I was reading an article in Worshiper* magazine today. It started with an idea that spurred my thinking. Rev. Smith said that the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality is "Sage wisdom from a culture in which the measure of all things tends to be results and success. Whatever's working, go with it!" His article goes on to talk about how that concept does not work for the worship of God.
If you've been a Christian for a while, you've found that Jesus does not fit the mold of the world's thinking. Some of His teachings clearly go against the norm...if someone strikes you, turn your cheek...if a brother asks you to walk a mile with him, walk two miles...if someone demands your coat, offer your shirt...
So I wondered what Jesus would think about that proverb "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I think He would reword it to say, "It ain't fixed until it's broke." Doesn't make sense to you? Let's look at some scripture on that.
In Mark 6:30-44 you see an event similar to Woodstock. Thousands of people followed Jesus to a remote area just to be with Him. Note that the 5,000 it mentions was just the men they counted--there were women and children too. As the day wore on, the people needed to be fed. There were no food tents, no kosher hotdog vendor who followed the crowd. Nobody thought to bring the kids a happy meal or protein bars. The situation needed a fix. They found they only had five loaves and two fish. ..so Jesus' solution? Break the only things they had all to pieces...and the fragments fed everyone. They even had leftovers!
Ruth Stull said, "If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad."
You see, there's more to life when it's broken apart. Only then does Jesus have something to work with. If our lives are comfortable, orderly and perfect...how can He get any glory? How can there be any hope for that unbeliever who's life has just crumbled around them?
Nothing gives more volume to a Christian life than the experience of brokenness. If you really get to know a strong Christian, you will find their life has been broken in some form or fashion--probably more than once!
When we praise God despite illness, bankruptcy or death...that's when Jesus is revealed to unbelievers. It's the broken vessel that allows Living Water to pour out to others.
It's a scary prayer to think of, but I'm finding it an amazing step in faith. Can you take this adventure with me? Then pray, "Lord, give me the gift of brokenness."
Life isn't fixed until it's broken. Jesus knew that, or He would not have laid down His life for you. You see, we never could have earned eternal life on our own. The gift of eternal life was achieved only when His own life was broken for us. How can we not do the same for Him?
And when He had taken {some} bread {and} given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Luke 22:19
*Worshiper Summer 2008, When It Is Broken by Rev. Scotty Smith
Showing posts with label sacrifice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sacrifice. Show all posts
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Got game?
As I sit here with my leg elevated, I once again feel a blog coming on.
I play basketball with my son almost every weekday morning at the gym. It’s fun to play. A lot of moms have told me, “I can’t do that! I wouldn’t even be able to shoot.” But I figured, if I don’t try, I wouldn’t have those memories to hang on to. And how better to show my son that I love him?
Today I got hurt, which was inevitable. You put a 40-something, overweight mom on the court with a 15 yr old jock, something’s gotta give--literally. Today it was my ankle. Last week it was a quarter sized raspberry as I gracefully tripped and skid across the court on my knee. But you know, it’s all worth it to spend time with my son. Pretty soon I won’t have this time and I’ll have great stories to recount with him and his kids.
What kind of sacrifices are you willing to make to be with your kid? If I don’t reconnect with my son, how can I even try to empathize with his life? Saying, “I love you” every day just doesn’t hack it. Kids need to SEE the love. An all out, trash talking, sweat-slinging, sneaker-squeaking, one-on-one is called for with boys. (I don’t think I’ll ever let him get over the one game I made 2 pts on him before he knew what was happening. boo-yah!) It can be painful at times, but worth the effort.
Did you know that God has made that same type of effort to reach you? He did it a long time ago. He didn’t have to, but He came down in human form as a baby…only to die on a cross for what He knew we were going to do. He said in the Old Testament over and over how much he loved people, and even did a lot of miracles…but until He actually came down out of heaven on our “court” and experienced human life, we didn't understand that love. How could we think He could ever begin to empathize with our earthly lives?
He was beaten and tortured and then died. But, after 3 days He was victorious over death and our debt for sin was paid in full. Showing us His love was all it took to reconnect with His kids here on earth. It was painful, but well worth the effort. With an example like that, I figure I can suffer a few bruises and raspberries for my son so he’ll know I care and want to build on that mother/son relationship.
