A High Calling

Here I am, Lord, uniquely gifted with skill, time, and energy graciously provided by you. I recognize this. And I believe that you have me where you want me, which means that this particular job that I thought last week was a real bummer is, in actual fact, a high calling, and I am going to live and work today as if that is exactly what it is.

I have this short paragraph displayed very prominently in my office as a reminder of why I do what I do and for whom. I really don’t recall where I first read it, but it so intrigued me that I copied it down. My friends tell me I analyze everything to death, and maybe I do and I have.

Whatever makes up who I am comes from the hand of God. It may be much or little; other people may watch with envy at the level of expertise I may have in what I do or they may shake their head in wonder that I’ve gotten as far as I have. My day may be crammed with more “things” to do, places to go, and people to see than I can get to or I may not be able, for whatever reason, to step outside my door. Still, I recognize that God has granted me personality, gifts, talents, and a certain number of days in which He expects me to become the best I can at what He has for me to do. Actually that is the only gift I can give back to Him–what I do with my life.

I do believe I am where God wants me and doing the particular job He has called me to do. So, in light of that statement of belief, the only task ahead of me, regardless of how compartmentalized it may be, is to finish what I’ve started. The Lord Jesus Christ has set me upon a path, within a particular time frame, and given me the tools with which to become and do. Therefore, when I look at my job in this light, I realize that it is a high calling.

What do I do now? Follow suit; stick to the course; reach for the stars; continue on; excel; never quit becoming; stay focused, and finish what has begun. This life of mine that is a high calling? I will live and work today as if that is exactly what it is.

Grams

Totally Adequate

“There is no room for feelings of inadequacy before a totally adequate God”–Cinda King. When I read that I almost sat upright. In one short sentence, man’s place before almighty God has been defined. The writer is not talking about man’s failures and inabilities as compared to the power and magnificence of Jehovah God, but about God’s might and power that enables Him to completely supply all His children will ever need. Therefore, none of us, if we have made Christ Lord of our lives, are inadequate because He is not.

The word feelings caught my attention. The one idea that is touted today is that if it feels right, if it feels good, then do it. So, feelings rule; not intellect; not reason, and definitely not faith. So this idea of feelings washes over into everything we do and with the people we associate. It determines how we respond; whether or not we go or stay; even if we believe God or not.

What do I think this writer was really saying? Simply that before an omnipotent God, the God who spoke all that exists into being, I have no right to take the way out by claiming I’m inadequate. He has promised to supply whatever I need to do and be whatever He calls me to. Feelings–dangerous thoughts and emotions that can stymie the power of God. The next time you feel inadequate, instead of glorying in your perceived humility, remember that you stand before a “totally adequate God” and He makes you more than adequate.

Grams

Oblivion or Life?

Small rivulets of sweat slowly make their way down the side of his face. His tongue licks his lips, tasting the saltiness. Eyes, bloodshot from days of drinking, struggle to focus as hands that had once been steady cling to the arms of his chair. Across the room the object of his torment calls to him, offering relief, comfort, and even an odd sense of security. Is that the power the bottle holds over him–the ability to soothe away all the hurts, failures, and pain of the past? Or is it the relief of oblivion; the safety of being unreachable? When the numbing effect of the bottle takes over, no one can hurt him. The realization that he has taken the easy way out slaps him in the face. He is a coward, running from life. People who wanted to help him, and would have if given the chance, have long since gone their way. All he has left now is the solace of temporary relief. How he longs for oblivion, to hide, to feel secure and safe.

Someone else struggles to face the pain of the past, the hurt and rejection that destroyed her sense of worth. Instead of turning to a numbing substance like alcohol, she erected walls, thick walls, impenetrable walls that prevented anyone from ever hurting her again. But, life held very little meaning and oh how she longed for the laughter and freedom of her childhood. As the desire intensified, she began to wonder if it was worth the risk. Maybe it was time to bury the past. Just maybe. . . .

