Coronavirus: How should I respond?

A thought. A verse. A prayer.
#coronavirus #faith #peace

Every day brings more gloom and doom over the Coronavirus pandemic. Even in the faith community we find a wide range of reactions to the current news cycle.

 In America, it seems that there are two common reactions:

1) Alarming and dramatic responses that include runs on toilet paper and the cancelation of major sports events, and
2) Business as usual with little concern or awareness that this virus is a serious threat.

What should we do?
How should we respond?

Can I make a few suggestions?

1. Pray. It seems like we only go here when we do not know what else to do. But it is actually where we should start. When we start with God, we think about things from a more eternal perspective. This is always a healthier place to think from. Are you praying as if it all depended on God?

2. Study. Studying is reading with a pen in your hand. It is concentrated research that results in potential actions. Whether you are watching an interview on YouTube or reading the USA Today website, you should be reading with a researcher’s mentality. Research multiple sources. Read critically and with discernment.

3. Agendas. Keep in mind that those who are sharing information are doing so for a variety of reasons and motives that affect what information they share and how they share it. Be discerning and thoughtful as you take it in.

4. Reserve judgment. It is so easy to react instead of respond. Reacting is like a reflex. There is a time for that but usually we have time to contemplate, process and then to respond thoughtfully. Remember too that inaction is still a response.

5. Explore the extremes: Is everyone overreacting? Maybe they are. What are the downsides of this? Am I contributing to panic or waking people up to a sobering reality few are taking seriously enough? Remember that the press has access to a lot of information. They are also in a hurry to get it out. Are they cross-checking their sources? Remember also that their reason for existing is to turn a profit. That happens when people tune-in or click on a link because it generates advertising revenue. Could this cloud their judgment?

6. Explore the extremes: Am I not taking this seriously enough? Is there any harm in preparing? Even if this is being politicized, does that mean I should not be paying more attention to what could be happening? What are some simple steps I could take to prepare now while it is still easy to do?

7. Prepare. Are you preparing as if it all depended on you? What if God wants to answer your prayers in part through your preparation? Can you prepare in such a way that your preparation is helpful for a number of different possible disasters? Would that be wise?

8. Believe. How does my faith hold up to this? Does this cause me to doubt what I say I believe about God? Do I find myself in a crisis of faith? How does the gospel apply here?

9. Love your neighbor as yourself. Are you thinking about others—beyond yourself? Are you preparing with those in mind who cannot or will not prepare? Is compassion even on your radar?

The verse that came to mind for me today was of Jesus sharing with his disciples how to respond to his earth-shattering news that one of them would betray him and that he would be killed and then rise from the dead on the third day.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” -Jesus, on the night he was betrayed and arrested

‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/jhn.14.27.niv

Paul gives us more wise counsel,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/php.4.6-7.niv

A Prayer

Lord, we come to you needy of your peace—that peace that transcends all understanding. Give us a confident belief that nothing has ever surprised you and that you are in control even now.

Give us a peace that is content in you whether things straighten out or continue sideways. Help us remember that in the end, you hold it all together for those who know and trust you through Jesus Christ.

Flood our hearts with your peace! Guide us with your wisdom! Help us rest with all our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual weight on You! In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.

Preparing for Suffering: Rhythms for Success

As I pray about what God wants us to focus on as a church next year, I find myself settling in on one word. 

Rhythms. 

Despite the on-going spelling challenge, I continue to grow in my appreciation for this word and for those who introduced it into my vocabulary. (Mike Breen, Caesar Kalinowski, Seth McBee, Jeff Vanderstelt, and many others from these Missional Community tribes)

My wife thought this word was a bit awkward to use, at first. If you agree, think of them as habits, practices, or even...systems. *gasp*

Most rhythms I think of are spiritual disciplines. But I do not know of too many people talking about rhythms that prepare us for one thing in particular.

Suffering. 

I mean, who wants to intentionally prepare for that? Nobody, right? Who wants to preach that sermon series?

And, yet, would it not be wise to?

As I think about the direction America is heading in and the growing hostility towards Christians who take the word of God seriously (read: authoritative), we would be foolish not to ask ourselves: "Are we preparing our children and grandchildren adequately for what's coming?"

It is with this in mind that I offer a few thoughts as I noodle over this in late 2019...

Preparation rhythms— 

How do we prepare families for future persecution with respect to suffering and self-discipline?

In addition to the basic discipleship rhythms of daily, prayerful Bible reading, some additional but less obvious thoughts include...

We don’t go looking for persecution, but…

1. Neither do we avoid doing or saying things that might bring it on,
2. We embrace suffering and persecution when it does come our way as if from God (Romans 8:28),
3. Discipline ourselves by practicing denying ourselves things we like but do not always need (ex. Fasting food, drink, sleep, comforts, hobbies, ease; practice silence, solitude)
4. Remember the sense of purpose and urgency Jesus lived with; he did rush around nor did not get caught up in “civilian affairs” (Paul’s words)

Consider what periodic rhythms you might add into your life in the coming year that would help prepare you for suffering and persecution. Then consider how you might lead others to do the same. (2 Timothy 2:2)

One final thought on all of this is to basically practice the rhythms we see Jesus teaching and practicing himself. These are also evident (though sometimes subtle) in the lives of the  Apostles and early Church leaders. (See Acts and letters) 

One that stands out, in particular, I'm learning from Mike Breen. It's a rhythm of retreat and engagement. Basically, it is retreating to prayer, word and remembering the Gospel message and then re-entering the mission field where we are engaging the forces of evil supernaturally as his presence resides in us. 

