Clarity is important

1 Corinthians 10:23-31 (ESV)

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Clarity is important.  When my boys were growing up I regularly give them some ‘opportunities’ to help me with around the house to give them ‘exposure’ to what it’s like to be an adult.  Mainly, I try to encourage them to see a problem and then fix it. To get the result I want I have to be very clear with the direction that I gave approaching each problem.  

Fasting also requires clarity – a well-defined thing we’re going to fast from and a pre-determined time we’re going to spend fasting.  For your digital fast you need to figure out exactly what forms of technology you’re going to break from.  I’d encourage you to think about the things that currently occupy a lot of your time and tie up your attention. Maybe it’s your social media apps, Netflix…you decide.  Then determine your parameters and the length of time you plan to fast. If this is your first digital fast, start with an hour or two a day (I’m going to shut my phone off from 6-8:00 pm or I’ll leave my phone in my room during meal times, for example). If you really want to “go big” try fasting from all your technology for a 24-hour period.

1 Corinthians 10 reminds us that good things (like technology) aren’t always good for us.  Read this passage today and think about what “good things” in your life you need to take a break from so they don’t eventually hurt you (or those around you)!

Dear Lord, I pray that we would take the time to look at the things that are taking up our time. Help us to put You first in all things that we do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

God's wavelength

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Remember when you had a small 13 inch color television set your living room. It had a knob to change the channels on it.  If it was cloudy outside, you would have to hand-turn the antenna half way around to try and pick up a second network, but usually it was only static.

These days we have cable with over one hundred channels. We can click the remote through them at lightening speed. More often than not, however, we find our self watching some rerun. On our computer there are shows, videos, and stories from all over the world. Yet, time and time again we find our self-getting bored, turning it off. Then we have a smart phone that get any information we need from the internet in mere seconds.

Even with all this technology, one thing that we know is that in this crazy, mixed-up, super-information society we still need to find the right wavelength.

You still need to tune into God. You still need to turn your antenna to love. You still need to connect daily with kindness. Without these things life has no meaning. Without these things you gain no wisdom and have no joy. Without these things your soul is just static.

Dear Lord, we pray today that we would be on Your wavelength. Help us to keep our focus on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

Don't Forget Your True Purpose in Life.

Revelation 3:1-2 (NIV)

1“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.

The advancements of technology are amazing. What was once impossible is now possible. Like the invention of suspension bridges that can withstand more weight than conventional bridges, for example.

But then again, not everything that is built lasts. Take, for example, one of the first suspension bridges ever built in America. It was built in 1856 over the Montmorency Falls near Quebec City. It was the pride of Canada. A beauty in conception!

5 days later it collapsed, taking its bridge keeper, his wife and a bridge visitor for the ride of their lives. The engineer didn't fare that well either, when he was indicted for criminal negligence.

A more recent bridge, Bridge 9340, that spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, used to carry 140,000 vehicles daily, making it the fifth busiest bridge in Minnesota. On August 1, 2007, during the worst possible time of the day, rush hour, it collapsed, killing thirteen people and injuring 145 others. The cause? A design flaw!

We could name numerous other disasters of technical wonders that never lasted long enough to fulfill their intended uses. One thing they had all in common: they were all flawed with flaws indiscernible to the eye!

One day we, too, may realize that we are left wanting. In fact the New Testament urges us to "wake up!" as more often than not we forget our true purpose in life.

"I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up!" (Rev 3:1-2 NIV)

These words are far from flattering, don't you think? But if we really meditate on them we have no choice but to agree with them.

As Christians, our reputation is that we are truly alive. Didn't Jesus say "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)? We are the ones who are called "alive" and who are to bring that "full" life to others. However are we truly "alive"?

How many times don't we sing worship songs with frowns permanently etched into our faces, with our thoughts geared towards the mundane? How often don't we go to church wishing it was over before it even starts, or perhaps we don't attend at all? How many times are we eager to open God's Word to hear directly from the One who is called the Lover of our soul? How frequently do we communicate with the One we call Lord and Saviour? Do we share that jubilant life with those we call "our friends"?

Are we truly alive or are we dead? Who wants to dream their life away? Maybe it is time to wake up!

The apostle Paul urges us to: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Eph 5:14 NIV)

The only way we can truly experience real living is if we wake up from our stupor and let Jesus be the One who shines through us. He is the One who gives true purpose in our lives.

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Eph 5:15-16 NIV)

We, too, are wonderfully made, but we, too, can become flawed if we don't let Jesus change us from zombies into creatures of light. We, too, can crumble under the weight of those who trust us, unless we let Jesus be our energy.

We were meant to be alive, not to crumble into everlasting sleep!

On January 23rd 1938 a terrible wind storm blew over Lake Erie, propelling an abundance of ice down the Niagara River and over the Falls. The ice accumulated at the foot of the Falls and started to push against the bridge abutments and the hinge supports of the arch. This caused severe structural damage, and the people of Niagara Falls were aware that it was only a question of time before the bridge would eventually collapse. Word got out, and numerous tourists and locals waited in the cold to see the bridge's downfall, which eventually happened four days later at 4:20 in the afternoon.

Rather than attracting people to come and witness my demise, I'd rather they come to the One who not only makes me alive, but can make them alive as well. What about you?

Dear Lord, may we become fully alive according to your purpose. May we soar above the clouds so that others will indeed know that we are a follower of the Way, Your way.  In Jesus' name. Amen.