Percision - Day 4 - 40 Days of Lent

Some may not realize this, but I am one of those people who love precision (and some are laughing at this declaration about now). I find great satisfaction when a complex system hits a perfect rhythm. I continue to stand in awe of farm machinery, as one example. The complexity and brilliant design of cotton pickers and combines are amazing. As I have aged, I have also grown in amazement of complex music with intricate harmonies and complimentary parts that blend into one magnificent piece.

When I was in high school, I participated in the Army JROTC program. I loved it when we marched and everyone was perfectly in line and in step, and not so much when anyone was out of step. I did not participate in the drill team, but I admired that team’s level of precision and unity.

When I think on the Church, I picture a group of individuals called to be precise and united heading in one direction (walking The Way). The Church is certainly made up of many members, but we are not to be individuals in expression. Instead, we are to function as one body (1 Cor. 12:12). We are not all the same, just like a platoon isn’t composed of identical height, or length, or strength; yet all are to march in step as one. Our uniqueness should not disrupt the unity, but become a part of it.

When united, those marching are no longer soldiers, instead they become a squad, or platoon, or battalion. When united, the bearings and pullies and doffers and blowers and belts become parts of a cotton picker. When the saxophones and the violins and the trumpets and the drums become one, they are no longer individuals but an orchestra. The individuals remain, but each individual finds their greater identity in unity.

From cover-to-cover Holy Scripture points to a greater identity for God’s people when they are united. And in unity, when one is honored all rejoice, and when one suffers all suffer (see 1 Cor. 12:26). We are to march together, individuals with specific talents and gifts, that work together to the glory of God, being the Church.

Our natures encourage us to express our individuality as the highest priority, and our faith demands precision of unity as the greater call. Consider, the platoon is not disbanded when a few individuals get out of step, nor does the cotton picker cease to be if the spindles become dull, nor does the combine cease to be when the belt becomes loose. The parts that fail to operate in unity are fixed, or replaced, because the united and precise working of the individuals in unison is the greatest purpose to work as they are meant and designed to do. The Church should be the same, and our goal is to be united and in step with our fellow Christ followers. In reflection, we consider these verses today (ESV):

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22-23a)

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal. 5:25)

Almighty and Most Merciful God, help us to put Thy purpose and will ahead of our own, such that our will becomes completely yours. AMEN.

Images - Day 3 - 40 Days of Lent

Back in 2015 a perplexing phenomenon took over social media and challenged what many claim to be absolute and true. The topic was a dress, and a picture of that dress had some seeing white and gold, while others saw blue and black. The magnitude of difference between these two color schemes had each opposing side disbelieving one another. How could it be possible two people could see this dress so differently? (Here is a short video that claims to make sense of it all)

I admit to seeing the dress white and gold. No matter how hard I try, I cannot see it as blue and black (what do you see?). However, I believe that there are others who do see what I am not able, in this case blue and black.

We can learn something very important from this contradictory assessment of color. We could argue until the cows come home about who is right and who is wrong without realizing both can be right. It depends on how you see, and not what you see. The dress is seen by all, in every detail without variance, except for the color. It appears our brains process the picture differently, yet it is the same picture. It is the perspective of the individual not the substance of the image that is different.

We can look upon Almighty God in Trinity: the Father, The Christ, the Son of the Father, our Lord Jesus, the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Breath of God, the Comforter-all with nuance based on life experience affecting one’s perspective. We must be careful to understand others’ eyes may see something different than our own, and yet both our perspective and theirs are still without error. The only thing we need to be certain of is that we are both looking at the same Image.

When we all see the dress, and differ about the color, our disagreements are inconsequential. However, if we disagree about the image itself (as in debating whether or not the image is of a dress), then there is a significant problem. This distinction must be kept in mind when walking together, because thinking we all understand and perceive God’s work in our lives as identical in every respect (or only as we see it) can cause great harm to our brothers and sisters (and to ourselves as well).

So no matter whether one sees the dress as white and gold or blue and black, as long as they both see the dress, they’ve agreed on the most important part. That’s why the creeds are so important, they contain the most important part, and confessing the creeds allows us to walk together (Review the creeds here).

