Is it a wing or a weight?

Heb 12:1  . . . let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.

This verse always reminds me of the following bit of wisdom I heard many years ago:

"I once heard someone say, “If it’s not a wing, it’s a weight.” That’s good, but how can we tell the difference between a “wing” and a “weight”? In general terms, a “wing” is something that facilitates our walk of faith, while a “weight” is a hindrance to it. A wing facilitates a life of faith. A weight is anything that hinders us from carrying out our calling, something non-essential to our mission which consumes time and energy that could be better used in advancing God’s kingdom. A weight may be one thing for one believer and something else for another. A parachute would be unnecessary baggage for a mountain climber, but it is essential for a sky diver. A Christian may take up golf because it provides an opportunity to associate with non-believers and thus affords an opportunity to share the gospel with them as they play. For another, Christian golf may only be an unprofitable waste of time and money that could have been better used in other activities."

There are things in our life that aren't really sinful but are merely hindrances that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us. (1 Cor 10:23)

Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder us and something else that may not. Is there a weight in your life you must lay aside?

Excepts from Keller on Identity

As humans we need a sense of self that is durable and unchanging and a sense of value and worth.

Western culture – individualism: assigning your own identity.  You have to create and then achieve your own identity.  You are your desires, dreams and choices.  But these desires are often conflicting and changing.  When we take a good thing, such as our work, and make it an identity factor; a justification for our existence.

Quentin: You know, more and more I think that for many years I looked at life like a case at law, a series of proofs. When you’re young you prove how brave you are, or smart; then, what a good lover; then a good father; finally, how wise, or powerful, or what-the-hell-ever. But underlying it all, I see now, there was a presumption. That I was moving on an upward path toward some elevation, where—God knows what—I would be justified, or even condemned—a verdict anyway. I think now that my disaster really began when I looked up one day—and the bench was empty. No judge in sight. And all that remained was this endless argument with oneself—this pointless litigation of existence before an empty bench. Which, of course, is another way of saying—despair. (Arthur Miller, After the Fall)

When good writing was my only goal, I made the quality of my work the measure of my worth. For this reason, I wasn’t able to read my own writing well. I couldn’t tell whether something I had just written was good or bad, because I needed it to be good in order to feel sane. I lost the ability to cheerfully interrogate how much I liked what I had written, to see what was actually on the page rather than what I wanted to see or what I feared to see. (Benjamin Nugent)

As a Christian our identity is found in something or someone outside of our selves. It’s found in Him.  “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."  John 10:3

A reflection

I was listening to a teaching by T. Keller on hope.  He mentions Tolkien’s writings on fairy stories.  He say's the reason for their popularity is they convey what we are longing for: to step outside of time; to escape death; to love without parting; to hold communion with non-human beings and to see good triumph over evil.  These stories bring out a certain kind of joy.  For the Christian that joy is a memory trace of how life was meant to be – and will be again.

I think this is also the reason we find such beauty in creation, we are moved by nature singing the praises of its’ Maker.  It calls us in to be united with its beauty in worshiping our Maker and a reminder that our Maker loves us.

Getting Old

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,

And He delights in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;

For the LORD upholds him with His hand. 

I have been young, and now am old… (Psa 37:23-25)

They say there are three signs of old age. The first is your loss of memory. I forget the other two. 

 As this year draws to an end and another year of my life is behind me, I find this psalm quite comforting.  For though at times I miss the days of my youth, I would not trade them for the days I am now in – there is a peace and contentment I never knew then – and a knowing that keeps me secure.  As David says, I may stumble but He is always there to lift me up with a gentle touch and a warm embrace.  And while there are things I may forget, I know that I am never forgotten and that He will always remind me of those things that I need to know – which is mostly Him.

Don’t worry about anything . . .

but throw your worries upon God.

This was part of my reading this morning.  I must confess, worry is something I’ve always struggled with.  I don’t want to worry because I do believe God is not pleased when I do but I’m not sure, once it starts, just how to stop it.    

This morning the last half of the verse really caught my attention – it was almost like a challenge, a test me and see sort-of-thing.  So I decided I’d give it a go and the following is my testimony.   

          

We’re currently in the mountains.  Several months ago I bought a shirt at a local thrift store.  It was a bit big, but perfect for wearing around the house with a pair of sweat pants.  I just leave it here, it’s my mountain shirt and in a funny way I look forward to wearing it when we’re here.

Well the last time we were here I couldn’t find it when we were getting ready to leave.  No big deal, but it “worried” me a bit.  When we got here this time, I immediately began looking for it and still wasn’t able to find it. 

This is where my testimony comes in.  After the reading from Philippians and pondering a bit, I decided that since I didn’t know where it was and that not knowing was “worrying” me, I would simply throw my worries upon God – after all, I was sure He knew where it was – so I left it with Him and went about my day.

As I was taking my morning shower, which I truly love on a cold winter’s morn in the mountains, out of the blue it occurred to me “look behind the dresser”.  And so that is what I did . . . and guess what was there.  Hidden and just barely visible –  was my shirt.

Now I realize with all the problems in the world today, finding a shirt is not a high priority.  But for me it was just an example of my Father’s love and care . . . and a bit of humor as well.  Isn’t He just amazing <3

A remembering and a prayer

I was reading this morning about a situation of a girl in high-school, shy and uncertain, and how she was bullied by others.  Remembering how in my youth others (even those who were supposedly my friends) would point out, with great delight, any flaws in personality or appearance.  For me it was having light facial hair, big breasts and even the fact that I wouldn’t “put out” for my boyfriend.  Those words and actions left open wounds that have healed over time as I’ve learned that I am not defined but what others think of me, but it has taken a life time and the love and grace of a loving Father.  And while the wounds have healed, the scars remain

But I have also come to accept these scars as trophies, blessings in disguise, because I am stronger and more secure because of them.  What the world may say is not who I am.  I am a daughter of The King, loved and adored and cherished: He has turned ashes into beauty, sorrow into joy and made whole what was broken.

My prayer is for those who have been bullied by the world, that they would come to know and accept that they are loved unconditionally; that they have a heavenly Father who is longing to embrace them and rejoice over them – if they will let Him.

A Personal Thanksgiving

Abba, we’re here.  Once again we made it safely to the mountains and thank You that they are still here.  I want to thank You for all that You do, have done and are doing in my life.  It was this time of year, so many years ago, that I surrendered my life to You and I am forever grateful for You calling me to be Your child.  Thank You for Jesus, for His life, death and resurrection.  For forgiving me and for desiring to be in relationship with me, for Your Spirit and His indwelling within my sinner’s heart.  For Your faithfulness even when I am not and for Your AMAZING Grace that has brought me thus far and will at last bring me home.  I just want to spend each and every moment loving You and being loved by You.  There is no greater joy than knowing I am Yours and You are mine.