#DailyProverbs 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: “Surely
you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the
prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. Every athlete in training
submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will
not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run
straight for the finishing line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not
waste his punches. I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete
control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to
the contest.”
Suppression. Control. Alleviate. Assistance. There’s a pill for
everything now. Wouldn’t it be GREAT if we had that for our spiritual life??
What words would you use to describe our society?
Materialistic…
Sensual…
Impatient…
Indulgent…
Undisciplined…
--these are just a few. We're also a "have it now"
culture. We want microwavable. We want instant. But our tastes call for gourmet
and home-cooked. You will never beat homemade biscuits. You’ll never find
anything better than your Mamaw’s yeast rolls for a Sunday dinner on the
ground. But we don’t want to pay for it, in time. We don’t want the work that
comes with rolling out the dumplings from scratch. That’s how our society
operates now. Satan specializes in presenting us with opportunities for instant
gratification while promising us that indulging our appetites will bring us the
satisfaction we seek.
Our human appetites, in themselves, are not sinful. They are, in fact,
God-given. However, because of the fact that we cannot control our own weaknesses,
we need help. They need to be controlled. When our appetites rule us, we stay
in trouble. Ask any alcoholic how it started out… one glass of wine was fine.
Then unlimited glasses would never be enough. Control and moderation are the
key. You can’t eat your cheat day every day and stay healthy. And you can’t
sustain stringent discipline forever either. The body requires periods of
bulking up, leaning out and even fasting to operate optimally. Paul likened the
Christian life to that of athletes who are so focused on winning the race that
they exercise self-control in every area of their lives. That's exactly how
we're called to live, yet we lack the motivation, determination, and power to
do so in our own strength. For this reason, we need to rely on the Holy Ghost
within us. If we yield our lives to Him and step out in obedience to His
promptings, we'll have the strength to say no when fleshly desires feel
overpowering (Gal. 5:16).
Another key to success is keeping our focus on the eternal, instead
of the temporal. Many decisions that seem mundane are in fact spiritually
significant. They happen in a moment and then you are trapped. Gossip? Easy to
make the CHOICE in the moment to talk about someone. But that choice then makes
you an assassin to character. You are harming another. You are a spiritual
murderer. It creates a list of other things necessary like repentance,
restitution, saying you are sorry, and even addressing the harmed party to let
them know you did it, are sorry for it, and are ready for the consequences of
broken trust. It’s not a simple breath of “I’m sorry” to God. What about the
choice of lust? Or the choice to cheat on your partner or spouse? The choice of
financial inconsistency? It’s a choice to lie. But what about our exaggerations?
The choice we make when we use guile? What about the choice of skipping church
because you are tired, even if you have responsibilities and need to be there
to share the burden of work? What about the choice of saying you don’t “feel
well,” when you really just “don’t want to?” What about the CHOICE of ignoring
those that need help? What about the choice you make in judging a person
holding a sign asking for food, assuming they are just drunks or not worth helping?
What about the CHOICE of ignoring the poor? What about the choice of ignoring
the widowed? What about the choice to judge and ignore single moms? What about
the choice we make to alienate the divorced and those wives left and struggling
with both heartbreak and children and loss and stigma? What about the choice
you make to exclude them because it’s less comfortable to listen or sympathize?
What about the choice you make to tell gay people that God doesn’t love them
and they are reprobate? What about the choice you make to tell people of color,
in word or deed, that they are less than white people? What about the choice
you make to fight for minutia and political silliness when entire groups of
women, children, and girls are slaughtered due to greed? The choice to look the
other way is just that… a choice. What about the choice to still trade and
purchase goods those countries provide, but to boycott a soap product because
they aren’t Christian in their mission statement? What about the choice we make
to actively ignore the scriptures that tell us to exactly the opposite than we
think – to bless our enemies and to befriend and help those that have nothing?
Do you think God loves anyone that you don’t agree with any less
than you? Do you think that are you more lovable from the perspective of the
Cross?
Are you indulging an appetite of comfort that allows you to look the
other way? Is your ability to not be bothered so great that it’s more important
than reaching out to those that need it most? When the Enemy tempts us, he
always tries to keep our attention on our desire and the pleasure of indulgence
rather than on the eternal rewards and blessings we're forfeiting. Just remind
yourself how quickly immediate gratification wanes and how long eternity lasts.
#DailyProverbs 1 Thessalonians 5:19-24: "Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; do not despise inspired messages. Put all things to the test: keep what is good and avoid every kind of evil. May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being – spirit, soul, and body – free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful."
Everyone wants the supernatural. "Don't quench the Holy Ghost!" every Pentecostal grandmother has prayed over their grandchildren. Everyone wants a miracle – proof, if you will – that something is out there, listening, paying attention and is in some way enamored of us. Some "need" a miracle more than others, but we all "want" it. We all want that "touch" of divine in our lives and that we have an inside track, or a hedged bet. We want the world, prosperity, the blessings of God's favor in our lives, yet we also want God to give us inspired messages. We want him to walk in the garden in the cool of the day with us. We want the "cattle on a thousand hills," and we want a clear mapped-out route to avoid all evil and any pitfalls. We want gold. We want power. We want fame. We want a free pass to worldliness. And on top of all of those things that we want to easily come to us, we want God to PROVE that He loves us and that He exists. Those that decry the existence of a God will tell you that WE are our own Gods, we need only look to the divine within us. If you just trust yourself, and be good in your eyes, then your perception becomes your reality and you will love yourself to a better place and plane of being... But that’s utter crap.
~WE are not divine. God is divine. We have righteousness through the sacrifice of Jesus. That is our ONLY path to righteousness.
~WE are hostile, busybody, hateful things that wreak havoc and destruction. We can only be truly better when we denounce that, repent, and truly represent the teachings of Christ through giving, love, and helping. Think that's too simple and hippie? Talk to Jesus about it. It's His message. I'm just telling it.
~WE need help. We are pitiful. "Filthy rags" is the term we throw around in testimony service. "We serve a big God." "God's able." Well, honey... GET UP and start acting like God is God, you are human and that you are connected to the ultimate source of power and goodness. ACT like you know who Jesus is.
We that are adamant about the existence of a God are so sure that we are correct…we kill and divide because we are SO sure that “they” are wrong and “we” are right. We bastardize the very name of God and the truth we love so much to BE right. You want to baptize like WHAT? I mean, I put emphasis on the name of Jesus, but I don't want to kill those that don't believe like me. When did Christians start that? Wars, the Crusades, the poor, the "less than..." We have shifted to be a religion that follows radical teachings of love and help to one that turns on victims, women, and the poor. We teach that all life is sacred, but We kill and murder in the name of conservatism, blatantly disregarding the teachings of Christ on love, pacificity, and non-Earthly kingdoms. Yes, I love getting a paycheck and I like not worrying about my future. But I don't think we are supposed to do it at the expense of our souls and walking over the rights, lives, and bodies of other people. The saddest part is the death. The needless death we cause not only in direct conflicts, but as collateral damage laid on the altar of conservativism and how we ignore the needs of those around us. Maybe you don't. Maybe everyone doesn't. But we sure do like to legislate and decry helping those that need it.
So, let’s have a moment of real talk: You want a miracle? Then act miraculously. You want God to save you, then stop arming up and killing and allow God to save you. You want to show the world "God shed his Grace on Thee..." THEN MAN UP AND LET GOD SHINE THROUGH instead of your own interests. I’ve already experienced a few miracles. To be blunt, I’d be MORE surprised now if there wasn’t a God and that God wasn’t watching over me than if you told me my friend was in the next room. I expect God to wake me up and show me things, to talk with me, and to guide my life just as clearly and and just as much as if my friend calls me on the phone. It’s become that real. It kind of has to become that real when you, your family, your health, your life, your job, and your purpose are turned upside down and around. My life isn't what it was, and isn't even where it will be.
