Come Together, Right Now…

Unity: The state of being one; or a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.

 1 “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel–because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth. “            Gen 11:1-9

These wicked people at this time all decided to build a tower to reach up to the heavens, which if you ask me, is fairly tall. They came together, with “all with one mind,” one ultimate goal, with the same driving force. God himself acknowledged that when people come together in unity, anything can be done. The people in this land were not coming together to honor God, they were building a monument to honor themselves. When God put a damper on there plans by cutting off their form of communication, it put an end to their unity, which put an end to their ability to do great things. Many lessons can be learned from the story of the Tower of Babyl, especially the fact that, True Unity can bring forth impossible results.

 Communication, first and foremost, is imperative to bringing about unity. Without effective, clear communication, unity can never truly be achieved. I think many Christians and churches fall short of true unity because of a lack of communication. Whether it is because we, as ignorant human beings don’t know how to communicate effectively, or whether it’s because we’re too prideful and apathetic to put any effort into communicating, I’m not sure. But either way, it often hinders us from significantly impacting the kingdom of God.

Many times, we are too blind to see how much our adversity can compliment unity. We often see the way other people around us are different than us, and immediately (subconsciously even) dismiss the possibility that it could ever be a good thing. You see, unity can only be complete when the group is Whole, which happens when we bring all of our adversities to the table, each contributing our own, unique parts. We each, separately can affect the lives of such different people, and need to realize that if there were only one type of person, the work of the Lord could never fully be done.

Lastly, we all need to be of “one mind” by having the same ultimate goal. If even one individual person had a mind of their own, and wanted a different end result than the rest, it can be detrimental to the group, and therefore destroy any sense of unity already established.

We as Christians need to grasp a hold of the concept of True Unity. It is generally a well-known idea, however, rarely a concept that is truly carried out. Because when True Unity is achieved, Anything is possible. If a group of wicked people can cause God to take a double look at their tower of brick nonsense, and have to step in and cause confusion in their communication, than what might we, as children of God be able to do when we come together with “one mind,” effective communication, different gifts and talents, and the same ultimate goal, and the almighty God on our side?

The Harvest is Ripe

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.

-John 4:34-38

In case you haven’t noticed, we are surrounded by a generation of desperate people.   I’m currently doing my psychiatric rotation at the hospital, and can’t help but notice the silent cries of these people.  The majority of the people I’ve dealt with in the acute care setting have something in common in their charts… they are depressed! There’s a board they have there, listing all the patients and their diagnoses:  I’ll say at least 80% of them had “Depression with Suicide Idiations”  listed as their diagnoses.  It’s no secret; they’re searching, longing, desiring for something…anything…more.  Yet, here we sit fearful, anxious, and selfish, so instead we wait for the “perfect moment” to reach out. Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news BUT IT’S NEVER GOING TO COME!

What then can we do you ask? It simple:   Open your eyes!  Stop upsessing about how YOU feel, and consider the fact that their are hurting people around you, just waiting for you to talk to them. You may not have been the one to plant the seeds, and you might not have walked alongside them in their journey–you may not even know the person for that matter.  However, you may be the very person who pushes them that one last step to find Jesus. It may be by saying a word of encouragement, or it could be by taking a step out in faith and doing something you never would have had you not heard the voice of God….either way, you can be used if you just obey! 

So, be aware of the desperate, eager, “RIPE FOR HARVEST” people around you today. Do your part today, listen and react to The Voice of God.

Resolutions Without Resolve

It’s that time of year again…you know, the time when you make a whole bunch of promises to yourself that you’ll, without a doubt, break within 2-3 weeks–a month max.  Let’s be honest, we’ve all made a list of the cliches: “Lose 20 lbs,” “Spend less, Save More,” Go to the gym Everyday,” Spend more time with the family, and less time at work,”  or my personal favorite:  “Be a Better Person!” But come the next December 31st, you realize you’ve gained 7 lbs, got yourself further in debt, wasted $20 per month on a gym membership even though you only went 4 times total, Taken on more hours at work, and still haven’t quite became that “better person.”

Unfortunately, we make similar types of hyped up, half-hearted promises to God that we hold close to our heart and make a priority….for a week, two weeks, even maybe a month, if we’re really “good.”  But by the time push comes to shove, and the emotional conviction that once drove you to make a promise to yourself and to God wears off, things start to slide downhill again.  Justification is so easy when your justifying something you want ‘really’bad.  (I do it everytime i go to the mall…) But, before you know it, you’re right back where you started again: feeling weak, like a failure. Disappointing both yourself and God…and making the same promises all over again.   When did our words became so meaningless?  Why don’t promises mean anything anymore.  You see, God doesn’t mess around with his promises or covenants:

“The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.” – Psalm 12:6 (NLT)

There’s a difference between a pinky promise and a covenant, that we as humans have yet to discover.  Next time you make a promise to God, or yourself, think about the meaning behind your words–Let it not be an empty promise, waiting to be broken.  Rather, let it mean something to you, for longer than a week, a month, a year even. Be driven. Be stretched.  Be tough enough to stand your ground.   But most of all, be sincere.

