The Best Is Yet To Come

 

Weddings in biblical times seemed like a blast. When reading the account in scripture you get the idea that these people really knew how to celebrate a special occasion!  Several days of banqueting, dancing, music, and being surrounded by family and friends- what a party! In John 2:8-11, Jesus and his disciples are nearing the end of the wedding feast celebration at Cana. Jesus has turned the water to wine, and saved his host the embarrassment of running out of his supply prior to the end of the wedding celebration. Upon tasting this miraculous beverage, the master of the feast lets us in on the normal way of doing things on these occasions- the best, richest, most flavorful treats were brought out at the onset of the party, where people were fresh and able to most appreciate it. The cheaper, lower quality goods were saved for the end- when people had already over-indulged and were less likely to note the difference.  On this occasion, when the master is served the beverage from what was probably the closing round of drinks for this celebration, he is delighted, if not slightly confused, to find that in this case the host had saved the best, richest, highest quality goods for last.

In the current day and age, living in the country we do, we are all relatively wealthy, educated, informed, and when it comes down to it- we are actually spoiled with things that those who came before us probably would never have dreamed of. I would argue we can become like those people at the wedding feast at Cana- having over-indulged to the point that we have become numb to the goodness that is all around us, no longer even aware of the table that the Master of the feast has set before us. We have been enjoying his goodness for so long that it doesn’t feel special to us anymore and we take it for granted, thinking this is all there is and all there will be.

When Jesus did this miracle, and provided the best of the best for those at the wedding feast, I wonder how many people actually noticed and appreciated it? Was their pallet so numb at that point in the party that they couldn’t even tell that they were being given a taste of something so special?

2000 years later, we run the risk of being so spoiled by God’s goodness that we no longer recognize it- that we no longer have the ability to “taste and see” that He is good, and that we fail to notice or even anticipate that God wants to do something special in our midst.  We have experienced great things but lets keep our senses sharp and our anticipation high, enjoying God’s goodness but not allowing our palate to become numb to what He is doing and wants to do around us. The goodness and grace we have become accustomed to is wonderful, but It just may be, that like at the wedding feast at Cana,  the best He has in store for us is still yet to be tasted.

 

Water Pots

In John 2:1-8 is the first part of the account of Jesus first (recorded) miracle- the turning of water in to wine at the wedding feast at Cana. A few thoughts come to mind while reading this passage: relating to a parent pushing your forward because they know you are capable of greatness (and want the rest of the world to see and recognize that too), the trusting servants being willing to obey even when it doesn’t seem logical, the son honoring his parent although slightly concerned the timing might be off… the life lessons and parallels in this passage are many; I chose to spend some time dwelling on the 6 jars that were used. These jars were made of stone and were at the home for ritual cleansing performed by the Jews. They were carved out of one solid piece of large rock rather than made of clay like a piece of pottery- this made them more expensive so the family that owned them must have been somewhat wealthy. History shows that during this period of time these stone pots were abundant as the Jewish people took their ceremonial cleansing very seriously- so although pricey they would not have been uncommon.

When I read this passage it plays out in detail in my head- I speculate about what the characters might have been thinking- If I were Jesus in this situation, the internal dialogue would have gone something like this:
Ok- the issue is, there is no wine. Well we will just have to make some more. I need some water- how can I get some water and what am I going to put it in? (scanning the room)… there are some pots- those will work….

Ok team here is the plan- see those pots over there?”

Jesus took these jars that, although they were special, they were intended for one very specific thing- they were made, purchased, and utilized to do one job and one job alone. They were important, but they were also in a proverbial box- those were the jars that held the water for ritual cleansing- no more and no less. They had one job to do and only one purpose in life. But at that moment in time, they were sitting there- available, ready, able to hold liquid- exactly what Jesus needed at that moment. He looked beyond their common purpose and saw something He could use to make miracles happen.

I wonder how often He is looking around saying- ok I need to get this done, what… who… can I use…
And how often are we sitting there, leaning up against a wall, doing exactly what we are supposed to do and thinking that is where our role ends, that doing what we are “supposed” to do is all that will be required of us.

