"You don't know what I'm going through!"
Have you ever wanted to help someone through a struggle or trial only to be dismissed or ignored because, well, you’ve never had to go through the same thing? Maybe you’ve been put in your place by that defensive line, “You don’t know what it’s like!” I recently ran into this ministry road-block when I was interviewing for a part-time position ministering to young men in difficult situations. My life experience came into question. I guess I’m a little too naive when it comes to the hard knock life, and I don’t have a rough enough past (for which I blame my parents). Now, to be fair, I really don’t have a clue why I wasn’t called back for a second interview (other than God’s sovereignty). It could have been bad breath or my receding hairline or lame attempts at comic relief, but in all likelihood it was because there was another incredible man of God who is going to be used by Him in unique and mighty ways within that ministry role. But the interview itself hurled me back into insecurities about the basic nature of Christian ministry. I had walked in confident that I could serve effectively because I love God, I love people, and I’ve experienced the power of the Holy Spirit using Scripture to transforms lives into the image of His Son. I walked out feeling like I’d been patted on the head and sent back to just deal with middle-class white people. …maybe if I had picked up a fake Mike Tyson tattoo before going in…Could I even do this job? Could God really use me to impact young men who’ve seen and done things that are way outside of my everyday life experience? Or should I just shut-up and go back to helping people who are more like me?Can I only help someone if I’ve gone through a similar situation?The employer was in no way accusatory, and I am confident that they are also fully convinced of the power of God’s Word. But they openly admitted to me that the last guy had had great success getting through to young guys in trouble because of how he could relate. He had been through some really dark times, and was able to recount his own struggles and trials. And when I was asked about the toughest thing I’ve ever been through my answer probably wasn’t what they were looking for. I just said repentance.I suppose that answer wasn’t sizzling and juicy. I guess I could have brought up death or cancer and tried to cry, but I meant what I said. And the more I’ve pondered repentance, the more I’ve regained my confidence that God wants to use me to impact people with whom I have seemingly nothing in common. There is something that is far more terrifying and awful than pointing a gun at your own head, and that’s coming face-to-face with a holy God when every fiber of your being is dripping with the refuse of your repulsive sin. There’s no escape. No excuse. No hope.Unless you know Christ.And that’s why everyone who has been saved by the power of the gospel and who is being washed by the water of the Word can be used by God to speak into the heart of any soul wallowing in the muck of despair. The blood of Jesus is a better word than a sympathetic condolence. Salvation and repentance are God’s work in my heart, and He has and will continue to do the same in the hearts and lives of people who are nothing like me but exactly like me. None of us have the same story. But we all share the same story. I may never suffer as you do, but I know your weakness. Because it’s the same weakness in my heart. Remember, “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man“ (1 Cor. 10:13). We are all in desperate need of Jesus and His grace.There is no doubt that God uses the circumstances in our life to help us connect and teach others (see Psalm 51:13 after David repented from his sin with Bathsheeba). That’s why Paul wanted to boast of his weakness in 2 Cor. 12, because God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” The gospel shines through our weakness. And God often uses similar struggles to connect others who have or are going through the same thing. But just because He can and often does use similar circumstances, does not mean that He has to. And swapping stories does nothing if it’s not connected to The Story, in which we will all one day bow before the same Name.So I can help people who are nothing like me. Because they are just like me.I don’t need to impress people with my own horrifying stories that are similar to (or more fascinating than) the trial they are facing. In fact, if I can’t connect or share truth with them until I’ve assured them that I completely understand their circumstances because of my own experience, than I run the risk of them dismissing me completely because of a small wrinkle or detail that I haven’t had to deal with and in their minds changes the whole ballgame. But I can impress upon them their need to turn to the One who can truly sympathize with their weakness. ”Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15, 16).