I love those pieces of proof. I treasure what God’s done for me and it anchors me to God… but it’s NOT the best thing God ever did for me. I won't ever "get over" or "feel less" about my grandmother's testimony, her time in Heaven, the writings she left me... the MANTLE she passed to me... that's a miracle. That's one I can't escape, though I didn't ask for the burden and responsibility. My healing? Yes, healing me ON the operating table and curing my Barrett’s esophageal cancer was a miracle, a true in-the-books, medicine-wrote-about-it AMAZING. Watching my sister stop in MID-HEART ATTACK because I called out upon the name of God was awe-inspiring, and even something I can't believe when I remember that night and those moments. Though no less miraculous, but less life-threatening, God’s provided finances, energy, strength, clarity, and even guided me away from harm. But EVEN THEN, that’s not the greatest miracle or help I've received from God.
Want to know the real miracle? Salvation. Possibility. Hope. The hope of a better tomorrow. The hope that I won’t be doomed. It's amazing, but true, that God's grand plan for your life is far greater than you can imagine. In fact, this earth-bound existence has us so preoccupied with the demands of life that most of us give little thought to what it will mean to be completely sanctified - the hope that I can be a better person and grow from a place of love and acceptance and repentance. That I’ll use my gifts and what God blessed me with to help those without. That my eyes are opened to the equality of another, though in sin and pitiful. That my own sin and evil nature are no better than anyone’s and our equality in certain damnation is what gives us equality IN salvation.
No one was worthy, therefore all are undeserving and on equal ground at the cross.
Presently, every single day, we all struggle with sin. Every one of us, from the person that just shot up in an alleyway - doing who knows what to score the drugs. All the way to the Bishop of our own churches, trying to maintain fiscal responsibility and clarity in dealing with families and disruptions and attitudes. All of us deal with sin in some way, but when we die, our spirits and souls will ascend to heaven and be completely sinless. Knowing this, how will you live today? The miracle of salvation isn’t meant just to give hope, or a free pass, or to give you unlimited chances… but to spur us on to holy living.
Quit rationalizing your sin. Come to God. Quit justifying your church-y behavior and follow Christ, not your social construct of judgement and shame. Quit living in your past, stuck on sins and feeling sorry for yourself. Get up, wash your face, and do something for God. Live for God for the next 5 minutes, the next day, the next month. Put one foot in front of the other and stop sitting there, waiting for someone to bring it to you.
#DailyProverbs 16:1,2: "We may make our plans, but God has
the last word. You may think everything you do is right, but the Lord judges
your motives."
Do you trust God?
It's a simple question, but it packs a lot
of impact and potentially scary prospects with you answer. Almost every person
I know will say "Yes, of course" and they will hope to believe that.
In fact, growing up in the rural south... we are bred and trained to trust the
Lord and go to church and live our lives. And we spout that and talk it and
then we live as though it's not true.
So, DO you trust God? Do you trust Him
when He is telling you to be kind to someone and you think they don't deserve
it? Do you trust God when he says to give the cash in your pocket to the
stranger? And you think that bum deserves to be homeless and hungry due to bad
choices? Do you trust God when He says to you in a service, "Get up and go
hug that lady" and you resist because you don't want people to look or you
are scared you'll be rebuffed and embarrassed?
Do you trust God when you disagree with
Him? When you read a scripture that convicts you or causes you some weirdness?
Ouch. I don't always agree and want what I feel like God has for me or tells me
to do and go with. And it used to scare me to feel that way, like... somehow, I
was backslidden or a bad Christian if I had a personal opinion. (Granted, I try
to make sure that I eventually align correctly with God and that, to be honest,
He changes MY mind vs. me changing HIS mind... and there is a whole perfect vs.
permissive will thing that I try to avoid. Just because you stay saved and
alive doesn't mean you are IN God's will and living your BEST and
most-productive life. What if God tells you to move somewhere so you can be IN
His will and be in a place to grow and heal, but you are lonely or miss family?
Do you trust Him?
Do you trust God when you feel like the
last idiot standing up for something? When so many of your conservative
"christian" friends and loved ones think that returning evil for evil
is the answer, do you stand firm and trust God's scriptural commands? When your
family tells you that helping someone in need is "fishy" and that you
need to be careful so they don't keep asking for help, is that what Christ
taught? Or if someone needs help, but they are not in your church, or don't
believe in your God, or don't agree with your politics... do you withhold help
and food and rent to them? Do you think they can "hear" your pitch on
being someone that follows Christ over the rumbling of their stomach and the
fear of being evicted? Do you trust God to work that out and you know your
proper place as a tool of His reconciliation and a vessel of His will? What's
more important to you, that YOU understand every detail of God's plan, or that
you are IN God's will and a usable and valuable vessel?
In his letter to Corinth, Paul talks of
the Holy Ghost and the very spirit of God giving us wisdom and letting us trust
the Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 is an AMAZING place to read some very real, but
scary and supernatural promises.
6 - Wisdom for the spiritually mature
7 - God's hidden wisdom, chosen to give to
us in plan hatched before creation
8 - Carnal kingdoms didn't know and
couldn't know, or it would have gone differently
9 - Eyes have not seen, and ears have not
heard what God's got for us and what's coming
10 - God reveals new truths and new things
via the spirit which is constantly searching for us and ONLY the spirit can
take us to God's hidden depths
11 - Only the soul in a person knows every
hidden thing and truth inside of them ONLY you know all you think and hope and
mean. You know your motives, your will, and your purpose. The same is true for
God and the Holy Ghost... ONLY the Holy Ghost can know all of God and ONLY the
Holy Ghost in YOU will give you access to the deep things of God
12- ONLY God's spirit can give us the
things of God. Not the world, nor other things.
13 - Our spiritual language and tongues
are the things that can teach in the spirit. Only those with the spirit, can
teach spiritual things
14 - Those without the spirit cannot
receive gifts of the spirit
15 - Those WITH the spirit can assess and
judge the value of things, and remain judgeless of those around him
16 - Who can know the Lord? Who has the
mind of Christ? Those with the spirit HAVE the mind of Christ
So, then... that's pretty heavy stuff...
And I love every bit of it. Why? Because after exposing the futility of worldly
thinking in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul introduces Christians to the higher realm of
godly wisdom. Paul wrote with lots of things I disagree: I think he was kind of
misogynistic, I think he was totally a spoiled brat, and I think lots of his
work was ghost written... BUT... I DO trust God to protect the message to
humankind and I trust God to protect the sacrifice of Jesus and the propagation of His church. But, with
Paul... he had to WRITE this passage with some trust in God. He had to trust
that Jesus was divine and that this kind of knowledge and understanding
isn't available through human intelligence and reasoning; it comes strictly
through divine revelation and the infilling of the very spirit of God. Only
those indwelt by God's Spirit have "the mind of Christ" (v. 16) and
access to "the things freely given" to them by God (v. 12).
Do YOU trust
God? Do you NOT see that without this supernatural insight, no one can
accurately know the Lord or His ways? Do your actions belie your doubt? Do your
lips say one thing about you and your life says another? Many people say they
believe in God yet may not have a correct understanding of Him because their
perceptions are based on their own thoughts and ideas. To us, to the world, to
human wisdom... it's easier to custom-design a god to fit our preferences than
to make the REQUIRED adjustments that worshiping and following Christ require of us. Following Jesus isn't a
prayer you read off of the back of a tract, nor is it just having your Holiness
Standards and being comfortable, white, and Red. The ONE true God of Heaven,
Earth, Israel and that so kindly extended salvation to us gentiles demands
trust, faith... and ACTION that supports those beliefs.
Do you trust
GOD to handle you? I know people that think God can't or won't forgive them.
