Way vs. Where

Have you ever wondered how God usually works? He generally doesn’t tell us the final destination. He generally doesn’t describe your future. He gives us a path and asks us to trust Him for each step along the way. John chapter 14 has some interesting insight to how God works. Jesus taught by saying in John 14:4 “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Jesus went right to the heart of the matter. The important thing is knowing the way, following Jesus’ commands from the heart with love one day at a time, one step at a time. We complicate things by focusing energy on the ending/destination. We also stress ourselves out with burdens we were never intended to bare all because we rush ahead of where God wants us today.

It’s interesting that Thomas gives our typical human response in John 14:5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Thomas missed the point. The “where”, the future details are not important but the way is important. God wants us to trust Him one step at a time by faith. And He’ll prepare us and train us along the way for the final destination. But if you jump right to the Emerald City you’ll miss so many things God has planned for us along the way and we won’t be properly prepared once we get there.

When Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven He didn’t leave us helpless and lost. He sent the Holy Spirit just as He said He would do in John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit teaches us like our conscience. Not only does He teach us but He pleads with us. Check out the definition of Advocate: One who pleads in another’s behalf. The Holy Spirit pleads with us on behalf of Jesus to daily walk along the way God has told us to go. It can be scary to let go of control and stop trying to intricately plan out the details of our lives. But, that’s what God commands us to do. As a very wise man once said, “Take the next obvious step for the glory of God”. That’s what Abram did in Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Notice the future tense in that verse. God didn’t give him a google map with all the way points and stops laid out. He said take one step at a time and honor me with each step. Let’s do the same.

Obstacles

Most of life is about perspective. A hill can be viewed as a nuisance, a pain, a challenge or as an opportunity for fun. This time of year I have fond memories of tree skiing. I enjoy the cold weather, the speed and the trees as obstacles that I must go around or suffer the consequences of hitting one. A lot of life is like tree skiing. Some elements seem controllable but most aren’t. That’s why it’s important to go to God in prayer and for daily direction. The Bible says in:

Prov, 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”

This New Year let’s seek God’s direction and follow Him and by doing so we’ll avoid hitting the “trees”.

Iceman 2010

This year’s Iceman mountain bike race was very different from last year (http://www.thatguykp.blogspot.com/2009/11/present-sufferings-dont-compare.html) .
Last year it was sunny, dry and a high of 63. This year there was a blizzard and hail the night before. The temps were in the upper 20’s at the starting line the morning of the race. Part way through the race it warmed up to the upper 30’s which caused some of the snow to melt and made for very muddy conditions. Even though the conditions were much more difficult this year, I was (by God’s grace) able to knock 12 minutes off my time in a year that most racers added 10 minutes. I’m not saying this to brag but to make the point that proper physical training and preparation can help a person perform. My training for this year involved over 800 miles of mountain bike trails, many crashes and some nutrition changes. I did well but all the Glory Goes To God. What’s also encouraging is that even though I moved up 460 places there was a guy in the 70 year old and older class who beat me by 1 minute. Hopefully I’ll be able to beat his time when I’m 70 :-).

In a similar way, spiritual training helps a person prepare for their eternal home. I Corinthians 9:24-25 says “ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” In the Iceman I didn't win any prize except for a very fun experience. How much greater it will be when we get to heaven, after a life of spiritual training, and see the scene described in Revelations 4:9-11 "Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” God’s words always puts our purpose in the proper perspective. Let's never quit our spiritual training until we reach our final destination in God.

Here’s a video of me from the race and some audio from a woman who I think is the best and most supportive wife in the world.

Drop Your Nets

If Jesus walked up to you today and said “Follow me” would you? Would you drop your nets like Peter and Andrew and follow the creator of the universe or would you cling to the created things? The nets symbolize the things of this world that trap us, things that hold our daily attention. How about money, fame, possessions or even people? How about a sin that your comfortable doing and don’t want to give up?

Mark 1:16-20 says:
“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen."Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.”

James and John not only left their career, they left their Dad and family business as well.

Would I give up the temporary things to follow the Eternal One? Logically, this world is temporary and I should have no problem following what is eternal. We even sing songs in church with lines that say, “This world has nothing for me.” Does my life demonstrate that as a true statement or do I sing lies? Ponder these thoughts this month and leave me a comment as to what God reveals to you.

The Wind

Being led by the Spirit of God can mean that what we say and where we go doesn’t always make sense to others around us or even ourselves. Being obedient to God might cause us to be in odd places or situations. One caveat I should mention is that if you think God’s asking you to do something that goes against His word in the Bible then it’s not God’s Spirit asking you to do it. Obeying God, however, may seem strange at the time or take us out of our comfort zone. It might even require a thing called faith. But, after being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s calling and looking back, what was asked of us usually makes complete sense and it is obvious that God’s hand was in the whole thing.

In John 3:8 The Bible says “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Let’s not fear being different and let’s exercise faith this month. Listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to interrupt our busy daily agenda. Post a comment of the great things God did when you where open to His requests this month.

Being Different Part II

Here's the workout I promised that I'd post from last month's article

Let me know what you think.

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "
Let this be a true statement for our daily lives.

Being Different

Why is it that people in general strive to make everyone average? I recently got a pair of Vibram FiveFinger shoes and was talking about them with some friends. One friend expressed their disgust by implying that they wouldn’t want to be around me if I was wear the FiveFingers. Really? Are the shoes more important than the person? Why would looking different create such a response? People of all different ages like to fit in. We like to feel a sense of belonging. We dress similar, do our hair similar and live in similar houses. We have home owners associations to keep everyone similar. Some even undergo plastic surgery to fit in. Standing out from the crowd is generally frowned upon. God tells us to be who He created us to be, with our unique appearance and talents. Jesus stood out even though it’s said of Him in Isaiah 53:2 “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” He didn’t invest in His outward appearance. However, He spoke different and acted different. He stood out like a light in the darkness and like a city on a hill. We are called to do the same. Matthew 5:14-15 says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

When I was growing up I stood out in school because I didn’t swear. People actually felt uncomfortable around me because I talked with non-vulgar words. One day I actually was offered money if I’d say a swear word. They wanted to be able to justify they’re cursing by getting me to participate. Let’s stand out for being followers of God. Don’t be concerned with what others think. If it’s not a sin, just be yourself and bring honor to God’s reputation by being who He created you to be.

Next month I'll post a workout that incorporates my new shoes….