Desiring More

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6
Every two weeks or so in my classroom, I take a day to check progress. I don’t teach much, if any, on these days. Instead I take the time to assess each student individually with a quick, timed reading passage or word list or alphabet list -- whatever matches what the group is working on.

The students have charts where they track their results each time, and I have a bulletin board where they get to put stickers when they improve.

Most of my students are not reading on grade level, and although I never point that out or discuss that with them, they seem to know. They want to get better, though.

They don’t always want to do the work. But they do want to get better. And sometimes I have to remind them of how our daily work is designed to help them get better. Sometimes a reminder of the goals we have is enough to help them push through when the work is hard and/or monotonous.

I’m like that, too, in my spiritual life. I want to be better. I want to be closer to the Lord. I want to have more faith. I want to share my faith with others more. I want more fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). But I don’t always want to do the work.

Now, please don’t hear me saying we have to earn our salvation -- we are saved by grace through faith, but there is effort required on our part to grow in our spiritual journey. We have to work with the Holy Spirit as He continues to work in us.

I read a passage of scripture this morning from John 5. It tells the story of Jesus healing a man who was lying beside the pool of Bethesda. People who needed healing would sit near this pool watching for the waters to be stirred up by an angel of the Lord. When the waters stirred, the first one to enter the water would be healed.

Jesus met a man there who had been paralyzed for 38 years. And after learning this, the first thing Jesus does is ask him if he wants to get well.

Now why would Jesus ask that? It seems like it would be pretty obvious that he wanted to get well. That’s why he sat near the pool, right? I wonder if Jesus was challenging the man’s thinking as He sometimes challenges mine. For instance, I have not been exercising for quite some time, and I have gained some weight. If someone were to ask me if I wanted to lose those extra pounds, I would absolutely say, “Yes, of course!” But if someone asked me if I was willing to do what was required in order to lose that weight, I know I couldn’t answer that the same way.

I could easily say I want to improve my skills on guitar or violin or piano. Sure, I want to play better! But am I willing to put in the practice time that becoming better will require? Um, maybe? Sometimes? Ok, no, not really!

Later, Jesus speaks with this man again at the temple, and Jesus tells him to stop sinning or something worse may happen to him (verse 14). See, there was something in this man’s life that was holding him back -- we aren’t told exactly what that was. But Jesus was asking him to give it up.

In order to grow, I have to give things up -- attitudes, thoughts, activities -- that keep me from making progress. Things that take my time and attention off of Jesus. And I have to replace those things with more positive, productive alternatives.

And that requires some effort and dedication. It requires some commitment. Maybe even some sacrifice. But is it worth it? I guess that depends on if I really want to get well.

Father God, I know that You are working on me, and I know that sometimes I need a push in order to do the things that I need to do in order to grow. Help me to do the things that are necessary to cooperate with your Holy Spirit so that I can be more like You. Create in me the urgent desire to change that is required. Thank You for always being present and for Your desire to see me become stronger in my faith and more mature in my spiritual life.

A Snowflake Lesson

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:20-21

Recently, some of my students at school read about a man that you may not be familiar with. His name was Wilson Bentley, and he lived from 1865-1931. Even without the help of today’s technology, he spent many, many hours of his life using micro-photography to capture pictures of individual snow crystals to share with the world. And his photographs are amazingly beautiful! Even more so when I learned the lengths he had to go to in order to create them.

He took many, many pictures over the years, but he never found two snow crystals that were identical. They are all beautiful, and they all share some similar characteristics, but each one is uniquely designed. He studied the weather and found that even slight differences in the atmosphere - humidity, air pressure, wind, etc. - created differences in the patterns of the snow crystals.

Today our school dismissed early because it snowed. I love to watch it falling, but as I watched today, I also thought about Bentley’s snowflake pictures and just how many individual designs there were piling up on our landscape. And although they are beautiful all piled together and covering everything with their white blanket, I can’t really see the individual beauty of each snowflake from my window. I can’t appreciate the delicate patterns that make each one special without some special equipment and a commitment of time.

I think I am like that with people, too. I know that God has created each person with individual differences that make us each special and one-of-a-kind. But I don’t think I always take the time to appreciate that. Especially when it comes to my own design.

I am pretty aware of my own strengths and weaknesses, but I have to say that I probably focus more on my weaknesses than my strengths. Those are pretty easy for me to rattle off - even if some of them are hard to own. However, when it comes to those around me, I tend to see more of their strengths than their weaknesses.