There is nothing wrong with knowing our role, being confident in it, and performing it well, but sometimes getting in to that comfortable routine can make it difficult to accept when He whispers to us “I know this is what you’ve been doing, this is what people expect of you, but Ive got something greater in mind!”. In those moments we have to be bold, we have to be courageous and willing to break out of the box of expectations that have been placed on us- expectations that we’ve placed on ourselves about what we are capable of- and be used for something a little different, something a little bigger than we might have planned. We may be just a pot that holds water, but God is looking at you and thinking- there is someone I can use to make miracles happen.

 

Even Greater Things

In John 1: 47-51, Jesus meets Nathanael for the first time and declares that he is a man of complete integrity. The scripture portrays Nathanael’s shocked reply- “How do you know about me??” he asks. Jesus says that he had seen Nathanael sitting under the fig tree before they met. Shocked at this, Nathanael somehow determines that Jesus must be the Son of God. Jesus response? Don’t let this shock you, Nathanael, you haven’t seen anything yet! You will see even greater things than this…

Jesus intimate knowledge of Nathanael’s character must have felt huge to him in that moment. Im sure Nathanael couldn’t even begin to guess the things he would see and do the next three years as he walked along side Jesus. The teachings, the miracles of multiplying food, the healings that would take place, the people that would be raised from the dead! Could he imagine he would be watching Jesus be crucified and then reuniting with him after being resurrected? Did he anticipate being commissioned to go to all the world and given the power of the Holy Spirit to help him do it?

I am the kind of person who gets pretty excited, even over the little things. There are moments where someone treating me to a starbucks coffee can make me feel just as excited as if someone had given me a trip to Disney World. I love to stand in awe whenever God does something in my life or in the lives of those Im close to, regardless of if it is categorizes as a big or small thing. This is a great attitude to have, although admittedly sometimes I think, well Ive met my blessing quota for today now! This will hold me for a while till my turn comes around again.

It’s so important for us to recognize the little blessings and miracles that take place around us each day- each breath, each little gift, each person in our life is a blessing that God has given us. Perhaps the challenge Jesus issued to Nathanael is to appreciate what God is doing now, but to not just be satisfied to stay in that place. To be content and appreciate all God has done, but to also continue to have great anticipation for the things that are ahead.

The Father’s love and capability to do amazing things in each of our lives is without limit, and as long as we are here on this earth I believe His heart rejoices when we delight in what He does for us, but He is whispering to us at the same time- you think this is good? You haven’t seen anything yet! Just wait until you see- I have so much more in store for you. Not because you deserve it- but because I love you so much.

Lord, help us to appreciate each little thing you do each day, but help us to get such a great revelation of your love for us that we can look forward to the future with great anticipation, knowing without a doubt that we will see greater things than this…

 

I See More

In this world there are many titles people place on us. Some good, some not so good. Like it or not, the way people categorize us both publicly and privately can tend to affect our self confidence and belief in what we are or or not capable of.

Jesus knew that his disciples, the 12 people on this earth closest to him, would face all kinds of ridicule in the course of being his follower. These men needed to be strong, they needed to be steadfast, they needed to be confident in who they were and what they knew.

In John 1:40-47 Simon, Philip, and Nathanael become followers of Jesus. Simon was just a fisherman and the brother of Andrew who had become a Christ-follower just a day earlier. Upon meeting Simon, Jesus says:

Your name is Simon, son of John- but you will be called Cephas (Peter).”

Jesus makes it clear- I know who you are in the context of your world. You are Simon, you are John’s son, you are a fisherman. I know this is how the world sees you. But I see more. I call you “Cephas” (the aramaic word for “rock”), or as we know it better, “Peter” (the greek word with the same meaning).

When Jesus met Nathanael we see the same type of exchange. He greets Nathanael with these words:

Now here is a genuine son of Israel- a man of complete integrity”

Jesus had the ability to look beyond the natural, to see beyond the facts, and see to the heart and character of His followers. Not only did he just see it and think to himself, “this is a good guy, I think I will let him hang out with me.”, but he called it out.

He said to Peter- I see you- and you are not just some fisherman. I see who you really are, all your potential, what you were created to be. YOU, my friend, are a rock.

He said to Nathanael- I see you- I see that you have strong character, you are a man of integrity, and I need someone like that on my team.

