"For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:17
Webster's dictionary defines the word "knockoff" as a cheap or inferior copy of something.
If you've ever been to New York City or any other major metropolitan city, you know that there are certain place to go if you want to purchase genuine designer label items like clothes, jewelry, shoes, etc... You likely also are aware that there are often places to go if you want the look and feel of designer labels but aren't willing to pay the price--the part of town where there are smooth talking characters who are more than willing to sell you a "knockoff".
When you step out into the world of "knockoffs, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
First of all, the "peddler" selling the knockoff knows he (or she) isn't offering you the real thing. He just hopes you don't know it. Not a quality individual you are dealing with here.
Secondly, you either know you're getting a fake and just hope that everyone else will think it's real or you are so gullible that you "take the bait" because someone is telling you what you want to hear.
Neither of the above look too good for you.
Sadly, "business" in our current christian culture isn't much different. How heartbreaking that the gospel is so often reduced to marketing techniques and emotional manipulation by crafty "peddlers" in order to suck the cash right out of our hands. In our culture of cheap grace and blessings on clearance, authenticity is often hard to find and even harder to maintain.
So called "peddlers" of God's word are everywhere-especially on television. Scroll down the channels on much of christian TV or stroll down the aisles of many American churches and it's as though the peddlers can't wait to grab the lapels of their suit coats and fling them open to reveal an array of "Spiritual Knockoffs". Sow your seed, claim your blessing, declare this, stand on that, stand on this, stand on your head! Give me a break! Give all of us a break! Don't insult me or my Lord by asking me to help you buy your own personal jet or build your million dollar mansion. I WANT AUTHENTIC. I NEED AUTHENTIC. THIS HURTING WORLD IS BEGGING FOR AUTHENTIC.
James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
What has happened to us? When did we decide that the peddlers should be exalted and represent who we are as believers in Christ?
Lord, forgive us for cheapening the greatest gift the world has ever known.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Be My Witnesses
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
Ever tried to work without eating, or drive your car when the gauge is well past empty? Sound like silly questions, I know. Who would do those things and really expect to accomplish much? When your body is weak, not much work gets done. When the car is on empty, you will end up getting stranded and need someone to come and rescue you from your "not very well-planned" trip.
Often we hear or read Acts 1:8 in sermons or teachings on witnessing. We evangelicals are big on that--it's what we do. We are called to share Christ, to preach the gospel - to witness. None of us would ever deny that is most definitely our calling. But let's take a deeper look at this directive from Jesus himself that He knew would somehow find it's way into the very beginning of the book in the Bible that begins the narrative of the church - His Church.
First of all there's the power part. Notice it says, "But you will receive power..." The reason for the word "but" here is that Jesus is answering a question posed a couple of verses earlier by his disciples. They were asking him if this is the time that he was going to restore the kingdom to Israel. His answer in today's terms was, "Don't worry about it. It's not your business." Then he turns the corner and says, "But you will receive power..." When? "When the Holy Spirit comes on you...". Do you see it? He doesn't even mention the being a witness part until he first points out the power part.
Although the Holy Spirit had not come to indwell believers yet in the Old Testament, there are plenty of examples of Old Testament powerhouses understanding the source of divine strength. Remember Moses in Exodus having a conversation with the Almighty about making sure God's presence was going to be with him? Exodus 33:14-15 says, "The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." Without the Presence (the Holy Spirit) there is no need to go forward. What was true back then is still true today. We could say with Moses, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."
When and where does the power come in? That's the waiting part. The early believers were hold up in that upper room doing what? They were waiting and praying. Waiting and praying for what? FOR THE POWER!!! They didn't demand it, they didn't claim it, they waited (and prayed) for it. And it came.
Waiting and praying are two disciplines that often don't come easy for me. I hate waiting and praying can become meaningless if my heart isn't in it. The more I'm meditating on the word and receiving, the easier the waiting and the praying part are for me. I have to stay connected or everything gets messed up. My focus gets off and then forget about the power!
