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Archive for the ‘Time Up to Pentecost’ Category

Secret Wisdom

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 16, 2010| Leave a Comment »

If wisdom is indeed the application of knowledge and understanding, then what is secret wisdom? The answer was hidden for years and years, its revelation promised throughout scriptures. Paul is convinced that secret wisdom was manifested in a person: the Messiah.

I Corinthians 2:7
No, we [Paul and fellow apostles] speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

And that’s point. That is always the point for Paul of Tarsus. He, the Pharisee of Pharisees, a scholar, a devotee of the law, he knew the promises. And in a moment, on the road to Damascus, that answer was revealed to him and he understood it all. From that day forth, with the same zeal he had used before to defend the law, he defended the truth and revelation of the long-awaited Messiah: Jesus of Nazareth.

In a way, faith comes to each of us the same way. Whether it’s someone’s story that reaches into our spirits or it’s the words of scripture (as in my case), or it’s a meaningful worship service, there is a moment when understanding and knowledge come together and wisdom manifests.

Wisdom comes by asking. So does the Christ.

And then the process begins of applying understanding and knowledge to our daily lives. It’s different then. It must be. It has to be. That secret wisdom reveals our previous bad choices. That secret wisdom is transformative.

I am re-reading the writings of Richard J. Foster and reacquainting myself with the organization that grew out of his writings and ministry: Renovare. I like their term “spiritual formation” and that’s what my own internal walk feels like these days. It is still the same: becoming more and more like Christ Jesus, but the “how” is becoming clear. It’s not just words, it’s truly a process, a recognition, a change. And with each internal change, the external manifestation flows out to touch others. This must be.

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What Is Not

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on April 13, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Here it is: God takes the most lowly and insignificant thing/person and breaks apart the norm, the traditional, the comfort zones, and the “interpreted now.” He takes “what is not” and creates something new: from nothing–something.

I Corinthians 1:28
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, . . .

There is a wonderful show on the History channel about the Shroud of Turn called the Real Face of Jesus. I recommend it. A scientific study has been going on for the last several years and only now are these results being made public. In the end, they still have no idea HOW the image manifested on the shroud. One theory is that it was created by a tremendous release of energy or light. Not too surprising for a believer to accept, more difficult for a team of scientists. They are faced with the power of “what was not” becoming something.

Healings are the same thing: bringing into our world something that was not: healthy body parts and organs.

This is all miracle stuff and the point is? Only God can make these things happen. Here’s our job, those called as witnesses, we are simply to look and acknowledge those moments when “what is not” is replaced by “what is.”

Sometimes these are physical transformations, but they can also be spiritual and mental transformations. Ask. Confess. Wait.

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” [Romans 8:11]

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Foolishness & Wisdom

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Wisdom is the interpretation and application of knowledge. Foolishness is the inability to do either one with knowledge. When I am acting foolishly, I am not thinking clearly or considering future consequences or outcomes. Worse, I am acting selfishly–which is never wise.

I Corinthians 1:21
For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him). [Amplified]

According to James 1:5, wisdom is a gift while foolishness is nothing more than human frailty (the default).

With wisdom, we can adapt to change, we can process struggle, we can build on mistakes.

Why wouldn’t everyone want wisdom? Why don’t we ask for wisdom every day? Why don’t seek wisdom? Why don’t we hunger and thirst for wisdom?

Why don’t I?

The first Bible study I started was on wisdom. I learned so much during that time, but I didn’t use that information wisely (how ironic). I didn’t build on the foundation.

I think there are a lot of building blocks that are set in place throughout our lives but we don’t take advantage of them. Many experiences in my life came to an unworthy demise: relationships (a family who loved me in Germany during a student exchange, friends from high school, friends from college, friends from Chicago, friends from Atlanta, friends from New York — all lost to me); skills (playing guitar, speaking German or sign language, playing piano); and creative pursuits (plays, articles, and stories I have written, ideas lost, crafts started and stalled). I responded to all of these events foolishly.

Wisdom would have integrated my events, people and experiences into a wholeness that continues to elude me after all these years.

But here’s the good news. Wisdom is unconcerned about my age or place in time. Wisdom is still here to lift me up. Wisdom is my sister. “Wisdom calls aloud in the street . . . [Proverbs 1:5a]. She is patient, like her other selves in God. She is willing to take me with her. She is here now

Come sweet sister and manifest in me this day.

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Unity Isn’t Uniformity

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , , , , , , , on April 11, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Unity, like love, requires consciousness and choice. We will never always agree. Like the old cliche of “pick your battles” with one’s kids, the same is true for the body of Christ. Not every disagreement requires the drawing up of sides and the raising of battle flags. I suppose a better word for unity is compromise or even love.

I Corinthians 1:10b
. . . that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.

I would say my closest friend is Kathy. We have known each other almost 40 years (age hint). Historically, I have been the conservative one and she the more liberal one. We don’t agree on everything by a long shot, but we know each other and we trust each other and as a result, we respect each other. And so, yes, we are in unity. We don’t live close by and we don’t talk every day, but when we do connect, it’s meaningful. We share deeply and we share honestly. When we disagree, we speak it, but we know that no disagreement is powerful enough to divide our hearts. We anticipate growing old together, 21st century Golden Girls.

