Pam & Jim on an Awkward Double Date

Feeling awkward seems to be the reigning champion of humour these days.  Shows like ‘The Office’, ‘Parks & Recreation’, and movies like ‘Meet the Parents’, and ‘Anchorman’ are all about this type of humour.  Put a character in the most awkward situations imaginable and watch their reactions.

I think we love it on the screen because we hate it in real life.  It’s such an immersive experience for us, the audience, as we feel the silent tension, and share the looks of horror on the actors faces.

Let’s face it, no one likes to feel uncomfortable.  Whether it’s having to respond to an inappropriate comment, having to wriggle our way out of an awkward situation, or having our own shortcomings exposed; feeling uncomfortable is something most of us avoid like shaking hands with people in public bathrooms.

I have a feeling, this is why people killed Jesus.
It’s probably also why people killed all the prophets before Jesus.  And maybe why thousands of Christians have died throughout history.

Throughout the Bible in both old and new testaments there are strong challenges levied against the people of God.  Chastisements that would make even the most easy going person writhe in awkward agony.  God seems to be perfectly willing to make us feel uncomfortable from time to time.  This tends to make people respond in strange ways.

Here is one such uncomfortable saying pointed at a very comfortable church:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” Revelation 3:15-18

Ugh, that is uncomfortable.  This is to the church of Laodicea, which was described as being lukewarm.  What else is lukewarm?  Maybe a nice swimming pool in the summertime that’s been heated by the sun?  Room temperature would probably be considered lukewarm, as would the bowl of porridge that Goldie-Locks finally decided on.  Not too hot, not too cold, just right.  A perfect synonym for comfort.
Now imagine you are having a nice meal with your church friends, talking about the newest thing you bought to make your life easier and more exciting, your laughing and enjoying your nice peaceful Sunday, and then one of the church leaders stands up and reads this letter.  You are ‘wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.’  Those words might make you feel a little uncomfortable.  Your first response would probably be to get rid of that feeling at all costs…either laugh it off as a joke with those beside you, or dismiss it as speaking of someone else or some other situation.  That would be a big mistake.

Sometimes those moments when we feel completely uncomfortable, fully exposed, and at a loss, are exactly the moments we need to be paying attention to.  I’m not saying every awkward feeling is from God, we all know that not everything on The Office is praise-worthy, but only that we shouldn’t be too quick to laugh off our uncomfortable feelings.  What might our creator, our former and shaper, the one who’s job it is to transform us, be trying to say?

To the church in Laodicea the message was plain, change or be spit out.  Do we take anything God says this literally, or this authoritatively in our lives?  Being uncomfortable in the presence of God and His word is not something to laugh off or avoid, it is to be poured over and understood.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to whom I have given authority over my life.  Unsettle me as You do to all those You love.  Keep me from complacency and religious comfort.  Don’t give up on me, I want to change, I want to be rich, to see, and to be clothed.  Amen.

rest in a weary land

In a couple of different ways I’ve been feeling tugged to explore God’s prescribed Sabbath.  Probably the catalyst was in finding out that our senior pastor’s were considering taking a sabbatical, which is a form of extended sabbath.  However, that alone didn’t do it, there are a bunch of other reasons why I’ve been wanting to explore this phenomenon.

From a practical perspective: as I’ve been asked to help revise  the sabbatical policies for Mennonite Church Eastern Canada as part of my role on their Leadership Council.
From a lifestyle perspective: because I have a growing disdain for the lifestyle I’m being told to pursue and enjoy…largely involving an embrace of consumerism, materialism, and having more and better things.
From a vocational perspective: because as a pastor myself, I have a responsibility to present a biblical worldview to those I have been called to lead, and, increasingly, I’m beginning to wonder if God’s creation of sabbath has a bigger part to play in such a world-view.

And finally, this morning as I was going about my business I glanced at a book in our church’s library, picked it up and was drawn to a few chapters that asked the same questions I was asking.

Usually when a thought is reinforced in this many ways it’s a good idea to give it some time and attention.  So that is what I endeavor to do, slowly and intentionally, meditatively and practically, for as long as it takes.  It just wouldn’t do to work for a deadline, or work too vigorously at learning about rest.

