"I'll be happy when..."
Have you ever caught yourself thinking this?
You know the thoughts, "I'll be happy when I've got $100,000.00 in the bank," or "I'll be happy when I'm older," or "I'll be happy when I've lost another 8 kilograms," the list goes on how often do we make our happiness contingent on when or if something happens??
Why cant we just be happy now??
What got me thinking about this was the roadworks on my way to work one morning. I had to slow down while driving through a road works zone and I thought to myself, "I'll be happy when they get these roadworks finished so I don't have to slow down through here." And then with that thought barely out, I began to think; "...and I'll be happy when they finish doing the roadworks on the freeway down to Melbourne and on the road down to Geelong."
It was as the list of "I'll be happy when...s" started to pile up that I realised that I was was making my happiness dependant on circumstances, like the construction of a road!!!
At this point God challenged me on why I could only be happy when all of this stuff was done, and why couldn't I be happy here and now??
As I began to process this thought I tried to bock all of the "I'll be happy when..." thoughts out of my mind. I realised then, and maybe it's just me, but when I had my attention drawn to it, that the "I'll be happy when..." thoughts were a fairly common theme in so much stuff around me.
It seems where we live in a society where we are being constantly told that we need this product or that thing to be truly happy. But, then when we get whatever it is that we are told we must have to be happy, we are then told that we now need something else to go with it to be truly happy. This process never seems to end, every time we seem to get near the goal posts, they get moved again.
So how can I be happy before...???
As I struggled with this question i realised that there is much to be happy about. For a start, I'm alive and well, which is more than some people can say. Secondly, I have friends and family who live, care and appreciate me.
But as I thought about this I thought of those who weren't alive and well.
The ones who weren't alive, depending on where they go after death, either have everything or nothing at all to complain about; and those who aren't well may not be able to find joy in their state of health all that easy. And I thought of those people out there who feel alone and isolated without friends and family around them.
So, is there a way to be happy without depending on someone or something??
As I thought this through, I realised that no, there was no way for joy or happiness to be achieve without dependence on someone or something. There is temporary joy when we depend on things for happiness, there is temporary joy when we depend on other people for our happiness, BUT, when we depend on God we can experience a joy that surpasses all understanding.
We can experience joy in our relationship with God even when we are unhappy because we know Him. What else do we need other than to know that God loves us and cares both about and for us? i can feel my levels of joy rising within me even as i write this blog as I remember this once again!!!
God says to us: "Don't worry, be happy, I love you."
So I guess my challenge to you this week is to try and avoid those "I'll be happy when..." thoughts and try to seek joy in the everyday, knowing that God loves you.
And if you haven't experienced that love maybe you should try talking with Him...
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
I'm Mediocre, And Thats O.K.
There is a line in a Monty Python movie that goes; "You're all individuals." To which the massed crowd chants back; "Yes, we're all individuals." And I remember another story that I heard at the National Youth Ministry Conference where a person was telling someone how special they were and how everyone is special, and it was pointed out that if we are all special, then we are all the same.
I have been thinking about this concept of us all being special and how it relates to my faith and relationship with Jesus lately. I'm not sure that I have really come up with any real conclusive or concrete conclusions, but I do find it an interesting thing to think about.
The reality is that I'm mediocre, I'm just average. I'm not really great at any particular sport, I can do ok in many sports, but I'm not exactly the most valuable player in any team really. I'm not incredibly smart, the last time I took an IQ test it was above 100 (which is the average score of the entire worlds population), but it wasnt a long way above it. I'm normal (although some may disagree) and I'm ok with that.
When I think about it, is normal really all that bad? I'm in good company, there are a lot of people who are normal or average, and a lot of 'normal' people have had an impact on my life, and on yours too, I reckon. But what does being 'normal' and 'average' mean in relationship to our faith?
Let's take a look at how life is shown on T.V first though:
I was at a conference earlier this year where the concept of 'Hyper-reality', especailly in relation to Generation Y was raised by Mark Sayers. This Hyper-reality is evident no more clearly than on TV.
