided, God would have guided me and used me in it. And has He ever. There was no right or wrong choice then and looking back now I can see God's handprints all over the choice that I did end up making, though I couldn't see it then. Though I didn't feel like I heard Him tell me anything clearly then, He did. Now, 3 years after that decision was made, I see God all over that time in my life though in the moment He felt far. It was through prayer that God guided the blind me to make that decision, He knows me far better than I even know myself. That is comforting.

Proverbs 19: 21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Isaiah 30:21 "Your ears will hear a word behind, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the left or to the right."

As I find myself at a crossroads now of another major life decision, remembering God's faithfulness then brings me hope now. (tell of His deeds). Brings me hope that no matter what I choose will be the right decision. Though I may feel lost and confused now, I know that ultimately the Lord will direct my steps, His purpose will prevail. I will pray, I will seek, and ultimately, I will decide and rejoice. All of this, while I wait for His return.

Isaiah 25:1 "O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness."

Proverbs 20:24 "Man's steps are ordained by the Lord, how then can man understand his way?"

Waiting has purpose. Decisions have purpose. We are not alone; God guides. We walk, we acknowledge, we invest and we tell; God guides. Ultimately, we rejoice. Waiting has purpose.