For starters, I’m going to think about what I read this morning.
I invite you to do the same.

“We must Redefine the good life,” Sider.

__
Excerpts from Ron Sider’s “I am Not a Social Activist”

Redefine the good life.

I love that line because it tells me that the answer lies in a change of my heart, a change of desire.
It reminds me of something Jesus said.  At the end of a long teaching about worrying, about a correct perspective on worldly possessions and about chasing after security, he makes this simple and powerful statement.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Luke 12:34

I am hoping that as I explore God’s rhythm of sabbath and learn how to practice it in my life, that I will begin to change.  I trust that my idea of what ‘treasure’ is will change, and flowing from that, my heart will learn to rest in enough.

Write this email, fill out that report, mail this, make these phone calls.
I came in to my office ready to go.  I set up my laptop, shifted my papers on my desk, and picked up the first piece of mail on my desk…

…’knock, knock.’

“Come in.”

Around a half hour later that drop in left, just in time for my ’scheduled’ meeting guest to arrive. 
An hour after that, it was time for our office staff meeting.
That meeting went longer than usual so that I was actually late for my final meeting of the day, a meeting that I wasn’t expecting until it was rescheduled earlier that day, during the first meeting, because of a time conflict.
My final meeting of the day took me to about the time when I leave to go see my wife after work.

At times during each of those meetings, especially the unscheduled ones, I found my mind wandering to the work I had planned to do that just wasn’t getting done.  I wondered when I would do it, I even imagined myself getting some of it done. 
“What are you doing?” I would say to myself, “be present.”
I would catch myself in the middle of these imaginings and remind myself that’s it’s okay, that these interruptions are my work.  That practicing the discipline of presence was more important than my to-do list.  After these helpful reminders, I would settled down and re-enter the conversations, able to listen actively and be present. 

One of the thoughts that brought me back from spaced-out-land was one I’ve remembered, and been reminded of, from time to time by author Henri Nouwen: ”My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted until I discovered that my interruptions are my work.” 

“My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted until I discovered that my interruptions are my work.”    -Henry Nouwen

I have to remind myself that my interruptions are my work.  They are the part of my day that is not my own, that I haven’t planned, and didn’t foresee.  It is both humbling and amazing to look at our interruptions in this way, and to exercise our faith in order to believe that these interruptions might just be ordained by our Father who sees all and knows what is best for us. 

Indeed, my to do list isn’t done, but a couple of my Father’s important items were, and that’s just an outstanding day. 

Father, You are sovereign.  You have ordained creation and all that is in it.  You are in control and we are not.  Thank You for caring about our work.  Thanks for interrupting us, and reminding us that we are not the agenda, that Your plans and purposes are higher than ours.  I ask that You would open our eyes to see where You are at work in our days.  May we look in unsuspecting places and find You.  Amen.

When a weightlifter goes to the gym they are actually tearing their muscles, breaking them down, and no building is happening at all.  Ironically, it isn’t until they go home, flop down on the couch with a dvd, or catch a great nights sleep that any body building actually occurs.  In fact, the discipline of resting well usually ranks around number 2 on the ‘need to do list’ of serious bodybuilders.  Rest is absolutely crutial to the body building process.  You tear, your body repairs…but only if you allow it to.   

The same is often true with our faith.

We think that it’s the difficult times, the times of struggle or loss when our faith gets stronger.  I’m not so sure about that anymore.  I think that in those times what is really happening is that our self-reliance begins to break down, and our false senses of security are torn apart.  In response we eventually, hopefully, run to God and rest in His presence.  That is the place where the building up of our faith our strengthening occurs. 
Just as with bodybuilding, the deeper and more frequently we tear apart our selfishnesses and false securities, the greater the potential is for growth.

The weaker and more broken we get, the stronger we become.

All of this however, hinges on that all important step.  It all depends on learning how to rest well.  When tragedy strikes do we know who to turn to?  Do we go to the Lord with our need and allow Him to replace our self-reliance with trust in Him.  The weaker and more broken we get, the stronger we become.  Ironic but beautiful.