My generation (gen Y) have been constantly bombarded with this concept where things have to be realer than real, where everything has to be exciting or interesting or unique or special or whatever, and so as a result, if we are normal or average we feel less important. Have a look at TV or movies, how often are things like going to the toilet or just sitting down infront of the TV or doing the dishes mentioned. Take the show 24 for example. Now, I'm no 24 expert, in fact i rarely watch it, but when was the last time Jack Bauer went to the loo or had something to eat? That bloke seems to go 24 hours without eating, drinking or going to the toilet!!!!
And, NOT that I watch Home and Away AT ALL or Neighbours more than very INfrequently, but, seriously, would you want to live in those towns?? There always seems to be some stalker/natural disaster/evil scheme going on. Where are the days of the smae routine things followed by more days of routine things??
We are constantly bombarded by messages that seem to say, "normal is boring, look for excitement whereever you can."
So where does this leave me and my faith??
I know Jesus died for my sins, but he died for yours as well. I know that I have been called by God to be an officer in The Salvation Army, but so are many others (if you're called and havent answered what are you waiting for?? Come on, we need more officers), God has a plan for my, my community, and the world, but He also has a plan for you and your community; they may not be the same, but He does have a plan for our lives. So the details may differ, but in the bigger picture you and I are not all that different.
What if you're not called to be an officer or anything like that? Does that mean anything? Maybe you're called to be a local officer, or maybe your called to simply be a member of the church who lives in a community and quietly goes about telling your friends about Jesus and reforming society from the unseen background, thats still important (remember we're all part of a body, we need all of the parts to be effective)!!!
The reality is that I am mediocre, average, normal, plain, whatever...
BUT God can use me!!! When I am mediocre, average, normal, etc, I leave room for God to be great.
I know I have probably rambled a bit in this post, but it's something that I have been thinking about for a while. Let me know what you think.
I leave you with the words of the apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 4:6-8 (New International Version)
Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!
I have been thinking about this concept of us all being special and how it relates to my faith and relationship with Jesus lately. I'm not sure that I have really come up with any real conclusive or concrete conclusions, but I do find it an interesting thing to think about.
The reality is that I'm mediocre, I'm just average. I'm not really great at any particular sport, I can do ok in many sports, but I'm not exactly the most valuable player in any team really. I'm not incredibly smart, the last time I took an IQ test it was above 100 (which is the average score of the entire worlds population), but it wasnt a long way above it. I'm normal (although some may disagree) and I'm ok with that.
When I think about it, is normal really all that bad? I'm in good company, there are a lot of people who are normal or average, and a lot of 'normal' people have had an impact on my life, and on yours too, I reckon. But what does being 'normal' and 'average' mean in relationship to our faith?
Let's take a look at how life is shown on T.V first though:
I was at a conference earlier this year where the concept of 'Hyper-reality', especailly in relation to Generation Y was raised by Mark Sayers. This Hyper-reality is evident no more clearly than on TV.
My generation (gen Y) have been constantly bombarded with this concept where things have to be realer than real, where everything has to be exciting or interesting or unique or special or whatever, and so as a result, if we are normal or average we feel less important. Have a look at TV or movies, how often are things like going to the toilet or just sitting down infront of the TV or doing the dishes mentioned. Take the show 24 for example. Now, I'm no 24 expert, in fact i rarely watch it, but when was the last time Jack Bauer went to the loo or had something to eat? That bloke seems to go 24 hours without eating, drinking or going to the toilet!!!!
And, NOT that I watch Home and Away AT ALL or Neighbours more than very INfrequently, but, seriously, would you want to live in those towns?? There always seems to be some stalker/natural disaster/evil scheme going on. Where are the days of the smae routine things followed by more days of routine things??
We are constantly bombarded by messages that seem to say, "normal is boring, look for excitement whereever you can."
