Knowing My 'Place'

"Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives.  And don't even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father.  I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham's children from these stones."  Luke 3:8 (CEB)

No doubt, John's version of 'show me the money.'  John is talking with the crowds ('you children of snakes'), not the Pharisees or scribes or other religious leaders (the snakes).  As quickly as he tells them to make their lives match their words, he shreds their primary excuse, the one they use when they just don't get around to doing/being Godly.  But, I'm with Abraham; I'm under the promise.  John isn't dissing Abraham, just pointing out that it's not who you know but who lives in you that matters.  What difference does it make that you're a child of Abraham, or of Lynn and Becky Leatherwood for that matter?  What difference does it make whose leadership you sit under or what church you attend?  Their faith - whoever 'they' is - is their faith.  You only have responsibility and benefit from your own.  No way around it.

Which leads me to the most troubling part of this verse.  Troubling only because I confess, I'd like to find the shortcut, the easy way around, the formula for success and ease ... but there is none.  John makes it clear that the baptism he preached and offered was about desire for a new beginning, a desire to be forgiven and set right (or, righteous) before God.  And that desire will be evidenced by the kind of fruit that grows from a changed heart and life.  Sounds great, but see, here's the problem ... I don't have it in me (and you don't have it in you) to produce that kind of fruit.  I've got the desire down pat.  But, the only thing I can do to show that kind of fruit is to let God's Spirit grow it in me. 

Why am I powerless to produce that kind of fruit?

• I want to do Godly stuff, I want to "be" good, but the very things I say I'm not gonna do anymore ... that's the stuff I do and the stuff I intend to do, the stuff I WANT to do, I don't. (the Sandra translation of Romans 7:14-15)
• The natural consequences (read: fruit) of living as a human being are ugly because on my own I'm selfish. (Galatians 5:16) But, the 'fruit' of the Spirit (read: Spirit living in me and producing in me) is beautiful:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

I have hope; you have hope if you'll grab hold of it!  It is possible for the kind of fruit John calls for to be borne in us ...  It's all in knowing what our place is, what our job is, and surrendering to God, allowing God to do His part.  In Jesus' parable of the farmer who sowed seed, he leaves little, if any, room for us to misinterpret the lesson:  we are the soil. (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8) My role in fruit-production is simple - to receive the seed.  I'm not responsible for the sunshine or the rain, how the seed was sown or managing what it will become.  I am only responsible for yielding myself to what God plants in me, giving what I can. and staying out of the way so that He can grow it.

I want badly to produce the kind of fruit that pleases God and brings glory to Him ... fruit that's beautiful to look at and delicious (read: nourishing).  Can't do it on my own no matter how hard I try.  But, God can and will do it in me, for me if I'll let Him. 

Creator God, all your works are beautiful, glorious to behold, and beneficial to your people.  Make me fruitful, not for my own satisfaction and certainly not for my pride (not for decoration), but that the evidence of the transformation you are working in me will be an encouraging sign to others.  May the fruit produced in me be nourishing to us all.  Amen.

Listening, Loving, and Learning

"After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them."  Luke 2:46 (CEB)

He was 12. And Mary and Joseph were desperate to find their son. Relieved to see him safe but surprised to see him like this.  They assumed him to be among the community/family traveling to and from Jerusalem for Passover; they find him instead smack dab in the middle of a surprising community.  Surprising because he's 12 ... and they were not.  This is the only experience we have a glimpse of from Jesus' adolescence and, in my opinion, it is our first "sighting" of that glorious authority that disrupts, changes, heals, and brings life.

This is what I see as I look on that surprising expression of community.  I notice that Jesus was not teaching, at least not in the ways that cause our suspicion; he wasn't lecturing, lining people out, or preaching at folks.  He was listening, asking questions, and, no doubt, watching.  At 12 years of age, the Son of God was engaging those with more education, more experience in the 'church,' more experience in the role of teacher, and more respect from those around the circle, so to speak.  I have no difficulty in assuming that Jesus was engaged in the community and absorbed in the exchange; he'd been present with them for 3 days!  Why stick it out if you're not engaged?!

The more amazing picture my imagination paints is this one:  an almost-grown Jesus listening, learning, and teaching in his own way over-against a picture of a 30-something Jesus challenging the Teachers, in general, because of their misunderstanding and misappropriation of the truth.  It may look as if Jesus' authority was exercised only in that second picture, but I believe there was - and is - a beautiful reality of power and authority in that quiet exchange that was rooted in listening and asking questions.

Makes me consider my own experiences of community and how I participate in those communities.  How much listening and watching and asking questions do I do in order to learn more or to invite others to find their rightful place in the community?  Or, am I more concerned with getting my point across, defending my position, presenting a winning argument?  Am I attentive to recognize and receive the Truth no matter who speaks it?  Or, can I recognize that being in the room is not the same as being in the community gathered in the room?

Jesus, My Lord, I am very aware that your example of being in relationship with others, especially being in community with others, is often different than my own.  I long to be more comfortable with asking questions, truly listening, and trusting what I observe around me instead of holding my breath until my contribution is welcomed and received.  I commit myself to be concerned first with welcoming and receiving you as you present yourself through others and the gift of community.  Let it be so.

How long, God?

Bishop Bill McAlilly has challenged those of us in the Nashville Area of the United Methodist Church to give ourselves to the daily reading of Scripture as a united body.  Bishop Ken Carter, resident Bishop of the Florida Conference, has suggested reading Luke and Acts, tackling one chapter each week of the year. I've taken on that challenge and encourage you to join me.  What's more, I'm taking on the frightening task - one I choose for myself - of sharing my thoughts in this form. I hope that you will not only join us in engaging the scriptures through Luke's window, but that you will share - here or otherwise - your own discoveries. Starting a week behind, here goes ...

"[Anna] was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day.  She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."  Luke 2:37-38 (CEB)

Except for seven years of her "adult" life, Anna had been right there. In that sanctuary.  Constantly before God, offering her worship, intervening for God's people, and listening.  Waiting.  I often get frustrated in a matter of minutes when things don't happen the way I expect, want, or hope.  But, 60-70 years?!  Now, that's an example of faith and servanthood we would all do well to follow.  

In the face of Anna's faithful commitment, I find myself staring at two questions.  First, for what of God's promised revelation am I waiting?  I am waiting for God to fix this world ... who am I kidding, I'm waiting for God to fix the Church! But, focusing on (read: obsessing over, wringing hands about) what's wrong is not the Anna way.  No, I think  Anna would be watching the horizon and the far corners of that familiar sanctuary for God to show up.  Because that's what God promised to do.

Leaves me with that second question.  How will I wait for God's promises to be  realized? Anna waited with patience and confident hope.  She could wait unwaveringly because she stayed in constant contact with God.  C'mon, really... How long do you wait before you begin to wonder if you got it wrong, that God didn't mean it, or before you try to hurry the revelation along?  

These days can be challenging enough, O God, but I often make it more difficult still by the way I wait on you.  Forgive me for those times I second-guess your attention, your timing, even your intention. Teach me trust you the way Anna did and be content to simply give myself over you in every moment, waiting on you with unwaivering trust and hope. I want to know the same glorious celebration you allowed Anna to know, even after all those years!  Let it be,God. Amen.