Matthew 11:28 comes to my mind for this, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Aside:
There are those attempting to see a silver lining in the devastating earthquake that has hit Haiti.  Some think that as a result of this disaster the world will finally take notice and work to improve the horrific poverty and living conditions Haiti has experienced for decades.  The hope is that once the dust settles, the country could potentially become stronger than it ever was.  Time will tell if this actually happens, and I certainly am not advocating that it is a good thing that has happened, because it clearly is horrible.  It’s sad that a disaster has to strike before people will reach out and help those in need, but at least people are helping now.  Let’s do what we can.

The necessity comes from my own inability to deliver on my resolution this past week. 
My resolution was to practice guitar 1 hour a day 5 days a week. 
Yesterday I looked at my guitar several times, and although it was Monday and a practice day, I did not pick it up. 

So what now?  Do I throw up my hands in despair, call myself a failure, and give up on my resolution? 
I hope not. 

Our attitude to short term setbacks will drastically impact our long term results.  It has been my experience that as soon as I resolve to do something, that resolve gets challenged.  For example, if I have decided to make my wife a higher priority than my work, I can be expecting a decision that will test that resolve.  Like, the next day I realize that I’ve double booked a date with my wife, and a meeting with a youth. 

When these tests come our way we might not always get it right, we may make decisions that lead us away from our resolutions and goals.  Although these are disappointing moments, it is in the aftermath of these setbacks where our resolve is truly tested.  Will this setback derail us permanently or will we get back on track right now!?!

As I began my morning routine at the church, and thought about this very subject, I noticed a group of women knitting in our gymnasium.  Every Tuesday a group of women from our church get together and knit quilts for needy people in other countries.  I doubt they ever get to know who actually uses the quilts, but they do it every Tuesday.  Over the 30 or 40 years that they’ve been meeting 10’s of thousands of quilts have been knitted.  I’m sure that there were times when the women didn’t show up, or just didn’t feel like knitting that day, but those setbacks didn’t make the group fail. 

Anything worth doing is going to bring unforeseen challenges

I hope that as we resolve to do things in our lives, whether it’s at New Year’s or any time, we allow some room for setbacks.  Anything worth doing is going to bring unforeseen challenges, and how we respond in the aftermath will dictate whether we succeed or fail.

Father, You are Holy and Perfect, and everything You set Your mind to is accomplished.  In fact, You have said that Your word that goes out from Your mouth, will not return to You empty, but will accomplish what You desire and achieve the purpose for which You sent it. (Is 55:11).  We are not You, and often we find our words and our actions lacking.  We need Your strength, Your resolve and commitment in our lives.  Teach us to be more like You, to be more faithful and dedicated.  Build into our character the attributes of faithfulness and commitment we pray.  Amen.

Did you do any goal setting for 2010? 

I did, I made a resolution to get better at the guitar. 
Many people make these types of goals around December 31st, as they look back on the previous year and desire a change for themselves in the future.  So many people do this in fact that it has a very familiar term, ‘New Year’s Resolutions’.

The practice of goal setting is a very important one, as a quick study of successful businesses, organizations, and people will easily demonstrate.  Aim at nothing and you’ll hit it every time is a popular euphemism which speaks to the importance of thinking ahead and plotting a course.   

Unfortunately though, on average, New Year’s Resolutions end around February 14.

On average, New Year’s Resolutions end around February 14.

Why is this? 

If you’re thinking romantically, you might conclude that the love symbolized around Valentines day replaces the law of resolutions.  Love replacing the law.  Maybe this is a good thing, especially if you’re one who tends to make goals and then forget about them quickly.  Maybe though, this is just a powerfully convincing excuse to not follow through with our goals. 

There are a couple of other reasons that I can think of to answer why resolutions end so soon.  
The first is poor resolution setting, and the second is the most obvious, a lack of discipline.

Resolution or goal setting is a skill in itself and many people who set resolutions are not proficient in it. 
For example, if you did make a resolution, was it about something that you deeply care about or was it something that you passively wish was better?

