A Stumbler's Walk | NAILED IT! (Pt.1)

This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

-- Colossians 2:14

Guilt. 

It is an ugly word. What thoughts and emotions does it illicit? Guilt can burden. It can oppress. Guilt can shut us down. Sometimes it has no effect at all. (Hopefully I can make the point.)

There is a difference between BEING guilty and FEELING guilty. It is possible for the murderous psychopath to BE guilty - while feeling completely free of any sense of guilt. My guess is this is not the case for any reading this post (I hope).

It is also possible for the guilty offender to be completely unaware of his offense. I once was driving a Texas road with a posted 65 mph speed limit. It was a divided highway with two lanes moving in each direction. Suddenly, I noticed friendly red and blue flashing lights behind. What I had not noticed was the sudden change in the posted speed limit - from 65 to 45 in a matter of what seemed three feet. (I later discovered it was a notorious spot.) Driving those three feet, (realistically, hundreds) I had no sense of guilt whatsoever. This did not change the fact that I WAS guilty. And I paid the price - or the debt as the Apostle Paul puts it - for my offense.

Very frankly, and with no judgement or joy on my part, I am compelled to note we each ARE guilty before God; whether we know it - feel it - or not. Jesus said if we fail at one point in our righteousness, we've failed completely. This goes for popes, pastors, prisoners... all. We are guilty. And with this guilt comes a debt.

The problem is, unlike my speeding offense which cost me about 100 Starbucks Venti Americanos, this is a debt we are incapable of paying. Our righteousness bank account has woefully insufficient funds to cover the price to redeem our souls. It is a spiritual debt that spiritually bankrupt people cannot pay.

Now the good news. Christ paid our debt from the riches of his grace. As Paul writes, Jesus nailed our IOU to his cross. With his death he paid our penalty. And though he was buried and rose again, what remains, figuratively speaking, nailed to the cross is the record of our debt (and sins). The list is overwritten however, in bloody red letters with the words...

PAID IN FULL

It is up to us to receive or reject his payment for us personally. It doesn't matter how religious, good or bad, etc. we are or have been (or ever will be). What matters is that we simply admit our guilt, accept what he has done and experience the incredible freedom offered.

(I've not yet gotten to the point I had in mind as I began writing this post. But being several paragraphs in, I'll save it for part two. Like the teasers on the news, I'll go to commercial with this: In part two I hope to deal with the insidiousness of FEELING guilty. Hopefully you'll stick with me.)

God, as the camp(y) song goes, "You paid a debt you did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay..." How can I ever thank you enough?

For now...
D

A Stumbler's Walk | FLAWED...

Flawed...

I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 

-- 2 Corinthians 11:30

Thankfully the writers of the various narratives, histories, poems, and letters that make up the Bible never attempted to cover up the flaws of faith's heroes. 

David's murderous lust. Peter's tempestuousness. Sarah's lack of faith. James' and John's ambition. Mary's past.

Real people with real strengths and real weaknesses; real faith and real doubts. 

Much like us. 

Paul is one of those super-saints with whom we feel we cannot relate. His shadow is cast over much of the New Testament and the formation of the early church. His pen produced much of what we consider sacred scripture. 

Yet Paul is flawed. His story is not a simple one. It is not fairy-tale clean. 

Paul was a man of incredible faith; a picture of passion and mission. But I think Paul was at times a lonely man. You can hear it in his voice when he gets personal in his writings. Groups of people, both outside the church and within, continually attacked Paul's credibility and motives. He was mocked, ridiculed and worse. He was also, on a few occasions, abandoned. 

Paul was a man of strengths. His greatest? Intimacy with his weakness. Paul was flawed; and he hugged it. It is in this understanding of his own inability that he was enabled to completely rely on God's power within; God's power to transform. 

The same is true for us. There is a swelling confidence that comes when we choose not to hide our weaknesses from God. Instead, when we reveal ourselves completely - when we hug our flaws - God's grace will do in and through us what only he can. And the results are beyond our wildest imaginations. 

What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the hear of man imagined, 

what God has prepared for those who love him...

-- 1 Corinthians 2:9

God, I am flawed... But your grace overwhelms my weakness. 

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | GOD OF YES

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ... in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.

-- 2 Corinthians 1:19-20

Religions tend to preach a God of No. And to some extent, this is true... Don't kill, don't steal... don't worship idols... don't dance... OK, I added that last one. But see how easy it is? Religion tends to add to... to extend the borders... to overstep.

There was a time in my life when I served a God of No. I attempted to live up to rules - most centering around what I could not do, say, think or be. More and more however, I've come to know God as a God of YES.

He is the God who sees us as we are and says "YES, I will redeem." He is aware of our struggles and says "YES, I will be present." He knows our weakness and says "YES, I will transform."

He has made promises about our past (redeemed)... our present (empowered)... our future (heaven). And his promises are YES. How do we know this? Because he gave us the ULTIMATE YES in Christ his son. And in Christ, all of God's promises are... YES!

