Month: May 2021

Many years ago, I was given a little book of questions. Great questions can help us think and process the different options and opportunities that lie before us. Great questions can help us evaluate the direction of our life and whether we are heading the right way. Great questions can help us imagine a better future or solution to our problems. Jesus knew the power of asking a good question and making people think. Here are just a few examples: What do you think? (Matthew 18:12) Why worry, doubt or be afraid? (Matthew 6:28) Why are you thinking evil thoughts? (Matthew 9:4) Do you believe I can do this? (Matthew 9:28) Do you know what I have done for you? (Matthew 21:42) What do you want? (Matthew 20:21) Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:15) You get the idea. Jesus invited his listeners to give thought to his words and to consider for themselves what he was sharing. Over the years, I have held onto my little book of questions and referred to it on many occasions, especially when challenged with different decisions. Good questions can also spur us on spiritually. There is one question from the little book that always challenges me personally, and I will share it here for your consideration: What three changes in me would most please God in heaven? Something to think about this week.

You might not know it from the weather we have been having but it’s spring. It seems like we are getting all of April’s showers in the month of May. Despite the wet and cloudy days this is a season for planting, working the soil and getting seeds into the ground. There is a certain act of faith to planting seeds. We know how it is supposed to work. The seeds go in the ground, germinate, begin to grow, and eventually produce fruit or flowers to be enjoyed. Yet, when that seed goes in the ground it is hard to see the evidence of what will be. Every year people continue to plant seeds in the belief that a harvest will be reaped. Jesus compared this to the Kingdom in Mark 4:26-29: He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” We live in a world of ‘on-demand delivery’ and ‘instant results.’ We aren’t terribly patient with taking time for things to grow. Our own spiritual growth can frustrate us. Jesus’ short parable reminds us that God is at work even when we don’t see it or understand it. But know this, we will reap a harvest based on the seeds we sow. Good gardening takes patience, effort, and time but the results come because God is at work in his creation and in our lives. Don’t lose hope if the harvest hasn’t come yet, good things take time.

A few years ago, a friend remarked that he wished his church was a New Testament church. In a moment of sarcastic response, I asked him which one he would prefer. There was the carnal church in Corinth with its immorality problems. The church in Galatia was legalistic. A social division between different personalities was hindering unity in Philippi. Even the church in Jerusalem, which had experienced many blessings was troubled by deception (Acts 5) and arguments over who was getting preferential treatment (Acts 6). My point was that even in the New Testament it was hard to find a church that didn’t have some issues. An old preacher I knew used to joke, “You’ll never find a perfect church. And if you do, do not join it. You’ll ruin it!” It is not wrong to have high expectations of a local church, a community of people who profess to follow Jesus and live out his way of life. We forget that we still live on this side of heaven. Christian believers are in the process of being sanctified, we aren’t perfect yet, and neither is the church, universal or local. Often, we hold others and the church to higher standards than our own. We excuse our mistakes, but we won’t tolerate them from others. The truth is church life can be messy and disappointing because the church is made up of people, like us. The body of Christ is fully divine and fully human. It is the human part we have trouble with and until the return of Christ, always will. Christians should not withhold their participation because the church is imperfect. We are all called to minister to one another.  To engage and take part, to learn and to model, to receive healing while we help others find the same. A better church community starts with each one of us recognizing what we are contributing to the greater whole. Owning our behavior, acknowledging our limitations, and showing up to be responsible will make the church a healthier place all around. Sure, there will always be something to critique but keeping the right attitude will help all of us stay focused on what is most important. A church that practices Ephesians 4:2 sounds attractive to me: “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (Ephesians 4:2, NLT)