Communicating with Questions

I had a neat experience this morning. I had to go to a difficult meeting. I struggled to go to sleep last night and awoke at 5:00 a.m. and could not sleep. So I began to pray...and analyze what I should do. I don't know about you, but I tend to spend more time trying to figure it out than listening for God's answers. Finally, around 6:00 a.m. I gave up trying to figure it out and fell asleep...only to hear the alarm 45 minutes later.

As I got to my meeting early this morning, God seemed to speak to me and tell me to be slow to state anything, but to rather to ask questions. The truth was that questions were really all I had to offer. So I had to resist the GUY thing of having answers. Amazingly, the person with whom I was meeting responded incredibly and communicated the fact that he tried every way he could think of to figure out a solution and was only left with questions. By communicating our questions, however, we were able to arrive at a possible solution to the difficult situation.

A little bit later, while reading God's Word, I saw the story of a group of people who were perplexed in a serious situation. Their questions were of the 'life determining' nature. Then enter Jesus...and rather than proclaiming how stupid they were (which He had the right and position to do), He asked questions. His questions helped the people figure out the answers themselves. What a novel idea...or not?

Souveniers

Have you been watching Barry Bond's chase for the Major League Baseball homerun record, currently held by Hank Aaron? Especially since moving to Atlanta Braves territory, I have seen the Aaron replay so many times. However, the media (rightly or wrongly) is struggling to focus on Bond's potential accomplishment...but instead is focusing on the stories surrounding it. One that has caught my attention is the crew of kayak paddlers in the McCovey cove outside the park awaiting the souvenier of a lifetime.

If the ball were to go into the water, then who would get to it first? Would they value it so highly that they would keep it, or would they sell it for a profit? Mark McGwire's single season record ball is worth a ton of money...even though he is also facing personal scrutiny. It makes me wonder if I will finish well enough for anything that I have touched to be valued by anyone.

But today, I was reading about an item that was not auctioned off on Ebay, but was instead gambled for at the foot of a cross. It was owned and worn by a pretty popular guy in history who's life was also ripped with scandel. I am sure that someone would love to have it today. I wonder what it would be worth? But I am left with a penetrating question: Would we spend more time focused on the garment or the accomplishment of the One who wore it?

Cultural Paradox

In my studies today, I came across a statement by Warren Wiersbe that says something like, "Life is meant to be enjoyed and used to bring glory to God." It struck me that our culture would say that these two would be mutually exclusive. However, the reality of the thought hit me. The thought that we cannot enjoy life while pleasing God is a lie straight from the pits of hell that we often buy...just as it was first sold in the Garden of Eden. It has been sold to some of the greatest minds and wealthiest people in history...but it is purchased by the lowliest people as well. The truth is that the greatest enjoyment we can have in life is when we are living out our God desired purpose.

Increase Our Faith

Recently, in my personal study, I was reading in Luke 17 as the disciples of Jesus were asking Him to "Increase our faith." I have been asking the same of the Master. Jesus responds with a message about the exercise of our faith in what may seem small acts of service that should be the natural outflow of our love for Him. He then goes on His way...healing ten (10) men.

Sometimes I find myself looking for some major sign that God is at work so that my faith will grow. Jesus responded to the disciples in verse 20-21, "The Kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There is it!' For behold the Kingdom of God is in your midst."

After spending the last four (4) days working with 24 teenagers in various mission projects here in the Greenville, SC area parks; I am very encouraged. These 'kids' opened up their lives with us to a community they did not even know through simple acts of service. I must say that the future of the church is bright if these are a picture of our future leaders. But most of all, I saw so plainly that God is at work all around us. He is changing lives...here and around the world. I found my faith has been increased just by stopping long enough to see it. By doing what should just come naturally...and noticing the the great healer of the soul is actively at work.