Redeem this?

As Darrell Scott shared with us the tragic story of his daughter Rachel’s untimely death, I couldn’t help but think, “What a waste!”  I’m the father of two daughters, and was wondering how he is able to relive her story over and over again, without it tearing him to pieces.  I also wondered what might have been for Rachel. What would Rachel look like today?  If she married, who would be her husband?  How many kids would they have?  How much of an impact could she have had in her high school if her life hadn’t been taken that early April afternoon?

It was in the middle of these thoughts, that I caught myself.  I caught myself thinking about God in ways that, frankly, I really don’t believe.  I caught myself in the midst of asking these questions, realizing that there were some unanswerable questions with this tragedy, like all tragedies.  But I also realized that in the midst of something so terrible, God was, and is still at work.

Do I think God willed the death of Rachel Joy Scott?  No, I don’t.  Do I think that God needed another flower in his heavenly garden, so he called Rachel on that day so heaven would be more beautiful?  Please.  Do I think he helped Dylan and Eric choose their victims that day, ordaining the death of those 12 students and teacher?  No.  Do I believe that this event surprised God?  No, I don’t believe that either. 

Here is what I do believe.  I believe that God was present in Columbine High School on April 20, giving Rachel and others the courage to face whatever came their way on that day.  I believe that God wept with the parents, family, and friends of the victims.  He longs for the day when “all things will be made new,” and when there will be “no more tears, pain, sorrow, or death.”   I believe that God redeemed, yes, even that!  And I believe that the same God who was present with them, is present with us.

But why do these things happen?  That’s a question way older than any of us, but I like what C.S. Lewis said while struggling with a similar question:  “God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality.  He knew it already.  It was I who didn’t.”

These tests that come are to reveal to us who we are, not who God is.  Lewis goes on to say:  “He always knew that my temple was a house of cards.  His only way to making me realize the fact was to knock it down.”  In that, we come to understand that “In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose,” making us who He wants to be because of, or even in spite of them.  This is the way we live. 

Eugene Peterson says it this way in his paraphrase of James 1:2-4:  “Consider it sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.  You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.  So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.  Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”  

So, what is being revealed about who you are?  How are you responding to what you are being shown?  To coin a phrase from this semester, “How’s your practice?”  My prayer for us now, as it has been this whole semester, is that we continue to practice well, so with God’s help, we can live well. 

Grow up

I talked about this a little last week, but growing up isn’t easy.  Maybe I’m the only one, but I used to grow tired of having people say things to me like, “Oh, grow up would you?” and then go on to say, “You’re not old enough to do that yet.”  So, which is it?

When Gordon Dalbey was here, he also reminded me of a couple phrases that I heard growing up — “Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about,” and “Big boys don’t cry.” So will you make me cry, or should I stop on my own?  Just asking!

Some of this falls on us as well.  We either want what we can’t have, or we are longing to do things that “older” people can do.  I hated being sent to my room so the “big” people could have their time.  I remember sneaking out of my bedroom, sitting at the top of the stairs so I could hear what was so important.  I was never impressed.  Growing up isn’t easy.

Growing up as a child and teenager has some similarities to my faith journey.  What I’ve come to discover is that some growth we have no control over.

I would have loved to have been another six inches taller or another 30 pounds heavier in high school.  My high school coaches would have appreciated that as well.  But I had very little, if any, control over how tall I was going to be, or the bulk of my frame.  The sports I could participate in were limited by my 6 foot, 130 pound frame (yep, you read right).  I wouldn’t be the tight end for our high school football team.  Neither would I be the dominant center on our basketball team.  Don’t think I need to explain either.  

         

Along with that, there were some choices I could make, like managing the football team instead of being the next Charlie Sanders (gotta be an old Lions fan, sorry).  Or doing radio broadcasts for our basketball team when I wasn’t tall enough, er, good enough to play.  Some things we can control, while others, we can’t.

