Do you love me?

Posted on by justinlewis78

One of the most haunting scenes in Scripture to me is the conversation that Jesus has with Peter at the end of the Gospel of John (21:15-19).  Three times Jesus asks the question, “Do you love me?”  I’m reminded of this scene as we move through The Jesus Creed and are consistently being invited to reflect upon, declare, and demonstrate our love for God and others.

Most scholars see the three-fold re-affirmation of Peter’s love as a contrast to his three-fold denial days earlier.  If the scene with Peter and Jesus feels awkward and oddly repetitive …and you find yourself experiencing the angst of Peter as he declares, “of course I love you!” then be comforted in knowing that the awkwardness is the point.  We too find ourselves hearing the repetitions of themes and questions and if can feel laborious to return to our same ol’ answer. Sometimes it’s our shame or fear that keeps us from drawing near the Savior.  Like Peter, we need not hear Jesus’ questions as a “shame on you” but more as an “are you ready to come home?”

Take heart, dear church!  Jesus knows the Abba’s heart so well that he wants to convey his never-ending, never-exhausted love, never-second-guessed love to all of us who need to be invited back.  Let us return to the feast with Jesus and confident in his reception.  Then, listen to His voice and trust that he will use us to reflect his love to the world.

“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

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This post was written upon reflection of the ESPYs and clips of Jimmy Valvano and Stuart Scott prepare us for the award show tonight.

I first heard Jim Valvano’s words back in 1993: “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” (If you haven’t watched this…please do.)

I was just a 15-year-old kid who loved UNC basketball, yet here was our rival’s coach drawing every human emotion out of me and I could not understand why.   Twenty-two years later, I can now resonate with the need for Jimmy V’s challenge… and how so many of life’s challenges invite us to choose a path of fight or flight. Stand or surrender.   Being a person of faith in Christ usually means we do a bit of both. Sometimes, we pick battles that stand for something—a moral code, justice, defending the little guy or a decision to believe something our culture does not.  Sometimes, we have to look a little more like our rabbi Jesus who taught us to love our enemies and pray, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done” and in doing so, we deny our agenda and yield to Another’s.

So how do we choose? When do we stand or fall?

Twenty-one years after Jimmy V’s challenge, another fighter stepped into the spotlight. In 2014, Stuart Scott (UNC alum and ESPN icon) gave this clarification:

“When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live. So, live. Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you. That’s also very, very important. I can’t do this “don’t give up” thing all by myself.”

Scott’s inspirational words remind us that our humanity shows us what we are capable of and also how needy we are. Our strength and weaknesses are both part of the story God is writing for us.

I was recently speaking with a mother of a young adult who was raised in our church, but chose a lifestyle of rebellion and pleasure. Recently, this young man attended church and has asked his parents for some biblical wisdom and affirmation. “We’ve been through this,” she said. “We can’t afford to go down this road again and get our hopes up, only to have our hearts broken again.”

How do you convince a parent to keep fighting for her beloved son? I could only offer her a reminder that this boy too was baptized and loved. Parents and the church made a commitment to never give up. We made promises. And we keep them. We continue to fight for him and so many others on our trembling knees before God. After all, it is His will we are seeking, so we should be approaching Him, pleading with Him, thanking Him through each challenge that throws us into uncertainty.

I am reminded of Paul’s words to a young discouraged man leading his church in Ephesus,

3-4 Timothy, you are constantly in my prayers. Day and night I remember you before God and give thanks to Him whom I serve with a clean conscience, as did my ancestors. I really want to see you, especially when I remember how you cried the last time we were together. Yes, I know it would make me joyful to see you again. 5 What strikes me most is how natural and sincere your faith is. I am convinced that the same faith that dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, abides in you as well. 6 This is why I write to remind you to stir up the gift of God that was conveyed to you when I laid my hands upon you. 7 You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit. (The Voice translation)

Paul tells this young pastor that while things are difficult now, he is being prayed for and loved on. The problem might linger, but his heart will be strengthened through days of earnest faith. Paul reiterates that the faith of others (his mother and grandmother) has been instrumental in his past and current situation. In short, the tapestry of prayers weaved by the saints bring Timothy present encouragement.

So for now, we wait. With faith that wavers, ebbs and flows. Yet we are also strengthened by moments on our knees or tweet-prayers shot to the heavens while we’re stuck in traffic. Our God — and “the cloud of witnesses” from our spiritual family – allow us to never give up.

We will never run out of fights. Some of them will take us to our final breaths. But we should never believe the lie that we can be defeated.   For only one, allowed Himself to be defeated by the weight of sin. Yet even then, our glorious King Jesus rose again to defeat death and show us that HOPE will always remain.

So fight. Fight like hell. And if things don’t go your way, let the grief of loss take you into the arms of a resurrected reminder of everlasting victory. Don’t let fear keep you from praying for those you love. Don’t let pain keep you from climbing that last hill. Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.