Have you ever recognized a quality in someone before they’ve seen it in themselves? Have you seen the way their face lights up when someone calls forth their strength of character? When this happens, your words become powerful. Sometimes these qualities may have been lying dormant within them, but when someone recognizes them and calls them out it is like a breath of life to them, jump starting them and activating them to the person God has created them to be.

Peter’s life may have been much different if Jesus had just looked at him as Simon the fisherman, rather than looking deeper.

How easy is it just to settle for what we see in the natural when we look at those we encounter. How much more life giving would it be if we looked a little deeper and chose to see others the way Jesus saw Peter and Nathanael- if we said to others, I know this is what it looks like at face value,

but I see so much more…

 

True Leadership

Have you ever seen the kind of leader that has to just say the word and people act on it right away? In John 1:35-40, John is hanging out with two of his followers. Once again, John spots Jesus and says out loud:

Look! There is the Lamb of God!”

When John’s two disciples heard what he had said, they began to follow Jesus. It doesn’t say that John went with them- just that these two men up and left John and followed Jesus. When Jesus noticed He was being followed, he invited these two to come with him on his journey, and they stayed with him the rest of the day.

One could speak to the faith of these two men, the first followers of Jesus, who just blindly up and tagged along. But even more so, how great must John have been as a leader for these men to take his word for it that this was the messiah- no proof, no signs and wonders (yet), nothing but the word of their leader to go on.

Three things stick out about good leadership qualities in this short passage:

The previous day, John declared that Jesus was the one they had been waiting on to save the world, and He did this in the confidence that he had heard the Lord correctly. Surely he must have faced some ridicule after making such a declaration. However, a day later, Jesus is walking by again, and John’s message remains the same- he was unwavering.

A good leader is consistent.

John’s disciples turned on a dime at John’s instruction. He told them that this Jesus was the man they had been waiting for, and without hesitation, they followed their new leader. John’s followers must have had the utmost confidence in him and in what he had to say, and must have proven himself to them over the course of time.

A good leader is trustworthy.

In the previous verses, John declares exactly who he is and who he is not. He fully admitted he was just the one preparing the way- that a greater leader was to follow. John must have known that by declaring who this greater leader was, his followers would probably leave him and follow Jesus. John’s ministry was beginning to phase out, and rather than trying to hold tightly to it, he used his platform to push his followers toward their savior. He wasn’t afraid of losing followers, he knew the part he had to play and was ok with it.

A good leader sees himself within the context of the bigger picture.

In light of the example John set for us,  how do we measure up as leaders?

Are we consistent?

Have we proven ourselves to be trustworthy?

Do we see our role within the context of the bigger picture or are we more concerned about preserving our following and platform?

 

I Saw The Sign

Ive always been under the impression that John the Baptist knew Jesus was the Messiah all throughout his life. After all, reading the encounter of Mary and Elizabeth leads us to believe the two  mothers were well aware of the callings of their sons-to-be. I always assumed the two cousins grew up with the knowledge of the divine partnership their destiny shared, and even if they didn’t know it inherently, their mothers must have done the “mom” thing and spoke in to their lives “This is what you were made for.”

So how curious is it that in John 1:29-34, where John publicly announces that Jesus is the one they all had been waiting for, that John says:

I didn’t know He was the one…”

John didn’t know that his cousin Jesus was the one they all had been waiting for? Really? 

John’s testimony of the events taking place the day he recognized Jesus as the Messiah state that the Lord had instructed him to baptize with water, and prepare the way for the one who would come after him to baptize with the Holy Spirit. He says he was told that he would know who this one was when he saw a certain sign.

I don’t know if John was totally in the dark with that or not. Perhaps he knew, but didn’t feel comfortable confirming it publicly until he saw the sign he was waiting for. On the other hand, maybe he had no idea at all. Could you imagine? He is standing there, fulfilling his own pretty grandiose and eccentric calling, and then- FINALLY- he see’s the sign he had been waiting on! He looks harder at the man the spirit is descending down on like a dove, and blinks his eyes a few times to make sure he’s seeing it right. Is that my…. cousin? HE is the messiah I’ve been preparing the way for?? Did I really hear God correctly?