Are you willing to make that connection with your kids or even with your heavenly Dad?
Me, I’m going to nurse this ankle until next week…then it’s GAME ON BUD!
I play basketball with my son almost every weekday morning at the gym. It’s fun to play. A lot of moms have told me, “I can’t do that! I wouldn’t even be able to shoot.” But I figured, if I don’t try, I wouldn’t have those memories to hang on to. And how better to show my son that I love him?
Today I got hurt, which was inevitable. You put a 40-something, overweight mom on the court with a 15 yr old jock, something’s gotta give--literally. Today it was my ankle. Last week it was a quarter sized raspberry as I gracefully tripped and skid across the court on my knee. But you know, it’s all worth it to spend time with my son. Pretty soon I won’t have this time and I’ll have great stories to recount with him and his kids.
What kind of sacrifices are you willing to make to be with your kid? If I don’t reconnect with my son, how can I even try to empathize with his life? Saying, “I love you” every day just doesn’t hack it. Kids need to SEE the love. An all out, trash talking, sweat-slinging, sneaker-squeaking, one-on-one is called for with boys. (I don’t think I’ll ever let him get over the one game I made 2 pts on him before he knew what was happening. boo-yah!) It can be painful at times, but worth the effort.
Did you know that God has made that same type of effort to reach you? He did it a long time ago. He didn’t have to, but He came down in human form as a baby…only to die on a cross for what He knew we were going to do. He said in the Old Testament over and over how much he loved people, and even did a lot of miracles…but until He actually came down out of heaven on our “court” and experienced human life, we didn't understand that love. How could we think He could ever begin to empathize with our earthly lives?
He was beaten and tortured and then died. But, after 3 days He was victorious over death and our debt for sin was paid in full. Showing us His love was all it took to reconnect with His kids here on earth. It was painful, but well worth the effort. With an example like that, I figure I can suffer a few bruises and raspberries for my son so he’ll know I care and want to build on that mother/son relationship.
Are you willing to make that connection with your kids or even with your heavenly Dad?
Me, I’m going to nurse this ankle until next week…then it’s GAME ON BUD!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
No Greater Love
Liviu Librescu survived the genocide of European Jews by the Nazis during World War II, but yesterday he did not survive America’s holocaust at Virginia Tech. As the gunman made his way through the building, Librescu barred the door with his own body so his students could escape through the second story windows. He lost his life and is a hero today.
Do you think Liviu ever wondered why his life was spared so many years ago? I didn’t know the man, but his life speaks volumes. He was a great teacher in Europe, Israel and the US. He touched many lives.
Yesterday’s survivors will look back and wonder why they were spared. They should look to the life of their professor. Everyone’s life has a reason. Liviu figured that out, lived it and eventually gave the ultimate sacrifice. He answered the door when death came calling and gave his students time to escape the wrath of a madman. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Keep these people in your prayers as they fight the grief and anger.
There is another one they called “rabbi”, “teacher” who gave his life for his students. His name is Jesus. He still calls people to follow. He stood between you and everlasting death and made the ultimate sacrifice for you, so you could have eternal life with God. When death knocked on the door for you, He took your place and answered with His life.
Your life matters that much to God. What will you do with that information dear pupil?
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
Do you think Liviu ever wondered why his life was spared so many years ago? I didn’t know the man, but his life speaks volumes. He was a great teacher in Europe, Israel and the US. He touched many lives.
Yesterday’s survivors will look back and wonder why they were spared. They should look to the life of their professor. Everyone’s life has a reason. Liviu figured that out, lived it and eventually gave the ultimate sacrifice. He answered the door when death came calling and gave his students time to escape the wrath of a madman. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Keep these people in your prayers as they fight the grief and anger.
>*<
There is another one they called “rabbi”, “teacher” who gave his life for his students. His name is Jesus. He still calls people to follow. He stood between you and everlasting death and made the ultimate sacrifice for you, so you could have eternal life with God. When death knocked on the door for you, He took your place and answered with His life.
Your life matters that much to God. What will you do with that information dear pupil?
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
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