Wait and pray. Keep focusing on him and the truth in his word and wait and pray. He will do the rest. He has to do the rest or it doesn't work. Then we won't need to try and witness, we will be witnesses. That's what he said.
Ever tried to work without eating, or drive your car when the gauge is well past empty? Sound like silly questions, I know. Who would do those things and really expect to accomplish much? When your body is weak, not much work gets done. When the car is on empty, you will end up getting stranded and need someone to come and rescue you from your "not very well-planned" trip.
Often we hear or read Acts 1:8 in sermons or teachings on witnessing. We evangelicals are big on that--it's what we do. We are called to share Christ, to preach the gospel - to witness. None of us would ever deny that is most definitely our calling. But let's take a deeper look at this directive from Jesus himself that He knew would somehow find it's way into the very beginning of the book in the Bible that begins the narrative of the church - His Church.
First of all there's the power part. Notice it says, "But you will receive power..." The reason for the word "but" here is that Jesus is answering a question posed a couple of verses earlier by his disciples. They were asking him if this is the time that he was going to restore the kingdom to Israel. His answer in today's terms was, "Don't worry about it. It's not your business." Then he turns the corner and says, "But you will receive power..." When? "When the Holy Spirit comes on you...". Do you see it? He doesn't even mention the being a witness part until he first points out the power part.
Although the Holy Spirit had not come to indwell believers yet in the Old Testament, there are plenty of examples of Old Testament powerhouses understanding the source of divine strength. Remember Moses in Exodus having a conversation with the Almighty about making sure God's presence was going to be with him? Exodus 33:14-15 says, "The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." Without the Presence (the Holy Spirit) there is no need to go forward. What was true back then is still true today. We could say with Moses, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."
When and where does the power come in? That's the waiting part. The early believers were hold up in that upper room doing what? They were waiting and praying. Waiting and praying for what? FOR THE POWER!!! They didn't demand it, they didn't claim it, they waited (and prayed) for it. And it came.
Waiting and praying are two disciplines that often don't come easy for me. I hate waiting and praying can become meaningless if my heart isn't in it. The more I'm meditating on the word and receiving, the easier the waiting and the praying part are for me. I have to stay connected or everything gets messed up. My focus gets off and then forget about the power!
Wait and pray. Keep focusing on him and the truth in his word and wait and pray. He will do the rest. He has to do the rest or it doesn't work. Then we won't need to try and witness, we will be witnesses. That's what he said.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Light
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5
Simon and Garfunkel wrote a song in 1965 called "The Sound of Silence". The words of the song resonated with a generation that was disillusioned from the Vietnam War, unbridled sex and materialism, and a continual wrestling with the hollow question that never goes away - WHY AM I HERE? The first verse addressed the familiar face of darkness:
"Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence....
I remember as a youngster listening to the beautiful harmonies in this song and thinking, "This is so beautiful but it's so sad." Simon and Garfunkel, as so many songwriters of that day, had a gift for pulling back the curtain and revealing the pain of their lost and confused generation but they didn't offer any real answers--because they had none.
Ironically, about the same time this song was being released, the roots of the Jesus People Movement were just beginning to break through the hard cynical ground of the late sixties and early seventies offering hope and life to a generation filled with despair and loneliness. Many embraced the life transforming message of the gospel while others sneered and watched that train go right on by, choosing darkness and silence over light and life.
It is common knowledge that so often in nature when a poisonous plant is discovered, the antidote to that particular poison is growing very nearby. How many people perish because they walk right past the antidote to their poison?
There is a deep spiritual lesson here. So often the Lord parallels in nature the spiritual truths He is trying to impart to us.
Darkness cannot overcome light but light must be chosen over darkness.
John 1:5 says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Some versions translate the last part of that verse, "...the darkness cannot comprehend it." Darkness cannot comprehend light. Light makes no sense to darkness. When embraced, however, light quickly chases darkness away.
Darkness is not an old friend--it's a familiar enemy. It offers no relief to our pain, no answers to our questions, puts no joy into our moments. It's not welcome. It's not necessary.
The light of the gospel dispels our darkness if we choose to embrace it. Don't miss the train.
