Going into this study, I am super excited to experience many spiritual Disciplines that I have never pursued with much intention before. So before reading today, I thought to myself, “Ok, it’s just the intro this week, nothing major to see here, just setting up the next 12 weeks of when the real stuff happens.” This wasn’t the case.
I made it through most of the chapter at a quick pace. I underlined a few things and gathered a framework from which to approach the next 12 Disciplines, namely “We must always remember that the path does not produce the change; it only places us where the change can occur.” [p. 8]
But the last two pages hit me somewhere I didn’t want to be touched.
Pride continues to be a battle I face in every season of life. When I gain a skill, achievement, depth of relationship, recognition, anything else to feed my self-worth apart from grace, pride is quick to follow. My time in Colorado is no exception.
“Pride takes over because we come to believe we are the right kind of person.” [p. 10] I’ve bought into this lie. I’ve come to believe I’m the right kind of person because of past accomplishments, present works, and future plans. As this attitude takes hold, not only do I believe I’m the “right” kind of person, but I quickly “realize” how many “wrong” kind of people are out there. “Once we have made a law, we have an ‘externalism’ by which we judge who is measuring up and who is not.” [p. 10]
Contrast this with the story of Elisha in 2 Kings 6. The Syrian king is pissed that Elisha keeps prophetically thwarting his plans to ambush the King of Israel, so he sends a massive army to capture Elisha.
“15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” – 2 Kings 6:15-17
From the beginning of this story, Elisha is confident of the Lord’s presence during this trying time. Notice his first reaction is not to rebuke the servant for his inability to believe as Elisha does. First, it is comforting, “Do not be afraid.” Second, Elisha shares his personal confidence in the Lords faithfulness to them, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
This is great, and I could nod my head along with the story up until now all I want. What he does next frustrates and humbles me. “Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’” Elisha recognizes that he is not the be-all, end-all. He does not have the corner on truth. Note that the passage never says Elisha saw the Lord’s horses and chariots of fire, only that the servant saw them. Why?
Because God gives us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it.
He gives it. Not me. And He gives it to each one of us individually, purposefully, and more perfectly than we ever could.
“When we genuinely believe that inner transformation is God’s work and not ours, we can put to rest our passion to set others straight.” [p. 10]
I need to let go and let the Teacher do the Teaching, all the while understanding that the person He’s really trying to teach is me. Nobody graduates from Jesus school!
-Mike
Thanks for sharing, Mike! Its great that you started our blogging off with such honesty. I appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteWhat was pretty touching about the story you shared in 2 Kings, was that Elisha could have just kept his faith & perspective to himself. He could have held on to it with a sense of pride, but he did not. He took the time to pray for a servant! Its like Elisha's ultimate goal & purpose was to reveal God's power and faithfulness, no matter who it was. In that moment Elisha was practicing a life that was less about himself, and more about revealing God's truth to those around him.
Sometimes I wish I was more like that; focusing less on myself and more on how God's truth would impact others.
Such a great and convicting story, thanks Mike!
Mike- beautiful thoughts, and a beautiful truth. How often I need to be not reminded but taught that. Reminded would mean that I have learned it and forgot for a second or two..... which I haven't! I need to be taught to let go trying to "fix" others or set them straight! Thanks for encouraging the biggest violator of them all.....Reid!
ReplyDeleteBy the way when viewing the blog from an iPhone the rope picture looks awesome!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike. Your post put me in front of Jesus as he says at perhaps His time of deepest trial preparing for the cross, "A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone." When confronted with His abandonment of Jesus, we know from scripture that Peter weeps very bitter and wrenching tears. From those bitter tears emerges Christ's call upon Peter to preach, pastor, and grow. I am left asking the question, "Jesus, what bitter tears do you have prepared for me? What experience are you preparing to break my heart so that I would hear your call and move toward your heart and mission in humble trust of you?" These are tough questions for me to digest. I don't think I can digest them. I can trust Jesus to grow His seed of faith in me while wrestling with question indigestion I guess. In summary, from reading this thread an old U2 tune is now ringing in my head. I imagine Christ, our living hope (thanks 1 Peter) singing the last words of "Wire" -- "I'm no dope. I'll give you hope. Here's the rope, here's the rope. Now swing on it!"
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