We were created for ...

What were we created for? I sit in some church services and hear worship leaders saying we were made to worship. Others will say man was created to simply love God and enjoy Him forever. Still others claim we were made to go and make Christians out of the world. It's apparent that there are a lot of different views of what we were created to do.

I wonder if we were created to really "do" anything? Did God just create us because He needed servants? Does God really need anything? In this American society with its emphasis on doing we tend not to give much value to being. We even do worship by selling cases of books and DVD's on how to do it right. Some focus some on liturgy, some on music, some on instruments and some on format. We even create new practices like teaching people how to channel the Holy Spirit, as though it was taught anywhere in Scripture, to crank up our "worship" in some way.

In Genesis 1 I read the creation story and get to day six when God is crafting mankind. A word jumps out at me. "IMAGE!" I see that God creates in His image which means His nature, His character, His being. It seems to me that image is everything. That definitely is true of our image-driven society. But then I also know that fallen man dims God's image in my life. My image is messed up. Sometimes I feel God's heart inside me and I ache for others. Other times I am so focused on myself or being right that God's character isn't reflected in me at all. During those times I am like a bathroom mirror fogged by a hot shower; God is still there but His reflection is blurred in proportion to the amount of steam.

I also see that God created me for His pleasure in Rev 4:11. We were created just because God wanted to create us. Colossians 1:16 tells us we were created by Him and for Him. God created us simply because He is God and that's what He wanted to do. Period.

I think we start getting weighed down when we attach strings to that truth. We attach a string of worship, a string of social justice, a string of evangelism, a string of attendance, a string of service and declare each string the very reason we were created. As each string is added we weave a pretty heavy rope. Do you know what I mean? Worship leaders promote their string, evangelists lift their string and Sunday school superintendents present their string. They are all good strings, I suppose, but together, they can become more of a weight than a lifeline.

No doubt there is a lot to do in scripture. Singers sing, teachers teach, servers serve. We are commanded to go and make disciples, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and meet needs. We are to sing praises, clap hands and dance for joy. We are to learn and to study. Scripture has lots of things that will more than fill our time.

Though it is confusing, all of the do's are meant to be more the result of being than doing. They are the fruit of what we are. They are a byproduct of being created in the image of God and being about what He is about. When we focus on the doing and lose touch with the being. I wonder if ,by trying so hard to do, we compromise what we are created to be?

Consider God. He introduces Himself as "I Am" and not as "I do." The Lord my God is "One" meaning everything or all. We're not His peers and He would be no different if He had not created mankind. Still, we are created in His image. When we become entirely about the doing we forget the totality of God. How can we define the indefinable?

I long for my children not because I am supposed to be fond of them. I yearn for them because of what I am, their father. From the moment I first laid eyes on my newly born Joshua Abram, I was redefined. Acting certain ways did not make me a father but being a father impacted the way I acted. It was my being that motivated my doing.

It seems like far too many of my friends are weighed down by a heavy rope of doing God things so that God will be pleased with them. I am not alone. It as though we hear a nagging voice saying, "If you really were spiritual you would do ..." We would be at every church meeting and service, we would take every class, we would work in nursery and teach the children and then we would spend our weekends working with teenagers. We would serve on that committee, sing in the choir and be there for every work day. We would sign up for every mission trip, work the yardsale, bake cookies for shut-ins and serve at the soup kitchen. And we would definitely belt out those tunes on Sunday mornings and be in our seats on time and give a hearty "Amen!" at the appropriate times. And then ... God would be pleased. Right? And, of course, if we could do even more than that He would be even more pleased. It would stand to reason.

But it does not measure up to Scripture no matter how much we would like. Our comfortable competition communicates that some are more valuable, more holy, and more spiritual than others. Doing does that. Doing has tangible rewards. Doing brings praise. Doing brings position and status.

When all the sap burns off, to use a New England maple metaphor, it all comes down to the sweet, sweet syrup of truth that God created us simply because He wants a relationship with us. He is more concerned with our being than He is with our doing. It is a life-altering relationship, no doubt, but it is first and foremost a relationship.

"We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend
of silence." - Mother Teresa

"Then he was told, 'Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.'
and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper." 1 Kings 19:11-12

I think we were created to live in the whisper.

Teachers or lovers?

I was reading a George Barna report today (read the report ). A couple of stats jumped out at me. Apparently, we evangelicals think we have spiritual gifts of teaching (28%) but not many of us have the gift of hospitality (3%).

Hospitality means that people feel welcome and at ease around us. They sense that they can be real with us. You know people who have the gift of hospitality. They invite you in quickly and you feel oddly at ease.

I'm not a big believer in spiritual gifts assessment tests. I've taken several. My experience indicates that they are more an assessment of how you view yourself and what you like. I think the people around you can give you a better sense for your gifts than a fifty question test. Friends know you.