So don't kill... don't steal... don't worship idols. But not because of a No. Instead, know that every No must be based on a BIGGER YES!

(And go ahead and dance!)

God, today - and every day - you are my YES.

For now...
D

A Stumbler's Walk | TGIF!... or WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT FRIDAY?

I'm not sure which title I like better. So I used them both. Today is Friday. More than that - today is Good Friday.

A couple days ago, I saw a talking head on TV miss the point. (That's not too uncommon. I guess I miss the point a lot too.) What snapped my face toward the flat screen though was how close and yet far off the man was in his eloquence. I really don't remember if the news story was about the tragic fire at Notre Dame or if it was about political unrest in the U.S. I believe it was the former, which actually makes his near-miss more palatable at face-value, and more tragic at its core.

The newsman-come-theologian made a statement akin to: "...and after all, this Easter season is all about rebuilding and renewal. Let us remember and take comfort in that."

Sounds good. But nope.

REbuilding and REnewal are good things. They are wonderful in fact. And necessary. But they are not the focus of the Easter season. One might make the case they are aspects of it's REsult. They are products of the main RE. But neither is the main RE. The RE that is Easter's heart. (I know you're way ahead of me.)

What is dead cannot be REbuilt. What is dead cannot be REnewed. What is dead cannot be REenergized, REvitalized, REstored, REanythingized. What is dead must be made alive. What is dead must be...

 REsurrected!

What is good about Good Friday actually lies in it's terribleness. Good Friday is about death. Good Friday is sacrifice. Good Friday is Perfection ripped to shreds, bleeding, gasping, (forgiving), and dying. Good Friday is dark and hopeless. Good Friday finds its end in a velvet-black tomb. Good Friday is only good because Sunday comes.

What is dead is buried. What was buried is no longer in the tomb. What was murdered is alive. REsurrection!

Before there can be REbuilding and REnewal - or any other RE - there must be REsurrection.

So today is Good Friday. The sun is shining outside, and a light shines within. Because Good Friday, with all it's horror and agony, is not the end of the story. If it were, we would not call it Good Friday. We'd just call it Friday.

Today is Good Friday. And Sunday is coming.

God, Thank you for your resurrection power. There are so many things that need to be resurrected in me by that same power and love. 

For now...
D

A Stumbler's Walk | THE LONELY ARROGANT

"This knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.

-- 1 Corinthians 8:1

Any time I have attempted to prove myself the smartest person in the room I've failed. On many fronts. First, I seldom have the highest IQ in any setting - even when alone. (I've known of an Ikea chair or two that have me beat.) Second, even if one were to prove to be smartest, he or she has still failed. The failure comes in simply having to prove it. In other words, winning the IQ competition usually goes hand in hand with losing the relationship opportunity.

The issue is not IQ, it is arrogance. Notice that Paul writes, (This) "knowledge" puffs up...; and not knowledge puffs up... There is a significant difference. 

The Apostle Paul is not against knowledge. He is not belittling education and understanding. As a matter of fact, Paul most certainly had an incredible intellect. He was in line to be High Priest of Israel and had an incredible grasp of the Old Testament. He confounded Greek philosophers with his wise arguments. And at one point, was even accused by a king of being driven mad by his "great learning."

Scripture repeatedly states that God's desire is that we have wisdom, understanding and knowledge. He is the author of all of the above.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding...     

-- Proverbs 2:6

Here is the point: Arrogance is a disease. It is a sickness of the soul. And it is an infection that affects every relationship. (Chosen ignorance is also a disease - and often a religious one. But that is for another post.)

Arrogance is self-serving / Love serves others

Arrogance stands alone / Love exists in community

Arrogance tears down / Love builds up

Arrogance leads to failure / Love always wins

Given time, the arrogant person will prove to be the smartest in the room - because he will be alone. 

God, help me to be humble and to love...

For now...

D 

A Stumbler's Walk | BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY!

(I'm working on the final part of HOW?, but in the meantime, here is a redo/rerun.)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13

Star Trek ran for 79 episodes. Not once did a character say, "Beam me up, Scotty." Nor did Humphrey Bogart's Rick ever say, "Play it again, Sam," in Casablanca. Both are commonly attributed to the originals. But they are not there.

Nowhere in scripture is it written that God will never give you (or allow) more that you can handle. We hear it all the time. And it is as cliche as Beam me up Scotty.

The fact is God will again and again allow us more than we can handle. (Stay with me, it get's worse... then better!)

Paul wrote of his struggles: For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself (2 Corinthians 1:8). David writes much the same: I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart (Psalm 38:8).

Ultimately, 11 of the 12 disciples were martyred for their faith. The twelfth, John, was boiled alive in oil (and lived), and then exiled - where by the way, he had the incredible Revelation of Christ and wrote the letter of the same name.

I often face circumstances, burdens and pain beyond what I can bear. Please re-read the very last part of that statement.

... beyond what I can bear. 

There are two lies born out of the statement, God will not give you (or allow) more than you can handle. The first is that YOU can handle it. You. By yourself. You can and must be strong. 

