Change and Transformation

Over the past year or so, I have been experiencing much change and transformation in my life - because of the people who have crossed my path.  I've been fortunate to be able to spend time with lots of folks in the generation before me, and learn from their priceless life stories.  In particular, I've been in the presence of folks who are retired, but in name only.  See...I have a certain picture in mind of what I would like to experience - if I am blessed to live long enough and am able to retire.  I see a time when I can casually face each day.  Start out with a cup of coffee and the newspaper.  Eat a late breakfast.  Read some more.  Maybe write some music.  Travel.  Visit with family and friends.  Wash a car or two.  All the above.  None of the above.

But many of the retired people I've encountered over this past year or so are living a retirement that doesn't look much like what I would consider retirement (until now).  See...these people are busier than ever.  And they're not busy for busyness sake.  They're busy giving, serving, teaching, sharing compassion, and sacrificing their time - all for the sake of making someone else's life a little better.  I've often joked with these good folks, saying things like, "I sure don't want to retire like that!  That doesn't seem like retirement to me."  I'll admit, I had a hard time wrapping my nugget around this.  I guess I had bought into the idea that life was about working hard for many years, and then slowing down and taking it easy in my golden years.  Not that there's anything wrong with working hard, and taking some time for self in retirement.

I got caught up in a vision that I created.  But God has been showing me a vision that He's Created.  And God's picture scared me and threatened me.  It threatened my way of thinking and acting.  But after spending lots of time with people, and listening to their stories, and serving with them, and seeing the changes and transformations that occur because of genuine selfless giving, I got inspired.  I realized that God is never done with any of us.  We're never too young or old to make a difference in people's lives.  And being involved with people - living in relationship - is how God works miracles, change, and transformation.

Every day, I see the gap between those who are rich and those who struggle to survive.  And I continue to be surrounded by folks who give of their time, effort, energy, money, and love in order to help usher in change and transformation.  I still hope to retire someday.  But now, I hope I can retire in a way that allows me to offer the relentless, self-giving love of God in fabulously crazy ways.  And when I do, I believe that people will see how close God is to us, and will experience how real God is in this world.

I've Got A New Beatitude

Our small group continues to examine the power our language has to create or destroy. Last time, we looked at the Ten Commandments. When I posted my translation under the title of "New Ten Commandments," I realized afterwards that this wasn't meant to be new or different. The post was supposed to reflect how I like to live into the Ten Commandments. So, the same goes for this post. This is not a re-write of part of the Beatitudes, but is my attempt to put into my own words what this passage means to me. Jesus' words are often hard to understand, and even harder to put into practice. How do we make sense of statements telling us that we can be happy when we grieve or seem hopeless? 

The Scripture text is Matthew 5.3-11. I'm posting the Common English Bible (CEB) translation, then my own life translation. 

CEB...

Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.

Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.

Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.

Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.

Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.

Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.

Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me.

Here's mine...

When all seems lost, pay attention, because God is close.

If you are grieving, you can be thankful, for it means that you have had love in your life.

If your way is a quiet, gentle wisdom, the whole world will listen to you.

If you passionately and consistently do the right things, you will be fed because you feed others. 

When you offer forgiveness, you will turn an adversary into a ally.

When you live with integrity, people see God's character.

When you seek a higher and better way, chaos subsides.

When someone gives you a hard time for doing what's right, God feels the pain, too.

Sometimes, life will be hard, and people won't understand why you do the things you do. we humans tend to kill the brightest and the best among us. But God believes in us. And God knows that love is the best way. And Jesus showed it to us. 

We are looking at the "salt and light" verses (Matthew 5.13-16) this week.  Until then... 

The "New" Ten Commandments

Our small group is meeting tonight, and we are discussing how important our words are. We have the power to create life and tear life down with our words. We thought we'd look at the Ten Commandments and "rewrite" them - based on positive language. Many of you are familiar with the "Thou Shalt Not" language; we thought it would be interesting to express what we believe. I think many Christians are good at telling people what they're against: don't drink, don't smoke, don't date folks who do. And I believe we need to do a better job of letting people know what we stand for, what we believe. So, this is my stab at the "New" Ten Commandments - written in positive language. I hope you enjoy. 

God made sure these words got out to the people – through YouTube, Twitter, blogs, Facebook, and other conventional and nontraditional means:

Hi, I’m God. I made everything you enjoy: air, water, mountains, good food, laughter, friendship.  I bring you out of the house of forgetfulness when you lose your focus.

