New Things

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did."

I was recently challenged by the above axiom, sent to me from a friend, and it's been sitting on my desk top while I ruminated upon it. I suppose that the corollary to it (a.k.a. "the flip side") would be the more familiar, "Insanity: doing the same things over and over yet expecting different results."

When I look back at the last 50 years (OK - 50 in December), it's amazing as I recount just how true this has been. While it would be foolhardy (and perhaps somewhat boring to you) to recount them all, here's just a snapshot of some of the more memorable ones:

• To follow God's calling to pastoral ministry, I had to leave the security of the farm life
• To end up with the wife of my dreams, I had to walk away from the memories of the past
• To experience the transformational power of cross-cultural ministry, I had to take the leap of faith that God would provide
• To "step out of the boat" and move to another country, I had to relinquish control over my family
• To find the home for my family, I had to surrender my ideas of what "success" means in ministry

No, you can't begin to experience "all that God has prepared for those that love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9) while continuing to do what you've always done. You see, as I read Scripture, I don't ever see God do things the same way twice. He's all about doing a "new thing" (Isaiah 43:19). But He seldom, if ever, prys things out of our grasp - He loves us too much to do so. Rather, He patiently waits for us to let go, and then, only then, can His work continue.

What are you longing for Him to do in your life? While there is no "magic formula," I can assure you that one of the things that must happen is a willingness to do something we've never done before...an attitude that says, "Whatever You ask, wherever You lead, whenever You say 'Go!', Lord, I'm ready to obey."

When He finds us with this heart attitude, only heaven can imagine and measure what He will do both with and for us! Are you ready to make this commitment? I'd love to hear your story!

Mirror

“To get to where you want to go you've got to know where you are.”

It’s no secret to most of you that I am a pastor (and have been for over 25 years now). With this calling have come some tremendous responsibilities, but also some incredible privileges. While I would never want to try and “rank” either one of those categories, I think it would be safe to say that one of the greatest privileges has been getting to spend so much time in God’s Holy Bible.

I can honestly say that no other book has impacted my life so greatly as this one authored by godly people inspired to write as God’s Spirit led them (2 Peter 1:21). In it I have found comfort, courage, strength, hope, peace, wisdom, direction and perspective (that’s the more “fun” stuff). But I also have found conviction, correction, rebuke, an awareness of sin, and what I believe to be one of the most important, yet troubling aspects of God’s Word: an extremely clear view of myself.

This two-edged sword of the “clear view” has caused many people over the years just to not read God’s Word at all, as they have been uncomfortable with the way this “mirror” reflects the condition of their own hearts, minds and actions. Thus, they set out on life’s journey, goals in mind, but rarely if ever take a look in the “mirror” to see how they’re doing, and as the quote above reminds us, in order to get where you want to go, you must know where you are.

Several years ago, my wife’s grandmother went in for cataract surgery at 85 years old. It wasn’t more than a few minutes after the eye patches were removed that we found her yelling at the doctors for what they had done to her face! The reality is that it had been so long since she had seen herself clearly in a mirror, she had no idea what she really looked like (and the last 10 years had added more than a few wrinkles!). Thus, it must be the doctor's fault!

I want to challenge you to take a good, long, thorough look into the “mirror” of God’s Word. Yes, it can have some uncomfortable moments as you see yourself, but you’ll also gain great comfort in recognizing that the road He has planned for you will take you where you want to go, and help you become what He has designed you to be!