You're Going Down, Big Boy!

Here's a quote from "Streams in the Desert" for today, January 21. I hope it body slams you the way it did me:

"Our crowns will be wrested from the giants we conquer"

Ok... metaphor check.... you get that nobody expects you to go pick a fight with Yao Ming, right? "Giants"are habits or personality traits that stand in the way of your spiritual growth.

It got me wondering about the '"giants" I have yet to conquer. So I read for the umpteenth time the story of David and Goliath. I noticed something interesting. When standing against overwhelming odds, David didn't pray, "Oh Lord, strengthen me to fight this enemy", such as I've prayed in the past when up against a "giant".

Instead, he stepped out in courage and faith, fully capable and fully aware of what God had helped him do in the past (killing a lion and bear), to do what needed to be done. He simply proclaimed to the giant that he comes against him in the name of the Lord.

As you know, the giant fell. Was it David? Was it the sling? Was it the rock? Was it God?

Yes.

Is it not the same God that I serve today? What giant should I courageously be staring down and killing in the name of the all-powerful God who loves me?

Prayer certainly has its necessary place, but I wonder how many times we as Christians offer up whiney, wimpering prayers to God, asking for strength, when we ought to be boldly stepping out and getting into the fight.... not out of arrogance or conceit, but with full trust in God, in what HE can do, and with the knowledge that He is with us.

Be strong - be courageous. Do not be afraid, God will rescue you. ~Jeremiah 1:8

Defective Tag

I had to affix a "DEFECTIVE" tag to something recently. It got me thinking, "shoot, I need one of these for myself". Might as well acknowledge what everybody already knows, right?

I'm not trying to sound pathetic.... just real. I'm defective.

The realization of it can be a little depressing.

My defects impact others. I feel like a building under construction. Construction is delayed because defects keep popping up. And when they do, I'm forced to remember that, far from ending soon, the completion date is...NEVER !

I just may begin wearing a "DEFECTIVE" tag everywhere I go. It could be the latest fashion accessory. Oh, not for my benefit, though. For yours... as a reminder to you that I'm defective. (Please resist the urge to tell me that you don't need a reminder!)

In fact, while you're at it, why don't you go ahead and slip one on? It's quite probable that I need a reminder that you're defective, too. I may have accidentally expected perfection from you.

What would the world look like if we all treated each other gently, with an awareness of their faults but full acceptance of who they are and what their value is to Jesus?

I believe Jesus would approve of this tag idea. He has a whole inventory of tags for us.
Here's a good one:











But here's my favorite!











If my defects impact you, please know this: I'm sorry, and I love you.

If your defects impact me, please know this: I love you, and accept you the way you are.

Resolved

So, it's a new year. Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Have you broken it yet?

Who began the practice of making a resolution at the start of a new year anyway? Who was the first person who introspectively examined themselves on the first of January and said, "I can do better… I'm going to resolve to do this, or not to do that"?

It's only natural to have thoughts of improving oneself on January 1. I guess what I feel sad about is that there are 364 other days of the year we ought to be thinking the same thing (365 other days this year).

You know what? I want to start something new. I'd like you all to hit the "comment" button and let me know what your "tomorrow" resolution will be. Don't worry about whether you can keep your resolution (stay resolved) for the entire year. Just let me know what you resolve to do tomorrow.

Don't be shy. I'll go first:

I resolve to exhibit the grace of Jesus Christ tomorrow.

That's it. Just tomorrow.

Not that I won't want to exhibit the grace of Jesus Christ the next day… just that I'll resolve to do that again the next day. It's not one big resolution that I'm going to try to keep all year. It's one little resolution that I'm going to renew every day.
It's way too long from one January First to the next. I need to wipe the slate clean and try again every day, not just once a year. If I fail, I won't have to carry the burden that I blew it for the entire year. I just blew it for a day. Tomorrow's a new day.

Consider Paul's resolution in 1 Corinthians 2:2 ---
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

If I am resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, then it will be easier to remember that:
- he died for everybody, not just me.
- he loves me and enjoys watching me make the attempt to improve
- he doesn't keep score of how many times I mess up
- I have no right to keep score of how many times others mess up
- I don't even have the right to define what constitutes "messed up"

I don't care what your New Year's Resolution is. Tell me what you will resolve to do TOMORROW.