Set Your Feelings Aside

Earlier this week, I was working my weekly clinical shift in the nursing home, as I do every Tuesday.  The older gentleman I was caring for this week, was a particularly challenging individual.  As I began my morning care with this man, I began to realize just how long my day was going to seem.  You see, this man was extremely anxious.  He was could hardly do anything on his own, could barely move, was scared and not very cooperative.  Myself and 2 others were assisting him out of bed, getting him cleaned up and dressed for the day.  What should have been a fairly easy task, maybe half hour at most by myself, turned out to be 3 people spending over an hour with this Gentleman.  Why, you ask? Well, everytime I tried using water and soap to clean him up, tried to move his legs, help him stand up, etc., He would become very agitated, confused and extremely anxous, yelling things as loud as he could: “HELP, HELP!,” “STOP TORTURING ME!” or ”WHY ARE YOU HURTING ME?”  It wasn’t time for his meds yet, so all we could do was rub his back, and reassure him that although it may feel like we’re torturing him, we’re only trying to help and take good care of him.

To often, we’re just like this when it comes to God.  All we can focus on is how uncomfortable WE are, how hurt WE are, how much help WE need.  It’s an easy way out, to blame and question God for everything.  I realized just how God might feel looking down on us, in the midst of our ignorant grumbling.  He must feel something like I felt as I tried to comfort this older man.  I wished more than anything I could relieve his anxiety, and letting him know that we were there to help him, comfort him, and care for him.  Although it seemed like we were only harming him, He couldn’t see the truth throuh his clouded mind.   We must seem so childish, so naive, and so ignorant when we complain to God.  Too often we focus on only our hurt.  We can’t see through our pain, and discomfort, and confusion…our minds are too clouded to see the hand of God upon our lives.  Even though it may seem like it’s nothing but torture, and feels like it may never end, ultimately we can have peace in knowing that God truly is a loving, caring God, and ultimately is here to love on us, take care of us, and prepare us for what is to come.  So when it doesn’t feel like God is by your side, when it doesn’t feel like this torture should be happening to you (maybe someone else, anyone else, but not you!), and when your not sure what to feel  at all anymore…set your “feelings and emotions” aside, and rest in KNOWING that we serve a God of Love, and a God that cares.

Learn To Say No

Have you ever known one of those people that just can’t say no?–are you that person? The one that says yes to everyone, and everything…simply because they’re a people-pleaser, or genuinely want to help with what they can. I’ll be honest, I”M THAT PERSON. I can hear my mom’s voice saying it now:  “Lindsey, you need to learn to say No, or else you’ll learn it the hard way!” In Craig Groeschel’s book “It,” it goes on to talk about churches that focus on far too many ministries and outreaches.  They have sometimes hundreds of different ministries they are trying to do with excellence, just to please every last person’s desires.  The trouble is, when you try to put all your energy into doing a hundred different things to their full potential, the opposite happens, and none of them reach full potential.  The church needs to pick a select few ministries that God is calling them to be excellent in, and say yes to ONLY those.  This advice for the church pertains to our everyday lives as well.  We need to be in tune with the voice of God, so that we can be aware of the select few things we are called to do with excellence. (and yes, you are ALL called to be excellent in one thing or another!)

“To be great at a few things and experience it, you’ll have to say no to many things”–Craig Groeschel

Until we learn to say no to the five million other opportunities/burdens/focuses that are presented to us daily, we can never truly excel in the few select things that God has called us to do.  Business takes away from vision, and business is no entry way to finding what you’re called to excel in.  If you truly want to be effective in anything, stop saying yes to everything, stop pleasing everyone, and learn to say no.  When your options are decreased, surprisingly, you’re focus will increase, and when your focus is on one single thing, great things will happen.

There’s Beauty in Simplicity

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  -Matthew 18:3

As I was helping out with the children’s ministry this past weekend, I was reminded of one of the greatest things about God-the beauty of His simplicity.  You see, with children, every thing’s got to be simple, short, and to the point.  The lyrics to the children’s worship songs, the stories, words, examples, games, etc…it’s all simplified.  But as I stood there, worshiping with and teaching these kids barely up to my waist, it all became clear to me.  We serve a God that relates to each and every one of us; young, old, big, small, smart, not so smart…all of us.  And so many times we search and long for the miraculous wonders we desire God to do for us, and forget to appreciate the miracle that’s been placed in front of us each and every day:  Jesus loves us. He loves us individually, personally, and more than we can comprehend.  That simple fact, in and of itself, is amazing, yet we still fail to believe that sometimes.  Jesus himself said that unless you become like a child, you will not enter the kingdom of God.  It’s unfathomable, how God can be so incredibly complex, yet simple enough to relate to all of us.  I’m personally challenged to begin noticing and appreciating more the beauty of simplicity.  We need to humble ourselves daily, becoming like children, with big faith and big dreams, relying on nothing other than God’s love.

