Humor and Hope

Humor and Hope

Imagine an unexpected and inexplicable loss of seventy days of your life.  One morning, you awake, complete your daily rituals of prayer, hygiene, bathing and eating and depart for work.  Surprisingly, the end of the work day comes two and a half months later as you are rescued with thirty-two co-workers.  The trapped Chilean miners lived this frightening scenario before the eyes of the world.  One wonders how they coped during those lengthy days and even longer nights.  How did they retain their sanity and maintain a positive outlook during their geological captivity.  Where did they find hope?

One of the miners utilized humor as a means of living through the ordeal.  Known as the jokester of the shift, he kept his comrades laughing during their lengthy wait for freedom.  In so doing, he helped them stay positive.  More especially, his encouragement prevented them from becoming bitter, depressed or resentful.  Envision the possible negative outcomes had the miners not stayed positive.  Fortunately, someone with his character and sense of humor was amongst the thirty-three trapped miners.  The comical Chilean miner served a divine purpose for his coworkers.  Chances are he kept them in stitches; thereby encouraging and empowering them with hope until the day of their rescue.  Interestingly, his example demonstrates the power of laughing and light heartedness in the midst of trials and tribulations.  Perhaps, we do not always needs a grand philosophical or theological concept to withstand life’s harshest storms.  Quite simply, a side-splitting joke or funny story whose recollection leaves you in tears and the delightful pain of laughing hysterically may be the best coping mechanism.

A friend, Ralph, often reminds our circle of acquaintances of an enduring spiritual principle.  “Don’t take yourself too seriously!”  Such an attitude inevitably leads to egotistical self-reliance.  A further consequence of this approach to life is a misguided belief that only you have a realistic outlook on the facts.  Tunnel vision indirectly alienates people who may otherwise be favorable and helpful.  It limits your ability and willingness to seek creative solutions.  As a result, you remain in the clutches of your dilemma.  In contrast, humor enables you to laugh at yourself and your circumstances; meanwhile being grateful that they are not worse.  Your very existence means you have hope and possibilities to change.  Have you ever had the experience of laughing really hard about a problem only to stumble upon a solution as you dried the tears from your eyes? 

The late Larry Burkett, one of the founders of Christian Financial Concepts which became Crown Financial Ministries, emphasized the importance of staying positive and relying upon humor in the midst of physical adversity and personal challenge.  At the time of his death, Burkett had lived with cancer for nearly a decade.  From the date of diagnosis, he resolved to remain hopeful for a cure and his personal healing.  He avoided negativity in all of its forms: well intentioned stories that had unfavorable outcomes, horrific news reports, cynical people, and focus on natural disasters.  Instead, he established a daily laughing quota which he met doggedly.  To ensure that he received this type of divine medicine, Burkett taped an ensemble of his most favorite and humorous commercials.  Although he had viewed these clips seemingly thousands of times, he laughed as hard each time he watched them as he did the very first time.  Before retiring to bed each night, he would pull out this tape and watch it, if he had not met his laughing quota for that day. 

Instead of losing seventy days of your life, suppose twenty-seven years (ten thousand days) were taken unjustly from you as they were from President Nelson Mandela.  The cooperative machinations of a few Western countries and the South African government eventuated in Mandela’s lengthy prison sentence solely because of his affiliation with the African National Congress which advocated for the civil liberties and citizenship and human rights of Black South Africans during apartheid.  Again, consider the physical, emotional, mental and personal implications for Mandela had he allowed himself to become embittered by this unfair imprisonment.  Chances are he would have died in jail.  Instead, he persevered believing that Almighty God would liberate him.  Mandela found hope in the enduring faithfulness of God who favors justice on behalf of His despised children who cannot speak for themselves.

Summarily, the stories of the trapped Chilean miners, the late Larry Burkett and President Nelson Mandela remind us of the power of hope in all situations.  “Hope [never] disappoints.  On a practical level, their use of humor and reliance upon the trustworthiness of the Word of God offer concrete examples of how to maintain hope while living in the eye of the storm.

The Boldest, Brightest and Best Prayer Requests: Establishign an Ephesians 3:20 Prayer List

The Boldest, Brightest and Best Requests:

Establishing an Ephesians 3:20 Prayer List

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 is one of the most influential verses in the New Testament.  It comforts and challenges the believer.  The verse reminds us the awesome and infinite abilities of the Creator of the universe surpass our mental capacities of logic and imagination.  Interestingly, He deposits that incredible power within each believer.  From birth in which we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-16), we are the gracious recipients of God’s creative power.  However, we face the daily challenge of surmounting any fear that plagues us.  Can we find the faith and trust to genuinely rely upon God in order to access and utilize this majestic and mysterious internal fortitude?

In the King James Version of the Bible, Ephesians 3:20 reads, “Now to Him who can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”  The characterization, “exceedingly abundantly,” richly describes the abilities of the infinite architect of the universe.  God’s only limitations are the ones He chooses to place upon Himself. 

