How long, O Lord? Thy Kingdom Come

I have no words of wisdom for what we've all witnessed today. Several people have asked me what I feel and my response has been just what anyone's response would be. I'm angry, sad, pissed off, sickened, afraid, shocked, discouraged, broken, etc. It sucks. I don't have any answers and to be honest, I'm glad. I don't want to offer any answers for the horror that has occurred this morning in Connecticut. I don't have any desire to be heard for my opinions right now. I don't care to express my views on gun control and I don't what to share what I believe about prayer in school. I don't want to offer my opinions on the moral state of our country and I don't care to share my view on any political connections to what has happened.  Overall, I have no opinions to share other than I hurt with you. I stand with you in your anger and I walk with you in your confusion. Like you, I ask why, and expect no reply.

What I will say is that this tragedy has only strengthened my resolve that the Church is the only hope this culture has today. As I have said countless times, and many folks have let me know how sick they are of my rhetoric, our main responsibility as followers of Christ is to forward the Kingdom of God. I believe with everything that I am that the realization of God's Kingdom is the only solution to the evil of this world. The Kingdom covers over violence. It alleviates pain, sadness and isolation. It heals, comforts and brings peace in times of fear. The Kingdom of God feeds the poor, clothes the naked and shelters the homeless.  It comes along side those that suffer and it loves them unconditionally. It guides the lost and puts others needs before our own. It has no need for more money, nicer cars, bigger homes or the advancement of careers. It covers the evil that exists and permeates this world. It protects little children and shields young men from killing them.

For the most part, the Church in America has failed. We have failed culture and we have failed each other. We've failed, refused rather, to bring God's Kingdom to fruition. We've contorted ourselves to mimic the culture around us to the point that culture sees nothing relevant in the Body of Christ; the Church. We all want to blame someone or something when we witness shocking events such as today. That's a human instinct and I get that. But rather than looking for some entity or scapegoat for the evil that angers us, perhaps we should look within. Perhaps the blame rests more on what we have failed to do, rather than what someone else has done. Perhaps we should look in the mirror instead of outside the window.

How long, O Lord? Thy Kingdom come....     

Advent Reflections: Day 13 - 12/14/2012

 

"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law,so that he could adopt us as his very own children.”
Galatians 4:4&5 




Reflection

For only a moment, recall as a child how difficult it was to wait for Christmas. All the festivities, decorations and favorite TV shows were all well and good, but nothing compared to the big day! As the weeks passed and anticipation grew, you found it more and more difficult to contain your excitement!  By the time Christmas Eve had finally arrived, you could scarcely keep your attention focused on anything else! One thing filled your young mind and nothing else would satisfy the anticipatory exhilaration that wanted so much to be released! And that one thing was…the presents!  

Let’s face it. We do our best to teach children the true meaning of Christmas, and they listen. They might even be listening right now as we join together. They understand as best they can, but ultimately their minds are more consumed with tearing into those brightly wrapped packages placed neatly around the Christmas tree! But to their frustration, as with most things in life there’s always at least one rule. You can’t open presents until Christmas Day, or maybe Christmas Eve if you’re lucky! And if you have children, you know how difficult it can be to enforce this rule.

But why do we enforce this rule of waiting until Christmas? Why the zealous postponement of such a spectacular event? Because it’s just not the right time. The waiting and anticipation is part of the joy of Christmas, and so it is with love, that parents encourage their children and prepare them as they wait.  God’s children had to wait. Waiting was an aspect of life that the Hebrew people knew very well. Years of living in slavery, captivity and oppression kept them focused on the one day when God would finally send the gift of salvation to His chosen people. That day would soon come in the birth of Jesus Christ; the first Christmas Day. And as with our children, God’s children waited with great anticipation. The Bible makes a point to remind us that “when the right time came, God sent his Son”. It could not have come one second sooner, and would have been impossible to occur anytime later. God sent Jesus into the world at just the right time.  

As we conclude our time together, let us quiet our hearts in trusting patience in God. The right time will come.  Until then we wait, knowing that God’s plan of perfection is complete.    

Prayer

Lord, it is so hard to wait. Sometimes it feels as if all we do is wait. But in the silence of this moment, remind us to trust in You, find our patience in You and rest in the truth that Your time is always the right time. Amen

 

Advent Reflections: Day 12 - 12/13/2012

“Jesus did many other things as well.
If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even
the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
John 21:25 (NIV)

Reflection

During our celebration of Advent, we focus our attention on one glorious single moment of time. No other historical event has transformed our world more radically. When Christ came into the world, history from that moment on was changed forever. Even the concept of modern time revolves around this miraculous event. Throughout the Christmas Season, our devotion, focus and activities center around the birth of a baby born into obscurity and poverty. Christmas is a birthday celebration. The birth of Jesus Christ. The incarnation of God in human form.

