My Word for the Year

 At the first of this year, my lovely and creative wife challenged people to think of their “word for the year.”  She posted her challenge to her friends on Facebook to find the word that best describes their intentions and outlook on the upcoming year.  There were many thoughtful and revealing words, words that inspired and challenged me. 

There were words that showed what people had been through, where they are now, and where they want to go.  People expressed hearts of gratitude when they shared words like appreciate, blessed, thankful, and healed.  People shared determination and purpose with words like courage, positive, intentional, perseverance, and focus.  People shared combinations of words for 2011 leading into words for 2012, like broken/restoration, broken/wholeness and failure/hope.  There were even a few funny suggestions such as “owls” for the latest decorating trend at our house and “stumped” by a friend who couldn’t think of a word. 

One of my favorite words was shared by Valerie Burns, a friend of ours who battled cancer in 2010 and received good reports in 2011.  I remembered hearing of her cancer and praying for her, seeing her posts of the ups and down and praising God for the good reports.  Her word for 2012 is “prayerful,” intending to spend more time praying for others.  It encouraged me to know that coming out of the battles she’s been through that her focus is to remember others more in prayer.  I was blessed by her unselfish attitude.  I was also encouraged to know this, because her daughter Kayla will be going to Haiti with us in July, and it will be great to have a prayer warrior like Valerie praying for Kayla and our team while we are there.  (Her husband, Don, a Christian radio host also shared the “word of the year” idea on his radio program.)

After reading all these words and being blessed, challenged, and inspired, I started thinking about my own word for 2012.  I reviewed my past and thought of where I was and what previous year’s words would have been.  In 2009, I lost 3 sisters in a nine month period.  The only word I could think of to describe the pain and circumstance for 2009 would have been “loss”.  In 2010, I was still reeling from the pain of 2009, and I missed experiencing much of anything.  I would have to say the word that sums up 2010 for me was “withdrawn.”  But in 2011, God used one act of obedience from the fall of 2010 to bring purpose and clarity and motivation to me.  After a challenging sermon by our pastor in November of 2010, we decided to go to Haiti as a family in the summer of 2011.  We spent much of the first half of 2011 saving money, planning, and preparing to go on our first mission trip as a family.  After we went, we were changed forever.  Our hearts were broken for the suffering of the poor.  We were compelled to give unselfishly to the kids.  We viewed our own wants and needs much differently once we came home.  Three of us went back in October 2011, to love on the kids more and give more of ourselves.  In December of 2011, they needed more people to fill out the team to deliver Christmas to the kids.  I was able to get permission from my employer(Coca Cola) to go.  In fact, I not only got permission to go, but the stewardship committee at Coca Cola voted to send me with gifts from Coca Cola for the kids and others there.  2011 was definitely the year of “go” for me. 

As I contemplated 2012, I searched for a word that would sum up my plans and hopes for the year.  Haiti and returning there to serve filled my mind, but it was more than just thoughts of “go” or “return,”  it has become bigger than that to me.  I’ve found that sharing what I’ve experienced in Haiti has blessed and encouraged others.  Much of what I’ve experienced in Haiti has been experienced by others who have also gone.  We share so many similar feelings and reactions to what happens while we are there among the people and in our hearts.  I’ve also found that so many people, so many good Christ-loving people still haven’t heard and experienced it.  Our church has been supporting the orphanage and ESMI in Haiti for over two years, yet only a small percentage of our vast membership has ever gone.  Many have heard but still don’t understand the magnitude of the work that God is doing there.  I find myself obsessed to tell people of all that God is doing there.  A simple question about Haiti can spark a 30 minute conversation.  I feel called to share, called to recruit, and called to go. 

