Serve Somebody

Today I was reminded of the great "post-conversion" song written by Bob Dylan, "Serve Somebody." You can listen to it here.

In the meantime, todays' message at Bridgeway Church in Denver, CO focused on how all of us need to stop living with our feet straddling a fence... make a decision - decide once and for all whom we will trust - either completely and fully trust God - or - trust the world and all it has to offer. But it is foolishness to say "I trust you God, but..." That does not work.

Is it hard to fully trust God? Of course! It's hard to fully trust anything or anyone. That's why it is called "trust."

The lesson focused on Elijah challenging the prophets and people who followed the god, Baal. He basically put God to the test and, in the process, showed that there is only One God - and it was not Baal. It's a great story found in Exodus 17.

I am still digesting the message, trying to own it - because I do tend to be someone who proclaims with my mouth that I fully trust God - but who, at the same time, struggles with the reality of that declaration.

The goal, of course, is to be bold and courageous as I choose to fully trust God with all aspects of my life. May that be true of all of us.

It's All About - Me!

One of the very common, probably overly used phrases, in the exciting world of "being a Christian" is the notion that "it's all about HIM" (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit). In other words - all we do - should be focused towards and on the Living Lord Jesus Christ.

But I would like to propose that, while I understand and accept that notion - the REAL truth is that it is all about - US! It is all about - Me!

Let me explain.

All of us go thru "stuff" - every minute of every day, every day of every week, every week of every month, year, decade... etc. There is a constant sculpting taking place in our lives. We are the clay, He is the Potter, working on us and is us to craft us into the exact creation HE wants us to be.

"Bad things" happen to us. Some are fairly minor... the car breaks down, you miss the train, you don't get the raise you expected. Some are quite horrific... death of a loved one, dark secrets revealed, drug or some other addiction exposed. And, in the process, we hurt, we learn, we grow and we are refined - solely for the purpose of becoming more and more the person God is crafting us to be.

I've said that word "crafting" twice, now. On purpose.

We are like a huge piece of clumsy stone that the master sculptor us chipping away at in order to bring about the deep beauty that is within - that only He can see. That chipping is painful.

So, while it is true that all of our glory, honor, delight, joy, etc. needs to be aimed at the Only One who fully deserves it, the truth is that along the way, sometimes painful hammering, chiseling and molding are taking place - - - and that is all about me.