Living in the Tension

Reading through the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes this summer has led me into some unexpected intellectual arenas. Throughout this interesting little book, Solomon explores the tension, the anxiety, the vexation of our inner being we all experience as we do life in the shadow of impending death. While I certainly think we have every right to reject Solomon’s conclusion that all of life is vanity and meaningless, it seems Solomon is absolutely right on concerning the deeply rooted anxiety we deal with as mortal beings inevitably approaching death.

You know this anxiety, this tension - I’m sure it’s probably all too familiar.

And I don’t know about you, but for me this tension has not been alleviated as I have continued to attempt to follow Jesus. If anything, the tension has become more pronounced. Anyone who says that following Jesus leads one away from tension is selling you a bill of goods.

For example, Jesus urges us to come to Him if we are weary and burdened and we will find rest in our souls because His way of doing life, His yoke, if you will, is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 28-30). And this is fantastic, I cling to these words, but Jesus also calls us to give ourselves away and be willing to die if we want to follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25).

While I understand that Jesus is a master of hyperbole (and probably employing it here) these ideas still stand in tension with one another. I am willing to bet that an honest attempt to submit one’s life to Jesus will not eradicate the tension of life but actually cause us to experience it more deeply. Any way of following Jesus that doesn’t lead us more deeply into the tension, anxiety, and suffering of life is probably not the real deal. Solomon encouraged us to banish anxiety from our beings so that we can more fully enjoy life while Jesus encourages us to become people transformed by the power of His Spirit who are able to not only live in the tension, but to bring hope, peace, and rest in the midst of it.

David Stewart serves as Associate Director of High School Ministries at CPC

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Extremes

On Sunday, Brad talked again about fearing God. I know through talking with Brad and hearing him that "fear God” has become the focal point of Ecclesiastes for him. I have been thinking about his idea quite a bit. At the very least, I think it is FANTASTIC for us to reframe, rethink, or think anew about the idea of “fearing God.” Caught in the correct light, fearing God is beautiful and conjures up images from Exodus where the GLORY of the LORD shone brightly and the LORD shielded Moses’ face so that he would not die. The fear here is about the POWER of the LORD, not the terror. His power is associated with reverence. I once told this story to a group of middle school students at Camp Rockslide. At the end of camp, during sharing night, many students' main point of the week was: “I learned that if you look at God you will die!” 
 
When we look to heaven, when we try to read about it, we are not told a whole lot about it. John 14 talks about a room being prepared for us. The Revelation of John talks about worshipping the LORD constantly. Holy, holy, holy is the LORD almighty. All day long. My human mind has trouble grasping this. My human mind immediately goes to boredom. I believe what the writer is referring to is the fact that when we are in the presence of the LORD’s Shakina glory – our only POSSIBLE response will be to PHYSICALLY bow down and worship Him. This captures that fear for me – nothing to be afraid of – but a fear that feels like the safest place to be on earth or in heaven.
 
What I think Brad is getting at is not to live in the extremes here on earth. Live a balanced life. When I think of worshipping the LORD in heaven – I get this idea of EXTREME worship. I think both ends of the spectrum are good for us to rest in. Both are true! To God alone be praise!
 
Kyle Jackson serves in Pastoral Care

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What is Real Prosperity?

Do you find yourself enjoying your prosperity without thought, or are you haunted by guilt or shame because you have acquired so much? I’m guessing that most people are somewhere in between. So am I.
 
While we often tend to think of our financial state when using the word prosperity, it can be applied to many of our other advantages. Prosperity means a successful, flourishing, thriving condition, or good fortune (I got that from dictionary.com). One person could be intellectually prosperous, while another could have to work very hard to progress, and others struggle with starting below the mark. It’s the same with our physical abilities, our health, our confidence, our beauty. We could go on and on, but let’s get down to business.
 
Where do you prosper? What are you good at doing? What are the things you hang on to when you walk into a new phase of life? It’s normal to use our personal assets as the means to progress, but where would you lean if those advantages were lost? How can we live a life where our faith is integrated with our strengths? How can we grow our prosperity and faith together, right where we are, right here, right now? Can we make this sort of integration the lens from which we muster our motivation? Can we make it our prayer that this is the way we would live our lives?
 
The Bible is full of foundational Scripture to inspire us in this challenge, but I will focus on two of my favorites.

• Revelation 21:1-5. The gist of what I hear from this passage is that God wins in the end. Not only will our sins be forgotten, our flaws redeemed, and our tears wiped away, but EVERYTHING will be made new. I’m hungry for this kind of world, and it can only be done by God. Don’t you just want to be on the inside of this? How can we strive to live by this knowledge? Without simply leaning on our personal strengths, how can we depend more on this God who will lead us in this charge? 

In the last Chronicle of Narnia, The Last Battle, the characters are in the new world as they repeat over and over, “Higher up and deeper in.” May this be the prayer of our community, our very heart.

• And finally, from Ephesians 3:20, God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or even imagine. Think about that! Our greatest hopes, our strongest desires, all that we can even imagine, God can do more. This is the God who hears our prayers.

Andrea Sheldon Tshihamba

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Can FEAR be a good thing?