Gingerly she takes a step forward and gropes for something to hold on to. She is exposed, raw and bare for all to see. Unsure of what to do next, she wonders if this was such a good idea after all. Anonymity had its benefits. The wall had offered a sense of security and safety matched only by obscurity.

No one really knew her; no one understood who she was, where she had been, or what had happened to drive her to seek the solace of the wall. Oh sure, there were those who thought they understood, but they really didn’t. Only those who have experienced deep hurt and pain can understand the need for self preservation, the urge to protect one’s self at all costs. But now, after all those years, somehow the courage to step out from behind the wall enveloped her mind. Maybe she would regret this for the rest of her life, but she would do it. She would no longer hide; no longer would the wall be her safety and security. She would face the past and all of its failures, hurts, disappointments, and pain.

Always the wall is there, calling to her, reminding her that she still has a place she can go when things get too rough. Like the alcoholic who contemplates reaching for the next drink, every day she consciously decides either to walk behind the wall or to remain a player, a viable participant in life. Is it easy? No, for the constant fear of failing to do and be what God wants rides her shoulder. Has she thought about stepping behind the wall, just for a little while? Oh, sure. But God is gracious. His Holy Spirit is always present and His Word is truth. When the wall beckons too loudly, it is to these two that she turns. And Jesus is always there.

What calls to you? Do you look for safety and security in something other than Jesus Christ who loved you enough to die in your stead? Jesus does not offer oblivion, but He does offer life. I choose life.

Grams

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

You’ve just received word that the company is downsizing and your job has been eliminated. Fear, anxiety, anger, even a sense of hopelessness flood your mind. What will you do? Where will you go? In the back of your mind you know that you may have to relocate. Change.

The last few months you have spent hours going over brochures of colleges, trying to decide which one is the right choice to make. You want your son or daughter, as the case may be, to be satisfied with the decision, but finances play a major role in the choice that is made. Finally the day arrives when that one who has been a major part of your life for 18 years is leaving home, going off to college. Your stomach knots up as you struggle to hold back the tears. It won’t be the same, ever again. Change.

The church’s facilities are old and in need of major repair. The demographics of the city have shifted and to be affective, the church must consider its future role in its present community. Avenues for outreach have almost come to a standstill due to language and custom barriers. In the back of everyone’s mind is the nagging question of what to do. If we move, where to, when, and who will lead? Whatever the church decides to do everyone knows that things will never be the same again. Change.

People fear change. It is an unknown and in that quality resides the fear that both causes change and hinders it. Today it’s called stepping out of your comfort zone and I guess that’s a good name for it. Still it means you have to do something you’ve never done before; embrace another man’s vision and decide whether or not you can trust him. That’s what it comes down to in the long run. Trust, pure and simple. But have you noticed just how hard that can be, to place total trust in someone, regardless of who he or she may be?

Have you ever considered why God placed men over His flock; why He gave mortal men the responsibility of looking after His children while in this life? Give that some thought, I mean beyond the textbook answer. Maybe, just maybe, God knew us well enough to realize that if anything substantial was ever to be accomplished on planet earth, we needed someone to follow; someone we could see, talk to, build a relationship with; someone physical with the same sinful tendencies we all have, yet able to live a life that inspires us to walk closer to our God. I know we have God’s Word and I believe it is the infallible, inerrant Word of almighty God, but at times I still need that human interaction, that human example of faith, of depending on God, of standing for what’s right.

Look at the apostle Paul. He’s the one who said, “Follow me as I follow the Lord” (paraphrase). The prophets of old admonished the people under their hearing to listen and do as they said. Then of course there’s Moses, possibly the greatest leader of all time. He returned to a people, who had sought his life, with the command of God to lead those same people out of Egypt to a land “flowing with milk and honey”–the Promised Land. Now that was change, and the people followed, complaining and griping all the way.

