Up on the Mountain
Mark 9:2-9
The Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. It is a season for self-examination, reflection, and renewal. It is a season when a number of people “give up” something. Some people make changes in their normal routines which may include a change in eating habits. I have heard people say that they are giving up desserts or chocolate for Lent. There is a tradition that some Christians eat fish instead of other meats during the Lenten season. Of course, the main thing is not what someone may give up, but the main thing is that is involves self-denial that can lead to discipline and character development.
In the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus there are several postures that can also help with discipline and character during Lent and indeed throughout the year. The postures that can be found in the story include retreating, watching, listening, and serving.
The story starts with a retreat. Jesus and his disciples get away from the crowds and go up on a mountain to pray. They get away from their normal routines, and change their focus. That is what a retreat does for someone. It gets you away from the pressures, expectations, and distractions of everyday life and can give relief, rest, and a new perspective. It doesn’t have to be a long time. A retreat can last a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days.
Jesus went up on a mountain with his disciples to get away from it all and to get away to God, to pray. It is fair to say that from time to time, we need retreat and get away from our daily routines and focus upon God. The key is to get away, to retreat.
The Transfiguration story continues with the disciples watching. They were up on the mountain and they saw something extraordinary. Right before their very eyes, Jesus was changed. He was transfigured. His clothes became dazzling white. And then they saw Moses and Elijah, two of the great leaders of the Old Testament. They were amazed and inspired.
One of the advantages of a retreat is that we may have to opportunity to see things, and have experiences that we might miss in our daily routines. There is much that goes on around us and within us that we fail to notice because sometimes we are too busy and at other times, we are not paying attention. That reminds us of one of the advantages of a retreat: we may be more alert. If we will take time to watch and pay attention, we may have great visions and dream great dreams.
The Transfiguration story continues with a challenge to the disciples to listen. After seeing the great vision, Peter, the vocal disciple, says that they should build three shrines –one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. But God’s voice comes from heaven and says, “This is my Son, listen to him.” Peter and the others are thinking about a project, but God challenges them to focus upon Jesus, rather than a building project. The disciples are told to listen.
There are always good things that can be done, but this story reminds us that sometimes the best thing to do is to listen for God. We can listen for the sound of God’s Spirit in the wind and the rain. We may hear God’s voice in the voice of a family member, or a friend. We may hear the sound of God at work in the ebb and flow of our everyday lives. We may be tempted to explain, to understand, to control and to act, but God invites us to listen, to wonder, to dream, and to be. There is plenty of time for acting and doing, but the story reminds us that there is also a time to listen.
The Transfiguration story doesn’t end on the mountain. Jesus and his disciples head back down the mountain. The retreat is over, but the effects are not. They return to their routines and their work, but they are not the same people. They have been challenged and inspired to be God’s servants and to continue their work in His name.
We are not invited to get away and to stay away. We are invited to retreat so that we may be renewed and strengthened, then we will be able to return to our routines with a new sense of mission and purpose. Then whatever we do can arise out of who we are and who has called us. We are able to give and serve because Jesus came as a servant and gave His life for us.
The Transfiguration story includes these challenges: Take time to retreat, to get away from your normal routine, and to get away to God. Watch and look, and see God at work in the world. Listen and hear the sound of God’s voice calling you to have faith. Give and serve, because God has given everything for us and calls us to serve others in His name.
Showing posts with label service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label service. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Friday, September 17, 2010
Are We Addicted to Money?
Are We Addicted to Money?
Luke 16:10-13
Some years ago I attended a church management seminar. A part of the seminar focused upon stress- what can cause it, and how to manage it. The seminar leader handed out Biodots during the seminar. These look like small plastic circles and they are smaller than the end of your finger. When placed on the skin the changing color indicates the level of stress that a person is experiencing. Blue indicates that a person is very relaxed, and green indicates that a person is somewhat relaxed. Brown indicates somewhat stressed, and black indicates a person is very stressed. When I was in the seminar the colors of my Biodot were brown and green. While I drove home from the seminar, the colors were green and blue. When I arrived home and started balancing my checkbook, the color was black. This told me that although I was not aware of it, balancing my checkbook was a very stressful and emotional experience for me.
In his book Financial Meltdown in the Mainline? , Loren Mead asks the question: “Are we addicted to money?” This is a good question for us to ask ourselves from time to time. And it is helpful to remember that the question is not just a financial one, but also has to do with our quality of life, and the quality of our spiritual lives. Mead writes that an addict is someone who focuses their attention, emotion, and commitment upon that to which they are addicted. He lists several signs of addiction to money.
