 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
-Psalm 25:28 A couple of months ago I was setting up for our church gathering. We meet in a school. While that has so many wonderful benefits, it also means that we have to set up everything fresh for each Sunday gathering. I'm the first one in, so I usually get a few tech things set up in the auditorium and then roll the coffee cart out for the rest of our team to take from there. It's someone else's job to brew a few pots of coffee. It's someone else's job to brew a few pots of coffee. But I was in the zone, getting things done, and I noticed it was about the time that our coffee servers were supposed to arrive. They weren't late yet, but I also didn't see them around, and I knew the coffee needed brewing. So to get a quick head start, I measured out the two liters of water and poured it into the back of our brewing machine. I was going to get the first pot going, but then I got distracted with another task, so I left it. Maybe 15 minutes later, I was working my way back through the lobby where coffee was being brewed. Our wonderful volunteer couple was cleaning up a huge mess on the ground. I asked what had happened. They explained that they weren't sure what was up, but it seemed like the coffee maker was already full of water when they poured the correctly measured amount in. Water spilled out all over the counter and the floor among all the coffee supplies. Maybe there was still water in it from last week, they wondered? "Well, clearly someone was horribly irresponsible. Who would do such a thing?" And I quickly walked away..... Nah. That's what I wanted to say and do, believe me. But with embarrassment I confessed that I hadn't seen them around, so I had started the process on my own... a process that wasn't mine to do. And then I left it, and I ended up being the source of the mess they had to clean up. Not only was it not my job to do, but it was dishonoring to my sister and brother to micromanage like that. Thankfully they were kind about it, but I realized in that moment, that I needed to address (once again) my need for control. When the scriptures talk about self-control, we often take that and boil it down to three big categories: saying mean things, sexual temptation, or too much junk food. Self-control in the way of Jesus goes well beyond that. It's about learning to relinquish the need to control our situations, to control others, and to be in control in order to find peace. Self-control, ironically, means trusting God in the moments where it's easier to try to control people and situations around you. God's goodness is constantly within reach, whether or not our lives and situations feel under control. It's about trust. It's about being ok with what is ours to do and releasing what is not ours to do. It's also about letting others brew coffee in peace without needing to stick your controlling little hands into that cart. If we follow this, we realize that much of discipleship is really about learning to embrace our limits and boundaries. How often might we assert our opinion into someone else's life when we haven't lovingly earned the right to speak into it? How often do we try to script every aspect of our own lives only to realize that control is a myth? How often do we cross boundaries under the guise of just trying to be helpful, but leave someone else feeling less respected? (Goodness, we parents can struggle mightily with this one). I always want to be a person of self-control. But this week, I want to make sure that it includes relinquishing the need for control. By practicing self-control in such a way, I learn to find my peace and contentment in God, and love and respect my neighbor. Jesus, help me trust you in absolute fullness today, regardless of what is left undone or what is beyond my control. Peace, Keith
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 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him...
-Luke 15:21-22 Last year, a friend new to Christian faith had a devastating week, with some difficult things happening. They told me that they didn't feel worthy to come to church that weekend. Today I'm thinking about that comment and our attitudes about "worthiness." My first thought was theological. Many people have heard stories of God that convince them that at their core, they are not worthy of God's love. We sing songs like this, right? I'm so unworthy, but still you love me... Yes, it's absolutely true that grace is unmerited favor. And it's also true that while we still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). But the good news is that in Jesus, people who have been treated without love, respect, and dignity are indeed full of worth in God's eyes. Therefore, they are worthy of care. Of relationship. Of rescuing. That even includes ones who have done wrong! We might feel unworthy, but if we are indeed unworthy, then God would not have found it fitting to send Christ for a worthless world. We see it in Jesus. Jesus, who died for the unrighteous. Jesus, who died to break cycles of sin and violence and destruction (even death). And Jesus, who was killed for proclaiming that he had come to bring the Lord's favor to the poor and broken spirited. He died because he proclaimed that we were all worthy of God's love and goodness and grace, since God was the one distributing it (rather than the powerful religious people). That's radical enough to get a guy crucified. So, simply saying we're unworthy of God's love doesn't hold up to the full story of Good News. God has declared worth over our feelings of unworth. So we live as beloved children, full of gratitude, and trusting in the value God has shown us we have. BUT. But a few days after that conversation, I realized that my friend wasn't really aware of all of that. Not much Bible knowledge (or baggage!) yet, very little Christian background. So why did they feel unworthy to go to church? Oh, Lord. What if this wasn't a theological issue? What if it's an ecclesiological one? (google it) It struck me that maybe their hesitance wasn't nearly as much about God as it was about the people of God. What if our church was the source of those insecure feelings? I keep thinking that it should be easier to get a handle on this. But then I'm reminded that authenticity is a process that takes a lifetime to learn. It's so easy for church to look like a collection of people with neat and tidy lives. It's almost effortless to give off a smile that, though well-meaning, communicates to others that they are the only ones in the crowd really struggling. And when we do that, before we know it, people start feeling like they aren't worthy enough to come to church. It's one of the reasons that we started incorporating lament into our common prayers every week. It's because the Church needs to learn to be a community of heartbroken and hopeful. The Church needs to learn to express ourselves as both discouraged and joyous. The Church is an eclectic collection of lives, sometimes getting it right, often getting it wrong, learning to throw ourselves on the grace of God and grow in the character of Jesus, week after week. In honesty. It's a community where none of us feel like we are worthy, and yet we all are. Because we are all looking to Jesus to walk us toward healing and reconciliation in messy and sometimes painful lives. Can we be people who never make another feel unworthy? Can we be people so joyfully aware of our own redemption in God and so lovingly aware of others' immeasurable value, that it becomes completely unnecessary for anyone to feel unworthy of love and community? Can we get our theology right so that we can get our ecclesiology right? Yes, we can. And when we are, we are the beautiful and broken body of Christ. We are the unworthy-feeling-yet-made-worthy-by-love family of God. That's a vision that would bring to me to church any day. Jesus, keep me aware of my own worth and the worth of my neighbor. Help me create places of grace-filled welcome today. Peace, Keith (*also we don't go to church-- we are church, but that's a different TFG)  “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."
