Day 180 of 365: Blessings and Curses

This day I call on the heavens and the earth witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD you God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. – Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you halter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” – I Kings 18:38

…my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of our God, I will also ignore your children. – Hosea 4:6

To say the United States is in turmoil would be an understatement; however, we’ve been this way for a while. Our approach is usually the same, to turn to politicians to solve our issues even though we know lobbyists, corporations, and extremely wealthy individuals make campaign contributions to ensure their agendas are accomplished. We ask ourselves and one another why there is so much chaos and death, and we are desperate for relief.

A few months ago, my pastor made the following statement during a Sunday morning message, “Christians have been quiet about a number of things for a while, but there is coming a time when you will have to take a stand.” One of the main ways Christians have become silent over the years on several issues is to allow people tell us how we should love them. That love generally equates to us lying to people so they don’t see us as self-righteous and judgmental. Are those two attitudes sometimes present in the church? Absolutely. Do we also need to show grace to people? Yes. At this point, I’m sick of these arguments because they imply that non-Christians have somehow overcome their hypocrisy and inconsistency. As Christians, we’re still battling our human nature. Furthermore, we need to acknowledge that there are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” in many of our churches. Although that scripture is often used to criticize church leadership that have the wrong motivations, it applies to the people in the pews. We’ve also allowed ourselves to be played when people use the one verse everyone seems to know, although they take it out of context, “Judge not lest you be judged.” Yet, I’ve also noticed that people don’t mind the hypocrisy of Christians when it supports the way they want to live their lives.

If anyone in the church is asking why or how our nation is in its current condition, it is because of extreme compromise in the body of Christ. If we’re honest, the Christianity of this nation is largely cultural, and not built on following Jesus. It has been tainted with political affiliations from which we need to repent, myself included. What many of us have done over the last few decades is decide we can come into agreement with fornication, promiscuity, pornography, adultery, witchcraft, gossip, unforgiveness, jealousy, and other mess and please God. As a matter of fact, many Christians are not concerned about pleasing God, we’re mainly concerned with whether the church service will have a good vibe. We have even tried to appease ourselves by saying, “God knows my heart.” We can’t afford to flatter ourselves that our decisions, public and private, have no consequences.

I absolutely believe that God is gracious and gives us chances to turn from wrong beliefs and behaviors; however, many Christians have manufactured a God who is all love and no consequences.

I have been thinking about several scriptures lately, three of which I placed at the top of this post. I am deeply grieved by the rage, murder, and violence that are rampant in the United States; however, the root of this mess in people rejecting God. Let’s be clear, I am not naïve enough to think this nation was ever as good as revisionist history would have us believe. Evil has always had its place in this nation, but there were still boundaries.

I also know many Christians focus solely on the love of Jesus and don’t pay attention to spiritual principles outlined in the Old Testament. Jesus also spoke about hell (Matthew 13:36-43), something that is almost never mentioned in church anymore. He also stated there was a narrow and broad road (Matthew 7:13-14). The narrow road leads to life while the broad one leads to destruction. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for sin, so we did not have to continue animal sacrifices and is our high priest forever; however, I believe the blessings and curses outlined in the Old Testament still apply. There is a reason why so many young people are dying as a result of school shootings, and the cause is not just the lack of effective gun laws. Children are also dying because of suicide, murder, accidents, and being aborted in the womb.

For the past few decades, young people have been fed the message that they are wonderful and special, but many have not had boundaries enforced. They are not honoring their mothers and fathers that their days may be long. Rampant disrespect leads to early death, and yet people insist on their right to sow death while complaining about the consequences of their behavior. In addition, many grow up in chaotic homes raised by parents who have not addressed their own traumas. I’m a firm believer that going to therapy and talking to God about trauma in your lineage is important for healing of individuals, families, and communities.

To compound matters, nature is out of control. In the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis, the earth was cursed because of Adam and Eve’s decision to disobey God. If you read throughout the Old Testament, drought was often a sign of judgement for the people’s rebellion. Every time I hear the word climate change, I think, “No, this is judgement for rebellion.” Our problem is we don’t really believe the stories in the Bible occurred. To us, they are just morality tales.

