Within the past week I have noticed that many of my friends have faced and are in the midst of facing some very hard and difficult times that range from relationship issues to sobering life questions and decisions. Years ago a man who has become a very close friend told me that I had the gift of encouragement. Whether you believe spiritual gifts to be divinely inspired or born of personality traits I'll let you decide. As for me, I feel it is a spiritual gift God has given me to reach into others' lives and brighten them. Just part of the story God is writing with my life.
What amazes and inspires me is that in a few short days I have realized the importance of pouring truth into people's lives within whatever situation they may find themselves. Whether it was a relationship that was wreaking havoc on the heart and causing self-doubt and disillusionment, or difficulties in life that were shaking confidence in even our deepest faith, my friends were facing situations I have never quite experienced. But I found that truth, in all its many forms, could be a powerful remedy. Because truth can remind us of things we've always known but may have forgotten, it can comfort us in our darkest hour, and it can give us something solid to stand on as we pull ourselves from the darkness.
The past few days I've reminded friends that they are beautiful, that they are strong, that they deserve better than what they are settling for, and that I am glad to be their friend. I've reminded them that our God stands close to us even in our worst times. We bear the image of the divine. We can hold onto love regardless of how someone has hurt us. I'm reminded that I cannot look at people for who they are or what they have done to me or those I care about, but I must look at them for what they are. For what I am. A shattered image of God. A forgiven and resurrected soul.
I ask you, look around and see the people in your life. We all need love and encouragement. Truth can bring that. Pray and think and ask and figure out how you can, as Jim Pace would say, "punch into someone's soul" with the words they need to hear. It can change everything.
Some words from Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Back to Blacksburg...
Blacksburg, my home away from home for most of the past 4 1/2 years. I've visited off and on over the past several months for football and friends. A piece of my heart will always be here. As I write this I'm on a friend's couch in a townhouse near Lane Stadium. Last night's football game (LET'S GO HOKIES!) was a fantastic reason to take a bit of vacation from work. As I hung out with old friends last night and plan to do the same today, it got me thinking about all the memories I've had in this place. I discovered myself on this campus. Here's just a few of the things I learn when I come back...
1. True friends are forever. Sure that sounds cliche, but so many of the people I've met here have shown me what true friendship really means. Friends are there for you in the deepest and most meaningful way. Whether its life issues or school issues or spiritual issues or a usual combination of them all, true friends stick with you. And as I drive back here and see the people who I have walked with and fought with and struggled through life with over the past four years, it reminds me of our resiliency. It reminds me of the deep love within a group of people with shared experiences. And it constantly reminds me of our desperate and human need for community. We are not wired to walk this earth alone. We aren't built that way and I don't think we are meant to live that way. I found that community through [nlcf] (www.nlcf.net) and through all those crazy and amazing people in my major. It hurts me to not be around my friends and this community I've known for years now, but as my brother Franklin said, "We are connected by bonds far stronger than distance."
2. Hokie Nation. Hokie Pride. We are Virginia Tech. We are the Hokies. To some those words and statements are nice little slogans for a group of people affiliated with a particular college. For us it runs in our blood. The vast majority of students and alumni I know have such passion and spirit for this university it is stunning. And inspiring. We have a stone the football players touch before every entrance into Lane Stadium. Above it are inscribed the words "For those who have passed, for those to come, reach for excellence."
3. Times change. I'm no longer a student here and I can never come back here as I once did, looking forward to an apartment with my old roommates and the challenges of classes. But life moves on, and we are always writing new chapters in our story. Between looking ahead to the future and remembering the past, it can be somewhat intimidating. But my brothers Nick and Franklin seem to always remind me that what we've been through prepares us for the unknown, and that we do not walk alone. Not only do I have a community of friends and family that will stand by me, I have a God who will lead me, guide me, and walk with me every step of the way. That is both encouraging and challenging. May I always strive to be better than who I was yesterday. And may I keep my eyes open to what the Lord wants me to see.
"Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." - Psalm 77:10-12
1. True friends are forever. Sure that sounds cliche, but so many of the people I've met here have shown me what true friendship really means. Friends are there for you in the deepest and most meaningful way. Whether its life issues or school issues or spiritual issues or a usual combination of them all, true friends stick with you. And as I drive back here and see the people who I have walked with and fought with and struggled through life with over the past four years, it reminds me of our resiliency. It reminds me of the deep love within a group of people with shared experiences. And it constantly reminds me of our desperate and human need for community. We are not wired to walk this earth alone. We aren't built that way and I don't think we are meant to live that way. I found that community through [nlcf] (www.nlcf.net) and through all those crazy and amazing people in my major. It hurts me to not be around my friends and this community I've known for years now, but as my brother Franklin said, "We are connected by bonds far stronger than distance."
2. Hokie Nation. Hokie Pride. We are Virginia Tech. We are the Hokies. To some those words and statements are nice little slogans for a group of people affiliated with a particular college. For us it runs in our blood. The vast majority of students and alumni I know have such passion and spirit for this university it is stunning. And inspiring. We have a stone the football players touch before every entrance into Lane Stadium. Above it are inscribed the words "For those who have passed, for those to come, reach for excellence."