If God has placed you in a position of leadership over a group of people much like the Israelites headed for Canaan or even 1st century Christians, take heart. You stand in the gap; you are the one most will look to, not the Lord. Most of your people will follow the Lord only as you do. And in that you will be able to inspire some to train their eye on Christ and not on you. And when that happens you will have instigated change. You will have forced people out of their comfort zone. Where once your people looked only to you for how to live, what to believe, how to trust, and how to serve, as time goes by they will keep their eyes on Christ and follow where He leads; live as He teaches; believe what He says, and serve where He leads.

The neat thing about the entire process is that it never stops. There will always be others to take the place of those who have matured to the point that they will follow Christ, even if, God forbid, you don’t. They will have changed–stepped out of their comfort zone–and the church takes another step forward. And that’s a good thing.

Whether your voice speaks from time past; whether you walk out of the desert or come down from the hills, God has called you to be a catalyst for change. And that will impact people’s hearts, minds, and emotions. In order for you to accomplish what God has for you, you too may have to step out of your comfort zone. You up to it? I sure hope so.

Grams

God’s Lay-away

It was hunter green and made of the softest brushed suede. Chris looked through the rack. Yep, there was one in his size. He slipped it off the rack and tried it on; it was a perfect fit. Gently his hands rubbed the suede; he checked the fit in the mirror. Before he asked, I reminded him it was $149.99. I did not have the money and saw no way to come up with it. Besides, I could get two for the price of that one at Wal Mart.

He knew, even before I said anything. But he wanted that jacket. He asked how much would I be willing to pay. He was intent on working out a deal with me. That was his style and he was good at it too. I thought for a minute; I wanted to be sure of my terms before I said anything. “OK, if the price drops below $50, I’ll get it for you, providing there is still one in your size.” He grinned and said, “It’s a deal.”

I turned to walk on but Chris lingered. He had taken the jacket off, put it back on the rack, and was standing there, holding on to the jacket with his head down. Great! Now he was praying.

Chris didn’t mention the jacket anymore, but every time we went to Belks, he always checked that rack. His size was still there. Then, one day the price was down to $115. He just grinned and walked on. Each week we made a trip to Belks just to check the price of that jacket. As the price continued to drop, I knew I had better find $50 somewhere.

Several weeks later we walked into the store for our weekly price check. Three jackets remained on the rack. The sign read, $39.95. Chris looked up at me with anticipation. What if after all this time there was not one in his size? He looked at the three remaining jackets. Yes! One was his size! He tried it on again, just to be sure it fit. He said, “I knew God would give me this jacket. I needed one and I asked Him for this one.” Then, he again bowed his head; this time he was thanking his provider, not asking.

That day a happy little boy walked out with a hunter green, brushed suede jacket God had put on lay-away, just for him. That same day a proud momma was humbled by the faith of her 12 year-old son.

Grams

Jehovah-jireh

It was time. Chris had just bought his first vehicle, which meant he would pay his own auto insurance. The last financial tie to me was about to be cut. He was as proud as I was happy. Then the phone rang. There was a problem with the insurance. Actually, it was with his driving license. It had been suspended. When? Four years ago. Why? He had failed to notify the Safety Board of proof of insurance after an accident he’d had.  Neither of us knew that was a requirement. This did not look good. Possibly a large fine.

Chris had been driving with a suspended license for four years. To add to the dilemma, he was a member of the Evangels, a group at his college that traveled over the country presenting gospel dramas. He was also the driver. The thought of what could have happened in those four years sent chills up my spine, but the faithfulness and protection of almighty God far outweighed any fears I had entertained.

To reinstate the license Chris had to go to the Safety Board with proof of insurance at the time of the accident that had resulted in the suspension. That was easy enough. The hard part was payment of the fine that stared him in the face. If is was substantial, he was in trouble.

I went with him to the Safety Board. Apparently we were not the only ones in trouble that day. Long lines stood before each window. What we needed was a kind, considerate person to whom we could present our case. He and I studied how each clerk responded to the different problems that were presented and made our choice.

Whether it was our choice or the hand of God, we definitely made the right choice. No one could have been more understanding and kind. She looked at the documentation Chris gave her and keyed in the information. He had his check book in hand. When he asked how much he owed, she smiled and said, “There’s no fine for this. You clearly had insurance when the accident occurred. Your license is reinstated.” We thanked her and headed for the exit before she changed her mind.

