When Faith Doesn’t Come Easy

What’s your COVID-19 dilemna?  The sticky, tricky situations and choices we’re facing right now are on a whole new level!

Today’s red letter passage deals with disciples who were faced with the dilemna of whether to still follow Jesus after he appeared to cross the line.

Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you? Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (John 6:61-64)

Literally, the Greek word used here for “offend” means, “to put a snare (in the way), to cause to stumble, to give offense.” It’s very much the idea of a trap.

Isn’t it interesting that the teaching Jesus gave to help his disciples could also be a trap for them?  It reminds me of how he spoke in parables.  When his disciples asked why he gave them stories, instead of speaking clearly, Jesus said, so that his hearers would be, “ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.”  (Mark 4:12)

I think that if I were Jesus, I would have made it as easy as possible to understand, so that everyone could have a better chance of being saved.  But he didn’t do this.  I believe he wanted to see who would take the hard way, where faith doesn’t come easy and you have to work to have it.

So, by the very use of the word “offend,” it was like Jesus saw that his teaching could be a rock in the path of his followers.  They could stumble over it, and be deterred by it.  That would be the easy response.  Or they could stretch their faith to continue going in spite of the rock.  That would be much more difficult.

You know, the COVID-19 virus is putting us in situations where our faith is truly stretched.  I have a lumpectomy surgery that I’ve been trying to schedule.  Do I find a way to get it done, and trust that God will take care of me in the germ filled hospital, or do I trust in God and wait longer?  I have a client who got a wonderful new job, but then was canned before she started because of a hiring freeze. How does she keep from getting discouraged?  I have a friend who just made the decision to take a leave from her medical center job because she’s worried about the risk, but now she has lower income, and could even lose her job.  I have another friend whose husband needs to take the alternative medication that they’re using to treat COVID-19, and she couldn’t find it at any pharmacy except one.  How do these friends avoid anxiety?

Does Jesus allow us to be in these situations, just as he allowed his followers to hear the hard teaching, to see if we will take the hard way and work at having faith? I’m not trying to navigate the slippery slope of why God would allow a pandemic.  That’s way above my pay grade.

I just know that I want to live by faith.  Last night, I was doing some thinking when I was awake in the middle of the night, and I realized that living by faith is what’s most important to me, and I haven’t really been practicing it.  I’ve been action oriented instead, focused on what I can do to take care of every situation.

And that goes along perfectly with what Jesus says next in this passage:  “The spirit gives life; the flesh profits for nothing.”  Another translation puts it like this, “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing.”

I don’t want to live by human effort.  It leaves me vaguely empty.  I want to take each situation to the realm of intimate fellowship, where I put it entirely in God’s hands.  I want to walk through my day like walking on water.  I want to ask of the Lord, and expect his answer.

I want to live by the Spirit who, as today’s passage says, gives life, and enables me to be more, and have faith at difficult times.  Here are some of my favorite verses on the Spirit:

• “‘It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” Zech 4:6
• “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”  Gal 3:3
• “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

Jesus concluded today’s passage by saying, “However, there are some of you who do not believe.”  Will we believe, or will our challenges become a stumbling block?  Will we take the easy way, or the hard way?  Will we walk by the Spirit, or human effort?

Living through a pandemic, we’re having to make tough choices.  But I believe that we’re being called to step up, like a hero on the front lines, to make the best decisions we can, standing in strength, and refusing to second guess or give into anxiety or depression.

It’s a battle to have faith, but we will fight it, because living by faith is what’s most important to us.

My prayers are with you all.

“But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” Heb. 10:38

(photo credit: cottonbro)

When Faith Doesn’t Come Easy

What’s your COVID-19 dilemna?  The sticky, tricky situations and choices we’re facing right now are on a whole new level!

Today’s red letter passage deals with disciples who were faced with the dilemna of whether to still follow Jesus after he appeared to cross the line.

Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you? Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (John 6:61-64)

Literally, the Greek word used here for “offend” means, “to put a snare (in the way), to cause to stumble, to give offense.” It’s very much the idea of a trap.

