Archive for January, 2006
But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” MT 14:30
Peter was fine walking on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus and started looking at the waves… uhh… wind… Looking at the wind? Hrm…
Peter was no stranger to miracle, and had to be remembering the day (Luke 5) that he’d fished all night and caught nothing, then taken fishing advice from a rabbi-carpenter and hauled in an enormous catch. Peter was no landlubber either; endless nights toiling on the water taught him well that the wind was the source of the waves. He knew exactly how dangerous the storm was, and allowed that knowledge to literally suck him down.
Walking on water is impossible no matter who we are, but it is perhaps more difficult for the experienced sailor than for the recently enlisted. As immature disciples, we often don’t even recognize the impossible nature of the task facing us. As we mature in our own eyes, we develop a tendency to take our eyes off the master and look at the swirling wind. We evaluate the circumstances, our own abilities, whether we really heard His command clearly, whether the timing is right, and what’s next after this step. In doing so, we ensure our own failure by dwelling upon the possibility of defeat rather than upon the instrument of our victory.
Thankfully, our Lord is patient, and reaches out to catch us more often than he allows us to fall and get a mouthful of water. It is unfortunate that we allow our enemy to remind us of the times we choked on saltwater when we should instead be rejoicing in the memory of our walk on the water, however brief it might have been.
January 25 2006 | Jesus Stuff | No Comments »
We are so freakishly quick to judge by appearances, and to assume that we are qualified to determine the reasons for our own and others’ experiences. When “bad” things happen, we assume it is the wrath of God; when “good” things happen, we assume it is His blessing. He is so much deeper than that.
When Paul, Luke, and company were shipwrecked, the good-hearted (they did, after all, provide comfort to a bunch of convicts) people saw Paul bit by a snake, they immediately assumed he was about to be punished by the gods. When he suffered no harm, they assumed he must himself be a god. (Acts 28:3-6)
People looked on Jesus and said “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55) Jesus reminded them that a prophet is never held in lower esteem than when discounted by those who should know him (or her) best.
Jesus’s disciples saw the blind man and wondered if his blindness were due to his own or his parents’ sin. Jesus said that it was neither, but instead so that the work of God could be seen in his life. (John 9:2)
Samuel looked at David’s more physically appealing older brother Eliab and thought “surely this is the Lord’s Anointed.” God, however, made it quite clear that “…the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Lot chose the same attractive territory as the successful Sodomites (Genesis 13:10), and very nearly met the same fate. Abram took what was left, and trusted that God would ultimately prosper him in any circumstances.
When Paul and Silas were imprisoned and found themselves free to leave after an earthquake (Acts 16), they chose to stay in less-fortunate circumstances in order that the will of God might be accomplished through them.
Jesus appeared utterly defeated upon the cross, but His suffering was necessary to secure complete victory.
If only we could remember that He makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28), and that “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
January 23 2006 | Jesus Stuff | No Comments »
My friend Adam pointed out this link, and it is too critical to world history not to mention. J
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h96000/h96566kc.htm
January 20 2006 | Geek Stuff | No Comments »
One of the least effective leadership styles is to stand at the goal and say “Come on y’all, hurry up, catch up with me.” Likewise, one of the least effective emulation styles is to look at the goal and take a different route than those who have reached the goal in the past. A leader must not only identify a goal, but also provide daily direction and support to those striving towards that goal. Those seeking a goal must make daily decisions consistent with the one whom they follow.
As usual, Jesus is an excellent example of the more excellent approach. As a leader, He defined a goal and method of achieving that goal, and provides us with help for our day-to-day decisions. Jesus sets an excellent example of a follower also. He didn’t do things on His own, and wasn’t shy about saying that He did only those things that His father instructed. He kept the goal (…the joy set before him…) in mind, and His eyes on the goal-setter.
Too often, we act like Jesus just defined a goal and a method, and fail to seek the daily assistance of the helper He requested on our behalf. We can’t expect to reach the goal He did if we don’t take the same approach to our daily life as He did to His.
January 04 2006 | Jesus Stuff and Leadership and Management | No Comments »