I recently gave one of these tests to a group in a bible study. Two individuals in the group scored very high in leadership. It was awkward when we shared our results. I sensed tension in the room and saw others look down at their papers or stare at the floor when each of these people shared their results. I quickly moved on and redirected the group knowing that no one was ready to confirm leadership gifts in these two. In fact, had we done an exercise to indentify who, out of this group, was the least likely to score high in leadership, I am confident that these two would have been the top vote getters. Each of them has other evident gifts but we don't see any evidence of leadership. Both are definite followers.

Barna's report can be read in a number of different ways. We can argue the results reflect the direction and focus of the American church which clearly values teaching. Or, we can argue that the Lord is preparing his church to teach. The second is an exciting possibility.

The thing that bothers me is that most of us don't pay much attention to teachers that fail to connect with us on a personal level. We're less likely to listen to someone who doesn't connect. We hear, "Blah, blah, blah..."

The world outside our doors looks on Christians with a skeptical eye. It feels like we look down long noses and point fingers and pass judgement. It knows we are ready for a fight because fights are usually the only place they see us. The world outside our doors is pretty sure that we don't care. It hears, "Blah, blah, blah."

Barna's report disturbs me. It makes me think we have focused so much on teaching and guarding our doctrines that we've turned away from relationships. When someone reports a gift of hospitality in our churches, it's pretty unlikely that we get very excited. In fact, we're not even sure what to do with them or how to get them involved. Gift of helps? Stuff these envelopes. Mercy? Hand out some food. Hospitality? Uhhhhh ... we'll get back to you.

The Bible is pretty clear that the defining characteristic for followers of Christ is that people looking in will know we are Christians by our love. Acts speaks of believers gathering together in each other's homes, having meals together and even selling their stuff to meet the urgent needs that came up for people in their group. Is that what defines us today?

Jesus called people by name and valued the tax collector and prostitute as much as the educated and wealthy. He welcomed children and offered hope to women. He touched the diseased. People from all walks of life followed Him and tuned in to what He had to say. He loved.

Think of how the world will change when more of us adopt a Jesus-style of living. I like His style.

In Mark 12 we see Jesus getting into some philisophical fun with one of the religious scholars. The scholar asks Him to boil everything down. He's like an accountant looking for the bottom line. The balance.

Jesus tells Him that God is everything ("The Lord is one") and thus worthy of all his prayer, passion, intelligence and energy. And then he gives the second part and tells the guy, "Love others as you love yourself."

The scholar praises Jesus for His direct answer and the way He communicates but Jesus tells him that he is "almost" there; that he's right on the edge of getting it. It's like Jesus sees that the scholar can connect intellectually but still doesn't get the bottom line. It's as though the scholar dances around the things of God but just doesn't hear the music. He can't feel the beat. He's out of rhythm.

In Mark 12:38-39 Jesus tells the people to "Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function."

When we put up walls of status, position, wealth and education and see ourselves at a higher level than others, we miss the Jesus style I spoke of earlier. When we adopt an "us vs. them" mentality we fail to love others as we love ourselves. When we treat others as less, we do not represent Jesus.

We evangelicals apparently see ourselves as teachers. Imagine how our communities would change if we valued being lovers of God and others more than anything else.

Lord, make me a lover.

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http://tinyurl.com/dx7yla
Survey Describes the Spiritual Gifts That Christians Say They Have

Wallow in the Dust

Three professors. Three approaches.

One professor is focused on details of format. He looks for mistakes in punctuation and subtracts points for margins not being set to the standard he wants though the college requires another. It keeps me from perfection. He seems to wield his red pen with joy.

A second professor requires rote memorization. It is important to him that I am able to demonstrate that I have ingested the writings of various authors. He wants detailed footnotes and requires very little original thought. It is actually easy to attain perfection in his class. All I need do is recite the answers he seeks. Some students don't like his approach at all. I suspect it's because they do not want to do the work required.

A third professor likes to have his students wrestle with concepts. His style encourages independent thought and personal discovery. He likes healthy debate and even goes to the point of making personal contacts. His grading style rewards conclusions, transparency and learning. His style compels me to go beyond the course syllabus and think about the concepts we discuss. My most significant challenge in his class is to limit my writings. I want to go deeper.

The first teacher frustrates me and makes me dread completing assignments. The second spoon-feeds me good information and gives me knowledge that will be helpful. The third shapes me and prepares me to apply knowledge. I make the A grade for each but the third has me seeing performance as a secondary issue at best. He ignites me. He is, in my estimation, a rabbi.

"Let your house be a gathering place for sages. And wallow in the dust of their feet. And drink in their words with gusto."
- Mishnah

Popular speaker/teacher Rob Bell says that a common well-wishing for someone in Jesus' day was to say, "May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi." While some debate if Bell is accurate, it is clear to me that there is historic validity for some dust-covering whether following or sitting at the feet of the teacher.

My third professor is a man I want to be around. I would like to hang with him, share time with him and talk with him in his car on a trip to the mall. I look forward to his contacts. When he recommends a book or podcast, I immediately set out to find it. If it were a dusty time I could see myself getting a good dose of his dust on my clothes.

The core of our interaction is predictable to anyone who knows how Jesus works. He has built a relationship with me. Beyond the education is a sense of care and concern. His words are supported by his actions. I would have no hesitation calling him about any issue I face whereas I would approach the other two only during business hours and only within the scopes of their courses.