As I tried to capture all these ideas into a single word, I remembered a word I heard almost every day in Haiti.  I heard it from the orphans every afternoon.  We would usually arrive at the orphanage after lunchtime and stay for the rest of the afternoon, leaving around 5 or so to go to dinner in town.  As our day at the orphanage wrapped up, we were usually scattered throughout the orphan village, talking with our kids, playing, sightseeing, etc.  When it was time to fire up the bus and head down the hill, usually someone from our team would shout “Long Hollow, let’s go!”  The kids know that phrase (they hear it nearly every trip) and they begin echoing it in their creole accents, “Long Hollow, lessgo!”  They didn’t want us to miss the bus, to be left behind.  Out of concern for us they would spread out in all directions calling out “Long Hollow, lessgo!”.  It dawned on me that word, connected with my heart for this year, “lessgo!”  I don’t want anyone to miss out on what God has for them.  God opened my eyes to see life from a new and wonderful perspective while I was in Haiti.  God showed me things in His word in a new and fresh way while I was in Haiti and since I’ve returned.  Each time I go, I feel like I’m drinking from a fire hydrant, barely able to process all that He is showing and teaching me—but loving every second of it.  Before my first trip, I was promised that if I went, I’d never worship the same again, never read the Bible the same again, never pray the same again, and never look at material things the same again.  All 4 of those promises came true ten times over.  Who wouldn’t want to experience that?  I can’t help but be excited to share it with others, to want others to share that experience with me.  Those of us that have gone share a connection with each other and with God through Haiti.  It’s hard to explain, but I promise to keep trying, and recruiting others to share in it.  After all, it’s my word for the year, LESSGO!

A lesson from 45 years...

     Ok, I celebrated another birthday last week.  Birthdays and the beginning of the year are both good times to reflect on life.  Fortunately for me, my birthday comes very early in the year so I get a double dose of reflection early every year.  This year God showed me a little different perspective...maybe I'm getting old?
     As I struggled to put life in perspective over 45 years, my first instinct was to thank God for accomplishments and things I've been able to experience and do, but before I got too far with that list, I was halted by a thought.  Any such list I could put together, although it may impress a few, would feel like a brag list, which isn't me.  (Not to mention, I'm sure many could top it.)   Another thought entered my mind, "Are the accomplishments and activities what I'm really thankful for?"  Promotions, trips to amazing places, awards, financial blessings?  Even experiencing the accomplishments of my kids still doesn't quite explain the feeling of thankfulness and gratitude to God in my heart.  It dawned on me that what I'm most thankful for was the multitude of birthday wishes that came to me via Facebook, email, text messages and phone calls.  Not the  number of those messages.  Not even the details of the comments (although some really nice and funny things were said).  I was really overwhelmingly thankful for the RELATIONSHIPS behind each "Happy Birthday" wish. I looked back through my Facebook postings for starters.  I saw friends from the street I grew up on as a kid, friends from high school, friends from the church where I grew up, friends from college--everyone has friends from those kind of places in life.  I thankful God put those people in those places of my life to help me "grow up".  I saw friends from Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, and now Tennessee.  I thought about the moves that God took us through, like when we wanted to move to Chicago, and instead God moved us to Michigan where we didn't know anybody.  Then we wanted to move from Michigan to Indianapolis where my sister lived, but instead God moved us to Louisville, KY (where we didn't know anybody).  And then we didn't want to leave Louisville and God moved us to Nashville anyway (where we didn't know anybody).  I think of the friends God connected us with in each of those places and how special they were to us there, some for that season, some for a lifetime.  
     I looked back and saw neighbors, co-workers, and fellow church members, past and present.  I saw people who have loaned us a stick of butter and an egg, people who helped move a couch, and people who had coffee with me and helped me grieve the loss of loved ones.  I saw people who made going to work more enjoyable.  I saw people I've served with in connect groups, in Treehouse, and at many other church activities throughout the years. I even got a belated birthday wish from our 'vacation buddies', special friends that God brought from Ohio to the same beach in South Carolina where we were, almost 4 years ago.  Only God could plan such a 'coincidental' encounter to bring such amazing friends in our lives. 
     As I felt the waves of thankfulness for all the people that God had introduced into my life over my first 45 years, I realized that they were part of His way of loving me and teaching me about Him.  Some of them were only acquaintances or friends for a short period of life, others have been close for many years, but each one had a part to play.  There were many roles people played--a smile from God, a hug, an insight, a word of encouragement, a challenge, someone to help me learn, someone to help me teach, someone to share God's Word, and so many other roles.  I realized that I wouldn't have experienced meeting those people if it wasn't for the tasks God gave me to do and the places He led (sometimes forced) me to.  It occurred to me, that up until recently, my focus in life had been more on the tasks I had to do and the places I had to go.  What I realized looking back is that those tasks and places were just God's TOOLS to introduce me to PEOPLE that He wanted to meet.  I was reminded of another saying I've heard many times before, "The only thing in this world that is eternal is the people".  
     So as I thank God for 45 blessed years and all the ways He's loved me and taught me about Him through people, I look ahead to whatever else He has in store for me, more importantly, WHO He has in store for me.  I resolve to focus less on the tasks I do and places I go and more on the people God puts in my path for each of those tasks and places.  It took almost 45 years for me to learn that lesson, but I'm glad to share it.  