So where does this leave me and my faith??
I know Jesus died for my sins, but he died for yours as well. I know that I have been called by God to be an officer in The Salvation Army, but so are many others (if you're called and havent answered what are you waiting for?? Come on, we need more officers), God has a plan for my, my community, and the world, but He also has a plan for you and your community; they may not be the same, but He does have a plan for our lives. So the details may differ, but in the bigger picture you and I are not all that different.
What if you're not called to be an officer or anything like that? Does that mean anything? Maybe you're called to be a local officer, or maybe your called to simply be a member of the church who lives in a community and quietly goes about telling your friends about Jesus and reforming society from the unseen background, thats still important (remember we're all part of a body, we need all of the parts to be effective)!!!
The reality is that I am mediocre, average, normal, plain, whatever...
BUT God can use me!!! When I am mediocre, average, normal, etc, I leave room for God to be great.
I know I have probably rambled a bit in this post, but it's something that I have been thinking about for a while. Let me know what you think.
I leave you with the words of the apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 4:6-8 (New International Version)
Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Vulnerable
I was thinking about this on the way home from Torquay's 1st birthday bash last night:
I dont like feeling vulnerable, it makes me feel weak, which I kinda know is silly, but i guess it is a learned behaviour (they call it a life commandment in counselling terms). The funny thing is though, that i respect vulnerability in others and see it as a good thing, not weakness.
For those of you who may not know, I was not always the size and shape that i am today. For a long time, while I was in school, I was a short, scrawny kid who wore glasses, was a Christian, and didn't just follow the crowd.
As a result of this I got picked on quite a lot while in school. As a method of protection and defence I learnt not to show anything that resembled weakness and vulnerability, because it only seemed to provide more ammunition to the bullies.
Skip forward some 9 years or so to now, and I am much bigger and stronger (both mentally and physically) and far, far more confident in who I am. But, sometimes I still struggle with allowing others to see me vulnerable, I guess that I like to be seen as strong and in control, after being seen as weak in the past.
But last night as I drove home from Torquay, an Hour and a halfs drive with nothing else to really do, I was spending some time chatting with God about some stuff and God kind of challenged me about this.
The book that I am reading at the moment about Youth Leadership talks about letting others see that you are vulnerable too.
As i thought about this, I realised that the way I act and show my emotions also has an influence on what people see and think a Christian should be. I realised that if I show no vulnerability, I am in effect saying that Christians are not allowed to be vulnerable, or sad, or worried, or things like that.
As I processed this God reminded me of Jesus and His life, a life that while at most times showed a man of strength and courage and grace beyond anything ever seen, Jesus was at times vulnerable also. I think of the the example of where Jesus found out that Lazarus was dead and as the shortest verse in the bible records; "Jesus wept." And I think of Garden of Gethsamane, where Jesus cried and begged God to let Him out of what had to be done, and then, understanding the necessity of what was to come, displayed even more vulnerablility in allowing God to be incontrol. And finally, I see Jesus in the most vulnerable position I can think of when He is nailed to the cross for our sins.
As I rediscovered last night, vulnerability is vital to the Christians walk of faith. If our heart does not break when we see people in trouble or despair, then how Christ-like are we really? I'm not saying that we should all be some sort of super-emotional person who walks around crying all the time, just that we shouldn't be cold and disconnected from what is happening around us either.
When was the last time you had your heart broken?
Monday, October 15, 2007
CROSSING OVER (without Johnathon Edwards)
I'm currently preparing a sermon based on Joshua 1: 1-9, about moving forward, and how God told the Hebrew people how to move forward in to the Promised Land.
While preparing for this sermon I remembered the times Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee from Israel over to the gentile lands.
Every time Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee, the disciples were faced with a challenge on the sea and had to overcome it before reaching the gentile side. but the thing is that when Jesus and the disciples got passed the challenge, and reached the gentile side of the Sea of Galilee, something amazing or miraculous happened.