Simon and Garfunkel wrote a song in 1965 called "The Sound of Silence". The words of the song resonated with a generation that was disillusioned from the Vietnam War, unbridled sex and materialism, and a continual wrestling with the hollow question that never goes away - WHY AM I HERE? The first verse addressed the familiar face of darkness:
"Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence....
I remember as a youngster listening to the beautiful harmonies in this song and thinking, "This is so beautiful but it's so sad." Simon and Garfunkel, as so many songwriters of that day, had a gift for pulling back the curtain and revealing the pain of their lost and confused generation but they didn't offer any real answers--because they had none.
Ironically, about the same time this song was being released, the roots of the Jesus People Movement were just beginning to break through the hard cynical ground of the late sixties and early seventies offering hope and life to a generation filled with despair and loneliness. Many embraced the life transforming message of the gospel while others sneered and watched that train go right on by, choosing darkness and silence over light and life.
It is common knowledge that so often in nature when a poisonous plant is discovered, the antidote to that particular poison is growing very nearby. How many people perish because they walk right past the antidote to their poison?
There is a deep spiritual lesson here. So often the Lord parallels in nature the spiritual truths He is trying to impart to us.
Darkness cannot overcome light but light must be chosen over darkness.
John 1:5 says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Some versions translate the last part of that verse, "...the darkness cannot comprehend it." Darkness cannot comprehend light. Light makes no sense to darkness. When embraced, however, light quickly chases darkness away.
Darkness is not an old friend--it's a familiar enemy. It offers no relief to our pain, no answers to our questions, puts no joy into our moments. It's not welcome. It's not necessary.
The light of the gospel dispels our darkness if we choose to embrace it. Don't miss the train.
Friday, July 18, 2014
When I Am Weak....
"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10
Weaknesses. We all have them. Delighted in yours lately? No really. Have you?
The scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:10 that we are not to ignore our weaknesses, pretend they don't exist or matter. We are not to make excuses for them or blame others for them or wear them like a badge. We are also not to focus on them and let them keep us from reaching out to the Lord or others. What in the world then are we to do with the pesky things?
The Apostle Paul says we are to "delight" in them. Delight in weaknesses? I don't get it. Well it certainly doesn't fit in this crazy culture we are living in does it? The last thing we are encouraged to do is to delight in the areas that we are lacking in. That would make us, well --vulnerable, wouldn't it? We certainly don't want to give the impression to anyone that we "can't handle it" do we?
Actually, there is one person that already knows we "can't handle it" besides us. He is the One who gave up everything for us. He is actually waiting for us to tell him how weak we are because it's at that point that He can step in and make us strong through our shortcomings and at the same time glorify himself. When we recognize our weaknesses we are admitting we need him. That's ALWAYS a good thing!
Are you like me, tired of focusing on all the things you can't do--or can't do well in your own eyes? He is waiting for us to trade in our weaknesses for His strength, to trade our pain for His passion, our confusion for His purpose. Don't get me wrong. It's definitely an unfair trade--at least on His part. But I think I'm smart enough to know a great deal when I see it. But then, He doesn't offer bad deals, does he?
Feeling weak?
"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10
Weaknesses. We all have them. Delighted in yours lately? No really. Have you?
The scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:10 that we are not to ignore our weaknesses, pretend they don't exist or matter. We are not to make excuses for them or blame others for them or wear them like a badge. We are also not to focus on them and let them keep us from reaching out to the Lord or others. What in the world then are we to do with the pesky things?
The Apostle Paul says we are to "delight" in them. Delight in weaknesses? I don't get it. Well it certainly doesn't fit in this crazy culture we are living in does it? The last thing we are encouraged to do is to delight in the areas that we are lacking in. That would make us, well --vulnerable, wouldn't it? We certainly don't want to give the impression to anyone that we "can't handle it" do we?
Actually, there is one person that already knows we "can't handle it" besides us. He is the One who gave up everything for us. He is actually waiting for us to tell him how weak we are because it's at that point that He can step in and make us strong through our shortcomings and at the same time glorify himself. When we recognize our weaknesses we are admitting we need him. That's ALWAYS a good thing!
