I learned something fascinating the other day, which you probably already knew about. All my life I have assumed that the Twelve Days of Christmas all led up to Christmas day. My wife taught me that this is not the case, and that the twelve days actually start on Christmas day and end January 5th. As I said, you probably already knew this, but my wife taught me something very valuable: Christmas isn't over.
Traditionally, the celebrations after Christmas culminated in the festival of Epiphany on January 6th; "epiphany" meaning manifestation or appearance (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary). The festival celebrated Christ appearing to the Gentiles (i.e. the Magi).
So what does this mean for us? It could simply mean a few extra days of Christmas trees, decorations, and radio stations playing Christmas music non-stop. Or, deeper than that, and rather than packing everything up on December 26th and forgetting all about Christmas, maybe there is an opportunity to be witnesses to another layer of meaning for this season.
It is interesting that the Magi have a prominent role in the Nativity. I'm not the first to discover this, but you could consider the Magi as an unlikely group of characters to appear on the scene. They presumably came from far away to see firsthand the child who had been born. They apparently were aware of the birth of the child as a result of their study of the stars. Also, maybe most striking, they were most likely not already part of God's chosen people (i.e. not Jewish). They weren't the religious elite from around where Christ was born. They were most likely wealthy, but having the stamp of approval from some Eastern kings probably wouldn't carry much weight with the Jewish people. Their place in the story is altogether unlikely.
And that's me. My place in God's story, based on a worldly standard, is altogether unlikely. I don't measure up. I miss the mark. Compared to God, I have nothing to brag about. No platform from which I can boast. I'm not part of any elite group. But, God came to me anyway. He made me part of his story.
So, rather than be in a mad rush to put all our Christmas decorations away, I want to take some time to remember what my wife taught me: Christmas isn't over. As unlikely as it was to reach out to me and show me grace, that's exactly what God did. And that's reason to celebrate.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
What Does Presence Do?
I said I wouldn't do it. "Caleb, don't give in. Don't feed into the social media nonsense." I told myself. "Don't let politics and controversy seep into your blog. This is a happy place. Your blog is the puppies/Christmas/candy/rainbows/unicorns section of the internet." Well, I'm doing it. No turning back now.
Social media has been exciting to follow the past few days. Some posts have been like watching train wrecks. You want to turn away, but you just have to ride it out and see where it goes. Some posts have been so clever and witty that I can reread them and still have a good chuckle. Some posts have been laced with love. Others have been laced with that razor wire stuff that they put on the top of prison fences. All in all, it's been a good ride. Good job, internet.
What all this has got me thinking about is this: how should we really engage one another? What should I do if I'm for Phil, against Phil, tame Miley, Kanye for President, don't take my guns, melt all the guns down and use them to make Prius', or whatever? Do I wage social media war? Do I charge up Facebook Hill, ready to face death/getting blocked, as I fight the backwoods rednecks or the hipsters (depending on my stereotyped target)? Or, do I simply do nothing. Live and let live, as it were. As long as no one is physically hurting me, it's all good. Tolerance above all else. It everyone's right to do everything they want. Not my problem. Say what you want. Or can I be in between? Is there an in between?
To be sure, I have some firm beliefs of my own, though I try hard not to rant too much on the internet. I'd rather rant in person. Less of a chance that you'll just get up and walk away. Ha! But, I do enjoy talking with people about real stuff. I'm talking about things we believe deep down. But how can I do that with someone who deep down is against the things that I believe? How do I engage in a relationship with someone who, because of beliefs, is separated from me.
This is where it gets tricky. And this is where some may think me too soft, too exclusive, too simplistic, or too...a lot of things. I think I can learn a lot about how to engage people with different beliefs by looking at how God brings his presence to me.
Now, try to follow me on this for a little bit. My own experience of following God has gone like this: it didn't all happen overnight. Over many years God has given me little pieces (probably as much as I could handle) of what it means to follow him and I've progressively moved in that direction. Sometimes I've taken a few steps forward, then a few more back. But I'd like to think that the overall trajectory of my life has been towards him. The really fascinating part is that it's been all him. There's no meet in the middle or anything like that. God comes to me. I don't mean that I'm always passive or that God comes on his hands and knees begging that I follow him. I just mean that, in what I think is my own experience seen through the lens of my background, God brings his presence to me.