They don't think God can help them with drinking, or drugs, or even with their
life and the way they choose to live or treat people. Do you trust God to be
big enough to deal with all of your mess? Even long-time and mature believers
need to guard against trying to fit God into their preconceived image of Him.
It's always so funny to me how Baby Christians and those young in the Lord have
SO much more faith in God to help them navigate their lives, until some
well-meaning older Christian gets a hold of them and talks them out of living
by faith, and instead teaches them to live by standards and by rote. The Bible
is currently the ONLY reliable source of divine revelation, but the Holy Ghost
can lead you and give you wisdom that your human brain can't hold and your
natural brain can't contain in the fullness of His Word. We must be careful to
consider the Scriptures as a WHOLE—it's critical that we don't just pick and
choose the verses we want to believe. For example, by focusing only on passages
that emphasize the Lord's loving-kindness while excluding those that speak of
His holiness and justice, we misunderstand His true nature. God is holy, but
God is ALSO compassionate. When we focus on how someone looks, rather than how they
LIVE and how they LOVE, we miss the mark. When we only focus on "if you don't
work, you don't eat" and ignore "if you have fed or given drink to
the least of these, it was as unto me" then you are MISSING the point of
God putting on skin and showing us a better way. Jesus showed us the way.
If you do, then you are blessed. People rarely know where they come from, their heritage and have a good grasp on who they are to be. Ancestry.com makes a lot of money selling this dream to people that with a few clicks, you can "know" where you come from. You can "know" who your ancestors were and connect with other descendants in your family tree. But does that tell you what you want to know? Does that tell you the full story of you and your people? Many Christians are experiencing an identity crisis. They know they’re "saved," but they don’t really know what to think about themselves. I say this, and I already know that three of you have stopped reading here. You roll your eyes. You think that this won't pertain to you. Some of my Apostolic friends are already nervous that this will be about standards. Maybe it will be about standards to you. If the BIGGEST trial you ever face is getting your personal control over how you present your body to God, then GOOD FOR YOU. If you skirt length or the color of your hair is truly what stresses you, then you need to get out more. There are real struggles in the world.... like folks getting shot and murdered in foreign lands for admitting they follow Jesus. Or even gunned down just walking the street in their own hometown. 1 in 6 Americans... think on that... ONE IN SIX AMERICANS are underfed or go hungry. So, maybe this will resonate with you about your personal modesty. Maybe living for God is hard for you on something as simple as looking and talking like a Christian. I hope, though, it doesn't. Maybe it won't. Maybe this will reach deeper to you. There are folks that fight every day to live drug free, alcohol free and to live a life that doesn't lead to death, prison, or shame. Surely living a Christ-like life in American can't be your biggest obstacle? Not with all He's done for all of us. Maybe this will reach to the substance inside of you. Maybe the author of your salvation, and the measure of faith given to us all will rise up and read this for what it is intended... Or maybe some of my friends that subscribe to NO GOD will think this is stupid. Maybe this is about you. Or maybe my friends that think that just being a decent person will work and that we all end up at the same place with just different roads... maybe you think I'm talking to you. Maybe I am... Maybe, for all of you, thinking that it's about you IS the very action makes this ALL about you. Let’s take a little test. Do you consider yourself a sinner saved by grace or a saint who occasionally sins? Huh? Let me repeat this. Do you consider yourself:
A sinner, but you have been redeemed and saved by grace, or
A saint, but you know you are not perfect and still need God's grace
Both statements are true, but here is the message: the first one dwells on your past identity, where the second focuses on Jesus' perception of you.
1 Corinthians 1:1-9: "From Paul, who was called by the will of God to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus,and from our brother Sosthenes - To the church of God which is in Corinth, to all who are called to be God's holy people, who belong to him in union with Christ Jesus, together with all people everywhere who worship our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I always give thanks to my God for you because of the grace he has given you through Christ Jesus. For in union with Christ, you have become rich in all things, including all speech and all knowledge. The message about Christ has become so firmly established in you that you have not failed to receive a single blessing, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be faultless on the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is to be trusted, the God who called you to have fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord."
Now, I'll have to write this slowly, so I won't get caught up shouting and fail to finish today's #DailyProverb. But that passage is the opening greeting of his letter and it gets skipped over in MANY messages preached today. We get by on the major Apostolic teachings and forget that there are some DEEP promises in just a greeting. If you are a believer, God’s Word says that you are a saint (v. 2). If you are in union with Christ, then your speech and knowledge will be rich in the things of God. When you are so focused on Jesus, and you are FIRMLY established in Jesus, you will not fail to receive a single blessing or gift in the Spirit. You will be kept and maintained until the end, so that you can be found faultless. All of this, just from the "Hello" of a letter to a church that was founded at the crossroads of a multi-cultural, multi-national, and multi-religioned city.
Remember from history and using context, that Corinth was a hot bed of activity in commerce, in power, a cross roads of trade and language and even religion. The temples there to various Gods were competing with and condemning these baby Christians for their "brutal" and "bloody" religion. And to them, in the infancy of Christianity... the crucifixion and the symbolic "blood" purification we required for the remission of sins was ghastly to the city. So, the fact that Christianity had a church established there was amazing, and the fact that it was a powerful and firmly planted church was because of God's grace to them. Paul knew this and called it out.
What about us? Does that sound familiar?
Huh, Michael? What am I even talking about? THIS is what I'm talking about: the world is exponentially becoming ingrained in commerce and travel. The world is small to us. We are bored. We are ALL within a few clicks of being at a crossroads. We all have access to anything that is multi-cultural, multi-national, and multi-religioned at a moment's notice. To live for Christ, and BY Christ's teachings is rare. People use the term "Christian" and the guise of "Christianity" to sell money-making conservatism. Being a white, conservative, Republican in a Red State doesn't automatically make you a good, God-fearin' Christian. Following the teachings of Christ will make you a good Christian. Fakers will wage war on the poor, and not on poverty. They will tell you that family is first, but break up homes with outdated laws, outdated prejudices and fight people. They will tell you that the money making as conservatives is to continue to trust the way that it's been working, but it's not been working. Corporate greed and corrupt human politics are fighting to keep people poor and putting money after money after money into corporate coffers through the guise of progress and consumerism. BEWARE of this and realize what Paul wrote is true. Be FIRMLY established in Christ. You focus on Jesus, what Jesus did, what Jesus said, and HOW Jesus lived... you help your neighbor, you feed the hungry, help the sick, worry and show care for widows and the elderly. Be kind to those others would shun. You bring people to church that others would ignore. Don't focus on giving them a makeover or having them as a "project." Focus on showing God's love. You can NEVER go wrong being kind to people, loving people, and helping people.
Why is this concept so foreign? Because too many of us still see ourselves as the same old sinner, who’s been forgiven and patched up and yet is basically unchanged inside. We stay so "grateful" for being brought out of sin, that we forget to GROW in Christ. We forget that we are NEW creatures and that we are to walk in the callings that GOD gives us. We still think the same. We don't shift and fight and contend and WORK at being good Christians. We just expect God to miraculously change our personalities into these bound, Stepford-like "sheeple" that don't think, don't express personality, don't use their God-given gifts and talents... God made EACH of us to be unique and to do exactly what we were created to do. Not everyone is famous, not everyone is known publicly, and not everyone will be given their due recognition. But EVERYONE has a job to do, a soul to win, a work to accomplish and a measure of faith given to them. Don't sell yourself short. When God can trust you with a little, He starts trusting you with more. If you can be faithful with a just a little... you can grow that.
Are you new? Do you know who you are? Did you The Lord says anyone in Christ “is a new creature; the old things passed away” (2 Cor. 5:17). That’s what being born again is all about. We are new. If you are not new, if you can't get over yourself, and your past, and your regrets and your mistrusts, and your failure... how do you expect others to see you differently? How can you expect others to trust you and work with you, when you won't trust yourself or work with yourself? If you can't manage yourself, how can you manage others? Be new. Be changed. YOU are the ONLY key to that. Trust God to help you and have the FAITH that when God does a work in you, He is THOROUGH. We can never go back to the way we were.
