So my grandmother arrived today. I asked her how she came to know the Lord, and she gave this interesting story. So anyways, back many years when it came time for her and grandpa to decide on a religion to follow, they weighed each religion and decided to become Methodists (I think). They did not become Buddhists because the religion required way too much investment in food offerings and the practice of burning money was not financially prudent. If they joined the Roman Catholic church, they would have to buy candles and that was too hasslesome. They decided that following the Christian religion (Disclaimer: Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity) was the most practical thing to do. It required no offerings of food, burning of money, or buying of candles. So after talking with a family friend they decided to follow this Jesus character.
I think this story highlights two points. The first is that Christianity is completely based on grace. We are given the free gift of God. We need not do anything in order to receive salvation. The second point highlights the fact that many times we look for religions that do not demand radical transformations. I definitely think my grandmother has changed, but what we do not realize sometimes is that when we are drawn to Christ, we give up all possessions and we offer all of our lives to God. I'm looking forward to interacting with her for the remainder of the week.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Suffering and Hope
"I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."
Tony Campolo makes a great point. I mean how often do I realize the injustices that go on in this world? When do I ever broaden my perspective to outside my life? I've been really convicted over the past semester of God's call to social justice, to be ambassadors for God's redemption of his creation. I've not only realized that I am lacking in that aspect, I also do not really know where to begin. Sometimes, looking at this world, I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of pain, brokenness, and injustice. Where is God in the midst of all of this? What kind of God would ever inflict such pain to his loved ones. I think that it is easy for me to say that God has a purpose for this considering the fact that I am not the one experiencing the ache and the heartbreak, considering the fact that I am sitting here comfortably blogging about heinous evil in the world. Many times, I get depressed thinking about the seemingly endless amount of pain and the persistence of injustice in the world.
I'm reminded of Luke 13:1-20.
"There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2And he answered them,"Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
From this passage, I think we can draw some points, the first point being many times bad things happen not due to the reason that one person's sins are more than someone else's. There is a deeper reason for the calamities that occur. We must understand that sin is the cause of such evil in the world, however, someone being "more" sinful does not bring more catastrophe on the person. If anything, our sin leads to the pain of those around us. The nature of sin is one of the benefit of the self and the neglect of others. I did not realize this for a long time, but the products we buy to benefit ourselves can result from the abuse of workers in another country. We, as Christ's followers given the benefit of growing up with power, money, and influence have the blessing and added burden of being God's instrument for social restoration. We are not the oppressed, we are the oppressors. We are not the poor nor naked, we are the ones who hoard the resources to ourselves. While everyone is on the receiving end of God's proclamation of spiritual restoration. We are on the giving end of God's glorious plan of social-economical restoration. Ultimately, God is the final judge of the occurrences of this world. God uses the calamities in the news to remind us of the fallenness of this world, of our desperate need for God, of our desperate need for repentance. In the fig tree illustration Jesus gives afterward, he illustrates God's mercy in holding off complete judgement to allow an opportunity for repentance. However, the story does not end there. Continuing on:
"Woman, you are freed from your disability." 13And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 14But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day." 15Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?" 17As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him."
While the people were hung up on the fact that a lot of calamity was occurring in the world, they completely missed a miraculous demonstration of God's healing power. I think many times, I become so easily blinded by the brokenness of this world and do not catch the glimpse of God's healing power.
"18He said therefore,"What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches."
From this passage, we begin to understand the inner-workings of human nature and God's kingdom. Our attentions are so easily captured by the sudden and spectacular demonstrations of calamity, while we are blinded to the subtle, continuous work of God's healing hand. I mean this woman was crippled for 18 years and on that sabbath, God healed her! How long are we willing to wait for God to work in our lives? Our eyes and emotions are tuned into tragedy, while our spirits need to be tuned into the slow, but lasting work of God's kingdom. At first, God's light may seem as small and insignificant as a mustard seed. But eventually, the seed becomes a huge tree! Abraham glimpsed the coming of the Messiah, but he never saw the full implications of God's covenant in his lifetime. Are we willing to wait a lifetime, or more than a lifetime for the manifestation of God's kingdom through our lives? God works through generations. While the pain and brokenness of this world cannot be ignored, for tragedy reminds us of our depravity and our need for Christ. Tragedy reminds us that God's work is not done yet. Let us not be blinded nor ensnared by the hopelessness of suffering. We live on the hope that while suffering is immense now, suffering will eventually fade away as the everlasting light of Christ grows brighter and brighter with each passing day. Look into the midst of the brokenness of the world and even our lives and see the glowing hope of God's healing power. Lord, open up our eyes to see you in jubilation and despair.
Tony Campolo makes a great point. I mean how often do I realize the injustices that go on in this world? When do I ever broaden my perspective to outside my life? I've been really convicted over the past semester of God's call to social justice, to be ambassadors for God's redemption of his creation. I've not only realized that I am lacking in that aspect, I also do not really know where to begin. Sometimes, looking at this world, I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of pain, brokenness, and injustice. Where is God in the midst of all of this? What kind of God would ever inflict such pain to his loved ones. I think that it is easy for me to say that God has a purpose for this considering the fact that I am not the one experiencing the ache and the heartbreak, considering the fact that I am sitting here comfortably blogging about heinous evil in the world. Many times, I get depressed thinking about the seemingly endless amount of pain and the persistence of injustice in the world.