God has never done this because of how good I am. You see, I used to be a brat. And not only a brat, but I was mean. So mean. Don't believe the hype. I was living apart from God. Chasing my selfish desires. Driven by an effort to figure things out on my own. And then it begins to happen. I begin to hear God through people in my life and through reading the Bible. God was coming to me, reaching out to me, bringing his presence to me. Over time, I understood that God sent Jesus to be born, live as we do, die for our sins, and be raised back to life, which is something promised to those who believe as well.
God bridged the gap with presence. I couldn't do that. No way.
So, what point am I trying to make? How about this: if I really, truly want to engage with people who don't share my beliefs, why can't I start with being present with them? Why can't I get to know them and know why they believe what they do? Why can't I look at someone from across a table and say, "I hear you. I disagree, but I hear you. Now let me get you some more coffee." I don't have to yell and scream and get angry and argue the world over to my side all in one swoop. And I don't have to be silent either. Maybe this is the middle ground.
There was a time when I did not believe in the things that God is about. But God changed that by being present with me. Why shouldn't I follow his example and engage people in the same way? And guess what - that works no matter what side you're on!
ps - last post until the new year rolls around. In the immortal words of Clark Griswald: "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
What a Sandwich Shop Taught Me About Advent
You just can't beat a Firehouse Subs shop. The atmosphere is inviting and the sandwiches are delicious. Great combination. If you've never ordered a sandwich from there, once you pick one of their meal options you have the option of ordering it "fully involved", which means everything on it. I think it is a fire fighting term (please correct me if I'm wrong) which refers to when a fire has consumed all compartments of a structure. It then becomes fully involved.
So what does a sandwich have to do with Advent? Fully involved. That's the connection. God himself, in the form of his son, came to be present among us. He took on a human body like ours. He felt what we feel. He experienced what we experience. Jesus Christ knows what it's like to be us. As a result of being born among us he became fully involved.
Fully involved with my life in a personal why. This is either liberating or terrifying. The God of the whole universe knows me. I'm on his list. He is aware of what's happening with me and has an effect on what goes on in my life. This can be terrifying if we don't want to be known. Maybe we'd rather stay back in the shadows of existence and keep moving in our own direction.
For the person who follows after Jesus Christ, this is not an option. If a house fire becomes fully involved then there is not much turning back at that point. Things move in the direction of the house being fully consumed. Every room of the house is engulfed. When once we choose to follow Christ we are to be fully involved. I am to let Christ in to every room, every compartment of my life. I am to let him change every attitude and behavior. We take on his life, his power, through the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks of this as putting on a new self. Kind of like taking old clothes off and putting new clothes on.
This is what I want Advent to be for me: remembering that Jesus Christ became fully involved in humanity so I could be fully involved in him. He gave me his full presence so I want to live in a like manner. I want to live in Christ like my Firehouse sandwich - fully involved.
So what does a sandwich have to do with Advent? Fully involved. That's the connection. God himself, in the form of his son, came to be present among us. He took on a human body like ours. He felt what we feel. He experienced what we experience. Jesus Christ knows what it's like to be us. As a result of being born among us he became fully involved.
Fully involved with my life in a personal why. This is either liberating or terrifying. The God of the whole universe knows me. I'm on his list. He is aware of what's happening with me and has an effect on what goes on in my life. This can be terrifying if we don't want to be known. Maybe we'd rather stay back in the shadows of existence and keep moving in our own direction.
For the person who follows after Jesus Christ, this is not an option. If a house fire becomes fully involved then there is not much turning back at that point. Things move in the direction of the house being fully consumed. Every room of the house is engulfed. When once we choose to follow Christ we are to be fully involved. I am to let Christ in to every room, every compartment of my life. I am to let him change every attitude and behavior. We take on his life, his power, through the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks of this as putting on a new self. Kind of like taking old clothes off and putting new clothes on.