Stand Firm in your Freedom in Christ

Rules. 

Performance. 

It’s a love-hate relationship for me.

I sometimes love rules because they make it easier for me to judge others (horrifying, I know, right). And they make it easier for me to be hard on myself too (another hobby of mine).

Rules are great because I can measure how I am doing compared to others. Sometimes this means I’m patting myself on the back or at other times criticizing myself. 

This is also why I hate rules.

There’s a lot of “self” thought and attention going on in those paragraphs. Not a good place to be. I find myself back in a cage forgetting who I am in Christ.

The problem is there’s no freedom in this way of life. This is being enslaved to what others think about me (idol of Approval). That’s a performance mindset. If I perform well, others will love me. Trap! 

Jesus died to set us free from such traps and cages. 

“It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 NIV)

The good news is that you don’t have to stay in the trap. There’s a way out! Faith in Jesus sets us free!

Lord, set me free from the mindset and lies that entrap me to believe that I’ll be happier or that you will love me more if I perform or follow rules. 

Forgive me for living in the cage again. Help me trust you and walk out of that cage today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Robertsons - White Chair Film - I Am Second®

Amazing stories of people who overcame.

Kathie Lee Gifford - White Chair Film - I Am Second®

"If you have a pulse, you have a purpose."

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

What a great description of the difference between Jesus and religion.

Sacrificial Love Always Has Value

I was trading-in books at my local used bookstore yesterday. Julia (not her real name) is usually there to greet me ready to go through my boxes of old paperbacks in search of anything she thinks she can re-sell. Yesterday was a good day for two reasons.

First, she took a quarter of the books I brought in. A good number of the four boxes. Mission accomplished.

Second, she was excited about one book in particular that she set aside for herself. Julia said that book changed her life. That struck me as quite a statement. It was not her pattern to make bold assertions like that.

She proceeded to tell me why the Squire Rushnell book, When God Winks at You, has changed her life. She came to life as she told me story after story of "God winks” in her own life. She said that the last year and a half had been a rollercoaster and that God was helping her through it all through this book, the Lord, and her church friends. 

This was unusual. I’ve been taking Julia books for 4-5 years now. She’s always friendly and helpful, though some days less chipper than others. She’d picked up from our conversations that I was “In the ministry” (her words). So when I walked in on this day, she was ready to share. But I never thought she was a Christian. 

Now the part I’m a little ashamed to share, but from which I’m learning, is that I stood there listening to her share her story for at least 20 minutes. I’m not as enthused about such conversations as you might think. 

That may not sound like a long time to you--especially when it’s so positive and God-honoring. (Did I say I was a little ashamed?) When you’re standing and it’s not a true conversation but more of a monologue it can get long. Add to that my default mindset (still ashamed) that I always have somewhere else to be and you have me fidgeting quite a bit. 

But I settled down quicker than usual, for two reasons I think. First, God’s grace. He’s teaching me (I’m slow, admittedly) to slow down and be fully present. I did. 

Second, her stories were good and her enthusiasm for God working in her life was contagious. She was genuinely encouraged and glad to see my copy of that book. 

So, my first takeaway is to continue to learn to slow down and to be fully present.

My second takeaway is that it can take a while for people to warm up to you and start sharing their life with you. Remember, I had been visiting her store for 4-5 years.  We were on a first-name basis. She knew if I was coming in that it was to trade-in books.

My third takeaway has to do with sacrificial love. We’re preaching through 1 John at Grace CF right now and I challenged each person present last week to do at least one act of sacrificial love toward another Christian that week. It could be big or small, but it had to cost you. 

This is one of my acts: Standing and listening to Julia (not her real name) for 20 minutes. 

That’s pathetic, I know. But it makes a few points I want to elaborate on.

I wanted to move on (even though this was God “winking” at me). Ironic, I know. I was all about my agenda. I was initially bummed over the setback to my “pressing” schedule (It was not) so there was a cost associated. (Admittedly a very small cost)

But, by God’s grace, I didn’t put up a wall and cross my arms impatiently waiting for her to pause so that I could bolt. Instead, I relaxed and became more fully present. I responded with enthusiasm and listened to the end. She didn’t take a breath until the door chime signaling a new customer "broke the spell” of her dialogical riff.

My fourth takeaway is that sacrificial love doesn’t have to be huge to be costly. It cost me time and attention to actively listen to her for that long. There is even an emotional cost when you make the effort to listen sympathetically, as I did. I can quickly become exhausting for some. 

My fifth and final takeaway is that sacrificial love, no matter how big, is always valuable. 

The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was a sacrifice of infinite and eternal value. In this case, the value was me valuing her as a person by giving up my time to listen to her stories. Good stories or not was irrelevant. I valued her by listening and engaging. They were good stories and so I was edified in the process. She certainly was.

Finally, a love that costs you can still include joy, even if it’s not pleasurable. I left encouraged and blessed. I received value and I believe she did too. That day, we crossed a line relationally that we’ll likely build on going forward. She talked about her divorce after 30 years of marriage, her dysfunctional friends, and, between OMGs, her personal growth in her relationship with God.

Even in light of the torment on the cross, the writer of Hebrews says that “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross scorning it's shame.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) Jesus joyfully obeyed his loving father so that he could lovingly sacrifice himself for the sins of the world. That added infinite value to my life forever. Yours too, if you believe it.

So, in the end, sacrificial love always has value. Usually, if not always, for both the giver and the receiver. That’s why God encourages it. After all, God is love.