Now, let us also consider how the Lord looks upon us, here’s a verse for today:

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)

Almighty and Most Merciful God, give us the eyes to see you, ears to hear you, minds to know you, and hearts to love you. AMEN.

Treasure - Day 2 - 40 Days of Lent

The gospel reading (specifically Matthew 6:21) for Ash Wednesday challenged me to consider anew what I truly treasure. The reflection began with a simple need to explain what “treasure” meant to a young child.

I described “treasure” as that thing that you would lock away and keep while letting everything else go. It would be the one thing you would hide, vow to never surrender, and protect with every ounce of your ability. Then, the depths of this truth began to hit home! If I am right, I pondered with increasing conviction, then what is my treasure? And not treasures, but treasure. Saint Matthew did not pen the plural, so I believe Jesus spoke it in the singular as recorded, therefore there is no truckload of treasures to possess. Just a singular treasure.

What is that one thing that would be the very last thing I’d ever give up? I know what the answer is supposed to be, to love Almighty God completely (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27, Joshua 22:5, Nehemiah 1:5, Proverbs 3:5).

Surely I love Almighty God, I do, but I ponder........what if I was like Abraham and was asked to sacrifice my most precious child? Could you choose obedience to God and take the life of your child? Maybe that one is too hard to consider, so instead of Abraham we consider John or James. They are sitting on the edge of their boat with brother and father washing and mending their nets, and Jesus walks up and says “leave it, and come follow me”. I wonder, would I follow? Would you?

So let’s take a moment and ponder together, what is our true treasure? I recall King David’s words from Psalm 51, which is also part of our Ash Wednesday liturgy, which says (verse 5) “Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me.” Fact is, I’m broken, I’m selfish, I’m controlling, I’m so many other things than righteous.

Then the Spirit taps my shoulder, and these words come to life in my heart, and lift my countenance, and sets me free-

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21, ESV)

Christ Jesus covers me in His righteousness, a gift to treasure indeed! Truly, I love because He first loved me (1 John 4:19)! So I see my treasure, renewed once again, back on loving Almighty God-The Father to which we will go, the Son by which we are able, and the Spirit through which this has been revealed. One God mighty to save, Creator of all things, in control of all things.

Lord God, may my focus always be upon you, and may you forever remain the treasure of my heart. AMEN.

ASH WEDNESDAY - THE LENTEN SEASON BEGINS

When I was 9 years old, I trotted out into our backyard with a couple of golf balls and a 9 iron in hand. It was time to practice my chipping. But with every swing the ball didn’t participate with my will. As my frustration grew (in truth it was anger that bubbled up with each unsuccessful attempt) I set out to punish the ball. Drawing back a full backswing, I brought my hips around like a pro and struck the ball beautifully! Only, my aim was towards the back of our house, and within a millisecond of the ball exiting the iron’s blade so perfectly, the moment of jubilation changed to horror as the sound of breaking glass rippled through the community.

What seemed so satisfying, ultimately proved very painful. Though I was home alone, and nobody had seen the incident, it would not go unnoticed. The broken window could not be hidden. I knew I had to confess what I had done.

And if you have ever been in a similar situation, you know how hard confession can be. It is a frightening act to look up to authority and confess to the one who has the ability to ascribe any sort of punishment or repercussions as a consequence of the act being confessed. And yet, if healing is to occur, it must be done.

We come to Lent with a cross of ashes placed on our foreheads. It is placed there with the reminder that we are but dust, and to dust we shall return. A dark Truth some may try to avoid, but to no avail. The Truth is we have sinned, all of us. Just like my parents would know the window was broken, Almighty God knows our sins, all of our sinful actions and thoughts. If we desire healing, we must stand before Almighty God and make our confession.

I didn’t intend to break that window, and the truth is, I never even considered the possibility. Those who are desiring to walk as Christ followers often stumble this way, falling into sin that they never saw coming until the act was already done.

On this Ash Wednesday, we are reminded just how much we need a Savior. We continue to stumble. We try to speak love, and by our words others can be hurt. We try to help, and by our actions others may suffer more. We may feel like failures, and begin to lose hope. But our verse for today reminds us there is hope, and our failures have been overcome-

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV

Thank you Lord Jesus for your love! Amen.