Several weeks ago I was reading about a man who was wanted by the authorities. He had grown up in the Middle East and was part of some suspect activities. It was known that he had many different names and based on what the authorities knew about his heritage and religion he was probably medium height, thin, darker skin and curly, dark hair. His name in his native language was difficult to pronounce and unfamiliar looking. From the reports it was apparent that this man had both supporters but also lots of non-supporters. Even those perhaps that would put out big money to have this man brought into custody or even put to death. From the description it sounded like somebody who many would think might qualify for the now famous "no-fly" list.
Soon after I had read about this man I read a story in my Bible about David. In this story God has sent Samuel to annoint a new king. The Lord sends Samuel to Jesse who brings out his sons for Samuel to look at. Now these sons were fine specimens for the title of king and after the first son came forth Samuel was sure God would have him annointed. But God said, "Do not not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) David, the shepherd boy, was to become the new king.
I love this story about David. Mostly, I love what it says about the way God looks at us. So many times we judge others based on what they look like. Perhaps we look at the clothes they wear. Maybe we think they look a little scruffy based on their cleanliness. Perhaps we look at their skin color. Or we listen to the language they are speaking. We see their name somewhere and struggle to say it and think it is strange. We become suspicious of something as simple as a food that they are eating. We struggle when they move into our neighborhoods. We decide for ourselves who they must be based on who their parents are or were. We decide they aren't good enough for our children to play with or be in school with. We question whether they should be in our country. We question their intentions without really knowing them. We become paranoid and look for the bad in them. We fear them without any real knowledge of who they are. We don't look at their heart.
Now I want to return to that man who was wanted. One of his names he goes by is this: Yeshua Ha-Mashiach. We know him better as Jesus. What did you think about as you read my description? What would you have thought of him then? Would you have known him if he walked by you today? Or would he have been dismissed at first look? I think there is a real danger of forming opinions based on these outward appearances or by what others tell us about a certain person. We should love our neighbors as God loves us. By looking on the inside.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wisdom's Call
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
There I was with 500 of my closest friends in the stadium at the University of Kansas. We were practicing for our graduation ceremony that would take place later that night. It was here! A culmination of my search for wisdom! I was on cloud nine. My friends and I had just completed our high school education. We had spent two weeks in a flurry of activities ranging from finals to senior fun. We were at the top of the world! I knew EVERYTHING!! Plus, I made sure my parents knew that I knew everything. That summer was filled with adventure. I turned eighteen and had my first "real" job at a local fast food restaurant. My friends and I spent warm, humid nights making memories. I was filled with so much wisdom I could hardly contain it.
Then my freshman year at the university began. I began early rehearsals for the KU Marching Band. I had been in band in high school. This would be a breeze. Then I went to my first practice. After seeing the first show plotted on paper and being called a freshman several times I started to sweat and it had nothing to do with the August humidity. I felt my wisdom slip a notch. Then came fee payment day. With 20,000 of my closest friends I got in line to pay my fees. When I finally got to the front of the line I was informed I was in the wrong line. Back to the end of a very long, long line. I felt my wisdom taking a slide. Finally, the first day of classes arrived. I was dressed in the fashion of the day. My backpack was full. I was ready to ride to campus with my brother who was a sophomore that year. We were off! After parking in the lower lot we started the walk up the hill that the university was built on. After navigating my way through the hot, humid day I was exhausted. My brother and I met at our designated spot and I asked him, "How do you do this every day? All this walking back and forth to classes carrying all these books??" He looked at me kind of funny, glanced at my full backpack and asked, "ALL of your books?" As I nodded he started laughing. The rest of my wisdom pooled around my sweaty feet! I knew nothing.
I don't know about you, my friends, but I have discovered that the more I think I know the less I actually do know. In my time with God this week he has been bringing me to a lot of scripture about the same topic. As I have gone from one passage to another I have felt God's insistence that I learn about HIS wisdom. There are many days in my life that I make decisions without much thought to him. I find myself scrambling for time and not taking the time to listen to him or ask for his help. Things go well and I find myself on that cloud nine of yesteryear. I am doing life and doing it all by myself!! Then something happens. My life starts slipping just a bit and before I know it things are spinning out of control and I find myself in a pool of my own wisdom.
What would have happened if I had just asked my brother about what I would need that first day of college?? He had been there. He knew just what I needed and would have shared the information with me. It would have saved me the pain of an aching back and sore feet. Thinking back on this situation I think about how much God wants us to turn to him and ask for his wisdom. How much pain and heartache would we be saved?? Jesus has been in every situation that we will encounter. He has been there!! So let's turn to him and ask him for wisdom in our everyday lives. I encourage you to read Wisdom's Call in Proverbs, Chapter 8. You will be glad you did!!
There I was with 500 of my closest friends in the stadium at the University of Kansas. We were practicing for our graduation ceremony that would take place later that night. It was here! A culmination of my search for wisdom! I was on cloud nine. My friends and I had just completed our high school education. We had spent two weeks in a flurry of activities ranging from finals to senior fun. We were at the top of the world! I knew EVERYTHING!! Plus, I made sure my parents knew that I knew everything. That summer was filled with adventure. I turned eighteen and had my first "real" job at a local fast food restaurant. My friends and I spent warm, humid nights making memories. I was filled with so much wisdom I could hardly contain it.
Then my freshman year at the university began. I began early rehearsals for the KU Marching Band. I had been in band in high school. This would be a breeze. Then I went to my first practice. After seeing the first show plotted on paper and being called a freshman several times I started to sweat and it had nothing to do with the August humidity. I felt my wisdom slip a notch. Then came fee payment day. With 20,000 of my closest friends I got in line to pay my fees. When I finally got to the front of the line I was informed I was in the wrong line. Back to the end of a very long, long line. I felt my wisdom taking a slide. Finally, the first day of classes arrived. I was dressed in the fashion of the day. My backpack was full. I was ready to ride to campus with my brother who was a sophomore that year. We were off! After parking in the lower lot we started the walk up the hill that the university was built on. After navigating my way through the hot, humid day I was exhausted. My brother and I met at our designated spot and I asked him, "How do you do this every day? All this walking back and forth to classes carrying all these books??" He looked at me kind of funny, glanced at my full backpack and asked, "ALL of your books?" As I nodded he started laughing. The rest of my wisdom pooled around my sweaty feet! I knew nothing.
I don't know about you, my friends, but I have discovered that the more I think I know the less I actually do know. In my time with God this week he has been bringing me to a lot of scripture about the same topic. As I have gone from one passage to another I have felt God's insistence that I learn about HIS wisdom. There are many days in my life that I make decisions without much thought to him. I find myself scrambling for time and not taking the time to listen to him or ask for his help. Things go well and I find myself on that cloud nine of yesteryear. I am doing life and doing it all by myself!! Then something happens. My life starts slipping just a bit and before I know it things are spinning out of control and I find myself in a pool of my own wisdom.
What would have happened if I had just asked my brother about what I would need that first day of college?? He had been there. He knew just what I needed and would have shared the information with me. It would have saved me the pain of an aching back and sore feet. Thinking back on this situation I think about how much God wants us to turn to him and ask for his wisdom. How much pain and heartache would we be saved?? Jesus has been in every situation that we will encounter. He has been there!! So let's turn to him and ask him for wisdom in our everyday lives. I encourage you to read Wisdom's Call in Proverbs, Chapter 8. You will be glad you did!!
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