The solution to this identity crisis is to change the way we think about ourselves. If we don’t, we’ll rely on how we feel, and Satan will bombard us with reminders of our failures and sins. But we walk by faith, not feelings. The devil wants to keep us focused on being a sinner, because he knows that the recognition of our sainthood will lead us to live like saints. We’ll be motivated and empowered to obey God, and the Devil will lose his foothold in our lives.
You missed that point, didn't you. The DEVIL will use LIES like, "I don't 'feel' saved. I don't feel like being kind. I am just 'made that way' and I can't help it when I 'lose my temper' or 'run my mouth.'" Then we just give in to whatever is near. We stop trying. We stop fighting for our own causes and actions and to be better. We stop being CONTENDERS. But, those are lies. Those are untrue things that YOU control. You are the ONLY person that can control you. If you don't want to smoke, then don't. If you don't want to drink, then don't. If you don't want to do drugs, THEN DON'T. You are personally accountable and culpable for your actions.
Jesus didn’t come just to save you from hell; If your only goal in loving Jesus is to avoid hell, you have it all wrong. You'll probably go there anyway if that's your mindset. (Yes, I just said that.) Jesus wants to live His life through you. He wants to use you to show love and kindness to others. Your testimony, your kindness, the newness of YOU will draw others to Christ, and then more, and then more. Your success in the Lord will RIPPLE throughout the body of Christ. The Kingdom will grow, thrive and future generations will feel YOUR life and what you decide today. In Christ, you have a new identity which has replaced your old one. So, live like it.
Be new. Be a new creature. Live like a new creature. Walk, talk, work, shop, drink, eat, and laugh like a new creature. Show up at work like a new creature. Show up at your family functions like a new creature. Show up with your old friends and live like a new creature. Don't throw away people or shun them if they are not just like you. Don't give up on others that you once partied with and sinned with if they can't follow you on your new journey in Christ. They still love you, so you need to still love them. One of the biggest reasons that we don't have people wanting Christianity is because WE, as Christians, don't live it out in front of the world. The reason we don't live it is because we don't believe it. (!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe I said that? Yes... you should. If you really believe something, your actions and your behavior will support that belief. If I 'believed' my house was on fire, my 'behavior' would be to get up and get out and get help. If I 'believed' my health was at risk, my 'behavior' would be to get to a doctor. WHY do we say we believe in Christ, but never follow the teachings he set forth?) But it's true! Why would ANYONE want to be a Christian when those that preach, teach and tout how great it is can't even live it or show it?
LIVE your life in front of your family, your friends, your colleagues. Show them. Be salt. Be light. If you will focus on who you are now, your actions will follow, and you’ll experience the enjoyment of a victorious Christian life.
We have only just finished a holiday that we spent touting the things for which we are thankful. That's a good thing. We spend the next day trying to get deals on material goods, which... in and of itself is not a bad thing. Saving money is a good thing (if you were going to spend x amount anyway, and you want to save an additional amount. I have other thoughts if you were shopping for yourself or your home and getting prodded into spending money you don't have or didn't want to spend, other than because of a corporate holiday.)
But the country, with Thanksgiving and it's associated smudge on our nation, remains in a state of tension and unrest. With the turmoil of Black Friday (and the, no less than, three videos of people harming one another over things like a stuff toy, or in one case...foundation garments. Yes, pannies...), we are still experience unrest in places like Ferguson, St. Louis and places where people are really hurting. People are genuinely wondering if it will ever get better.
Jeremiah 6:13-15: "Everyone, great and small tries to make money dishonestly, even prophets and priests cheat the people. They act as if my people's wounds were only scratches. 'All is well,' they say, when all is NOT well. Were they ashamed because they did these disgusting things? No, they were not at all ashamed; they don't even know how to blush. And so they will fall as others have fallen; when I punish them, that will be the end of them. I, the Lord, have spoken."
Um... That sounds like our world today. Doesn't it? No? You don't think so? Let's see:
--Corporate greed and money being the biggest issue: Check.
--Everyone wanted a deal, an angle, or a hook up: Check.
--Even churches and the preachers being concerned about money and politics: Check.
--People minimizing hunger, poverty, and civil exhaustion from inequality: Check.
--People in power minimizing the damage to the population from greed: Check.
--People saying... it's all okay, even when it's not: Check.
--Lack of shame for misdeeds and sin and harming others: Check.
The scary part is what comes next. God is getting tired of it all. And when God says it will fall, and punishment will come... then it WILL. When God says that something will come to an end, it will. But... is that it? Is there nothing we can do? Is this dismal view the end? No.
Colossians 1:15-20: "Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the firstborn Son, superior to all created beings. For through Him, God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through Him and for Him. Christ existed before all things, and in union with Him all things have their proper place. He is the head of his body, the church; He is the source of the body's life. He is the firstborn Son, who was raised from death, in order that He alone might have the first place in ALL things. For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in Himself the full nature of God. Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the WHOLE universe back to Himself. God made peace through the Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to Himself ALL things, both on Earth and in Heaven."
Jesus IS God. And through Jesus, we are able to be reconciled to Him by His sacrifice for us. Otherwise, there were laws... SO MANY laws to be kept. Detailed, complex laws. Before we knew
Jesus, our lives were full of selfish, hedonistic, godless and wicked endeavors. I know, for me, that I had self-seeking ways. To quote "The Talented Mr. Ripley,"
"Well, whatever you do, however terrible, however hurtful, it all makes sense, doesn't it? In your head? You never meet anybody that thinks they're a bad person."
How true is that? We justify EVERY thing we do. We have stubborn, unrepentant hearts (Rom. 1:18; 2:5, 8). And yet, we long for peace. Pageants are filled with hopeful young women that answer: "World Peace" when asked for what they wish. And like
our strife-filled world, we clamored for peace and tried to find it, but our
efforts failed. Humanity has FAILED.
Yet.. when we come to Jesus, all of that changes. Can change. Will change. We have been rescued. We are out of the dominion of darkness. We are brought into the Kingdom of the Christ. (Col. 1:13). Every sin has been forgiven. Every sin in the past, the present, and the future has been/will be forgiven. Justice must be satisfied and divine justice and recompense was satisfied by the sacrifice of Jesus. We have become new creatures in Christ, washed clean by His blood (2 Cor 5:17). With the power of sin broken, we can live lives acceptable to God. We can be IN the world, and not OF the world. Non-Jews can be grafted into God's plan of salvation and receive and enjoy the benefits of adoption into the family of God. We can experience God IN us... God sent the Holy Ghost as a comforter and partner (Acts 2:38) in helping us be both powerful enough to live IN the world and give us the strength to be separate FROM the world. The spirit of God IN us is our personal guide in our daily life, helping each of us experience
Christ’s peace (Rom. 8:6). We also can look forward to an eternity spent in
heaven, where righteousness, tranquility, and joy abound (Rom. 14:17).
Our unity IN and WITH Jesus came at a great price—the sacrifice of His life. Christ gave His life for us so that we could be reconciled to God (Col. 1:20). Christian lives are to testify that Jesus is the source of our peace. God has done all this
for us.
--Does your
life communicate this message? This message and testimony to the power of what God can do in you? --Don't give up on people yet; don't judge others or their pain just yet. --Be a minister of reconciliation. Be a peacemaker. Be a person that looks on civil unrest and disparate lives with mercy and compassion. --Your life was much like any other person before Christ. Don't forget where God brought you from and look on others that NEED God with mercy. --Don't look on others in judgement, because some of US were just like that, or worse. I love y'all. Be good to each other. Cheers, #JustBeingMichael ツ
#DailyProverbs 1 Chronicles 16:30-34: "...The earth is set firmly in place and cannot be moved. Be glad, earth and sky!