Periodically, I will remind us to establish an Ephesians 3:20 prayer list which contains our most amazing and outrageous requests.  Ask God for the big things!  Return to your childlike faith and boldly petition our Heavenly Father for your heart’s deepest desires, ambitions, and goals.  Hopefully, we include spiritual and character items in addition to financial and material requests.  Consider asking for total and permanent healing from every fear that plagues your life.  Psalm 34:4 encourages and reassures us that unconditional freedom from fear is very possible.  “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”  Perhaps, you suffer with mental, emotional and psychological scars of unresolved pain, grief, and guilt.  Again, the psalmist empowers us with his favorable experience of God’s faithfulness.  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)  In saving us, the Lord does not simply rescue us from unfortunate circumstances but He uses those challenges to make us whole.  Admittedly, the Psalter also says that the Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills, as the earth is His and the fullness thereof.  As a consequence, we can ask for manifestations of the universe’s superabundance in our lives as it relates to needs and wants.  Nonetheless, I suggest that we write down very audacious prayer requests with dates.  Practice developing communication and trust in Almighty God to progress towards an Ephesians 3:20 faith in which you do not question the ability of God to fulfill the promises of this verse in your life. 

As always, Ephesians 3:20 faith necessitates practical application.  Conquering fear requires daily facing our fears enroute to triumphing over them.  The writings of Norman Vincent Peale recommend “Do the thing that you fear most and the death of fear itself is certain.”  Facing Goliath is the first step towards defeating him.  Acquiescing our fears to the point of paralysis never defeats them.  Showing up for the fight often equates with ninety-five percent of the effort needed to win.  I hasten to add that “binding and rebuking the devil” are not magical words that supernaturally resolve our fears and eliminate our problems.  We balance faith and deeds as the book of James instructs believers.  Should you need a financial blessing and greatly desire the Lord’s bountiful blessings over your finances, you may practically receive an answer to prayer through your faithful practice of better stewardship of your resources.  As it relates to healing and miracles, they extend beyond physical challenges in which some believers want God to suspend natural law and supernaturally heal people of myriad sicknesses and diseases.  An alcoholic who ceases drinking, finds God, commits to personal development and spiritual growth and serves Almighty God through practical service to humankind personifies a miracle.  A reformed pathological liar who reaches back to repair the damage of her previous deceit and resolves to lead an honest life henceforth also represents a miracle. A thief who cooperates with law enforcement to prevent undeserving people from suffering lost of finances and property symbolizes a miracles.  All of these persons receive continual healing as they maintain daily spiritual progress.  Essentially, persistent practice of spiritual disciplines creates healing, miracles and wholeness within an interdependent relationship with Almighty God.

Elbow Room

Elbow Room

Do you have any mental “elbow room?”  This week’s thought arises from my reading of James McPherson’s compelling collection of African-American short stories, Elbow Room.  In the title essay of this anthology, the protagonist, Billy Renfrow, fights doggedly against the encroachment of other people’s thinking.  He refuses to allow them to define him.  Also, he will not let them tell him what he should think and how he should feel.  In fact, Billy Renfrow takes the racial pejorative, “Nigger,” and turns it on its head.  He says, “People always calling me a “nigger.”  But, they need to know that I am a bad “nigger.”  They don’t know that I have elbow room in mind.”

Mental “elbow room” is that space within our minds that we hold sacred.  We do not permit our spouses, family, friends and colleagues to impose their thinking upon us.  Should they try, which we know they constantly do, we use our mental elbows to back off their feelings and opinions.  Otherwise, we will never mature to the point of knowing what makes us individually unique.  Sadly, many forego the development of this necessary mental and emotional stamina.  As a consequence, they live as the personification of other people’s desires for them.  They summarily dismiss their own dreams and goals.  Yet, if they cultivate mental elbow room, they can discover the wonderful and singular life that their Creator meant for them to live.

Sigmund Freud posited that life is made up of two major poles: love and work.  Lacking elbow room, many people married persons whom their families and friends chose and others work jobs that someone else told them would be good for them.  Choosing whom we covenant to live together in love for life is a decision that only an individual should make since that person has to live with it.  Similarly, given the reality that work consumes a disproportionate amount of our time, we should only be in jobs that fulfill us beyond providing a paycheck.  However, the failure to foster the strength of mental elbow room imprisons someone into his or her parents’ dream job.  Unfortunately, many parents attempt to achieve their dreams through their children.  Even though they did not graduate from law, medical or business school, it is all right because their son or daughter will.  Perhaps, they fell short of “making it big.”  Then, they can impart the dream to junior.  Nonetheless, such a child’s only protection against such pressure and well-intentioned mental violence is elbow room.

Resisting the forces of advertisers and the dominant culture is equally important.  If you listen to the “wizards of Madison Avenue,” then you may never know the depth of your gifts, talents, character and beauty.  Uncritically accepting media images (magazines, television, newspapers, and the internet), many persons think they are not attractive and have nothing to offer.  They uselessly embark upon these expensive lifestyle expeditions of self-improvement.  From diets to dyeing hair to face lifts to wardrobe overhauls to skin lightening creams, they believe that they are ugly and must radically change themselves.  Just as beauty lies within the soul, determining one’s worth is an internal process of mind, heart, psyche and spirit.  It begins with expanding one’s elbow room enough to resist the erroneous messages of society.

Elbow room is additionally important as it relates to other major personal and political decisions.  Recently, two former jurors testified at a probation and parole hearing in our county.  They voted to sentence a man to death although they both had reservations about whether the punishment appropriately fit the crime.  They were asked, “Why did you vote for something that you thought was wrong?”  Neither juror could explain the inconsistency between their thoughts and values and their actions.  Had they possessed elbow room, then they would have trusted themselves enough to go against the majority.  Norman Vincent Peale taught that you should never agree to something that your common sense tells you is wrong.  Furthermore, elbow room empowers you to decide for yourself and stand firm in your decision despite what others may think or say about you.