three days later
Last Sunday churches around the world rejoiced in the resurrection of Jesus. We read Scripture about the resurrection, sang about the resurrection, heard stories about how the resurrection has changed lives, and prayed that the resurrection of Jesus would continue to take root in and transform our lives. Today is Wednesday. It's been three days since resurrection Sunday, and for many the power, joy, and allure of the resurrection is beginning to ware off.It's so easy to view the resurrection of Jesus as a simple moment. It came and now it has gone. The resurrection, however, was no simple moment in the gospels or the rest of the New Testament. Three days after Jesus came out of the grave Thomas was still wrestling with doubt--it was day eight when Jesus told Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands" (Jn. 20:26 - 27)--Peter was still looking for restoration (Jn. 21), and most of the disciples stayed in what looks to be a constant state of awe and wonder. Years later that awe and wonder had not worn off. Paul preached the reality and implications of Jesus' resurrection everywhere he went, and Peter began his first letter rejoicing in the resurrection. They never left the reality, joy, and power of the resurrection because they saw and believed that the resurrection of Jesus changes everything.And they weren't wrong to believe that. Jesus' resurrection really does change everything. The resurrection of Jesus is the decisive act and first fruits of the great undoing of sin. For those of us who have faith in Jesus everything is different. If Jesus is alive sin and death have no power over us. If Jesus is alive we are alive to God. If Jesus is alive we can rejoice in our trials. If Jesus is alive we have living hope. If Jesus is alive we will reign with him forever. If Jesus is alive we are not under condemnation. If Jesus is alive everything about life is different.Let me ask you a simple question. How does the resurrection of Jesus change the situation you're in right now? It's three days after Easter Sunday and I'm guessing that life isn't easy. It never is. We're struggling with life and there's depression, anxiety, fear, anger, sorrow, and frustration. Stop and ask yourself right now, "If Jesus is alive how does this struggle change?" Let the resurrection flood your life with hope, strength, and boldness. Jesus is alive, and everything is different.
Happy Reformation Day
It's Reformation Day! Here's a blog I wrote last year explaining why this day is so important in the life of the church.
I used to hate studying history. Boring, dry, stale, and completely unable to hold my attention. I would run from a history book (or blog) like it was the plague. Looking back, most of my disdain for history stemmed from my false belief that what happened in the distant past has no real implication on my life. I know, that's a really stupid belief. Thankfully, I eventually came around to the importance of studying history. My mind was changed while studying Christian history. I found it fascinating that many of the traditions and beliefs held by individuals and churches have their foundation in events that happened hundreds, even thousands of years in the past. I quickly began to realize that you cannot really know what you're doing unit you know why you're doing it. And that brings me to October 31; Hallowee....I mean, Reformation Day.Growing up, I had no idea that October 31 was a day to celebrate something far greater than candy and costumes. On October 31, 1517 a man named Martin Luther nailed a small work outlining his thoughts on indulgences. It would later be know as the 95 Theses, a work considered by many to be the spark of the Reformation. In the day's of Martin Luther an indulgence was the catholic church's way of removing punishment for sin--especially purgatory. You could do good works for an indulgence or simply buy one. One of the catholic church's best know purveyors of indulgences, John Tetzel, is most remembered for his quip, "As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs." Luther, after spend much time studying the New Testament, was convinced that punishment for sin could only be removed by faith in Christ. That simple, biblical conclusion split the church.If it's your first time hearing Luther's story you may have the common reaction of, "How could people believe that? How could people believe you could buy your way out of God's punishment? After all, it's plain as day in the Bible that only by grace through faith in Jesus is anyone saved." But you have to remember another reality of Luther's world. The common Christian could not read the Bible. And it wasn't because they were illiterate. It was because the catholic church only allowed Latin Bibles--a language that only trained priests, bishops, and cardinals could read. In other words, the people of Luther's day were completely at the mercy of their teachers. If your priest said, "The Bible teaches indulgences," you had no way to argue against him.But then there was the Reformation. A wave of God sweeping over countries. Brave men (you could be killed for these disagreements!) began translating the Bible into people's native language, preaching from Scripture, and proclaiming the gospel of faith in Jesus. And so many things changed. Luther began to teach positively on marriage (he married the escaped nun Katharina von Bora), new churches formed, and so much distorted biblical doctrine was regained. In fact, if you go to a church that's not catholic, chances are it began in the Reformation. Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and many more. Lump them together and they're called Protestants (those people who protest catholic doctrine).Unfortunately, we tend to forget our history. What, after all, are we supposed to do with it? Do we venerate reformers like Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and Melanchthon? No. These were not perfect men, especially Luther! As we remember, however, we can learn and be encouraged. You often see truth most clearly in the heat of the battle. I've personally learned more about faith, grace, baptism, repentance, and sovereignty from the reformers than any other group--precisely because they were fighting for those truths. There is so much we can learn from our collective Christian family history, and so much we may forget if we fail to do so.If you want to learn more about the reformers here are some good starter resources:Trick or Treat? It's Martin Luther (online article)Martin Luther: Lessons from his life and labor (online article)The Freedom of a Christian* by Martin LutherThe Legacy of Sovereign Joy* by John Piper*I own these books are you're more than welcome to borrow them.
