Turning the Mirror Out

If mothering has taught me anything--and it has taught me plenty--I see firsthand how life isn't about me. Despite our cultural standard, our lives should be consumed with sacrifice, dedication, service. Christ didn't nod at his followers and pose comfort as our goal. In the ESV study Bible, the commentary on Galatians 6:2 ("Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ") states our purpose this way: "To 'bear one another's burdens is the supreme imitation of Jesus, the ultimate burden-bearer (Rom. 15:1-3). He has gone to the length of taking mankind's sin [our ultimate burden] and the curse of the law upon himself."

Crawling outside our own comfort-zones, desires, and yes, even our own misery allows us to partake in something Divine. We are saying to those we serve, "It's not just me that matters, but you. You are valuable.You are worth it." And in that assistance, we mirror the humble and kind ministration of our Savior. Philip Yancey says that "the very process of responding to the needy can give a new meaning to life" (The Question That Never Goes Away 53). We find our hope, joy, and purpose in serving as Christ served...even to the point of death--though few will have to encounter that extreme sacrifice. 

Choose to be counter-cultural; choose to be more Christ-cultural in your relationships.

1. Instead of saying, "Look at this; look at me!" say, "Look at you. Look at what He did in you." 
Be a voice of encouragement and hope. Find something to praise in someone and speak it over them.


2. Instead of saying, "So, this is what I want to do. This is what my life looks like," say, "What are your dreams/goals for the future? What are you working toward right now? What is God revealing to you?"
Taking time to ask heart-felt questions and truly listen to the answers.  Asking and listening will acquire more meaningful relationships than you've ever imagined. 


3. Instead of complaining about the obstacles in your life, find someone whose situation is raw and painful. Look for their needs and do what you can to meet them. Taking meals to new moms, mowing lawns for the elderly, taking groceries to the poor should be done without any expectation of reciprocity. We aren't doing it to network or earn a name for ourselves. We are doing it for them, for Christ, and for the honor of imitating our Lord. 


Romans 12:13
When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Hebrews 13:16 

    And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

Every Day...A Choice...This Over This

Tuesday I wake up crippled by the burden of doubt. I am literally dis-couraged out of facing the reality of my life. What's the point? What is this? What does it matter? Am I even making a dent? Do these sacrifices make a difference? Am I really sacrificing what you want me to, God? I need more prayer covering today; my spirit is feeling bombarded by lies. By the afternoon, His truth is reigning again. And I'm asking, "What now?"

Wednesday I face the day more hopeful; despite the questions and fatigue, He is still ever near...ever present. Bible study time opens up new emotions and refreshing reminders: He chooses me and His love doesn't change or fade. He loves me (such simple words we'll never fully grasp--but oh, if we could!) When I have Him, I have everything. And when I have everything, I am not afraid to give up everything.

Matt Redman - All That Really Matters

LET OUR LIVES BECOME A SONG FOR YOU
Like a prayer that reaches high
The glory of Your name our greatest cause

Let our lives become an offering
Ever pleasing to Your heart
The glory of Your name our highest call

All that really matters
All that really counts is found in You
What else would we live for?
You're the Way, the Life, the Truth
All that really matters is You

Let our lives become a light for You
Like a city on a hill
We'll glorify Your name forevermore, Lord

King of glory, be the center
King of glory, You'll be the prize
We shall have no other treasure
All that counts is You lifted high

All that matters, all that really matters is You
All that matters, all that really matters is You

 

The 2013 Hillary Swank movie, Mary and Martha* (incidentally having nothing to do with the biblical characters), happens to be my evening "unwind" choice. I don't normally go to movies that much anymore, but reading after the day I've had feels too heavy an activity. I need to unravel--not weave in more thoughts.  Well, my choice--unbeknownst to me--would prove to have the opposite effect. Heart breaking over the burden of this world's pain, I am weeping before the movie is half over. At one point, Mary (Hillary Swank's character) says, "We spend so much time obsessed or angry over things that don't matter." Yes, do I ever. Forgive me, Lord; I do.

Is this what it means to live with meaning, Lord? My heart breaking over what hurts you? My heart aching for the pain of loss? I want to make a difference. I want to shine your light into the darkness...the hopelessness.

This pain that penetrates the soul never leaves us inactive. Such comprehension can't. We react; we respond. We say, "Now what? What can I do?"

My husband prays over us, asks God to grant us ever-revealing perspective... And the tears keep coming; I can't stop them.

For how do we lie down to sleep on our Postur-Pedic mattress in our air-conditioned home with our children snuggled away under the hush of sound machines and Disney nightlights and say, "this is it"?
How do we spend more on one meal than a family in Haiti will spend in a month?
How do we justify $2000 playsets and upgraded phones and new furniture or a fall wardrobe when last year's are still in good condition? I'd like to buy a nicer kitchen faucet and replace my carpet.

How can we worry about the material aesthetics over the essential needs of others?

How do we look at the hunger, the desperate condition in which our fellow human beings barely exist, and say, I choose to pay for a manicure over the physical and soul needs of a child dying? Where an estimated 600,000 children die each year from malaria (one precious child every 30 seconds)! Can we even imagine?

How do we say "this over this"? My wants over your needs.


How do I?

Perspective.
Pride.
Power.

We think too highly of ourselves and our existence here. I am not the reason I'm here. God is the reason I'm here and my life is His--always and forever. And I don't want to forget that. To forget is to waste the greatest opportunity we're afforded.  When I allow my heart to be moved closer to His, I want to press in; in humility and service to we draw ever near to our Creator and Savior--the most fulfilling and peaceful place we'll be.

My daughter finishes the movie with me and she asks questions. I answer truthfully. The reality still shakes me to tears--may it never not. We get on Compassion's website and compare and read and we talk about it all.  Why wait? For what? Until I change my mind? Until another child dies? Until I forget and start coasting again?

I ask my daughter to count the money she's been saving up to give away. It's a random $37 and some change. I tell her what I want to give today and she gives me a number and then looks down and smiles with reservation and asks to increase it a little more. I let her type in the number amount (if I'm being purely honest...it's a lot of money for our means). When she walks away, I start to round the number down, but I feel a prick (is that $30 of so important? Do I really need it? No.) I look at the arbitrary number. She decision doesn't make much sense to me, and then I realize that the amount she typed in is exactly what it will cost to send mosquito nets, medicine and supplies for 10 people.

I am moved by the influence of one child to give. Does she understand the "value of a dollar"? Not really. But she's willing to sell toys and clothes. She's painted pictures to raise money for wells in Africa. She's donated some of her favorite stuffed animals. She's given up more than half a bag of Oreos she earned, just because she wanted to (and for a six-year-old who never gets them, that's big). :)    She may not understand the value of a dollar, but she grasps the value of giving.

Can we save every child? Of course not. But we can perhaps help save one...or two...or ten, bringing hope into their lives, sharing the love of Jesus with them. And for that, isn't it worth it?

[Disclaimer]: You get the unscripted blog processing today.When I started writing, I didn't set out to talk about malaria, or any other specific soapbox. I just see so many world needs and this one is moving me today. Whatever moves you to act, be exhorted to do so. God has given you a heart for that need, so be obedient to that tug. If your ache is a world-issue, trust organizations like Compassion International and Samaritan's Purse. They spend their money wisely and they always attach it to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.




*Available for free on Amazon Prime (free trial month available). one word of caution: there is some language in the film.