Thoughts on the Things that Matter Most
I love it when people use their gifts in creative ways to reveal the glory of the Lord. Artists, musicians, poets, photographers… architects, teachers, managers, counselors and programmers alike daily use their abilities to bring glory to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is the most creative force in the universe. Let him ignite your abilities today in such as way as to change the world. People are waiting. The Lord is leading. The saints of old are cheering.
Fear, disgrace, hate, deception and hopelessness bow the knee to Jesus, the God of encouragement, grace, love, truth, hope, and joy.
Share him with everyone near and make a way for those to hear who are far away.
“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” Ephesians 2:17
There’s an old adage related to communication in marriage that goes something like this. “There’s what I said, what I thought I said, and what she thought I said.” Communication is a complicated process, and it can get messy if we do it wrong.
Sometimes the person speaking thinks he was crystal clear only to have the other person entirely miss the point. When this happens, it’s easy to blame the listener. And, while they may share some of the responsibility, it’s a wise person who acknowledges that at least some of the burden rests on the part of the speaker. So, how do we become better at personal communication? The answer is simple, but it isn’t easy. Seek feedback.
I do a lot of public speaking, and over the years, I have had to give counsel to others who are just starting to develop that skill. Over the years, I have learned to read an audience. After all, just because I’m the one doing the talking, doesn’t mean they aren’t communicating. I’m watching for non-verbal communication. Are they leaning in, or are they distracted? Are they texting, or are they nodding? Are they watching the clock, or are they tracking with me? All of these things are important. Sometimes I even ask questions. No, I can’t process every individual answer, but simple questions are a great way to keep people engaged. And, asking people what they think, what they’re learning, or what they’re hearing is the number one way to seek feedback. Of course, we have to ask with the right motive.
Humility goes a long way as we communicate with friends and foes. We need to be humble enough to acknowledge that we don’t always say what we mean. After all, we have what Chip and Dan Heath call “the curse of knowledge.” I know what I mean, I understand the context, and I have often practiced the conversation in my head before it comes out of my mouth. However, those listening to me don’t have this knowledge. If I act as though they do, it’s likely we’ll miss each other on the communication superhighway. Or, worse yet, I will unintentionally offend the person with whom I’m trying to engage.
So, how do we prevent making this mistake? There are several things we can do, but nothing is better than asking questions and then listening to the answers. Our questions have to be genuine. We can’t just ask questions to set the table for what we want to say. To do this breaks trust with the other party, and quite frankly, it makes us appear self-absorbed. I’m sure you’ve never done this, but, regrettably, I have. I think I have learned from my mistakes, but I still have to discipline myself.
The Book of James in the Bible tells us that we should be quick to listen but slow to speak (1:19). Or, as the wise old grandmother said, “There’s a reason we have two ears but only one mouth.” So, do the math. I have. I want to listen twice as much as I speak. Not only does this help me show people that I value them, but it also does something useful in my own heart as I put others ahead of myself.
Today, I put this disciple into practice, and I learned a lot about almond and raisin farming in the San Joaquin Valley of California. It was fascinating. But, more importantly, I made a friend. And, I have a sneaky suspicion that my new friend will be leaning in tonight as I speak at his church.
Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash
The greatest gap in the world is between what we do and what we are capable of doing. That isn’t simply some “positive slogan” to post on your wall, desktop or social media outlet of choice. It’s a simple fact for every Christ follower. What do I base that on? This.
“Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
The implications of this are staggering. This verse has a lot to say to us, but here are the three big takeaways–what it says about God, what it says about us (those who have been adopted into God’s family through grace) and what it says about the world.
1. What it says about God–God is greater. I have spent the past 26 years working in the Arab Muslim World. The expression “Allahu Akbar” is used constantly–often as Muslims see themselves acting in the name of God. I believe every Jesus follower wholeheartedly believes at an intellectual level that God is greater than everything else. After all, if He isn’t, why would I choose to give him my life?
