How quickly our opinion can change. Opposition vs. faith

How many times have you changed your mind about something?  My cousin bought a cool foreign car that he hadn't seen anyone else with.  It should have been a show stopper, you know, the only one of its kind around.  Instead, what he thought was going to be this great car turned out to be a lemon.  Constant electrical problems and being towed.  Your excitement about a new car quickly turns to disgust and frustration when it doesn't work like it should.

Seems like our opinions of our situation in life can change pretty quick too.  I must confess that I've had days (more than I want to publicly admit, though I'm pretty sure my Mom is the only one who will read this...) when what started out great soon took a turn just because it took a few extra minutes to find my keys.  Or, I had to go back to the house after I had left to get something I forgot.  Neither of these minor annoyances was any big deal but I have had bigger issues.  I have worked hard to prepare for a meeting or a move or change or new plan at church and was really excited about it only to face a relatively small amount of opposition and my whole demeanor just tanks.  I go from really excited and looking forward to the future to depressed, angry, annoyed and, well, just ready to throw in the towel.

The Israelites opinion about their situation changed pretty quick too.

Over the previous weeks or maybe months, they had seen incredible sights.  Lighting bolts shoot to the ground and then roll around.  Hail stones that killed cattle and people.  A black sheet, completely cutting off the sun, drop on an entire nation without affecting anyone around them.  They had seen that same nation filled with frogs and gnats and locusts but no one else was touched.  They had seen some incredible sights.  And then, on their way out of Egypt, after all 10 miraculous plagues, they went to their neighbors and asked for whatever they could give them - they plundered Egypt and it was all just given to them (I can't even get a neighbor to help me load the moving truck - let alone give me money, gold, or some cattle!).

Now they are camped at the edge of the sea, just like God told them to do, waiting for direction from God through Moses as to what they were to do next.  And all the sudden they see the dust storm from the chariots of Egypt coming their direction and they complain to Moses, "didn't we say 'leave us alone. let us serve the Egyptians?'" Now, here's what I find odd.  In verse 8 of Exodus 14 it says that the people of Israel were, "marching out boldly" (NIV).  Imagine, all the people, done with their slavery, done with making bricks AND having to gather the straw to meet their quota.  Done with nothing but fish and onions every day for dinner.  Done with Egyptians killing their children, raping their women and beating them if they didn't perform. All of it was over and on top of that they are loaded down with gold, silver, livestock, flocks and herds, clothes and everything they could carry.  Of course they were marching out boldly!  Their God had just unleashed incredible plagues on Egypt and left Goshen (a border area) untouched!  Amazing!

All of this and then someone sees a cloud of dust and their day goes south in a hurry.  What changed?  What happened between boldly to "leave us alone!"?  Opposition happened.  Isn't it easier to say, "God is great!"  when life is great?  But when we face opposition from the enemy pretty soon it's, "leave me alone, God!"  Even the evil king of Israel blamed God when his city was under siege and his people dying (2 Kings 6).  When opposition comes we quickly forget all that God has done and wonder what God IS DOING.  And if He's not acting fast enough, or doesn't get us out of trouble before it really hits then we're upset with Him.

But what would have happened if the waters would have parted when there was no fear?  Well, God would not have had opportunity to once again gain glory for Himself through the Egyptians (honestly, any one of the plagues or the parting of the sea could have caused Egypt to repent) who He certainly wanted to save.  The sea was just another chance for the Egyptians to believe while proving God's providence and power once again to the Israelites.

Look, without opposition there can be no strengthening of faith.  If you knew everyone would accept your invitation to attend church and would be saved and thank you profusely you invite everyone, right?  But there is opposition so that our faith might be built-up.  If you knew God was going to heal every person you prayed for, even strangers in the street, you'd stop everybody who had a problem and pray for healing.  If the enemy totally left you alone once you accepted Jesus how would your faith be built.

Without opposition there is no increased strength.  Without opposition our faith would atrophy, wither and die.  If I knew God would always provide, always heal, always do everything I asked I wouldn't need faith, it wouldn't exist.  Faith is being sure of what we HOPE for and certain of what we do NOT see.  Faith says, this opposition is fierce, this mountain steep, this river wide, this problem consuming... but God is stronger, tougher and bigger than any opposition we may face.  I just need to remember that.