-Jesus, Matthew 7:12 It was one of the best Christmas present ideas that I've ever had. In fact, given my track record, months later I was fairly certain that it wasn't even my idea, but my wife told me that indeed it was (picture me patting myself on the back right now in a truly satisfied way). We do these things called "gifts of love," a tradition my parents started when I was young. Because of the nature of these "experience gifts", they often don't happen for many months after Christmas. This one took until mid-summer. My daughter is obsessed with all things feline. So I decided to take her to a "Cat Cafe" for our gift this year. Let me explain. It's a cafe. But there are cats there. That's really it. Honestly, it's a pretty simple concept. You can drink coffee or tea or cider, and it's..... with cats. So many of them. If you've heard of Goat Yoga, the concept is really similar. But it's cats. And coffee. With a side of cat hair. Now, we do have a single cat at home. And Ted and I have a solid relationship. But this was a little different. There were a dozen here. It was a lot to take in. Just between you and me (do NOT share this with my daughter), I could have lived 90 years without this experience and not really missed out on the good life. I never would have put this on my list if Bethany asked me what I wanted for Christmas (it's running shoes, honey. It's always running shoes). But my daughter loved the cat cafe. And because she did, I did too. And that was beautiful. The words of Jesus in Matthew 7 are often called the Golden Rule. It's a powerful statement, intended to help us treat every person with love, respect and dignity. Treat others in a way that you would want to be treated. That's a timelessly appropriate teaching. And if we hear it right, it will lead us to a thoughtful, intentional spirit. Interestingly, as that spirit is formed in us, we will find that in order to treat others in the way that we'd like to be treated, our specific actions toward them may look quite different. Since the love that Jesus embodies is truly other-oriented, we will always be asking what love looks like to the one receiving it. This makes it harder on us, honestly. We are now responsible to not simply think of what we'd prefer in any given situation, but to do the work of being curious about another, and understanding them enough to know what would feel like love to them. What does love look like to my friend/kid/spouse/coworker? How can I make them feel valued and cared for? It may lead you into a cat cafe! Or to a tea shop with a friend, even though coffee is what you really love. Or, you may be the type that needs to talk out your problems. But to your friend, love might look like you simply being present with them. Loving words from your spouse might make you feel amazing- but the thing that makes them feel loved the most is you cleaning the kitchen. So the Jesus way becomes learning and expressing love in ways that are sensitive to another's unique wiring. When we work hard to make sure that each person is seen, heard, and valued in a way that communicates love to them, we take a step toward the Jesus way of life. And the beautiful thing is that God has made us for this. When we step into little moments of other-oriented love- even the cat hair left behind on our clothes can be a source of joy with Jesus. Because making others feel loved is just the best. So here's today's challenge: Imagine what loving care looks like to those around you, and consider what actions can make them feel as valuable as they are in God's eyes. Jesus, help me see each person as uniquely worthy of love today. Peace, Keith  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
-Jesus (John 14:27) On Friday, women's tennis pro Serena Williams finished her professional career, when she was eliminated in the third round of the US Open in New York. She is widely considered the greatest player in women's tennis history, after dominating for decades. And at nearly 41 she's still beating some of the world's best. She started the tournament in a shocking way by defeating the second ranked player in the world. It looked like it could be a cinderella story- the greatest ever coming back for one more championship at the end of her career (I'll take that story any day over Tom Brady!!). When she was interviewed after that win about her expectations in a tournament like this so late in her career, here's what she said: "I don't have anything to prove. I don't have anything to win. I have absolutely nothing to lose." And I'm thinking about her words today, because those are words of freedom. Those are words of maturity. As a disciple of Jesus, I'm finding that the older I get, the more those sentiments are becoming my own as well. But for me, it's not because I've won 23 grand slams and started a successful fashion line. It's because my worth in God's kingdom isn't about my impressiveness nearly as much as I think it is. Even as a Christ-follower, I've spent decades thinking that I've got something to prove to God and to those I lead. Public accomplishments, the size of my church, the speaking gigs I get booked at, the reputation I cultivate in our community, and how well I'm liked should all point to success. I want to be Serena-Williams-good one day, and finally look back and say, just look at my track record! I have nothing left to prove. But that's not how discipleship works. It's not our track record that leads us to peace, freedom and maturity, but God's track