3. Times change. I'm no longer a student here and I can never come back here as I once did, looking forward to an apartment with my old roommates and the challenges of classes. But life moves on, and we are always writing new chapters in our story. Between looking ahead to the future and remembering the past, it can be somewhat intimidating. But my brothers Nick and Franklin seem to always remind me that what we've been through prepares us for the unknown, and that we do not walk alone. Not only do I have a community of friends and family that will stand by me, I have a God who will lead me, guide me, and walk with me every step of the way. That is both encouraging and challenging. May I always strive to be better than who I was yesterday. And may I keep my eyes open to what the Lord wants me to see.
"Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." - Psalm 77:10-12
Sunday, November 13, 2011
"Do you see her?"
A month or so ago my pastor back home told the story of Jesus going to have dinner at Simon's house, one of the Pharisees. Having dinner with someone in that time meant you respected the person hosting the dinner enough to join them and sit at their table. During his time there, a woman who had "led a sinful life" came to Jesus, poured perfume on his feet as an anointing and wet his feet with her tears. When Simon saw this he was disgusted and wondered to himself how Jesus could bear to let this "sinner" touch him. Jesus gets that vibe from Simon that he disapproves of this woman and tells him a story about grace overcoming debt and how love can come from that. Check it out in Luke 7:36-50.
What Jesus says next has stuck with me. Depending on the translation, Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon,
"Do you see this woman?"
"Look at this woman kneeling here."
"Have you noticed this woman?"
I added the emphasis. Now obviously, Simon had seen and noticed this woman who knelt by Jesus. But he had already made up his mind about her. Without even thinking about what she was doing or what her actions may signify, Simon jumped to his conclusion of "she is trash and Jesus should know better than to let her near him."
But Jesus calls him out on it. He says "Simon, you aren't really seeing her. You haven't even looked at her." It amazes me, firstly, that Christ always sides with the underdogs, the ones our society and sometimes our churches reject and look down upon. That shows a lot about God's character. Secondly, Jesus always calls us to look deeper, past the superficial prejudices we hold. Simon was busy seeing her failures, while Christ saw her sacred humanity, her love for him, and her place in his Kingdom.
So what about us? Do we see a homeless bum on the street, or do we stop and listen to his story? Are we ready to condemn a woman who made a wrong choice, or will we move into her life with a love that passes understanding and work to heal her wounds? Do we jump to who and what we think a man is, or do we take the time to walk with him and learn about him? Simon was shortsighted, he couldn't see who she really was or what she could become. Let's not fall into that trap. We need to strive to look at people and see who they are through the eyes of Christ - forgiven, beloved, broken, beautiful images of God himself. Because that can change everything.
What Jesus says next has stuck with me. Depending on the translation, Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon,
"Do you see this woman?"
"Look at this woman kneeling here."
"Have you noticed this woman?"
I added the emphasis. Now obviously, Simon had seen and noticed this woman who knelt by Jesus. But he had already made up his mind about her. Without even thinking about what she was doing or what her actions may signify, Simon jumped to his conclusion of "she is trash and Jesus should know better than to let her near him."
But Jesus calls him out on it. He says "Simon, you aren't really seeing her. You haven't even looked at her." It amazes me, firstly, that Christ always sides with the underdogs, the ones our society and sometimes our churches reject and look down upon. That shows a lot about God's character. Secondly, Jesus always calls us to look deeper, past the superficial prejudices we hold. Simon was busy seeing her failures, while Christ saw her sacred humanity, her love for him, and her place in his Kingdom.
So what about us? Do we see a homeless bum on the street, or do we stop and listen to his story? Are we ready to condemn a woman who made a wrong choice, or will we move into her life with a love that passes understanding and work to heal her wounds? Do we jump to who and what we think a man is, or do we take the time to walk with him and learn about him? Simon was shortsighted, he couldn't see who she really was or what she could become. Let's not fall into that trap. We need to strive to look at people and see who they are through the eyes of Christ - forgiven, beloved, broken, beautiful images of God himself. Because that can change everything.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Why "Under Open Skies" ?
And so I begin my adventure into the world of blogging.
Why, you may ask, did I choose a phrase from a David Crowder Band song?
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwM8vgulzdI)
The answer, dear reader, is that the song has meant quite a lot to me over the past few years. It has such simple and profound lyrics that have always touched me deeply. It also relates to the final verses of Psalm 150: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Both this song and this Psalm reveal our calling to praise our Father with everything we have. All of creation is praising Him. His people should too.
"Open Skies" also reminds me constantly of my community of believers at [nlcf] in Blacksburg. Every time I hear the song, I think of the memories and friends and experiences I had there. The lyrics below really capture that feeling. It was the [nlcf] community that helped me discover the mercy and mystery of Christ.
"In the company
of all who love the King
I will dance, I will sing
It could be heavenly
Turn the music loud,
Lift my voice and shout"
So I started wondering what "open skies" means for different people. Maybe it highlights our relative insignificance to the expansive world around us. Maybe it frees us to better connect with a God we feel is up among the heavens. Maybe it is just amazing to have a sunny, cloudless day. You have to admit, though, there is something wonderful about being out under open skies. It reminds us that our world can be beautiful.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
Psalm 19:1-4
So let's praise Him under open skies.
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