In my earlier life, I served on the Colorado Springs City Council. During those political years, one individual stands out from all the rest - a person who lived out the Christian faith.
An elderly black Christian gentleman used to come to City Council occasionally to give us his perspective on the issues. I remember two things very clearly about him. First, whenever he came to the podium, he spoke kindly and encouraged us. He was so different from the usual angry citizen.
But more importantly, every time he spoke on an issue he ended with this thought. "A leader always does the right thing." I've never forgotten that. A leader doesn't do the expedient thing or the popular thing. A true leader does the right thing - whatever that is.
What about you? Have you ever had to do the right thing at some cost to yourself?
It isn't easy being green! I'm beginning to appreciate Kermit's lament more and more. It's a little scary to let go and simply follow Jesus. Will that make me too weird?
"It is enough for the student to be like his teacher," my Rabbi explains. (Matthew 10:25) What will happen when I start to love the way he loves? If I love him and learn his ways, then I will do the same things he does. That might make people around me feel edgy. Maybe nobody will want to be my friend.
The longer I follow Jesus, the more I become like him. Did I count the cost? Everything changes when you enter in the kingdom of heaven. You live by his rules. That might be enough to make me turn green!
I was auditing a Fuller Seminary class recently when I caught myself thinking how I expend a lot of brain power trying to explain life in Christ. Then the voice of Jesus interrupted saying, "All I ever asked you to do is follow me." That was reassuring at first, but then I realized I really didn't know how to follow him the way he asked.
The image of what he offered seemed simple. It reminded me of his promise, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) All he asks me to do is follow.
Nobody ever showed me how to follow Jesus like that. Maybe the Church has forgotten how. Only by faith can I let go of what I know and simply follow the Rabbi. What will you do?
Last time I wrote about seizing the opportunities that are offered to us. Then I came across this quote. Hmmm... this puts an even more urgent spin on it.
"How shall I feel at the judgment, if multitudes of missed opportunities pass before me in full review, and all my excuses prove to be disguises of my cowardice and pride?" (W. E. Sangster)
Sometimes I look at the work ahead of me and I am afraid. I'm not sure why. But often it's enough to make me want to just wait for another day.
But...I sure don't want to get to the end of my life and look at everything I didn't do. I especially don't want to answer for it.
So, as I said in my last blog, it really is time to get moving. God grant me the courage to do all he has asked of me.
What do you think? Where are your struggles?
Do you ever put your dreams on hold waiting for just the right opportunity? Even if it comes, how will you recognize it? Or worse, are you not even sure what a good opportunity is?
I was reading the paper the other day and there was a quote from Jeanna Wearing who runs the classical music radio station here in Colorado Springs. She said, "You seize the opportunities that you have."
Hmmmm...maybe I don't have to wait for the perfect day to do ministry. Maybe I don't have to wait for the perfect ministry venue. Maybe, just maybe, God is handing me his choice assignment for me right now. All I have to do is "do it!"
It's a comforting thought. So as they say, "Let's Get Moving!"
What do you think? How do you struggle with this?
If you want more intimacy with God, a prayer room will really help. It doesn't have to be fancy and you don't need to build an addition to your house. You only need a space with a door. A dear prayer warrior who prays for Lisa and me every day uses a stair well that has a door at the top and bottom for his prayer room. Another friend closes the door to his home office, lights a candle, and he has a prayer room.
Lisa and I have the luxury of our own individual prayer rooms because we're empty nesters. But in the old days, Lisa would lock herself in the bathroom because we all know that's the only place where a mom can escape from the children. As for me, I used to have a prayer altar in the garage; honest! Once again, all you really need is a space with a door and you have a prayer room.
A prayer room is more than a place for prayer. It's also a place of solitude and silence where you can be alone with God. Now, the desert is a place of solitude and silence. But even there the ancient desert monks complained to the desert fathers, "We have fled to the desert, so now where can we go for greater silence?" The wise desert father answered, "Go to your room and close the door and there you will find the greatest silence."
Desert wisdom also tells us that it isn't the door that creates the silence. We only find silence in quiet lips and quiet minds. We alone are responsible for creating silence behind the closed door. The prayer room is a place where we can wait for God in silence.
Here lately, I've been troubled in the Spirit. So I have determined to enter my prayer room, close the door and sit in the silent presence of Christ. I have learned that he can accomplish much more in me when I am still. My faith tells me that he's at work within me so I am free to wait in silence. How much more intimacy can we find than in quiet moments alone with our beloved? Conversation would only break the oneness.
Of course there are times when we must cry out to God, "Oh Lord, come to my assistance and come quickly to help me." But don't neglect the times when the greatest intimacy and the greatest assistance will be found in still silence with Christ. After all, he is the lover of your soul.
Of course, I don't want you to keep silent about this blog entry - so please post a comment. Even if you're at ease with silence, tell us your story. Share your heart.
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Blog Directory ID: 887
Blog URL: http://blog.livingforgod.net
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Blog Description: Join us as we passionately pursue Christ in everyday life.
Blog Tags: Christian - Jesus - Christ - spiritual disciplines - Bible - Religion - Church - God
Blog Category: Christianity Blogs
Blog Owner: Calvin and Lisa Wulf
Blog Added: October 16, 2007 01:45:16 AM
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