May 29, 2018

Each Calling Is Unique

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” – John 21:20-21

Cows are some of the nosiest creatures on this earth. They always want to know what’s going on, especially when it’s something that shouldn’t concern them at all.

The other day the dogs had a tussle with a racoon. The cows had been in a completely different pasture. They heard the dogs barking and here they came. I almost felt sorry for the racoon. It had escaped from the dogs to the other side of the fence but was too badly injured to go any further. The cows were going up to it, sniffing, and trying to figure out what had transpired. Just like it was any of their business.

We are exactly the same way. We want to know all the details about something that isn’t even remotely our business. We are “concerned.” Give us all the details and we’ll be sure to pray about it. It’s almost comical except it’s just so sad.

Do we not realize that gossip is a sin? If you’ve discussed it with someone else, you’ve gossiped. There is a huge difference between sharing necessary information and getting involved in something that doesn’t involve you.

We have a natural curiosity, just like the cows do. Most of us live fairly boring lives (of which I am thankful) and nothing really exciting happens. So we fill our days with the drama and stories that come from others. I guess that’s why reality television shows are so popular. They allow us to be voyeuristic in a socially acceptable way.

Does it make us feel better about ourselves to see the mess other people can make of their own lives? Does getting caught up in the dramatic outbursts of others bring excitement to our own lives? It’s almost like the soap operas that my grandmother watched so faithfully.

Maybe it makes us feel better about our own lives, our own sins. “Well, at least I haven’t gone through that,” we tell ourselves. “Oh, I would never stoop that low,” we think as we play judge over someone else.

We assume someone else’s journey is better than our own. We want their marriage, their children, their jobs, their house, their cars, their vacation. And on and on it goes. We’re so busy wishing we could have the lives of someone else that we miss the blessings of the life God has so graciously given to us.

And we miss the calling God has placed on our lives. I have a sweet friend who is an exceptional pianist with an amazing voice. I am filled with gratitude every time I hear her. But that is her gift, not mine.

I have another friend with an amazing talent for arranging flowers. Every week she takes the altar flowers and rearranges them into small vases that bless the sick and the shut-ins from our church. That is not my gift either but I am so grateful for the encouragement she brings to others with her gift.

We each have gifts and talents, blessings and lives to live according to God’s calling. Don’t get so concerned with what someone else is doing or not doing that you miss the special plans God has for you.

March 22, 2015

Stop Copying Others

 

When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

-- John 21:21-22

What is it that we are so intent on fixing ourselves by being like someone else? We are each unique, with a different path to take. Why can't we embrace that?

I do understand the need sometimes to research options and study what others have done. It helps us keep from making unnecessary mistakes and it helps us get a feel for what we like and what we don't. But there comes a point in time when you really have to push all that aside and do whatever it is that God has called you to do.

I realize it's easier to copy someone else than it is to spend time in prayer and reflection to determine God's will for your life. It also can be difficult to push aside our pride to admit that maybe we're headed in the wrong direction. That's especially true when what we're doing involves a group of people. We'd rather stay on the wrong path than admit we're on the wrong path.

We can't understand why other people, other churches, make it work. From the outside, the efforts of others look so easy. Maybe it really was. When we are in God's will, things have a way of falling in place. When we are putting Him first, He tends to clear our path.

Or maybe we just can't see the years of hard work that has gone into what seems easy and successful today. Remember everything starts with a dream but that dream almost always brings hard work before it brings success.

What is your motivation? You can't build success for God when you are doing it for your glory instead of His. And you can't draw people in when you're trying to draw people toward you instead of toward Him. Denial doesn't work. Neither do excuses. Remember that God sees the heart. What is your heart telling you?

None of us will ever take a perfect path to where we want to go. As much as we may want to follow God exactly right, we'll miss the mark again and again. But copying someone else isn't the answer. Look inside, find God's will for your life, and move in that direction instead.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Stay Focused On Your Tasks

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

-- John 21:12-22

Isn’t that just like us? We’re so concerned about what someone else might be doing, or not doing, that we can’t focus on our own tasks.

Jesus was right. What difference should it make to us? We’re to do what we’re called to do and let everybody else do what they’re called to do. It shouldn’t make us do any less or do what we’re called to do with any less enthusiasm and hard work. But it does, doesn’t it?

