As We Go

This week I wrote about friendship and I'd like to continue those thoughts today.

I wrote about how every Christian should be known as a good friend, because the attributes described in Proverbs 18 should already exist in Christians, even while being continually cultivated.

Somehow my mind moved from that thought to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28: go and make disciples.

I learned a few years ago that the actual translation from the original Greek word means "in your going about." I love that! It shows me that not only missionaries are called to make disciples. Not just those called to a foreign land, but all of us. Every day. In our daily going about... To the store, to our jobs, to our schools.

One of our jobs as Christians is to make disciples as we go about our day. And I had an aha! moment as I considered the depth of what that really meant.

Jesus said we are his friends when we honor his commands. He also said, as you go, make disciples. In other words, introduce people to me. Help them get to know me. Show them who we are to each other.

Isn't that the greatest act of friendship? To introduce strangers to our Friend?

Friendship is work. It's hard sometimes. Yet as we are given the privilege and honor of being called into friendship with Jesus Christ, so are we called to pull others into that same friendship.

What is my point? Here it is: as I write this, I am sitting in a Mexican restaurant in Indianapolis. I find myself looking up, making eye contact, smiling at complete strangers. That's my "going about." I have this wonderful, perfect Friend. There are all kinds of ways I can introduce him to others. One of those ways is simply being friendly- in other words, friend-like.  Yes, to complete strangers!

As you "go about" today, can you show your friendship with Christ? Are you moved to look beyond yourself and into the hearts of others?

As you go about... In whatever you do... Make disciples. Make friends. Be a friend. To whomever you see.

What Is Friendship?

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately. Friendships change through the years, don't they? You drift apart, you grow together, your relationship - like life itself - ebbs and flows.

But is that how God has designed friendship? You know, I've been told, if you have one true friend, you are blessed. But is that what God intends?

I've been reading Proverbs 18 this week, which describes the attributes of a perfect friend. A true friend is selfless. Full of wisdom in word and deed. They work hard, for themselves and others (see selfless!). They are humble, not seeking the limelight for themselves (see selfless!). A friend listens first, speaks second (see - aww, you get the picture).  They have discernment. And they are committed to the relationship.  The last verse says that a friend is closer than a brother.

This may sound like a difficult job description. But as Christians, as the church, the body of Christ... Aren't we already supposed to be these things? And if that is true, then why are true friends so rare?

As the body of Christ, we should be surrounded by selflessness and wisdom. By hard work and humility. By listening ears and discerning hearts.

I look back over my own friendships through the years, and I mourn the friends I have lost. I pray that I did all I could to be a good friend. Yet I know I have fallen short. I wonder if that is why Solomon wrote this proverb in the first place... Perhaps he had lost a friend he considered very dear.

Jesus added to Solomon's job description. In John 15:13-15a and 17: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay his life down for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends... This my command: Love each other. "

If you are a part of the body of Christ, I think you are called to be a friend. A true, good friend, with the attributes listed above. 

So I think now, the natural progression in the discussion is self-examination. How are your friendships? How can you grow? What can you change?

More thoughts later in the week.

Beauty

Today I shared the following thoughts on Facebook:

I love the beach, the vast expanse of ocean, the smells, the sounds. I love the mountains, the peaks and valleys filled with nature, touched by the clouds.

But today, as I look around outside . . . the sky is the prettiest shade of blue. The clouds are insanely white, such a contrast to this deep blue. The trees are just barely touched with shades of yellow, orange and red. The corn - oh, the corn! Stalks taller than me, golden yellow tinged still with green. The rolling hills around my house, the wildflowers overflowing on the side of the road.

Thank you, God, for the gifts around me, the beautiful setting in which I live, that reveals your character to me.

I wouldn't live anywhere else.

I really get frustrated when I hear people say that they hate where they live.  Or they hate certain kinds of weather.  There is beauty everywhere you go, everywhere you look.  As long you look!

Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."  (NKJV)  I love that verse.  Today I looked it up and read it in other versions.  Check this out:

NIV:  The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
Message:  This is the very day God acted—let’s celebrate and be festive!

I love it!  The Lord made this day - he has already done it - he has acted - whatever it is you are looking for or been praying for - this is the day!  You might not see the answer today, but it's this.

So don't fall into the temptation to sell your joy - your rejoicing - for the price of a temperate on the weather map or the dot on the map.  Just be glad in it!

That's What You Are

There's a song we sing at church, called You Are God Alone:
Unchangeable, Unshakeable, Unstoppable
That's what you are.


You are God alone, from before time began,
You were on your throne,
You are God alone,
And right now,
In the good times and bad,
You were on your throne ,
You are God alone.

Those aren't just lyrics, those are biblical standards.  "Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."  2 Kings 19:15

So let's think about this.  If we really lived as if God was God, ruler of the earth, over all kingdoms, from before time began . . . what we do different?  Would our lives changed?  Are our lives changed? 

Maybe you are already like this.  Nothing holds you back, because you've got God - this great big God who exists outside of the confines of time and space, who created all things, who rules over all.  You've got him on your side, and you go for everything, every time.

I wish I were you.

Because I hold myself back.  I lack faith.  I don't trust.  I go forward, on my own strength instead of His. 

So I need to remember.  It's not my strength, it's his.  He's the one who is unstoppable.  Unchangeable.  Unshakeable.  Definitely not me!

So it's time for me to go deeper, trust more, love more, do more.  That's my prayer for myself, and for you, too.

Unshakeable

I'm amazed at how easily I can be shaken.  Not my faith, necessarily, but my attitude.  If I don't protect myself, don't shade myself under his protective wings, in an instant - boom!  Attitude.

The little things of life get me all ruffled, the external circumstances affect my internal life.  That's not what I want.  I want to be strong, inside and out.  I want to be counted on, by others - of course - but by God. 

I want to be the kind of woman that can God can challenge, can use, can be proud of.
I want to be the kind of woman that scares the devil.
I want to be the kind of woman who laughs at the future (Proverbs 31).

But I can't be that kind of woman if the little things shake me.  If my attitude affects my heart. 

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 
Isaiah 54:10

So I'll focus on Him.  His ways.  His love.  And when I do that, I'm automatically stronger and more settled. 

How about you?  Do you ever feel that way?