Devotion: Challenging One Another

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.”

This verse from Matthew, I find to be one of the most challenging verses in scripture because it tells us a two fold thing about the way we communicate in the church.

One is that our communication should be a genuine relationship in which we speak with someone face-to-face about how their life is impacting others; we don’t live in a bubble, rather how we live does matter. And as the church we should push each other to live lives worthy of God.

The other thing is that this should be done not judgmentally but in an affirming manner. It seems like so much of our communication is actually gossip and slander. It is easier to speak about someone’s faults when they are not in the room. But Matthew’s passage challenges us to boldly meet with someone to help them see that we care about their lives.

This week a reporter for the Observer passed away, and I heard one friend describe him by saying, “David was not a yes-man, he would tell you what you did not want to hear. And that is why we were friends.” I appreciated that reflection because so often we want to be liked that we do not want to speak the truth. However, we are all so hungry to know the truth and to have friends that will challenge us. Genuine relationships are people committed to walking alongside each other as we stumble through life together.

This is what God desires of the church, a community that challenges one another in their faith journey, yet remains committed to each other when things getting messy.

Gulp...

...that is the sound of me swallowing my pride.

One of Lindsay's playgroup friends was relocated overseas and left much of their baby gear behind. Generously we were offered anything we wanted. A friend helped us as we looked through some really nice gear that we would most certainly need. As I started loading up the car, she said in passing, "Well they would be happy to know that this stuff is going to a family in need. They just wanted to make sure a needy family could use this stuff."

I could immediately feel my ego wanting to protest: "We aren't a needy family." It was almost a natural reflext to drop the carseat I was carrying and say, "I can provide just fine for these kids and storm off." But something was able to quickly calm my heart, and simply say, "Thank you, we appreciate the support."

Clearly she did not mean for it to be condescending to me, but I was amazed at how I wanted to "prove" that I could provide just fine for 4 kids. This will be one of my many growing edges going forward;
For I am happy to help others in their need, happy to preach about serving and community, yet I am hesitant to admit my own need and allow people to serve me.

Devotion: Repentance

The first direct quote of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel says, “The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” The other week I came across a man standing at the corner of Trade and Tryon loudly and boldly repeating this phrase. Unfortunately, what Mark’s Gospel calls “the good news of God” has been transformed into a phrase of anger, judgment and ridicule. Repentance has become an angry rejection of life. Preachers are fond of saying that repentance means “turning from something” but they forget to tell us that it is a turning to do something—to pursue God.

It is not a rejection, but actually an acceptance of a new direction. It is a catalyst; the beginning of the climbing towards God. As Eugene Peterson says, “Repentance is not an emotion. It is not feeling sorry for your sins. It is a decision…that what God wants from you and what you want from God are not going to be achieved by doing the same old things, thinking the same thoughts. Repentance is a decision to follow Jesus Christ.”

Psalm 120 is a psalm of repentance that pilgrims to Jerusalem would first pray as they began their ascent to Jerusalem—God’s Holy City. By saying no, they were saying yes to God’s plan for their lives. It set heir feet moving forward and drew them closer to God. Though the climb required discipline and commitment, it was worth it.

What ways are you seeking to draw closer to God? Are you seeking God in prayer? fellowship? worship? scripture? service?

Do you feel the discipline and commitment necessary to follow Christ to be worth it? Why or why not?

Devotion: Weeding Life

I have recently taken up gardening, or perhaps more precisely weeding.

At first, I tackled the large, obvious weeds that were comingled with other plants in my garden. Satisfied, I stepped back thinking my work was complete. But then I noticed some other tuffs of green sprouting up. After pulling those up, I looked even closer to the dirt and discovered tiny green leaves just starting to arise. Suddenly all I could see were these green shoots all over the place making me realize that the work of weeding is never complete.

So, I decided to go for a run.

While running, I passed by a few beautifully manicured homes that had been my models of inspiration. Yet now my eyes were trained to spot tiny weeds, and to my utter surprise I saw their gardens filled with the same mocking green leaves. So I returned to my house comforted to know that even the most professional gardeners have to wrestle with the weeds, yet I remained committed to the long battle of weeding my garden.

I have found this to be an interesting metaphor for spiritual growth. As we seek to grow in our Christian faith, we will inevitably come face to face with sin in our lives—things God does not want growing in our hearts. Some will be glaring weeds that are easy to detect and choke out our lives. Yet others will be small, and at first unperceivable things. As we begin to survey our lives we may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of these “areas needing improvement,” yet inaction will only make them grow deeper and more rooted. Likewise, we may take comfort knowing that others have sins—even the most polished of people—but if we focus our attention upon their depravity we fail to tend to the areas of our lives that are in need of God’s transforming love.

Are their any glaring things in your life that are choking the life out of you? What may be some small “harmless” things that if left untended may become rooted into your heart?

The Barry Patch

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The Barry Patch

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