Isn’t it interesting that the teaching Jesus gave to help his disciples could also be a trap for them?  It reminds me of how he spoke in parables.  When his disciples asked why he gave them stories, instead of speaking clearly, Jesus said, so that his hearers would be, “ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.”  (Mark 4:12)

I think that if I were Jesus, I would have made it as easy as possible to understand, so that everyone could have a better chance of being saved.  But he didn’t do this.  I believe he wanted to see who would take the hard way, where faith doesn’t come easy and you have to work to have it.

So, by the very use of the word “offend,” it was like Jesus saw that his teaching could be a rock in the path of his followers.  They could stumble over it, and be deterred by it.  That would be the easy response.  Or they could stretch their faith to continue going in spite of the rock.  That would be much more difficult.

You know, the COVID-19 virus is putting us in situations where our faith is truly stretched.  I have a lumpectomy surgery that I’ve been trying to schedule.  Do I find a way to get it done, and trust that God will take care of me in the germ filled hospital, or do I trust in God and wait longer?  I have a client who got a wonderful new job, but then was canned before she started because of a hiring freeze. How does she keep from getting discouraged?  I have a friend who just made the decision to take a leave from her medical center job because she’s worried about the risk, but now she has lower income, and could even lose her job.  I have another friend whose husband needs to take the alternative medication that they’re using to treat COVID-19, and she couldn’t find it at any pharmacy except one.  How do these friends avoid anxiety?

Does Jesus allow us to be in these situations, just as he allowed his followers to hear the hard teaching, to see if we will take the hard way and work at having faith? I’m not trying to navigate the slippery slope of why God would allow a pandemic.  That’s way above my pay grade.

I just know that I want to live by faith.  Last night, I was doing some thinking when I was awake in the middle of the night, and I realized that living by faith is what’s most important to me, and I haven’t really been practicing it.  I’ve been action oriented instead, focused on what I can do to take care of every situation.

And that goes along perfectly with what Jesus says next in this passage:  “The spirit gives life; the flesh profits for nothing.”  Another translation puts it like this, “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing.”

I don’t want to live by human effort.  It leaves me vaguely empty.  I want to take each situation to the realm of intimate fellowship, where I put it entirely in God’s hands.  I want to walk through my day like walking on water.  I want to ask of the Lord, and expect his answer.

I want to live by the Spirit who, as today’s passage says, gives life, and enables me to be more, and have faith at difficult times.  Here are some of my favorite verses on the Spirit:

• “‘It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” Zech 4:6
• “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”  Gal 3:3
• “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

Jesus concluded today’s passage by saying, “However, there are some of you who do not believe.”  Will we believe, or will our challenges become a stumbling block?  Will we take the easy way, or the hard way?  Will we walk by the Spirit, or human effort?

Living through a pandemic, we’re having to make tough choices.  But I believe that we’re being called to step up, like a hero on the front lines, to make the best decisions we can, standing in strength, and refusing to second guess or give into anxiety or depression.

It’s a battle to have faith, but we will fight it, because living by faith is what’s most important to us.

My prayers are with you all.

“But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” Heb. 10:38

(photo credit: cottonbro)

When We Feel Lonely

I’m so missing being with loved ones, talking with them, hugging them.  And all of my friends are loved ones!  Yesterday I was in a Zoom meeting with a couple of friends, and it was totally wonderful to be with them virtually!  The day before, we had a conference call with church members, and it did my heart a world of good, simply to hear their voices. Isn’t it crazy, the things we take for granted — just being able to be with people?

So, at this time when we are missing connections, it’s super encouraging to think of what Christ did to forge an epic connection with us.  Here is today’s red-letter passage:

“For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:55-58)

While many of Jesus’s followers freaked out at the thought of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, what Jesus was saying was actually one of the most heart-warming things ever.  He was talking about having an unprecedented connection with man, a special fellowship with him.  And this fellowship included what would come to be known as communion.