The joy of life partially depends upon knowing who you are.  Shakespeare said, “To thine own self be true.”  Without mental elbow room, one can never fully attain the peace that derives from living in a manner consistent with one’s heartfelt principles and the bliss of realizing one’s dreams and goals.  Accordingly, I conclude with my opening question, “Do you have mental elbow room?”

Every Exist is an Entrance - Conclusion

“Every Exit is an Entrance – Conclusion”

It appears that Joshua may share some of the anxiety and apprehension of his fellow Israelites.  The Lord unequivocally states, “Now that my servant Moses is dead, you must lead my people across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.”  In essence, the Lord tells Joshua to accept this momentous change and the new responsibility that it brings for Joshua.  Further, the Lord assures Joshua of His faithful provision. “I promise you what I promised Moses: Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you.”  Moreover, the Lord pledges advance victory in every battle.  “No one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as live.  For I will be with you as I was with Moses.  I will not fail you or abandon you.”  Fundamentally, the Lord encourages Joshua, individually, and the people of Israel, collectively, to embrace the end of Moses leadership because it will catapult them to the covenantal promise that the Lord made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Not only that, the Lord reassures them of unchanging grace and provision as they enter the Promised Land.

Additionally, the Lord instructs Joshua, “Be strong and courageous, for you will lead my people to possess all the land I swore to give their ancestors.”  The Lord reiterates this imperative, “Be strong and very courageous.”

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”  What a great definition!  In every ending, there is a great beginning.  In His mysterious ways, God determines how to convert a conclusion into a commencement.  If we are willing to embrace the Godly ordained changes of life, we find that our future glory always surpasses the former glory.  Oftentimes, we put off making decisions because we want to make the “right” choice.  However, as we live into our decisions, they become the “right” choices.

The Lord challenges Joshua to follow a few important, practical steps.  First, “obey all the laws Moses gave you.”  Second, “Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do.”  What an incredible promise from Almighty God!  Third, “Study this Book of the Law continually.”  Fourth, “Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it.”  The word, meditate, here practically means to chew upon it as a cow chews its cud.  Fifth, “Only then will you succeed.” 

Changes naturally yield success, achievement and excellence if we willingly accept the challenges that they bring.  One author succinctly summarizes it this way, “The essence of growth is change and the willingness to shoulder the responsibility that comes with it.”  God calls us into a process of change and growth, which always eventuates in His bountiful blessings.  If we grasp every exit as an entrance, then we will encounter unimaginable riches and ecstasies in the Lord.

The Lord ends His conversation with Joshua by repeating for the third time His imperative words of encouragement.  “I command you – be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!”  Exits emerge occasionally so that we may enter new chapters.  Rather than fight or ignore them, we should welcome them as necessary markers on the road of life. 

Every Exit is an Entrance - Part Two

“Every Exit is an Entrance – Part Two”

In today’s text, the children of Israel must grapple with the death of Moses and the incredible change that it causes for them.  The one who led them for forty years in the wilderness is no longer with them.  They stand on the brink of the Promised Land without Moses, their God given leader.  In fact the author of Deuteronomy characterizes Moses in superlative terms.  “There has never been another prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.  The Lord sent Moses to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders on the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants and his entire land.  And it was through Moses that the Lord demonstrated his mighty power and terrifying acts in the sight of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 31:10-12)  Yet, Moses is now dead and the children of Israel must accept this monumental change.

For forty years, they dwell in tents.  As the pillar of cloud move by day, they pick up their tent pegs and move.  When the pillar of fire settles at night, they drive stakes into the ground and adjust to a new location.  This semi-nomadic way of life has become “normal” for them.  They knew the voice of Moses and had learned to the best of their ability and the fullest extent of their willingness to listen to it.

What would they do now?  As they cross the Jordan and take the Promised Land?  They would face new and previously unknown enemies?  They would fight on unfamiliar terrain.  They had no idea what the land was like.  The uncertainty of these changes led to their wholesale fear.  But, they failed to realize that the physical exit of Moses open the door through which Joshua would enter.

We can relate to their dread.  We hate endings.  We defy transitions, good and bad.  The loss of job creates tremendous fear in us.  The death of a loved one causes us to grieve considerably.  For at least a year, we live in a time warp as we figure out how to move on.  The severing of significant relationships periodically results in anger and bitterness most because it interrupts the flow of life.  Plus, it is a wasted investment.  Then, there are those pleasant times in life when we succeed and actually get what we want.  What do we do then?  How do we live into this new and pleasant change?

Fascinatingly, God transforms our losses, exits, defeats, failures and fears into doors that lead to a nee and glorious chapter in life.  Embedded in every “death” are the seeds of resurrection.

Foe the Israelites, God chooses Joshua to lead them into the Promised Land.  Let’s listen in on the conversation between God and Joshua as the Lord anoints Joshua as the new leader over Israel.  In so doing, the Lord demonstrates that the exiting of Moses from the stage of priestly and prophetic ministry opens the door to Joshua’s assumption of the mantle.

Don't Be Distracted - Luke 9:51-56 - The Conclusion

Don’t Be Distracted - Luke 9:51-56 - The Conclusion

Erik Erikson, the Harvard psychologist, characterized a third and powerful form of distraction as a “psychosocial moratorium.”  In its simplest form, this term means working a job or engaging in some activity that garners the respect of family, friends and colleagues but has absolutely no spiritual and existential worth for the individual.  In some ways, it is paid “time out.”  For many people, regrettably, they spend their entire working years in jobs that hold no personal benefit other than a paycheck.  In spiritual terms, these jobs possess no eternal value whatsoever.  More problematically, most people in this predicament fail to stop and question whether they should get out of it.  Essentially, they live out a life-long distraction.

