Cover Up Job

My son Jordan's graduation party is this Sunday. As the Sabbath approached this evening, I began to realize that, though so far I'd made good progress on my "honey-do" list in preparation for the event, it was going to be a race against the clock to get all the tasks checked off by sunset. So, I began to cut some corners. Rather than sweep out the garage, I took the wet dry vac, plugged in the hose to the blowing connection and proceeded to blow dirt around. Some of it actually made it out the door. The rest went to the four corners and dark crevices of my garage. But the main part of the floor, the part that company would see, looked clean. That was what mattered.

Then there was the chipping and peeling paint on the front window trim. Given more time, I would have taken a wire brush and scraper to it. But, as the sun crept lower in the horizon, I desperately grabbed brush and primer and began slathering it on. And, I have to admit, it looked pretty good, well, at least from further than five feet away. That would have to suffice for now.  I told myself this was just a temporary fix. A quick touch up job. I'd come back later when I had more time and do it right. After all, no one was going to inspect it that closely anyway.

As I was dabbing my brush at a small section of bare window trim, trying to gingerly push the brush under the edge of a bulging chip of old paint, I couldn't help but think that it is a good thing I don't approach my spiritual growth this haphazardly. Or do I? Have I ever, in my desire to appear the good Christian, done a quick "cover up job," knowing full well that just below the surface things are a lot uglier than I'm making them appear?

In Psalms 139:23 - 24 we read, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting."

David, it seems, wasn't much into cover up jobs. He wasn't into facades, into maintaining an image. He knew that God sees through all of that anyway. He wanted it all to be out there. He wanted the bare wood, the chips, the dirt of his life to be clearly revealed. He wasn't interested in quick fixes. He wanted the job done right, regardless of how painful it would be.

To be honest, David's prayer scares me a little. It means taking a wire brush to my heart. It means pulling off the facade and being willing to let others see the cracks, the loose paint below the surface. It means allowing God to scrape down to the bare surface of who I really am and then deal with it head on. It's not a painless process. But it seems to me, for the person who truly desires to be more than just a spiritual pretender, who truly desires to become like Him, it's a necessary one.

We have a choice you and I. We can fake our way through this Christian walk, pretending that we are growing, saying all the right things, doing all the right things, impressing all the right people, but never really being changed, never really growing down deep inside. We can look awful good to others on the outside by  focusing only on the externals, slathering paint over the cracks and peeling paint, or, we can be honest with ourselves and with God, asking Him to do His work in us. We can ask Him, as David did, to search and know our hearts, to try us and change us from the inside out and lead us in the way everlasting.

I pray for the courage to choose the latter.

Witnessing Through Weakness

I feel sorry for Thomas.  Think about it for a minute.  He sat at the feet of the Master.  It’s sure that he was used as a tool of God to bring many to salvation.  Yet when we think of him, what is the one attribute that comes to mind?  Doubter. 

I can’t help but wonder how many believers will approach him in the Kingdom and ask, “Aren’t you Doubting Thomas?”  What do you think his response will be?  What would your response be?  If I were to let my carnal nature take over I would probably respond with something like, “Yeah, that’s me.  And you are who?  Rude Betty? “   I might even be tempted to wear a T-shirt with something like “Doubt Happens” or “I overcame doubting. Good luck overcoming ugly." 

After a couple of days of being addressed as Doubting Thomas by well meaning brethren, I’d more than likely make my way to the throne room and, respectfully of course, exclaim to the King, “Do you know all the grief that little story of Yours has brought me?!”  

The reality is, Thomas probably won’t have any of those reactions.  In fact, I’m pretty confident being addressed as Doubting Thomas won’t phase him at all.  

Why do I believe that?

In 2 Corinthians 1:3 - 4 the Apostle Paul writes “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

I’m guessing, since Thomas, like Paul, was working off the same Spirit, he was on the same page with what Paul was saying here. Tribulations, trials, bad experiences, all those things, little and big, that happen to us in the course of our walk not only serve to make us better people but can be used by God to comfort, build and encourage others who struggle with their own weakness.

What most likely will be Thomas’ reaction to so many knowing him by one his greatest moments of weakness?  I can think of one word: Thankful.  

• Thankful that his story was used to demonstrate the love and patience of our Lord toward us when we fall short.

• Thankful that his failing might have been the tool responsible for strengthening and encouraging others who struggle with doubt or disbelief. 

Pondering this I can’t help but ask, how do I view my struggle with past or present weaknesses and failings?  Am I thankful for them?  Or do I, like so many who don’t know Christ, consider admitting weakness as something to avoid at all costs? Do I look back with regret at the times I’ve stumbled, mentally sweeping them under the carpet as if they never happened?  