One person I know is always asking about everybody else. She wants to know what everybody else is doing. She wants to get involved in the tasks of everyone around her. She drives me crazy. Not with her questions but with the fact that she’s so busy minding everybody else’s tasks that she can’t do her own. Sound familiar?

I understand that we don’t want to do more work that everybody else. And we want to make sure everybody else is doing what they’re supposed to be doing. But, really, why should it matter to us? We’re not judge and jury. We’re to do what we’re supposed to do and let God worry about the rest.

We don’t see it that way. It’s that toddler mentality where we want to tattle on the slackers. And we want to use someone else as an excuse to not clean up our own mess. Yet, whether they do their tasks or not doesn’t excuse us from doing our own.

Do you have any co-workers like that? They always seem to know all the gossip. They can tell you the status of everyone else’s projects, sales figures, and other information. And they rarely seem to get anything done. They’re too busy minding everybody else’s business.

And then there’s the neighbor who always seems to know the news, otherwise known as gossip. Just don’t expect her to show up with a casserole when somebody dies. And don’t expect her to volunteer to help someone in need. She doesn’t have time. Seems to me that her priorities are a little misplaced.

One of the most frustrating things I deal with are the folks who won’t do what they say they’ll do. It would be so much better if they would just say no to begin with. But they want to be included. They want to be a part of the group. They want to know what everybody else is doing. They just don’t want to do any of it themselves.

We all could use this reminder from Jesus and stay focused on our own tasks. We’re called to do what God has called us to do. Let Him worry about what everybody else is doing while we get our own jobs done.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Stop Making Comparisons

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

-- John 21:21-22

He is taking care of his very ill wife. He’s learning to cook and clean, vacuum and do laundry. All those things his stay-at-home wife has always done. Things he gladly does now for his wife.

A neighbor scoffed at his efforts. She compared him to another couple, friends of hers, who also face health issues. In that case, the wife suffers from crippling arthritis and her husband has done many of the household chores for years. Somehow this man’s sacrifice is greater because of its longevity.

I was amazed at the comments. It’s not a competition, I wanted to say. But I knew she wouldn’t get it. She wouldn’t understand. Life isn’t always a case of who does the most or who gets there first or who suffers the greatest. Both men are doing what they must for the women they love. Period.

Why do we always compare ourselves to others? We either measure up, or we don’t, based on the cars we drive, the place we live, the clothes we wear. Frequently we transfer that to our children, putting unfair pressure on them to meet our expectations of being better than everyone else.

Just the other day a man made a nasty comment about the work I was doing. “You haven’t got anything to do,” he asked with a sneer. He obviously didn’t approve of the painting I was creating. A painting I’ll eventually sell. It’s how I earn my living.

Nastiness. That’s all it is. What makes him think he works, or worked in his younger years, harder than me? Because he doesn’t and he didn’t. But somehow it makes him think higher of himself by thinking less of me. How sad is that?

I wonder sometimes if that’s why we’re so concerned with the activities and possessions of others. We think -- erroneously -- that if we put someone else down or focus on the flaws or activities of others, we can think better of ourselves. And so will everyone else. It’s a vicious cycle and no one ever wins.

Maybe that’s why Paul wrote about being content in all circumstances. When we are happy with what we have, and happy for what those around us have, then it brings a peace and joy that will otherwise allude us.

So stop comparing yourself to others. And stop comparing them to you. Everyone is different. Life is not a competition -- no matter what some would have us believe.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Step Out In Faith

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

-- John 21:21-22

Jesus had just told Peter what he was to do. It wasn’t some little job. Peter was to go out and spread the gospel. Peter was to follow Jesus -- all the way to the cross.

But Peter wasn’t concerned about what he was supposed to do. He wanted to know what John was supposed to do. Isn’t that so like us? We can’t focus on our own tasks because we’re too busy worrying about what someone else might, or might not be, doing.

We constantly compare ourselves to other people. And we never quite measure up or they never measure up to us. Except it’s not a competition. We all are unique with different strengths and weaknesses. Why can’t we embrace our differences and support each other? And why can’t we just get on with what we’ve been told to do.

Ah…there’s the real issue. Procrastination. So long as we’re focused on someone else and what they’re supposed to do, we don’t have to focus on ourselves and what we’re supposed to do. We get to put it off. And off. And off some more.