             

There is much we can do for our own faith development.  What we do, we do with diligence, on purpose, and with intention.  The rest is God’s work.  Forming practices that tend to this work God is doing in us is more like a dance than a math equation.  We live between the tension of grace on the one hand and law on the other, at times dancing back and forth between the two.  This “dance” is ours.  It’s our coming to the realization that we have a role to play in our faith development, that what we do matters, and what God does, we can’t.

So, like Eugene Peterson has been reminding us for a couple of weeks now in his paraphrase of Matthew 5:48:  “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up.  You’re kingdom subjects.  Now act like it.  Live out your God-created identity.”  I’ve said this before; let’s practice well, so with God’s help, we can live well.

Living well

In Matthew 5:48, Jesus gives us all a compelling call to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect.  It’s one of those verses that we usually skip over, feeling like we can’t begin to tackle its meaning and depth.  It’s unapproachable.  So, is it something we’re responsible to, or not?

I remember when my daughter was learning to walk. As she was preparing to launch, she practiced around our sectional couch for days, if not weeks. On one particular day she decided to go solo. Being the good parents that we are, we helped her by placing her in the middle of the room.  No props, nothing to hang on to, just her — her legs, a thick diaper, and the floor waiting to welcome her bottom when she fell.  And fell she did.

I remember how I reacted, like any father would have. I picked her up, yelled at her, and told her that no child of mine was going to fall when learning to walk!  If she wasn’t ready to walk, I told her to stay on all fours, crawling around until she could walk properly! You know that isn’t true.  The truth is, we had a party as she took that first step.  Once she fell, we were quick to pick her up, offering our hands to help her regain her balance, before launching out on another attempt.  It wasn’t long before one step led to two, then five and six, until we wished she was crawling again. 

Too often, we think of our faith journey like the first reaction portrayed above.  We see God expecting us to have this all figured out, going from crawl to Olympic sprinter, impressing Him with our prowess when it comes to our faith.  We read verses like Matthew 5:48, and this just validates our understanding of what it means to be in this relationship with God, when in reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

But in Matthew 5:48, Jesus isn’t using the word “perfect” the way we typically understand it.  He uses the word “perfect” to mean “as you were designed to be.” In other words, “live as who you are supposed to be, just as God is as He is”.  So, just as my daughter was created to walk, so we are designed to live as God created us to live.  But that takes practice.

Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of this verse gives us this perspective.  His Message translation of this verse says; “In a word, what I’m saying is, grow up.  You’re kingdom subjects.  Now act like it.  Live out your God-created identity.”

Grow up. That’s easier said than done. Not sure how well that’s gone for you, but I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way.  My daughter fell more than she walked at first, but she never stopped getting up.  With every new step, we celebrated.  We walked, and she would too.                             

In this journey we are on, practice shapes the position of our heart.  I think we know that none of us will live with a sinless perfection — we heard our revival speaker say that a couple weeks ago. But that doesn’t mean we live bound by its curse. In this journey, none of us will ever fully understand what it means to live like Jesus, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t shaped by His Spirit. It’s a direction that has intention and purpose. We move toward Jesus, so we can be more like Him today than we were yesterday.

So with God’s help, let’s practice well, so we can live well.

Who are we, anyway?

Text for the week:  Mark 8:31-38

As a University, we are in the process of clarifying the core values of Olivet.  As our President said the first chapel of this semester, we are looking for the marks of Olivet, and of an Olivetian.  What are the distinctives — the beliefs that set us apart?  Who are we, anyway?  (Still looking for that tattoo, Dr. Bowling?)

When we ask questions like these, they cause us to ask questions at varying levels when it comes to how we see ourselves as a University. We believe in a liberal arts education, and that is expressed by the 100-plus majors we have here. But, our mission doesn’t end there, does it?

We believe in educating in a very specific way, thus our motto, “Education with a Christian Purpose.”  But honestly, that doesn’t say enough anymore. The word “Christian” in our motto is also defined in a very specific way.  You can go to a host of other “Christian” colleges and universities, and your educational —as well as spiritual and social development — would look much different than it does here. We often make fun of ourselves, hearing this place often described as “the bubble.”