The key word in the phrase New Years Resolution is resolution, which is from the root word resolve. 

To get a better understanding of this word, take a look at this visual thesaurus:

Resolving to do something requires firmness, a settling within us that this is the right decision and it must be carried out.  Does your resolution contain this much purpose and passion?  Is it something that you HAVE to change in your life?     

Was your resolution measurable, so that you can see marked progress as you go, or was it more like ‘I want to be nicer this year’?

I mentioned that my resolution was to get better at the guitar.  If that wasn’t something that I really cared about, something that I could visualize the benefits, something that I could be passionate about, then it is a poor resolution.  Likewise, if that was my entire goal, to ‘get better’ then it would be a poor resolution.   That is why I tacked on this phrase to the idea of getting better: “I resolve to get better at the guitar, learning all of the scales of the guitar and memorizing the fret board.” 

When we add a measurable element to our resolutions that much needed motivation is there for us when we feel like quitting.  Looking back we see how far we’ve come, the growth is tangible, and we find the strength to push through the difficult time.

The other reason that resolutions fail so quickly is a lack of discipline.

Even if we have well crafted resolutions that we are passionate about and that are measurable, a lack of discipline can ruin everything.  Here’s the bad news, discipline is something we can only attained through practice.  There is no switch or new bullet point that will give you discipline.  The good news is that practice is exactly what a resolution invites us to, so there is no better time to get practicing. 

When making your resolution for 2010 include the aspect of discipline.  What will you have to practice in order to achieve your resolution?  Name something practical, and something that you can realistically commit to.

For me it is actually sitting down and playing the guitar on a regular basis.  When I incorporate this into my resolution it reads like this:  “I resolve to get better at the guitar, learning all of the scales of the guitar and memorizing the fret board, by practicing for at least an hour 5 days per week.” 

Are you going to do what it takes to keep your resolution alive this year? 

Father, as we begin a new decade and look back on the past, we recognize our need to continually grow and change, to be brought from glory to glory.  You see beyond our present to our potential and are working to bring it out by the sanctifying work of Your Holy Spirit.  We offer you praise for the great things that are in store for us this year, and for the full life that is ours through Jesus Christ.  May we submit to Your work in our lives this year.  Amen.

I have heard it said, and I agree, that there are only 3 things a person can do with money.
 Give It
 Spend It
 Invest It

When talking about money, there is a sea of advice and opinion which can seem overwhelming to wade through.  Topics like where best to invest it, what to spend it on, buy or lease, rent or buy, how much insurance is enough, how much is wise to donate for tax purposes, and on and on.  Most of this information is good to be aware of, and much of it is even wise to practice; however, when talking about God and money, and specifically God Getting a hold of our Wallets, a more foundational issue emerges.
How do we decide how our money gets managed within these three categories?

This is a much bigger question, which will have a tremendous effect when we consider the thousands of money decisions we will make in our lifetime.  It is really a question about our understanding of money, about our attitude and posture towards money.  I hope that as we wrestle with this issue, we will get closer to allowing God to become the master of our money. 

We need to recognize where we’re standing

A basic assumption is the following: the way that we view the money we have will shape what we do with it. 
Watch this video clip and then come back…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3ivK3m8tvk  
If we see the money that we have as ours, then we will decide where it goes.  We will spend it on what we want because, we earned it with our skills, knowledge, and abilties.
If instead we view the money that we have as belonging to God and managed by us, then where it goes will be decided in an entirely different way.  I believe it will become a conversation. 

The best example I can think of is when I became married to my wife Christina.  A lot of things change when 2 become 1, and attitudes towards money is one that absolutely has to.  When we began to live together our individual bank accounts became our ‘joint’ account, and we began to plan how to spend our money together.  Everything from the long term (where do we want to be in 5 years), to the week to week (how much should we spend on groceries), to the day to day (how much can we spend without consulting each other) was discussed, debated, and settled upon.  Now, you might be under the impression that this is a negative thing, that it is giving up control…but, I’ve found the opposite to be true.  Making decisions about money together actually makes me feel better about money decisions, more in control of money.  There is a second opinion, more information, and selfish impulses are quenched.  I am more aware of where the money goes; because, we are on a plan.  My money has become our money and it’s management has become a conversation.   

