The Things I've Learned in 2016

       As it was for many of you, 2016 was a challenging year for me. From start to finish, I dealt with many situations most of my peers hopefully won't encounter for a very long time. I also experienced new joys and familiar pains. My faith was (and still is) being tested moment by moment, and while sometimes that's painful, sometimes it is wonderful. Now, when the calendar dwindles and we look back and reflect, I want to share some of the things I've learned over the past twelve months.

Consistency Pays Off

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

       This year I have seen incredible physical changes. Most weeks I have exercised between three and five days, focusing entirely on bodyweight exercises. While working out I've often wondered what else I could achieve if only I was so consistent in other things. The physical changes would be even more dramatic if I consistently ate healthy, sure. But more than that, what if I could study, or write, or pursue friendships with the same concentrated effort? Still, to be in my early 30's and have the best muscle definition of my life and more energy than I know what to do with is something that greatly pleases me. 

       One other area where I did show some consistency was in writing my 12 part blog series on Story and Jesus. I am tremendously thankful for the people who encouraged me on that journey, the result of which some have said is my magnum opus. Writing and completing that meditation on Jesus has changed my life, and I hope touched the lives of others. In time, I hope to expand on those thoughts and write an entire book.  

       I've also learned the value of ritual. When I write, I set out my diecast Thor figure, with his stern glare, to remind to focus and finish what I've started. I also light a mahogany candle, the scent of which signals my brain that now is a time to create. While I wish that I had a set time every day to write, placing Thor and lighting the scented candle help me find that creative space whenever time allows.

God Understands

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit

Psalm 34:18

       Looking back on everything I learned while writing about Jesus this year, the thing that struck me most is the story of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus. The Gospel of John tells us, "Jesus wept." There's been some debate as to why, but in the context of the story it seems obvious to me. Jesus cried because his friends were crying. He understood what was going on, but they didn't. He knew that Lazarus was going to come forth just as soon as the stone was moved and he could speak the words, but they didn't. And even though he knew the outcome, it still pained him to see them suffering.

       God doesn't change. My heart has been broken multiple times this year, and I don't know why God let that happen. I don't know God's plan, or what might be on the horizon. God doesn't owe me an immediate explanation and I'm at peace with that. My peace comes in knowing that the same God who wept at the tomb of Lazarus is weeping with me when I'm hurting and things just don't make sense. And I know that as long as I seek Him, all things will work together for good. 

It's Not About the Immediate Outcome

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

       This year I have spent more hours in prayer than several other years combined. I don't say that to brag, but only to stress how much I need God in my life. Only God can change hearts, and as much time as I have prayed for him to change others', I've spent more time begging him to change mine. While seeking his will, I have had to do things that frighten me, that stretch me. More often than not, the outcome has been neither what I wanted nor expected. But I keep going. Paul talks about the good works that we are to walk in, but he doesn't say a thing about the results. Sometimes, we do what is right because of the doing. 

       I am proud. I am selfish. And I am prone to self-pity. So when I don't get what I want, I'm learning to see it as an opportunity for my faith to grow. God doesn't bargain with us, and the Bible isn't a recipe book. We can't do all the right things for a guaranteed result. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. All we can do is trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and not depend on our own understanding. In all our ways we are to acknowledge Him, and He will direct our paths. Where we end up is entirely up to Him. 

In Conclusion

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

       With everything that has happened to me over the last twelve months, I can honestly say that 2016 has been a transformative year. I am not the same man I was last December, physically, mentally, or spiritually. I am tremendously thankful for the people God has brought into my life this year (or re-brought into my life), who have challenged me to become a better man. I am also indebted to those few, close friends who have allowed me to lean on them when things have become nearly unbearable. You know who you are. 

       Looking ahead to 2017, I don't expect things to change, for the challenges to cease. I only expect more of the same, perhaps in greater amounts. All of these challenges, I believe, have simply been preparation for more changes to come. Life may not get any easier. But in the end, I'm just trying to be the man God wants me to be, and it's all for His glory. 

Advent IV: Jesus

God communicates with us in many different ways. One of the most special ways is through story. We tell stories to people with whom we desire a relationship, and God's word is filled with them. The stories are true, of course, but they are still narratives and not fact sheets. As with everything else in creation, stories have structure. By looking at the different parts, we can learn more about the whole.

Advent IV: The Story of the Child

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

       In every writing class, the first thing every student learns is "show, don't tell." As narrators, if we tell our audience that Steve is fearsome it doesn't carry much weight. But if we show two other characters talking about how Steve frightens them, and everyone else, our readers know not to mess with Steve. The Christmas story as recorded in the Bible is filled with people talking about the child, from ancient prophets, to angels, to eyewitnesses. 

       700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

       The name Immanuel means "God with us." We know that Isaiah wasn't embellishing. The child of the virgin is literally God, come to us. Once we accept that, everything else we hear will make perfect sense. Later the prophet tells us more, saying that the child will be called "Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace." He will be a supernaturally understanding mentor. He will be an infinitely powerful deity. He will be a father who is never absent. He will be the embodiment of peace. The baby in the manger... He is all of those things and more.
       When the angel Gabriel came to Mary (the virgin Isaiah mentioned), he reiterated many of the same things.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