I'm reminded of Luke 13:1-20.
"There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2And he answered them,
From this passage, I think we can draw some points, the first point being many times bad things happen not due to the reason that one person's sins are more than someone else's. There is a deeper reason for the calamities that occur. We must understand that sin is the cause of such evil in the world, however, someone being "more" sinful does not bring more catastrophe on the person. If anything, our sin leads to the pain of those around us. The nature of sin is one of the benefit of the self and the neglect of others. I did not realize this for a long time, but the products we buy to benefit ourselves can result from the abuse of workers in another country. We, as Christ's followers given the benefit of growing up with power, money, and influence have the blessing and added burden of being God's instrument for social restoration. We are not the oppressed, we are the oppressors. We are not the poor nor naked, we are the ones who hoard the resources to ourselves. While everyone is on the receiving end of God's proclamation of spiritual restoration. We are on the giving end of God's glorious plan of social-economical restoration. Ultimately, God is the final judge of the occurrences of this world. God uses the calamities in the news to remind us of the fallenness of this world, of our desperate need for God, of our desperate need for repentance. In the fig tree illustration Jesus gives afterward, he illustrates God's mercy in holding off complete judgement to allow an opportunity for repentance. However, the story does not end there. Continuing on:
While the people were hung up on the fact that a lot of calamity was occurring in the world, they completely missed a miraculous demonstration of God's healing power. I think many times, I become so easily blinded by the brokenness of this world and do not catch the glimpse of God's healing power.
"18He said therefore,
From this passage, we begin to understand the inner-workings of human nature and God's kingdom. Our attentions are so easily captured by the sudden and spectacular demonstrations of calamity, while we are blinded to the subtle, continuous work of God's healing hand. I mean this woman was crippled for 18 years and on that sabbath, God healed her! How long are we willing to wait for God to work in our lives? Our eyes and emotions are tuned into tragedy, while our spirits need to be tuned into the slow, but lasting work of God's kingdom. At first, God's light may seem as small and insignificant as a mustard seed. But eventually, the seed becomes a huge tree! Abraham glimpsed the coming of the Messiah, but he never saw the full implications of God's covenant in his lifetime. Are we willing to wait a lifetime, or more than a lifetime for the manifestation of God's kingdom through our lives? God works through generations. While the pain and brokenness of this world cannot be ignored, for tragedy reminds us of our depravity and our need for Christ. Tragedy reminds us that God's work is not done yet. Let us not be blinded nor ensnared by the hopelessness of suffering. We live on the hope that while suffering is immense now, suffering will eventually fade away as the everlasting light of Christ grows brighter and brighter with each passing day. Look into the midst of the brokenness of the world and even our lives and see the glowing hope of God's healing power. Lord, open up our eyes to see you in jubilation and despair.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Culture of Christianity
I know the Christian lingo. I know the rights words to say, the right feelings to have, and the right arguments to make. However, no matter how much I look like a Christian, I'm not necessarily a follower of Christ. There is a certain struggle people have when they grow up in the church. A Christian sub-culture becomes ingrained inside their brain. Jesus slowly becomes the answer to every signal question there is about life. In many ways, our minds become numb to think critically about, not only what we believe, but the nature of our very beings. We fall into the hypnotic drum of Christianity rather than experiencing the full vitality of Christ. I would say that in many ways, my life is a 'Christian life'. I have more Bibles than I can count on my finger. Sunday bulletins are scattered all over my room. I listen to Christian music on my computer. I carry around a freakin' copy of My Utmost... for goodness sake. By all standards, I am all too familiar with the Christian culture. Do I reflect the culture of Christ? Do I represent Christianity or Christ?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Who is the next emcee?
There has been a lot of presumption as to who is going to be the new Area Coordinator or the new emcee. Come on. Let's not fall into presumption. First, I do not think presumption is fair for the people involved. Think about what kind of expectations we are placing on the people we are talking about. Presumption requires that we make judgement calls which are not ours to make. Ultimately, only God has a clear and right idea as to who he wants to be the next person in that role. And ultimately, the trust of deciding has been placed on the selection committee. We place character judgements on the person we believe is going to be in that position and we place character judgements on those we do not think will enter into that position. Selection into such a highly visible and influential role leaves a lot of leeway for pride. When we jokingly and seriously argue about who we think should be next in line, how seemingly arrogant are we for talking about something which is not in our hands. And what kind of doorway are we opening for Satan? Let's say our expectations are not met. Will we be less satisfied and will the person be less qualified?