It was in these times of challenge that the disciples learnt something about Jesus or faith that took them to the next level.
This got me to thinking...
A dangerous thing i know, but...
Isn't this the same in our lives?
So often we are faced with challenges as we try to move from on thing to something new, and i wonder how many times we give up, and go back, not persevering, and miss out on not only learning something new about ourselves, or about God or about our faith in Him, but miss out on something totally amazing at the other side of the challenge?
In Mark Chapter 4 and 5 we see Jesus and the disciples crossing over the Sea of Galilee, to the Gerasenes region.
While crossing over we see Jesus taking a nap in the back of the boat while the disciples panicking in the boat as waves crashed over it and threaten to swamp it. Understandably distressed the disciple wake Jesus up (possibly to see if he can swim??) and ask Him whether he cares that they are about to die. Jesus rebukes the wind and waves and asks the disciples why they were afraid, and asks them what level of faith they really have. The disciples are amazed at what Jesus has done. Then when they reach the Gerasenes Jesus casts out a whole heap of demons from a bloke who had been wandering around a cemetery for years, completely under the control of these demons.
Then in Mark chapter 6, we see the disciples set out on the Sea of Galilee alone, leaving Jesus to pray by himself on the mountain. As night began to settle around them we find the disciples being battered by the wind and the waves in their boat on the Sea of Galilee. The bible tells us that in the early hours of the morning Jesus walked across the water to the disciples in their boat. Peter got out of the boat at the call of Jesus and began to walk toward Him. It was only when Peter began to look around him (taking his focus off Jesus) and focus on the wind and waves that he began to sink. This is where Jesus reaches out to save Peter. Then, once back on the boat, the wind and waves calm down and Jesus and the disciples head for Genesaret where many sick people are healed.
So what can we learn from these disciples?
First: don't get into a boat without Jesus, and make sure He is awake. Or alternatively change can be difficult if Jesus isn't on board.
Second: keep focused on Jesus, otherwise sinking is a very real possibility.
Third: if you do think that your sinking, call out to Jesus for help; he wont let you drown.
Fourth: make the effort to get through the hard times to discover the good stuff at the other end.
In both of these stories we see the disciples trying to go it alone, and failing miserably, we see the disciples calling out for Jesus to help, we see Jesus intervene, we see things get better and then we see miraculous events on the other side of the sea of Galilee.
What are you going through at the moment?
Are you trying to do it by yourself?
Is Jesus on board, or is this not where you are meant to be going?
Have you called out to Jesus and asked Him to help you?
Are you ready for the miracles on the other side?
While preparing for this sermon I remembered the times Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee from Israel over to the gentile lands.
Every time Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee, the disciples were faced with a challenge on the sea and had to overcome it before reaching the gentile side. but the thing is that when Jesus and the disciples got passed the challenge, and reached the gentile side of the Sea of Galilee, something amazing or miraculous happened.
It was in these times of challenge that the disciples learnt something about Jesus or faith that took them to the next level.
This got me to thinking...
A dangerous thing i know, but...
Isn't this the same in our lives?
So often we are faced with challenges as we try to move from on thing to something new, and i wonder how many times we give up, and go back, not persevering, and miss out on not only learning something new about ourselves, or about God or about our faith in Him, but miss out on something totally amazing at the other side of the challenge?
In Mark Chapter 4 and 5 we see Jesus and the disciples crossing over the Sea of Galilee, to the Gerasenes region.
While crossing over we see Jesus taking a nap in the back of the boat while the disciples panicking in the boat as waves crashed over it and threaten to swamp it. Understandably distressed the disciple wake Jesus up (possibly to see if he can swim??) and ask Him whether he cares that they are about to die. Jesus rebukes the wind and waves and asks the disciples why they were afraid, and asks them what level of faith they really have. The disciples are amazed at what Jesus has done. Then when they reach the Gerasenes Jesus casts out a whole heap of demons from a bloke who had been wandering around a cemetery for years, completely under the control of these demons.