Standing on the steps at the front door, Chris looked up to the sky and proclaimed for all to hear: “Jehovah has jirehed again”!

Was the boy happy? Oh, yeah!

Grams

Sam or Frodo?

The burden grew heavier each day. Almost unbearable, yet he had agreed to make the journey and he would do what was expected of him. It was his responsibility. The ring must be destroyed, at all costs. He was set upon his course; he was headed for the mountain where the fire that had birthed the ring waited to destroy it. But he was not alone. Sam walked every mile with him, always helping, ever alert for danger. Now they were nearing the end.

Frodo lay unmoving, unable to stand. The mountain was in sight; they were so near, yet so far. Sam reached down, and pulled Frodo onto his shoulders. ” Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you” (my favorite line in the entire trilogy).

Sam was Frodo’s gardener, a simple man in some people’s minds. He was not the one entrusted with the ring. He was not the one people looked to for leadership nor was he expected to have all the answers. Yet, when the going was the toughest, Sam came through. It is doubtful Frodo’s mission would have been successful had Sam not tagged along.

Loyal. That’s how I’d describe Sam. He was never very far from Frodo. Although Frodo was committed to destroying the ring, Sam was committed to Frodo. The task that had been thrust upon Frodo was made easier by Sam’s loyalty and faithfulness. When Frodo could go no farther, Sam stepped to the plate; he stood in the gap.

“I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

Has God entrusted you with a task that, at times, seems almost impossible to complete? Exhausted you lay crumpled, unable to get up. Despair washes over you, draining you of every ounce of courage you ever possessed. You need a Sam who will come alongside you, pick you up and set you back on the course God has planned for you. Look around. Somewhere, maybe lurking back in the shadows, God has placed a Sam in your life to watch out for you; to step to the plate; to stand in the gap when life becomes tough.

“I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

Don’t miss out on the blessing of being Sam. Frodo needs you.

Grams

The Whisper of God

Up ahead gaped the open mouth of a large cave. Hungry and thirsty, he stumbled into its darkness. Exhaustion forced him to the ground. He had been running for days and now all he wanted to do was rest. And sleep! Sweet, peaceful oblivion! That’s what he needed.

Sometime in the night a strong wind tore across the mountainside. Elijah went out upon the mountain as the winds blew harder and harder. The storm blew with such force trees and rocks were jolted from their places. Then as if on cue, the mountain began to shake, seeming to crumble underneath him. Fear gripped his heart like he’d never known before. Never in all his life had he lived through such a rage of nature.

What was that he smelled? Smoke. He smelled smoke! A bolt of lightening must have struck a tree, causing a fire to burn what little was left standing. Elijah stood as if in a trance. He looked all around him; there was nothing left. What had not been destroyed by the great wind and mighty earthquake, the fire had burned. Now what would he do?

In that one night all the forces of nature had converged upon one spot. Wind; earthquake; fire! What a magnificent display of the power of God! But wait, what was that? That sounded like someone whispered my name!

Elijah crept out from his hiding place, shivering from the fear that still held him in its grasp. There it was again–the sound of a low whisper. The voice spoke again; it was the whisper of God.

Another time a storm raged. This time is was on the Sea of Galilee and the twelve disciples were trying to reach the other side. But the harder they rowed, the farther from shore it seemed they were. Waves of water washed over the sides of the boat. At any moment the boat could sink. It was filling with water faster than they could bail.

Down in the bottom of the boat Jesus lay sleeping. Someone shook Him awake. “Master, don’t you care we are about to sink? Help us!” Jesus stood up, walked to the front of the boat, and raised his arms toward heaven. Then in a quiet voice, almost like a whisper, Jesus said, “Peace! Be still!”

Once again the whisper of God could be heard above the raging torrents of nature, turned loose to wreak its havoc. Once again the tumult ceased. Where do you look for the whisper of God? Do you see His handiwork in the mighty displays of nature? Do you observe His power in the transformation that takes place in people’s lives when they come to know Him personally? Do you look for Him amid the fears, uncertainties, and doubts of everyday life? Have you found Him yet?