I'll take option #3

Recently my family and I were watching the first National Treasure movie.  There's a part in there where Benjamin Gates has been arrested by the FBI and is talking with one of the agents who gives him two options, go to jail for a very long time (for stealing the Declaration of Independence) or help them catch the guy who has the Declaration now and then go to jail for a very long time.  Ben doesn't like either of those options so he asks for option three.  The agent, unamused tells him, there is no third option.  Well, later, while trying to get the Declaration back, Ben says, "I've found option three and I'm taking it."  He then jumps off the top deck of an aircraft carrier into the Hudson river - OUCH!  The two agents refuse to jump and Ben gets away.

Why the recap of Nation Treasure?  I want to live my life looking for option 3.  Here's what I mean, let me use Numbers 14 and Exodus 14 to explain.

When the Israelites leave Egypt God tells them to, "turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon" (Exodus 14:1). They were to do this because God had a plan that would, "gain glory for" Himself through Pharaoh. When the Israelites were right where God had told them to go they were caught between the sea and the Egyptian army who were coming after them. They cried out to God and asked, were there "no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?" It seems to me the only saw two options: stay in Egypt and be slaves or die in the desert.

Then in Numbers 14 the Israelites are once again exactly where God wanted them, a place called Kadesh, South of the promised land. Moses sent 12 spies to scope out the land God had promised to give them but ten of the spies said it couldn't be done - and the people believed them. They said, "Why didn't we die in Egypt? Or in this wilderness?3 Why has God brought us to this country to kill us? Our wives and children are about to become plunder. Why don't we just head back to Egypt? And right now!" Once again they see two options: Die in the desert or trying to take the promised land from it's inhabitants, or go back to being slaves in Egypt.

In both of these cases the Israelites only saw two options - but God saw another way... option three. I think we often get so caught up looking at the realities of our lives that we fail to realize God is not limited by our reality. In fact, Romans 14:17 says that God, "gives life to the dead and calls things that are NOT as though they WERE" (emphasis mine). In both of these cases, Exodus 14 and Numbers 14, God wanted to do something else that the people couldn't see - and option they didn't catch. God wanted to display His power to accomplish the impossible among them. In Exodus He parted the sea so they could get to safety and then drowned the entire Egyptian army in that same sea. And in Numbers He was going to supernaturally drive out the inhabitants of the land so that His chosen people could poses it. But they didn't see it.

I think that I will live the rest of my life looking for option 3. Perhaps I'll call it the God Factor. Whenever I get in a position that I think is hopeless or where my sight it limited to only the realities I can see - I'll chose option 3 and believe that it's in that precise moment that God wants to know if I'll chose Him and His ways over what I "think" will happen. Instead of choosing the lesser or two stinky options, I'll pick option 3. I'll go with the God Factor and trust that He wants to do something through me that is beyond me and above me but completely within the realm of possibility with God.

Are you in one of these situations where all you can see are bad options? Either you do this one stinky thing or that other stinky thing. Are you stuck between a rock and a hard place or maybe between Egypt and the Sea? Well, why not determine to chose option 3. I mean, if you're gonna die anyway what have you got to lose? I'll tell you what you could lose. You could lose the reconciliation of your marriage. You could lose the career that you were perfectly suited for in Christ. You could lost your child for good. You could lose being a part of some incredible move of God. Simply because you refused to believe that He could and that He would act on your behalf. You refused to see the God Factor in your situation. You refused to take option 3.

As for me, I'm gonna be an option 3 man of faith.

God overheard their talk

When my kids were younger they would often get together and come up with schemes.  Schemes to trick dad.  Schemes to get to go swimming.  Schemes to get a trip to Wal-Mart.  Schemes to get desert before dinner (which actually comes first in alphabetical order!).  The problem they always ran into was that they would scheme, in their whisper voices, right near me!  So, I did what any good dad would do, I squashed their hopes and dreams and schemes - I was an equal opportunity squash-er.  Now, once in awhile I let them get through with their scheming and then, because I heard their plans, I could do the opposite of what they thought I would do and I would confuse them so much they never got around to what they really wanted.  Overhearing their little talks was very helpful in combating their schemes.