This is what I want Advent to be for me: remembering that Jesus Christ became fully involved in humanity so I could be fully involved in him. He gave me his full presence so I want to live in a like manner. I want to live in Christ like my Firehouse sandwich - fully involved.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
The Hidden Treasure
I've found that after a little over two years of living in this area that I'm just beginning to scratch the surface of the character of this place. Take Bramwell, WV for example. Until recently, this was simply a nearby, but obscure place, which apparently thrived during the early coal boom in West Virginia. Bramwell is said to have the most millionaires per capita of any town in the country in the late 1800s (see http://www.bramwellwv.com/history.html) . I visited the town for a home tour this past weekend with my wife and mother-in-law. These houses were incredible. One house, for example, was made of nearly all imported materials and built almost completely with imported labor. It's mind boggling to think about how much money these people had.
And yet, so many have no idea it's there now. It's easy to see how that happens. We get so caught up in what is on the surface. We look around town and focus on the run-down buildings and what we may think are lifeless streets. We focus on the stores which are out of business, or stores we wish would come to town. We choose to see the town as, if not dead, dying. And truly, an old coal town, removed from prominence, can be a depressing sight to behold. For me, Bramwell came close to remaining another sad sight. If no one had told me about Bramwell and its claim to fame, then I never would have known. Bramwell could very easily have remained obscure, cradled in the Bluestone River. A hidden treasure.
I get caught up in the lack sometimes. I look at life and get caught up in what isn't there. I long for things which always seem out of reach. It's hard not to long for the splendor and prominence, which may seem like only a whisper now. But, just as I now see Bramwell as a hidden treasure, I think this season offers us a hidden treasure if we are willing to dig for it. It's the hidden treasure of peace.
Take some time to read Isaiah 9, especially the opening verses. All I've read and listened to about this chapter points to Zebulun and Naphtali as being depressing places. All they knew was hardship. When Israel would be invaded, most invaders would come from the North, coming through Zebulun and Naphtali first. They took the brunt of the invasion. Also, any invaders who were defeated would retreat back the same way, wreaking havoc as they went. If you lived in either of these places you probably longed to be somewhere else. But Isaiah 9 also says that there will be no more gloom for these places. There will be a great light which will bring them out of the darkness. The light will be known as, among other titles, the Prince of Peace.
We know the Prince of Peace as Jesus. As awful as life was in the Northern parts of Israel at this time, Jesus would bring the longed-for peace. As dark as the world seemed, Jesus would be the light that pushed the darkness aside.
Maybe it comes from being uber-introverted, but I find that when I walk into an extremely busy season in my life, and I don't take time to be still, I get unsettled, restless. When I focus too much on my Christmas season itinerary I quickly get worn down. I need peace.
Sometimes, just like Bramwell, WV, peace is a hidden treasure that I may need to search for. Sometimes I need to force myself to stop, and read about how Jesus would bring peace and light to the ravaged and dark places (or how about lives?) of the world. Sometimes I need to make myself be still, and get peace by being in God's presence. I certainly don't find it by getting busier and busier. Searching for the deep, hidden treasure takes time and conscious effort. But, I'm trusting that Jesus has brought peace and offers it to me. I just need to stop and look for it sometimes.
And yet, so many have no idea it's there now. It's easy to see how that happens. We get so caught up in what is on the surface. We look around town and focus on the run-down buildings and what we may think are lifeless streets. We focus on the stores which are out of business, or stores we wish would come to town. We choose to see the town as, if not dead, dying. And truly, an old coal town, removed from prominence, can be a depressing sight to behold. For me, Bramwell came close to remaining another sad sight. If no one had told me about Bramwell and its claim to fame, then I never would have known. Bramwell could very easily have remained obscure, cradled in the Bluestone River. A hidden treasure.
I get caught up in the lack sometimes. I look at life and get caught up in what isn't there. I long for things which always seem out of reach. It's hard not to long for the splendor and prominence, which may seem like only a whisper now. But, just as I now see Bramwell as a hidden treasure, I think this season offers us a hidden treasure if we are willing to dig for it. It's the hidden treasure of peace.
Take some time to read Isaiah 9, especially the opening verses. All I've read and listened to about this chapter points to Zebulun and Naphtali as being depressing places. All they knew was hardship. When Israel would be invaded, most invaders would come from the North, coming through Zebulun and Naphtali first. They took the brunt of the invasion. Also, any invaders who were defeated would retreat back the same way, wreaking havoc as they went. If you lived in either of these places you probably longed to be somewhere else. But Isaiah 9 also says that there will be no more gloom for these places. There will be a great light which will bring them out of the darkness. The light will be known as, among other titles, the Prince of Peace.