It’s not really known how much interaction John and Jesus would have had as children. You’d assume they’d had some- I wonder if in that moment their child hood play times flashed through his head. Did John ever try to argue with Jesus? Was Jesus the “perfect” little boy that the child John grew up feeling inferior to? Did they wrestle and chase each other and play pranks on one another the way little boys do? Were there any regrets John had about his interactions with Jesus growing up?

And in that moment, what was he thinking when he realized everything about their relationship had changed

because he saw the sign.

John’s whole perspective and view point on his younger cousin may have had to be readjusted instantly in that short space of time where he saw the sign and then had to announce to the world that Jesus was the one that they’d been waiting on. There was no time for questions, no time to think it through, it had to be instant. NOW was the time to announce to the world that they were in the presence of the Son of God! What a gift John must have had- the confidence in what the Lord had spoken to him; the ability to just run with it when his whole world was changed in that split second.

How often does God speak to us, or show us something, and how often do we take the initiative to react that quickly to what he has said. In those moments do doubts, questions, fears give us pause? Oh to be confident enough in knowing His voice that when he speaks to us, we are willing to instantly change our thinking to act on what He has said!

New Years resolution #2- I will strive to know HIS voice better, and to react to His instruction when it comes immediately, without hesitation, without question, without fear.

 

I Am… A Voice

John 1:19-28 is the testimony of John the Baptist in a nutshell, Ive read it a thousand times. The religious leaders of the day went to John and asked him Who are you? Why are you here? What are your intentions?

John’s answers are what hit me:

I am not the messiah

I am not Elijah.

I am not the prophet you were expecting”

You can almost hear the frustration that must have been in the voice of those religious men…. well, then- WHO ARE YOU?

And John answered:

I AM the voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

What is so striking is John’s confidence in His calling. He knew who he was not, but he also knew who he WAS. What if John had said, as many of us often have when faced with the same questions, “Im not positive, but I think I might be the guy who is supposed to be the forerunner for the savior of the world. There’s a really good chance thats what Im supposed to do, we will see how it all plays out.” With that type of mindset could John have possibly have been as effective in His ministry? Would He have ever really been confidently able to say “This is who I am… This is what I am supposed to do… THIS is where I belong!”

What would happen if, like John, we knew with all certainty,

“This is who I am… This is what I am supposed to do… THIS is where I belong!”

John’s confidence in who he was, in what God had called him to do, and the part he had to play- it changed history.

We aren’t all there yet… But, With the knowledge that He is faithful to bring to completion all the GOOD things He has started to do in us, we can be confident in who we can be in Him. No more fear, no more wavering; although we have not yet achieved it, we press on toward the goal of fulfilling all He has created us to be.

New Years resolution #1- I will believe in who He has made me to be, what he has called me to do, and I will walk in it with confidence. I will look at those around me- recognize what He has made them to be, call it forth, and affirm them in it.

 

Happy Thanksblogging!

Sometimes I spend far too much time looking at the future.

Dont get me wrong- it is great to have goals, ambitions, and the strategies necessary to work toward and achieve them. For example, for those who know me well (or don’t know me well but are exposed to my twitter ramblings) you know that I’m in the midst of what I am not-so-affectionately calling “Debt Free 2011″. You see, getting to the place where my debts are all paid has been a goal for quite some time, but I wouldn’t say I’ve ever put 100% of my effort there. Late last fall, after crunching the numbers and working with my wonderful financial advisor, I saw that If I made some slight lifestyle changes this year, and really stuck to my plan, I could be out of debt by somewhere around the end of 2011. Seeing this light at the end of the tunnel, I decided to go full force and take on this challenge. Why is it so important? I’m not a numbers person, so I never have totally got the whole impact of using credit cards- thinking about what I spent now and how much it would end up costing me if I paid back that cost plus interest. I don’t understand credit scores, APR’s, or other various terms the financial gurus throw at me. What I finally got a hold of is that in being out of debt, my adventure quotient in life would go way up! Not having to “pay the bills” was such a freeing thought- I could change my whole life around and spend my time differently if I didn’t owe anyone money, and this was an extremely attractive idea! So I embarked on the one year of cutbacks, and I have to say that so far, Debt Free 2011 is going well and the plan is in full force! When I get bummed about having to say “no” to doing some things that include spending money, I just think how wonderful 2012 will be, and I get so excited to be in that place. 2011 is a year of sewing and working and I believe that in 2012, I will reap!