Do your best to get to know me, believe me, and trust me.  Make me the biggest part of your life. 

There are a lot of things out there that will try to pull your attention away from me.  But I believe in you; I know you can resist all the bright, shiny things that promise something better than my love.  Stay on guard.  I do; I’m faithful and will continue to look out for you and reach out to you.  Pay attention. 

Use my name as much as you like; but make sure you use it to bring about life.  You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish when you respect my name, and the names of your neighbors.

Take time for yourself, and for your family and friends.  In fact, I created a day just for you – the Sabbath.  This is a day for you to enjoy yourself, to rest, eat, pray, sleep, worship, watch Netflix, take a walk, or play with your dog.  You get the idea.  I made this day for you.  Enjoy the gift, and help others enjoy this gift, too. 

Family is important to me – no matter how it’s constructed: mom and dad, mom and mom, dad and dad, mom by herself, dad by himself.  Family is important to me.  Whoever you consider your parents to be, remember they’re not perfect.  Love them.  Forgive them.  Help them when they get old.  Do your best to stay connected. 

Encourage each other, cheer for each other, believe in each other.  Give life in all you say and do. 

The love between two people is powerful.  Honor that.  Respect that.  Be humble in its presence.  Learn from it – and each other.  Get through the tough times together.  Laugh together.  Cry together.  Be truthful with each other.  Make loving choices. 

You need less than you think you do to live.  You are blessed in countless ways.  But, try to count them.  You’ll be amazed at how much you truly have. 

Be truthful and respectful in all situations.  Your words have the power to create life.  Remember…mine do. 

Work together in building relationships and community.  Offer yourself, your household, and your gifts to your neighbor.  In turn, they will open themselves, their households, and their gifts to you.  When you do this, you will bring the Kingdom of God to your neighborhood.  

A Balanced Life

The season of Lent is once again upon us. It is the 40-day period prior to Easter that mirrors Jesus' 40-day wilderness journey of fasting and temptation - prior to beginning His earthly ministry. We usually "fast" from something essential or meaningful as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. Or, we might add something to our life - like a daily time of prayer and study; or we might add intentional service to others. During Lent, we do spiritual inventories to see what bad habits we need to break, and what good habits we need to (re)establish. We, too, travel into the wilderness of doubt, pain, and struggles.

Recently, I have been studying the Celtic cross, and how it can be a reminder for us to have balance in our lives. The circle in the cross shows the intersection of 4 'quadrants' of the cross - the fusion of all areas in our lives. While I understand the need for balance in life, and the need to both fill up (receive) and pour out (give), for some reason, I'm not completely convinced about a balanced life - at least from an individual standpoint. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be concerned with self-care. It is important for us to take care of ourselves, so that we can care for others. I get it. Yes, even Jesus got hungry, tired, and angry. And he needed to retreat in solitude, at times. But even when he pulled away, there are times where he prayed all night long. That doesn't sound too balanced to me. To me, the cross is a reminder that we are to give all we can - all the time. In fact, the cross tells me that we are to give until it kills us. That's what Jesus did. But, again, it's not about thinking individually; it's about the collective good.

I think the reason we are to give until it kills us is because, for some, life seems to keep taking from them. I have a friend who hangs out with me in the church office when I work. He is very good for my spirit. I've mentioned him before. The world would say he has "special needs," but I say he has special gifts. He has a lot of strikes against him, and so does his family. He lives in a very small house - too small for the 6 people who live there. And all 6 people who live there have multiple issues and concerns: Multiple Sclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, asthma, special needs, and now, I learn my friend, who is so good for my soul, is going blind. This is not a balanced existence. I think, for this family, balance is a luxury - something seemingly incomprehensible. Their life is all about just making it from one moment to the next because of the numerous needs that need to be addressed all the time, every day. I know that there's only so much I can do to help my friend and his family. I'm not called to be The Great Fixer. There's only one with that job title. But I call myself a follower of The Great Fixer. And as a follower, I must imitate the ways of my teacher. And in doing so, I give all I can to help them. I give until it kills my self-pity and self-doubts. I give until it kills my selfishness in self-interests. I can live more simply, so that they can simply live. This is what I think a balanced life is supposed to look like. It might not be balanced for my friend and his family; and it might not be balanced for me. But together we offer balance. And in this, we find God's grace, love, and mercy. Maybe this is the type of balance God intends for us.