The Thin Places

These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town…-Mark 6: 8-11

In 2007, as my wife Heather and I walked along the pilgrims trail between Florence and Rome, I was reminded of this passage from the Bible when Jesus sends out the twelve. Like the disciples, if we follow him, we need little more than our faith. Traveling light was the idea, not burdened by the things of the world. What was it about this place that tugged on my heart so strong? There was just something undeniable about the high places. They were called the thin places by the Celts, where that which separates us from God is less, where the sacred meets the secular. In these places we come closer to God.

Later we stood near the place Saint Francis of Assisi (circa 1205) had cast off his clothing, rejecting a life of wealth and power, choosing to follow Jesus and serve the sick and the weary, through hospitality and service.

Writing to you this morning from a rooftop in Paris, I can’t stop thinking about last Sunday when we traveled by train from Bern Switzerland to Mulenen, then by funicular, almost straight up the side of Niesan Mountain (I know, lazy Americans), also known as the Swiss Pyramid. imageHeather, my youngest son Cooper, my niece Chloe and I unloaded from the red mountain cable train, immediately stunned as we walked out onto this special mountain. Our breath was taken by three hundred and sixty degree unobstructed views of the Bernese Alps and the valley bellow that surrounded lake Thun.

Everywhere we turned the view was incredible. It felt as if you could reach out and touch the jagged glaciated peaks. We were suspended above the earth under a cobalt blue dome and we prayed. Each of our prayers were different and more than just words in our heads. And each heard the voice of God, overpowering and silent, in the splendor of our moment, above the earth and beneath the heavens.image

I watched my twelve year old son eagerly strike out on the switchback trail down the mountain. He had to go! There was no stopping him. imageOf course a four hour trek in tennis shoes wasn’t going to happen, but he was born again on the side of a mountain that day. Something about this place called out changing each of us forever. The magnificence of God’s creation was certain, God’s power undeniable, His calling tailored to each of us perfectly in this moment. For me it was sharing the message of hope found in Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. image

In the holy name of Jesus, I pray: please God, release us from the burdens of this world, those that separate us from you. Lead us to the thin places to see your brilliance, to hear your voice and feel your power. May our lives never be the same as we learn to walk with you, more sublime each day. Amen.

Today’s reading link: Judges 7; Acts 11; Jeremiah 20; Mark 6

Good Soldiers, Athletes, Farmers

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 23; Psalm 30; Ecclesiastes 6; 2 Timothy 2

One significant and meaningful spiritual transformation occurred last year during a time when I was blessed to go through, A Little Manual for Servant Leaders by J.K. Jones & Jim Probst.  J.K, Jim, and six other brothers in Christ, John, Josh, Chad, Eric, Shawn, and Scott, along with myself, shared eleven weeks together studying scripture and testimonies on servant leadership.  This is definitely a great manual that provides all servant leaders, like you and I, with bible based tools to continue to “fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.”  Thank you God for divine appointments to be among wonderful people who share their knowledge of You and help others build an eternal relationship.

Today when I read 2 Timothy 2 I was reminded of this chapter we discussed in the Servant Leaders Manual.  After reading the following verses I was asked what metaphor would you most relate to the soldier, athlete, or farmer.  Which one would you pick? Are you all of them?

2 Timothy 2: 3-6 says, 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

The good soldier modeled a disciplined life. The Greek word for “good” is kalos which means noble or excellent. A disciplined life involves training all the time in order to always be battle ready.  This includes making sacrifices and showing courage, commitment, and willingness to discipline yourself.  Jesus followers give up worldly security to focus on our God that enlisted us. Ephesians 6:10-18 provides us with the whole armor of God to protect us in the battle.

The honest athlete trains hard and follows the rules to the game.  This training will help you to compete in the race and includes no short-cuts or cheating.   1 Corinthians 9:24-27 affirms that athletes needs to exercise self-control in all things and must discipline their body. 1 Timothy 4:7 says to train in Godliness.

The hard-working farmer works tirelessly all day long, with no glamour or crowds, and in hopes of a bountiful harvest.  The farmer receives a share of his own crops after spending much time preparing for the harvest. 1 Corinthians 9:7 talks about person who plants a vineyard and eats some of the fruit. There is also the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8:5-8.  Likewise, the Christian life and sharing His word requires a lot of hard work and patience. We face adversities during every season, but if we remain consistent in our own faith and steadfast in our sharing with others, we will reap a bountiful spiritual harvest.

Does one person connect with you more?  No matter the metaphor we keep fighting for victory, focus on victories, and patiently toiling for a bountiful harvest.

What does a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer all have in common? They are all occupations that require perseverance! Soldiers, athletes, and farmers all face adversities which require tremendous patience and steadfast endurance to achieve their respective goals, whether it is prevailing in battle, winning a competition, or reaping a bountiful harvest. All of our hard work will be worth it when we realize it is to glorify our God.  When we share this love with others and spend eternity with Him. What kind of soldier, athlete, or farmer will you be?

Are you enduring in your faith right now? Are you enduring with Christ in the midst of your current adversities and sufferings? Remember it’s not if we face trials its when. Are we willing to suffer in our efforts to please the Lord? Are we willing to discipline ourselves to receive an imperishable crown? Are we willing to work diligently that we might benefit from our first fruits of our labors?

Dear God,

Please provide us with the endurance we need to persevere through the adversities we face. You alone are what we need to recognize your blessing through it all. We thank you for providing us with a focus and ambition to look to you and make you the center of our hearts and lives.  God help us always to think over what you say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2 Timothy 2:7.