Having said that, part of the way I am getting through 2011 is by setting my sights on 2012. But I got to thinking the other day, even though I’m cutting back in some areas, and Debt Free 2011 means having to say no to some things, I still have it pretty good.

Ok, I still have it REALLY good.

Thus my new intention for the remainder of 2011, something that I will call “Thanksblogging“. I’ve spent too much time focusing on what I’m missing out on, and how much better it will be in the future. With Thanksblogging, I will purposefully bring out the little things that I am blessed to have as a part of my life TODAY and make each blessing count.

So, don’t be surprised if in the future, you start to see random acts of Thanksblogging if you are a part of my social networks …and perhaps you can join me in sharing what it is that YOU are thankful for!

 

4 things I’ve learned about nonprofit marketing

I enjoyed reading What every nonprofit should know about marketing. The focus of the post is Kivi Leroux Miller’s new book, The Nonprofit Marketing Guide. The

via 4 things I’ve learned about nonprofit marketing.

 

In Pursuit of the Why

Why?

Its a question I find myself asking more often than not. I try to attribute it to my curious nature, my innate need to understand and “get to the bottom of things” or to figure people out. Its not that Im nosy… really, its not. Its more that I want to “get” it; whatever the current “it” issue/conversation/relationship/situation might be. Im driven to feel like I understand. So I dig… why… Why… WHY?

In my mind there must always be an explanation. A root cause that is just begging to be discovered.

Sometimes discovering the “why” can make you feel better, for example, all your friends ignored your texts and phone calls because they didn’t want to blow the fact they are planning a big surprise party for you! (this has never actually happened to me)

Sometimes it can make you feel worse, i.e. when you come to the conclusion that the reason why a guy doesn’t like you “in that way” is because he prefers girls who look a certain way. (no comment)
In all my questioning, digging, and pondering, Ive finally gotten down to asking my self the ultimate “why” question:
Why ask why?
Don’t get me wrong- I don’t think Im ever going to stop wanting to know, or wanting to understand,  people and situations. Its just something that is in me. But Im beginning to see that part of the drive to pursue the “why” is because there is a comfort level in doing away with the unknown and the possibility of misunderstanding. Feeling like you “know” provides a self confidence and security.

Its addictive……….. Its self assuring…………… And the need for it can make you a slave.

Pursuit of knowledge is good, but if not kept in check, it can give a false sense of independence and begin to trick your mind in to thinking your need for the Lord in certain areas is less than what it is. Even worse, it can be deceptive. How many times have I tricked myself in to thinking that I have taken something to God, when really all I have done is sat, analyzed, thought of all the possibilities, interrogated the situation, and formed my own conclusion? How many times have I become obsessed, convincing myself of my need to know, of my need to understand, and in pursuit of that knowledge ignoring what God may be trying to teach me in the situation and trampling on anyone who may get in the way of my path to discover the why? The honest answer is that, for me, this has been the case more often than I care to admit.

Twice in the last two days God has reminded me of this truth. He’s reminded me to keep my “pursuit of the why” in check.

This morning, listening to a message from a favorite Bible teacher (Priscilla Shirer) she discussed that only in the desert will we see a burning bush- to stop looking around at the details of the desert we may find ourselves in, stop concerning ourselves with it, and start looking for God to speak in to the circumstance.

A word from a trusted friend in Sunday service yesterday reminded us of the importance of being STILL and KNOWING simply that He is God. In each situation, regardless of the details (regardless of if you are or are not able to discover the why) HE IS GOD.

To be sure, the word encourages us to pursue and grow in wisdom and knowledge- in and of itself that is not a bad thing. But today, my challenge is to learn to be ok with just not knowing- maybe in some cases never knowing- and being able to rest in the knowledge that He is God even if sometimes I cant catch the elusive “why”. When the why’s are unclear and seem undiscoverable, can I accept that? Can I train myself to be still in the situation- not distracted by the details of it or the lack of answers- but captivated by the one who is the source of all knowledge?

Its interesting that the Bible says that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). I need to remind myself that true wisdom doesn’t come with sitting and thinking, analyzing, researching, or dissecting. Its not found in simply just pursuing the why. Its found in the pursuit of HIM.