I find it ironic that when we wrestle with the questions stated above, it takes us not only to the core of our University, but to the center of ourselves.  Dr. Bowling has always said that this place is only as good as the people who are here — students, faculty and staff alike. 

So let me segue now, if I may.  There is no better time of the year for us to wrestle with these questions as an institution than during Lent.  During Lent, we have the opportunity to take a look at our lives, share in the passion of Christ, and experience again the fact that the one called Jesus was just a human as we are. He had feelings just like we do. He got angry and frustrated, just like we do.  He was encouraged and discouraged by the same group of 12 men, almost daily.  He felt physical and emotional pain.  He died, just like we will.  Lent is a time when we re-center ourselves on these truths, reminding ourselves again of why He came, so we can better understand why we are here.

This isn’t the first time you’ve heard me say or write this, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.  I believe the only way to truly discover who we are, is in a fully restored relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  That’s it. 

During Lent, this is what reshapes us.   This is what enables us to live the life God has for us.  This is what gives us the strength to walk through our tough, even dark days, knowing that Jesus did as well.  So, we “lose ourselves” in this.  This is what makes us who we were created to be.  As this takes place in our lives, it makes this place special.  It’s also what makes your home and your church unique.

So, who are we?  That’s only found when we “lose ourselves” in the One who can help us “find ourselves.”

Second guesses, second chances

I was sitting in chapel this past Thursday listening to Gordon Dalbey talk about the relationship between fathers and daughters.  I am a father of daughters.  I was that dad who met the guy at the door asking him what his expectations were with my little girl, letting him know that regardless of what she may tell him, what I say was all that mattered.  I was the dad making my daughter change “that” skirt before she left the house.  I was also the dad that gasped the first time I saw my little girl trying on the dress she would wear to prom.  I was the dad enjoying watching my now son-in-law, squirming as he sat across the desk in my office struggling to find the courage to ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage.  I was the dad that cried before both of my daughters’ weddings.  I was also the dad, sitting in chapel last week, second guessing some of the ways I had treated my little girls. 

I remember the time I got caught in a lie.  I remember the time I put my daughter’s shoes on the wrong feet.  I remember the times I lost my temper.  I remember how upset my daughter was with me when I couldn’t get those ponytails just right.  I remember the times I had to ask forgiveness.

I suppose I could second guess the decisions I made with my daughters until the cows come home; sorry, dated myself with that one, and I still can’t tie ponytails (thankful for grandsons!).  But I could spend the rest of my life wondering, wishing, and second guessing.  Remember the last scene in Saving Private Ryan? The now older Private Ryan finds himself standing at Captain Miller’s grave asking his wife if he has lived a good life, wondering in that moment if he was worth the lives sacrificed to take him home.  I’ve had moments like that.  As a matter of fact, I came home last Thursday and asked my wife if our girls know how much I love them.  Ever been there? Wondering, wishing, second guessing — it can be a terrible place to be, and I don’t want to stay there.

Next week is Ash Wednesday, signaling the beginning of the season known as Lent — the time on the Christian calendar when we begin our journey to the cross, ending on that hopeful day we call Easter.  It’s an opportunity for us to take a journey together.  It’s a time when wishing, wondering, and second guessing can be replaced by second chances.

                                                                                                      

Honestly, too often we make Lent about giving up chocolate, Facebook, or caffeine (God forbid).  Lent is intended to be so much more.  It could possibly change the direction of our lives.  It could possibly give us a clearer picture of who God is.  It could possibly give us a clearer picture of who we are, and what we are called to do with our lives.  My prayer for all of us this year as we move together from ashes to Easter is that with God’s help, we move from second guessing to second chances.                                                

Life out of the vacuum

I was having a conversation this past week with a good friend about something that was of deep concern to me. In my struggle and attempt to process what I was going through, I told him I didn’t want to be shaped in a vacuum — I need close friends who care deeply about the same things I cared about.  These are the kinds of people I need to invite into my life.  When I do, I “do life better,” than if I live it by myself.

