Gratitude vs.Bragitude: Fighting the Spotlight Mentality

Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector.

I have to be honest and say that I really feel blessed in my life.  Mostly because I serve a really good God, and partly because I'm learning that the gift of contentment is one that really must be earned with blood, sweat and tears. 

With all that said, this journey toward contentment has allowed me- for the first time, to have the ability to take the focus off of myself.  God has been really challenging me to a growing awareness of the people around me....their joys, their struggles.

They say early adolescents go through a developmental season where they feel that the focus of the universe is on them.  When they walk into a room, the spotlight is on them.  It's as though they are living their life as the star of their own play, and everyone else is in the background- secondary characters. 

Sometimes I think that stage goes beyond middle school.  Sometimes, I think there is a fraction of that little adolescent living inside of us always...battling for the spotlight. 

Lately, I've been really trying to fight that urge inside of me. 

I heard a pastor the other day on national TV say that he is so "Thankful" for his amazing car, beautiful wife, financial prosperity, and incredible ministry.  "God is good", he said. 

Not sure why, but something about that rubbed me the wrong way.  It brought me back to those middle school days of fighting for the spotlight.  Me, me, me....thank you God that my life is amazing, thank you that I'm rich, beautiful, and smart...thank you, that my life is not like HIS...

I'm grateful for what I have...but I'm learning that there is a difference between gratitude, and "bragitude".

One puts the spotlight on me....the other puts the spotlight on Christ. 


This is something I need to work on daily.  To fight the Pharisee urges of glorifying the good in my life for the sake of praise and recognition, and accept the calling to lay those things down before the feet of Jesus....remembering that it is all because of Him. 

I'm learning to have an awareness of those around me, to approach them with grace and with love, taking the spotlight off of me, and willingly putting it where it truly belongs.

Selflessness, Interviews, and Naked Taxi Cab Drivers

Matthew 5:40
If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.

A couple of years ago I had joined my husband on residency interviews as he was looking for a place to land a job after graduating from school.  Usually the interview process is really intense, full of questions, conversations, and a whole lot of professionalism.  The dress code is top notch, suits and ties are a must- and even ties of a certain color.  You never want to stick out too much, or blend in too much.  


But through that entire process, I heard a story that changed my life.  A story that I will never forget as long as I live.  

At one of the interview dinners, we met a young man who had just completed his 2nd year of residency.  He was grateful for the opportunity to be at the hospital that he was currently working at.  And he told the story of the person who made it happen.

A couple years ago as he made his way down the interview trail, there was a snow storm that delayed his flight into Baltimore.  Due to that delay, he had to switch flights at the last minute in order to make it to his interview the following morning.  Fortunately, he did land.  Unfortunately, he landed at 2 in the morning...only to find that his entire luggage had been lost- tie, suit, shoes, and all.  


On his way to the hotel he was making some frantic phone calls in the taxi, trying to make contact with friends and family to think of a way he could avoid showing up at this interview in a sweat suite (a sweaty one, at that!). 


He reached his hotel to no avail, discouraged, tired, and feeling quite helpless.  As he got out of the cab, the taxi driver got out with him, and began to undress!  You can imagine the reaction of this student- unsure to what was going on.  


"I want you to have my suit", he said, having overheard his conversation from the driver's seat.  


And he proceeded to strip down to his boxers, giving the young man his shirt, suit, tie...and even his shoes.  


The young man was humbled, embarrassed, and amazed at the generosity of this complete stranger.  He gratefully took the suit, with tears in his eyes, and hugged the taxi driver goodbye.  

Just hearing that story changed my life.  

I was so challenged to really consider what message I am sending with the way I live my life.  We as Christians talk about being thankful and grateful during this Thanksgiving and Holiday season.  Thank you Lord for what you have given me, thank you Lord for all of your blessings...while clinging on tight to our belongings and being selfish and self-absorbed.  Turning an eye to the poor and needy, and living in our little bubbles of blessing.  What is the point of thanks-giving if we hoard our blessings to ourselves?