For me, that is usually a comparison where I come out the loser. I think things like, “My coworker is so organized! I wish I was more like that!” Or, “Man, my friend is so much better at encouraging others than I am!”

But God is showing me that He has created me to be different from any other person. He gave me a unique set of talents and abilities, as well as weaknesses, that make me who I am. He has given me individualized life lessons - challenges and difficulties to overcome and work through - that have changed me and shaped me into the person I am today. And He wants to use all those strengths and weaknesses for His purposes.

Maybe you are like me and don’t always feel like you measure up to those around you. Maybe you sometimes wonder why God made you the way He did instead of making you more like someone else. Maybe you wonder why you have had to endure certain trials and difficulties when others around you have not. Maybe you feel very common when you’d like to be special.

Friends, can I ask you to please read again the scripture at the top of the page? I’ll put it here again for you.

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:20-21

God created you just as you are. And He has a purpose for your life. He loves you and sees your unique beauty, even if you don’t. You are not just one small snowflake in the middle of a huge drift. You are a special, one-of-a-kind creation, custom-made to fulfill His plan and complete His will. Those trials and difficulties are the environment that have shaped and are still shaping you into the person He has designed you to be.

You are treasured. You are beautiful. You are loved. Just as you are.

And maybe someone else in your life needs you right now. Maybe they need you to notice their beauty - their strengths and gifts - and tell them about it. Maybe someone needs to hear how you endured through something difficult so they can do the same. Maybe God can use you today to encourage and lift up someone else who desperately needs it. Maybe God wants you to use your special gifts and abilities to serve someone else around you and be a blessing to them. Will you allow Him to use you for His purposes today?

Father God, Your creation is so amazing! Your designs astounding in their individualized beauty! Help me to remember that You are my creator - that You created me just as I am on purpose and for Your purposes. I want You to use me today. Show me how to be a blessing to someone else today.

What Do You Expect?

40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 40-42
In the world of elementary schools, the word “expectations” gets used often. Teachers are advised to make their expectations clear to their students, both for their school work and for their behavior. In order to be successful, students need to know exactly what is expected of them.

I find as a teacher that I have to clearly define the expectations myself before I can ask students to meet them. I have to understand what the parameters of the assignment are. For example, what are the absolutely necessary components of a well-written essay? What characteristics need to be present in a project or in a student’s behavior in order to be acceptable? Sometimes I don’t realize that I expected something until I saw a product where that thing was missing.

As a student (and now as an employee), I always appreciated it when someone took the time to describe exactly what was expected of me. I felt more confident about my ability to earn a good grade (or evaluation) when I understood what I was supposed to do and how I was supposed to do it. I always want to do a good job, but when “good job” is vague and undefined, I struggle to feel like I am getting it done. That usually results in a frenzied effort to go above and beyond -- just to make sure I make it to that foggy place of “well done.”

And if, after I have exhausted myself trying to do a good job, no one acknowledges my efforts -- or worse yet, criticizes those efforts -- I quickly become overwhelmed by negative emotions. Frustration, resentment, defeat, a critical spirit, unworthiness, and inadequacy rule my heart at that point. I begin to listen to the lies -- You’re not good enough; You’ll never gain approval; No one notices you; No one cares about how hard you’ve worked. No one cares about you.

I know many of you are familiar with the scripture passage above from Luke 10. I suspect that many of you, like myself, identify with Martha in this story. As I was reading this passage this week, Martha’s question posed to Jesus really struck me. I’m paraphrasing here, but she basically said, “Don’t you care that I’m the only one working?” I imagine that she has worked hard for quite some time at this point trying to put together a large banquet-type meal for what could have been a considerable number of people.

But Jesus doesn’t even respond to her question. Instead, He points out that Martha was frustrated because she was doing things He never even asked her to do. He tells her, basically, that she was worried over things that were not needed. 

Did Jesus need to eat? Probably. But did He require a banquet? No. Did He ask for a banquet? No. Did he expect a banquet? I don’t think so. Was it wrong for Martha to want to go above and beyond as she served the Lord and his followers? I’m not sure, but she definitely ended up in the wrong place - worried and frustrated and critical and not in the presence of Jesus.