Ever wondered about the source of the expression “You can’t take it with you”? It might be rooted in this week’s Bible reading – Ecclesiastes 5:15: “We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.” So, if the meaning of life isn’t to be found in the "stuff" of life, where is it to be found? Psalm 111:10 says that the fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom, and that all who obey God’s commandments will grow in wisdom.

Intuitively, fear doesn’t seem like a great place to start a relationship with a loving God. Brad taught through the first seven verses of Ecclesiastes 5 this week – centering on the idea of a healthy fear of the Lord referenced in verse 7 – encouraging us to develop a dynamic reverence for God. I’m convinced that when my relationship with my Maker seems lackluster from time to time, it is due – in part – to having become too familiar or perhaps too comfortable in my friendship with Him. When I rightly fear God, I remember how vast He is, how powerful, how holy and perfectly good He is. This fear of the Lord serves as a reminder of how I am to love righteousness and hate evil, as He does. If I am fearing God and living in obedience, I will grow in wisdom and have the opportunity to live free of negative consequences my own disobedience would otherwise unleash. It’s as if the fear of the Lord is a gift that allows us to understand God in a way that leads us to freedom – if I am fully engaged in loving God and hating evil, I walk in Light and am compelled to move toward others in the love of God.
 
God is powerful. God is good. To know Him more fully, I must have a sense of respect, for immense He is.
 
How about you? Do you think your meaning in life could be impacted by a better understanding of what it means to fear and reverence God?
 
“Fear God and keep His commandments, this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 11:13)

Laura Mulliken serves as Associate Director for Leadership Development

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I Am Not a Good Servant

We hear the term servant leadership a lot, but it’s not my favorite thing to talk about.

I am not a good servant. I try, but I recognize this is a growing edge. I am embarrassed to say it out loud – I’m selfish and addicted to comfort. 

So the other day was a test. 

My husband, John and I both love to mow the lawn. I know, a little unusual, but it’s true. However, I love to mow the back yard, which is flat and manageable. I’ve claimed that as MY job, leaving the front yard which is basically one steeeeep hill, for John.

One day recently, in an uncharacteristic rush of servant spirit, I mowed part of the front lawn (the easy small flat square at the top) in addition to my backyard. I felt kind of proud of myself. I had gone above and beyond! (and it really didn’t inconvenience me).

Then again last week I mowed the back and started on the front thinking I’d do a little more of the easy part. But as I mowed I was convicted. A little argument went on in my head:

Me: “John serves you in so many ways and you can’t do this one hill for him? This is bogus serving if you just do the easy part.”
Me: “Yes, but it’s really hard and I might pull my shoulder on the hill and then I wouldn’t be able to play golf with him and that wouldn’t make him happy.”
Me: “Serving is Jesus-y. How can you say you follow Him and not do this little thing?”
Me: “Yes, but John might not even notice and then I won’t get credit!”
Jesus: “Whatever you do for the least of these you do for Me.”
Me: “Yea, whatever . . .” (I didn’t mean to be rude to Jesus but I was hot and uncomfortable – just what I try to avoid.)

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about this and wondering if there was ever a time when Jesus served others when it wasn’t uncomfortable or inconvenient. 

What does servant leadership look like in your context? Talking less? Noticing and doing things that others don’t or won’t? Affirming others?

I’ve been wondering about what Jesus desires to do in us . . . form in me, through the discipline of serving in ways that often make me feel crabby. I’ve been thinking too about the value of secret service when no one knows, or notices, and you don’t get any attention or “Atta girl!” And I’m wondering if it’s in those moments that all of heaven cheers the loudest.

Laura Crosby serves as Director of Spiritual Formation for The Table at CPC

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A Time for Everything

I have always loved Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes. He is just so human, so open about his diverse feelings and unabashedly confessional. While he believes in God and in His way, he also sees how humanity and sin have messed up God’s plans. And he is affected by it. When I first discovered Ecclesiastes, I considered it my go-to biblical book whenever I needed to sit in the confusion of life. Do you know what I mean? When things aren’t going all that well and you just need someone to commiserate with? Solomon is that guy for me.

Last September, The Table introduced a Discipleship Map to help us grow as Jesus’ disciples. I was most intrigued by the question, “Where Am I Now?” What about you? Are you . . .

• Exploring? (Do you feel drawn to God, but unsure what or if you believe?)
• Embarking? (Do you have a desire to take some first steps beyond coming to worship on Sunday?)
• Re-orienting? (Have you taken a detour from following Christ and desire to get back on track or are you entering a new season of life that affects your faith journey?)
• Resting? (Do you need healing, encouragement, or restoration?)
• Trail-blazing? (Do you desire to stretched - to allow God to use you in positions of leadership, open to stewarding your gifts, talents and resources in new ways for the kingdom?)

I feel like these are “Ecclesiastes” questions, questions that Solomon wouldn’t be afraid to ask. Just as he understands the need to heal after being torn down (3:3) and the desire to feel a sense of joy after having grieved (3:4), some of us may need rest, while others should try something new. In the first verse of chapter three, Solomon tells us that, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” For those of us searching for God, this may just mean that these are times when we are unsure about life; passionate about serving; confused about God’s plan; tired of searching; excited to explore the Bible. And each and every one of these feelings is okay.
 