But every relationship is not so easy. There are people who have put me under the microscope and nothing I say or do seems right to them. I am suspect and therefore, I am a challenge. There are people, I’m sorry to say, to whom I have done the same thing. My expectation is that they will behave badly and when they do, I am not surprised. Who knows if they behave well, I’m not looking for that. In neither of these cases is unity possible. Even though there is no outright hostility and on the surface everything seems fine, the inner turmoil is fraught with misery.

We will never be all the same. It’s not the way our creative God works. Everything in nature is about uniqueness. It is putting uniqueness together that makes a new “whole.” We each bring our special something to the table.

I can remember when Mike and I used to attend pitch-in suppers at our old church in Atlanta. Most of the cooks brought fried chicken, southern-style green beans, cole slaw, and mashed potatoes. I brought hummus and tabouli. I don’t need to tell you what was barely touched. It’s not that it wasn’t good, but it was outside the box for a church supper, at least back then. Most people wouldn’t even try it.

Each person’s personality has a little tabouli or baba ghanoush in it. Unity comes from tasting … trying … accepting … loving.

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Just Waiting

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on April 9, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Waiting for the second coming is really no different than waiting for answered prayer. They both require faith and an active participation in the waiting process.

I Corinthians 1:5, 7
For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge . . . Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

Like the servant who has grown lazy because the Master has tarried and therefore, the servant chooses to act dishonorably, so could our situation be if we are not faithful [Matthew 24:50].

Waiting is not easy.

So often, we use the length of the waiting period as an excuse for all kinds of bad choices and bad behavior. I know how angry I become when I’m waiting for someone. I keep checking my watch and with each minute beyond the expected time, I become more and more aggravated. And why? Because it’s all about me. I’ve made the delay a direct affront on me and my so-called precious time. (And yet, I myself run late on a regular basis — and unfortunately, it’s for the same reason: it’s all about me! What I am doing in the moment has become more important than arriving on time. That’s inexcusable really and as I write it, I am embarrassed.)

So, my first correction must be a personal one. Part of my “waiting” for Christ needs to be other-focused. Some people refer to this as “my witness,” which means my behavior should reflect and edify my Leader, my Boss, my Lord, and my God. We are asked to do this in the business world all the time. When we are out in public, we represent our companies or other organizations. Is this any different? It’s part of the “rules of engagement” that we agree to when we enter into relationships.

Whether it’s a marriage or a family, a neighborhood or a company, a church or a club, we reflect the make-up of that group by our behaviors and style.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This is the key to waiting. So simple.

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Revelation of the Mystery

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 8, 2010| 1 Comment »

Do people actually prefer a mystery to the unveiling of that mystery? I think so. As long as something is a mystery, an unknown, then our imaginations can fill in all the blanks. We can make it up. But once the mystery is revealed . . . well, we’re stuck with the truth of it.

Romans 16:25
Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ (the Messiah), according to the revelation (the unveiling) of the mystery of the plan of redemption which was kept in silence and secret for long ages, . . . [ Amplified]

A good friend of mine was adopted in the old days when records were sealed and adoptions were something to hide. He found his original birth certificate by accident as a young teenager (not a good way to discover one’s birthright). No one would answer his questions about the circumstances of his birth and so his imagination ran wild. He said he would look at people all the time to determine if they might be related. He imagined his birth parents as rich and sophisticated. He imagined they traveled the world. He imagined they wanted to know about their long-lost son.

When adoption records started opening up in the 80’s and 90’s and registries were created for adoptees to look for their birth parents, my friend began his search. This was the great mystery of his life and he wanted answers.

In the end, he did find his birth mother and although the physical similarities between her, his half-siblings, and himself were striking, the rest of the story was heart breaking. His mother was not rich or sophisticated. In fact, she and her many children were living on the edge, living from welfare check to welfare check, from one catastrophe to another. They were a family in crisis all the time. His birth father had been a one-night stand and long gone. He would never be found.

My friend went through several years of a new kind of struggle: embracing the truth.

Jesus was the revelation of the mystery that was laid down in the prophetic writings. He didn’t match the picture that many had created in their minds of the long-awaited Messiah. When he claimed his own birthright, it was simply too hard for many to grasp or accept. It’s no different today.

In the end, it takes more energy to perpetuate a mystery and a secret than it does to walk the truth. This I believe.

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Keep Your Distance

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , , , , , on April 7, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I am too much like the little girl who doesn’t listen to her mother, “Stay away from the stove.” Instead, I wait until I get burned before the lesson sinks in. Simply put: I am overly confident in my ability to resist evil.

Romans 16:17b-18
Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

I don’t consider myself naive, but honestly, am I any better at dodging flattery than anyone else? Flattery is a strong lure for performance-oriented folks like me. We are working so diligently at “getting things done” and long-anticipated approval that we often mistake honeyed words for bona fide appreciation. We can be seduced.

That’s embarrassing, but true.

The best antidote is right here: avoid those people and situations. This advice is really in the same family as “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I’m not very good at that one either.

As I contemplate this simple truth, I realize the main element is self-control. If I just stop and “look before I leap,” or “hold my tongue,” or “wait for the Lord;” each of these cliches could manifest a difference. The decision is internal and it’s made in the moment. It requires mindfulness.

Help me step back today and really see; really hear. Help me to breathe in wisdom. Help me to recognize evil intent.

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