Tell the nations that the Lord is king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you; be glad, fields, and everything in you!
The trees in the woods will shout for joy when the Lord comes to rule the earth.
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal."
One year ago, I was in the middle of turmoil. I was gravely ill. I was heartbroken over the loss #MamawSue. I was confused by the dreams the Lord was giving me. I was in limbo. I was not in church, and yet, I was no longer in old habits of the world. Thanksgiving was hard... But it was all working towards a purpose. God's faithfulness and planning are immaculate...
July 15th was the day a sweet couple reached out to me... They really don't realize how much I was affected.
August 20 was the diagnosis that scared me. I was ready to quit. I was ready for death...
October 20 was the turning point where I tried, but only for those around me. I still didn't get it...
November 2 was a loss that rocked our family, and a mantle of prayer was given to me that I wasn't sure I was ready for...
December 21st was the miracle that changed my life forever. Drs. Payoosh & Patel still keep in touch...
As specific anniversaries pass of comfort, fear, loss... I'm left to wonder; without each step, who knows if I'd have had the same outcomes. Without each puzzle piece, who knows where I would be. God's faithfulness and detail is immeasurable. I write a lot in exhortation of others. I minister to others. But this was to me, for me, and about me. God was faithful to me. As the anniversary looms of God's divine intervention in my life, and the miracle that paved the way for the biggest miracle of my existence... here's what I know:
Moses was talking to God years before he had to actually do anything. He spent time with God. He and God communed. He learned God. That's what gave him the strength to do unpopular things.
How must Moses have felt when God directed him to confront his adopted brother?
How must Moses have felt to know that God told him to disrupt the country in which he grew up?
How must Moses have felt to know his nephew was dead?
Pharoah, and those in power had marginalized and vilified the Jewish people. The Israelites were crucial to business and labor, but at the end of it all, they were slaves and abhorred by the Egyptians. Yet, Pharoah never relenquished his hold or his power. He never "mistreated" his slaves, per se. Only punishing those that "deserved" it. Many of the Jews were comfortable in Egypt. They loved their captivity. Many were prominent. They were well-respected, but they were still slaves, and still looked on as inferior. The thing is... it was still slavery and it was still not in God's greater plan.
It took TEN plagues and curses from God for Pharoah to admit that the power had been ripped from his hands and that the Israelites could go to freedom. The last resulted in the death of all of the first born children to each family. It took that for the leaders and people to realize that this could no longer go on.
Not only that, but the Jews plundered the Egyptians for their gold, silver and clothes for their journey to freedom. They were actually funded through their captors. And they miserably marched on... They went through the Red Sea on dry ground, only to still complain of the journey ahead, the journey as it went, and the journey away from comfort into freedom and responsibility.
Ask yourself a few questions:
--God always has a plan. You can be IN it, or you can get run over BY it. Which do you prefer?
--When people are hurting, enslaved, and marginalized... what is your attitude about it? What will God have to do to you to get your attention? Can you learn by Plague 1, or does He have to keep going through Plague 10?
--When you judge others for their methods and their ways of expression in worship, or in pain, or in disappointment to life events, someone is judging yours as well. What would you like from God? How would you like to be treated by God? Then treat others that way. Yes, it's that simple. God told us He would treat us and judge us by the judgement we show others. That's scripture.
--Are you an Egyptian in this story? Do you lord over others or prevent freedom? Do you do that in life? In work? In finance? Do you do that spiritually? Do you harm others with your mouth and your words? Do you harm others with your vote? If so, how? How can you change that?
--Are you an Israelite? Are you grumbling that your freedom costs and is hard? Do you wish you could have it both ways? That your slavery, inaccountability, comfort, and finances flowed freely, but you were considered free? Do you wish you could just nap and forget about it all? Are you tired to the point of giving up and stopping? Well, you will NEVER get to Canaan and your promised land if you REFUSE to leave your comfortable captivity in Egypt. Get up. Keep Going.
Some of you will read this and interpret current events. Good. That's good if you see that. Some of you will read this and take this as a spiritual application. Very good. Leave your spiritual bondage and start your Exodus today. Do it without hesitation. Some of you will read this and wonder who it's aimed at, and if it's liberally slanted for current politics, or if I'm being conservative and talking about leaving sin and worldliness...
Good. Think of those things. You should leave your sin behind you. And you should find yourself leaning towards helping the poor and hurting. Why must we assume those are mutually exclusive: to be conservative and holy in our love of God and liberal and helpful with our love to humanity? Why not assume both are possibly and follow the scriptures?
I love you all.
Jesus loves you all.
Now, get up and go do something good for someone.
It’s been said that the reason
America doesn’t experience thepowerand revival that the rest of
the world feels is because we pray for revival, and they pray forunity. They pray to be united
together in Christ, while we pray that God blesses us and gives us more. I
don’t care for hearsay or click-bait. So I’ll clarify, when I write “it’s been
said…” I mean that Bro. Baily told Pastor and Sis. Ballestero; I was privileged
to hear it.
Unity brings about a lot of things.
Unity in learning. Unity is purpose. Unity in our sacrifice. It gets God's
attention. When Jesus started delegating authority to his followers, his
disciples, he gave them rules. God gives usplentyof promises... but with every
covenant, every promise comes a requirement, a rule, a guideline. God is an
orderly God and we can work the plan and be blessed. He tells us in His Word
what His expectations are. We don’t have to cry out, cut ourselves or beg God
to speak to us, when we’ve got the living Word in us, and his scriptures in
front of us. But he also expects us to follow the rules... and to follow Him.
Jesus Sends
Out the Twelve Disciples(Luke
9:1-6; see also: Mt 10.5–15; Mk 6.7–13)
Jesus called
the twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority to drive out
all demons and to cure diseases. Then he sent them out to preach the
Kingdom of God and to heal the sick, after saying to them, “Takenothingwith you for the journey: no stick, no
beggar's bag, no food, no money, not even an extra shirt. Wherever you are
welcomed, stay in the same house until you leave that town; wherever
people don't welcome you, leave that townand
shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them.”
The disciples left and travelled through
all the villages,preaching the
Good News and healingpeople
everywhere.
That first verse says that Hecalled themtogether.
Then He gave thempower.
Then He gave themauthority.
Then HeSENTthem... and He sent them with
NOTHING but His power, authority, and commission.
We want God to call us. We want God to
give us power. We want God to give us authority. We are not very keen on God
sending us. We are even LESS keen on God telling us that we are to have the
bare minimum. We need a lighting budget. We need cordless mics. We need earbud
monitor systems. Anything less than state of the art is a slap in the face to
us.
We tell God
these days that we “can’t” do ministry unless we are assured that it’s
comfortable, will fit in our schedule, and we are able to ensure that we are
properly paid. People want to play in church on Sundays, but they don't want to
practice during the week. They want to be in the big churches and have the nice
systems... but they can't see themselves helping a small church that might be
one person, acoustics, and doing it simply to ensure that God's name is
glorified in worship. And most people want a check. I am not
correcting Paul. I believe the workman is worthy of hire, but it’s about
communal generosity, not wealth or prosperity. Do you think a man of God will
be uber-wealthy? Do you think if he is, he’ll keep it, or spread it for the
Kingdom? Do you think about the camel and needle? What did Jesus really mean
when he sent his followers, his friends… the men that would be with him out
into the world and into towns like this? With nothing? As nothing? As people
that would need kindness, and alms from strangers to survive?
Would YOU do it, if that’s how God
called you to ministry? Could you?What
did Jesus really mean by that? Like, really mean... Is it possible He
meant to leave everything behind? Live in a commune?
Oh… wait... He kind of said that,
didn’t he? Matthew 8:22 is where Jesus told the rich young ruler, a teacher of
the law, and an actual disciple to leave it all.