    

Spiritual Warfare or A Dog on a Leash?

I love the book of Job.  It offers great comfort for those who are suffering, but that’s not why I love it.  It has a wonderful happy ending, symbolic of Heaven where we will all live “happily ever after”, but that’s not why I love it.  It exposes the wisdom of the world for the foolishness it is, but that’s not why I love Job.  I love Job for the simple, profound truths encountered in the first 2 chapters that show us the position and power of God over Satan.  So many people are quick to claim “spiritual warfare” when things don’t go as they planned.  My car broke down on the way to do something for God—“spiritual warfare”.  My family got sick at a very inconvenient time—“spiritual warfare”.  There is dissention in the ranks of the church—“spiritual warfare”.  In 2009 when my three of my sisters died over a 9 month period, someone said to me “Boy, Satan is sure having a field day with your family”.  Had I not know these truths from Job 1 and 2 and believed in them firmly, I might have been inclined to focus on Satan, to claim “spiritual warfare” and go into a tailspin feeling like a pawn in a spiritual battle between God and Satan.  But I know these truths.  They carried me through the pain of 2009 and through many other trials of life.   Look at them with me.

First of all, I don’t mean to minimize the danger and threat that Satan presents.  Satan is a very real and dangerous force.  In Job 1 and Job 2, when God asks Satan where he has been, note his response. 

Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Job 1:7b (also identical to Job 2:2b).

Satan wasn’t just roaming as in wandering aimlessly picking daisies and catching butterflies.  He is a defeated enemy and he is always looking for ways to drag others down with him.  We are warned about Satan in 1 Peter 5:8.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Yes, Satan is a real and dangerous enemy, but we should take note of a couple of things.  Satan was questioned by God and had to answer.  Satan is clearly shown submitting to God’s authority because he must, he has no choice.  God questions him, but not because He needs to know the answer.  God never asks a question because He doesn’t know—He is God, the omniscient one.  He knows all.  When He asks a question, it is usually for the benefit of the audience or to test the one being asked.  In this case, it’s for our benefit.  Where was Satan?  God wants us to know—that, he is on the earth and a danger to us.  But God also wants us to know that Satan roams the earth because he has been cast out of Heaven, he has no place else to go.  We are reminded of Satan’s defeated status by that question, twice in these 2 chapters. 

The second and most important thing to notice is that Satan has to get God’s permission to do anything to Job.  In Job 1, God gives permission for Satan to strike everything that Job has, but he draws the line at Job himself.  In Job 2, God gives Satan permission to attack Job’s health, but again draws the line saying he must spare his life. These simple transactions between God and Satan show that Satan has no ability to do anything unless God allows it, and only to the limits God sets.  Satan has never outsmarted God.  He has never overpowered God.  He is a finite being, capable of being in only one place at a time while God is infinite and everywhere at once.  Therefore, Satan can’t even ‘win’ a battle by striking where God isn’t watching.  Jesus reminds us in John 10:28-30 of God’s power to protect and sustain us. 

²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

Why are these truths so important to me?  What difference does it make when you’re suffering and hurting where the trouble came from, whether from a malicious enemy or allowed by a loving Heavenly Father?  It makes all the difference in the world.  If Satan has in fact won a battle and struck a blow, then we are no more than pawns in a spiritual battle.  But that’s not what Job indicates.  God is in charge and Satan is restricted to do only what God allows.  When you see Satan for who he is, no more than a dog on a leash, and you see God for who He is, the loving Heavenly Father who holds the leash, then you must approach your pain and suffering differently.  You must come back to Romans 8:28, that there is some good intended in this situation. 