The Lord Jesus, in His rebuke of the disciples, gives us an important strategy in avoiding the distractions of life.  “And he said, ‘You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”  Jesus reminds them of the necessity of principle and purpose in all matters. 

This brief passage in Luke reminds us of the daily possibilities of losing sight of our eternal home.  As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are pilgrims traveling through this world.  We exist to fulfill an eternal purpose.  To that effect, this life is a dress rehearsal as we honor and glorify Almighty God.  In order to gain a role in that great cosmological drama, we must remember three main tactics for succeeding in this life.  First, define your destiny in accordance with the will of God.  Second, determine to achieve it with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  Third, do not allow the circumstances of life to distract you!  Utilize godly discipline in defending yourself against life’s distractions.  Discipline yourself daily to maintain the principles and purposes of your destiny.

Finally, we can rejoice over the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ did not allow Himself to be distracted enroute to Jerusalem.  As a burgeoning adolescent on an annual religious pilgrimage with His family, the Lord stays behind.  He enters the Temple and began His study of the Law of God in order to define clearly the love of God to humankind.  He did not let the temptations of youth distract Him from “being about His Father’s business.”  As He commenced His public ministry, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness where He fasted for forty days and nights.  During that period, the devil came to Him and tempted Him with the fleeting chance to satisfy the physical instincts of hunger, wealth and power.  Despite His weak physical condition, the Lord Jesus Christ does not allow Himself to be distracted with the lust of the world.  On one occasion, His brothers who did not believe in Him recommended that He enter Jerusalem; rather than settle for the local notoriety of the small villages, he should proceed immediately to the big city and gain a national following.  Yet, the Lord did not listen to this misguided flattery and ill-advised thoughts.  He rebuked His brothers and told them that it was not yet His time to be exalted.  On another occasion, after a very successful preaching, teaching and healing crusade, the crowd decides to seize Him and make Him their king.  But, the Lord escapes their self-centered designs.  He realizes that they do not understand the purpose of the teachings and miracles. 

Then, He attempts to share His divine objectives with Peter, James, John and the other disciples.  Impulsive to the core, Peter rebukes the Lord and insists that His death will never come to pass.  In response, the Lord condemns Peter’s words and exhorts him to listen to the Lord’s teachings.  In those charged exchanges, the Lord maintains His focus and discipline as it relates to His divine mission.  He does not allow Himself to be distracted!  Even as the Lord enters Jerusalem as the grand marshal of an enormous parade, He refuses to misinterpret the meaningless and temporal praise of the crowd.  Instead, He glares at the forthcoming cross at Calvary.

On the night on which He is betrayed, He resists the chance to begin an armed rebellion.  He restores the ear of the high priest’s servant.  He tells His disciples to put away their swords.  He, like a sheep before its shearer, silently and obediently submits to two unjust trials and even death itself.  In all that agony, He focuses upon the purpose for which He came to earth.  On the Via Delarosa, He step by step disciplines Himself to forge ahead to the fulfillment of His earthly mission.  The gospels do not report that He decides to abandon His calling and try an alternative plan.  He arrives at Calvary and ascends the ironic throne of the cross.  With His dying breath, He shouts the triumph of a victorious general, “It is finished!”  The Lord’s focus enables His unimaginable resurrection three days later.  Moreover, it reverses the curse of Eden and offers the Father’s gracious salvation to humankind. 

This incredible gift is ours because the Lord simply did not allow Himself to be distracted!

Don't BeDistracted - Luke 9:51-56 - Part III

Don’t Be Distracted - Luke 9:51-56 - Part III

The enduring racial strife between the Samaritans and the Jews is a possible source of distraction for the Lord Jesus Christ.  After the Assyrian desolation of Israel in 722 BCE, some of the remaining Jewish tribes intermarried with their conquerors; thereby creating the biracial people whom we know as the Samaritans.  The Jews who refused to intermarry despise the Samaritans.  You can imagine the pejorative and profane names that were exchanged between the two groups.  Consistent with that historical baggage, the Samaritans in the village that Jesus visits enroute to Jerusalem reject Him and His message.  Luke does not tell us their specific reasons.  In addition to the obvious racial hatred, perhaps, they disagreed with His mission.  In as much as Jerusalem was his destination, the Samaritans surmise that His intentions are not favorable toward them.  Yet, the Lord Jesus does not allow their assessment to distract Him.

Their failure to comprehend His message does not deter Him from pursuing and completing His destiny.  Jesus forges ahead to Jerusalem.  In so doing, He shows us the importance of discarding unsolicited and useless opinions of others.  We must learn to put other people’s thoughts and feelings in their proper place.  Often, people do not understand who we are.  If we let them, they will live vicariously through us.  More significantly and unfortunately, they will limit our goals and dreams to their incapacities.  Rather than challenge themselves to change and grow, they settle for the “pathology of normality.”  Keeping them company in their blissful ignorance is their desire for us.  Since they have chosen to cloak their shortcomings instead of resolving them, these persons prefer that we do the same.  However, they can only have a powerful impact if we permit them.  A practical way of handling them is ignoring them.  Another method is saying “Thank you for sharing.  I am working upon self-development.” 