All of it?
Yes, all of it. He told the rich
young ruler to come with him. And he meant right then!!! He told him to leave
it all behind. He told the young man to walk with him daily, forsake his home,
his business, his money, his servants his house, his family. Jesus told him to
say goodbye to all of that and come prepare. Jesus knew that His immediate rise
and fall were coming. He knew that the Gospel would be spread. He knew that
eternity was in the balance. The ruler just thought of that day. What were his
tasks THAT day? What were the things he needed to accomplish THAT day?
Do you get caught up at church?
Do you get fired up and mean well
and want "more" of God? More power? More help? More blessings?
Do you feel the rush of a preacher’s
message and tell God you’ll follow him,literally,
anywhere?
Do you balk when God accepts your
offer and asks you to commit to following Him and leaving your world behind?
What about the passage in Luke to
the one in Matthew? It’s nearly identical in the technicalities of what is
offered as the story, but it offers a few more insights into Luke’s pragmatism
and writing style. He focuses on the different phrasing used. Matthew captured
the beauty and majesty of the whole “Son of Man” thing, but Luke cuts to the
point: If you don’t follow God, and obey God, you are of no use to God.#Boom
The Would-be
Followers of Jesus(Luke 9:57;
see also, Mt 8.19–22)
As they went
on their way, a man said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus
said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has
nowhere to lie down and rest.”
He said to
another man,“Follow me.” But that
man said, “Sir, first let me go back and bury my father.” Jesus
answered, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the Kingdom of
God.”
Someone else
said, “I will follow you, sir; but first let me go and say goodbye to my
family.” Jesus said to him,“Anyone
who starts to plough and then keeps looking back is of no use to the Kingdom of
God.”
Could you do that and leaveeverythingfor God? Would you?
What did Jesus mean when He said that
anyone that ploughs looking back isuseless?
What keeps calling you toback?
What has a call so strong that you won’t
keep looking forward at the task God has for you?
What is so
powerful, grand, or important that the straight and narrow row you should be
ploughing will be crooked or stopped due to your inability to look forward?
Ask yourself those questions and answer
themhonestly. Answer themtruthfully. Do you think you
can follow God and let Him truly mold you and use you? Or will you offer all of
the reasons that YOU are the special case that He should work with? Will you
convince God that you deserve the mantle of leadership and prestige and want
the power to proclaim the Gospel, but YOU deserve to be let out of the
sacrifice and the path that God would have you walk.
Seek Ye
First: God and Possessions(Matthew
6:24; see also Lk 16.13)
“No one can be a slave of two masters; he will hate one and love the
other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other.You cannot serve both God and money."
See, here is where the rubber meets the
road for most people. Most conservative citizens in the Bible Belt consider
themselves to be “Christian.” The matter is that they are conservative. They
have values that are conservative. But their love of money is a problem and
it’s one that will overshadow the rest of their testimony. You cannot love
money and serve God. It’sPOSSIBLE,
but incredibly NEARLY NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN that a rich person will make good
moral choices and make it to Heaven. Jesus just flat out said it: A rich person
will work to make more money and hoard and keep money. They just don’t usually
end up using it to make the lives of the downtrodden and poor and needy better,
or even tolerable.
You can even sing the songs, wear the
right clothes, look the part and be a teacher of the law, a ruler, or a
disciple of Christ… but if you won’t dropYOURplans, andYOURlife, andYOURmindset, then you are missing the
point. The Gospel has been spread. It’s been put out there. Those in charge of
it have mutilated it. They’ve abused it. They’ve bastardized it for selfish
gain… God can handle all of that. I’m not an apologist, nor am I ashamed of it.
The cruelties done in the name of Christ were done by politics, greed, and for
control. They were not done in LOVE. But, without love, we are clanging
cymbals. We are useless. We are ineffective. Why? BecauseGod is Love (1 John 4:8) See,
if you are not full of love of Christ, even for those not like you, then you
don’t know God.
Seek Ye
First: God and Possessions(Matthew
6:25-34 ; see also Luke 12:22–31)
“This is why I
tell you not to be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay
alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than
food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they
do not sow seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in
heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds? Can any
of you live a bit longer by worrying about it?
“And why worry
about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes
for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his
wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who
clothes the wild grass — grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burnt up
in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? How little faith you
have!
“So do not start
worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?’ (These
are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven
knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything
else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will
provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow;
it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles
each day brings."
What are you doingFORGod?
When God called you to follow Him, did you
only agree onYOURterms?
When God told you to share the Gospel, is
it only in the situations of whichYOUapprove?
When God asks you to step out in faith and
help, is your obedience only whenYOUare comfortable?
When God tells you to do something, is the
schedule set only whenYOUdecide?
Don’t miss it. Don’t you dare miss what
God has for you. I often wonder if the rich young ruler witnessed the
crucifixion. If he told his children and grandchildren that he knew of Jesus
and had a chance to go with Him. What did he think after that encounter when he
left, saddened?
What about you? Do you leave saddened?
How many encounters have you had with God?
How many times has God given you a chance and reached out to you? How many
times has your heart been pricked with conviction and you feel the Holy Ghost
urging you to talk to Jesus? How many times have you begged God to keep giving
you chances, because you are "not ready." How many times have you
told God that you need to take care of a few situations, just be patient while
you correct and work on a few loose ends? That's not how it works with God. His
love is infinite, not His patience. If you are consumed with worldly things,
they will be the things that choke your relationship with God. They will be
your demise. You will miss the point, and you will miss your chance.
I ask you again:
What has a call so strong that youwon’tkeep looking forward at the task
God has for you?
What possession is worth communion and
following Christ? You just "have" to have it.
What idol do you have that you have put
above following Christ? You just "can't" give it up.
This isn't a religious #DailyProverbs. It's got scripture. It's got references, but it's not about spiritual things, per se. It's civil. It's about civil issues.
Warning, Disclosure and Bias Trigger: This is long. This won't be popular. I'm writing this as a Christian and from my perspective. I'm writing this as a person of diversity and faith. While I'm not really talking to any one group; I suppose I'm talking mainly to people that already identify as Christian, and also to those that are detractors of community organization, intersectionality, and truly level-setting expectations in working collaboratively. Most of the people that already know all of this, are feeling some of the same frustrations I feel. I am certainly not #mansplaining it to the women that work for equality. But I hope that women and all races that assume mixed or pale men can't help will listen and work together.
Everyone is usually happy with others, until they don't get something they want from them. That's a huge generalization, meant to cover a wide variety of things from work, business, social circles, school, and ministry. People want or need something; you give them the service or the product. They are happy; thus, you are well-received and liked.
The issue comes into play when you say no. Or when you note that you can't. Or, even if you won't. Maybe you disagree. Or maybe your priorities conflict with their priorities. If you can't make a service because you are previously committed to another event, sometimes that causes hardship on the person that needed you. But what of the other commitment? You can't back out on that either. YOU have to manage your schedule and your priorities. You cannot blame anyone else. YOU control your life. You will ONLY do or NOT do exactly what you want. If it is a priority, you will make it happen. If it is NOT a priority, you will let it slip. The same is true for ministry schedules, for work schedules, for making meetings and being present, for working on projects - even with those you don't like or with whom working can be difficult. If the end result is what matters to you and that is your priority - you will overlook some of the personality conflict. If the process or your own participation is your priority, you generally can become a problem yourself in the way you interact and work on a team. These conflicts may start off easily solvable and seemingly trivial. But with time, bitterness, and left unresolved - they become bigger stories in our head. They result from a sense of entitlement that people feel for your time and effort. The people assume you are available and they are upset when you are not. Or they begin to treat you differently, make comments or remarks that become increasingly aggressive or even untrue. They begin to confront you about conflicting priorities. Or they make it personal and not based on solving the issue of covering both events, both projects, or both issues. They make the issue about you and them, not ensuring both priorities are met. People really do just want you to do what they want. But, that's not always a realistic answer. you just can't operate in life that way. You still have to manage your resources and your time. You will find that in the management of your time and priorities, conflict happens. These feelings we are discussing today are a result from that privilege.
