Pursuit of the Spectacular

Today I was reading "In the Name of Jesus" by Henri Nouwen-a recommended to all by the way! He was talking about how our society pushes individuals to be great, to pursue the spectacular and that anything less isn't good enough or individuals are somehow less than those who are spectacular. To be honest, I struggle with this because I too want to be and do things that are spectacular. I even disguise my desire with Christian words on how I want to do great things for God; and I want to see thousands come to know Christ through my preaching; and if I spoke at conferences I could reach more people. All in the name of doing spectacular things for God.

The temptation, Nouwen states, is equated to an individualistic approach to ministry. Christ himself was also tempted with this same idealogy from the devil while in the desert. In Matthew 4:6, the devil tempts Jesus to "do something spectacular, something that could win Him great applause from the people." (italics added) But Jesus didn't need great applause from the people, He didn't need to be spectacular, He didn't come to prove to the world He had something to say. The temptation to be spectacular is just that, a temptation. Christ responded with "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (Matt. 4:7)

How do you respond when the temptation to be spectacular arises? How do you deal with the cultural pressure to be great and pursuit of the spectacular?

Henri Nouwen "In the Name of Jesus"
Matthew 4-Temptations of Jesus

Identity Rolercoaster

I am intrigued at how one's identity (including myself) is so tied to the actions and performance of one's life. I see my significance and value a lot of times based how "good" I perform; whether it be in ministry, athletically or social interaction. If I can live a "good" life and more importantly others perceive that I am living a "good" life then I feel good about myself.

This view is SO tainted and the ups and downs of emotions and thoughts is too difficult to bare. If you are a "doer" as I am and tend to take your value and significance based on what you accomplish and who you are is tied to those accomplishments. I want to challenge you with how the Father views you-how He loves you unconditionally regardless of what you do, good or bad. The Father's love never changes based on your actions and when our identity is fixed in Christ that frees us up to live for the Father in the love and grace He has provided.

How have you tied your value and significance to your performance? Do you take your self worth from how you live your life?

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

One is NOT enough...

Yesterday I woke up and got ready for the day only to discover, via my wife, that our pipes in the basement were clogged and in need of clearing. So I grabbed my 'snake' and started to work to clear the clog. Well, things were going good until I couldn't put the 'snake' out of the pipes-it was stuck and I pulled and pulled but to no avail!!! I needed help...

In that moment it got me thinking about our walks with Jesus...how often do we try and navigate through the 'pipes' of life to only got stuck and no matter how hard we try we can never get free-stuck solid.

Just like I needed help with my plumbing-even if it was just word of encouragement and support-we all need help from others around us in our spiritual lives. You see, we have been created to live our lives with others; NOT in isolation. It is within community where we grow, strive and flourish-without others around us we get stuck with life's little situations and there is no one to help us out or celebrate in times of joy and success!

Have you ever been 'stuck' in a situation and there was a friend to help you out? Have you ever refused help to break free on your own?

Here's to living life with others and walking through the good, bad and clogged up pipes together!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Ever wake up tired...

It is funny how sometimes from a long night's rest you still wake up tired. Not always sure why but for whatever reason you still feel like you need to go back to bed. You sit there and wonder..."I just got a ton of sleep, but I could use some more." I feel like that sometimes with ministry, no matter what has been going on or what God has been doing through the ministry or how God has been using me to experience His kingdom on earth. I just feel exhausted and want to crawl back up to bed and hope for the morning to come again soon. I say to myself, "Jonathan, you should be okay, you haven't done that much to make you tired." Yet I am...

Just now I am thinking about motivation and how it plays an impact on how you feel and the desire to wake up and push through the thick fog of morning...Where's my coffee, back to work!