Exposed

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magnifying_glassStanding in front of a dermatologist for a skin test is an interesting way of being examined.  I know I’m not about to start a modeling career, but it’s a tad unsettling to see the flashy, laser magnifying class coming at you to examine the imperfections, flaws and questionable dots. After my exam today (everything’s good, btw) I couldn’t help thinking that I sometimes think of God that way.  I imagine his probing eye and his throat clearing way of telling me that there are spots…flaws in my character, my soul.

But is that who He really is?

Certainly God’s own character reveals his deliberate concern for his people’s thoughts and actions.  He knows what’s going through my mind and how I behave when no one’s looking. When I hear the Lord say “My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9) I hear God’s encouragement to accept that he doesn’t just know every imperfection and flaw in me, but he is covering me with his grace.

May you too feel the realness of this covering.  You do not simply stand exposed before him… you are being covered in His infinite grace.

When fears are stilled

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Have you been to the movies lately? My guess is that most of you have. There are a lot of good films out right now and it would be a shame to miss them on the big screen. So far within the New Year I have seen a wide variety of flicks from Frozen to Captain America and even God’s Not Dead (of which I recommend to students).  All of them have been good, but as I was reflecting on the sum of them I realized that they all encompassed prominent themes of fear.

So naturally I start to wonder the logic that Hollywood uses to determine a “best seller” for an audience that is largely made up of our generation because we aren’t parents and will pay to see the movies twice. Or perhaps they look at our larger national or cultural trends and choices.

Perhaps they aren’t saying that we’re a fearful society, but I do think we are a generation who needs to understand what we fear and more importantly what to do with it.
Yesterday I had the privilege of sitting in on a live Google chat with other college ministry directors across the nation.One of them was conveying a common struggle among his students was a constant fear of failure that was keeping them from reaching their full potential. Whether or not this is true nationwide, I think everyone has something they are afraid of. It is not much a question of if we fear, but when. Fear in its self is not a bad thing, but when it works hand in hand with lies it will cripple us every time. This leads to my next point, that we have an enemy looking to bring us down. If Satan is mindful of are fears and how to use them, don’t you think you should as well?  We will not be doing ourselves any favors either when we think we can handle them on our own and belittle them from what they really are, because when it comes down to it we are not meant to do this life alone.

I don’t know why, but I feel that God wants you all to know that whatever it is He’s got it. You have no need to fear. He has so many wonderful gifts in this life just waiting for you, but you must be brave and make him first. Let’s not be a fearful generation because we aren’t recognizing them, don’t know how to deal with it or worse are just too lazy. Let’s be the generation that leans into a loving God, boldly claiming every promise he has given us and live into everything He has for us to become.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalms 23:4

Stretched

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Building 429′s anthem on the radio proclaims, “we won’t be shaken” and declares a hopeful heart that we can take whatever this world throws at us.  It’s true.  Absolutely true… that God has given us a powerful women against the domineering assault of stress and pain.  Through his help and presence we are cared even when it doesn’t feel like we’ve got the stuff to take it.  The psalmist declares this too:

Cast your troubles upon the Eternal; His care is unceasing! He will not allow His righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22 (The Voice)

This important truth might just save you today…or tomorrow.

But consider too that God knows what tensions you live in.  You don’t have to pretend like the small stuff you’re sweating is irrelevant to Him.  He cares.  And He holds you through it.  Nancy Ortberg describes this tension in her book to leaders, Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands, and her suggestion (among many) is to know that some tensions are meant to be lived in…and managed.  Picture the rubber band: in it’s unstretched state it holds nothing.  When it’s stretched it finds it’s healthy purpose.  Stretch too much and…SNAP!!!  So we like the rubber band find what tensions we must manage.

Ongoing stresses of course are unhelpful and described by smarter people than me as damaging to your brain and health.  And by all means, resist the enemy’s temptation to sit in worry and frustration.  Just remember that the way we trust God…with the big stuff and the small…is learning how to used best and confident in His all-sufficient strength.

Brave

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It was my New Year’s resolution last year to start a blog for my journey of discovering how to be braver. Sadly, like many of our New Year’s resolutions, it has yet to be fulfilled. To be honest I don’t feel like I’ve done enough to speak as an expert in this exploration because bravery requires more than I realized at the start of this personal chapter. In the last four years God has challenged my trembling heart to be brave. I thought He was asking me to take charge of my life, but what I have discovered is that he was asking me to get down on my knees to take charge of my faith.

Let’s be honest, being a Christian is not for the faint of heart. When you really look at what Jesus continually asks us to pursue in our walk with Him it always comes back to relationship. As I had mentioned in my last Thursday Thought, God has challenged me to give up much, because the more we draw closer to Him in relationship, the more we have to give something else up. This is true for all of our healthy relationships, but following God will require us at some point in our lives to give up everything. This would be devastating if He was an evil dictator, but He’s not. Our loving Heavenly Father wants us to trust Him with everything, holding loosely to all that is seen for the greater understanding that we are residents of Heaven belonging to Him in all that is unseen. He will never ask us to give up something that He in turn will not restore with something better. Even so, my heart must choose to be brave.

