Are You in the Resolution Line?

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

Sometimes at the start of a new year you reflect on your emptiness, failures, worries, life, being..., it’s natural—you so want to find yourself.  What do you do?  You get in the Resolution Line, where humanity fills all emptiness of life by the magical power of a calendar—you make your New Year Resolution.

Resolution Line Forms Here …

Many cultures through history have made calendars and several are recognized today.  Ask yourself, did one day on any calendar give you the ability to find yourself?  The honest answer is, “No.”  If it were yes, then you wouldn’t be back in the Resolution Line where your faith clings to what you can do.  It is time to get out of the line and follow Jesus, he said:

“If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself.

But if you forget about yourself and look to me,

you'll find both yourself and me.” 

Matthew 10:39 (The Message)

To find yourself is to be humble enough to turn your life over to God.  Then you’ll find yourself, you will have a life to the full.  As Jesus said:  “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (John 10:10, The Message).  Your life choice is to do things on your own in the resolution line, or get out of line and follow Jesus.   When you’re in line with everyone who depends on themselves, and when you’re doing what you want, being self-seeking, then be ready for unmet resolutions.  If you’re a Christ follower you don’t need resolutions, you have God who gives you life to the full—a life giving more and lived better than you could have ever imagined. 

Stepping out of the line,

Owen <><

Lighten Up

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

John 1:5

In the first chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, God reveals the story surrounding Jesus’ birth.  We are enlightened by a story of humility—of Christ’s taking human form in humility (Philippians 2:5-8) and of the story about Mary and Joseph, how they lived in obedience to God.  Mary and Joseph would have been overwhelmed with bewilderment and dread, they faced the heartache of embarrassing their families, the ridicule within their community, and cruel comments from judgmental, self-righteous synagogue members.  Yet, their humility before God was reflected by a direct response of obedience.  Joseph responded to the angel’s instructions, “he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary to be his wife” (Matthew 1:18-25).  In Matthew 1 we read how Mary was confused and disturbed by the angel visiting her with news that she was the Lord’s favored, that she would bear the Son of God, and he would reign over his kingdom forever (Luke 1:26-38).  Mary’s response was “I am the Lord's servant” (v 38).  Their desire was for God’s will to be done; only in humility can one become a servant, putting self aside.  Then, in humble circumstances and surroundings the Christmas story unfolded—bringing light into the world.

It would have been easier to succumb to their community’s culture – beliefs that were like ours today, biases imbedded in ridicule.  Joseph and Mary didn’t say no to God, the shock of being spoken to by angels and the presence of God’s Spirit was overwhelming and, yes, brought questions, but that presence did not bring fear, nor did they display self-focused desires—through humility they gave up their lives for Christ, living for Jesus.

Seeing Christmas lights is intended to bring into our hearts thoughts of Christ, the Light of truth in the darkness, the gift salvation in the hearts all who receive him, Life.  Christmas lights also represent the humility of two young servants, who in obedience were humble and in submission, denying self to live and do God’s will.  Mary and Joseph had discovered not to be self absorbed, seeing themselves so serious, the learned to Lighten Up—to be humble and look up into the Light of salvation.  Their answer to God was, “Yes, we give our life for the Son, may his Light penetrate us and everyone in the surrounding darkness.  Your will be done Father.”

Owen <><

Seeing Is Believing?

Thomas, apostles inspect the wounds of Jesus.

Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said,

"Peace to you."  Then he focused his attention on Thomas.

"Take your finger and examine my hands. 

Take your hand and stick it in my side.

Don't be unbelieving. Believe."

The Message— John 20:27-28

Jesus was talking to his disciples a few hours before he was seized and taken to be crucified.   Jesus told them, “Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1b).  Then, Phillip asked Jesus an indirect question, in a request, maybe a challenge.  Phillip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8).  In other words Phillip was quoting the doubter’s motto, “Seeing, is believing.”  Jesus had had a lot of experience with people not believing he was from heaven, indeed, God in the flesh.  The words he said and the miracles he did were not believed, nor received as truth when the signs revealed who he was (cf. 3:12-15, 10:25-37, 16:9).  One can only speculate, but did Jesus think, “Here we go again!”  Their doubt prompted a response from Jesus, “Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves” (John 1:10-11)—a novelist would surly add that he spoke in an anguished voice.  The request that Phillip made for “us,” reveals they doubted, or were at least in ignorance of the truth that the Son came into the world to reveal the Father, and had been doing that throughout his ministry—they had lived with Jesus and watched him for three years, they were the eleven faithful apostles, yet, here they are, saying, “show me.”

Jesus is always speaking to the heart of a doubter, Phillip, Thomas, and many others—to include you and me.  Our reliance is on the “seeing, is believing” rule.  The apostles saw miracles and signs during their day, and they saw Jesus in daily life; then, after the resurrection the apostles saw and touched his wounds; and listened as Jesus stood before them, talking. What the apostles saw, heard, and touched made no difference.  Jesus’ answer to their doubt was, “Don't be unbelieving. Believe."   

That is what Jesus requires:  “Don't be unbelieving. Believe.” 

Can you do that?

Touching his face by believing faith,

Owen <><