 We aren’t created to live in a vacuum.  We aren’t intended to figure this all out on our own.  Yet, people do it all the time.  We live in a culture that doesn’t do relationships very well.  I’m not sure what is responsible for that, and I don’t want to demonize any one thing or person.  What I do know is that the times I’ve found myself wandering and feeling lost, I was also alone.

 
I need friends in my life to make sure this doesn’t happen.  So do you. 

 There is an old book, actually a very old book now, written by a faculty member at then Point Loma Nazarene College entitled, We Really Do Need Each Other.  In it, author Rueben Welch, writes:

                “Jesus brings to us, into our world, all the way into our world, the very life of God.

                And the life He brings is a shared life – and it always creates community.
                It isn’t Jesus and me, it’s Jesus and we.  We really do need each other.
                God has made us this way.  The quality of life within the fellowship of those
                who share the life of Jesus is to be one of openness and confession and honesty
                before Him.”

I believed what he wrote when I first read it over 25 years ago, and I still believe it.  We are not supposed to do life alone!

Following revival, I’m inviting, encouraging, and even exhorting (a good biblical word) you to not try and do this on your own.  Connect somewhere, with someone, who wants more than anything to follow in the way of Jesus, and will help you as you journey together, helping each other make this a reality.  I don’t care what it looks like — floor Bible studies, a D-group, Sunday School class, small group, group of friends, or intramural team. What it is doesn’t matter; that you do it, does.  As a matter of fact, I think your spiritual life depends on it. 

The enemy’s best weapon is isolation, keeping us from those who can help us along the way.  I’m encouraging you to come out of the vacuum and enter into relationships that can help you sustain your spiritual life.  How and where?  Here are some quick ways: 

• Find a D-group.  The staff in our office can help you get in touch with a D-group leader and location. 
• Talk to your RD/RA about a floor Bible study.
• Contact the church you’re attending so you can get connected to a small group or Sunday School.   If you’re not attending, start.

Oh, and don’t wait — do it this week! 

Life's rhythms

Have you ever noticed how our life is about rhythms?  There is an ebb and flow to just about everything we do.  For instance, we live in a world of seasons.  No matter how hot summer may be in August, we know what is heading our way in January (usually).  It’s what I love most about living in this part of the country — we move in and out of seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.  You don’t have to live too long with one, before another comes back around.  It creates a rhythm for us, an expectancy.

Other rhythms come back around based on the calendar:  New Years, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  These too become rhythms of life for us.

Others are more personal.  For instance, I take a vacation with my wife every summer, go bow hunting every October, celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, and vacation over spring break at the same spot in Florida the first week of March.  These create rhythms for my family.  You and your family have them too.

Many of life’s rhythms are based on what could be considered traditions.  We have them here at Olivet:  Ollies Follies, the Block Party, Homecoming, Recess, Mr. ONU and TCW, to name a few.  These are a part of what we call life at Olivet.    

There is one other tradition we have around here that I’d like to mention.  It comes around early in the fall and spring semesters.  It was here when I was a student and when many of your parents were students.  We call it revival.  Revival is a part of the rhythm of life here at Olivet.

It’s a week for renewal, awakening.  It’s a time we set aside to focus our attention, to turn our ears, to listen intentionally to the things that God is saying to us.  I believe God is already moving on our campus this semester.  We don’t limit God to dates on a calendar or the clock.  But revival is our way of saying, like Samuel, “Speak, Lord, for your servants are listening.”  It is a time as a campus community we all “gather in” to see what God wants to say to us in new and fresh ways.  It’s a time when we expect God to have a new word for us.  Revival is a rhythm of life for us.  We could call it a practice.

Here at Olivet, we believe that God still speaks.  We believe He speaks on our campus.  We believe that when faculty, staff and students alike set everything else aside to focus on what He is saying, then we “will hear from heaven.” 

Will you join me this week, as we “listen in” once again?  Will you join me in praying for revival?

·         Pray for Dr. Warrick, our speaker.

·         Pray for Fred Meadows and the worship band that will be leading at College Church Sunday morning, and Monday through Wednesday evening. 

·         Pray for Jonathan Burkey and the worship band that will be leading our morning chapels.

·         Pray for our campus, that we listen and obey.