Aaron and Miriam were apparently scheming something while Moses was looking or listening.  It had something to do with Moses' wife, she wasn't an Israelite, so they could have been a little upset about that.  Why does he get to lead when he's got this foreign wife?  People come up with the dumbest reasons for scheming against someone when their trying to accomplish some agenda.  My father, a pastor for more than 30 years, was once told he shouldn't be a preacher because he was color blind and had a hard time telling the difference between the hot and neutral wire when working on the church wiring (btw - hot and neutral don't matter much, its the ground that you have to worry about!).

Anyway, Aaron and Miriam are scheming against Moses who is out of ear-shot, so it's called gossip you know...  when all the sudden God gets involved.  He calls the three of them to come meet with Him at the tent of meeting (aptly named) and begins to get after the two schemers.  And I just love this last sentence in verse 2 that says, "God overheard their talk."  Wow.

I started thinking about the things I've said... the things I've thought, since God knows them too... No matter where I am or who I'm with God overhears my talk.  That's a sobering thought since I know what comes out of my mouth.  God overhears it all.  Those things I say to my wife in private about someone or something.  What I say at church to our leaders and partners.  What I think to myself when I'm around all those different people!  God overhears.  And in this story in 2 Kings 2 He doesn't just take it.

How would your talk change if God called you to account for what you'd said when you didn't think anyone else was listening?  I stopped and asked for forgiveness right there in my notes... and help in watching what I say, since someone is always overhearing.  God overhears our talk.  What's He gonna say to you?

The wall, the Fall and the Fact

So recently my oldest son and I ran our first Marathon.  Wow, still feels weird to say that.  In training I followed a book called 4 hours to a 4 hour marathon.  I made it in 5:17, I didn't say I followed it closely.  Near the end of the book the author, Dave Kuehls, talks about the wall.  It's a fictitious reality for runners.  A point somewhere between mile 13 and 20-something where you feel like you can't go on and you must give up.  Your body is spent.  Your mind fried.  Your muscles weak.  But, if you keep moving, keep running, you can regain your strength.  Renew your mind and refresh your muscles in order to finish.  The key he says is to remember that you can do this.  You've trained.  You've prepared.  You're ready.  It's just a matter of finishing now.

I noticed in the Bible that often times when someone does something great for God... let me rephrase that.  When God does something great through someone, that person often hits the wall next.  In this case, Elijah, in I Kings has destroyed the prophets of Baal and proven that God is God (God sent fire from heaven after Elijah's prayer, to consume the sacrifice, alter, water and dirt it was all on).  He's also told everyone that it would rain (which it hadn't done for three years) and has tucked his tunic in his shorts and run AHEAD of Ahab's chariot (he's the king, with lots of the fastest horses) all the way down the mountain.  The point is that Elijah, er, God has done some pretty amazing things through Elijah in a very short time.

Now Elijah is in the desert and sits down under a bush and asks God to kill him.  Why?  He hit the wall.  He reached the limit of his faith.  He'd accomplished so much, put so much on the line and now he's just done.  Imagine how you would feel in front of more than 400 prophets who want you dead.  Behind them is the Nation of Israel and the king - all of them want you dead.  "Oh God, please answer my prayer!"  Surely Elijah had already played the "what if" game.  What if there was no fire?  What if there is no rain?  What if the chariot catches him and runs him over (surely Ahab's plan).  Elijah, would have looked like a fool!  He would have surely been killed!  He would have thought he was a crazy person who heard voices... God?  didn't you tell me to do this?

There is always a lot on the line when we stand up for God.  But nothing is more at risk than the Holy Image and Name of the God of the Universe!

We hit the wall when we forget that it's all about Him and not about us.  It's not Elijah's strength, his prayer or his persuasive words that caused all that stuff to happen, it was the Holy Name of God.  It wasn't Elijah, it was God.  It's never us, it's always Him.

So, the next time you hit the spiritual wall remember, it's not about you.  It's not your strength, your power, your prayer or your name on the line.  It's His.  And in Him and through Him there is unlimited power to accomplish every plan He chooses.  He's working through you.  Its Him, not you, not me, not we, Him.

The Wall - we hit it when we try to accomplish God's plans in our strength.
The Fall - in our weakness we give up because we don't have the strength/faith to continue.
The Fact - strength comes FROM God THROUGH us to accomplish His plan and purpose.

What has He called you to do?  If you can't accomplish it on your own you've just taken the first step in doing something incredible for/with God.  Keep running.

