Advent 2020 | Day 08

SCRIPTURE:

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him

John 3:16-17

RECEIVE

Oh the famous John 3:16 verse. This is arguably the most famous verse in the Bible. You saw it on the stands at football games, on the face of football players who wanted to be evangelist, and even in the WWE as Stone Cold Steve Austin sported his Austin 3:16 shirt. (though with a different meaning. Lol Look it up)

For me this verse was the summation of the Christian faith for a long time. I memorized it like everyone else and when all else failed I could lean on this easy to memorize verse. Then one day I looked at it completely different.I remember listening to how God wanted us to be “in the world but not of the world.” I also remember listening to teaching against the “world” and “worldly” culture. I recall lessons about how the world was bad and the church should be influencing the world and not the other way around.

But when I look around at the church and the world, I saw that God’s hand was present in both. Sometimes through the influence of the church and other times in spite of it.I would actually argue that God’s power in some ways has more freedom in the world than it does in the church because the church is always trying to limit God.

Truth is, God doesn’t hate the world. God doesn’t have some kind of vendetta against the world. God loves the world. So when I had this breakthrough in an old reflection, in some ways I wanted to be more worldly than churchy. I wanted to love the world just like God loves the world. And think about the birth of Christ. Jesus wasn’t born in a church. God was born in a manger. In a dirty, stinky manger. He was born on the streets.The first visitation Jesus received was three wise men who studied the stars and eastern religions.God was born in an eclectic world.

I guess that’s why I don’t want to go back to the local church any time soon. I want to be in the world making disciples in settings that aren’t limited by ancient traditions that limit God’s love. I want to be “out there,” in the world with everyone who is not in the church. Plus, it’s a lot more fun!

Advent 2020 | Day 07

SCRIPTURE:

“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

HOPE

We recently learned that a couple of our family members got COVID. Praise God everyone was ok - but we were scared. The worst case ended up in the ICU room. He’s using a machine to help him breathe but he’s on the up and up. We were finally able to talk to him today. I’ve been wanting to talk to him for a while, not just because he’s a dear family member but because when he first got COVID, he kept telling everyone that he was scared.

And you know me. I always want to give people a pep talk.

I had one all prepared.

But before you hear the pep talk please know that I am also aware that it’s ok to be scared. I am aware that a pep talk is not always the answer. And I am also aware that sometimes the most important thing a person needs is someone to walk through their pain with them by their side. No words, just presence. And I am also aware that this verse is often taken out of context. But a verse that is taken out of context that leads to hope is always right.

But back to my pep talk. Wait one more side note: If you see me in a sad situation, I’m the kind of person who needs a peptalk. Shout out to those [enneagram] 8’s (I think).

Back to the pep talk. You see this particular person who I am talking about is one of the most devoted Christians that I know. He and his family are always in worship, volunteering, always preaching Jesus at people (for better or worse). They are true to the bone West Virginia Christians. And I love them. So when I heard that he was afraid I wanted to tell him:

“Uncle Jeff (that’s his name by the way), do not be afraid! The worst thing that you can do right now is be afraid. Your fear is going to weaken your body and your body needs to be at it’s strongest to battle this virus. Do not be afraid! This is something that you have heard in church all your life. Jesus and the angels constantly tell us to not be afraid. Uncle Jeff, you have been preparing for this moment all your life! You are such a faithful believer and now is the time to lean on your faith more than ever! Do not be afraid! Don’t even be afraid of death! The Bible teaches us that to live is for Christ and to die is for gain. Don’t even be afraid of death!”

I was finally able to talk to him today. I listened to him and I didn’t tell him everything I just wrote up above. I just listened and I prayed for him. My prayer was a more pastoral way of relating the message I wrote above. After my prayer he cried. I really do hope that he was encouraged. Uncle Jeff’s story is what I automatically thought of when I read today’s scripture. What does hope look like for a Christian who is at-risk and is in the ICU for Covid? How does a Christian who is afraid of dying - soar, run, or walk? I think it’s easier said than done.

But what is faith?
Why are we worshipping every Sunday?
Why are we so active in our local church?

Is it not to be built into people who are not afraid? I think so. We just need someone to remind us sometimes. Kindly. Gently. Prayerfully.

May you be wise with your encouragement for yourself and for others.