Are you like me, tired of focusing on all the things you can't do--or can't do well in your own eyes? He is waiting for us to trade in our weaknesses for His strength, to trade our pain for His passion, our confusion for His purpose. Don't get me wrong. It's definitely an unfair trade--at least on His part. But I think I'm smart enough to know a great deal when I see it. But then, He doesn't offer bad deals, does he?
Feeling weak?
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
I Am Salt
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Matthew 5:13
I am salt. This little phrase has been going over and over in my mind for the last month or so. Pretty simple, I know, but pretty profound if you stop and think about it long enough.
I decided to go back to Matthew chapter 5 and refresh my memory on what it means to be salt. The first thing that strikes me in this verse is that it says -"You are..." See that? It doesn't say, "You should be" or "You could be" or even "You should try to be". That means I can't just get up every morning and spend time thinking about whether or not I want to be salt that day. I am salt. Whether or not I feel salty is not even part of the conversation.
OK. So I am salt. Now what exactly does salt do? Well I came across several uses or "responsibilities" of salt, if you will:
--Salt is probably the oldest seasoning known to man. It's been around awhile. It just is.
--Salt preserves food. Especially in ancient times, salt kept food from spoiling. Hmm. OK.
--Salt gives flavor to food and also to other spices. Salt brings out the best in what it's added to. I see.
There's another word that keeps rolling around in my head now that I think fits in here - RESPONSIBILITY. If I am salt as Jesus said then I have a responsibility to preserve, give flavor and bring out the best in every situation or circumstance that I become involved in. I don't think these responsibilities will automatically kick in 24/7 just because I'm a Christ follower. Looks like I need to make some decisions ahead of time about what I will and will not do.
1) I will not just speak my mind whenever I "feel" like it because - I AM SALT.
2) I will not cheat when no one is looking because - I AM SALT.
3) I will not get mad and run away when things don't go my way because - I AM SALT.
4) I will not ride the wagon of self-pity, bitterness and unforgiveness around and around until I am the center of my world (and everyone around me has had just about enough) because - I AM SALT.
5) I will not pass up an opportunity to do good because - I AM SALT. (see Heb. 13:16)
6) I will clutch my basket of fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and run quickly to Jesus when I sense my supplies are low because - I AM SALT.
7) I will glory in my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9) because I AM SALT.
I think I'm catching on. Don't ask me about pepper. That's a whole different blog!
I am salt. This little phrase has been going over and over in my mind for the last month or so. Pretty simple, I know, but pretty profound if you stop and think about it long enough.
I decided to go back to Matthew chapter 5 and refresh my memory on what it means to be salt. The first thing that strikes me in this verse is that it says -"You are..." See that? It doesn't say, "You should be" or "You could be" or even "You should try to be". That means I can't just get up every morning and spend time thinking about whether or not I want to be salt that day. I am salt. Whether or not I feel salty is not even part of the conversation.
OK. So I am salt. Now what exactly does salt do? Well I came across several uses or "responsibilities" of salt, if you will:
--Salt is probably the oldest seasoning known to man. It's been around awhile. It just is.
--Salt preserves food. Especially in ancient times, salt kept food from spoiling. Hmm. OK.
--Salt gives flavor to food and also to other spices. Salt brings out the best in what it's added to. I see.
There's another word that keeps rolling around in my head now that I think fits in here - RESPONSIBILITY. If I am salt as Jesus said then I have a responsibility to preserve, give flavor and bring out the best in every situation or circumstance that I become involved in. I don't think these responsibilities will automatically kick in 24/7 just because I'm a Christ follower. Looks like I need to make some decisions ahead of time about what I will and will not do.
1) I will not just speak my mind whenever I "feel" like it because - I AM SALT.
2) I will not cheat when no one is looking because - I AM SALT.
3) I will not get mad and run away when things don't go my way because - I AM SALT.
4) I will not ride the wagon of self-pity, bitterness and unforgiveness around and around until I am the center of my world (and everyone around me has had just about enough) because - I AM SALT.