In total contradistinction, James and John take offense to the reaction of this Samaritan village.  These disciples fail to appreciate that feelings are not facts.  They allow their emotions to take control.  Their egotistical reaction leads to a potential abuse of divine power.  They desire to use Christ’s power to annihilate a village of undeserving men, women and children.  Imagine the genocide that would occur had the Lord assented to their worthless request.  James and John’s example teaches us to channel our emotions to godly purpose instead of satisfying the vengeful thirst of our egos.  The disciples’ reaction to the insult of the Samaritans further demonstrates their ignorance of Jesus’ mission.  They, too, did not comprehend the destiny of the Lord.  Accordingly, their emotions lead them to lose sight of the divine purpose.  Their own self-centered objectives and motives distract James and John.

How do we handle the myriad distractions of life, good and bad?  Again, the “good” distractions are often more counterproductive than the “bad” ones.  Primarily, I suggest that we seek fervently the guidance of the Holy Spirit as it relates to issues and activities that should command our energies and efforts.  Concentrate upon the issues that the Lord puts upon your heart.  If your heart burns, then pray for empowerment to be the Lord’s instrument in resolving a given issue.  Professor Frederick Buechner submits that our calling emerges at the intersection of the world’s greatest need and our hearts’ deepest desire to meet those needs.  As with the use of time and talent, the gift of tithe and financial resources flows from the passions of the heart.  We simply do not have the money to contribute to all worthwhile causes.  Let the Holy Spirit move your heart about those ministries, not-for profit organizations and para-church entities to which you should contribute.  For those to which you do not give, the Lord will move upon someone else’s heart to meet those needs. 

Secondarily, we must watch the danger of indulging our physical instincts and self-centered fears and motives.  Often, base physical impulses can distract us.  Addiction which has a spiritual antecedent, crystallizes from an over indulgence of an initial physical and pleasurable activity.  Many very talented and gifted persons have fallen prey to the clutches and imprisonment of addiction in its many forms.  President Harry S. Truman cautioned his male staff about the three “Ws and P,” wine, women, wealth and power.  Alcoholism, drug abuse, sex, greed and a thirst for raw power impede countless people from fulfilling their destinies in life.  Furthermore, grandiosity and fear are two other great inhibitors of your goals and dreams. 

Don't Be Distracted - Luke 9:51-56 - Part II

Don’t Be Distracted - Luke 9:51-56 - Part II

This brief passage teaches us three main points about the necessity of discipline and focus.  First, destiny requires resolution.  In the fifty-first verse, the Lord Jesus Christ “resolutely sets out for Jerusalem.”  Practically speaking, His will equals the hardness of stone.  He turns his face life flint.  He does not question His destiny because of His firm clarity about His mission.  Second, determination necessitates attention to practical details.  The fifty-second verse demonstrates that He “sent messengers on ahead” to prepare for His arrival in the holy city.  Third, avoiding distractions is essential to achieving destiny.  The fifty-third and fifty-fourth verses detail how the disciples allow themselves to be distracted by their feelings towards and reactions to the Samaritan people. 

By definition, destiny must have eternal value.  In order to sift through the myriad good things that you can do, you must ask the question, “Will this activity have any effect on eternity?”  Moreover, your passions and purpose often hint toward your destiny.  What is the reason for which you were born?  Is there anything that you love doing with such passion that you feel you were born to do it?  Is there an activity upon which you would bet your life?

Learning to say “NO” to the various distractions of life is critical to cultivating the discipline and focus necessary to fulfill your destiny.  The writings of Norman Vincent Peale advise people to write down their goals and dreams with dates on an index card.  He suggests that you carry that card on your person each day.  Review them periodically in order to saturate your mind, heart, and will.  Saying “NO to those offers that are not a part of your destiny will become automatic.  In essence, this index card becomes a filter for the distractions of life.  It empowers you to say “YES” only to opportunities consistent with your personal mission statement. 

Achieving one’s destiny is a matter of daily choices.  As an undergraduate student, I was far too involved in many extracurricular activities.  Instead, I should have been in the library reading, studying and writing.  Now, that I have been working for twenty-one years, I wish for the chance to devote myself to full-time study and reflection.  As a pastor with the obligations of marriage, family and a mortgage, that simply is not going to happen again.  Yet, had I been more focused and disciplined as a collegian, I could have graduated with a Phi Beta Kappa key and equivalent honors.  Full-time undergraduate and graduate school study is given exclusively for the purpose of learning theory and training the mind.  I cite that “failure” as a lesson to better utilize my time and talents today in order to actualize my destiny.  In addition, I recall my decision to forego applying for a promotion because the job would have taken my life in direction that was inconsistent with the Lord’s will.  Had I received that promotion, I would have devoted myself to a job that engendered very little passion within my heart.  A simple question, “Does it fit,” is a prism for making daily choices to accomplish your destiny.

Determination concretizes itself in preparation.  “Prior preparation prevents poor performance.”  Homework is a reality of life.  Success requires preparation and homework.  Your resolve can only be detected by your daily willingness to direct your talents and time to the enjoyable grind of working toward success.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s immortal poem, The Ladder of St. Augustine, says “the height of great men, reached and kept; were not obtained in sudden flight; but they while their companions slept; toiled upward in the night.” 