The truth is, eventually you can't. There must be WE. The life of faith cannot be lived in isolation. Paul writes that we are to, bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). When we cannot lift another's burdens, then we must lift the person who carries the burden. Christianity is lived in community; never in isolation. 

The second lie is much like the first. It centers in the bearing of burdens. We are not human pack-mules destined to trudge through life weighted down. That is not the joy inexpressible and full of glory Peter writes of (1 Peter 1:8); or the fullness of joy Jesus speaks of (John 15:11). 

As a matter of fact it was Jesus who said:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest... you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

-- Matthew 11:28-30

(I told you it would get better!) 

I've often heard well-intentioned people say, "That's just my cross to bear," in speaking of a struggle or burden. But crosses are not for carrying. They are for dying. And when we are daily, crucified with Christ, as Paul wrote, we are also daily resurrected with him. It is only the pains, the struggles, the burdens, and the sin that remained nailed to the cross. 

God, because you are with me I can walk through any valley...

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | HOW? (Pt 3)

So straight to it. This is part three after all - so limited preamble. (Though you might want to read parts 1 & 2 to get up to speed.)

There are two how? questions asked in Luke's first chapter. At first glance they seem similar. First glances can be deceiving; or at least limited. There is a subtle difference in the questions. Maybe better stated, there is a difference in the belief behind the questions.

So it's taken three posts to finally point out the difference in the two questions - the two hows?. Here it is (and this is very much my interpretation. Feel free to disagree.): One how? is a question of doubt. The other how? is a question of amazement and wonder. (Yep, you read three posts to get to that.)

How? can reveal a heart of doubt.

How? can express faithful wonder. 

Zechariah asks how? when told by God, through an angel that his wife Elizabeth is going to bear a son.* In his how? we hear doubt and disbelief. Now I don't want to be too hard on old Z. First, he's faithfully served God and the people his entire life. Secondly, I can be the king of DOUBTING HOW? and don't have quite enough hypocrite in me to point the finger.

Gabriel confirms Zechariah's how? is a doubting how?: "You will be silent and unable to speak until the time... because you did not believe my words..." (v10). It is easy to read right through that. I wonder why God, via Gabriel, shut down Zechariah's ability to speak. (And this thought just came to me. It's not where I planned to go, but I'm going to see where it leads. Meaning... I don't think we'll wrap this up in part 3.)

The angel's response to Z's how? seems a little harsh. "You won't be able to speak until this promise is fulfilled; until your son is born." Every time I've read this I thought: "Dang, a bit much." Mute for at least nine months. (Who knows, maybe this was a literal God-send to his wife Elizabeth.)

Is this punishment? Maybe. But I don't think that's really it. The writer of Hebrews tells us God lovingly disciplines his children. It can be unpleasant and confusing. But our Father is purposeful in carving our character and shaping us more into the image of Jesus.**

However, I think there is more going on. Zechariah is given an incredible promise. He can't wrap his mind around it. He can't wrap his faith around it. And his words verbalize his doubt. More than that - his words betray the heart of faith he has always had.

Remember, Gabriel confirms that Zechariah has been praying for this very thing - a son. God has heard and answered. Jesus said, "Ask... Seek... Knock..." Too often, this is where I fail (you?). I don't ask enough. I don't seek relentlessly. I don't knock until my knuckles hurt. But apparently Zechariah has.

So I have this question: Though Zechariah has served his God faithfully; though Zechariah has asked his God specifically; has Zechariah forgotten that his God loves him personally?

I am too old... Not, "God, you can't pull it off." Not, "God this is over even you're powerfully-exalted head."

I am the problem... I am the weak variable in this equation. 

It is almost as if God answers: "Yes, you are correct. Yes, you are weak. Yes, you are too old. Yes, you are a faithful waverer... a Stumbler Walking. Shush now. Silence. Quiet yourself. And watch this..."

You are too weak... But I am powerful.

You are too old... But I am the Ancient of Days.

You are not... But I Am!

Now be quiet. Be quiet and know that I am God.

Your words are betraying you. 

They are falsely making your doubts to be bigger than your faith.

The last words you spoke were words of doubt.

With your next words you will name a son!

Zechariah's words reflect my heart. God's response overwhelms my spirit. 

Here is some good news: Even in Zechariah's doubt, God fulfilled his promise.

A reminder: God is not bound by our doubts. He is bigger.

God, I am all the things that make it impossible. You are the One who makes all things possible. As a father once responded to Jesus, "I believe. Please help me in my unbelief!"

For now,
D



*Angel in the original Greek writing is translated simply as messenger. Here it is the angel Gabriel, who, according to his proclamation in verse 19 stands in the heavenly presence of God and was sent specifically to Zechariah specifically with this good-news message.

**The purpose of this post is not to detail a theology of discipline or suffering. However, you might read Hebrews 12. As you do, allow the words of Paul to ring true: "...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ...; For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Phil 1:6; 2:13)