We know the Prince of Peace as Jesus. As awful as life was in the Northern parts of Israel at this time, Jesus would bring the longed-for peace. As dark as the world seemed, Jesus would be the light that pushed the darkness aside.
Maybe it comes from being uber-introverted, but I find that when I walk into an extremely busy season in my life, and I don't take time to be still, I get unsettled, restless. When I focus too much on my Christmas season itinerary I quickly get worn down. I need peace.
Sometimes, just like Bramwell, WV, peace is a hidden treasure that I may need to search for. Sometimes I need to force myself to stop, and read about how Jesus would bring peace and light to the ravaged and dark places (or how about lives?) of the world. Sometimes I need to make myself be still, and get peace by being in God's presence. I certainly don't find it by getting busier and busier. Searching for the deep, hidden treasure takes time and conscious effort. But, I'm trusting that Jesus has brought peace and offers it to me. I just need to stop and look for it sometimes.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Where is he?
I would like to call your attention to a Christmas tradition. I'm not sure how far back this tradition dates, but I believe it is now ingrained into the fabric of our holiday culture. No Christmas season would be complete without it. I'm talking about the "frantic search."
You know what I'm talking about. You rush out to the mall/department store/the Wal-Mart, sometimes as a last ditch effort, to find that perfect gift (or that I'm-buying-the-first-thing-I-find gift.). Or maybe it's the search for those items and ingredients that will pull your holiday meal together. You just know that if you keep walking up and down the isles you'll find what you're looking for. Or, if you're like me, every trip to Wal-Mart is a search for the most random assortment of items that leads through every nook and cranny of the store. This is complicated by the fact that I often get intensely impatient while shopping there and get bewildered when trying to find my way through a Purgatory, I mean Wal-Mart, that I'm not used to. This happened just the other day. I needed a few things for our Wednesday night youth meeting so I decided to make a quick trip (mistake #1) to Wal-Mart. I had an idea of what I wanted, but didn't know exactly (mistake #2), so I went in to look around. I'm not used to the Princeton Wal-Mart yet, so I was almost immediately lost. Remember, I'm impatient in this place, so I almost instantly become stressed about the time I'm losing in there and am already thinking about how I need to find my way out to get on with the other things I need to do. But, I don't yet have what I need, so I keep looking, aimlessly plodding along. It felt more like groping in the dark, heart beating faster as I get more impatient.
My life can seem so much like this sometimes. A frantic search. Groping in the dark. Aimlessly wandering around. Sometimes I know what I'm looking for, but other times I don't. Sometimes the search is casual, and other times it could very well be best described as a frantic search. I frantically search for direction, answers, peace, rest, etc. I try to search for God, trying to get a sense of his presence. I get impatient, and feel like I've wasted so much time. Sometimes, it seems like the longer I search the more frantic my searching becomes. The cry of my heart sometimes is, "Where is he?" "How long is this going to take?" "How long do I have to wait for ____ ?"
I desperately wish I knew how to answer the "Where is he?" question. Not just for myself, but for others too. But like so many before me I'm still searching. Waiting. And maybe that's the key: waiting. I haven't done so well with that. I've been rushed and impatient. Frantic. But here's an Advent lesson I think: God came and found me, so I can wait on him. Search for him? Oh yes, but no longer frantically. No longer by my own abilities in an effort to impress him. God came in the form of his son. His name is Immanuel, because he reveals that God is with us. I don't have to be frantic anymore. I can at last exhale, and wait on him.