I was so challenged by the heart of this taxi cab driver- who was so willing to go above and beyond to meet an immediate need...though it was the need of a complete stranger.  This was the heart of the taxi-cab driver, what then should be the heart of a Christian, of a follower of Christ?

Does my life reflect that kind of heart?   This is my challenge this holiday season...to step out of my bubble of blessing and actually do something with what I have been given.  To hold it with an open hand, and to live with an open heart.  May you be challenged to do the same. 

Why Everyone Thinks Christians Are Crazy:

2 Peter 2:1-3
¹ But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³ In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. 

I was flipping through the TV channels this morning and came across a show titled "Religious Program" in the TV Guide.  I decided to take a look.  Unfortunately, what I came across was far from religious.  


A Reverend (he has the nerve to call himself that), by the name of Peter Popoff was selling his "Miracle Spring Water" , claiming that this water would help you wipe away your debts by the "supernatural power of God".


I couldn't believe my eyes.  Here is a man, absolutely abusing his authority and misusing the name of God for spiritual gain.  I don't know about you, but in my opinion, this is a clear example of why many people think Christians are totally crazy.

Let me clarify by saying- this is not true Christianity. 

The word Christianity when pulled apart means Christ-likeness.  Those who know anything about Christ know that he was the furthest thing from a lying, stealing, fire-breathing evangelist out to make an extra buck.  In fact, Jesus Christ was nothing short of pure love.  He came as an advocate for the weak and the poor.  He came to heal the sick and mend the broken-hearted.  He came to love unto the point of death...and even then, to love more.

I find myself angry.  Less angry with Petter Popoff (although he did tick me off) and more angry with the Christian subculture at large.  Though you and I may not be guilty of TV scams, we have not always represented Christ as we should.  We have been greedy, arrogant, and prideful at times.  We have been harsh, judgmental, and straight up mean.  We have represented our SELF, far more than we have represented our Savior.  And though our sins may not be plastered on national TV, they still grieve the heart of God.  It's about time things change.

Christians, we can only do so much in preventing the misrepresentation from others- but we can do incredible things as a body if we will each take a look at ourselves and ask Jesus to give us direction in how we represent his name.  Ask him to open our eyes to the poor, the broken, and the needy.  Ask him for humility, love, and compassion. 

It's not too late, for there is still time for our Lord to save us from ourselves. 



      

The Good Lookin' Dead: Seeing Ourselves As We Really Are

Matthew 23:27-28
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

So, I can't seem to get this stuff off my mind.  If you gritted your teeth through my last Christian-bashing post, be prepared for another rant.  But remember, these rants are more for myself than for anyone else.

I mentioned in my last post that a pastor by the name of Frank Damazio came to our church last week for a conference.  Really, his message was a challenge toward reaching our city with the love of Jesus.  But there is one thing he mentioned briefly that has not left me.  It challenged me, and I just can't get it off my mind.

During one part in his message he asked everyone to think of three words that described their church.  Then he polled the audience.  The main word everyone raised their hand for was the word "Evangelistic".  Then he asked: "So, how many of you came to know Christ because of this church?"

Silence.  Maybe two, three people raised their hands.  "Not very many", he said, "according to the numbers, your church is not evangelistic.  You may think you are- but you're not".  Ouch.  Straight-forward.  Sobering.  But real....

I was challenged that evening, more than anything, to learn to see myself as I really am....not as I think I am.  That's difficult when you've spent most of your Christian life building up an image for yourself.  An image that looks good on the outside, but deep down on the inside- God knows the truth.

I believe I am ministry minded.  I believe I am focused on Jesus....that I give Him my all.  I say I have a passion for the poor and a desire to serve the broken.  I talk about my love for reaching the unsaved with the love of Jesus....but is that the reality?

How many times have I shared the gospel this year (the gospel I pretend to be so passionate about)?  Three.  How many days do I spend serving the poor lately (the poor and the needy that break my heart)? Once a month.  How much of my money do I give to the cause of Christ (I say I give everything....) but in reality- 10%....and maybe, on a good week....11.