5) I will not pass up an opportunity to do good because - I AM SALT. (see Heb. 13:16)
6) I will clutch my basket of fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and run quickly to Jesus when I sense my supplies are low because - I AM SALT.
7) I will glory in my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9) because I AM SALT.
I think I'm catching on. Don't ask me about pepper. That's a whole different blog!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Reaching...
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:13-14
I don't belong here.
Have you ever ended up in a place that you knew you didn't belong? Maybe through a bad choice or indifference, a failure to plan or chasing after a dream that wasn't meant for you? Maybe you jumped on the train of anger or unforgiveness or self-pity even when those closest to you and even the Lord himself were warning you not to ride. Somehow on the way there it seemed like a great idea but soon after your arrival you realized something was wrong--very wrong.
I can't stay here.
Is there something inside of you that says, "God must have something better in mind for me than this." Is the Holy Spirit prompting you and reminding you that you were made for so much more? Are you willing to ignore the comfortable in order to reach for the eternal? Don't listen to the voices that tell you it's too late or that you've been here too long to change now.
I must die.
Dietrich Bohnoeffer said, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Following Christ and maturing in him is a continual process of dying to ourselves. We have to get that if we really want to be free - if we really want to climb out of our "junk". It's not about prosperity or self-promotion or claiming this or that. No! It's about dying...everyday...dying.
I won't look back.
The old familiar chorus says, "The world behind me, the cross before me. No turning back. No turning back." The world can mean different things to different people. Maybe for you it's the world system, the culture, it's attitudes. It could be your past with all it's regrets and disappointments. Whatever it is--it's gone. Dwelling on it or refusing to let it go will only cause more pain and frustration. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
Paul reminds us that finishing the race requires one thing - focus. We must keep our eyes on the prize. Jesus gave everything for us. From day one his focus was the cross. We are honored and blessed to serve and follow him. There is no greater joy than to know that you are right where he has called you to be. Life is too short to settle for less.
Keep reaching...
I don't belong here.
Have you ever ended up in a place that you knew you didn't belong? Maybe through a bad choice or indifference, a failure to plan or chasing after a dream that wasn't meant for you? Maybe you jumped on the train of anger or unforgiveness or self-pity even when those closest to you and even the Lord himself were warning you not to ride. Somehow on the way there it seemed like a great idea but soon after your arrival you realized something was wrong--very wrong.
I can't stay here.
Is there something inside of you that says, "God must have something better in mind for me than this." Is the Holy Spirit prompting you and reminding you that you were made for so much more? Are you willing to ignore the comfortable in order to reach for the eternal? Don't listen to the voices that tell you it's too late or that you've been here too long to change now.
I must die.
Dietrich Bohnoeffer said, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Following Christ and maturing in him is a continual process of dying to ourselves. We have to get that if we really want to be free - if we really want to climb out of our "junk". It's not about prosperity or self-promotion or claiming this or that. No! It's about dying...everyday...dying.
I won't look back.
The old familiar chorus says, "The world behind me, the cross before me. No turning back. No turning back." The world can mean different things to different people. Maybe for you it's the world system, the culture, it's attitudes. It could be your past with all it's regrets and disappointments. Whatever it is--it's gone. Dwelling on it or refusing to let it go will only cause more pain and frustration. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
Paul reminds us that finishing the race requires one thing - focus. We must keep our eyes on the prize. Jesus gave everything for us. From day one his focus was the cross. We are honored and blessed to serve and follow him. There is no greater joy than to know that you are right where he has called you to be. Life is too short to settle for less.
Keep reaching...
Monday, November 11, 2013
Broke But Not Broken
"The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." Psalm 51:17
As time blows over the calendar of my life and the weeks turn quickly into months and the months roll quietly into years, I'm learning (finally) some pretty powerful life lessons. You would think that as I passed the mid-century mark, the light bulb over some of these truths would have clicked on long before now.