However, there is a difference between mental assent and true belief. I might believe a bridge over a ravine is strong enough to carry people from one side to the other, but true belief is demonstrated when I make the choice to put my own life on the line by walking across that bridge myself.
My belief that God is greater, not simply great, is proven when I choose to trust him with every area of my life. I’m facing several circumstances right now in which I need God to prove that He is greater. I don’t just need him to be great. I need him to be greater. I know he is at one level, and his greatness is not diminished by our lack of belief, but the implications of his greatness in my life is highly impacted by whether or not I simply choose to trust him with everything.
2. What it says about me–I’m different. Amy and I were privileged to visit the beautiful country of Yemen a few years ago. The friends we were visiting there owned and operated a coffee shop in order to provide a way of bringing spiritual and economic transformation to the people and the city in which they lived. Our friends were gracious enough to not only host us in their home, but they also gave us a wonderful tour of the city they had chosen to make their home. While driving through the city one day, they pointed out another coffee shop. It was a coffee shop called Star Bunnies. Yes, you guessed it. Not only had they ripped off the Starbuck’s branding, but they had also stolen Bugs Bunny from Warner Brothers. Not only were they illegally using the Starbuck’s logo, but inside of it, where there would normally have been the Starbuck’s mermaid, a green and white version of Bugs Bunny was present. However, the strangest thing about their logo was the slogan that encircled the pirated images. It read, “We aren’t the best, but we’re different.” All I could do was scratch my head as I read it. I guess something got lost in translation!
Some people take great pride in their differences. They even make them their identity. However, what makes a Jesus-follower unique isn’t who they are but who dwells inside of them. This verse very powerfully and succinctly lays out two very important truths. First, while I may live in this world, I’m expected to live and think differently. When highly-talented, goal oriented, non-Christ-followers attack a problem, they often make a lot of progress. However, they’re out there on there own. We have “the Greater” living inside us. The Holy Spirit could have chosen to focus John’s thoughts on God’s comforting presence, His love, etc. when he penned this thought, but instead, He chose to point us to God’s power. We aren’t just different. We are power stations.
However, here’s the uncomfortable question. If we are receptacles of “the Greatest,” then why do so many Jesus-followers live defeated lives, seemingly unable to make a difference in themselves, much less the world? The answer isn’t that complicated. While we are power stations, power has to be released in order to be of any value. It doesn’t matter if my home is hooked up to the local electricity system if I choose to live in darkness. I have to actually turn on the stitch in order to expel the darkness. So it is in my life. I have to be willing to stop relying simply on myself and start relying on God if I’m going to release God’s promised power in my life. That doesn’t mean I just sit around waiting for God to show off His power. I actually have to do something. I have to demonstrate my trust in His power by attempting to do something I couldn’t do on my own. That’s the greatest Gap–the difference between what we could do and what we actually do.
3. What it says about the world–it isn’t as strong as we think. I don’t know about you, but it’s easy for me to be intimidated by the world’s power, authority, and influence. It’s also easy to be overwhelmed by the lostness and brokenness we encounter every day. Half the world’s population has never heard an understandable presentation of the gospel. And then there are the giants of poverty, child abuse, family dysfunction, domestic violence, abuse of power, human trafficking, etc. These seem overwhelming. After all, I’m just one person, and these problems seem so great. However, their greatness is insignificant when compared to His greatness. They are great. He is greater. We may be weak in ourselves, but “the greatest” lives inside of us. It’s time we turned on the lights.
What great challenges are you facing today? What would you do today if you were assured that God would act on your behalf? What do you need to stop doing and start believing? It’s time we narrow the gap.
I have always wanted God’s blessings, but I acquainted blessing with the absence of pain. It has been pain that has caused me to understand there is no blessing without His presence, and pain has been the single greatest catalyst to a determination (discovered out of necessity–not choice) to live daily in his presence. It isn’t always pretty. Actually, it seldom is. However, I can say that in his is presence there is the fullness of joy. It didn’t come the way I wanted, and it doesn’t look the way I imagined, but in the end, God has given me what I wanted–his blessings, for there is no greater blessing than himself.