Faith Venture

There was a discussion recently about being blessed. An angel visited Mary. Called her blessed. It was maybe like the beginning of an episode of “Mission: Impossible.” She got some instructions. But there was a huge story not told at the beginning that she had to live out.

She was blessed–to have a child before her wedding (probably had to hurry up and have an early wedding); to have a precocious child (remember the time he stayed behind to study at the Temple?); to have him never marry and provide grandkids; to watch him go out preaching to people who didn’t understand him; to watch him punished, suffer and die.

You call that blessed?

We often use the term blessed to mean that God gives us a cool present. Or maybe lots of money. Or good kids.

Seems like in the Bible when God blesses you, you’d better watch out. That blessing usually means that you are going to live out an adventure of some kind.

But the adventure turns out good in the end. Except you’re never sure.

Having the baby was cool. Many visitors saying nice things about the baby was cool. But 33 years later, Friday and Saturday were heart wrenching.

But Sunday came, and the meaning of the blessing was clear.

Blessing can mean that you have been chosen. You’re on the team. But it means that you must live out the adventure that God places before you.

What’s your blessing?

This seems to be the Advent year of Joseph. Several times already I have heard speakers or read articles about Joseph, the (sort of) father of Jesus. More, I think, than in any past year.

I started thinking–Matthew gives a genealogy of Jesus through Joseph. Mary did not have sex with Joseph. Jesus was not Joseph’s kid. Weird.

Almost nothing is written about Joseph in the Bible. Yet, we keep speculating about him. He was a skilled tradesman. He didn’t live in the same town as Mary. He had a vision from God that told him to go ahead and marry Mary even though she was pregnant outside of marriage. His ancestral home was Bethlehem, city of David. That’s pretty much it.

Oh, and the gospels describe him as a just man. Righteous. So his primary role in Jesus’ birth came from his relationship with God. He agreed to give Mary legitimacy–a marriage, a home, a family. He decided not to denounce her and have her stoned. That action would have had historical consequences.

People love to speculate that Joseph made Jesus a carpenter, because he was a carpenter. The gospels never say that. There is a reference to Jesus as “the carpenter’s son.” I think that beyond making Jesus legitimate in the eyes of society, Joseph probably passed along his right relationship to God.

Children learn by modeling the behavior of those close to them. Joseph had to have been chosen because he could model the right relationship to God that Jesus needed as he grew up.

Joseph listened to God. It changed his life. He raised a child that was given to him, not one that he helped create. Looks like he did a pretty good job. Maybe God is telling us to do something. Maybe we need to listen and then act. Are we listening?

There is a wonderful little book called “The Way of the Pilgrim.” It is the story of a 19th century Russian peasant who lost everything but his Bible and a verse that was stuck in his mind. In 1st Thessalonians, Paul says, “Pray without ceasing.”

The book chronicles the adventures of this man who wanders through Russia with few possessions while he tries to live out that dictum. It is hard to do–even for someone who dedicates his life to trying it.

Paul also says in the same sentence, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

In the US, we are about to celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. It’s sort of the time when the harvest is in and we can give thanks for the blessings of God who has provided us with food for the next year.

We, in fact, really don’t celebrate that exactly. We have big meals. Eat way too much. Watch some football. And get ready for the Christmas buying season. Many of my friends like to say that we are a “Christian nation.” Actually, I think we are a commercial nation where a lot of Christians live. (Note: using Christian as a noun, not as an adjective.)

Even when I am most busy, I’ll find myself pausing for a moment and thanking God for the many blessings in my life. It sort of just pops into my mind when I least expect it sometimes.

So for my American readers, here’s a prayer. Pause a few times today and tomorrow and remember your blessings. And the One who made them possible. After that, I suppose you can go out on Friday and “support the American (or Chinese or whatever) economy” 😉

Blessings.

Someone who is fervent in their faith approaches you and says, “You’re wrong. Not only are you wrong, you’re stupid. You’ll roast in Hell for (believing that, saying that, doing that).”

Think that’s a good way to influence people–well, influence them to change directions? One of my tests is–how would you feel if someone approached you that way? Probably defensive? Probably another emotion ranging from annoyed to angry? Most likely you don’t walk away thinking highly of the attacking person.

Andy Stanley made a comment in a talk recently, “It’s not our job to tell people they are wrong. If you are trying to influence people, making a point against them is counter-productive.”

Made me think about Jesus comment, why worry about the speck in someone else’s eye when you have a beam in yours.

Influencing people when deeply held, emotionally charged opinions are involved–whether politics or raising kids–is difficult. You don’t begin at the same point with the same assumptions. If you are trying to influence people for Jesus, better is to make sure that your life and your beliefs are congruent. “Walk the talk” is the popular phrase, I believe.

I guess I’d rather be like Jesus than Jeremiah.

There are two ways to read the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures).

One way is the story of the Hebrew people. That is sort of what I was taught in college. If I were Jewish, that’s probably what I’d be taught. A religious history, but history nonetheless. The other way, which I’ve been studying, is the story of how God speaks to people, tries to set them free, invites them to live with Him.

But I’m fascinated by Abraham. And then Moses. Why is it that Abraham began following and living with the One God. All his neighbors, relatives and friends from his home town–and humans maybe from the beginning–worshiped tribal gods, nature gods, gods for everything and every superstition. Maybe they had a “head god” such as Greek, Roman and Norse mythology. But still, many Gods.

Moses grew up in the home of a “son of god”–Pharaoh, king of Egypt. A religious cult had been developed around the king. And they had many gods.

Abraham left no story about his first encounter with God. Maybe it was like Moses. Remember the story of the bush that was afire, yet not consumed by the fire? So he went to investigate and wound up talking with God.

Must have been a time where Abraham had a similar experience. God–the creator of the universe, the only God–talked to Abraham. And he listened. I’m not sure which would be the greater miracle.

The old testament follows the trail of this God. He keeps telling the people that they should be a light to the rest of the world. To lead others to God. They kept rebelling. Then they would learn what happens when you don’t live with God. Then they would rebel. On and on.

Happens to us, too. We try to teach people about the One God. Teach them the love. The freedom. But people rebel. They don’t want to live with God.

I’m fascinated. Abraham followed God through many experiences until the promise was finally fulfilled. Moses followed God, trying to explain God to the people, teaching them how to be free to live with-God. Enduring endless criticism.

How did it start? Why did they persevere? It’s amazing.

It is just fascinating to me. Our faith goes back at least 4,000 years to Abraham. He came from a tribe in probably from around the area now known as Iraq. I’ve been reading Proverbs lately along with Paul. It’s interesting enough that Paul goes back 2,000 years, but Proverbs goes back at least 600 years before that.

And the interesting thing to me is that people had the same problems back then that we have today. And we think we’re so advanced.

Bill Hybels is teaching on Proverbs right now. His interesting point is that people always say, “Next time, I’ll get it right.” But Proverbs is one book that tries to teach us to do it right this time. And those thoughts are at least 2,600 years old.

Let your mind scan back through the thousands of years. The stories that have been passed down to us. I’m in awe of the history and the people who have gone before.

I’ve had the “next time” moments. Bet you have, too. This time, I’ll get it right.