Or, like Thomas, like Paul, do I view my past failures as tools in the Father’s hands to do His work in the lives of others? Do I see my failures, my weakness as an opportunity to glorify God?

2 Corinthians 12:7 - 10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Possibly one of the greatest witnesses we give to others is when they see us struggle. We can pour out our heart about God’s love, His purpose, His mercy and redemption to others till the cows come home but it’s when others see our faith in the midst of trial, in the midst of our failings, that our testimony is heard the loudest. It’s when you and I are at the end of our strength that God’s strength is so apparent in us. 

I hope I have the opportunity to meet Thomas in the Kingdom.  When I greet him, I’ll do my best not to thoughtlessly tack on the “Doubting” title. It might be challenging as it rolls so easily of the tongue.  But if I inadvertently do I’ll be sure to follow up with a word of appreciation for the impact his life, his story, had on those who followed.  And, maybe just to bring a grin to his face, I might even give him one of those t-shirts.

Creating Your Own Weather

One day last week I was biking one of my favorite routes, trying to best my previous time. About two thirds around the route it became clear that it wasn't going to happen.  The temperature had climbed to a sweltering 90 degrees accompanied by 68% humidity, so it felt a bit like pedaling through a hot tub.  My energy and speed were fading fast.  But then I encountered a section of the route that changed everything.  As the trail swung by the west side of  Lake Calhoun, I was unexpectedly greeted by a cool, refreshing breeze blowing off the water.  For that brief quarter of a mile, it was as if I had entered a different climate.  I emerged back into the 90 degree heat having been given new life, renewed vitality and enough strength to kick hard the last three miles.

What I experienced on that ride by the lake, is what scientists refer to as a micro-climate.  Bear with me while I wax a little scientific on you.  You see, I've researched the subject on Google for about twenty minutes and I now consider myself somewhat of an expert in the area.

A micro-climate is defined as a "variation of the climate within a given area, usually influenced by hills, hollows, structures or proximity to bodies of water. A micro-climate differs significantly from the general climate of a region" and can be as little as a few inches wide.  Micro-climates exist as islands of life, in places no life would otherwise be possible.

One of the most dramatic examples of this phenomenon is a line of deep sea vents which form along mid-ocean ridges, such as the East Pacific Rise and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These are locations where two tectonic plates are diverging and new crust is being formed. Water pouring out of vents can reach temperatures up to about 400 C but the high pressure keeps the water from boiling. However, the intense heat is limited to a small area. Within less than an inch of the vent opening, the water temperature drops to 2 C, the ambient temperature of deep seawater. 

It was long believed that the immense pressure that exists at that depth, combined with total darkness and frigid temperatures were too hostile to support life. However, recent discovery of these incredible micro-climates along these vents, where lush ecosystems thrive in total darkness, have blown that belief, excuse the pun, out of the water.

What I find interesting about micro-climates is;  while they occur naturally all over the planet, they can also be created.  In fact, any serious gardener will tell you that the ability to create small micro-climates is key to growing successful, thriving gardens, especially in places like Minnesota where the short growing season can make gardening a challenge.

How do they do it?  

In colder regions some gardeners use large boulders or rocks, strategically located within and around their garden, to provide not only a shelter for the wind but also a source of warmth when the temperature drops. The boulders draw in heat from the sun during the day and then release it slowly at night.

Another method of creating a micro-climate suitable for plants to thrive early or late in the growing season is to either fully enclose the garden bed in material that can both capture and retain the heat of the sun, or, place reflective sheets or panels next to the garden bed in such a way as to reflect heat and light onto the growing plants.

Raised bed gardening is another popular method used to elevate plants at a higher level, allowing for warmer soil temperatures in which plants can thrive.

Yet another common practice is to plant seedlings closer to together, which not only changes the temperature of the soil, but allows plants to use their shared strength as protection from the harsh elements. Planting closer together also allows for more efficient watering and fertilizing.

In short, gardeners create micro-climates by using large rock, directed and focused light, elevation above the surrounding environment and by placing plants in close proximity to one another. Using one or all of these methods allow life to thrive in areas that would normally be hostile to healthy growth. 

Hmm, I think I feel a spiritual analogy coming on, don't you?

As Christians we live in an environment that is hostile to spiritual growth. On our own we have no chance of survival.

Our God has given us everything we need to live in the hostile climate of this world. In essence He has provided us with access to our own spiritual micro-climate. Regardless of the conditions or the weather around us, He gives us the tools to create our own weather.

That spiritual micro-climate consists of:

A spiritual Rock to shield me and from which to draw strength.

Psalm 62:6 - 8 "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people.  Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah."

Christ's light, to guide, nourish and sustain me through the storms of life.

John 1:1 - 5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

2 Corinthians 4:5 - 6 "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

We've been elevated to sit with Him in heavenly places. We are no longer of this world; no longer in bondage to the elements of this world.

