Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World Day 39 - Fishy business Scripture focus: Then the word of the Lord came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." Jeremiah 18:5-6 Yesterday I had a codependent moment and cleaned my son's fish bowl. I added water and fed the hungry fish. Unfortunately, I added too much water and unwittingly participated in a fish-break. Close to the top of the bowl, our intrepid fishy saw his big break opportunity - and took it. Thereby exiting his bowl in a precipitous fashion - and yes, you've got it! - plunging to his death. This is a sad state of affairs and I regret my part in it. If only I hadn't added a bit too much water. It's a comfort to know that we're in the potter's hand. But we must be careful to consider all the implications of this statement. According to Kim Engelmann in her book, Running In Circles, "Spiritual language can be used to help us deny that a problem exists." (p.46) Say, for example, a time of suffering occurs in a family. Perhaps someone has become deeply depressed, or a secret addiction has been unwittingly uncovered. Spiritual people could say, "Hey, I'm the clay, God's the potter, I'm just trusting God with this situation." That's a great point. But what if this becomes a way to use spiritual language - without allowing God to have his way with us. This would be more in keeping with cyclical suffering, or as Engelmann says - hamster wheel suffering. "The wrong kind of spiritual language can keep us stuck in the hamster wheel a long time. It can produce feelings of guilt, obligation and shame that distort the image of God. We can use it to protect ourselves when we don't want to get in touch with our pain. Sometimes we don't know what to do, so instead of being honest, we resort to lingo that is safe and familiar." (p.46) Here's the deal. If God is the potter, and we are the clay then we have an obligation to get with God's program. God is the creator of life and beauty and goodness. God's in the business of redemption, transformation and restoration. Big sighs of cyclical suffering and self-pity accompanied by huge doses of inappropriate martyrdom and blaming others is not in keeping with who God is. Cyclical suffering is not God's will. So when faced with any and all circumstances - including suffering - we must be about the business of God - actively participating in his creative, powerful, healing, redemptive, transformational, restorative process. Our fish thought he was getting a big break escaping his bowl - and it led to his untimely demise. I suppose as he was headed to his own personal finish line he could have called out, "What did that lady do to me? I'm just a poor innocent fish, doing what fish do. This isn't my fault!!" I'm sorry I didn't get the water line quite right. And of course, that fish did what fish do. Sometimes we act like animals too. We do those things we do. We're marred. We do what comes natural. Then we cry when we find ourselves or those we love taking a big dive toward a potentially untimely demise. And if that's all we do - bemoan our marred ways - then we're not suffering productively. Tomorrow we'll discuss one way we act foolishly - and contribute to needless suffering. Recommended reading: Exodus 28 in the morning; Psalm 31 and Proverbs 8 in the evening Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV Click "Comments" Below to Join the Discussion Scroll down to the Archive Section to View Previous Devotionals.

Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World Day 38 - The rest of the story Scripture focus: This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:1-4 NIV My husband and I have been having a series of discussions about God's love for us. He's concerned that when I talk about God's delight in us, and his mercy and grace toward us - we might not be getting the whole story. He wants me to make sure that while I'm reminding us that every single human is God's favorite kid, that's not the same thing as saying that none of us should be concerned with "the rest of the story." Pete is right - there is more to the story! (But give me a break, I can't fit it all in on one page or one Sunday message!) Here's the deal. Knowing that God loves us - that he is the potter and we are the clay - that God is loving, merciful, gracious and JUST - AND God dreams big dreams for us - AND he calls us to holy living - all that stuff is true. AND IT SHOULD INFORM EVERY SINGLE DECISION WE MAKE EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY. If all these things are true, then when we face suffering and hardship, bad behaving and hard times - what we think, feel, believe and DO ought to be informed by who God is and who we are as his kids. Sometimes what we believe doesn't transfer into informing how we live. This is bad news and shouldn't be taken lightly. Notice today's verse. "But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands" If God is the potter, and we are the clay then this verse reminds us that it is possible to be the apple of God's eye AND marred simultaneously. Continue with the verse - "so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." Anytime our lives do not reflect God's prevailing purposes - we're a cracked pot. We're marred. And that's bad - but not the end of the story. God will take us and throw us back on the wheel. He'll form us into another pot, shaping us as he sees fit. He'll turn us into a water pitcher or an ashtray, a decorative bowl or a serving dish - as he sees fit. Surrendering to the reality of our "cracked-potted-ness" informs how we suffer. It requires that we humble ourselves to the process. Spinning around on that potter's wheel may leave us dizzy and a bit seasick. But it's part of the process. In tomorrow's devotional, we're going to begin a conversation about some of the common ways we try to throw ourselves off the wheel before God's finished with us. Recommended reading: Exodus 26 and 27 in the morning; Psalm 30 in the evening Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV Click "Comments" Below to Join the Discussion Scroll down to the Archive Section to View Previous Devotionals.

Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World Day 37 - Naughty or Nice - Not The Point Scripture focus: God speaks 'You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He did not make me'? Can the pot say of the potter, 'He knows nothing'? Isaiah 29:16 NIV "I just don't get it. We are good people. Why is this happening to us?" Do you remember the parable of the prodigal son? One son, the wild child, demands his inheritance and runs off to the big city - squandering his trust fund on wild women and all manner of bad behaving. The compliant son stays at home, working diligently for his dad. After the wild son has a moment of clarity, he returns home with his head down and shoulders slumped. His plan for reconciliation involves a lot of groveling. However, he doesn't implement his plan. His father rushes out to greet him and throws a big feast in his honor. This, of course, upsets the dutiful son, who accuses his father of mistreatment. Why, he asks, should the wild hyena of a son get a big party when he, the good son, does not? My dad might chime in and blog a different opinion, but I think he'd say that I probably had more in common with the compliant kid then the wild one. And that's true. I understand the dutiful son's perspective. Why didn't the father require some humble groveling on the part of the errant boy? He squandered his father's inheritance! He behaved badly! Where were his consequences? Any dutiful kid knows that when the party animal skulks in from a night of revelry, he should at least have to grovel!! Does this sound personal? It is! One of my brothers (to remain unnamed in this story - but you know who you are) once stayed out almost all night having fun with his friends. I, the reasonably dutiful daughter, was convinced that a brother of MINE would only miss curfew if he had been seriously injured. I feared for his safety. I imagined a car accident, or a mugging. He could be hurt, and unable to crawl to a pay phone to let me know he needed me!!! (Any signs of early codependency in this story?) My father seemed unconvinced by my theory. I wanted to call the FBI. Dad wanted to go to bed. Eventually, that naughty boy dragged himself home. I was fit to be tied. Seeing that he was not injured, I quickly moved from fear to furious. I demanded my father do something!! "Where have you been?" I shouted. "Dad, don't just stand there do something!" My brother, in a calm and level voice replied, "I'm tired and it's been a long night. I'm going to bed. Let's talk about this tomorrow." And they let him!!! I couldn't believe it! I thought he deserved a serious smiting. But since the prodigal had returned home without apparent injury to self or vehicle, everyone marched off to bed. One more story. Recently I was at a gathering and an old high school buddy was present. A story or two was shared that reminded me that perhaps I wasn't always as well-behaved and compliant as I liked to think. I may have made curfew, but it's possible that I did it by driving more like a prodigal than a dutiful daughter. Here's my point. Whether we think we've been naughty or nice, good or bad, right or wrong, is not the determining factor when it comes to explaining the reasons for suffering. Suffering happens. What is crucial to remember in the midst of any season of suffering is this: God sees our misery, hears our cries for relief, responds and rescues - in the way he sees fit. There is a God - we did not get the job. Productive suffering requires that we acknowledge God's authority in all things. He will respond in his time, in his way, in keeping with his prevailing purposes. We follow his lead, not vice versa. Recommended reading: Exodus 24 and 25 in the morning; Matthew 25 in the evening Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV Click "Comments" Below to Join the Discussion Scroll down to the Archive Section to View Previous Devotionals.

Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World Day 36 - Those Kind Of People Scripture focus: The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Isaiah 29:13 NIV Whew! I'm glad I'm not one of those kind of people - or am I? Isn't it sad but true that sometimes we are those kind? Look, when we're kids, we aren't supposed to understand the nature of suffering. I'm a big fan of shielding children as best we can from the brokenness of this world. They're not ready for all that reality just yet. As we shield and protect them, I think we should be preparing and equipping them. In 1982 our first child was born. What a cutie! There hasn't been a day since her birth that her dad and I wouldn't have been willing to throw ourselves in front of a moving train if it would somehow benefit her. When she was about six weeks old, her dad was coaching basketball, and I dressed her up in cute little University of Virginia sweats and off we went to the game! Proudly sitting on the front row, I cheered with the rest of the parents as our team hustled up and down the court. At halftime, a very distinguished looking gentleman came up and said, "Could I give you some feedback?" "Sure!" I said, certain that he wanted to tell me that indeed, I did have the most beautiful baby girl he'd ever seen. "I'm a pediatrician, and I just want you to consider moving up a few rows with your baby. If those boys threw the ball this way, you might not be able to protect her. She's very fragile at this age. I'm not trying to upset you; I just thought you'd want to know what my experience has taught me." Frankly, I had an instant of aggravation. How dare he - I'm an excellent mother - of course I want my baby protected!?! That initial embarrassment was quickly replaced with gratitude. I scurried up to the top row of the bleachers. After the game, I made sure to express my appreciation for his words of wisdom. My intention to protect my baby was tempered by my inexperience. Fortunately, all along the way I have discovered that God provides me with those who can guide me and assist me as I seek to follow through on my good intentions. Back to my original point. It is natural, normal, developmentally appropriate, nothing to be ashamed of, not surprising, clearly ok - to not understand suffering AND to not have the skill sets necessary to suffer productively. But it's not ok to stay stuck in cyclical suffering simply because we're stubbornly resistant when an opportunity to learn presents itself. We are, indeed, those kind of people - when we refuse to learn all we can about God's perspective on suffering. We are those kind of people when we pattern our suffering style after what we've seen and experienced over and above what God teaches us about how to suffer productively. We are those kind of people when we fail to ask for help with our suffering. Humility and willingness to learn are so important. Pete and I want what's best for our kids. That doesn't mean we walked out of the hospital with our little bundles of joy AND the wherewithal to know what was best. The best thing we've ever done for our kids is admit that we didn't know a lot about being parents - and then ask God and others to help us. Does your faith make a difference in how you suffer? Is there anyone you need to ask assistance from? Those kind of people might pat themselves on the back if they practice some spiritual rituals or disciplines; mature kind of people actually experience life transformation as they humble themselves, becoming willing to step as God speaks. God is speaking to us about our suffering. What kind of people will we choose to become? Recommended reading: Exodus 22 and 23 in the morning; Psalm 29 and Proverbs 7 in the evening Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV Click "Comments" Below to Join the Discussion Scroll down to the Archive Section to View Previous Devotionals.

Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World Day 35 - Week at a glance Scripture focus: The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:9-10 NLT Everybody hurts. Suffering can produce spiritual growth, or become a stumbling block. Humility and willingness to consider a different way of thinking about our pain will be necessary for us to adopt a different view of suffering. Depending on our belief system, suffering can produce cyclical misery or joy. It is natural to want to be happy and avoid suffering. It will require a big heart to figure out what Jesus means when he says that those who suffer are blessed. Although the pursuit of happiness is natural, the pursuit of joy requires faith. Vision, identity, purpose, discipline and belief - five words that can help us understand our behavior in the face of suffering. Whether we respond with shaky or strong believing in the face of suffering - God sees our misery, hears our cries, and responds to our suffering with rescue. We have a choice: try to run from our pain, self-medicate our misery, or lean into the suffering - believing more in God's power and willingness to rescue than our own ability to run fast or self-medicate to the point of numbness. This completes the first thirty five steps of your 365 step journey; I pray you are nearer to God as a result of the steps you've taken this week. Recommended reading: Exodus 20 and 21 in the morning; Psalm 28 in the evening. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV Click "Comments" Below to Join the Discussion Scroll down to the Archive Section to View Previous Devotionals.

Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World Day 34 - The Pursuit of Joy Scripture focus: The Lord said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people. I have heard them crying out and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them. . ." Exodus 3:7-8 NIV I must confess that I don't always appreciate suffering or count it all joy. I especially hate suffering when it falls upon my children. I've been known to explain this to God on more than one occasion. The next time I encounter a story of suffering, I will repeat my previous pattern - wishing there was another way. I'll probably whine and complain. I might moan and groan. Tears will be shed. But that's not all I'll do. I've found comfort in the psalmist's perspective (see Psalm 6). He too cries out in a messy way in the midst of misery. He doesn't attempt to buck up and put on a happy face. Thank God for providing us this honest portrayal of not only big suffering, but big believing. I know that many people equate suffering with sin. Some say it's a sign of unbelief or too small faith. I don't know where that comes from. I can't find it in scripture. In fact, quite the contrary is true. Scripture is chock full of people who have believed AND suffered. The psalmist chronicles not only his big suffering but his big believing. Although he cries out to God asking for mercy, these are not the cries of a guy afraid of the answer. He acknowledges (do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. . .) that God has the power to rebuke and discipline. That's true. But what he's counting on, believing in, and asking for is God's mercy - an attitude of pity for one who is in need; compassion for the ills of others; to feel sympathy with the misery of another; God's attitude towards those in distress (See Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). This is so important. God is powerful. With a spoken word and breath, he created everything we see, feel, taste, smell and hear - from nothing. He could judge, rebuke, smite, destroy - on a whim. Who could stop the mighty hand of God? And if that's one's perspective, I doubt anyone would have the audacity to tell God to not rebuke or discipline them! And yet - isn't that what the psalmist says? Why does he say that? I think it is because he is acknowledging God's right and power to do so - because he feels safe in his mercy, grace and love. I hate suffering and would prefer to never experience it again. But more than that, I love knowing that if when I suffer, God sees my misery. He will hear my crying out. He is concerned about my pain. He will come and rescue me - whether I deserve rescue or retribution. His compassionate response to my wretchedness is not contingent upon my falling in line and performing up to code. It is the natural outpouring of his character. And it is because of this truth that I suggest you lean into your suffering. Cry out to God! I happen to believe that we are better off relying on his power to rescue than our own pitiful attempts to avoid suffering. And although it seems crazy in a world that suggests we can live "pain free" - I still think it is better to wrestle with what it means to count it all joy in the midst of trials than it is to live independently of God, hoping that our own strategies for self-satisfaction work. Recommended reading: Exodus 18 and 19 in the morning; Matthew 24 and Psalm 28 in the evening Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV Click "Comments" Below to Join the Discussion Scroll down to the Archive Section to View Previous Devotionals.

Day 33 – The Pursuit of Happiness

Scripture focus: Blessed are the poor in spirit…those who mourn…the meek…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…those who are persecuted because of righteousness…blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me…selected phrases from Matthew 5

The guy from yesterday’s devotional story never joined a second bible study. In fact, within a few months, he dropped out of the one he was attending. Soon he dropped out of his community of fellow seekers altogether. At some point, months later, I ran into him at a local restaurant. Inquiring about how he was doing, he said: “ I’ve given up my crutch of spirituality. It never did much for me anyway. I’m a lot happier now that I don’t feel any pressure to be anywhere or do anything except what I think will make me happy.” I hope he finds what he’s looking for – and I mean that with all honesty. If his passionate pursuit of perpetual perkiness works for him – that’s great. What I particularly appreciate about this gentleman is his honesty. He was able to state with simple clarity his core beliefs. This belief system determines his steps. Using his theology as an example, let’s return to the five words I proposed in previous devotionals that we wrestle with in order to grow our hearts.

1. Learn how to see the world (both seen and unseen) through the lens of God-vision goggles [vision]. My friend had a vision for his life – he wants it to be pleasant, happy, and responsive to his needs. When this didn’t happen, he returned his God-vision goggles and asked for a refund.
2. Learn the true identity of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, self, and the enemy. Having explored spirituality, he has chosen to focus on himself. His response to his spiritual search was to conclude that unless and until spirituality left him feeling great (all the time) – it didn’t do much for him.
3. Discover God’s prevailing purposes. I don’t have the information necessary to speak about what my friend thinks about God’s prevailing purposes. I do understand that he decided that his prevailing purpose would be the pursuit of happiness.
4. Practice stepping as God speaks. This will require discipline. My friend’s beliefs, vision and purposes result in self- discipline. He is desperately disciplined in his pursuit of pleasure.
5. Believe. People act on what they believe. My friend believes that his happiness is the highest value in life; he lives according to that firmly held conviction.

Please don’t hear me busting on my buddy. These are decisions that he has every right to make for himself. I relate this story in an attempt to get us to consider our own stepping. Whose goggles are we peering through? Who do we believe we are and how does that relate to who we believe God is? What is our prevailing purpose in life? In what areas are we desperately disciplined (this will reveal our purposes)? What do we believe – about God, self and suffering? I mention this story because I want us to get real about our own believing. If we say we believe in God, then we must also accept his perspective on suffering. Clearly big believing does not mean the absence of suffering. In fact, Jesus himself weds suffering and blessing in his teachings. James tells us to consider it all joy when we face trials (James 1).

My husband says that pairing a beautiful concept like blessing with suffering seems like an oxymoron to him – like “jumbo shrimp.” I continue to marvel at how much heart is required for me to embrace God’s perspective on matters such as these! I cry out in prayer, “Lord, increase my faith!” Because I want to feel better? No – although I like to feel good! Because I want to be a person whose vision, identity, purpose, discipline and belief bring God pleasure.

Recommended reading: Exodus 16 and 17 in the morning; Matthew 23 and Psalm 27 in the evening