I Don't Have All The Answers

Yesterday I was having a discussion with my dad in the car on the way home. Somehow, the trinity was brought up and I mentioned how it was so hard for me to really understand it. I mean, I can tell you what I have learned but it's so hard for me to actually wrap my mind around the concept. I was hoping that my dad could explain it better, but instead he replied that he didn't understand it all either. I've been thinking, there's so much I don't understand about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible in general. In fact, the more I meditate and read scripture, the more questions I have. There's no way I can make sense of it all. I can't understand everything about God...and to attempt to do so would be to severely limit God. Take the trinity for example: Ever since the early church, people have debated about how to describe the trinity. In fact, opposing groups make up words (homeostasis, homoeostasis...or something like that) to try to articulate the relation between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Disagreements don't end with the trinity, we've got the nature of Mary, presence of the Sabbath, women's roles in church...Churches and individuals have been interpreting and reinterpreting scripture for hundreds of years. How are we supposed to know who is right? Who is practicing Christianity closest to what God meant in the Bible?

"Everybody thinks their opinion is the right one. If they didn't, they'd get a new one"-Anne Lamott

Nobody approaches the Bible without bias. When we read scripture, we can't just ignore our past experiences or culture. Whether we like it or not, this plays a role in how God's Word speaks to us. In fact, the very writers of the Bible were influenced by the time period they wrote in, who they were writing to, and why they were writing. Just look at some the differences between Matthew Mark and Luke (birth narrative, resurrection accounts, etc.). Writers, just like us readers, are influenced by their surroundings. Not only do you have those discrepancies, but just think about how the canon was formed: some guys got together and decided on it (in reality it's a bit more complicated, but you get the hint). So does this make the Bible any less valid or less credible? I don't think so-The Bible is about actual people. In actual places. Telling about how God has revealed Himself to them, and how they have come to understand God. I don't think that their writing pens were possessed and they had no control over what they were writing-I think they were all writing for a reason or purpose. It does involve some faith on our part-Faith that the Spirit that guided the men in the canonization process and the authors of the Bible is the same Spirit that's alive and present with us right now. I believe in the truth of the Bible, and I believe that God has been present throughout history and has his hand in the development of the text. The Bible is confusing-but the process of struggling with it and interpreting it and arguing with it, when led by the Holy Spirit, can really help us to understand the type of God that God is. We will never have all the answers, and it's okay if our view of minor doctrine shifts as we discover more. It's easy to pick out verses that fit our needs-sift for things that we find applicable to us in the here and now. Don't get me wrong, I think one-verse cures are okay, as long as we understand the context. I'm bad about this-I immediately have specific verses that pop up into my head whenever I think of 'love' or 'joy' or 'persecution'. However, what amazes me is that I can read a verse tonight, then read it again next month, and find out something new about it. I do think that that's the power of the Holy Spirit at work and proof that the text is living. People are always going to have different interpretations, different ideas about what the 'purest' form of the text is. While I do stand my ground on certain doctrine, the Bible is very versatile. The process of interpreting it is important, but we'll never know all the answers...just like we can never fully understand why God is the way He is. Lord, I praise you for being bigger than anything my mind can comprehend. I don't have all the answers, but I pray that I would grow in my understanding of who You are. I pray that the Holy Spirit would lead me to becoming wiser and help me to approach scripture in a way that is not self-seeking, but God-seeking. Thank you for the Bible, and all the mysteries it contains. I pray that my questions would not deter me or discourage me, but reaffirm me that you are God and I am not. Thank you for how you have revealed Yourself to me and continually love me no matter how many times I fail to acknowledge You.

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

Baylor offers the StrengthsFinder assessment to incoming freshman. It's a test that helps to identify an individual's areas of talent. In leadership class, we focused a lot on our strengths. It's made me start to wonder about how I am using my God-given abilities to serve God. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells The Parable of the Talents. It is the story of a man with three servants. The man is leaving on a journey and decides to divide his land up among the three servants, "each according to his ability". The first man receives 5 talents (In NT times, a 'talent' was worth about 20 years' wages for a laborer...so it's a pretty big deal). The servant then traded his 5 talents and made 5 more talents...so a total of 10 talents. The second servant received 2 talents, traded with them, and received a total of 4 talents. The servant who receives one talent "dug in the ground and hid his master's money". When the master returns, he sees that the men who received five and two talents have doubled their portion. To them the master says

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master"-Matthew 25:21

The servant who received one talent tells his master that he was afraid and hid the talent in the ground. The master is upset and says "Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest" (verse 27). God has given all of us special gifts! Are we like the first two servants, who doubled their portion that way they could give even more back to their master? Or are we like the third servant, who fears risk and has a misperception of his master? Using our God-given strengths wisely and efficiently is key to discipleship. The first two servants displayed faithfulness in how they used their gifts and potential. How awesome would it be to stand before God and hear him say Well done, good and faithful servant. When we use our strengths and passions to bring praise and glory to God, we will have joy in knowing that we are serving our Creator.

"For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away"-Matthew 25:29.

Faithfulness is rewarded with more opportunities to serve God! When I think about what makes me 'come alive' or what makes me really feel like I'm furthering God's kingdom, that's what I should be doing. My talents and interests all belong to God, and I couldn't think of a better master to serve. I want to use up all of my abilities and always try my hardest to reach my potential with the gifts the God has graciously given me.