What season are you in? CLICK HERE to explore.

Jennifer Boardman serves as Publications Coordinator at CPC

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A Gospel of Division? Blog

Last night, you asked questions about the gospel and its implications in our lives and world. One question, in particular, was difficult and thought-provoking: “Can the gospel break relationships and hurt people and turn them from God? Seems that way sometimes.”

In Luke 12, Jesus addresses a large crowd, while His disciples stand by His side. He speaks hard truths about hypocrisy and the futility of worrying. But perhaps His most difficult truth is when He says, "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother" (Luke 12:51-53).

What does this mean? What about the peaceful, bucolic Jesus who only speaks words of hope and reconciliation? Many of us have heard stories of people who become Christians, later to be disowned by their families. There are couples who face division when one is a believer and one is not. Because of my conversion to Christianity at 23, one of my friendships suddenly became very heavy and even taxing.

So, in a very real sense, the gospel of Jesus Christ is divisive. Why? Because Jesus Christ Himself is divisive. He challenges us to live differently than the world (one “must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” - Mark 8:34). He asks us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43). Instead of self-preservation, He says that the greatest thing a person can do is to lay his life down for his friends (John 15:13). This doesn’t mean that Jesus is all doom and gloom; after all, peace is His ultimate goal and the reason He died. But it does mean that in order to arrive at reconciliation (word origin is “to bring together with force”), tough things are inevitable. Have you experienced the gospel as divisive? Why do you think this happens?

Jennifer Johnson serves as Publications Coordinator at CPC and is part of the Table Team

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Second-Hand Faith

I LOVE to read how God is at work in the lives of others! I love to ask people where they’re noticing the work of God. And who doesn’t like an inspiring illustration? But if that’s all I’ve got, that’s not enough. You can’t live off of someone else’s story. We each need a first-hand experience of God. I love the way Mark Batterson says this: “God’s dream for you is bigger than a second-hand faith.” The question posed to me by another leader has haunted me for years. Daily I need to ask: “Is the life I’m calling others to live the life I’m leading myself?”

Although God appeared to Moses (Exodus 3:5), He also showed up and spoke to Joshua (Joshua 5:14-15). Similar situation, different God-story. He walked with Abraham, wrestled with Jacob, whispered to Elijah, argued with Job, and struck Paul blind to get his attention. Do you have a first-hand experience with God? How is He speaking to you today? Where are you noticing God at work?

Laura Crosby serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at The Table

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Bringing New Life in Relationships

Last week the wind split one of my favorite trees in half. It was a beautiful, ginormous, 100-year-old oak tree that was green and leafy and shady. Now the good news is that the owner of the property it was on is planting a new tree. He said it will take time and nurture, but eventually there will be another beautiful tree in its place. 

Last night Brad talked about relationships in our lives that are damaged by the inevitable conflict that comes from doing life together. Sometimes well-meaning people have differing perspectives and even with our best efforts at understanding each other and trying to respond as Jesus would, wounds occur. The relationship as it once was may be gone, but there is always the potential for redeeming the pain and nurturing new life. 

I have several relationships in my life that are like this. Last week I got a note that meant a lot to me from one of them. She referred to a special memory we shared and said she missed me. Her note was like water on the thirsty ground around a new seedling. Our friendship has been through some rough times and we’ve worked hard to listen and understand each other’s perspective. We’re both trying hard to gently care for the fragile renewed life that’s there. Have you experienced new life in a damaged relationship? Is there a damaged relationship that comes to mind that could use an apology or some life-nurturing words from you?

Laura Crosby serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at The Table

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Where Do You Meet God?

The other day I had lunch with a friend. Later in the day she emailed me to follow up on something we had talked about. I responded with further thoughts. When she called later in the week, I recognized her voice. I don’t have proof of this but it struck me how similar it is with God. When I meet with God I think His presence lingers. I think more about Him after my time with Him. 

Many of us can recite Jesus’ words, “I will never leave you or forsake you” or “Lo, I am with you always,” but how many of us really experience God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life?

Ideally we’d like to be aware of Jesus sitting beside us at our desk at work, walking beside us on the treadmill, grieving with us in our lonely moments, whispering guidance in difficult conversations. A noble (and realistic) goal (see Psalm 139:7-10), but . . . maybe a first step is just putting in place the practice of meeting with Him in a way that’s enjoyable and repeatable so we want to do it each day. A few minutes reading the Bible, reflecting (journal if it helps), praying, at our best time of the day, in a place we love . . . I won’t recognize God’s presence and voice in the ordinary moments of my lives if I don’t familiarize myself with His character and words in the Bible. 

But it’s not about legalistically checking another thing off our to-do list. The goal is to have a sacred meeting with God. I like what John Ortberg says: We don’t need to get through the Bible, but to get the Bible through us. 

I like to meet with God at Starbucks or at my favorite lake. So, where do you meet God? Do you have a rhythm that’s enjoyable and repeatable?

Laura Crosby serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at The Table

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