My money has become our money and it’s management has become a conversation. 

Our conversation about money leads to better decisions, and more satisfaction. 
I believe this same principle to be at work when we allow God to get ahold of our wallets.  We welcome Him into our conversation about money, and the result is better decisions, and more satisfaction.  Let’s begin to allow God to have a voice shall we…

We have to learn where God stands

This section is divided up into the 3 general uses of money listed at the outset, namely we can give it, spend it and invest  it.  Hopefully this emphasizes the point that God desires to be involved in 100% of our money decisions. 

Give It | God wants us to give joyfully & generously |

That 10% thing.
When we think about what God wants of our money, we are tempted to think that He is after a %. 
This understanding can lead to two dangerous money positions.  We either give him his share, fulfill our obligation, and do what we want with the other 90%,  believing that we are cool with God because He got His.
Or
We fall short of the 10% for some reason, we can’t afford it this week, we lost track of where we were, or we didn’t do the math right, and thus feel guilty that we are stealing from God and about to receive our due punishment. 

Paul’s teaching to the early church mentions nothing of a legaly based tithe.  He does however mention a principle of generosity, being a cheerful giver, and deciding in your heart what to give.  In a letter, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, writes this instruction to the church in Corinth:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

What a liberating teaching about how to give!  In this short teaching there is both the freedom from any sort of mandatory tax to God, and the charge to make a responsible decision with our hearts.  If our hearts are making room for God’s Spirit our giving decisions too will be made in conversation with God. 

Spend It | God wants to be involved in our spending decisions |

Money is a form of exchange, and one of it’s main purposes is to be spent.  For all the problems money brings, it can also be a lot of fun.  With money we can have a wonderful night out at a great restaurant, we can buy that car we’ve been pining for, and we can take care of our needs like food on our tables and a roof over our heads.  
There is nothing wrong with spending money.   In fact, Paul writes to Timothy, a young pastor, and says that, “if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever,” (1 Timothy 5:8). 

Spending money is an essential, and hopefully enjoyable, practice.  Having said that, in our culture, spending money is basically second nature, and we have become experts at spending money we don’t even have yet!  
The mismanagement of this ’spending’ category is the cause of all kinds of evil.  

Proverbs mentions that, “the rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender,” (Proverbs 22:7).  Our unwillingness to be patient in acquiring our hearts desires turns us into servants of credit card companies, banks, and all types of lenders. 
How much more could we give, or invest, if we became better managers of our spending?

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows,” (James 1:17).

Everything belongs to God, He created the world and all that’s in it.  He gave us the abilities, gifts, and talents that enable us to earn money.  Do we not think that our Lord and Master, might also want to speak about how we spend our money?
Our money talks, it tells stories about us that perhaps we wouldn’t want told very loudly.  What items we purchase, what companies we partner with when we buy our goods and services (it might be helpful to think of our purchases with companies as partnering with them), and even when we choose to buy (is it when we want it, or when we can afford it?), each of these decisions tell stories about us. 

I thoroughly believe that our life of discipleship must extend to our purchase decisions, and that God desparately wants to be involved in those decisions.   

Invest It | We are called to be good managers of our money |

One of the uses of money is to invest it and increase it, put it to good use so that we have more to give, more to invest, and more to spend. 

Jesus presented us with wise financial counsel when He told the parable of the good managers & the bad manager (luke 19:11-26).  In this story the first couple of managers went out and did good things with the money that they were given responsibility for, earning back double what they had started with, and were rewarded handsomly.  The story continues to the other manager, who was so scared he’d lose the money that he hid it away.  He was called a wicked manager and lost the little that he had.

To me, this parable comes as strong counsel to be investing our money.  To put what we have been entrusted with to good use or we risk losing it.  I hear a God who cares about all the money that passes through our fingers, not just a percentage point off the top! 