"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31
You know what I'm talking about. You rush out to the mall/department store/the Wal-Mart, sometimes as a last ditch effort, to find that perfect gift (or that I'm-buying-the-first-thing-I-find gift.). Or maybe it's the search for those items and ingredients that will pull your holiday meal together. You just know that if you keep walking up and down the isles you'll find what you're looking for. Or, if you're like me, every trip to Wal-Mart is a search for the most random assortment of items that leads through every nook and cranny of the store. This is complicated by the fact that I often get intensely impatient while shopping there and get bewildered when trying to find my way through a Purgatory, I mean Wal-Mart, that I'm not used to. This happened just the other day. I needed a few things for our Wednesday night youth meeting so I decided to make a quick trip (mistake #1) to Wal-Mart. I had an idea of what I wanted, but didn't know exactly (mistake #2), so I went in to look around. I'm not used to the Princeton Wal-Mart yet, so I was almost immediately lost. Remember, I'm impatient in this place, so I almost instantly become stressed about the time I'm losing in there and am already thinking about how I need to find my way out to get on with the other things I need to do. But, I don't yet have what I need, so I keep looking, aimlessly plodding along. It felt more like groping in the dark, heart beating faster as I get more impatient.
My life can seem so much like this sometimes. A frantic search. Groping in the dark. Aimlessly wandering around. Sometimes I know what I'm looking for, but other times I don't. Sometimes the search is casual, and other times it could very well be best described as a frantic search. I frantically search for direction, answers, peace, rest, etc. I try to search for God, trying to get a sense of his presence. I get impatient, and feel like I've wasted so much time. Sometimes, it seems like the longer I search the more frantic my searching becomes. The cry of my heart sometimes is, "Where is he?" "How long is this going to take?" "How long do I have to wait for ____ ?"
I desperately wish I knew how to answer the "Where is he?" question. Not just for myself, but for others too. But like so many before me I'm still searching. Waiting. And maybe that's the key: waiting. I haven't done so well with that. I've been rushed and impatient. Frantic. But here's an Advent lesson I think: God came and found me, so I can wait on him. Search for him? Oh yes, but no longer frantically. No longer by my own abilities in an effort to impress him. God came in the form of his son. His name is Immanuel, because he reveals that God is with us. I don't have to be frantic anymore. I can at last exhale, and wait on him.
"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31
Monday, December 9, 2013
I'm Afraid of Jesus
Does the title of this post shock you? Well, it shocks me, and I'm the one who wrote it! You must know that it is true. This isn't fiction. This is a man laying his soul open through a blog. Yes, shamefully, I'm afraid of Jesus.
I'm afraid of his mystery. I'm afraid of the things about him that I don't know. What if I miss something? What if he does something unexpected? What if I think one thing about him, but then find out later that I was wrong? What happens then?
At various times in my life I've been afraid of what I might lose if I become one of those "Jesus Freaks." What if I lose my reputation among my friends and family? What if I lose my job? (I once quit a job, giving no prior notice, because I felt it was what God wanted me to do. Probably wasn't wise, but I was desperate to do what he wanted. I was scared not to. Been there?) I mean, that happens to people right? They choose to follow Jesus and end up losing all those good things like jobs, reputations, money, etc.
I'm also afraid of what Jesus may not give me if I follow him. What if I miss out on the joy of life, because I choose to follow him? What if I choose to make myself miserable by making my life an endless list of obligations to Jesus (the do's and do not's of life)? What if I'm lonely the rest of my life? I used to be terrified by this thought: what if I choose to follow Jesus, and by choosing to follow, that means no marriage for me. Jesus couldn't possible give me that. I want it, and Jesus never gives me things I want.
And what if he changes me? What if he brings things up out of the depths of my heart that I want to keep pushed down? I put them down there for a reason, and there they should stay, right? What if he wants to talk to me about my anger? What if he wants to bring up my anxiety? Terrifying.
So, for all these things and more, there have been times in my life when, I must confess, I have been afraid of Jesus. I think we see some of this in the gospel of Matthew. When King Herod hears that one has been born "King of the Jews" he becomes "troubled." (Matthew 2:1-3) Although Herod didn't know the identity of this other "King of the Jews", Jesus' birth presented a problem for Herod. Herod had to think, "What if my power is challenged? What if this new king's followers rise up and try to overthrow me? What does this mean? What do I do now?" Herod had to have a strong desire to stay in power. I probably would to if I was a king.
And you know what? I have a strong desire to have the power in my own life, too. I want to remain on top. So, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus presents a problem. His coming causes me to ask: what if I lose control of my life? What if Jesus makes me uncomfortable? What if he asks me to do something I don't want to do? What if I end up isolated, lonely, and labeled one of those Christian fanatics? What do I do now?