One of the signs of addiction to money is discomfort with the wealth that we have. There can be several things that we do or don’t do that indicate that we are uncomfortable with our wealth. For example, we may be slow to admit that we are rich. If we live in the United States, we have more than 90% of all other people in the world. And yet, we are more comfortable believing that we are poor, or at least, that we don’t have enough. Other indicators that we are uncomfortable with what we have are that we resist making wills, or we are unable to establish or keep a budget. These are basic tasks that are related to our financial lives. If we are uncomfortable doing them, then it probably means that we are uncomfortable with how much or how little that we think we have.
Another sign of our addition to money is our anxiety about money. We worry about making it to the next paycheck, even though we have made it for the last 5, 10, or 20 years. We answer the question “How much is enough?” with “Just a little bit more.” We wonder how we can make more money, or get more money. We spend time and energy working longer hours at work. We worry about the checkbook, the credit cards, and the mortgage. Let’s face it, it is important for us to manage our resources wisely, but there is the danger of becoming consumed with worry about money. It can keep us from being fully alive and living with joy.
Another sign of our addiction to money is that we are never satisfied. We want more money for ourselves and we are envious of other people’s money. It may be difficult for us to appreciate the wealth and success of other people. We may think that if someone else is wealthy or successful, that it takes something about from us. Money can be a source of tension and conflict at home, at work, at church, and in the community. We may be worried that there will never be enough.
Are we addicted to money? The answer is yes, most of us probably struggle with the addiction. And, if we see it as a spiritual issue, then our best response is to repent, or turn around. Instead of depending upon money and wealth to give us meaning and joy, we can turn and depend upon God and one another for meaning and joy in our lives. Instead of spending more time and energy to make more money, we can invest time in being servants to our families and our neighbors. It means that life is more than how much we make, or how much we have. It means that life is found in our relationships with God and one another.
Once there was a cartoon on the editorial page of the local paper. It was a cartoon strip with several frames. One man was talking and this is what he said: ”When the stock market dropped, I had a moment of understanding. I realized that my values had become skewed. I had been measuring my life in terms of material gain. I saw that all of that could be swept away in an instant. What I was going to have to do was restructure my life to seek and appreciate things of a deeper, spiritual nature. But then, luckily, the stock market went back up!”
When things are going well, it is more difficult to pay attention to spiritual issues. But a financial crisis can lead to a spiritual crisis. We may need to be reminded to turn from our reliance upon our wealth and ourselves, to reliance upon God. We may need to be reminded that we are not in control. That doesn’t mean that we don’t plan, budget, and use our money wisely. But it does mean that we don’t invest too much emotion, attention, and commitment to money. If we have can do that, then the next time we balance our checkbooks, or pay our bills, it may be that the Biodot will be green (somewhat relaxed), or maybe even blue (completely relaxed).
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Who, or what are we serving?
Luke 16:10-13
Some years ago I attended a church management seminar. A part of the seminar focused upon stress- what can cause it, and how to manage it. The seminar leader handed out Biodots during the seminar. These look like small plastic circles and they are smaller than the end of your finger. When placed on the skin the changing color indicates the level of stress that a person is experiencing. Blue indicates that a person is very relaxed, and green indicates that a person is somewhat relaxed. Brown indicates somewhat stressed, and black indicates a person is very stressed. When I was in the seminar the colors of my Biodot were brown and green. While I drove home from the seminar, the colors were green and blue. When I arrived home and started balancing my checkbook, the color was black. This told me that although I was not aware of it, balancing my checkbook was a very stressful and emotional experience for me.
In his book Financial Meltdown in the Mainline? , Loren Mead asks the question: “Are we addicted to money?” This is a good question for us to ask ourselves from time to time. And it is helpful to remember that the question is not just a financial one, but also has to do with our quality of life, and the quality of our spiritual lives. Mead writes that an addict is someone who focuses their attention, emotion, and commitment upon that to which they are addicted. He lists several signs of addiction to money.
One of the signs of addiction to money is discomfort with the wealth that we have. There can be several things that we do or don’t do that indicate that we are uncomfortable with our wealth. For example, we may be slow to admit that we are rich. If we live in the United States, we have more than 90% of all other people in the world. And yet, we are more comfortable believing that we are poor, or at least, that we don’t have enough. Other indicators that we are uncomfortable with what we have are that we resist making wills, or we are unable to establish or keep a budget. These are basic tasks that are related to our financial lives. If we are uncomfortable doing them, then it probably means that we are uncomfortable with how much or how little that we think we have.