It has been my privilege and honor over the last 20 years in ministry to talk with and listen to some pretty awesome and amazing people. I have come to believe that I can learn "something" from everyone I encounter if I just make the time to look and really take in what they say. I have had the pleasure of talking to and interacting with the whole spectrum of humanity from the very wealthy and powerful in the halls of academia to the homeless and mentally challenged aimlessly walking the lonely streets of New York City. When you get right down to it, we aren't really all that different. By that I mean that the scripture says in Proverbs 22:12, "The rich and poor have this in common; The LORD made them both."
I have come to understand that all of us come to certain crossroads on this journey we are on. One of those pivotal points is when we hit something( or something hits us) that pretty much knocks us to our knees and we find ourselves in another realm that we didn't prepare for. We all experience those monumental "exit ramps" that scream in our ears "It's over. You're done - finished!" You know what I'm talking about; the "I can't do this anymore" moments. If you haven't had one yet, brace yourself - it's coming.
The girls in my Bible Study know I often use the line "There are two kinds of people..." when I'm trying to help them grasp what it truly means to passionately pursue Christ. Well, I am learning there are two kinds of people; Those who are "broke" and those who are "broken." As I look back now, I realize that so many of the times I really thought I was broken, I wasn't broken at all - I was just plain broke! Sure I was at a point of being without, whether it was without money, or friends, or acceptance, or influence or respect. And mind you - I didn't like the feeling of being without those things. I felt angry and hurt and frustrated but I didn't let those feelings lead me to brokenness. They didn't soften my heart. I allowed them to harden it. And I didn't even realize it.
Until one morning as I was walking and talking with the Lord I said, "Lord, whatever it takes to make me more like you; that's what I want." Hmmm. I don't believe now that I really understood what I was asking for in that prayer. But He did. And He answered. The journey I started on that day has taken me to places I would have never gone with Him had I known ahead what was in store. He knew. He knows. I never knew a person could be so crushed and survive. He did. I was. I still am. I'm ok.
Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
He is. He does.
As time blows over the calendar of my life and the weeks turn quickly into months and the months roll quietly into years, I'm learning (finally) some pretty powerful life lessons. You would think that as I passed the mid-century mark, the light bulb over some of these truths would have clicked on long before now.
It has been my privilege and honor over the last 20 years in ministry to talk with and listen to some pretty awesome and amazing people. I have come to believe that I can learn "something" from everyone I encounter if I just make the time to look and really take in what they say. I have had the pleasure of talking to and interacting with the whole spectrum of humanity from the very wealthy and powerful in the halls of academia to the homeless and mentally challenged aimlessly walking the lonely streets of New York City. When you get right down to it, we aren't really all that different. By that I mean that the scripture says in Proverbs 22:12, "The rich and poor have this in common; The LORD made them both."
I have come to understand that all of us come to certain crossroads on this journey we are on. One of those pivotal points is when we hit something( or something hits us) that pretty much knocks us to our knees and we find ourselves in another realm that we didn't prepare for. We all experience those monumental "exit ramps" that scream in our ears "It's over. You're done - finished!" You know what I'm talking about; the "I can't do this anymore" moments. If you haven't had one yet, brace yourself - it's coming.
The girls in my Bible Study know I often use the line "There are two kinds of people..." when I'm trying to help them grasp what it truly means to passionately pursue Christ. Well, I am learning there are two kinds of people; Those who are "broke" and those who are "broken." As I look back now, I realize that so many of the times I really thought I was broken, I wasn't broken at all - I was just plain broke! Sure I was at a point of being without, whether it was without money, or friends, or acceptance, or influence or respect. And mind you - I didn't like the feeling of being without those things. I felt angry and hurt and frustrated but I didn't let those feelings lead me to brokenness. They didn't soften my heart. I allowed them to harden it. And I didn't even realize it.
Until one morning as I was walking and talking with the Lord I said, "Lord, whatever it takes to make me more like you; that's what I want." Hmmm. I don't believe now that I really understood what I was asking for in that prayer. But He did. And He answered. The journey I started on that day has taken me to places I would have never gone with Him had I known ahead what was in store. He knew. He knows. I never knew a person could be so crushed and survive. He did. I was. I still am. I'm ok.
Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
He is. He does.
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