See, I think Martha expected a lot of herself. It was like she thought she needed to be elaborate with her meal preparations in order to please the Lord-- when, in reality, He would have been pleased had she decided, like Mary, to sit down and be in His presence. I honestly think a simple sandwich after some nice, quality time with Him would have been perfect for Him.

Martha also expected Mary to have the same priorities that she did. She expected Mary to help prepare this elaborate banquet, even though it was apparently Martha who “opened her home” (see verse 38). And when Mary failed to meet her expectations, Martha became frustrated with her as well as with Jesus for not making Mary help her.

This pricks my heart tonight. I am taking a step back to evaluate my own expectations. Am I most concerned about the “one thing” that matters? Am I frustrated because I’m trying to meet unrealistic, unhealthy expectations that I have placed on myself? Am I so distracted and busy “serving the Lord” that I don’t take the time to sit and enjoy His presence? Am I frustrated with others for not meeting my expectations -- even when I haven’t explained those expectations to them? If people around me did what I expected them to do, would they be doing those things that are truly needed? Or would I actually be pulling them away from the things that are most important?

I think I need to begin to regularly ask myself, "What do you expect?"  I don't think it's wrong to have expectations, but I need to be aware of the effects they have on my mind, attitude, and relationships.

Lord, it is easy for me to become frustrated and worried over many things, just like Martha. Thank You for the reminder that only one thing is needed. You are all I need. Help me to be like Mary, taking advantage of the opportunities I have to be with You. Help me to be aware of the times when my expectations are leading me away from You, and guide me back to Your side. Forgive me for holding expectations of others that pull them away from You. Instead, help me to be the one who brings others into Your presence.

The God Who Sees

Photo found: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cayusa/2633408584/in/photostream/

Teachers are trained to build relationships with students, particularly those students whose behavior or lack of motivation makes them more challenging to teach. One of the strategies I have been taught to use is to simply notice things about these students.

“I notice you got your hair cut last night!”

“I have been noticing how you always wait quietly in line.”

“I have noticed that you like to play on the swings at recess.”

Sometimes, all it takes is a few of these “I notice” comments to completely change the dynamic with a student. We all want to know that someone notices us - that someone cares enough to pay attention to what we do.  It doesn't necessarily have to be a compliment or statement of approval, even.  Just letting them know that we see them makes a difference.

In Genesis 16, Abram and Sarai began to doubt God’s word to them that they would have a son. Or at least Sarai doubted that it was to be her son. So she gave Abram her servant Hagar, and when Hagar became pregnant with Abram's child, Sarai mistreated her so much that Hagar ran away.

Caught in the middle of a messy situation that was not of her own design, I can imagine that she felt overwhelmed with loneliness and rejection. She was in a desperate situation with no hope for help from anyone. As she was alone in the desert, however, God spoke to her.  Genesis 16: 7-13 says:

7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.

9 Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”

11 The angel of the Lord also said to her:
“You are now pregnant
and you will give birth to a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
for the Lord has heard of your misery.
12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;
his hand will be against everyone
and everyone’s hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
toward all his brothers.”

13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

As much as Hagar felt that she was all alone in the world, God saw her. He saw her pain and her misery, and He made sure she knew it. He didn’t have a completely positive message for her -- although she was promised more descendants than one could count, her son’s future would hold conflict and hostility. And she was instructed to go back and submit to the mistress who had been mistreating her. But Hagar did not despair over those details. She was relieved simply by knowing that God saw her. This knowledge gave her the strength and courage to return and to endure her difficult situation.

You and I may never experience an encounter like Hagar did with the angel of the Lord speaking directly to us, but we can know from her story that our God is a God who sees. He sees our pain and heartache. He sees our past and our future. God is at work in ways we cannot even imagine--maybe He even plans to use the painful trial for His glory and our good.  No matter our situation or how God plans to use it, we are not alone. 

But others around us may very much feel that way. Is it possible that we could speak hope into their lives? Could we bring them some measure of relief simply by noticing their situation, their pain, their heartache? Could God use us to show someone else that He sees them?

I think so, if we are willing to really look at those around me, if we are available and ready to take the opportunity to do so. And I challenge you to do just that this week -- be someone who sees.

God, thank You for always seeing our hearts. Thank You for taking the time to reach out to us and make Your presence known. Help us to be Your messengers this week. Help us to notice the hurting souls around us and to take the opportunity to speak to them. Give us the words they need to hear to bring them Your assurance and Your hope.