I'll admit that there are still those times when I'm afraid of Jesus. I do let doubt creep in sometimes. But, as I pause, take some time and reflect on what Jesus coming for me means, those fears do seem to slip away. "For he rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13, 14) Quoting this verse isn't an attempt to erase doubt and fear. Rather, it is to say that there is something I've found that is more powerful than fear: God's presence. Fear keeps me in the dark, but God, through Jesus, pulled me out of the dark. I may fear losing some things in this life, but I get so much more in his presence. I may fear that I won't have enough, but his presence really is enough. My fear of Jesus may cause me to distance myself, but it is for that very reason that he came, destroying the distance. This is a comforting Advent thought for me: even in the midst of my occasional fear of him, Jesus' presence is there.
I'm afraid of his mystery. I'm afraid of the things about him that I don't know. What if I miss something? What if he does something unexpected? What if I think one thing about him, but then find out later that I was wrong? What happens then?
At various times in my life I've been afraid of what I might lose if I become one of those "Jesus Freaks." What if I lose my reputation among my friends and family? What if I lose my job? (I once quit a job, giving no prior notice, because I felt it was what God wanted me to do. Probably wasn't wise, but I was desperate to do what he wanted. I was scared not to. Been there?) I mean, that happens to people right? They choose to follow Jesus and end up losing all those good things like jobs, reputations, money, etc.
I'm also afraid of what Jesus may not give me if I follow him. What if I miss out on the joy of life, because I choose to follow him? What if I choose to make myself miserable by making my life an endless list of obligations to Jesus (the do's and do not's of life)? What if I'm lonely the rest of my life? I used to be terrified by this thought: what if I choose to follow Jesus, and by choosing to follow, that means no marriage for me. Jesus couldn't possible give me that. I want it, and Jesus never gives me things I want.
And what if he changes me? What if he brings things up out of the depths of my heart that I want to keep pushed down? I put them down there for a reason, and there they should stay, right? What if he wants to talk to me about my anger? What if he wants to bring up my anxiety? Terrifying.
So, for all these things and more, there have been times in my life when, I must confess, I have been afraid of Jesus. I think we see some of this in the gospel of Matthew. When King Herod hears that one has been born "King of the Jews" he becomes "troubled." (Matthew 2:1-3) Although Herod didn't know the identity of this other "King of the Jews", Jesus' birth presented a problem for Herod. Herod had to think, "What if my power is challenged? What if this new king's followers rise up and try to overthrow me? What does this mean? What do I do now?" Herod had to have a strong desire to stay in power. I probably would to if I was a king.
And you know what? I have a strong desire to have the power in my own life, too. I want to remain on top. So, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus presents a problem. His coming causes me to ask: what if I lose control of my life? What if Jesus makes me uncomfortable? What if he asks me to do something I don't want to do? What if I end up isolated, lonely, and labeled one of those Christian fanatics? What do I do now?
I'll admit that there are still those times when I'm afraid of Jesus. I do let doubt creep in sometimes. But, as I pause, take some time and reflect on what Jesus coming for me means, those fears do seem to slip away. "For he rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13, 14) Quoting this verse isn't an attempt to erase doubt and fear. Rather, it is to say that there is something I've found that is more powerful than fear: God's presence. Fear keeps me in the dark, but God, through Jesus, pulled me out of the dark. I may fear losing some things in this life, but I get so much more in his presence. I may fear that I won't have enough, but his presence really is enough. My fear of Jesus may cause me to distance myself, but it is for that very reason that he came, destroying the distance. This is a comforting Advent thought for me: even in the midst of my occasional fear of him, Jesus' presence is there.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Snow, Weather Reports, & Advent
A brief Sunday morning thought: around here, especially this time of year, many people spend time dutifully watching weather reports. This morning I'm watching, along with other church leadership, trying to determine if it's safe to have our morning services. I've got one eye on the local news and the other on my front yard. I'm fully attentive to what the weather is doing. I'm waiting on weather conditions
I should approach Advent this same way: fully attentive to what God is doing. I want to be expectantly, excitedly waiting for his presence. I want to keep one eye on the past (Christ's first Advent), and remember how Christ came, marking God himself being present with mankind. I also want to keep one eye on the future (his second Advent) and remember that I'm still waiting, longing for Christ to come again.