Another sign of our addition to money is our anxiety about money. We worry about making it to the next paycheck, even though we have made it for the last 5, 10, or 20 years. We answer the question “How much is enough?” with “Just a little bit more.” We wonder how we can make more money, or get more money. We spend time and energy working longer hours at work. We worry about the checkbook, the credit cards, and the mortgage. Let’s face it, it is important for us to manage our resources wisely, but there is the danger of becoming consumed with worry about money. It can keep us from being fully alive and living with joy.
Another sign of our addiction to money is that we are never satisfied. We want more money for ourselves and we are envious of other people’s money. It may be difficult for us to appreciate the wealth and success of other people. We may think that if someone else is wealthy or successful, that it takes something about from us. Money can be a source of tension and conflict at home, at work, at church, and in the community. We may be worried that there will never be enough.
Are we addicted to money? The answer is yes, most of us probably struggle with the addiction. And, if we see it as a spiritual issue, then our best response is to repent, or turn around. Instead of depending upon money and wealth to give us meaning and joy, we can turn and depend upon God and one another for meaning and joy in our lives. Instead of spending more time and energy to make more money, we can invest time in being servants to our families and our neighbors. It means that life is more than how much we make, or how much we have. It means that life is found in our relationships with God and one another.
Once there was a cartoon on the editorial page of the local paper. It was a cartoon strip with several frames. One man was talking and this is what he said: ”When the stock market dropped, I had a moment of understanding. I realized that my values had become skewed. I had been measuring my life in terms of material gain. I saw that all of that could be swept away in an instant. What I was going to have to do was restructure my life to seek and appreciate things of a deeper, spiritual nature. But then, luckily, the stock market went back up!”
When things are going well, it is more difficult to pay attention to spiritual issues. But a financial crisis can lead to a spiritual crisis. We may need to be reminded to turn from our reliance upon our wealth and ourselves, to reliance upon God. We may need to be reminded that we are not in control. That doesn’t mean that we don’t plan, budget, and use our money wisely. But it does mean that we don’t invest too much emotion, attention, and commitment to money. If we have can do that, then the next time we balance our checkbooks, or pay our bills, it may be that the Biodot will be green (somewhat relaxed), or maybe even blue (completely relaxed).
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Who, or what are we serving?
Friday, September 3, 2010
How to Be a Disciple
How to Be a Disciple
Luke 14:25-33
At the point of this reading in the Gospel of Luke, the Jesus movement is going great. People are being healed. A woman who was crippled for 18 years is healed. A man who was seriously ill with swollen legs (make your own diagnosis), is also healed. Jesus is also telling the good news that everyone is invited to God’s banquet. All are welcome – the poor, the homeless, the powerless, and the marginal in society. Large crowds are following Jesus. And why not? He is telling them and showing them what good things God can do for them.
But as Jesus sees the large crowds gathering, he begins to change the focus of his teaching. He talks about what it means to be one of his disciples. We can assume that he wants to have more than just 12 disciples. He chose those twelve and now he seems to be encouraging people to choose him and become his disciples. Of course, there are requirements for disciples. Not just anyone can be a disciple. Jesus gives a list of the qualifications.
1.Whoever does not hate their family, cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
What a shocking statement. I have always interpreted this statement and others, as hyperbole, that is, an exaggeration to get people’s attention and to make a point. Another interpretation is that “hate” was not as strong a word in the days of Jesus as it is today. The Contemporary English Version of the Bible interprets this passage by having Jesus say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must love me more than their family.” This interpretation highlights the issue of priorities. What is most important? – God, family, country?
In the days of Jesus, becoming a disciple of Jesus usually meant alienation from family, tradition, and roots. That is not as true in the United States, but it is still true in other parts of the world. In fact, we like to think that Christianity and faith can strengthen families and family relationships. This is especially true when faith is a joint venture, a shared journey in a family.
2.Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Jesus, cannot be his disciple.
Jesus sees cross-taking and/or cross bearing as a voluntary decision. He calls people to be servants, and to make sacrifices for the Kingdom of God. He says that those who are his disciples will be givers, rather than takers. They will be outward focused, rather than being concerned only about themselves. Jesus was the model for cross-taking as he gave his life for the sake of all people by dying on a cross.
3.Whoever does not give away everything that they own, cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
Now here is a way to shrink the large crowds. If you start talking about money and possessions, people will turn you off, and go on to the next attraction, or back to their normal routines. This is another statement that we can interpret as hyperbole, or exaggeration. Another way of saying could be “Being a disciple of Jesus is more important than our possessions, and more important than our own comfort and prosperity. “ We probably have not given away everything that we own. We worry about having enough to pay the bills, or having enough for the future. But to be a disciple of Jesus means that we remember that everything we have is given to us by God, and is to be managed and used for God’s purposes, rather than our own.