The Bible indicates that judgement begins with the house of God (I Peter 4:17) and Jesus is returning for a Bride (the church) without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). We are ridiculously spotted and wrinkled. When we see the fall of certain well-known pastors and ministries due to scandals that are being exposed, I believe God is cleaning house; however, the cleaning is also for the congregants and casual church goers who believe they can continue their private sin and rebellion because they’re not as well-known as Joel Osteen and TD Jakes. Unfortunately, we are like the emperor in the children’s tale who insisted that he was dressed in the most beautiful clothing although he was naked. We cannot be healed if we do not acknowledge our sin before God. I am not coming from a place of perfection, but we have to get back to having reverence for God. Right now, we often treat Him as a casual lover who we go to when we need to feel good or help.

Day 299: Arise

Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. -Romans 8:1-2

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. -Galatians 5:16

I had surgery less than three weeks ago. The day after the procedure, an older woman who is a friend from church stopped by with dinner. We chatted and laughed as we shared the meal she had brought. When it was time for her to leave, we prayed. One of my requests was for a “made up mind.” There’s nothing more powerful than a made up mind.

A moment ago, I thought about how the spiritual intensity and attacks I have felt over the last several years have made me want to give up more times than I’d like to admit. Here’s the thing-the Enemy is not going to let up his attack against you just because you decide to curl into a ball and surrender. I had to say that to myself today. I had to remind myself of who I am and what I possess. Moreover, I am a spiritual soldier and war does not cease simply because I don’t want to fight. Fortunately, The weapons we fight with are not carnal, they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (II Corinthians 10:4).

What are our weapons? I could start with how a Christian’s weapons are salvation through Jesus Christ, prayer, praise, reading the word and putting it into practice, and fasting. Another weapon is to remain around other Christians and have accountability partners you respect. I will also say that the primary weapon that allows us to utilize the others is the awareness that we have a new identity in Christ. I will no longer identify myself by things I struggle with. I am a daughter of the most high God. That’s my identity from which other aspects of my being flow.

https://unsplash.com/photos/JOzv_pAkcMk
Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

Jesus calls us to freedom. It’s not the cheap freedom that society promises which basically says, “Do whatever you feel like because you only live once.” As we can see, much trauma in the world has been caused by people living it up. I also believe that we sometimes cause our own disillusionment by setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves and other people. Only God is perfect, dependable, and has a full understanding of who we are. We are filtering everything, including our perspectives of ourselves, through our past and current experiences which are contextual. There are so many things from which we need to be set free-the desire the please people, the desire to constantly indulge our own passions, freedom from the past, freedom from worry and anxiety, freedom from disillusionment, distrust, and cynicism.

I have fought God more times than I can count. Let me tell you, God will allow you to throw your infantile temper tantrum and then tell you to pick up the assignment He gave you this morning, yesterday, last week, or a decade ago. What I love about the gospels is Jesus never begs anyone to follow Him. He loves well, meets people’s needs, and answers the questions of those who are curious or confused. But He never begs. He also knew that following Him would not be easy so He told his disciples to count the cost, take up their cross daily, and wait for the Holy Spirit. What makes it difficult to be a Christian in today’s world is that so many messages are about leveling up. There are very few messages about living a life of sacrifice, or that following Christ may be difficult at times. I know from experience that God is able to provide joy in the most difficult of circumstances. But, I fear that many church leaders have left their congregants unprepared to withstand the pressures of life and keep following God in spite of them. We as Christians are also responsible to talk to God for ourselves instead of always expecting someone who we deem as more spiritual to do that work.

I have found God to be more generous and patient than I could have imagined when I was younger. I also realize that some of the accusations I have hurled at God are based on how people have treated me which resulted in a sometimes unconscious distrust of God’s character. Interrogate your doubt. Where did it come from? When, how, and through whom were the seeds planted?

Day 240: Spiritual Principles and Everyday Practicality

I woke up this morning thinking about yesterday’s post which was an attempt to work through why I disliked the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” for several years but eventually came around to seeing it contained some truth. I believe that God is merciful and helps us when we’ve placed ourselves in a tight spot and we ask for help. However, I also believe that it is not God’s intent for us to be so undisciplined that we always experience hardship.