 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

It doesn’t mean it will hurt less, or that once you figure out the ‘good’ that your situation will instantly be resolved.  It just means that God is still in control and that He has a plan for you, a plan for good in this and every situation.  Consider this:  Job himself was a prime example of good coming from pain and suffering.  Job’s situation was to show that God can be glorified in our pain if we continue to praise Him as Job did.  How many have been encouraged by Job’s faith?  That is good!  Job’s praise of God also frustrated Satan and added another defeat to his record, and that is good! 

So when I suffer, when things don’t go as I planned or hoped, when it feels like ‘spiritual warfare’ is going on, I come back to these truths from Job.  Satan is a defeated, enemy, a dog on a leash, and God holds the leash.  My eyes should always remain focused not on the snarling dog, but on the One who holds the leash.  The One who loved me enough to send His only Son to die for me.  I will trust Him. 

It all starts with Obedience

If you've read more than one post of mine by now, then you'll know that I love those kids in Haiti, and the pastors and mommas and so many others in Haiti. Last summer, God opened the eyes of my heart to see how much He loves everyone in the world, from every nation and language. I've tried to learn more Creole each time so I can better communicate with people when I'm there. In fact, that is my greatest challlenge and frustration each time I go, wanting to say so much to them about how much God loves them and I love them, but struggling with the language. Today in my daily Bible reading, I learned where my language struggles first started, with obedience (or lack of).
In Genesis 9, God gave the first command to go. It was just after the flood, and God told Noah and his sons to 'fill the earth'. (You can't fill it if you stay in only one part of it, right?). But as I read on into chapter 11, I see that they refused to go.
Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:4 NIV).
They refused God's command to go and thought they had a better plan, and a way to make themselves famous. Because of man's pride and disobedience, God confused the language of men (creating different languages) and scattered them throughout the earth. Thanks to man's disobedience and pride so many years ago, today we have many languages and nations scattered throughout the earth, including the obstacle called 'Creole' that hinders my attempts to love others in Haiti. It's frustrating, but when I think about it, we've got no one to blame but ourselves. As sinful, proud people, we often think we have a better plan than God's plan, as if there was a better alternative to obedience. Because of this disoebedience on man's part, God created language differences in the first place. How many times have I done something similar and foolish? How many times have I disobeyed God and had to deal with the challenges that resulted?
Last summer, when I went on my first foreign mission trip to Haiti, I finally obeyed God's command to 'go'.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
Through that experience, God showed me how foolish and proud I was before, thinking that somehow one language and nation was better than another. I'm ashamed to admit that I was an 'American snob'. I grew up learning about the history of America and took pride in our accomplishments as a country. It's patriotic, right? But somewhere along the way I started to believe in the untruth that God loves one country over another, and one people over another. Somehow I missed the truth behind His command to go to "all nations" showed that He loves all people. His Word from 1 Peter 3:9 meant everyone from every nation and language.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
When I finally obeyed God and went to Haiti, I realized how much God loves all people, all languages and nations. Hearing others worship God to the same tunes of songs we sing, but in a different language will bless you beyond anything I could describe. Hearing them sing with more passion and genuine love for Christ than you've ever heard before will humble you instantly and cure you of any foolish national bias you brought with you. Ironic that obeying God's command to 'go' is the tool that opens our eyes to see all nations as He does and overcomes the language barrier created because of the disobedience of man so many years ago.
But that brings me back to what I read yesterday, also in Genesis. God had called out Cain's offerring for what it was, a less than best effort, which was disobedience. Cain was mad and sulking, and God called him out.
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." (Genesis 4:6, 7 NIV)
I have read those verses before and locked in on the last part, "sin is crouching at your door", and "you must rule over it", but I had been missing the key. God's rhetorical question to Cain at the start of verse 7, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" And there it is, the answer to so many of our self made problems, lack of obedience. If we do what is right, we will be accepted, commended, blessed by God. We wouldn't have to worry so much about sin and it's effects if we just choose obedience in the first place. I can't undo the disobedience the past. I still need to work hard at Creole to comminicate with those kids and other Haitians I love so much. But I can impact my future positively and avoid future problems. It all starts with obedience.