        Just in case anyone forgot over the past several hundred pages in the Bible, or the last seven centuries, the child is God, a king who rules forever.
       The angels who addressed the shepherds had one more thing to add: "For unto you is born this day... a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." The consequences of sin are everywhere, in the things we do that we wish we wouldn't, in broken relationships, in the evil things people do to one another. The angels told the shepherds, and us, that the baby, Jesus, came to save us... all of us, if we will only accept God's gift.
       Matthew, the disciple and author of the gospel that bears his name, tells us most of what we know about Mary's story. We know from other passages that Mary spent time with Jesus's friends, so it's safe to assume that Matthew got his information directly from Jesus' mother. No one tells the story of a pregnancy and birth better than the baby's mom, and it was she who told Matthew the story of her visit from Gabriel, the trip to Bethlehem, and the visit from the shepherds. Let that sink in for a minute.
       For many us, the Christmas holiday is quite painful. Ever since my sister and I grew out of childhood and into young adults, the desire of my heart has been to see my family grow, to share special memories and Christmas traditions with new family members and children. So far, the only thing that has grown is my longing for those things. Then on December 23, 2013 my father, who we thought was the picture of health, passed away from a sudden heart attack. For us, Christmas will never be the same.
       But I will remember the message of the angels, told to the shepherds, recounted by Mary, prophesied by Isaiah. At Christmas, we celebrate the arrival of a Savior, the conqueror of sin and death. Two thousand years later, the news might be old. But the joy is everlasting.
       So if you hear me singing Christmas songs, or catch me watching a silly Christmas cartoon, I'm not faking happiness. While this is a most painful time of year, it is also the season of greatest meaning to me. And I will strive to keep the joy and the spirit of Christmas alive in my heart always.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

     

Advent III: The Story of the Magi

God communicates with us in many different ways. One of the most special ways is through story. We tell stories to people with whom we desire a relationship, and God's word is filled with them. The stories are true, of course, but they are still narratives and not fact sheets. As with everything else in creation, stories have structure. By looking at the different parts, we can learn more about the whole.

The Story of the Magi

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star of royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

       While the Three Wise Men probably didn't see Jesus until he was at least a month old, they have become an essential part of the Christmas story. We only assume that there were three of them, given the three gifts they brought, and only Matthew mentions them at all. Information on them is limited, and for that reason I find them fascinating. 

       Remember, the angels told the shepherds that their message of joy was "for all people." The shepherds were Jewish believers. The Magi, the Magicians if you will, were gentile pagans, sorcerers, wizards. Their chosen profession is condemned throughout the Bible clearly and consistently. Yet the message of joy was for them too. 

       The shepherds had the birthright to approach the King of kings, but lacked the social and academic qualifications. The Magi had the social status, but lacked the everything else. Both groups were called to see him, because the message was (and still is) for the whole world.

       Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

"And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel."

       These Magicians were searching for something. They were looking to the stars as astrologists. God tells his Story in the stars, as he does in many places. In his wisdom, he used the stars to bring the Magicians to scripture, and from scripture literally to himself. 

       And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

       A Herald isn't always a person. Sometimes it's an event, like a new star in the sky. An Ally and an Enemy are sometimes one in the same. Sometimes we leave the gold, frankincense and myrrh behind for a treasure that is far more valuable. And the Road Back isn't always the one we came in on.
       But the Story is always true.
       The Magi might better be called the Searchers. Even though they were looking in many wrong directions, they were looking with open minds. And God used the stars, an evil king, and ancient prophecy to bring them to worship him. When we are truly seeking something real, something true, we never know where God will choose to reveal himself.

For [God's] invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:20 

       

Advent II: The Shepherds and The Angels

God communicates with us in many different ways. One of the most special ways is through story. We tell stories to people with whom we desire a relationship, and God's word is filled with them. The stories are true, of course, but they are still narratives and not fact sheets. As with everything else in creation, stories have structure. By looking at the different parts, we can learn more about the whole.

The Story of The Shepherds and The Angels

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn king"

       While downtown Bethlehem was packed with people, for the shepherds it was just another boring night. Somewhere a sheep bleated. Someone told an off-color joke. Everyone smelled bad. Just another miserable night for the outcasts. Until...

...An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

       In story, when the Herald archetype appears it signals a major change for the characters. The Herald doesn't just make an announcement, he pushes the Hero further into the adventure. Like the angel who appeared to Mary, this angel arrives with an invitation that cannot be ignored, propelling these individuals into radically new worlds. The major change these angels announce literally changes the course of history. We still use it define timelines: Before and After Christ. But more than that, this was a message of joy "for all the people." Not just some people. Not just chosen people, rich people, nice-smelling people. All the people. The reason for the joy? A (capital S) Savior. 

       The "glory of the Lord" must be a holy and awesome thing. We know that in the past, when the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle not even Moses could approach. It was simply too much for him, a man who had seen some astonishing things. Bet the guy who'd just told the off-color joke felt pretty silly. "Hope the angel didn't hear that one." 

       "Fear not." Yeah, right. 

       Imagine the craziest concert laser and pyrotechnics show you've ever seen. Now imagine that you're a first century sheep farmer, who has never seen a sparkler. The show the angels put on would put your concert to shame. To the shepherds it must have been awesome in a way we can barely grasp. God was starting the next phase in his great Story, bringing joy and hope to his beloved creation, that had not known either for so very long. It was only right that he start it off with celebration.

       But to whom did God invite this one time only special event? Shepherds. God may have been celebrating, but he does nothing without a purpose. Animal farmers aren't exactly aristocracy. But the angels had just said, "For all people." If that included low and dirty shepherds, that included kings, and it includes us. Had God started by inviting the best, how long before the invitation would have trickled down to the least? The Savior has come for all people. 

       Rather than sitting back in the glow of what they had just seen, the shepherds were fired up. They couldn't sit still.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

       The message of the Herald set them in motion, out their Ordinary World in the pasture, and into the city to see the Savior of mankind for themselves. But consider this:

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

       They became heralds themselves. Everything they had seen was so incredible, so awesome, that they couldn't stop talking about it. These guys probably didn't get much social interaction, they were awkward and noisy when excited. They didn't have "indoor voices." Yet they were the ones God chose to start spreading the word. If God can use them, he can use us too.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:20