Love what you do ...

I have struggled somewhat with the record of Ecclesiastes. It is so negative, pessimistic, without hope (for the best part anyway). And then I read these words:

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (New Living Translation)
18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. 19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. 20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

I am glad for this "one thing". I think this is about me. I not only "accept" my lot in life, I revel in it. I enjoy it. there is nothing like it. I find it so fulfilling. I cannot see myself doing anything else. Would I like some more money - yep you bet! Do I enjoy good health - I sure do (and really hope this continues through the years). But I also recognise that the love I have for what I am a part of, what God gives me to do, is indeed a "gift" from God. I have known people who have earned for themselves very large sums of money, but it hasn't brought them fulfillment. I have known some elite athletes, but again, there is always something allusive they seem to be chasing and never finding. I think I have what they seek in any of these areas.

In fact I like what Paul has to say to the Ephesian church:
 
Ephesians 3:7 (New Living Translation)
7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

I count the opportunity to minister and be a part of people's journey (your journey) to be a privilege. And I acknowledge this to be by God (His grace, His power).

"Lord, I am am grateful for the lot you have given me in life. Forgive me for the times when I seem ungrateful, when I might chase after something else, something others have. Continue to bless me with the richness of your grace and power, active in and through my life, that You might be given glory and honour and praise."

You are special ...

If you ask me what I love about being an Officer in The Salvation Army, I will instinctively tell you it is the privilege of journeying with people, I simply "love it".

Today I had the pleasure to lead worship at Parafield Gardens Corps and to conduct a dedication. As I had been thinking about this for a few weeks, I was drawn to recall again the children's book by Max Lucado - "You Are Special".

The clear message for me is that God does not make mistakes. We are each created in His image. Yes, we are different and unique, just as He designed us to be. Yet, how often do we go about trying to make those around us the same as us? We praise them for the things we think they do well, what we value. We might on the other hand criticise or condemn them on their mistakes, faults, and limitations.

In the story their is one character (Lucia) who does not bear the marks of what others think. We learn the reason for this is because she visits daily the designer and creator (Eli = God).

How complicated life becomes when it is about what others think of me. Whether they approve or disapprove of my actions, behaviours, etc. How I need to visit regularly and sit at the feet of God, my Creator and hear what He expects of me.

"Lord, you designed and created me for a purpose. You gift me for this. Help me to listen to Your voice, what is it You have to say to me. Help me to be faithful to live in accordance with this."

Speak up ...

In the South Australian Divisional Strategic Plan we have a strategy whereby we desire to "be a leading voice on areas of social concern". These couple of verses serve as a mandate:-

Proverbs 31:8-9 (New Living Translation)

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;

ensure justice for those being crushed.

9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,

and see that they get justice.

Proverbs 31:8-9 (The Message)

8-9 "Speak up for the people who have no voice,

for the rights of all the down-and-outers.

Speak out for justice!

Stand up for the poor and destitute!"

There is a need for us who have the capacity to speak up and represent the case of the marginalised and most disadvantaged within our community. It has been the practice of The Salvation Army down through the years. Yes, I believe we need to be smart about how we do this. We need to do our research. We need to ensure that we have all the facts. We need to explore different models of service delivery. We need to look for other means of funding. But most of all, I think we need to listen. Listen to the cry of the people who are affected by poverty. Listen to their heart beat. And then - SPEAK UP!

"Lord, help us to be attuned to the needs of others and through Your wisdom and knowledge how best we might represent them, that their needs might be heard and addressed and justice done."

Finishing well ...

Another something I am passionate about - cycling (it sort of goes with believing in the need to be, and aiming toward, being fit), I count this as being important to a healthy life. I believe that if we are going to be effective then we ought to be functioning well physically to enable this to be possible.

I love the image of the cyclist crossing the line in victory and the arms stretched out and up in the air (I just wish I could ride without the hands on the handlebars). It is an image of finishing well, let me explore this a little further.

I desire for myself, and my mates for that matter, to finish well. to come to the end of ministry (in the working sense) and to know that we have given it our all and it hasn't sucked the life out of us. I don't want that any of us merely stumble or limp across the line, or struggle to even get to the line. Rather, that we too can lift our hands in praise to the Lord that He has sustained us and we have stayed true to the call upon our lives.

There is a terrific book I would recommend - "Going the Distance" by Peter Brain (an Australian) who assists in exploring this well, what it takes to finish well. The self care, the setting up of boundaries, the staying in tune with the Lord, all that sort of stuff.

Friends, I really want that WE finish well! Please look after yourselves in body, and mind and spirit!

Accept each other ...

Romans 15:5-7 (New Living Translation)

5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

I am always intrigued with the passages that remind me of the need to live in harmony, to live as one, to be in unity. How they spell out something of what this should look like. I note that often the answer to this being possible is also recorded, and it is not left to us alone, help is ours to enable this to happen. Do you notice this too?

 

"Accept each other". Not always easy is it? Yet read it again, for Paul records, "just as Christ accepted you..." Now that is huge, for I am reminded of His grace, that while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me ... He accepted me as His own. Bought me with His own life (blood).

 

But, it is God helping me that enables this to be possible, through patience and encouragement.

 

What does this look like, "complete harmony: Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

"Jesus, if there is something I am aware of, it is that I am not always good at accepting others, yet You desire this, You purpose this. Help me to overcome the difficulty of this, by allowing You to apply Your measure of patience and encouragement to my life and my relationships with others. Let this be, so that You might receive the Glory!"

What do you live for ...

There is no doubt that when we look around we can see people living for themselves. With others it can be somewhat subtle, we see them as successful, piling up great amounts of wealth, sometimes doing good for others around them, but largely it is about them. We do have to be careful however, because some are rich, and yet they are also generous, but quiet about it, not broadcasting all they do for others.

I began thinking about this after today's reading from Romans 14:6-9 (New Living Translation)
6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

I know I will sound judgemental, but I wish ALL who came to worship (formal services), did so to honour God. I am challenged by giving thanks out of an honouring heart (I admit, too often it is rhetoric, conditioned practice, unthinking). But here was the real challenge, the juicy part:

7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord.

That is what I desire. I love the book by John Bevere, Honor's Reward, if you haven't read it I highly recommend it. Take up the challenge to honour those around you. Look for what is good in them. See those who are God appointed and lift them up.

"Lord, You deserve honour and glory and praise. Tonight I lift high Your Name, for You are Worthy. Yet I am reminded this is not merely by words, this must be by how I live my life, and in fact, how I might die. May I do this to Your honour and glory!"

Get dressed ...

Here I am I have just arrived home from work, it's been a long day, yet I at least feel I have accomplished something, even if it is only going through some piled up papers and getting rid of much of them. I came back to my readings from this morning and was thinking about this verse:

Romans 13:14 (New Living Translation)
Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

The reference was in relation to not getting caught up in the things of the world to the point that these things (desires, misconducts, behaviours) have a hold on you. Instead, put on (clothe yourself in) Jesus.

Then, I decided to see what this looked like in another translation, so have a look at this one:

Romans 13:11-14 (The Message)
But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Ahhh, was this for me or what? Boy am I tired. How easy it is to get caught up in that which is frivolous, without much meaning, with that which does not really matter. How much more important to get up and get dressed in Christ. Ready to bring the plan of salvation to the world in which I live.
 
"Lord, thanks for the reminder afresh to be employed in what really matters, to not forget the purpose for which I have been chosen and ordained and commissioned as Your servant."
 
PS  Please give me a good rest!