Somebody's got to do the heaving lifting...

Ever get frustrated because you feel like someone isn't, "pulling their weight"?  I remember the first week or so of Basketball practice in High School, killing myself to keep the team from running more killers (ladders or suicides).  There was always a guy or two who just didn't seem to care.  Fortunately the hazing they brought on themselves meant they didn't stay out very long.

There are always those who will not carry their weight.  I guess that's just part of life.  But when something needs to be accomplished you really need those willing to carry the heavy loads.  We often want things to be fair and equal but the fact of the matter is someone is always gonna draw the short straw.  Incredible things happen though, when those who can, do.

In Numbers 4 God is giving instructions to Moses and Aaron as to how this huge machine called the Nation of Israel is to move about as they wander the countryside.  Think of it, two, three, maybe six million or more need to move together as a unit.  And not only that, the Tabernacle - the House of God - has to be broken down, stowed and moved so that the people would know where to Go.  They were to follow the Ark (part of the Tabernacle furnishings and housed the very presence of God) so where the Ark/Tabernacle went they people followed.

So God gave instruction for the families of the Levites, three clans who would each be given something to carry as the Israelites moved from place to place.  One family would carry the articles and utensils used with them.  One family would carry the poles, pegs, basses and frames.  But only one family was called to "serve by carrying heavy loads."  This family, the Gershonites, were to carry the clothes and curtains and coverings - many of them several layers thick of heavy woven and sewn fabrics - which covered the Tabernacle itself and made up the curtain that surrounded the entire Tabernacle compound.

This is how the Nation would move from place to place.  If the heavy loads (and all the other loads) weren't carried the Nation would not, could not move as God led.

What has God called you to do to help His people move from where they are to where God wants them?  Someone is going to have to carry the heavy load.  Has God called you to that task?  If so, don't argue, don't whine and don't back down because the work is difficult.  Instead, must your strength and rely on Him and carry your load.  You may be the one who helps many get where God is leading.  Your load may be heavy but the reward is often just as big.

Whatever God has called you to do.  Whatever skill or talent or aptitude God has given you, own it.  Carry it.  Lead so that others can get where God is.  And when it's time, get out of the way so that someone else can carry the load in your place.  Notice that everyone has a load to carry, but some get the blessing and struggle to be called to carry the heavy load.

Carry it in His strength and for His Glory and purpose.  For the Church and for getting where He wants to take us all, carry your load.

Mark Making

We leave lots of marks in our lives.  I carved a heart and my wife and my initials into a tree.  Our daughter wrote, "I love you," on our bathroom mirror.  I used chalk to write, "I love you," on my wife's dashboard in her car.  A not-so-good-friend left a piece of pencil led in my knee my freshman year of HS.  I have a scar on my hand from sneaking over the chain link fence into the little kids play area at church with my friend Jason - we then had to get out quick when we heard someone coming, hence the scar.

I have left marks on my children's hearts, their backsides and their minds - as they have also done to me.  We all leave marks.  Omri, an ancient king of Israel, left his mark of evil.  He reigned for 12 years.  And 1 Kings 16 says, "The rest of Omri's life, the mark he made on his times, is written in The Chronicles of the Kings of Israel."  This was not a good thing for the people of Israel since Omri followed in the footsteps of Jereboam's evil and was the father of Ahab who, "did even more open evil before God than anyone yet-a new champion in evil!" (MSG 1 Kings 16:30).


What a mark!  The father of the worst and most evil king ever was who he was because of the mark his father left.  Every one of us leaves a mark.  Every action.  Every word.  Every inconsiderate comment.  Every smile.  Every flare of road-rage.  Every gesture of kindness.  My oldest son just told me yesterday that sometimes he offers to help older folks get their groceries into their cars at the store.  "They look at me like I'm gonna rob them..." was his next statement, but at least he's offering!  And what a mark left on an older generation that often thinks those young folks don't care about anyone but themselves.


What kind of mark are you leaving on your family?  On your friends or acquaintances?  I got to help a lady stuck in the road who was out of gas, out of hope and out of work for the last 2 months.  Mark left.  What kinds of marks will you purpose to leave?  Marks that encourage and build up or tear down and create even higher degrees of evil than you thought of?  Everyone leaves a mark... what does yours look like?