Incidentally, work need not be hard in order to be meaningful.  We can learn to work smart instead of hard.  Things do not have to be difficult.  You can enjoy work particularly when you are doing something that you feel matters substantially and eternally.  Work can be ministry in the truest sense of the word.  We should work out of our passions instead of mere interests.  “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.”

Determination also requires the practice of spiritual disciplines.  A definite link exists between spirituality and success.  Discipline separates the winners from the losers.  Talent and potential are merely the beginning.  People who possess such traits are not guaranteed achievement.  In fact, myriad persons with a lot less talent outpace competitors because they have more discipline.  The people in the latter category foster the spiritual commitment to develop internal empowerment that enables them to persevere until they achieve success.  Self-evaluation, prayer, affirmation, meditation, Bible study, imaging and daily quiet time are significant spiritual disciplines that highly ambitious people practice to catapult themselves to the highest levels of excellence.

Don't Be Distracted - Luke 9:51-56 Part I

Don’t Be Distracted - Luke 9:51-56 Part I

Many people fail to achieve their destiny in life.  They fall victim to myriad good and bad circumstances in life.  Actually, their inability to develop focus and discipline mostly accounts for their lack of success.  People who unwaveringly commit themselves to self-evaluation and industriousness eventually succeed.  Interestingly, they are not necessarily the most talented people in their chosen professions.  Practically speaking, they are the people who determine their goals and dreams and work hard to realize them.  They are not the people who are distracted by hobbies, avocations, community service, social justice advocacy, volunteerism, etc.  In order to fulfill your divine destiny in life, you must resist the temptation of permitting various situations to deter you from achieving your eternal purpose.

It is important to discover and define your destiny, a combination of your dreams and goals, which contain an eternal purpose.  Biblically speaking, destiny includes The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40) and The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  Because life has many distractions, clarifying your personal mission is vitally important.  Otherwise, you will become a victim of circumstances and ineffective choices.  A written mission statement, as Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People suggests, sifts the opportunities that life’s presents.  This declaration regarding the use of your time, talent, treasure and temperament helps immensely in utilizing the possibilities that further your divine intention.  Without daily reference to your mission statement, you risks the danger of falling prey to every wind and wave of chance.  Conceivably, you could busy yourself with a lot of good and worthwhile activities.  Yet, time could ultimately reveal the hard and unfortunate fact that none of those commitments possess any eternal worth. 

Focusing upon the practical components of destiny is fundamental to accomplishing it.  It is equally significant to learn from previous, adverse experiences; and channel that wisdom towards some meaningful purpose in life.  How you handle failure is as important as how you enjoy success.  Disappointments and defeat often possess critical lessons which in time contribute to future successes.  John Maxwell, the author of countless books on leadership and management, recommends that we acquire the skill “to fail forward.”  Additionally, Attorney Natasha L. Blackshear, a successful corporate and venture capitalist lawyer, posits that failures supply necessary information in order to succeed.  She reasons that one must ignore the usual tendency to find excuses to explain away failure.  Instead, mine negative experiences for the personal information that they offer.  After celebrating successes, utilize them to further challenge yourself to achieve an even greater goal.  Summarily, developing the habit of turning liabilities into assets helps in avoiding the daily distractions of life.

Again, there are many charitable and worthwhile things to do in life.  Because we face so many social challenges, there are as many meaningful projects to which you can belong in an attempt to resolve these dilemmas.  Problems abound on all levels of government.  Geographically, these situations have no limits.  From combating genocide in Africa to suicide bombers in the Middle East to ruining the wildlife reservoirs in Alaska to protecting the life of the unborn to increasing voter turnout on the precinct level, you merely can choose any numbers of issues.  However, you still face the difficulty of determining what issues to tackle.  We simply cannot be all things to all people.  Hopefully, we do not want to belong to everything yet be committed to nothing.  But, that is exactly the risk that we run if we do not remind ourselves daily of our divine destiny in life.  Almighty God will put upon the fertile soil of our hearts those community service and social justice activities to which we should belong.  The combination of that revelation and our personal mission statement helps us to escape the trap of life’s good distractions that undermine our destinies.

In the preceding text in Luke’s gospel, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches the necessity of resisting the distractions of life.  He never loses sight of His destiny.  He holds Jerusalem in His mind’s eye at all times.  He knows that His destiny which is to achieve salvation for humankind will be actualized in Jerusalem.  Accordingly, He does not allow anyone or anything to prevent Him from entering the holy city.  The disciples, however, become enamored with Jesus’ divine power and their access to it via their relationship with Him.  Because of an insult in a Samaritan village, James and John request permission to call down a heavenly fire on those people.  Instead, Jesus instructs them about the importance of remaining focused upon His destiny.  Likewise, we must focus upon our destiny with the same resolution that the Lord Jesus Christ utilizes in approaching Jerusalem, which leads to Calvary, which in turn leads to the Empty Tomb, which in turns make possible the salvation of the world.

An Ephesians 3:20 Moment - Meditation Upon the Verse

An Ephesians 3:20 Moment - Meditation Upon the Verse

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 is one of the most influential verses in the New Testament.  It comforts and challenges the believer.  The verse reminds us the awesome and infinite abilities of the Creator of the universe surpass our mental capacities of logic and imagination.  Interestingly, He deposits that incredible power within each believer.  From birth in which we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-16), we are the gracious recipients of God’s creative power.  However, we face the daily challenge of surmounting any fear that plagues us.  Can we find the faith and trust to genuinely rely upon God in order to access and utilize this majestic and mysterious internal fortitude?