Here’s how Jesus later described communion, as he gave his disciples bread and wine at the Last Supper, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. . . This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”  (I Cor 11)  Jesus made it plain that the bread and wine were a reminder that he was giving his body and blood for them.  It was also the symbol of a new covenant.  It wasn’t supposed to be cannibalism.  It was meant to be a depiction of his utter devotion.  It was like the traditional wedding vows: “I take you to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.” Jesus was pledging all of himself, as a bride and groom do to one another.

And just like a bride and groom pledge to one another, in today’s passage, Jesus made it clear that the giving wouldn’t be one sided.  He expected commitment from his disciples.  They were to “eat his flesh.”  They didn’t know yet what that entailed, but it obviously meant that they would have to get engaged at a whole new level.

It’s a reciprocal model.  Those who fed on him would receive the benefit of remaining in him, as he, in turn, remained in them.  Those who fed on him would receive eternal life.   There is a relationship implied, a close and caring one.

When we look at the specific wording of today’s red-letter passage, we see more clues that Jesus was offering devotion, and asking for the same.

First, Jesus stressed that his body and blood is the true food and drink. This reminds me of how Jesus would later say that he is the good shepherd, not a bogus hired hand who abandons the sheep. (John 10)  He takes care of his followers and puts himself out there to supply them with the absolute best; what they need most.  And what they need most is true food  — that which sustains a them for eternity, not just until their next meal.  

Second, Jesus used the word, remain.  In future days, Jesus would elaborate, “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. . . If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. . . As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love.” (John 15)  Remain is a word that communicates an ongoing connection, evidenced by a love that is faithful and doting.  Note that it is practiced by both parties.

So, as we’re feeling lonely, and missing our loved ones, let’s appreciate the true friend we have in Jesus.  He gives us the best, what we really need.  He’s committed and totally faithful.  He’ll never let us down.  He’s always with us.  He wants a deep connection with us, not a shallow one.  He wants our relationship to last forever.

What a wonderful communion we can have, at any time, as we remember what he has done for us; as we are loved by him, and love him in return!  Maybe it’s good to have a time of  isolation, so we can experience this.

When the Compass is Spinning

This past Friday the 13^th I turned 60.  What a crazy time to turn 60!  And it’s not just the coronavirus.  Our church is going through a transition to having no paid staff members.  My husband’s work is changing ownership.

And I realize that the hardest thing for me right now is that I feel directionless, like a compass with a spinning needle.  I’m such a planner.  I have lists.  I love to talk about what’s coming up next.

So now, everything seems uncertain, and this is disconcerting.  But then I realized that there is one way the compass needle is pointing right now, and that’s towards God.  This is such a great opportunity to deepen my relationship with him.

You know, as a relationship coach, I talk a lot about the importance of investing in relationships.  I explain that a relationship is like a plant, and just like a plant withers if you don’t water it, a relationship won’t develop or grow if you don’t invest in it.  Which means that we need to invest in our relationship with God.  We can’t expect to be close to him, or get the benefits of a relationship with him, unless we’re actively creating it.  And now is the great time to create it.

Awhile back, I was super inspired by this book called “Forming: A Work of Grace” by David Tackle.  The basic premise of the book is that, in our spiritual life, we need to get to a point where we’re sailing, instead of rowing.  Rowing is us working at the Christian disciplines.  Sailing is being propelled by God, the Spirit and the overflow of our heart.  I loved this idea! But I quit reading the book when I realized that you have to row in order to get to the point of sailing. I thought I was going to find a quick fix.

A vibrant relationship with God doesn’t just happen, any more than a vibrant relationship with another person happens. You have to build it.  So much of the time I stay busy and distracted, working on all of my plans.  Now I have an opportunity to work at having a more dynamic relationship with God.

I just have to resist the temptation to focus instead on making new plans.  Even though I can’t make long term plans, I can make lists of the things I can accomplish this week.  But I really feel like God is calling me to be still, and listen closer.  I feel like he’s saying, “This is a singular time, an opportunity to focus on me without all of the distractions.  If you are wise, you will take it.”

There are several verses that have been coming to mind as I contemplate all of this.

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” I Tim 6:17. 

It’s so easy for me to put my hope in riches, and not even realize it.  My life is filled up with actions based on the assumption that we will have money.  I plan for anniversary, and for our retirement at some point.  I work on my business.  What is happening right now shows me so much how much more I need to put my hope in God.