There is another example about putting money to good use that I can think of.  It is the story of Joseph, whom God used to interpret Pharoah’s dream.  The interpretation was that Pharoah should store up food in years of plenty so that he will have enough to spare in the lean years to come (Genesis 41).  Pharoah listens to this wise advice and ends up expanding his wealth incredibly as the surrounding nations come to Egypt for food.  The lesson I hear about money from this story is another encouragement to invest wisely.  Save up in years of plenty, save an emergency fund, put your money to good use. 

One word of caution with investing, do not invest without regard for the other two uses of giving and spending.  The bible cautions strongly about storing up our treasure in barns.  The rich man had too much to store in his barns, so rather than give or spend them he built bigger barns.  His trust and sense of security rested firmly in his wealth.  At this false trust God says, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’  ”This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God,” (Luke 12:20-21).

Money can be very dangerous and yet we are called to manage it.  Without embracing God’s ideas about money, and without submitting our investment, purchase, and giving decisions to God, we will be standing on dangerous ground.  Money has the potential to master us. 

We need to decide to stand with God

How do we begin to change our attitudes toward money?  To pry our hands off of those bills, and that plastic?  How do we move from a fist to an open hand? 
I would be lying if I said it is just a matter of making one big decision to ask God’s help and you’ll forever change.
We are forgettful and stubborn, not to mention that selfish spending is a habit firmly engrained not only in our culture but in our own hearts. 
Amidst this sobering self-awareness, remember that Paul’s words to the Corinthians were not angry or corrective, but they were filled with promise, hope, and faith in God’s provision.  Hear these faith filled words meant for those who understand and reflect God’s view of money: 

^“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Cor 9:10-11

In order for us to allow God to get a hold of our wallets, we will need to invite Him into all of our conversations about money.  How we give it, how we spend it, and how we invest it. 

May we welcome His still small voice into our financial planning.  In Jesus’ name, and for the expansion of His Kingdom, we have these conversations.

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.  See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Luke 11:34-35

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus explains this powerful analogy for the eye. 
It functions like a lamp.  Easy to understand, we all know how lamps work. 
If the lamp is on and shining brightly we know where to go so that we won’t bump into things and get hurt.
If the lamp is dark, it does no good to be holding the thing, it is a useless tool.
The other thing about lamps is that you need them when it’s dark. 
Guess what, there’s a lot of dark out there today. 
Jesus invites us to think about our eyes in the same way.
  If our eyes are bad, they are useless…in fact, at another time, Jesus says that if your eye is causing you to sin it would be better not to have that eye at all.  
  But, if our eyes are good, they are very good indeed, filling our whole body with light.  Our eyes are ensuring that our lives are on the right track, and heading towards the right goal.

From these words from Jesus, our eyes seem like an important thing to get right.
An important thing to have God get a hold of.

“Your eye is the lamp of your body.”  -Jesus

For God to get a hold of our eyes, there are 3 things we need to do:
1) Learn where God stands
2) Recognize where we’re standing
3) Choose to stand with God 

1) Learn where God stands

Let your eyes look directly ahead,
  And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 
Watch the path of your feet,
  And all your ways will be established.
Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
  Turn your foot from evil.
                                           Proverbs 4:25-27 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
                                          Hebrews 12:1-2

These 2 passages of Scripture give us some helpful principles for where God stands.
In Proverbs we have strong direction, from the wise Solomon, on what not to do and what to do with our eyes.
Do not allow your eyes to turn you away.  
  There are a lot of things that lure our eyes, the Bible calls it the lust of our eyes, and tells us to throw it off.

Imagine you are a 100 metre sprinter, getting ready for the Olympic Finals.  
You are all too aware that there are TV cameras zoomed in on the beads of sweat pouring down your face, and sure you know that those cameras represent the millions of people watching your every move, not to mention the 10’s of thousands who are in attendance screaming, cheering, booing, and calling your name. 
It’s all there, all very alluring and attractive, but you don’t turn, not even for a moment.
Because you know that there is something far more important you are here to do. 
Your gaze is fixed. 
The picture of focus and concentration. 
The cameras catch your gaze and follow it to its fixation point.  
The finish line. 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” -Hebrews 12

2) Learn where we stand

Guess what?
You ARE a runner, not a sprinter, but a runner nonetheless.  You are, even now, running toward a goal in your life.  What is it?  What is your goal?  What are your eyes fixed on?