Let the winds die down; let the thunder and lightening subside; wait for the trembling to come to a standstill; look for a lull in the storm and you will hear it–the low whisper of God. Just as He did with Elijah; just as He did for His disciples years later, Jesus gently nudges you from out of the storm. “Child, what are you doing here?”

Now it’s your turn to speak. What will you tell Him?

Grams

In Step With Jesus

Andrew raised his arms and threw with all his might. The net sailed over his head and out into the water landing exactly where he wanted it. Slowly he began the arduous task of hauling in the net with its catch. A smile played along his lips. He enjoyed being out on the water, tasting the salt in the wind as the waves rocked the boat back and forth. Business was good; all the hard work he and his brother had done was finally paying off. They even had plans of adding another boat to their fishing business. Maybe that could happen before the next fishing season got under way.

Walking alongside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus stopped to watch as Simon and Andrew cast their nets. He called to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of me.” The Scripture says that they immediately left their nets and followed Him.

The nets symbolized everything about those two men. They were fishermen; this was their livelihood; the way they paid their bills. It was their identity; who they were. But at the call of Jesus both unhesitatingly dropped their nets, docked their boat, and got in step with Jesus. These men left behind all they had been previously and followed Jesus of Nazareth.

When Jesus calls us today, He asks us to do the same thing Simon and Andrew did–to leave all and follow Him. Maybe we do not have to change our occupation as those two did. That depends upon the role Jesus has for each of us in His kingdom’s work, but our decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ entails a complete surrender of who we are, our dreams and aspirations, as we give the Lord Jesus Christ first place in our lives.

Why would two fishermen willingly turn their backs on who they were to become completely different? Why should you and I be willing to do that? Could it be because Jesus has made a better offer? How does the best this world has to offer stack up against what you have when you become a follower of the Son of God? How do you think fishing compared to eternal life? When Jesus calls you to come follow Him, lay aside whatever you’re doing and get in step with Jesus. You will become a fisher of men.

Grams

The Little Black Car

The sirens blared and cars began to pull to the curb. Behind me I could see the flashing lights and what looked to be two police cars coming on fast. One car pulled even with me and motioned for me to stop while the other policeman went ahead to stop traffic at the next intersection. Everyone craned their necks to see what the problem was. Why was traffic stopped both ways and nothing seemed to be wrong?

Coming toward me in the opposite lane was a little black car, running wide open. Behind him was another police cruiser and this one was closing the gap with that little black car mighty fast. As both cars passed, the policemen who had stopped traffic pulled in behind them.

More sirens! I counted seven additional police cruisers as they zipped past, all after that little black car. I had just witnessed a real, live “hot pursuit”!

What had he done to warrant such a chase? I considered his options. He had none. The direction he was headed offered no escape that I could see. And eventually his fuel would run out. Why didn’t he just pull over, surrender, and face whatever he had done? I shook my head in disbelief and muttered something about “such foolishness.”

How many times have people shook their heads at me and muttered those same words? So many times that little black car could have been me and the police cruiser a loving God. Time after time I’ve run, wide open, hunting some avenue of escape, with Jesus Christ coming on fast, closing the gap. Just like the driver of that black car, I needed to pull over, surrender to the authority of Christ in my life, and face the consequences. Just like that police cruiser, Jesus didn’t back off. Right in behind me He came, never letting up. And He’s not above calling in reinforcements either.

Nothing is more daunting than for someone you admire, someone you want to think well of you, someone you love, or someone who loves you, to get in your face and point out where you’ve gotten off course. Nothing causes you to hang your head any lower than to look into the eyes of someone you know who only has your best interest at heart and realize that once again you’ve made wrong choices. And to top it off, neither Jesus or His reinforcements turn their backs on you. They assure you ever so gently that you are special to them; they still love you.

I hope the driver of the little black car fares as well

Grams