In the King James Version of the Bible, Ephesians 3:20 reads, “Now to Him who can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”  The characterization, “exceedingly abundantly,” richly describes the abilities of the infinite architect of the universe.  God’s only limitations are the ones He chooses to place upon Himself. 

In order to overcome the mediocrity that society readily accepts, a person faces a daily intrapersonal challenge.  A friend of mine recently shared with our group a personal acknowledgment.  He fiercely desires to obtain his heartfelt goals and dreams in life.  Yet, he remains in the same place as it relates to achieving them.  This paralysis greatly puzzles him.  He reflects upon his predicament.  He resolves that he possesses the requisite talents and abilities to actualize his ambitions.  Thus, he accepts that he has no excuses should he fail to do so.  Where is the disconnect between his potential and skills and his progress toward his goals?  He concludes that he must “pull it from within [himself].” 

Despite his cumbersome grammar, he offers us an important insight and practical method for utilizing an Ephesians 3:30 faith.  As the second half of this verse says, God accomplishes the unimaginable through His power at work within us.  This means practically that we challenge ourselves to find greater quantities and qualities of focus, discipline and excellence within ourselves.  Inherently, we know when we are giving our very best efforts in any task.  At times of adversity, indifference and apathy, we strive to resist mediocrity.  The daily consequence of this newfound determination is a rededication to practicing spiritual disciplines and faithfully working towards your goals and dreams.  Working smart and not hard, demanding a greater level of excellence, and showing up to work on your goals, all, are methods of how we challenge ourselves to actualize an Ephesians 3:20 faith.

The recent and incredible rescue of thirty-three trapped Chilean miners who were more than a mile and a half below ground for nearly seventy days illustrates this spiritual concept.  For approximately two weeks, no one knew whether any of these men were alive.  Probably, most people silently surrendered to the most agonizing thoughts of their deaths.  How badly would the bodies decompose if they could be retrieved for burial?  As we mine for internal spiritual riches, we often have to dig far more deeply than we would like.  Our initial inability to find any treasure leads us to believe that we search within a graveyard.  Yet, unbeknownst to the rest of the world, all of the miners were alive in that two-week period.  In fact, they encouraged each other to remain positive that they would be rescued.  One of them consistently used humor as a means of hope.  Upon surfacing after the rescue, he laughed, told jokes and shared pieces of the Earth’s deepest rocks as souvenirs with the rescuers.  His bold example teaches us to remain positive and grateful as we search for the light of God within us.  As the rescue mission progressed, cameras sent to the accident sight verified that all thirty-three men are alive.  What an amazing discovery!  We were able to abolish totally our unspoken fears about death, grief, funerals and loss.  As we persevere in our quest to discover the power of God operating in us, we too can annihilate our deepest fears when we partially glimpse a spark of the divine in us.  That moment forever banishes negativity, doubt, failure and complaining.  In time, the rescuers were able to send the trapped miners food, medicine, water, and other sundries to strengthen and sustain them as they waited.  I imagine that those trapped miners acquired a new found appreciation for food, water and basic sustenance.  The daily practice of spiritual discipline resembles that practical step.  Remembering to be grateful for daily bread is as important as the bread itself.  Gratitude for physical strength and the ability to persevere as one waits for rescue are the natural outgrowths of thankfulness for receiving food to keep one alive.  As it relates to spiritual growth and personal development, you can feed your inner most heart, soul and being through daily spirituality as you await the actualization of your talent and potential.  After a long period of seventy days, one by one, the trapped miners are raised to safety and the surface of the Earth.  Their extensive “overtime” shift teaches us that similarly we may need to dig deeply and lengthily within ourselves to discover our divine gifts and power.

Danielle's Dogged Determination

Danielle’s Dogged Determination

I recall the dogged determination of a young lady named Danielle whom I encountered during my years in educational administration.  More specifically, she applied to the Speech Pathology and Audiology Program at Teachers College Columbia University in the spring of 1998.  In May, she learned that her name had been put on the “wait list” of applicants.  This meant practically that she would be admitted if a need arose to offer admission to persons on this provisional list.  Moreover, a sufficient number of the applicants who were accepted directly would have to decline the offer of admission.  Then, her number on the list needed to be high enough to reach to her.  Incidentally, Danielle was the fifteenth person on the list!  Essentially, past practice proving instructive, it appeared that the possibility of her admission was extremely slim if not non-existent.  Nevertheless, she unrelentingly resolved that she would be a member of the fall semester entering class.

Upon receipt of her letter informing her of her place on the wait list, Danielle called me to inform me of her fierce intention to study in this particular program at TCCU notwithstanding other good alternatives within the tri-state region.  She said that she would call me each week to ascertain whether she had moved up on the wait list.  I chuckled to myself about her words, not realizing or appreciating the tenacity that lies within the core of her character.  True to her word, Danielle called me each week.  As good fortune would unfold in her life, her position on the wait list continually rose throughout the summer months.  However, by mid-August, she remained as the eighth person on the list.  The semester would begin within two to three weeks.  Again, it appeared that she would not be admitted.  Whereas, some people would have thanked me for my patience and professionalism and proceeded to explore other possibilities, Danielle responded by increasing her calls from once a week to twice a week.

