“Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is present in the tangledness of our lives. ” — Michael Yaconelli
We talk of “accepting Christ”, but for many that really is not the problem. When we talk about Jesus, there is such an attractiveness about him, that makes ‘hard-boiled’ agnostics stand back and grudgingly admire. But, to accept “me”, well that takes more then just a bit of imagination. When your depressed or anxious it just escalates the problem.
We just don’t like ourselves. Sometimes I think that if I met me, I would think, “What a jerk! ” Having psychiatric issues only intensifies and focalizes my sin into a horrifying mess. I’m not just a loser, I’m a loser on steroids. A supreme loser! I’m certainly not the red Ferrari, I am obviously the rusty Edsel with the balloon tires and a lousy heater.
The remarkable thing though is not my spiritual unattractiveness, but God’s irrational love for me. The New Testament writers used the word we translate “love” as “agape“. That Greek word meant a love without any conditions, a selfless love, a love that was passionately committed to the well being of the other. Actually, it is a love that goes out of the way to care for its enemy. That’s the audacity of agape.
We do the mental gymnastics to try to grasp the definition. We strain and contort but it defies comprehension. We grab, hold it, and then it gets loose and we clutch air.
“This is how much God loved [agape] the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life .”
-John 3:16, MSG
When I tell you, “Jesus loves you”, you will probably smile politely, nod and say “I know,” and turn away. But, once in awhile, “lightning will strike,” you will look up in stunned amazement, with tears in your eyes, and whisper, “I know”.
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“Spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God’s being present in the mess of our unfixedness.” — Michael Yaconelli, Messy Spirituality
13″ The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.
14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
Exodus 18
Often your father-in-law will observe things clearly and honestly. I believe most can perceive situations that our own fathers will overlook. I think this is because our own fathers are often functioning out of their hearts. They are emotionally attached. But a father-in-law has a different view.
Jethro has come, most likely to escort the grandkids, and his daughter. He is probably quite curious about Moses new direction. Jethro has only known that his son-in-law as a shepherd. But now, things are changing quickly. And Jethro is praising God for what He did over the Egyptians.
Jethro is enthusiastic. But he is also alert and aware. As Moses schedules his day, Jethro sees an inordinate amount of time given to judging, not leading. He watches and than asks some questions. This is the sign of good correction. Moses faces these questions really well. He is a great model for teachability.
Leadership is almost always a shared work.
Many aspects of it should be collaborative and plural. The singular view of leading people– out of my own resources alone, will not end well. Moses was teachable and Jethro needed to share this word of correction. If Moses had not took the wise advice of Jethro, they would’ve died in the desert.
When Moses released these things to others who were qualified, he commences on a new understanding of ministry. He actually becomes a better man because of the advice of Jethro. He must become “expendable.”
24 “Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. 25 He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.26 These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.”
None are ever indispensable and no one can do everything. We may try, but that usually is ego. We will do better if we will relinquish control. I think that the Father designs it this way.
Dwight L. Moody once said that he would rather put a thousand men to work than do the work of a thousand men. I believe that is a Kingdom concept that we should activate.
My heart is that you would comprehend His love, and turn and hear Him whisper peace and kindness to you. There is no question– we’ve sinned and rebelled and screwed things up. But He doesn’t judge, or give us what we deserve. Jesus gives us the most wonderful present ever.
We really have nothing to bring. We are like the poor shepherds– and not at all like the three kings. When it comes to spiritual, or eternal things we are completely bankrupt. The Holy Spirit who wants to speak to us, we more or less confuse His voice. People tell us about Jesus, and we turn it into ‘gobbledygook.’ We simply can’t connect the dots. Don’t you wonder why you think there must be something more? That is the plight of a fallen heart.
But Jesus did die for us. And, furthermore He paid the ‘sin-debt’ that we owed. When we receive Him as our personal Savior, we will find the forgiveness that we need. Seek Him, and ask for understanding. Things are really not what they seem. His deep love for you goes beyond what you can possibly imagine.
There is another tree. One we decorate with sparkling lights, the other becomes the only way we can be saved. “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” (John 12:32).
But dear one, there is another tree.
If you would like, I’m just an e-mail away. I would be honored if I could offer you some kind of simple guidance. No weirdness, just a friend.
Broken Believers 