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14

This is such a great description of life right now.  We really don’t know what will happen tomorrow.  We were trying to decide whether to have a small meeting of church on Wednesday, but since the situation changes from day to day, we can’t even make those plans.  And I can see more clearly that life is a mist.  We aren’t guaranteed health and longevity.  We live in a world with disease and germs.

Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Ps 142:3

God still has a path for me. I can feel my heart wanting to give out — the pull to be glum and discouraged.  When that happens, it’s time to listen for his voice, so I can follow that path, and not my expectations.

“And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

This verse reminds me that even in times of chaos, God has a role for us to play.  Esther also faced a distressing situation.  The king had signed a decree that all of the Jews would be massacred.  But then she realized that she had a pivotal role.  She was the one person who could approach the king and petition him to amend the decree.  The only thing was that someone who approached the king without being summoned could be executed.  She had to be willing to be of service to God, even if it felt uncertain and scary.

I don’t know what is going to happen in the days to come.  But I pray that I face them with willingness to do whatever I need to do.  I pray that I see where God has a role for me, maybe not a role to plan, but a role to react to needs. A role to trust and look to him.

Sixty is a great time.  I have been given so many, many blessings in the years leading up to today.  And now I have the blessing of opportunity.  It is also a terrible time of worldwide suffering, death and economic chaos.  The compass truly is spinning.  I am so thankful that there is a true North I can follow.

When You Feel Uneasy

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.” . . . 

Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” (John 6:53, 60)

What do you do when something makes you feel uneasy — when you don’t understand, and it seems off, or even wrong?  That’s what was happening with Jesus’s disciples as he spoke the words of today’s red letter passage.  They couldn’t wrap their minds around having to eat Jesus’s body, and drink his blood.  How could that be good or right?  They asserted, “This is tough teaching, too tough to swallow.” (Message translation)

Sometimes what’s going on in life seems too tough to swallow.  It can’t be right.  I have a situation recently where I’ve been thinking that.

When Jesus said these words, it must have felt all the more wrong, because Jesus had just stated that he would never drive his disciples away.  But then he said this thing that caused many of his followers to leave.  (John 6:66)   In the days that led up to this, he had given them multiple reasons to have faith.  He explained why he was equal to God.  He listed the testimonies about him.  He performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.  

So why would he change face and make it so difficult for his followers to have faith in him?  Why would he say words that made absolutely no sense, and in fact, turned them off?

I think it’s because this is the crux of what it means to be a disciple.  You have to be able to trust when it doesn’t make sense, or feel right.  There would be many times in the future when it would seem like everything was falling apart.  Jesus needed, and still needs, disciples who are going to believe in him when it gets crazy.

And my problem is that I have a hard time believing when it gets crazy.  Because it FEELS WRONG!  I keep thinking that the goal is for everything to fit together  and run smoothly.  I’ve so got to grow to the point that I define success as having faith when things feel wrong, not as getting things to the point where everything feels right.

“Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.” This is such an absolute statement.  First, because if we don’t eat the flesh and drink the blood, we can’t have eternal life.  Second, because eating the flesh and drinking the blood infers a commitment that’s all in. 

I love what how Message Bible translates it, “The one who brings a hearty appetite to this eating and drinking has eternal life.”  Jesus is saying, “You can’t just take a taste of discipleship.  You’ve got to sit down and feast on it.”

And that’s good for me to think about, because I tend to play it safe.  I noticed a few days ago that I was slightly disengaged. That’s my way of being in protection mode.

Jesus doesn’t want us to play it safe with him.  He wants us to take the plunge.  

So what do you do when your feelings are unsure?  You go with your convictions that are sure.  You take the leap of faith that’s in the opposite direction of your queasiness.  

That’s what the apostles did.  When the other disciples left, Jesus asked Peter and the Twelve, “Are you leaving too?  Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68)

When we know what we believe, we act on it.   Some things may not make sense.  Some things may seem crazy.  But we throw our life into the certainties we have come to see as true and right.