We’d rather do nothing, it seems, than step out in faith and do what God has called us to do. Maybe we think we’re not capable. But God never calls us to do something without giving us the ability to do it. Or maybe we believe that our assigned task is too small, too insignificant, to matter. We’ll wait until we can do the grand gesture -- that never comes.

You don’t need to wait until you retire to find time to volunteer. Just make a phone call once a week to someone who is lonely. Just give a Saturday once a month or so to help with a missions project. Just invite an elderly neighbor over for a meal every now and then. Start small and see where it goes.

You also don’t need to win the lottery to give money beyond your tithe. If God calls you to give $1 to the Mercy Fund or whatever charitable fund your church has, give it. No amount is too small. Remember that as the body of Christ, we work together. If everyone gives $1, it really starts to add up. You do what you’re supposed to do and let God handle the rest.

We spend so much of our lives making excuses for not doing what we know God has called us to do. Don’t worry so much about what other folks are doing. Just follow where God calls you and see what blessings He has stored up just for you.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Do You Love Jesus?

Peter was hurt  because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." -- John 21:17b

Do you love Jesus? Really, really love Him? Do you love Him because of what He's done for you? Do you love Him because of who He is? Do you love Him deep inside your soul?

Many will quickly proclaim that they do love Jesus. Of course, they do. They just don't plan to act on that love. They don't expect to change their lives or alter their plans or empty their bank accounts because they love Jesus. They'll quickly tell you that Jesus wants them to live well. They aren't likely to ever mention sharing.

Love without action doesn't mean a great deal. Love becomes just a word thrown out easily with no emotion attached to the letters that form it. Its emptiness echoes the heart of the person who speaks because it is impossible to truly love Jesus and not change the way you live.

A few protestors will insist they plan to do things differently one day. The kids will grow up -- one day. They'll retire -- one day. They'll have more money -- one day. There'll be more time -- one day. Except one day never seems to come because life -- no matter what stage you're at -- seems to make our days full and Jesus' tasks get put off again and again.

He's not looking for some grand gesture. Those things are nice but don't have the impact of the smaller steps. Like the visit to that elderly woman who lives alone. Or that bag of food left anonymously at the front door of the family with the unemployed parents. Or the walk in the park for the dog of that woman battling cancer. Or maybe just a smile, kind word and extra tip to a waitress.

Loving Jesus means touching the lives of those around us in a positive way. Sure, it means telling others about Him. But it also means doing good, lifting people up, showing kindness and compassion -- whether it's warranted or not. Loving Jesus isn't about judging who is worthy. It isn't about deciding who deserves kindness and another chance. Because Jesus always believes we're worthy. And He always gives us another chance.

So, I'll ask you again. Do you love Jesus? Do you really, really love Him? Feed His sheep.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Jesus Gives All A "Do-Over"

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." -- John 21:15b

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

-- John 21:16b

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." -- John 21:17b

Then he said to him, "Follow me!" John 21:19b

Jesus gave these instructions to Peter after He had revealed Himself to seven of His disciples. It had to be a difficult time for Peter. He had denied His Lord three times as Jesus was being led away to his crucifixion. The guilt had to be overwhelming.

After Jesus' death, Peter had gone back to what he knew. Remember he had been a fisherman when Jesus called him. He and the others were fishing when Jesus appeared to them. It was like a new beginning, what Beth Moore refers to as a "do over."

The above responses came after Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Each time Peter responded that he did. Three times came the question. Three times came the answer. Pastor Gary suggested that Jesus asked Peter three times because that is the number of times Peter denied Jesus. After Peter answered each time, Jesus gave him a mission, a purpose, a reason to go forward. Finally, Jesus told Peter to "Follow me!"

Jesus found Peter right where he was, Pastor Gary said. Just like Jesus finds us right where we are. Jesus knows we can't go back and redo our pasts. We can't take back words or actions. We can only sincerely repent, ask for forgiveness and go forward down a different path.

Many people harbor shameful secrets. They carry a guilty burden. They don't believe they deserve to be forgiven. Frankly, none of us deserve the forgiveness Jesus gave us when He took our sins upon Himself. But He gave it to us anyway.

Jesus restored Peter, allowing him to move forward and prove his love for Jesus by his actions. Pastor Gary challenged all of us to do the same.