The Right Fire

I heard a sermon recently about Peter's denial of Christ.  After Jesus was arrested, Peter followed to the high priest's house.  In the courtyard soldiers and servants were warming themselves around a fire.  The speaker pointed out that many times in life we find ourselves shivering in the cold and we chose to warm ourselves by the world's fire.  Surrounded by unbelievers and enjoying their lifestyle, it is easy to deny Christ.

I thought about Peter, scared in the cold.  I can relate to that.  I don't like being uncomfortable.  I don't like being scared or alone.  I tend to run from pain of any kind.  It might be harsh words, disapproval, or even lack of sleep.  Any discomfort will send me looking for a warm fire to soothe my spirit.  Maybe it's human nature or just my own neurosis, but I would much rather hide than face a painful situation.

The problem is that I sometimes choose to warm myself at the world's fire.  I turn to food or television or even sleep to escape uncomfortable feelings.  I self-medicate instead of tuning to the healer of my soul.

Peter was reinstated by Jesus after the resurrection.  Interestingly enough, this also happened by a warm fire.  This fire was built by Jesus to cook food for his disciples.  Jesus welcomed them to a meal and they warmed in His presence. 

We were not made to huddle with the world and share their coping strategies.  We were destined to cling to Christ and be warmed by his love. 

Don't Gripe about the Manna

I've been reading about the Israelites' journey out of Egypt.  At one point God says that He could have led them straight to Canaan but it would mean fighting with other tribes and they were not ready.  Instead He took them on a longer, safer route - through the desert. 

I'm not sure the Israelites knew about plan A and plan B.  They just saw the barren desert.  They missed their homes and their perceived comforts in Egypt.  (But, how comfortable could slavery be?)  Still they were not sure this is what they had envisioned God's deliverance would look like.  So, they grumbled.

They also grumbled about the menu.  God miraculously fed them in the desert but they missed the luscious meals in Egypt.  (Again I think there was a little memory modification going on here.)  So, they grumbled.

It's easy to criticize the Israelites.  They saw miracle after miracle and yet were so quick to be ungrateful.  However, I have to admit.  I'm not so good at being thankful for what I have either at times.  I look at my daily problems that seem so large.  I don't see the other paths God kept me from taking that were so much more dangerous or trial-ridden.  I look at what others have and get caught up in the comparison game instead of reveling in God's provision in my life.  I look at the cross I'm asked to carry and moan about my lot in life not realizing that so many others have greater burdens and God's grace is sufficient for all of us.

Sometimes I have to remind myself to quit griping about the manna, to look at Jesus instead of the stormy waves, and to trust that Almighty God is watching over every aspect of my life.

What's That to You?

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”
21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”  - John 21:20-23

I've been told that comparison is the enemy of peace.

In the above scripture Peter, who has just been reinstated as a disciple after denying Christ three times, gets side-tracked by his competition with John. Jesus has told him about his mission of leadership but Peter wants to know what John's job is going to be.

Jesus' response is to tell Peter that it is none of his business. His focus is to be on following Christ.

Sometimes lessons that make sense in the Bible are much messier in my life. As a compulsive overrater there are many foods I have to avoid. Eating them sets me up for craving and binges. Sometimes watching other people eating my trigger foods bothers me. I start thinking how unfair it is that those people can eat whatever they want. Then Jesus reminds me that my food plan is part of my spiritual life and what other people eat is none of my business. My calling is to follow Him.

Learning to Play

I went to a workshop/spiritual retreat this weekend. One of the topics was self care. Just about everyone I talked to admitted that this was a neglected area in their lives. (Most of the participants were ministers or involved in ministry. These are caretakers who neglect themselves.)

On the way out of the hotel this morning I saw this:

It brought back memories of childhood. I loved those swings made for two kids to face each other. You could laugh and smile as you felt the breeze together. They were even fun alone. I was a gawky, uncoordinated child, but on that swing I felt alive.

Seeing this adult-size version called to me. However, it was covered with dew and we were getting ready to leave. It seems like we can always find a reason not to play. Today I decided to go against the flow and listen to my inner child. I wiped off the dew and tried it out. The breeze was great and the swaying motion was just as I remember it. For a few minutes I was free.

Today- go find your own 'swing' and relearn how to play.