Ephesians 2:4 - 8 "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God..."  

He places us in close proximity to other believers so that we can strengthen and encourage one another.  We all drink of the life giving water of His Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:12 - 14 "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  For in fact the body is not one member but many." 

God has given us each this spiritual micro-climate so that wherever we are planted, whatever the circumstances of life, we can create our own weather.  We do not need to be dependent on external sources. We don't need to be dependent on the perfect career to give us identity or meaning. We are not dependent on the perfect family environment to nurture and love us. We're not even dependent on the perfect church organization or the perfect pastor.  Christians who create their own micro-climate thrive wherever they are, despite the conditions around them.  Rather than be influenced by their environment, they influence the environment around them. Rather than let attitudes, negativity or the hurtfulness of others weaken and destroy them spiritually, His Spirit in them provides a source of love that sustains and nourishes not only them, but allows them to freely extend that love to others.

So how's your spiritual micro-climate?  Do you create your own weather?  Or, do you often feel like you’re standing out in the rain, being battered by the wind and other hostile elements of this world?  If we have so much at our disposal to create our own weather, why are so many of us still so vulnerable to fear, anxiety and depression because of our circumstances or the environment around us?  How many of us allow ourselves to be defeated by negative people or events?  

Because we have all been there from time to time, perhaps the better question is how can we get this micro-climate thing working for us? 

The Apostle Paul is a great example of a believer that had a powerful spiritual micro-climate surrounding him.

In Philippians 4:11 - 13 he writes "...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

Amazing! Sounds like he was riding through a cool, refreshing breeze no matter where he went. I want some of that weather around me, don't you?

How did he get it?

In Galatians 2:20 he shares what makes it possible.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

He was able to live in that micro-climate because he was completely sold out, completely in tune with the source of the weather he enjoyed. He rejected his old man, complete with its desires, its fears, its anxieties and hurts and its need to control his own environment. He surrendered it all, in faith laying it all at the Master's feet so that He might come and live in Him.  

Jesus Christ living in Him, was the life force that sustained Paul. He basked in the strength of the Rock. He allowed the light of God's love and His truth to nourish and strengthen Him. Rejecting this world, he embraced his citizenship in heaven, elevated to sit in heavenly places.  He thrived on the the close proximity he felt with the brethren.  Their encouragement and comfort gave him confidence to continue in ministry. 

In a nut shell, it was dying to himself, and surrendering to let Christ live every day in him which created the micro-climate that sustained and strengthened Paul. It's that same attitude, that same perspective, that can allow us to survive and thrive when the weather around us turns hostile.

I know I'm going to make a point to swing by that lake again this summer. It made all the difference in my ability to finish strong. It would be great if I could figure out a way to get that refreshing breeze to envelop me for more than just a quarter mile. However, short of strapping an air conditioner to my handle bars I don't think it's possible. 

Spiritually speaking though, I'm thankful that our God has provided all the right conditions for His people to grow up in Him. Safe in the micro-climate that He provides, fair weather can be with us wherever we go. 

Lessons learned on a bike ride

Last week some friends and I decided to test our limits. We participated in the 45th Annual Ironman Bicycle Ride in Lakeville, MN. It's not the Iron Man triathlon you are probably thinking about. There's no running or swimming involved. Just a whole lot of time in the saddle. It gets it's iron man title because it's the first major bike ride of the season here in Minnesota and that means anything is possible--rain, sleet, snow, bitter cold and wind, lots of wind. 

The past two years, rain and sleet were the biggest challenges and hypothermia actually sidelined a number of riders. Thankfully this year we stayed dry. But in the rains absence, thirty-five mile wind gusts, twenty degree wind chills and even a little snow stepped in to fill the void to make this hundred and five mile, nine hour suffer fest on the bike plenty challenging. 

The first fifty miles were straight into the wind. It was hard work but I was up for it. I'd trained hard and felt strong. It wasn't till somewhere around mile seventy that I began to fade. My legs were tired, my mind was tired, my bum was sore and I began longing, kind of like ancient Israel in the wilderness, for the flesh pots of Egypt. Only the flesh pots I longed for took the form of a long hot shower, a comfy couch and a remote. 

Earlier in the day I'd been riding along side my friend Doug. But he'd long since pulled ahead of me and the gap that opened between us was about a quarter of a mile wide, and growing. I had attempted to match his pace for awhile but his legs are about fourteen years younger and he's in amazing shape, so I settled into my cadence, content to hold my own in second position. 

And then it happened. What's this!? Another bike entered my peripheral vision. It was Pat, another friend in our group. Slowly he eased his way up on my rear tire, then up along side me, pausing momentarily to nod a greeting, and then, what's this?! Wait?! Could he be really pulling ahead of me?! 

