There is a story in the Bible that begins in Luke 16:1. I haven't been able to relate that story to my life for more than forty years. However, last week to my great joy I got a revealing understanding of the point Jesus was making.
The story is about a cheating manager who was caught stealing. When his boss fired him the man didn't know what he was going to do. He reasoned that he wasn't capable of manual labor and yet he didn't know anyone who would help him out. Then he had a bright idea. He would look for some people who were weighed down with heavy burdens and offer to share them and lighten their loads. Jesus said the man was shrewd and that we, who follow Him, should be, too. Because using our worldly resources to help others will make friends for us; and at the same time our generosity will store up rewards for us in heaven.
Who are these people carrying heavy burdens and where could I find them? It just so happened that I heard of several different situations last week which eventually led to my revelation. First, there was a young wife who desperately wanted her husband's love and recognition and yet at every opportunity he either rejected or ignored her. Then there was the young son who yearned for his father's attention and guidance as he grew up but his father couldn't see beyond his own need for booze to meet his son's needs. I thought about the elderly neighbor who was being mistreated and threatened by her caregiver. She was suffering because she didn't know a single soul who could help her. Finally, there was a new widow whose husband had always taken care of the finances and now she had no idea how to make good decisions for herself.
It was easy to see that the people carrying heavy burdens were all around me. I couldn't miss them if I determined to listen to what they were saying. My struggle is the same one I've always had: am I willing to get involved, to share their burden and try to lighten it or just blow them off with platitudes? I've found it always requires more of a sacrifice than I first anticipate when I choose to enter in. So, I always leave some room for the unknown when I 'count the cost.' I make a promise to God and myself that once I begin I won't quit just because the going gets tough.
The other thing I've learned about this principle is that I have to help when a person's burden is heavy. Friendship goes to the one who helps share the load. All of the good intentions or promises in the world will not make a friend once the burden is lifted. The young son who grew up with a Big Brother he could lean on does not switch his loyalty to a sober father once he's grown. No matter how much the father might lavish on him the same bond does not develop.
However, if someone comes across my path and I share her burdens and hopefully lighten them I make a new friend for life, a true friend that I can trust and depend on. As a bonus God sets aside a reward for me in heaven. There are not many endeavors that reap such lasting benefits!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Principles of Forgiveness
I happened across this verse this week. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Since I'm convinced that people as a whole do not grow past their leadership, I believe that anyone who wants to live as a Christ follower is going to be greatly tempted during this presidential election season and to come through spiritually victorious in Novermber we need to be prepared.
As I've asked God about how I should proceed He's given me direction that I want to share. First, don't ignore the conflict. He has given each of us a point of view that is important to share with the world. For most of us that means we speak with our vote.
However, if we're not going to ignore what is being said and done by our leaders then we find ourselves mired in the mud of lies, half-truths, slanders and underhanded tricks. As Christians, many of us have struggled out of that lifestyle and the only way we know to confront it again is with fear, anger, or tit-for-tat. I think God has been showing me a better way.
Forgiveness! For every person whose rhetoric offends me, for everyone I think is misguided or worse, for all those who seek to deceive me for their own gain, I must choose to forgive. And by that I mean I must choose to give up the right to resent and fight them in like manner and give that right to God! Since He cares about what happens to me, He will fight for me as I call on Him to bring justice and truth to our leadership.
Don't be confused by what I'm saying. I'm not advocating a position of passivity or weakness. I know that when I forgive it does not mean that I forget and become an emotional zombie. However, my emotions are just that, feelings that remain in the realm of temptation if I deal with them quckly. Anger, disappointment, or outrage that is not dealt with builds into prejudice, resentent or bitterness. As they fester and grow my nature is changed into 'the old man' again and if I act on them I fall into sin. When I choose forgiveness God can heal my feelings and line them up with His Word.
Join me! Choose to become a 'Prayer Warrior' in the old fashioned sense of the term. Together we can experience a victory we cannot achieve alone.
NOTICE: Carolyn Maze and I will be meeting in the Lobby of Generations Church 3838 50th Street. Monday-Friday at 8:30 am. starting tomorrow, August 7, until election day in November. If you would like to join us to pray for our country and the campaigns we welcome you!
As I've asked God about how I should proceed He's given me direction that I want to share. First, don't ignore the conflict. He has given each of us a point of view that is important to share with the world. For most of us that means we speak with our vote.
However, if we're not going to ignore what is being said and done by our leaders then we find ourselves mired in the mud of lies, half-truths, slanders and underhanded tricks. As Christians, many of us have struggled out of that lifestyle and the only way we know to confront it again is with fear, anger, or tit-for-tat. I think God has been showing me a better way.
Forgiveness! For every person whose rhetoric offends me, for everyone I think is misguided or worse, for all those who seek to deceive me for their own gain, I must choose to forgive. And by that I mean I must choose to give up the right to resent and fight them in like manner and give that right to God! Since He cares about what happens to me, He will fight for me as I call on Him to bring justice and truth to our leadership.
Don't be confused by what I'm saying. I'm not advocating a position of passivity or weakness. I know that when I forgive it does not mean that I forget and become an emotional zombie. However, my emotions are just that, feelings that remain in the realm of temptation if I deal with them quckly. Anger, disappointment, or outrage that is not dealt with builds into prejudice, resentent or bitterness. As they fester and grow my nature is changed into 'the old man' again and if I act on them I fall into sin. When I choose forgiveness God can heal my feelings and line them up with His Word.
Join me! Choose to become a 'Prayer Warrior' in the old fashioned sense of the term. Together we can experience a victory we cannot achieve alone.
NOTICE: Carolyn Maze and I will be meeting in the Lobby of Generations Church 3838 50th Street. Monday-Friday at 8:30 am. starting tomorrow, August 7, until election day in November. If you would like to join us to pray for our country and the campaigns we welcome you!
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