So, as you're huddled around your local news station, weather channel app, or as you enjoy a Sunday morning snow day ask yourself: how can I have the same expectancy about Christ? How can I long for him just as hard as I long for that precious snow day?
...a challenge for me because I love my snow days :)
Friday, December 6, 2013
Faithful To This Place
Bluefield. For the longest time this was a place I only vaguely knew of as the place where a best friend lived. Then it became the place where I chose to complete undergraduate studies at Bluefield College. And then, finally, became the place where my wife and I are settling down, trying to fix up a house and begin our lives together.
Is it paradise? Not exactly. There's no Waffle House close by (and that's a big deal). I think it would be fair to describe the weather as often dreary. I also think it would be fair to describe many of the roads as "old goat paths." If you need something late at night, and Wal-Mart doesn't have it, then you're not getting it. And you can't ignore the fact that people here are undeniably crazy.
On the other hand, is it paradise? YES. I also love the weather. Rarely do temperatures reach above 90 degrees during the summer (the occurrence is so rare that it is marked by the handing out of free lemonade across town). A healthy amount of snow during the winter is almost guaranteed. And the mountains. I can't get enough of our mountainous landscape around Bluefield. Small town living has its drawbacks, but I'm in love with it. And, you can't ignore the fact that people here are undeniably amazing.
Someone told me once that if you make friends with an Appalachian person, then they will do absolutely anything for you and give you the shirt off their back. However, if for some reason an Appalachian person doesn't care for you, then they won't even sell you the shirt off their back. Whether this is true of every person in the region remains to be seen, but I think I've seen a little of true friendship that exists among the people of this area whom I consider "my people." I love that I've been born and raised around good, country folks and share some common ancestry and background.
I want to be fiercely devoted to this town and this area. I want it to be better for me having been here. I want to take to heart Jeremiah 29:7, "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare." (NASB) Now, I don't see myself as being exiled here, but I do believe that the Lord was involved in me coming here. I believe the Spirit is working in and among my neighbors and friends here. I want to be part of that. Bluefield is a beautiful place. Not paradise, but paradise all at the same time.
What about you? Is it a challenge to be faithful to your town or city? Do you see your neighborhood as a place where God's Spirit is moving? What are you doing to be faithful to your city?
Being faithful in the Field of Blue,
Caleb
Is it paradise? Not exactly. There's no Waffle House close by (and that's a big deal). I think it would be fair to describe the weather as often dreary. I also think it would be fair to describe many of the roads as "old goat paths." If you need something late at night, and Wal-Mart doesn't have it, then you're not getting it. And you can't ignore the fact that people here are undeniably crazy.
On the other hand, is it paradise? YES. I also love the weather. Rarely do temperatures reach above 90 degrees during the summer (the occurrence is so rare that it is marked by the handing out of free lemonade across town). A healthy amount of snow during the winter is almost guaranteed. And the mountains. I can't get enough of our mountainous landscape around Bluefield. Small town living has its drawbacks, but I'm in love with it. And, you can't ignore the fact that people here are undeniably amazing.
Someone told me once that if you make friends with an Appalachian person, then they will do absolutely anything for you and give you the shirt off their back. However, if for some reason an Appalachian person doesn't care for you, then they won't even sell you the shirt off their back. Whether this is true of every person in the region remains to be seen, but I think I've seen a little of true friendship that exists among the people of this area whom I consider "my people." I love that I've been born and raised around good, country folks and share some common ancestry and background.
I want to be fiercely devoted to this town and this area. I want it to be better for me having been here. I want to take to heart Jeremiah 29:7, "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare." (NASB) Now, I don't see myself as being exiled here, but I do believe that the Lord was involved in me coming here. I believe the Spirit is working in and among my neighbors and friends here. I want to be part of that. Bluefield is a beautiful place. Not paradise, but paradise all at the same time.
What about you? Is it a challenge to be faithful to your town or city? Do you see your neighborhood as a place where God's Spirit is moving? What are you doing to be faithful to your city?
Being faithful in the Field of Blue,
Caleb
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