The root of selection, I believe, is not who is the most 'able' or 'qualified' in worldly terms. I believe that selection falls into two main questions: 1) How can people grow through their new roles? and 2) How can the person grow in their new roles? Leadership selection is about leadership development. Ultimately, Intervarsity is about developing students in their walks with God and not developing Intervarsity as a trendy brand name. How can we, as a body of students, grow as God's children and how can we help the campus grow closer to God. Let us soberly pray for the next generation of leaders. That they would seek justice, love mercy, and walk even more humbly with God than this generation. Let's keep our presumptions in check and soberly look at the vision behind selection. Moving to upper leadership is not a promotion. In fact, I think in many ways it is a step into deeper servanthood. Upper leaders are given the burden of shepherding even more people. Their added influence demands a higher responsibility of integrity and, in many ways, requires him/her to carry a burden that many others have not carried before.
From my experiences as an emcee, I've realized that being in such a role can be very stretching. People think you are somehow more godly, righteous, and all-together than most others. The fact of the matter is that I'm just as - if not more - sinful than everyone else. There is a lot of pressure when you are forced to live up to the expectations others place on you. In many ways, such accountability is a good driving force. In more ways, my pride sets me up so easily for spiritual breakdown. Through two semesters, I've realised that being emcee is more than going up on Friday nights or being funny. God does not care about any of those things. In my opinion, emceeing and being part of the CET for Intervasriy requires - in no particular order:
1) Humility
An understanding that God makes things succeed and fail. A realization that if the evening goes well, we give all glory to God, and if the evening goes bad, we still give him glory. A tough and hard surrendering (I'm still working on this) of pride and vanity.
2) Desire for God
I've come to realize that through this processes, God has been asking me to desire God more during the week and during my daily walk with God. How am I seeking God through prayer, his Word, and through intentional steps of faith.
3) Desire for others to come to God
I've also come to understand that the objective of LG is not for entertainment. But the ultimate goal is for others to be changed and transformed by God through worship, prayer, the Word, and community.
4) Desperate reliance on Christ
From my time as emcee, I've come to realize that this campus and my life are filled with the desperate longing for healing and restoration with God. I can feel the brokenness of this campus. However, I ache when I realize how some people do not even see the outstretched arms of Christ. One of the purposes of LG is to open people's heart to embrace the healing work of Christ in their lives and to prompt people to become ambassadors of reconciliation.
5) Thankfulness
Every LG is a privilege. We are allowed to sit at the feet of Christ, to worship the LORD for who he is, to embrace his grace, and to continue to experience the sanctification of Jesus in our sinful, fallen lives.
The root of selection, I believe, is not who is the most 'able' or 'qualified' in worldly terms. I believe that selection falls into two main questions: 1) How can people grow through their new roles? and 2) How can the person grow in their new roles? Leadership selection is about leadership development. Ultimately, Intervarsity is about developing students in their walks with God and not developing Intervarsity as a trendy brand name. How can we, as a body of students, grow as God's children and how can we help the campus grow closer to God. Let us soberly pray for the next generation of leaders. That they would seek justice, love mercy, and walk even more humbly with God than this generation. Let's keep our presumptions in check and soberly look at the vision behind selection. Moving to upper leadership is not a promotion. In fact, I think in many ways it is a step into deeper servanthood. Upper leaders are given the burden of shepherding even more people. Their added influence demands a higher responsibility of integrity and, in many ways, requires him/her to carry a burden that many others have not carried before.
From my experiences as an emcee, I've realized that being in such a role can be very stretching. People think you are somehow more godly, righteous, and all-together than most others. The fact of the matter is that I'm just as - if not more - sinful than everyone else. There is a lot of pressure when you are forced to live up to the expectations others place on you. In many ways, such accountability is a good driving force. In more ways, my pride sets me up so easily for spiritual breakdown. Through two semesters, I've realised that being emcee is more than going up on Friday nights or being funny. God does not care about any of those things. In my opinion, emceeing and being part of the CET for Intervasriy requires - in no particular order:
1) Humility
An understanding that God makes things succeed and fail. A realization that if the evening goes well, we give all glory to God, and if the evening goes bad, we still give him glory. A tough and hard surrendering (I'm still working on this) of pride and vanity.
2) Desire for God
I've come to realize that through this processes, God has been asking me to desire God more during the week and during my daily walk with God. How am I seeking God through prayer, his Word, and through intentional steps of faith.
3) Desire for others to come to God
I've also come to understand that the objective of LG is not for entertainment. But the ultimate goal is for others to be changed and transformed by God through worship, prayer, the Word, and community.
4) Desperate reliance on Christ
From my time as emcee, I've come to realize that this campus and my life are filled with the desperate longing for healing and restoration with God. I can feel the brokenness of this campus. However, I ache when I realize how some people do not even see the outstretched arms of Christ. One of the purposes of LG is to open people's heart to embrace the healing work of Christ in their lives and to prompt people to become ambassadors of reconciliation.
5) Thankfulness
Every LG is a privilege. We are allowed to sit at the feet of Christ, to worship the LORD for who he is, to embrace his grace, and to continue to experience the sanctification of Jesus in our sinful, fallen lives.
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