As I rolled out of bed, the principle of sowing and reaping came to mind. I realized I failed to mention this in yesterday’s post which is why it felt incomplete. It’s taken from Galatians 6:7 which says, “Do not deceived. God cannot be mocked. People reap what they sow.” This principle works in the spiritual and in the natural. Whether you are a Christian or not, most people know that unless they work for something, they’ll have nothing at the end of a given period. Barring outside influences or a mistake on one’s part, continuous discipline leads to results. Let me provide you with a concrete example. I have battled with my weight for years. However, when I walk for several weeks, my leg muscles become stronger and I feel more energized. When I eat more vegetables, it is easier for me to concentrate and I don’t have migraines. In other words, there’s no magic. Taking care of myself over an extended period of time leads to non-scale victories even though the number on the scale decreases incrementally. I’ve been guilty of praying about my health but not taking actionable steps to improve it. Not only is this practice silly and immature, it places the onus on God to do for me what I can do for myself. Hence, “God helps those who help themselves.”

The Bible is written about people who were farmers and herders. They understood that if they did not work they land, they would have nothing to harvest when the season came for it. The Hebrews also had to inspect their flocks to ensure that there was no disease. Shepherds were responsible for leading sheep and other grazing animals to pasture and protecting them from wild animals. None of this was easy. However, after bringing grain and animal sacrifices to the temple, people were free to enjoy the fruits of their labor. I also realize that God wants us to participate in our blessing. The danger in some church circles is that people believe that singing their favorite song at the top of their lungs or attending church will automatically bring positive results in other spheres of their life. I’m not talking down to anyone because I’ve been there and done that. Anyone who’s spent their life in church or been to church for several years will tell you this is not how things work. One of the issues is there is too sharp a delineation between the spiritual and the secular which leads to us compartmentalizing things two things that are actually intertwined. We are spiritual eternal beings in temporal bodies.

Can I make a confession? I am a chronic over thinker. I can gnaw a thought to frayed ends and then still continue to chew on it. For example, I’m thinking too much about my dissertation. Although I want to present research that is coherent and honors the people I interviewed, I don’t need to agonize over it. In other areas of my life, there are certain things I don’t think about doing because they just need to be done (i.e paying rent and other bills). I don’t debate whether I should do my laundry or take out the garbage. My dissertation is arguably more complex than the household responsibilities I just mentioned. Nonetheless, I just need to make a commitment to writing regardless of how I feel.

Day 184: Random Thoughts

Over the past few months, I haven’t written much online or even in my personal journal. I’m feeling the itch to do so again. There are several thoughts rattling around in my brain and 3:25am on a Saturday morning is as good a time as any to get them out.

In an effort to show that the love of Christ is available to all, some curse out fellow believers on social media. In one of his messages, TD Jakes said the the following: No one has completely overcome their hypocrisy or inconsistency. The goal is to decrease them. In Matthew 12:36, Jesus said, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” In an age where it is customary to express rage, especially from behind computer screens, we need to be careful how we speak. Rage is tempting because it is an emotion that makes us feel powerful and entitled.

2. When I write about Jesus, I want to be careful that I present Him as He is depicted in the scriptures. The Old testament also points to Jesus through prophecy. The New Testament reveals Him as God incarnate. My opinions about Jesus are of no use to anyone. The person who really wants to know who Jesus is will investigate the scriptures for themselves instead of simply relying on what people tell them about Him. In the New Testament, Paul praises the Bereans because they searched the scriptures to discern for themselves whether what he said was true (Acts 17:11). They did not simply take Paul’s word for at face value. In another place, Paul says, “I did not come to you with human wisdom but by the spirit.” If you read through Paul’s epistles, you’ll quickly discover that he was brilliant, well-travelled and knew at least three languages. However, he submitted all of that to God because he knew that knowledge could not save him or anyone else. Knowledge is useful but we have only to examine our world to discover that technological advancements, scientific discoveries and more knowledge have not changed the human heart.