Sometimes, you have to get over yourself in ministry or work and make the end result your goal. Your personal glory, your personal recognition, and your personal pride have to, sometimes, be put on hold while you make choices for the larger community and the greater good. People in a church, that claim to be Christians are some of the very first to hurt you. Real hurt. Deep hurt. It's usually from the mouth. (James 3:5) The reality of working with other humans in business or ministry is that you may have to forego one priority, or re-prioritize, or even table it until the immediate priority is met for the greatest and farthest reaching effect. You cannot always be completely rigid in either process or policy when the end goal is a common policy, product, or event that will benefit the most people, with the most impact. Human nature is to prioritize our pet issues first and then address others. Real leaders have to weigh and balance the entirety and larger scope of a project before the needs of the few or one, or (most painful) personal goals.
What happens when workers, volunteers, team members won't compromise? What happens when they won't work together on all issues for all people for the common greater good? What happens when one team member shuts down or quits and the others have to pick up the slack? What happens when one musician in ministry will only do things when it's for larger services but not for small groups that really need help? What happens when it can't be spread across multiple people that could do a lot of good? What if it's always the same faithful workers and team members that give and work and pick up slack? If it cannot be resolved, resolutions must be made. Ties must be broken. Conversations must be had. Hard choices are made. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
[The goal, however, is intersectionality.]
That's my personal goal in my relationships, work and ministry. And it's what I work towards in my life. The rest of this is written biased from the perspective that intersectionality is the best answer to many of the tensions we feel from conflicting priorities in activism, social change, and ministry.
I don't always make my legal, political and moral stances public because I was taught not to do that. I was raised that we didn't put signs in the yard for candidates. I was raised that we don't talk TOO in depth about politics. We may be bold and proud in our faith, but we don't proselytize and abuse our faith by flaunting it. I was raised not to talk about money. And to be honest, I was raised not to ask about money. My mother thought it was rude... and it was tacky to ask people how much things cost, or where they got something, or what they believed or thought about certain topics. You smiled in public and left your dirty laundry at home! It was both the best and worst upbringing because it was a classy and nice way to be; but society has changed so much that it's become moot and kind of useless in witnessing in ministry and cutting to the chase in social reform and policy. So, needless to say...
[It's safe to say I was raised with a fair amount of privilege.]
And?? So?? What does that even mean? It means that I get certain advantages because of my color, the amount of money I have, or am assumed to have, and my education. To a degree, it means I get advantages because of my grammar and speech patterns. White men like the way other white men talk. Since there have been centuries of white people in power, it means that the speech, patterns, and social graces set forth by those in power have permeated to other races in power. That's why people that are well-spoken and use grammatical context are said to "talk white." It means that the generally accepted standard of success that I naturally fit into makes my life easier and not harder. I don't have to do the work, and then defend the fact that I did it. I just get to do the work and let it stand for merit. It means that the opportunities I've been afforded come from intangible bouts of groups of people, over generations, pushing me towards success.
I'm going to let that paragraph stand for itself. Most people are going to BALK at it and become defensive. But it's true. Now, does that mean it's been easy, or fun, or even a journey that others could complete? No. Does it mean that we are all "plug and play" as people and that we are all interchangeable? No. The fact is, I am the ONLY one that could be me. I am the ONLY one that could do what I've done. I'm the ONLY one that messed up what I've messed up. I'm the ONLY one that was there when I was a broke drunk and spiraling out of control. I'm the ONLY one that salvaged and worked on the things I've worked on. I'm the one God healed. I'm the one that God delivered and I'm the one that God saved. I'm the one that God called to be Michael K. And I'm the one that could only access what God has for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) Maybe that's privilege; but it's also pathway. It's also PURPOSE. To be me, and to have my blessings, you must also bear my curses. If you want my healing and testimony; be sure you want the disease and pain that is on the way to that victory.
That's the key to remember... everyone has issues. Everyone has been hurt. My parents were hurt by their parents, and so forth, and back generation after generation all the way down to me. Everyone has something to overcome. Mine has been confusion, self esteem, anger, and the infamous "hay bales, sweet tea, and glitter!" Being where I am now, in ministry, I am acutely aware of how I treat others IN addiction, IN sexual problems, IN alcoholism, IN a life of pain and theft, and self-medication and abuse. That's why we are to be kind and thoughtful of others. Privilege in one area doesn't mean you've not been damaged in another area. Our world and our society today talks about privilege quite a bit. If you are a straight white male, you are considered to be at the top of the food chain. You are demonized and even in some cases criminalized. Perhaps, even historically rightly so. History has made quite a case for this to be true. Straight white males do seem to be the ones that have run the world for centuries and brought us to what our society is today. But that's not the only story. That's not even the whole story. I am viewed as Caucasian and privileged, but that's not MY whole story.
[Believe me, growing up in rural Mississippi, people never passed up chances to tell you how different you were than homogenized versions of white settlers of the past.]
--Or if you were effeminate. There are men that are not these burly, butch things that like to spit and kill. They are heterosexual, and they are good men, but in areas, they area ostracized for knowing grammar and how to use dinner utensils. Or for knowing the word utensils.
--Or if you identified as gay. That's the worst thing ever these days. Christians have open license to hate gays. They are un-savable, unsalvageable creatures upon which the conservative right wing of government has unleashed it's fury. They are viewed as sub-human and undeserving of Christ. They are viewed as those that God cannot love. The word "gay" will allow Christians to overlook scripture, to ignore commands from Christ, and are the de facto punching bag for the church. That's not scriptural or what Jesus said. He died for every human alive.... even gays. He died so all humans could be saved. Personal pet peeves and prejudices cannot and will not change what God would do.
--Or mixed-race. Because if you weren't lily white and pure in the South... well, that's just not acceptable. We are pedigreed and pompous people. We are proud of our heritage and we want others to understand why DAR and SOC are important traditions. I mean, we are good looking. And old white ladies will whisper about peoples' colors and talk about just how beautiful mixed babies are... but they just know "how hard it will be on them..." Bah. It's just like we are expected to attend the American Legion benefits and join the Eastern Star so our grandparents will be proud. But not if you are not all white. If you own that, admit it or celebrate it, you're not okay. It's different today, but in the 80's it was still quite taboo. In the 60's and prior, it was considered sin. There were even men that skewed the Bible to say that black people should be slaves because of Noah's son and a curse. That was taught... in churches... in the 80's. [Ponder that for a minute.]
--Or even just quiet. Or liked something different like art. These are not status quo and as such, they are not acceptable norms of behavior.
Any anomalies were considered bad. And any anomalies gave others license for open season in bullying, in taunting, in name-calling, in locker-stuffing, in shaming, in degrading, in humiliating, in attempted-shooting (even by stepfathers that thought you'd be better dead than gay), or in the fact that if you were TOO Jesus-centric and on the fringe because you believed the words of Christ, then you were still not "conservative" because you truly believed that feeding the poor and helping the needy was a priority. [Trust me... rural Mississippi will SET YOU STRAIGHT when it comes to who gets help and who should be shunned!]
We all make assumptions. It's life. We all have our beliefs. I have mine. We even learn and grow as we age. My "hardline" beliefs from the 70s and 80's changed in the 90's. My beliefs and ideals of the 2000's into the present have changed. You assume that I am a certain way because of one outfit I wear at a work conference or at a church service. You assume that I look a certain way and get certain rewards.
--Unless I speak and someone assumes I'm gay. "Hay bales, sweet tea and glitter." And no matter how hard I try to be butcher, it's easier to be myself and let the Lord handle it.