record of faithfully loving us and walking with us. For us, having nothing to prove is because Jesus is the source of our value, freeing us to love well and walk in peace (and even make mistakes) as we try. And while wanting to be faithful is a wonderful desire, the pressure to constantly prove ourselves to others and to God will never let up unless we learn to receive grace and walk in the spirit. I love that when Jesus promises his peace to the disciples, he reminds them that it won't be worldly peace- the kind that comes from a lack of conflict or from being in a secure life position. Rather, the peace God brings will come because God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit as we journey. The "fiercely tender" Holy Spirit, in the words of writer Sarah Bessey. The Spirit that reminds us of the deepest truths- that we are loved, that we are not alone, and that we are empowered to be agents of reconciliation in a hurting world. You don't need to be Serena Williams to realize the pressure is off. The tomb is empty, you are the beloved of God, and it doesn't all depend on you. So go out and play with all your heart today. You have nothing to prove. Jesus, I want to receive your grace today. Lighten my heart. Peace, Keith  “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
-Jesus, being a bit harsh (Matthew 15:16-18) As a pastor, there are moments when I read something in the Bible, and immediately I find myself eager to share it with someone else. I guess it's just my deeply righteous desire to proclaim the gospel with others. This one verse, in particular, has made its way to my mind quite a few times. And it's right in the middle of the Gospel of Matthew from the mouth of Jesus, so you know it's legit. "Good morning, church! Welcome to our Sunday gathering. Our reading this morning comes from the Gospel of Matthew, in chapter 15. "Are you still so dull?!?" The word of the Lord (thanks be to God). Amen. Go in peace. Forgive me father, for I have sinned. But some passages are just easier to project on others than ourselves, aren't they?? I mean, that's religion 101 right there. Remind yourself of your spiritual superiority by holding others in your righteous judgment. We are profoundly good at that. I find this little statement of Jesus to both wonderful and challenging. He's trying to teach his disciples, warning them of the danger of toxic religion that the Pharisees have embraced. They are so focused on correct action, that the heart character underneath it all has lost any value, corrupting them. They are debating which foods are allowed to be consumed on which days. And Jesus tells them that what flows out of their hearts matters a whole lot more than what goes into their stomachs. What we overlook today is how big of a paradigm shift this really is to the disciples, because they were steeped in a religion that relies on rule-following far more than heart posture (cough, cough). And when the disciples are confused, Jesus gets annoyed with them. It's such a human moment. C'mon guys. Catch up. We're doing something new here. The heart is what matters. It's wonderful because Jesus is trying to help them understand his new ethic that love is king over all. And it's challenging because even though I know that, I still struggle to trust and live it. I'm still pretty dull. Eugene Peterson, never one to pull punches in his Bible paraphrase, The Message, translates Jesus this way: Are you being willfully stupid? Ouch. And I think sometimes we are. Sometimes it's easier to act like we don't fully understand, rather than to trust that Jesus truly shut down all of our religious systems and replaced them with the simple command to walk with him and walk in the way of love. That requires massive internal work in the realm of the heart. So we often pick and pull enough one-liners from the Bible to re-form a new religion with all of the same debates as before (just new topics), rather than simply trusting Jesus and humbly doing our best to love God and all people well. Are we willing to trust the teachings of Jesus when he says that the greatest commands are both about loving well, and nothing more? That's a statement about what is within our hearts, and how our hearts motivate our actions. But make no mistake- it's truly about the heart. Because real love is willing the good of another. And that begins internally. Every time that I label someone based on what I see on the outside rather than asking curious questions, I'm being willfully stupid. Every time that I rationalize my own selfish or harmful behavior and ignore what needs corrected in my own heart, I'm being willfully stupid. Every time I rely on religious activities to feel good about my status with God, but ignore the lack of love that is flowing out of my life, I am missing the clear point of Jesus. It's about the heart, friends. If we do the daily work of heart renovation with Jesus, we won't be distracted by constantly obsessing about the rest. What comes out of our lives will flow naturally from that. Sometimes we need that rebuke from Jesus- Do you still not get it? Don't try so hard to miss the point! And if you're like me, and you can be more eager to read that passage to others than hear it for yourself, then maybe it's time to sit just a little longer with Jesus. 🙂 Lord, my heart is a complicated place. Come and shape it further today, so that everything that flows out reflects your kingdom. Peace, Keith |
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