Then in Mark chapter 6, we see the disciples set out on the Sea of Galilee alone, leaving Jesus to pray by himself on the mountain. As night began to settle around them we find the disciples being battered by the wind and the waves in their boat on the Sea of Galilee. The bible tells us that in the early hours of the morning Jesus walked across the water to the disciples in their boat. Peter got out of the boat at the call of Jesus and began to walk toward Him. It was only when Peter began to look around him (taking his focus off Jesus) and focus on the wind and waves that he began to sink. This is where Jesus reaches out to save Peter. Then, once back on the boat, the wind and waves calm down and Jesus and the disciples head for Genesaret where many sick people are healed.
So what can we learn from these disciples?
First: don't get into a boat without Jesus, and make sure He is awake. Or alternatively change can be difficult if Jesus isn't on board.
Second: keep focused on Jesus, otherwise sinking is a very real possibility.
Third: if you do think that your sinking, call out to Jesus for help; he wont let you drown.
Fourth: make the effort to get through the hard times to discover the good stuff at the other end.
In both of these stories we see the disciples trying to go it alone, and failing miserably, we see the disciples calling out for Jesus to help, we see Jesus intervene, we see things get better and then we see miraculous events on the other side of the sea of Galilee.
What are you going through at the moment?
Are you trying to do it by yourself?
Is Jesus on board, or is this not where you are meant to be going?
Have you called out to Jesus and asked Him to help you?
Are you ready for the miracles on the other side?
Monday, October 8, 2007
Planting Caring Harvesting
I've done a fair bit of travelling over the last few weeks, and as I have travelled i have noticed that there a a few crops approaching readiness for harvest. It doesn't seem to be all that long ago that i saw news reports of farmers working day and night after some good rain trying to get the ground prepared and seeds sown in the hope of a good crop and some more rain.
Now as i am travelling around is can see fields of what i think is barley, wheat and canola all approaching readiness for harvest. Now I am certainly no farmer, and i don't really know how long is left until these crops will be harvested, but i do know that when the time comes, the farmers will be flat out getting that crop in, this is what they have been waiting for.
As I was doing my devotions last night i re-read the story of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. It is the latter part of this passage in John chapter 4 that got me thinking about these paddocks again.
As i look back over my life i can see people who have planted seeds in my life, i can see people who have watered those seeds and tended the new shoots as they have grown from a seed. I can also see that there were people who recognised my readiness and harvested the product of those seeds. I also hope that i am now watering, tending and harvesting the results of seed planted in my life and in the life of others.
While it took people to plant tend and harvest, it is God that has really done much of the work; prompting, challenging and helping me to grow and much of the credit of who I have become today goes to Him.
John 4: 35 - 38 says:
Jesus said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn't you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It's harvest time!
"The Harvester isn't waiting. He's taking his pay, gathering in this grain that's ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant. That's the truth of the saying, 'This one sows, that one harvests.' I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others."
The same is true today, lets get out there, plant the seeds of the good news of Jesus Christ in peoples lives, lets care for those who are growing in their faith and lets harvest that which is ready and put it to use for the Kingdom of God.
It is my prayer that there will always be seeds being sown, growth being tended to, and harvests being yielded. Is this your prayer? And if so, what are you doing about it?
Now as i am travelling around is can see fields of what i think is barley, wheat and canola all approaching readiness for harvest. Now I am certainly no farmer, and i don't really know how long is left until these crops will be harvested, but i do know that when the time comes, the farmers will be flat out getting that crop in, this is what they have been waiting for.
As I was doing my devotions last night i re-read the story of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. It is the latter part of this passage in John chapter 4 that got me thinking about these paddocks again.
As i look back over my life i can see people who have planted seeds in my life, i can see people who have watered those seeds and tended the new shoots as they have grown from a seed. I can also see that there were people who recognised my readiness and harvested the product of those seeds. I also hope that i am now watering, tending and harvesting the results of seed planted in my life and in the life of others.
