Just as He Was

Mark 4:35-36

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. 

Lord,
Such an interesting detail.
"They took him... just as he was"
What does that mean?

They took you
without anything extra.
Without a bag, or a magic stick, or...

Just you as you are.

How do I take you?
With a grain of salt?
With my assumptions?
With my own agenda?
With my hopes & fears & expectations?

What would it be like to take you,
just as you are?

I think you would surprise me.
I think you would challenge my assumptions.
I think you would push my boundaries.
I think you would invite me to see
the world and the people around me with new eyes.
I think I would stand in awe and wonder of you.

Lord,
Come into my life today
just as you are.
Remove the scales, assumptions, & cultural layers from my eyes
so that I can see you
just as you are.
Amen.

Log Eye

Matthew 7:3-5

Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

Lord,
I love picture you draw for us here.

As the son of a microbiologist,
I imagine trying to look
through a microscope
to do microscopic eye surgery on someone
all the while having a HUGE 4x4 post of wood
protruding out of my own eye!

The hyperbole!
It is the thing of slapstick comedy!
A Charlie Chaplin skit for certain.

LOG EYE!

Oh, why do we not take the time?
to do the work of self discovery,
to do the work of self awareness.

Are we afraid of what we might find?

My own experience of self discovery
involves becoming aware of my limitations
and accepting them...
but it also includes accepting, embracing
and celebrating
my uniquely giftedness!!

Lord,
remove the LOG
that blinds me
from my flaws and my gifts
so that I can help others
see themselves clearly
as you see us.
Amen.

Do not judge

Matthew 7:1-2

Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.

"Don't be so judgmental"
it's a phrase often shouted,
often in anger,
and ironically, often in judgment of the other!

Lord,
some even say they are quoting you on this.
Do not judge,
so that you may not be judged.
I wrestle with what you mean here...
I wonder what you mean by "do not judge".

Judge must be different that Discern.
While I am certainly NOT
the jury or judge of another's worthiness, righteousness, etc
You spent time with sinners...
But you do call us to discern.
"You will know them by their fruits" you say.

So what's the difference
between judging and discerning.

Judging seems to suggest
that I think I am better, more worthy, more holy,
than another.
In so doing, I reveal the truth
that actually I am no better;
I am a sinner.

Discernment seems to suggest
a slow process, a wrestling, a listening,
trying to figure out what would be Christ's will.
Indeed seeking your face
in the midst of the situation or relationship.

Judging says,
"I'm right; you're wrong."
Discerning says,
"I'm not certain, but I think this the right; I could be wrong.
Help me understand your point of view."

Discernment seems to invite
conversation partners into the process
to figure what would be best.

Help me do the hard work of discernment.
Show me your way, your will forward.
To the glory of God.
Amen

Forty

Lordy, Lordy, look who's Forty!

Yes, Lord,
today is my Fortieth birthday.
Many times I see 40 celebrated
with black balloons.
Some say,
"It's all downhill from here.
Welcome to Mid-life."

Lord,
I have been reflecting
on turning 40.
I remember
there are a lot of 40s
in the Bible.
40 days and 40 nights
40 years

Some scholars say
the biblical use of 40
is a symbolic way to say,
"A long time".

As I reflect on these biblical 40s,
I notice significant things happen
after 40:
The rainbow after
40 days and 40 nights of flooding.
The gift of the 10 commandments after
40 days and 40 nights of Moses on Mt Sinai.
Entering the promised Land after
40 years of wondering on the wilderness.
David defeated Goliath after
40 days of Goliath taunting Saul’s army.
Elijah heard the still small voice of  God after
40 days and 40 nights of fleeing Jezabel.
Lord Jesus, Your conquering of temptation and starting your ministry after
40 days and 40 nights of fasting.

Lord,
I wonder:
what significant things
will happen in my life and ministry
after 40?
I am excited
to see you at work
in my 40s.

Amen.