We might note that there is a difference between being a follower of Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus. We can say that a follower is someone who doesn’t reflect, or commit seriously, or finish what they have started. Most of the people in the large crowds around Jesus were followers. They were looking for miracles and easy blessings. On the other hand, we can say that disciples are those who make deliberate, reflective decisions. They commit to an uncertain journey, and place their ultimate trust in Jesus. It is easier to be a follower, than to be a disciple. It is easier to receive blessings, than it is to make sacrifices. It is easier to attend church than it is to be a disciple.
To be a disciple means that nothing is more important than our devotion to Jesus Christ. No other relationships, including family relationships are more important. Our own comfort and fulfillment is not more important than being a disciple of Jesus. And our possessions, and our net worth are not more important than being disciples. If we are truly disciples, then all that we have and all that we are is committed to Jesus Christ.
To be a disciple means letting go of all that seeks to own us, so that we may go where God leads us, and do what God has for us to do.
Luke 14:25-33
At the point of this reading in the Gospel of Luke, the Jesus movement is going great. People are being healed. A woman who was crippled for 18 years is healed. A man who was seriously ill with swollen legs (make your own diagnosis), is also healed. Jesus is also telling the good news that everyone is invited to God’s banquet. All are welcome – the poor, the homeless, the powerless, and the marginal in society. Large crowds are following Jesus. And why not? He is telling them and showing them what good things God can do for them.
But as Jesus sees the large crowds gathering, he begins to change the focus of his teaching. He talks about what it means to be one of his disciples. We can assume that he wants to have more than just 12 disciples. He chose those twelve and now he seems to be encouraging people to choose him and become his disciples. Of course, there are requirements for disciples. Not just anyone can be a disciple. Jesus gives a list of the qualifications.
1.Whoever does not hate their family, cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
What a shocking statement. I have always interpreted this statement and others, as hyperbole, that is, an exaggeration to get people’s attention and to make a point. Another interpretation is that “hate” was not as strong a word in the days of Jesus as it is today. The Contemporary English Version of the Bible interprets this passage by having Jesus say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must love me more than their family.” This interpretation highlights the issue of priorities. What is most important? – God, family, country?
In the days of Jesus, becoming a disciple of Jesus usually meant alienation from family, tradition, and roots. That is not as true in the United States, but it is still true in other parts of the world. In fact, we like to think that Christianity and faith can strengthen families and family relationships. This is especially true when faith is a joint venture, a shared journey in a family.
2.Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Jesus, cannot be his disciple.
Jesus sees cross-taking and/or cross bearing as a voluntary decision. He calls people to be servants, and to make sacrifices for the Kingdom of God. He says that those who are his disciples will be givers, rather than takers. They will be outward focused, rather than being concerned only about themselves. Jesus was the model for cross-taking as he gave his life for the sake of all people by dying on a cross.
3.Whoever does not give away everything that they own, cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
Now here is a way to shrink the large crowds. If you start talking about money and possessions, people will turn you off, and go on to the next attraction, or back to their normal routines. This is another statement that we can interpret as hyperbole, or exaggeration. Another way of saying could be “Being a disciple of Jesus is more important than our possessions, and more important than our own comfort and prosperity. “ We probably have not given away everything that we own. We worry about having enough to pay the bills, or having enough for the future. But to be a disciple of Jesus means that we remember that everything we have is given to us by God, and is to be managed and used for God’s purposes, rather than our own.
We might note that there is a difference between being a follower of Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus. We can say that a follower is someone who doesn’t reflect, or commit seriously, or finish what they have started. Most of the people in the large crowds around Jesus were followers. They were looking for miracles and easy blessings. On the other hand, we can say that disciples are those who make deliberate, reflective decisions. They commit to an uncertain journey, and place their ultimate trust in Jesus. It is easier to be a follower, than to be a disciple. It is easier to receive blessings, than it is to make sacrifices. It is easier to attend church than it is to be a disciple.
To be a disciple means that nothing is more important than our devotion to Jesus Christ. No other relationships, including family relationships are more important. Our own comfort and fulfillment is not more important than being a disciple of Jesus. And our possessions, and our net worth are not more important than being disciples. If we are truly disciples, then all that we have and all that we are is committed to Jesus Christ.
To be a disciple means letting go of all that seeks to own us, so that we may go where God leads us, and do what God has for us to do.
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