Now I was alarmed. Not only is Pat more than ten years my senior, but I had always been able to match him and sometimes even beat him on the bike. But not today. He was like a man possessed. As the gap between us began to grow wider and wider, I began to feel more and more deflated. I was desperate to catch up but as hard as I tried, I just couldn't make my legs push any harder. It was a bitter pill to swallow. So I did the next best thing. My brain began coming up with rationalizations, or more accurately, delusions, to keep my pride from doing a complete nose dive. 

Delusional thought # 1: If I remembered correctly, there was a mammoth hill ahead. It was smart to save my strength and let him pass so I would have the energy to get up that hill. Once it was conquered, I would focus on retaking my position in the pack, which of course I could do with ease.

Delusional thought # 2: It's inconceivable to think that Pat could keep up that pace. Let him have his fun now, but once he is spent, I'll be seeing him again. If I just keep my current pace, I'll be back in the number two spot before you know it, pride intact. 

And it was working, well, at least for five or six miles. The problem was the hill came and went, and it wasn't anywhere near the mammoth size I remembered. And to make matters worse, my older friend wasn't showing any signs of fading. As my excuses died their natural death, I had no choice but to admit the honest truth. As much as I willed my legs to push harder, they just didn't have the juice. My older friend had kicked my butt this day, fair and square. End of story.

In John 3:30, some of John the Baptist's disciples came to him expressing concern that Jesus had begun to baptize. The crowds that had been coming to John were now beginning to flock to Jesus. In the minds of John's disciples this must have seemed alarming. Until now, preaching and baptizing had been John's domain. It had been an amazing ministry, one that John's disciples, judging from the distressed tone of their questioning, worried was beginning to fade. 

But John was anything but distressed. His answer to his disciples, the attitude it displayed, is nothing short of amazing. In response to their worried questioning he replied, "A man can receive nothing except it has been given him from heaven...He must increase, I must decrease." 

How many of us would have this reaction? Think about what had happened. Jesus, in affect, had come up on John's rear wheel, pulled up along side, and was now leaving him in His wake. The gap was opening up wider and wider between them. But in John, unlike his disciples, there was no sign of panic, no delusional excuses, no resentment, only a simple "He must increase, and I must decrease." 

John's reaction is anything but natural. In fact, it's directly opposite the typical response of our human nature. What does our human nature do to the nail that has the audacity to stick up a little higher than the others? When we should be encouraging other's success, praising their victories, BAM!, we take the hammer of our hurt pride and smack them down. We find subtle and not so subtle ways to minimize others accomplishments so we don't look so small by comparison. With a dismissive comment here, a refusal to give credit there, our pride, knowingly or unknowingly, drives us to do whatever it takes to preserve itself. It's human nature. 

That human nature was in full display in me last Sunday. If I had responded with God's nature rather than my own I might have been less focused on what I was losing and more focused on what my friend Pat had accomplished. Rather than make excuses for why I didn't perform better, I would have expressed to him just how amazing I thought his performance was. This ride was the culmination of two years of weight loss, eating right, consistent training and a lot of hard, determined effort.  He deserves nothing but admiration. I can only hope to be in as good a shape as he is in ten years. 

I think God often uses times of emotional or physical stress, times when we are weak, when our defenses are down, when our facade of good behavior is compromised, as opportunities for us to see areas of our hearts that still aren't responding to His nature. 

It could be a family crisis, upheaval or conflict among members of a church or even a hundred mile bike ride.

Romans 12:10 tells us to "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." 

Philippians 2:3 - 4 admonishes us to "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." 

These scriptures describe the reaction of a person who is allowing God's nature to be shaped and molded within him. It's easy for us, during times when we are strong to believe we are not doing too badly on this score. But, if we let them, times of stress, times of weakness, can serve as litmus tests to reveal just how much molding and shaping still needs doing. They serve as catalysts for God's Spirit to spur us to greater personal growth.

That was true of my experience on the bike last Sunday. Although I regret that my pride won the day, I'm thankful for God lovingly using it, as He has so many other experiences in my life, to continue shaping and molding me into His image.  

"He must increase but I must decrease." 

Okay, maybe I'm not quite ready to concede to permanently riding in my friend's wake and I don't think that's what God expects. For one, last I checked, my friend isn't the Savior of mankind. He's just another schmuck like me, trying to stay in shape and have fun doing it. Secondly, I'm pretty sure that with a little training I can improve my strength and stamina enough to maybe have a chance to beat, or at least match, him pedal stroke for pedal stroke the next time. Okay, so maybe I'm just a little competitive. A certain amount of physical competition keeps things exciting and fun. 

But, if for some reason I'm permanently resigned to riding in his wake, hopefully the lessons and growth acquired from the miles already traveled will allow me to let God's nature, not my own, win the day.