metanoia

What a ride! What a journey! What a life!

The quest of life itself, whether we are adventurous or not, takes us on all sorts of roads. The road of “hard knocks”; the road to success; the road “not taken” and yet all of us step onto our little path and enter the woods, never quite sure what lies ahead. Many lose their way, getting lost in the forest of dreams, lost hopes and “evergreening.”

But what about METANOIA - the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self and even way of life? What if we discovered the path, the true way? The journey of a nonbeliever to a believer in Jesus is that transformational journey - metamorphous. The Greek word for transformation is metamorphóō. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul states that,

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

The first step on this life-long quest is repenting or turning away from our “all about me” to focus our love and energy into God’s plan. Next, we have to recognize that we can’t earn our way in this life. We need to be born again spiritually and realize that we are in the world, but not of it. Lastly, we need to spend time in prayer and reading God’s Word so we can develop a closer, personal relationship with the God of the Universe.

I don’t want to be content, just walking the path; I want to experience life. That means going a little deeper, going a little further and discovering what life has to offer and what God has in store for me. Maybe I need to listen better; care more for others or even change some bad habits. With the good Lord’s help, it is possible. It certainly doesn’t happen suddenly.

Moses went from prince to prophet; David from shepherd to king; Mary Magdalene from sinner to follower; and Peter from denier to devoted Christ follower. And so may our prayer be: God, be my way; Jesus, be my words; Holy Spirit be my protector and guide on this crazy, roller-coaster, bumpy road of life.

akimbo

She arrived in the wee hours of the morning, slipping out of her mother’s womb, “little droplets akimbo.” Perfect cherub features; my new granddaughter. This little baby girl gazing up at us so wisely has suddenly altered the universe of her “big bear brother” and “seasoned” parents. We are amazed at this new life.

As a baby, she will grow and mature, much like our life as a believer. Our new life is one of transformation - to be more like Jesus. As we mature in our faith and relationship with Him, we experience changes.

Recently Russell Brand, a well-known comedian and actor, emphasized that his journey as a new Christian is only beginning. He shared with an interviewer "a sense of excitement and eagerness to continue learning and growing in his faith.” As believers, we are called to grow, serve, experience God in our lives.

Throughout the New Testament, there are stories of men and women who were “reborn” into a new way of thinking; a new way of life; a transformation. One of those men was Saul of Tarsus. After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem, Paul was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” and he was authorized to arrest any Jesus followers.

On the Road to Damascus, Saul was blinded. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4) Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9:7-19

May the scales from our eyes fall; may we be filled with the Holy Spirit and may we have new eyes to see and believe.

INVIDIOUSNESS

The painful awareness of wanting another’s possessions or advantages is not an emotion we want to indulge in or a place we want to visit too often. We may gaze longingly at that object or desire to be in that position we feel we so deserve over another, but as Dr. Martin Shaw so explicitly says: “Envy’s a horrible motel to stay at. The pizza is cold, the air sour, there’s a party going on down the hall and you most definitely do not have an invitation. No one wanders down your end of the corridor. It’s a masterclass in smallness and distinctly uncreative.”

There were numerous moments in the bible when even the disciples were jealous of one another and were vying for attention; as we are prone to do with others.

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9: 33-35

And that is the juxtaposition of Jesus’ teachings. It’s standing at the door of the auditorium, hearing the cheers, toasts and praises, but know they are not for me. I am hurt; I brood and the medal will not be hung on my neck today. But oh, we are so greedy for the praise, the fame, the glory that we believe we richly deserve.

We look longingly at what others have. The illusion is that “the grass is greener on the other side” idiom that was spoken to us from years long past. We desire. We are envious, jealous and covetous. We even resent others. And that’s a dangerous thought to think upon. And so, Matthew 6: 19-21 tells us what we ought to do.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where is your heart today?

laryngitis

In the space of silence, there are no words. When one loses her voice - physically but not literally - she searches to find words that speak for her. This past week has been a test of patience, longing and voicelessness. I am learning to listen, trust and believe that my vocal chords will once again vibrate with clarity as I speak, laugh and share conversation with others.

