Saturday, March 26, 2011

Belly buttons...we all have 'em!

And so...lately I've become more aware of how I enjoy feeling valued and appreciated. I'm not sure it's possible in today's world to have original thoughts on the topic of significance and our human struggle to obtain it. But I've shared a few of my personal perspectives with friends and they encouraged me to blog those thoughts and that made me feel important. =D So here they are:

Whether it's children on a playground choosing teams for a game of baseball or well-dressed business men spending money they don't have, to impress people they don't really like...we all want to feel important. We want to be noticed, recognized for the special things that make us unique. The truth about human nature is that no matter how recognized you become in your own little world, it will never be enough because God created us with that need. He purposefully designed our hearts so that we would look to Him for our significance. When we expect others around us to appreciate or value us enough, we will be sorely disappointed and frustrated. Think of those shape sorters for children, where they pick up a square plastic block and try to cram it into the round hole. In the eyes of our creator I bet we look similar when we set our intention on position, title, role, or associations. Only understanding God's love for and pleasure in us will fill the God shaped hole he strategically placed in our hearts. I don't see this as a 'spiritual illness' to be cured or a 'weakness' to be strengthened. It's God's design that we come to Him daily/hourly to know that we are enough. And when we get close enough to Him to hear His whispers of affirmation, our hearts are encouraged to stay close to Him...which is when the God-shaped block fits perfectly into the God-shaped hole in our hearts.

In Mark 8:27-30 the account of Peter confessing Jesus as Messiah is recorded. In their discussion Jesus asks his closest followers/friends "Who do people say I am". Their response is of course neither shocking nor accurate. NONE of the people around him were able to accurately reflect who He really was. I don't think for one second Jesus was asking that question in the same way we do, but I think the response of others is still true today. No one in your life can fully, accurately tell you all that you are now or who are meant to be. No one but Jesus.

It is likely that as you've read thus far that you agree with what I've said and maybe you have even had the picture of someone you know flash before your eyes. It is easy to identify this struggle in other people you know. But I think this conflict is a little bit like a belly button...we all have them! So before you judge the actions of a person who seems to be "showing their belly button", take a minute and examine your own heart/actions. In those moments, CHOOSE GRACE and identify their struggle as common and pray that their desire would be redirected to the ONLY one who can satisfy it. Because if you are not aware of significance being a difficulty for you currently, it may be in the future. And when grace is given, it will be returned to you!

We all know and recognize that 'the world is full of hurting-struggling people'. Many of us give unending grace to the unbelievers that we encounter daily. Perhaps we could all broaden our definition of hurting-struggling people to include church going, serving, committed believers (self included) and extend His grace to everyone. Wouldn't it be great if doing so took the shame out of this issue? So that it would be no worse than having lipstick on your teeth or forgetting to zip your pants. With grace and understanding, we appreciate those things being brought to our attention. We correct them and move on, grateful that someone cared enough to point it out. One of the best indicators that a person understands grace is when they give it to themselves, allowing for sin followed by sincere repentance and a return to walking heart to heart with the Holy Spirit.

I have a friend who encourages others in a high-pitched, Minnie Mouse type voice "Look for Jesus. He's moving. Look for Him everywhere!" I find, on those days, when that is my focus, I see Him everywhere. I see Him in the face of the father pushing his child in a swing at the park, in the sway of the trees as they bow to the wind, in the faithfulness of the sunset. When my heart is focused on looking for Him, I seem to be able to forget about who is looking at me!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Road Construction Ahead

And so, apparently there was a huge clearance sale in my little corner of the globe on large, plastic, orange and white barrels. You know, the ones that pop up over night and force traffic that flowed freely the day you had all the time in the world to creep at a snails pace on one of those rare 'terrible, horrible, no good, very bad' days. Suddenly it seems that no major thoroughfare is without them. Medians are being constructed, roads are being widened, turn lanes are being added...all intended to make our lives easier.

THE road that leads to my home is a pot-hole infested, shoulder-less, two-lane, asphalt nightmare. From where I live it really is the ONLY logical way to and from the primary shopping areas. We were told 8 years ago that within 2 years it would be developed into a 5 lane concrete wonder. Perhaps they were talking 'dog years' and failed to mention that to us. So a few months ago we were thrilled when we finally began seeing signs of potential road construction. First it was the appearance of randomly placed culverts that will be burried underground to prevent flash floods. Next a tractor appeared and sat in one spot for several weeks. Tire tracks from large trucks began leaving grooves in the dry grass and then they began moving dirt. Every day I watch as I drive alongside the barreled/fenced off construction zone looking for some sign of significant progress. And while I can tell work is being done, it just seems to be happening so slowly that it's hard to picture the completed road.

One day as I bounced from one pothole to the next, straining to see some measurable difference from the day before, I heard the Holy Spirit say "Ya know, this is a great metaphor for your life right now." So I turned down my 80's dance music, curbed the serious head bobbing and said "Please, please tell me now. Is there something I should know?". He chuckled at my smart aleck Duran Duran reference and explained how there were a few areas in my life that would soon be 'under construction'. He drew parallels between the bumpy old road and some of the ways I relate to others. A few of the 'roads' that I've built have served a purpose but have, over time, become riddled with broken spots on which I've placed quick fixes that ultimately make my journey unpleasant and at times difficult to navigate. His loving words and gentleness melted my defensiveness as He shared His vision for the new 'ways' and 'lanes' He wanted to help me develop. Well constructed pathways that allowed for a smooth ride, were filled with light, and clear boundaries. As I approached a large pile of building material that had been delivered weeks ago and had not been moved, He told me there might be days when it appears that no work is being done. But that my ability to 'see progress' as I defined it, was not required for it to exist. Freshly moved dirt takes time to settle and newly poured concrete must 'set up' in order to withstand future traffic.

He reminded me that there ARE other physical roads to and from where I need to go. They make the trip longer and are not as convenient as the old, familiar road, but they are pot-hole free which is good for the alignment of my vehicle. Oh...I start to catch on... I do KNOW other relational paths to take, but they are unfamiliar and unsettling. But if I begin to take those paths, I'll be more 'aligned' and ready to roll when the construction is over. I sensed his pleasure as I opened my heart to see the beauty in the dirt and rebar and quiet tractors and seeming pile of junk that would all be used to make a way, a better way, for me to get to where I need to go.

Apparently the metaphors are endless because even as I write He's showing me new parallels. And because of that I'm learning to be grateful for all of those orange/white barrels instead of focusing on the pot-holes and getting frustrated by the inconvenience. They have become symbols of His work in my heart. Yes, there are moments that I lose perspective and grow weary, but He is faithful and provides the encouragement I need in countless ways.

And as I finish writing this I'm hearing a song in my head, no doubt placed there by Him...'Don't Stop Believing' by 'Journey'.

How appropriate! =D