While it took people to plant tend and harvest, it is God that has really done much of the work; prompting, challenging and helping me to grow and much of the credit of who I have become today goes to Him.
John 4: 35 - 38 says:
Jesus said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn't you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It's harvest time!
"The Harvester isn't waiting. He's taking his pay, gathering in this grain that's ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant. That's the truth of the saying, 'This one sows, that one harvests.' I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others."
The same is true today, lets get out there, plant the seeds of the good news of Jesus Christ in peoples lives, lets care for those who are growing in their faith and lets harvest that which is ready and put it to use for the Kingdom of God.
It is my prayer that there will always be seeds being sown, growth being tended to, and harvests being yielded. Is this your prayer? And if so, what are you doing about it?
Monday, October 1, 2007
Learning Old Stuff In New Ways
Have you ever heard someone talking about something that you have heard at least a dozen times before, but for some reason this time it has really struck you as important or profound??
The reason i haven't blogged in the last couple of weeks is that for one week i was away on holidays and for the second week i was at the National Youth Ministry Conference.
The holiday was good, i definitely needed the break, and the NYMC was really good too. The days were long and there was a lot of info to process, something that is going to take a bit of time to do, but at the same time it was fun as well.
I guess the one thing that has really triggered some thought in my own mind is a theme that seemed to reoccur a few times last week, and now this week as i try to do some post conference reading, is that it is not so much what we do for God (eg. programmes and activities) that matters as much as who we are in God.
Now before i upset anyone, i am most definitely not saying that we should not do mission or ministry. I am not saying that we shouldn't reach out to the lost, last or least, or anything like that. All i am saying is that before we do any of this we need to make sure that we are plugged into God's power.
As I have been reminded over the last week or so, and to be honest, this has challenged me because of how busy i have been recently, that there is no point rushing here and there in a huge hurry doing all of this stuff, the 'work of God' so to speak, if i am not being a man of God.
I need to remember to take quality time with God, to hook up to His power and stop trying to do things by my power, because the reality is that there is always more work to do, i could always find more things to do, but i need to do what God wants me to do. And part of that is to spend time with Him in His Spirit.
I know that i don't want to be one of those people who Jesus talks about in Matthew 7: 21-23 who say "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" and then hear Jesus response; "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
Clearly, getting into Heaven is not so much a matter of what you have done and what you know as Who you know.
Are you taking time to know God??
The reason i haven't blogged in the last couple of weeks is that for one week i was away on holidays and for the second week i was at the National Youth Ministry Conference.
The holiday was good, i definitely needed the break, and the NYMC was really good too. The days were long and there was a lot of info to process, something that is going to take a bit of time to do, but at the same time it was fun as well.
I guess the one thing that has really triggered some thought in my own mind is a theme that seemed to reoccur a few times last week, and now this week as i try to do some post conference reading, is that it is not so much what we do for God (eg. programmes and activities) that matters as much as who we are in God.
Now before i upset anyone, i am most definitely not saying that we should not do mission or ministry. I am not saying that we shouldn't reach out to the lost, last or least, or anything like that. All i am saying is that before we do any of this we need to make sure that we are plugged into God's power.
As I have been reminded over the last week or so, and to be honest, this has challenged me because of how busy i have been recently, that there is no point rushing here and there in a huge hurry doing all of this stuff, the 'work of God' so to speak, if i am not being a man of God.
I need to remember to take quality time with God, to hook up to His power and stop trying to do things by my power, because the reality is that there is always more work to do, i could always find more things to do, but i need to do what God wants me to do. And part of that is to spend time with Him in His Spirit.
I know that i don't want to be one of those people who Jesus talks about in Matthew 7: 21-23 who say "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" and then hear Jesus response; "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
Clearly, getting into Heaven is not so much a matter of what you have done and what you know as Who you know.
Are you taking time to know God??
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