Note to self: You're Never Too Old to be Afraid

S - "On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41 ESV)

O - One of the signs that you're following the real Jesus is the oscillation between terror and amazement. In obedience to his instruction the disciples are engulfed by a killer storm; and this is only one of many storms they will face together because they're following Jesus. Earth had trained them to think of storms as seasonal, random from nature or judgement from God and always fearful. Jesus thinks of them as unavoidable, rife with opportunity and purposeful. His questions on that day to his followers remain questions for all of his followers on any day: "He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”"

A - All these years later, my problem is that after a season of smooth sailing I begin to think I'm past the season of storms. Maybe I'm thinking 'I've got this part of following down' and so storms in this area of living really serve no purpose. This line of thinking has consistently produced three results in me:

1.       I am once again surprised, shocked and afraid due to a storm.

2.       Jesus remains steady and unoffended at my less than stellar reaction. Together we revisit his questions.

3.       I end up amazed in confidence due to his presence and then by the resolution of the storm.

This serves to illustrate to me, and in me, the reason the work is believing the person of Jesus not a concept, promise or principle (John 6:29). The person has all authority in heaven and on earth and he's working everything for good … everything! The conclusion of King David is the conclusion for all who follow the Lord as Shepherd: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3 ESV)

P - Lord who is the Good Shepherd and my Shepherd,

Thank you for calling me to your very self to learn to think, love, live and speak the way you do. Thank you for the compass point of your presence recalibrating me in my littleness and fearful weakness. The work is not getting out of the storm but believing you. I accept this work; grateful that mustard seed sized faith is sufficient for you … unto everything being possible. I admit that every day and in every circumstance you already have in mind what you're going to do. You lead and I'll follow.

Looking forward to more amazement,

Steve

Why Didn't Jesus Stop Her?

S - "And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44 ESV)

O - Admittedly it's an interesting place for Jesus to position himself.  Yet the really engaging question in this story is why he lets the widow do it?  Why doesn't he stop her?  The amount is negligible in the grand scheme of Temple costs and support. If she kept her offering it would not be missed and in giving it won't she severely miss it? Maybe by the time he sees her it's too late … it took only a matter of seconds and once the coins left her hand it's literally down the drain.  So, why doesn't he send one of the twelve after her with a couple of denarii to replace and drastically increase her former financial bearing?  How will she eat?  How will she live until she somehow gains a few coins again? Could the reason be that Jesus actually believes everything he's been telling the twelve and the crowds about money, provision and how to live life on earth?  In keeping with his teaching about worry and daily bread (cf. Matthew 6, Luke 12), maybe he's convinced his Father will care for her by a miracle or through others. Wait … wasn't Jesus a street kid in Jerusalem for three or four days when he was twelve?  How did he eat and where did he sleep?  Why wasn't he flustered and afraid when his parents found him some 72 to 96 hours later (Luke 2:41-51)? Hmmm … don't worry, don't run after, don't take.  Trust, follow and all these things will be added. 

A - Jesus is very direct about the cost of following him (literally everything), the corrosive nature of money (be on your guard against all kinds of greed), the Father's willing involvement in daily bread (give us this day our daily bread) and that there are no exceptions to the truth that no one can serve God and money (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). The question for me is will I believe him?  Will I take him at his word?  Since for Jesus believing and living are completely connected, will I live this "out loud"?  His question remains foremost in how I am to think, speak, live and love (John 3:11-12):""Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony! If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" [LEB]

P - Lord of Daily Bread,

I accept your testimony about earth and realize that as I live this out loud you won't stop me either.  Instead, you'll lead, reveal, provide, protect and enable me.  I admit that even in daily bread issues your ways are your own.  I'm not putting any confidence in how I think your words should come to fruition.  I'm putting all my faith, trust, hope in your person … you lead and I'll follow. I affirm my everything is on the table … do everything you already have in mind to do.  Thank you for not stopping her and for not stopping any and all who will take you at your word.

All in,

Steve 

Revealed this Way?!

S - "After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21:1-14 ESV)

O - What an amazing way for Jesus to reveal and confirm his resurrected self to seven of his closest friends and followers.  Fish, fishing, breakfast … very few words, big on presence and nonverbal communication (e.g. 153 large fish).  The entire exchange records one simple question and three simple sentences from Jesus.  Communication a child can understand. No theological reviews, tests on Scripture or even prayers for the food. They are together over breakfast and around the person of Jesus.  The conversation will increase and intensify after breakfast … after the revelation is completely accepted by the seven.  Religion puts its emphasis on protocol, environment and information.  Heaven puts its emphasis on presence, relationship and love.  The promise of Jesus remains to this very day: "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”" (Matthew 18:19-20 ESV) 

A - The seven spend all night fishing, not praying.  The result? A "bumper crop" of fish and a very amazing visit from Jesus. Religion taught me that exceptional visits must be preceded by exceptional prayers.  Jesus lived and acted the opposite.  After the miracle of feeding the 5,000 he goes to spend the evening in prayer (Matthew 14:21-23). After the whole town turns out and all are healed he's out by himself praying (Mark 1:29-35).   It's not that I should never pray all night, it's why I should.  Prayer is me making myself lovingly present to God … who is already lovingly present to me and already working everything for good (Romans 8:28).  Apparently there is a great need for being together all night to fish before considering all night to pray.  I'll believe Jesus; live and fish in agreement with my brothers and sisters, anticipate his visit and then look forward to an all-nighter with me making myself loving present to him.     

P - Lord who is love,

Today I'm looking forward living in agreement from fish to revelations … with your family … all who love you back.  I thank for giving us to each other in the same way you've given yourself to us; wholeheartedly and completely.  I welcome you and your kingdom so near to interface in and through my very little life unto all you already have in mind to do.  I say yes to you.

In you and your name,

Steve