It has been said that people will never care how much you know until they know how much you care. That is true of me.

I want to be like my professor-friend as I teach, as I pastor and as I lead. I want to reflect the heart of Christ which lets people know they are safe with me regardless of their questions or how much or little they know.

I want to be covered by the dust of my rabbi, the dust of Jesus Christ, and I pray that those in my ministries will find me to be a rabbi whose dust they desire.

Lord, make me such a man.

Standing at the Crossroads

Jer. 6:16 "God's Message yet again: "Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, The tried and true road. Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls. But they said, 'Nothing doing. We aren't going that way." (The Message)

The flashing light above my head is yellow. I see three roads ahead of me and one road in my rearview mirror. Left? Right? Straight across? Do I turn around and head back to the road I know? The light flashes its yellow cautioning glow. Which way do I go?

The message is the same as it has been since humanity's clock took its very first ticks. It's the same old road, the ancient road, the road that is tried and true. It's the path that I was created to travel. It's the path that makes my soul complete when I faithfully follow.

Go on the ancient path; the path that reflects God's heart. I must walk the path not to build towers to bring myself fame and make my name known. I must travel the path not to advance my goals and my plans. The ancient road is a road that leads men to encounter God. It is a path that directs men to offer everything. It is a road that requires relinquishing life to discover Life. The ancient, tried and true road, brings men into relationship with God and shapes them in his image.

The road I live on is comfortable. My house is warm. My days are predictable. The Lord has blessed me. Yet, like Abram, I feel compelled to travel up the steep side of the mountain of the Lord to lay it all on the altar. My steps have grown more and more heavy as I have climbed. I wonder why the Lord would give me all that I have only to ask that I give it back. I have been trudging up this mountain path trusting in God but somewhat fearful of what may be required. Trust and fear appear oppositional. Faith wipes out fear. Yet, here I walk a path of faith with fear. My fear is that I will choose the wrong path - the path that is not the right route for my soul. The ancient road has no sign marking its entrance.

As it says in Jeremiah, I have to ask for directions. But, who do I ask? Perhaps I need to ask the friends who know me best. They know my pace, they are familiar with my stride and they know what keeps me moving forward. They know my strengths and my weaknesses. Will they confirm the right route for me?

The light clicks on and off overhead. I stand at the crossroads.

Disqualified from ministry

My friend has been disqualified from ministry. His church deacons met and voted, at the insistence of parents in the congregation, to put him on the shelf. The pastor met with him and confronted him with the disqualifying findings. He sadly told my friend that while his passion for God was contagious and his vocal stand for his faith admirable, he would no longer be allowed to work with students.

Disqualified. Condemned. Thanks, but no thanks. Hit the road, Jack.

I think it broke the Father's heart. But, I am sure it's not my friend's "disqualifying" action that causes pain to the heart of God. I think it is the process - airing the charges, debating his worth and value and then directing the pastor to deliver the news.

My friend sat stunned. What had he done to deserve this? He had two piercings to his left ear.

No infidelity. No abuse. No embezzlement. No crime committed. Just two simple piercings. The month before he was fully qualified to lead. Now, two needle holes later, he was removed.

The pastor was in a tough spot. Faced with angry, influential, regular tithers demanding that this leader be removed, he was left with a choice. He could either side with the sandal-footed, twenty-something with his spiked hair and suffer a potential hit to the bottom line. Or he could side with the parent, remove the pierced one and risk only having a few kids upset.

From a business stance, it looks like a no-brainer. But what about from a Kingdom stance? I suspect the damage was much more substantial to the Kingdom and has the potential of sending another set of teenagers away shaking their heads in disbelief once the true reasons for dismissal work their way down to them.

What would I do as a pastor and leader in the same situation? I believe that grace-based, godly leadership requires us to do the right thing even when it leaves us unpopular. I would see myself working with the dad to help him see that his judgemental attitude was more cultural and subjective than scriptural. It would take some patient but firm direction. If it turned to Levitical proof texting, contextual discussion would be in order.

If that brought about no change, I am confident that I would stand in defense of the pierced man even if it meant my being unpopular with a set of parents or board members. If he and his family were to threaten to leave the church, I would express my regret at hearing the news but be clear that our church would not be in the position of choosing one brother over another in the family of God. We will bear with one another in love.

Lastly, as a pastor and leader, I think I would lose some sleep over this conflict not because I would worry about the outcome but instead because I would question how well I had been equipping those in my flock to truly love one another and put one anothers needs above our own. I suspect some sermons about living as the family of God would be sure to follow.

My friend is pretty disenfranchised with the church of Jesus at the moment. He is very hurt and wondering if there truly is something wrong with him that makes him unacceptable to God. Intellectually he knows the truth but spiritually, his soul is wounded.

I'm thinking that the next time we meet I will buy him lunch at the foodcourt in the mall. While we walk to the restaurants I may stop in at a store for a quick errand with him, without warning, and get my ear pierced with him standing by.

It's just an ear.