If ever challenged…

…on how you are to live, according to what you know of the Kingdom of God – or the standards of the world, it ever challenged to make just a “little” compromise, this is a good read: Daniel 3.  It is not easy to stand on the platform of the furnace, but it is the right thing to do. We may not be in danger of being thrown into a literal furnace, but doesn’t it feel that way sometimes? We may not be facing bodily burns, but maybe it is the death of a dream that we fear – watching something we believe that God has birthed go up in smoke. Each trial, each challenge to our cause only makes us more determined – unless we choose to quietly bow to ”Nebuchadnezzar”. Standing strong, standing together was not a foretold sure thing – “even if He doesn’t, we will not bow”. In this case It worked out well for these three guys, it worked out well for the King, for the nation, for the Kingdom. Recently I received an email that is worth sharing with any of you who find yourselves on the adventure of the Kingdom, one that may not always “look like” you thought it might:

 ”…we were discussing this passage in relation to going through storms.  I thought about you and how it spoke more to the going than to the storm.”

Mark 5:35-39

“…Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.”  So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them.  Other boats were there too.  Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water.”  Those poor guys!  They were sea and weather wise.  Their only motivation was to follow Jesus.  They weren’t blindfolded or mistaken.  They were not disobedient or heedless.  They did not have mistaken, deceptive, or foolish advisors.  They were listening to Jesus, who was clearly visible and audible.  Others heard exactly the same directive.  So they were right where they were supposed to be, doing what they  were supposed to be doing.  Yet, they left a spectacularly successful ministry and rowed right into a mess.  In fact, they thought they were about to die! And what did they see Jesus doing?  SLEEPING!“Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?”  And did He arise and say, oh, so sorry guys, we should not have come this way at this time?  No, not sorry.  He stilled the sea and said, “Why are you frightened?”  Can you believe it? 

a part of the Advent journey

In the twentieth chapter of the book of John, there is a story told about the journey  of another believer that I can relate to. Over the years I have heard this story told, the point is always focused on the lack of faith that this man displayed.

Thomas had given up life as he knew it to follow Jesus. He was on the journey, following a man that he believed to be the Savior of the world, a man that claimed to be the Only Son of God. Many before him and some contemporaries were making that claim as well, but Thomas had chosen to believe Jesus.  Then Jesus, instead of becoming King and ruler of the world, is executed for treason.

“I won’t believe it unless I see…” I make this same statement all of the time, if not out loud, it’s in my heart. I plead with Jesus to show me all of the time. His response is much of the time the same, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” Thomas got to see. I know my preference between the two, but it’s really not up to me – or is it?

I see snowflakes – amazing. The boys and I were observing individual snowflakes one day last week. One landed on Gene’s shoulder, it was so perfect and beautiful – it looked fake. It was beyond belief amazing. Then, yesterday we were at Borders where the boys shared a hot cocoa, Gene and I shared a peppermint mocha. The being together, the taking it all in as we explored a book all about the human body. Just the intricacies of the ear alone would be enough amazing. As we explored the process of a baby being born, (the boys are awkwardly curious and that’s another story in itself)  I heard Spencer, “wow!” I see.

Becky and I were talking yesterday. She said something that is so true. “You really have to be paying attention to see.” I think it’s no so much that I can’t see sometimes, but that I’m not looking.

May we have eyes to see our Savior at work. As He seeks out those who need the Prince of Peace in their lives, may we be available to be His hands and feet. To be light and love in a dark and unloving world. May our lives be the reflection of Jesus that others may see and believe.