Simply Put…

I couldn’t help but stop and reread these words.  These few short sentences create a glimpse of the reverence and appreciation we should have for such an uncomparable God:

“Everything in Christ astonishes me.  His spirit overawes me, and his will confounds me.  Between him and whoever else in the world, there is no possible term of comparison.  He is truly a being by himself….I search in vain in history to find the simlar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history, nor humanity, nor the ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it.  Here everything is extraordinary.”

        -Napoleon

Carpe Diem

A couple nights ago I got the phone call that no one wants to get.  At 2:30 am i answered my phone to hear: “Linds, Jamie’s in the hospital, they’ve intibated her, she’s on a vent and they’re bringing her to the icu, I didn’t know who else to call…” I can handle the drunken, late night calls from friends needing rides, or just to cry–I’ve gotten them enough.  But this, this was different. It had gone beyond the drunken phone call, and the only thing i could do was pray….Thank God she’s okay now.  But needless to say, she gave us all a pretty good scare, and the past few days were long and stressful trying to be there for her and the family, and wondering what the outcome of it all would be.   

You always hear of who people have a near-death experience, or have someone close to them die, and you see how they begin to appreciate life a little more.  I guess as cliche as it is, I find myself in with a similar mindset.  I realize how fragile this life is, how worthless some of the things we cling on to are, and it makes me wonder where my priorities are.  You see, I’m the type of person that likes to plan.  I make lists of the lists I have to make (no joke).  It’s unhealthy, i know…but i like to see a clear cut plan of what needs to be done, how it’s going to get done, and well I guess I’m just certifiably insane.  In the end, i suppose it gives me a sense of accomplishment to see it all finished. Stupid right?  But recently I’ve been trying not to focus so much on the future for two reasons: First, God himself told us tomorrow isn’t promised to us.  So why waste 90% of your days getting things ready for your tomorrows, missing out on all the opportunities right in front of you, when you may not even make it until tomorrow. Secondly, I’ve noticed, the majority of “my perfect plans” change by the time tomorrow comes anyways, which only means that all of those countless days worrying and planning were useless and wasted. So live for today.  So don’t miss opportunities that are in front of you now, because you’re planning for tomorrow.

You won’t be disappointed

” When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.  Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.  I’ll turn things around for you.  I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you, birng you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile.  You can count on it.”      - Jeremiah 29:12-14(Message)

 

Have you ever found yourself praying and believing God for something, or someone, yet somewhere in the back of your mind you’ve prepared yourself just in case God doesn’t answer your prayers? I’ve thought about it for a few days now, and realized to my shame, that its at the times when I “prepare” myself for disapointment, that I’m not fully seeking God with ALL of me.  Don’t get me wrong, everything in me wants to do the right thing, and have faith, and trust, and so on, but if you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself in a place where you’re distracted, and losing focus.  But we, as Christ followers, need to ALWAYS be doing exactly what the scripture says:  getting serious about finding him and wanting it more than anything else.  Don’t just get serious for a season in your life, or when you really, really want God to whip up a good miracle for you, but ALWAYS be earnestly seeking, with your whole heart.  If you do just that, You will Never find yourself Disappointed by God.

Words of Life

I was meeting with a group of girls this week, which turned out to be  great time.  In that time, the topic of eating disorders came up, and a girl started saying how she has struggled with it for years and years.  She went on to discuss how shes overcoming that amongst other things, which are truly remarkable…but what she said has been on my heart since. “Every time I want to throw up, I have to look in the mirror and tell myself that I am beautiful.”  Another girl chimed in with tears in her eyes:  “Tell yourself every time that Jesus thinks you’re beautiful, and that you are a child of God, made perfectly and wonderfully in his eyes…”

I began thinking about how for so long I’ve heard about the power that words have.  But most of the time, that brings up topics such as encouraging other people, and speaking positive things to the people around you.  Lately it’s hit me so hard the power we hold by the words that we speak over our own lives.  We need to begin speaking life to whatever situation we are going through, if we want to conquer it.  It might be difficult for this girl to believe she’s beautiful at first, but after telling herself over and over the good things about her and the thoughts God has of her, eventually she’s going to believe it, and know it’s true.  The more we begin to speak strength over our weaknesses, success over our failures, healing over our sickness, whatever the situation may be…speak life over it, and believe that God can change things….you’ll see amazing things begin to happen.