Go Deep

Having deep, meaningful relationships is so important to our growth as Christians. God works through friendships and relationships in some incredible ways! I once heard a speaker say "Your faith should be personal, not private". How true this is! Our connection with God is intimate and personal, but that doesn't mean we can't share that with others.

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another"-Proverbs 17.

God has wired our souls to desire deep, profound relationships...It's just the way we are! (for the most part, I think) Tell you what-it's such a blessing to have a few Christian girls that I feel very open with. We can talk about anything (Sin struggles, fears, doubts). They know what irks me, what distracts me from God, and they are aware of my struggles. As believers, we are to look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

"If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdents, and so fulfill the law of Christ"-Galatians 6:1-2

Keeping yourself accountable is a recipe for disaster. While I like to think that I'm intrinsically motivated, I desperately need encouragement/wake-up calls from others. We need people who will not only love us abundantly, but call us out when needed! Healthy Christian relationships aren't always fun and games-they can be really tough at times. We have a duty to encourage, uplift, and follow through with our friendships. (Just a side note: holding people accountable in Christian relationships looks different than our friendships with nonbelievers. I'm not talking 'judgement'...more of directional encouragement. We see where they are struggling and we desire to help them overcome this and pursue a restored relationship with Christ, not because what they are doing is 'wrong' in our eyes) A friend that encourages us in our personal persuit of Christ is priceless.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken"-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

God has truly revealed himself to me through the incredible conversations and support that I have found in close friendships. Relationships bonded by a common purpose produce a vigor and liveliness that can't be destroyed. What a blessing it is to have a companion that will share in my struggles and in my rejoicing! Lord, I pray over my friendships. Thank you for putting people in my life that have helped me discover my faith. I pray over my current friends and my relationships with them-help us to build one another up and guide one another towards You. Help me to be a better friend and give me the right things to say to my friends when they face trials. Help me to hold my Christian friends accountable-not out of judgement, but out of a desire for them to persist in their walk with you. What a blessing friendships are, and how You work through them.

Seeking reconciliation in Friendships

It seems like in college we are always surrounded by people-you have class with your friends, eat meals with your friends, and even live with your friends! Friendships are such a blessing, but sometimes we don't get along.

"When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison"-Matthew 5:25

Pride is an ugly thing...and it can be detrimental to our friendships. As followers of Christ, we should seek reconciliation during these times. If every person you came into contact was Jesus, how would you treat them? I know that seems a little extreme, but think about it! God has created every human being; we are all His children. The way we approach others and seek reconciliation should reflect our understanding of the gospel and the grace that God has for us. Disputes and miscommunications are going to happen regardless. However, a response of unity should manifest from our desire to live like Jesus.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body"-Colossians 3:15

We have a purpose while here on this earth (Matt. 28:19-20) and if we are truly focused on living this out, any sort of disagreement or dispute doesn't seem as important. We need to take the first step of initiating peace and reconciliation within relationships so that we may move on and press towards our goal of serving Christ. It is amazing how much God has blessed me by my friends and how much I have learned from people. Don't retreat from broken relationships, engage in them and be transformed by a restored understanding.

Ditch the Stress Ball.

"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"-Matthew 6:27

Stop and read that verse again. Let is sink in. Why does it seem like we sometimes live in a state of panic? We am worried about grades, health, relationships, family, careers, appearances...the list could go on. Why am we so worried? Francis Chan says

"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control."

There is no such thing as justified stress. Think about what your life could look like if you had no fear. How would it look different? We are a scared generation. Our problems often seem huge and hopeless. During these times it is easy to forget just how powerful and good our sovereign Lord is. Let's stop thinking about how big our little problems seem and focus on how great and loving our merciful father is! When compared to God's great strength, our problems are ridiculously small. While it's good to celebrate how God is working in our lives and how he's blessed us, we should rejoice in the fact that our God is a good and loving God. Whenever we suffer and go through times of strife, we can then find comfort in knowing that God is in control.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God"-Philippians 4:6

Coming before God in prayer is powerful. Lord, I pray that I would find strength in knowing that you are in control of my life. Give me experiences and circumstances that will deepen my desire and love towards you. Lord, I want to trust you and depend on you. I rejoice in knowing that you are a good, loving, and powerful God! Thank you for how you have revealed yourself to me this far. Stir my heart for you and help me to use this life to bring glory to your mighty name!

His timing is timely

In 1 Samuel 1:4-20 we find the story of Hannah, a distressed woman. Hannah was one of Elkanah's two wives. Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, was blessed with many children (and made sure boast about it). As for Hannah, "the Lord has closed her womb." Hannah's prayers were not answered quickly...and in the meantime she endured much riticule from all too-proud momma Elkanah. From our perspective is may seem as if God's timing is delayed, unfair, or inconvenient. However, His timing is timely.

"It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority"-Acts 1:7

What a relief to know that I'm not in control! God, who knows us better than we know ourselves, who desperately wants a relationship with us, who desires for us to glorify His name, is in control. When we are troubled in spirit we should turn to God and pray. It's hard for us to understand why certain things happen, but we can find rest in knowing that God works on His watch, not ours. For Hannah,

"The Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, 'I have asked for him from the Lord."-1 Samuel 1:20

Hannah's prayers were answered on God's time. How did Hannah respond? She didn't complain that it had taken so long...she didn't rub it in Elkanah's face. She fell to her knees in worship and prayer. She rejoices in the Lord's salvation, knowledge, strength, and power. In response to God's great authority and provision, our first response should be that of worship. Thank you God for your timing. Help me to remember that I am not in control. All things are for your glory and will happen only if you permit it.