3. Tone matters in how we communicate. I have to check myself to determine whether I am being contemptuous when I write. The spirit in which I do something matters.

*Photo Credit: Julene Wilson, tradescantia propagation*

4. You can’t out-Jesus Jesus. There is this idea that if we’re just nice enough, people will come to God. That sounds nice but it’s not true. A nice lie is still a lie. Jesus literally healed the sick, raised the dead, fed people, showed compassion, died and rose again. People saw that He moved with a power that was not of this world. He did all of that and yet people hated him and only a few were with him when He died. The people who saw Him after He resurrected were willing to risk the wrath of the Romans and be ostracized by family and community members. They were killed in Roman coliseums, crucified, jailed, beaten and fled as refugees into other parts of the word, taking the gospel with them. Many lost their livelihoods and others lost their lives to maintain they had encountered Jesus and nothing could shake them from testifying about him. In John 15, Jesus said, “No servant is greater than their master. If they hated me, they will hate you also.” I think we need to examine ourselves if our primary goal as Christians is to be liked instead of presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. I do believe Christians need to own the pain they have caused to others, beginning with family members (natural and spiritual). Apologies can be difficult. Sometimes, it’s easier to apologize to a stranger or coworker than someone close to us.

6. Jesus never begged anyone to follow Him. This was a great way to test people’s motivations. Some hung around him because they were looking for the next spiritual high, a free meal or the possibility of healing for themselves or their family members. I’m sure others observed Jesus because they wanted some of His power for themselves. However, once He made it clear that following Him would be difficult, many fell away (John 6:66).

7. I love that Peter is in the Bible. He is outspoken at times, self-righteous, brash, but also determined to follow Jesus. He reminds me of myself. Jesus checks Peter at various times throughout the scriptures. In John 21, Jesus speaks to Peter and asks him three times, “Do you love me?” The scriptures tell us that after Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him three times before the rooster crowed. Before then, he also insisted that even if the other disciples left Jesus, he wouldn’t. This time, Peter simply says, “I love you. You know I love you.” This time, there is no comparison to the other disciples. Sometimes Jesus has to show us to ourselves because our walk with Him is muddied with our egos. The goal is to follow Jesus, not try to one-up other believers.

8. Sometimes I wonder what we are inviting people to when we invite them to church. Are we inviting people to our denomination? The pastor? The choir? The various ministries? Are we inviting them to find a potential mate? Or, are we inviting them to Jesus. If we do not invite people to Jesus, we are wasting our time.

9. Too many people have walked away from the faith because they felt that becoming a Christian meant they would no longer struggle with temptation or have personal issues. You will not find this anywhere in scripture. This false message is comforting but has set people up for failure. Scripture speaks about the constant battle between the flesh (human/sin nature) and the spirit. We are supposed to master the flesh but it will never go away until we die. In Galatians 5, Paul writes about this battle and says, “If you walk by the Spirit, you will not satisfy the lusts of the flesh.” Lust is not just sexual. We lust for people’s attention, praise, power, money, revenge and a host of other things.

Day 92: Good Friday

This week, I’ve been reading through the last chapters of the Gospel of Matthew because I find I must revisit who Jesus is. The church gets into trouble when we rely on old memories of Jesus to inform us about who He is or when we search the Bible only to find verses that fit our positions on various issues. As I listen to myself and the conversations many Christians are having, I find that we are apt to get caught up in our own logic and arguments about who Jesus is and what He stands for. These conversations are necessary and important. But, I wonder whether we are more transfixed by our own ability to make compelling arguments than we are drawn to Jesus? What has drawn me back to Him in spite of life’s challenges is Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus does not say, “Come to me when you’ve figured out a way to manage your hypocrisy and weaknesses or convinced other people to do the same.” He simply says, “Come.” I find that I become unburdened when I accept that invitation instead of bashing people over the head with scripture. I was raised in church but there was a point when I had to look at Jesus for myself and determine whether He was worth following. I still have to do that because I can fool myself into thinking I have God figured out when I’m just skimming the surface of His character.