Danielle additionally insisted that I share her incredible persistence with the chairperson of the program and admissions committee.  Each time we spoke, I in turn called him to share her resolve and inquiry.  This fluid communication triangle operated without malfunction for nearly fourth months.  In the third week of August, I made the last call to the program chairperson.  Danielle had moved to number four on the wait list.  After handling some other business with him, inquired about whether Danielle could be admitted as her perseverance in calling evidenced her undeniable interest in the program.  Amazingly, he said, “Let her in.  Let her in.  It seems that she will not leave you alone until she is admitted.  You obviously will not leave me alone because she will not leave you alone.  Let her in so that we can all get some peace.”

The consequence of Danielle’s persistence was her eventual and unconditional admission to the program.  Her story reminds me of the Persistent Widow” in Luke 18 who wins her court pleading from an indifferent judge because she steadfastly argues the rightness of her cause by faithfully attending court.  The judge rules in her favor, though he had reservations about the merit of her case, because she nearly “wears him out.”  The stories of both of these women give us hope that we can achieve our heartfelt goals and dreams if we doggedly pursue them.

Summarily, the Teacher in Ecclesiastes exhorts us to remember that the race is not always won by the swift nor are the strong the obvious winners of battles.  Good fortune and chance appear randomly and inexplicably in life.  Further, the Teacher insists that whatever we find to do in life should be done with our uttermost ability and dedication.  Circumstances sometimes require that we exert sweat equity and commit passion in pursuit of our goals.

The Summer of 1986 - My Ultimate Lesson in Love - Part I

The Summer of 1986 – My Ultimate Lesson in Love – Part I

I spent the summer of 1986, the months between my junior and senior years in college, with my paternal grandparents who were really my parents.  In November 1967, in their early sixties, my grandparents had recently built a small house where they expected to enjoy the autumn of their lives as they grew old with each other.  A knock was heard at the door.  Upon opening it, they found my father, my six siblings and me standing in the cold waiting to come in.  In retrospect, I surmise that my grandparents had to have known that they had agreed to adopt us when they said yes to my father’s proposal that we stay with them until he “got back on his feet and return to get us.”  Prior to our arrival, my beloved grandparents had already informally adopted two of our cousins.  Within months, they expanded from a couple to eleven persons in a small four bedroom house with very limited square footage.  What a radical change in life!  They were careened from the blissful autumn of their lives to the heat of summer in child rearing again. 

Ranging in age from six month old to twelve years old, the nine of us required the same careful attention given to tending a garden in the mugginess, humidity and haziness of June, July and August.  Spanning the gamut from fertilizing our personalities in diapers to potting training to sowing seeds of love in toddlerhood to enriching the soil of our characters in early childhood development to the emotional weeds of the middle school years to the crabgrass of adolescence and early adulthood, our beloved paternal grandparents were faithful and valiant stewards of the garden of their “second family.”  Yes, they were our relatives.  However, I incalculably value their genuine labor of love as one of the clearest examples of the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ that I have experienced.  At the time of their deaths in January and June of 1989, we had matured to adulthood.  The six month old infant was a twenty-two year old Private First Class in the United States Army.  As I approached the end of my collegiate years, I more greatly appreciated the selfless sacrifice that my grandparents made for my cousins, siblings and me.  Upon realizing the tremendous existential costs not to mention the lavish expenditures of finances, time, and subordination of personal wishes, I wrote to my grandparents to formally thank them for their immeasurable generosity and limitless love.  However, a letter hardly seemed to suffice to express my heartfelt gratitude.  I greatly desired to concretize my thankfulness.  With the practically non-existent budget of a college student, I found the means to travel back home and spend the summer of 1986 with them.

Upon my scheduled arrival on June 13^th, I enthusiastically greeted my grandfather at the door.  This time, as an adult collegian, I entered the house with the attention of living my gratefulness by caring for them throughout the summer break.  In exchange for their incredible gift, I sought to be a gift to them in their time of need.  My grandmother, having dealt with the long-term, cumulative effects of progressive diabetes, was now very ill.  “Momma” was never diagnosed officially as having Alzheimer’s disease but senility had solidified by the time I arrived.  Her most lucid hours were eight in the morning until noon.  Afterwards, her immediate memory or recall of current events receded to the deep recesses of her mind.  Even as I write, it is most difficult to accept that she did not know my name in the end.  Compounding those physical “complaints” as she called them was the daily incontinence which robbed this very proud and fastidious woman of her remaining dignity.  In many ways, it was most merciful that she did not fully realize this aspect of her illness.  Summarily, her care required the same dedication as nurturing a newborn.  At minimum, laundry was done twice a day; sometimes thrice.  Emptying bed pans and a bedside toilet was commonplace.  Preparing three meals on a rigid schedule and serving them in a ritualistic manner from which you could not deviate lest you disrupt her daily rhythm were also normal factors.  Additionally, she had to be awoken at the exact same time each morning; offered a nap after lunch and put to bed after dinner with meticulous accuracy. 

Whereas I labored in love for approximately eighty days that summer, the previous obligations, schedule and routine comprised my grandfather’s daily life.  In fact, the last five years of his life were consumed with the constant and increasingly challenging care of my grandmother, his beloved wife of fifty-seven years.  Yet, that summer, I relieved him.  I made myself available to them at any time of night or day.  I structured a semblance of a social life completely around their needs.  With stalwart determination, I attempted to attend perfectly their every need by answering each beck and call whether morning, evening or middle of the night.  As life’s inherent irony would unfold, I dedicated this summer to living the love that had grown in my heart during the years of my young life; as I did so, I would receive the ultimate lesson in love.