So as we start this New Year afresh, my question to leave with you and myself is, Are you willing to be brave? Will you surround yourself with the support you need to build up your faith and trust the One who is so present and yet unseen? Let’s boldly let go of things that hold us back from claiming what is truly ours in Christ. Resolve to belong to Him, not your schedule, grades, anxiety, etc, have faith and be brave.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7

[I am so excited to share the journey with you.Click the picture and let the song inspire some motivation.]

Repurposed

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saulThis past Sunday, Bill Robinson recently spoke to our church about a truth that often gets overlooked — especially when we get too caught up in our shortcomings and failures.  The author ofIncarnate Leadership said that when Christ interrupted Saul(before he was Paul) on the road to Damascus, he saw and chosea zealous, persistent, obedient, academic servant-leader.  Saul of course had a reputation for the violent religious persecution of those belonging to the new movement of Christ, called “The Way,” and it’s clear that Christians were fearful of him (Acts 9:13).

Saul was “re-purposed” for God’s purposes.

I love this.  I love that God doesn’t see all the stuff-about-me as counterproductive to his plans.  I love that he sees me.  He chooses me.   Think about that… sure there is a bunch of baggage (poor decisions, moral failure, …straight-up-sin) attached to our story.  But it doesn’t deter Him.  He sees what is good and bad and chooses to give us HIS SON and HIS LIFE!  (…you hear it, right?  Real life in Jesus Christ!)

So today…take a breath and hear his voice calling out to you.

My child, I have great plans for you.  I made you and I delight in the ways you are unique, strong and gifted.  I’m joining you in your day so that together we can bring my light to your campus…and this world I love.  Will you join me?   

Ragamuffin

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brennanLast Friday a dear mentor-author (who I never met) passed away.  Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel and The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, often captured the simplest truths of God in ways that often helped me murder my unhealthy opinions of myself and my God and discover what it meant to be loved by the persistent and captivating love of my Abba-Father.  Today, we bring you some of his words, in hopes that you too will discover childlike faith and be loved.  Simply loved.

There is a wondrous open-mindedness about children and an insatiable desire to learn from life. An open attitude is like an open door – a welcome disposition toward the fellow travelers who knock on our door during the middle of the day, the middle of the week, or the middle of a lifetime. Some are dirtballs, grungy, disheveled, and bedraggled. The sophisticated adult within me shudders and is reluctant to offer them hospitality. They may be carrying the precious gifts under their shabby rags, but I still prefer clean-shaven Christians who are neatly attired, properly pedigreed, and who affirm my vision, echo my thoughts, stroke me, and make me feel good. Yet my inner child protests, “I want new friends, not old mirrors.”

When our inner child is not nurtured and nourished, our minds gradually close to new ideas, unprofitable commitments, and the surprises of the Spirit. Evangelical faith is bartered for cozy, comfortable piety. A failure of nerve and an unwillingness to risk distorts God into a Bookkeeper and the gospel of grace is swapped for the security of religious bondage.

“Unless you become as little children …”

Heaven will be filled with five-year-olds.

– Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel.  

To learn more about Brennan’s legacy, read this terrific article. 

Can we commit?

Posted on by justinlewis78

I got this new phone. It’s one of them “smart phones”. It has everything I want and more; all sorts of great gadgets and apps. (And all I really wanted was a wireless calendar app.) According to my cell provider, I have 30 days to check it out. 30 days to know for sure whether I want to commit to a 24-month relationship with this phone. After 30 days, that’s it. No take backs. No start over. I’m locked in.

I’ve been asking myself, can I commit? I’m pretty sure, but I have my doubts. In fact I’m the type of guy who leaves the plastic protector on the screen, just in case. I even forked out additional money for a hard plastic “shell” to keep my new baby safe…just in case I decide to send it back. Sure, my lack of commitment will keep my phone pristine and virtually new (or new looking) but at some point—probably on day 31—I’ve got to take the plunge.

The metaphor is true too of our spiritual lives (and emotional, physical, mental). What are the things of commitment in your life that you’re struggling to commit to? Is it study habits, plans for study abroad, a degree change, a relationship? Or even more important, is it finally yielding to a trust in our great God? And in that trust, find an assuring peace in a “life in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16-26).

22-23But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. —The Apostle Paul, Galatians 5:22-23

 Not that we have to give God “permission” to infiltrate our minds and draw us in to his plans, but at some point we have to give in. We have to settle our hearts in God’s heart. We have to trust that when we peel off that from-the-factory screen seal, that everything will be safely in his hands. This, I suppose is “life according to the Spirit” – when we find ourselves taking a plunge into the things of God and remaining there with Him.