--Unless I wear short sleeves. I NEVER get pat downs at the airport in suits. I am usually rushed through security due to my clearances. Unless I wear casual clothes or short sleeves. Then I am asked 20 questions and asked to confirm my ID information and I'm almost always "randomly" selected for a pat down. I look like prison rough trade in short sleeves, and I get treated as such.
--Unless I am asked about my beliefs. I have friends... FRIENDS... that still try to pin me down on if my beliefs are this or that and do I agree with them on scripture translations. Do I really mean to go back to the UPC? Do I really believe in Acts? Do I really think God healed me? Do I really think God delivered me from a life of unhealthy habits? People freak if you start telling the truth instead of watering it down. And they judge you.
--Unless you know my history with substances. It's not pretty.
--Unless you know my family history with drugs. It sucks when your dad's in jail for drugs.
--Unless you know that I long to be "good enough" for God - but know that it's STUPID to think any human being could be good enough. God loved us enough to make a way for us, even though we are pitiful and helpless before Him.
To assume I'm this bastion of privilege and that I lucked up and got pushed to the position I'm in is ludicrous. It's been a battle since my birth. So, don't tell me I won't understand you. I may not be able to identify as you, but I can sympathize and help where I can. I want to help. When you assume all of the above about me, you are doing exactly what you decry and don't want done to you. You want to be viewed as competent on your merit. You don't want your genitals or your sexuality or your race to be in indicator of your skill or your ability. Why do you assume any of mine were? When I offer to learn, and I offer to help and I work towards intersectionality and moving all humans forward in this world, and you want to deny my past hurts and the microaggressions committed against me; that makes me want to stop. It makes me want to pack up what little privilege I have and use it for me and my pet causes and leave you to yours. That sounds awful, but compassion exhaustion is real.
[What's your point, Michael?]
MY POINT IS: I see many memes and many calls for justice because of the stereotype of the listless and criminal black man. I see many that decry the foul nature of saying all black women are angry. Or if you have natural hair, you must be an activist. If you have dreadlocks, you must do drugs. Or if you are Hispanic with the genetic lottery winnings of olive skin and dark hair/eyes, you are in America illegally. It's sad because people really think if that's the case, you probably swam over. But Hispanic or Latino people with lighter hair or eyes are more acceptable? Or if you are white, then you are well off. Or if you are a white girl, "you can't even"... or all white guys are "frat-tastic." Or all Asains are smart. Or all Asians are good at math, or play violin... Or if you don't speak English, you hate America. Or if you are poor, you are lazy. Or if you are disabled, you are a mooch. Or if you have ever received assistance, you just didn't try hard enough. Or if you are gay, you are promiscuous. Or if you are trans, you are confused. Or if you are a Muslim, you are a terrorist. Or if you are Jewish, you are greedy. Or if you are a Christian... you are a hater of anyone different.
The human race is a genetic melting pot. The human race is the only real race. Race based on skin color is a created construct that was used for division. It was used to separate and divide and yes, for those in power, to conquer. So, why do we divide and compartmentalize one another? Why don't we all work together for a better world? A better life? A better country? A better way to treat one another?
MY POINT IS: We have to work together. Not just as Christians/Jews/Muslims, but as human beings. Not as white/black/brown/red/yellow... but as HUMANS. Not as men/women in a binary, but as HUMANS. We have to live together and work together and survive together. Yes, you may know many, many, many of us that create the stereotype of white male privilege. With our paler skin, and our ability to get or keep jobs. Our access to power and funds and control. We can help. We are not all bad. We are not all going to be evil. So, don't stereotype all of us. Unless you would like the same treatment back, that is. The exhaustion is real. And the even sadder reality is that compassion exhaustion is a real thing. Some of us do actually try to make a positive difference. We want women to succeed and to thrive. I respect, love and in some cases have even idolized women. We want races to be equal and we want merit and character to be what we consider. I would MUCH rather know that merit is the entire case in work than any other consideration, but that's because my job market calls for daily proving of new ideals and levels of tech and industry. Politics aside, it's imperative that the work is done is immaculately. That's a merit-based industry. I don't believe in being "color blind." We don't want to be blind to culture, but we want to be aware that culture aside, there are extraordinary people of all races, nations, and cultures. So, why exclude any of us from helping? When men or especially pale men, try; why lump us in with everyone else? If we are really all trying to be taken seriously by our merit and the content of our characters, why do that? Yes, I understand already that you may be tired of educating people. [Every day. All the time. About things they should already get. Yes, it's tiring and yes, it gets old.] But, for those of us willing to learn; it's disheartening to hear how we are immediately thought to be unable to know or learn. I want to help disenfranchised people. I want people to feel safe and that their citizenship brings certain responsibilities and privileges. But I don't want to feel intrusive if I'm just another stereotype that you won't work with...
MY POINT IS: When you become so rigid, and you define your success as your separation from others, you fail. Christians especially. We are NOT to be OF the world, but we are to be IN the world and a light TO the world. We as a whole have failed. We are splintered. We are not unified. UNITY will unlock many things both in the spirit and in the flesh. We pray for revival, but we don't pray for unity and wholeness. And when help is offered, we reject those that would help us. When that happens to me, it makes them want to pack up what privilege I DO have and use it for my own causes. Most people area like that. Here is a hot-topic case-in-point: Gay marriage is a white gay male issue, primarily. I don't care what anyone thinks of it morally or from a faith-based issue. I have my thoughts and you have yours and we all have ours. Right or wrong, I'm talking a civil and legal issue. And, because of the push and power behind it, it's passing... It's passing because of money and power. Think about that. DINK money, if you will... What about universal access to clean drinking water? What about the corporation that said that shouldn't be a basic human right? hat about causes for black women in America? What about access to affordable housing, childcare and the ability to try to do better with dignity and not as a charity-case? What about school to prison pipelines? How are those going? Black men being demonized, arrested or even killed just for walking down the street at night? Even further away from success. How about genetic changes to food and how the poor are kept unhealthy by fake food being cheap and healthy food being a privilege for the well off? That's not going well. How about human rights for job security? How about "at will" states and pregnant women? How about the path to legal immigration and treating human beings decently? How about people that can speak three languages and know computers but clean your toilets because you think brown people with language barriers are inferior? What about the fact that you can be arrested for feeding the homeless? How are all of these other issues going? Not so great if you ask me.
We are all splintered. We are not working together. We are rejecting help from those that are different because we require rigid acceptance and approval. I don't have to like you, love you, or agree with you to WORK WITH YOU on a better world. Your rejection of me is also a rejection of my access to privilege, power, and funding.
We have all got to remember to work together. I don't hate anyone based on differences in thought, faith, or culture. What I know is that there will always be those that I don't click with and that I am not overly fond of, but that doesn't mean we can't work together on jobs, projects, in ministry, and for a better world at large if they are not of my faith. I can love in Christ when my nature is to retreat. I am a mixed-race, recovering, celibate Christian that loves Jesus and works too much. I have strong beliefs in what I think God wants from me to be holy and to be complete in Him. But I also don't push my personal convictions and requirements onto others. I also don't believe that I should be cruel, shun, or reject others based on my personal faith and my commitment to God. And I still try to love those that are not like me. I try to love everyone and show that love because my faith in Christ commands it. My faith teaches that the love of Christ will draw people to Him and that His perfect love can save them. My heart and my life are different because of Christ. My work ethic, my pastimes, my conversation, the things I hope for and work towards are different than they used to be.
Regardless of your skin color, your hair texture, your nationality, your country of origin or your faith in a higher power, spirit or religious ideal: Be kind to others. Work with others and teach them when possible. Don't get tired of teaching others to be their best, to do their best and to work together with others to consolidate EVERYONE'S best. Use intersectionality to promote common goals and reach across faiths, and races, and priorities.