As with any birth, Christmas is about beginnings. New life springing forth into humanity, both physically and spiritually. All of us celebrate our birthday each year. It’s a reminder of the miraculous moment that we came into the world and the exciting events that surrounded that day. We remember the birth of people we love, honor and respect. We celebrate birth because it reminds us of how precious life is. Birthdays cause us to reflect on life, and as we get older, birthdays can become a bit more reflective because lives become increasingly filled with memorable and life-transforming events.

Unfortunately, when our Christmas celebrations end, so does our devotion. Christmas comes to an end and we pack up and put away the decorations for another year. We return gifts and find room for the new stuff we’ve acquired. And as we clean up the house and take a deep breath to relax, we slowly slip back into life as usual. The problem is that some of us proverbially pack up Jesus as well. Advent will come to an end, and so does our devotional time.

“Jesus did many other things as well”. Let us commit to each other to continue sharing these stories in our families each and everyday. Let the spirit of Advent encourage us to move forward and remember that the birth of Christ is only the beginning.

Prayer

Lord, as we close our time together, let us be renewed in mind and spirit that the celebration of Christmas marks only the beginning of the life of Your Son, Jesus Christ. After the holidays are complete, let us commit to ourselves to the many other things He did as well.

Amen.

Advent Reflections: Day 11 - 12/12/2012

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NIV)

Reflection

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” In the quiet of this time, think about these words for a moment. Imagine the essential meaning and implications of this verse. Our God of complete perfection came to earth, not by obligation, not by universal mandate, but because of the depth of His eternal love for us. So much so that He was willing to leave His heavenly dwelling, and in divine condescension, became man in order to live among us. The God of the universe, cloaked in the vessel of an infant child, all the while never losing His divinity. The perfect, living among the imperfect. God and man. Complete in both substance and essence.         

    

During this hectic time of year, it’s easy for us to forget the significance of why we celebrate. Although we may be flooded with reminders of what Christmas is all about, sometimes it’s as if the words fall on deaf ears. Christmas is not only about trees, decorations, presents and “chestnuts roasting on an open fire”. It’s not only about the Christmas lights, parties or A Charlie Brown Christmas. While all of these great aspects of Christmas bring joy, warmth and laughter, they are ultimately not what’s it’s all about. They are only supplements to the essential truth of Christmas: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

So as you celebrate this season with all of the traditions, gatherings and festivities that you hold dear to your heart, celebrate with the knowledge that the God of the universe became one of us, made His dwelling among us, and dwells with us today.     

        

Prayer

Lord, as we celebrate Christmas with all the pageantry, tradition and splendor, let us remember that the true reason we celebrate is that You became flesh and made Your dwelling among us. Help us to remember that as we go from here to there, in celebration of Christmas, that you go with us as well.  Let this be your celebration.  Amen  

Advent Reflections: Day 10 - 12/11/2012

“The angel answered,
“The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35 (NIV)

Reflection

In the flash of an instant and within the divine intervention of an angelic messenger, Mary’s life would be forever transformed. It’s hard to imagine some of the thoughts that must have been racing through her young mind. “Why me?”, “There’s nothing special about me”, “I’m not good enough”, “I’m too young”, “I’m not ready for this”, “This isn’t what I had planned”  But yet here she was, facing a choice that really was no choice at all. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” God chose Mary. An ordinary woman, with faults like anyone else, recognized that the love of God was about to overwhelm humanity and that she would be used as its vessel.

How often do we question our abilities when God wants to use us? Instead of recognizing the awesome fact that a loving God chooses to use flawed human beings, we resist, thinking that we know better than God. Mary wasn’t perfect. She was afraid and maybe a little confused. But in His perfect love and sovereign will, God chose her. With all her fears, imperfections and questions, she heard God’s word, chose not to hesitate and acknowledged that His plan was much bigger than hers. In love, God chose her and in obedience, she was willing to say, “I am the Lord’s servant.”  

During this season of Advent, may we set aside our plans, hesitations and fears of imperfection. May we trust in a God that chooses to use us, not because he has to, not because we are perfect, but because He loves us, and nothing more.

                    

Prayer

Lord, it is in this quiet moment that we acknowledge Your presence and perfect love for us. We know that we are far from perfect, and we know that our imperfections sometimes hold us back. But as we meditate on Your perfection, help us to trust in You and that Your decisions are always right. Give us the strength to step forward when You call, knowing that it is because of Your love that You chose us. Let it be only in love that we serve You. Amen