I also know that this past month has been a month of losses. My girlfriend’s granddaughter - too young at 16 to say goodbye; an elderly man from my church with cancer; a friend’s husband succumbed to his illnesses; a friend’s sister gone and the tragic loss of a young Grade 12 student ready to graduate. And there are others grieving their losses.

Many years ago, June was a month of losses for me. My brother died close to his birthday and today he would have been 65. It was my parent’s anniversary - it would have been 67 years together. And yet, despite the losses, there have been many gains.

I have been blessed with a daughter in law, a grandson and soon a granddaughter this summer. I live in a country rich with resources, peace and beauty. I share my home, laugh with friends, drive to various destinations on paved roads and attend a church with believers who pray for me. The blessings abound and I am thankful beyond all measure.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

providence

People call it luck. Some refer to it as chance or fate. Others say it’s just a coincidence, but I call it Divine Intervention or Providence.

Things do happen for the reasons they are meant to happen and at times we may never know why. Other times, we can look back, reflecting to see the reason, but always know that God does not make mistakes.

I recall a recent story I heard about a Christian man who was working in an office building. He left work one day before Easter weekend, but felt prompted by the Spirit to return to the office and invite a coworker to his church for the Sunday service that weekend. The fellow coworker was not interested and told the man that he was an athiest and not to bother talking to him about “religion.” The man then shared his faith but respected his fellow colleague’s choice. He left the building wondering why God had wanted him to talk to this man.

Years later, the Christian fellow became a pastor and was serving at a church. One Sunday, a man approached him after the service, shook his hand and said, “Thank you.” The pastor was confused, “For what?”

“Well, many years ago, I was a construction worker and we were doing some tiling in an office space downtown. I was on the floor. You probably didn’t notice me the day you came into the office and tried to convince your athiest friend to come to the Easter service. I heard your message, was moved by what you said and when I got home, I told my wife and kids that we were going to church that Sunday. My life has never been the same. We became believers and now here we are here, listening to your message today because of that.”

We might not know how someone was affected by what we said, how we treated another or even why we shared our story. But we can know that God is always at work, through His people, in ways we may never know. Keep the faith and share your story, smile and shekels with others and see the Hand of God work in lives.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12

proeidopoíisi

Look out! Look up! Listen! Prepare! Beware! Be alert! Warning!

The Western church has really failed to make a kingdom difference in our world today. Do we integrate our faith into our everyday living or simply show up on Sunday service or watch a sermon on-line? Do Christians know more about what not to do than what should really be done? Are we just too comfortable with our lifestyles and don’t have the time or inclination to grow as a follower of Christ?

Jesus did send messages to the seven churches in Revelation, which are as revelant and applicable today as when they were written. The church of Ephesus have “forsaken their first love” while churches of Pergamum and Thyatira tolerated false teachers and teaching. Sardis and Laodicea were in danger of being lazy about the faith and the Smyrna and Philadelphia churches who endured persecution were told to hold on and overcome. Nonetheless, the message to all churches is the same when Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” So, what to do?

Because Jesus knows every church, its struggles and triumphs, he also addresses each congregation differently. What we need to be doing is serving in and outside our churches for God’s glory, not our own personal agendas. He doesn’t care about what color our carpets in the meeting room are. He isn’t concerned about petty differences or the number of people on a Sunday morning service. The latest technology is the least of his concerns. What does Jesus care about?

First of all, he cares about us. So we need to be aware of the false teachers and false preaching. He cares about non-biblical connections and our spiritual health or lack of it. Jesus is the resurrected Lord of Glory, the Ancient of Days, the great “I Am,” “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth”. He wants to be pleased with your witness, church, works, and your very life before God and men.

Jesus wouldn’t have written those warnings or messages if he didn’t want us to pay attention. What a thrilling challenge for us in 2024 to be a witness for Christ. Look inward and look up!