June 15, 2009
Even a cursory glance at the political landscape today will demonstrate how popular opinion can change like March weather in the southeast. Popular opinion is a shifty thing…but this is nothing new.
Jesus knew the pains of a fickle audience well. The week he was murdered is probably the best example of that, but that was not his only experience with a moody bunch.
Luke 4 illustrates this.
Jesus was in his home town of Nazareth when he read from Isaiah during a temple meeting. In 6 verses he witnessed a swing of emotion that is common with the “crowd” mentality.
In verse 22 “everyone spoke well of him“. By verse 28 they were “furious“. They even “intended to push him over the cliff“.
When we allow the opinions of others to determine our state of mind, we miss the abiding peace that comes from total obedience to Jesus.
The question is not, what do people think about me? We play to a sold out audience of one. The only question with true grit is whether or not Jesus is pleased with our steps and motives.
When the substance of our affirmation is based on the fickleness of popular opinion, the highs of public praise will be soon followed by the dreary lows of public scorn.
What’s the source of your affirmation?
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Posted by Chris Lewis
May 11, 2009
We all have different motives and passions that drive us. They are the “behind the scenes” elements that propel us forward.
Even when the tank is empty, we all have that singular driving force that will command and compel us to dig deeper.
To move beyond the realm of what is and pursue the reality of what can be. These guys all had one thing:
- For Jacob, his one thing was Rachel. “What shall I give you?” he asked. “Don’t give me anything,” Jacob replied. “But if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them:” – Gen 30:31
- The Psalmist had his one request. “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life” – Psalm 27:4
- Jesus identified the one thing standing between a certain man’s surrender. “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” – Luke 18:22
- This guy told everybody about the one thing he was sure about. “He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” – John 9:25
- Paul focused on this one thing. “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” – Phil 3:13
What’s your one thing?
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Posted by Chris Lewis
March 20, 2009
…to refresh and revitalize your spirit. For me, this is one of the best ways Romans 12:1-2 plays out in my life. This is how I experience “the renewing of your mind“.
I find it encouraging to note the times in scripture when Jesus pulled away and sought solitude. Obviously Jesus wasn’t anti-social…BUT he did live in an entirely human body like me (he was probably a little thinner)…AND our bodies and our minds need rest! If Jesus (who is God) took time to refresh, how can we think we require any less??
To be at the top of our game, we need times of refreshing. For me, it’s a few days hiking and camping. What is it for you?
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Posted by Chris Lewis
March 4, 2009
Remembrance should always lead to pursuit.
Psalm 44:1
We have heard with our ears, O God;
our fathers have told us
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.
When we look behind us to see great things God did yesterday, it should drive us forward in pursuit of His calling today. Looking back is good…as long as it pushes us ahead.
Pausing to remember great things God did on our behalf yesterday is helpful and should cause us to trust His working on our behalf today.
It should not cause us to get stuck.
When a church, organization, family, or individual believes their best times to be behind rather than ahead – well…that’s when death begins.
I’m looking forward!
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Posted by Chris Lewis