Hebrews 12:2 explains that we are to fix our eyes on what?  
Jesus. 
Jesus Christ is our ‘directly ahead’, He is our ’straight in front of you’, our finish line. 
Can we honestly say that our eyes are so fixed on Jesus Christ that the cameras, screams, cheers, boos, and calls, haven’t turned us to the right or left?
Where are we standing?  What has the attention of our eyes?  What are we time and time again drawn away from Christ towards? 
This is an important question, and honesty is pivotal.

3) Choose to Stand with God

Let’s choose right now to ‘throw off’ everything that hinders us and entangles us. 
Confess our hindrances, name those things that attract and distract our eyes.
Let’s admit that we are not running the race we want to be running, and in humility ask the Lord to run alongside.

I invite you to take a moment in silent prayer.

–
Take a look at these videos if you have time:
What not to do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7hbzpZilJE
What to do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXj0BMYA-cU
  -This was a while back, but imagine the focus needed after all those false starts.

²³Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

The thirdly in this case is what I hope this series of encouragements will help us with.
That’s right a series. 
In order to follow Christ in this life we must allow God to have control of every area of our lives. 
Each installment of this series will deal with an area of our lives that we often find difficult to submit control.
The truth is, if God is going to get a hold of me, I mean really do some intentional transformative work, He’s going to have to: ‘Get a hold of my…

…Mind (Romans 12:2)
…Eyes (Luke 11:34)
…Tongue (James 3:1-12)
…Body (1 Corinthians 9:27)
…Wallet (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)

Each of these areas play a huge part in how we live our lives day to day, and in order to follow Christ, each of these areas will involve denying ourselves. 
I’m sure there are more areas to add to this list, but this is a good place to start.

For God to get a hold of each of these areas of our life, 3 things need to take place:

1) We have to learn where God stands
2) We need to recognize where we’re standing
3) We need to decide to stand with God

 
Please understand that a lot more will be taking place while these 3 things happen, such as all the really hard supernatural stuff that the Holy Spirit does, as well as the intense battle that rages inside of us before surrender can take place.  But, unless we take the time to expose these sensitive areas to the light of God, we will most assuredly be missing out on the blessings of a fully examined, mature, and surrendered life.     

It is worth mentioning as well that this work should be revisited periodically for we humans are slow to learn, quick to forget, and even quicker to stray.

Father, as we expose these areas of our lives to You, teach us what You want from us, show us where we are going astray, empower us to choose Your will above our own, and be a constant strength as we struggle to live those decisions out each day.  May we grow in maturity as we offer ever more of ourselves to You.  Amen. 

How do we understand this time?  What are our attitudes towards this ‘down time’ in our day, when we are forced to do nothing overtly productive?

Is it a necessary evil, a burden getting in the way of what we’re supposed to be doing?
Is it a chance to write a text and add to the frantic pace, or find some way to be entertained?

What if that down time is actually a gift?
A gift to those of us who have forgotten to schedule peace, reflection, prayer and waiting into our days to do list.

What if that down time is actually a gift?
A gift to those of us who have forgotten to schedule peace, reflection, prayer and waiting into our days to do list.

The apostle Paul speaks of this in his letters using the phrase, ‘make the most of every opportunity.’

^{1414for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:  ”Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15}Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”  Ephesians 5:14b-16

^“5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity” Colossians 4:5

In these passages I hear an encouragement to use every chance we get to see God’s Kingdom come in our lives.
I hear the call to take advantage of downtime.

If we have some extra time in the car, make the most of it, by downloading some podcasts from challenging and gifted preachers.  If we have a long wait for coffee, make the most of it by praying for others.  If we have 10 or 15 minutes before an appointment, make the most of it by pulling out a book that builds you up in the faith.  Make the most of  every opportunity, redeem the down time in your life.