To Carve or Not to Carve
Out of all the American holidays Halloween poses the most questions for Christians. Not once have I been asked questions about Flag Day or St. Patrick's Day, but every year I get some questions about Halloween. I can boil all the questions I've been asked down to one, "Should Christians have any participation in Halloween?"Some things should be avoidedAlmost every American holiday has elements that Christians should avoid. Take the common practice of getting drunk on St. Patrick's Day for example. Every Christian should avoid getting drunk on green beer (or any other color beer for that matter!). That doesn't mean, however, that you should avoid all things green on St. Patrick's Day. I think the same thing is true for Halloween. There are some things that people do on Halloween that Christians should avoid--seances, ouija boards, and participation in satanic rituals come to mind.Some things are a matter of individual freedom and conscienceThere are other things, however, that I would argue are up to an individuals freedom and conscience. Take carving a pumpkin for example. Now, you can find all kinds of information on where pumpkin carving originated. And some of what you can find is just plain ridiculous, like the myth that druids were the first people to carve pumpkins, and that they carved demonic shapes into them for satanic rituals. (The problem with this myth is that pumpkins were first introduced to Europe 500 years ago and druids disappeared about 1,000 years ago.) But let me just own up to a reality. People have used pumpkins in ways that dishonor God. Here's the important question: does their misuse of pumpkins mean that I should stay away from them altogether? Based purely on that logic I would say no. My biblical support for that is Paul's teaching on meat that was sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8:1 - 6. Here's what was happening. Animals were being sacrificed in pagan, idolatrous ceremonies and the leftover meat was being sold at the local market. Imagine walking into your local grocery store and buying a steak that came from a pagan sacrifice. Should you buy that meat? eat it? serve it to others? Some people said, "Stay away from it," while others said, "Eat up." Paul's simple point was two fold. First, there is only one God, so a sacrifice to an idol is not a sacrifice to a god at all. Second, God made everything, including that meat. Don't call something God made good evil or impure. His final advice was, "If your conscience does not condemn you then eat the meat--as long as it doesn't damage another brother or sister in Christ." That's the way I look at something like pumpkin carving. God made pumpkins, and I'm not about to condemn something God made and called good. I can take a pumpkin and carve it, eat it, paint it, then compost it to the glory of my God who made it...IF and only if two conditions are met. 1) I feel no condemnation in doing so, and 2) my actions do not cause other Christians to stumble.There are many things associated with Halloween that fall into this category. Which leads me to my last point.Don't do anything without thinkingIt's both foolish and dangerous to do something without giving it thought. We should think through every action in light of Scripture, the work of Jesus, and the mission God has given us. Before you carve a pumpkin and set it by your front door you should consider your ministry in your community. Before you send your kids out to collect and consume a ridiculous amount of candy you should consider that gluttony is a sin. Before you lock your door and turn off your lights on Halloween night you should consider if you could use your neighbors coming to your house to get candy as an opportunity for a gospel conversation. Think through your actions, pray for wisdom, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. In the end make 1 Corinthians 10:31 your goal. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."*For more on Christians and Halloween:Sent into the Harvest: Halloween on Mission (by David Matthis / Desiring God)What are Your Thoughts on Halloween (by John Piper)The History of Halloween Revisited (by Mars Hill Church)