I'm exposing myself right now....and it doesn't feel incredible, let me tell you.  I'm exposing myself right now because I want to learn to be real.  I don't want to be a white-washed Pharisee, pretending to be amazing on the outside, but really hiding the selfishness and sin within. I don't want to be a good lookin' woman who is really dead and unclean deep down inside. 

What good is it to appear like a beautiful Christian on the outside?  What do I get for it?  The praise of man, maybe....but even that only lasts a little while, and at the end most people can probably see right through it.

I want to be a Christian that is REAL.  But in order to get that way, my outside has to match my inside.  I want Jesus to "whitewash" my heart.  To get expose the sin and the selfishness that lies within.  To uncover the self-righteousness that gives me a false sense of security.  To teach me how to really walk the walk before I start to talk the talk.  I want Jesus to make me real, to make me clean, from the inside out.

I challenge you, Christians....to see yourselves for what you really are.  You say you have a heart for missions?  What are you doing to serve the many different ethnicities in your community?  You say you want to give God your life- how much of your wallet are you giving to him?  You say your heart breaks for the lost?  How many people have you shared Jesus with this month?

Let's get real with ourselves....and let's get real with each other.  But most importantly, let's bear our vulnerable and naked hearts before the Lord and give Him permission to clean us from the inside out.

Hypocrisy II:

My friend Andrew recently emailed me some thoughts regarding my last post.  He said there was a new movie coming out that had a similar message.  Here's part of the email he sent:

I heard there was this quote in there that was in synch w/ Deb's blog..."The Church is the body of Christ. For the past fifty years, the hands and feet have been amputated, and all we've been is a big mouth"

The new movie is called: Lord, Save Us From Your Followers...and actually comes out today in theaters.  I'm posting the link he sent me.  Maybe it's finally time for the church to rekindle its urgency and begin living a Christ inspired life.

Check it out and let me know your thoughts.  Thanks Andrew, for the thoughts. 

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers.

Hypocrisy:

So, I'm totally new to this whole blogging thing...as you may have noticed.  I think I can officially say I win the prize for the most bland-looking blog in America.  But, I guess you can't judge a book by it's cover.  All you real bloggers out there, feel free to offer some tips on jazzing up your blog :)  I figured out how to add a picture today...I'm proud of myself.  Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm going to be posting every single day (unless you people start commenting...is there life out there?? :) ...but, either way, there is one thing I want to share today. 

I've been camping out in the book of Zechariah lately.  It's one of those hidden treasures.  I think all the minor prophets are.  Books we forget about many times, but they are loaded with life changing truth.  So, I wrote this last night.  Hope it convicts you like it did me...

Hypocrisy
Zechariah 9:23
Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.

Maybe you’ve noticed.  Maybe you haven’t.  Either way, one thing is clear- Christians today have a bad reputation.  I was in a group recently that was discussing the topic of the persecuted church.  We were conversing about the challenges that Scripture depicts Christians will face on account of their faith.  The reality is, there will be a day when we are persecuted for our faith, that is- our true faith…for some believers in parts of the eastern world- that day is already here.

Then one of the group members said something profound.  Something that has stuck with me ever since.  “The problem is that many Christians are being persecuted today…not because of their faith, but because of their lack of faith.  They’re hypocrites.  They bring it on themselves”.  That statement hasn’t left me.  In fact, from the moment it was uttered it’s been close to my thoughts.  One reason may be that it came from the mouth of an unbeliever, hardened and tainted by the experiences he’s had on account of “Christ-followers”.  Another reason may be that I see myself in that statement…lacking in faith, and many times a hypocrite in my actions and deep within my heart.

I’m saddened by this type of Christianity.  The type of Christianity that is filled with judgment, preconceived ideas, and prejudice.  The type of Christianity that is bloated with pride, allowing the failures and inadequacies of others to become a breeding ground for condemnation.  The type of Christianity which pushes others away and leaves a bad taste in the mouth of unbelievers.  The type of Christian that grieves the heart of Christ.

Instead, I want to be the type of Christian in sync with the words of this verse.  The type of Christian that people are instantly drawn to because of the clear Presence of God in my life. The type of Christian who is a safe place from the scoffs and scorns of this harsh world.  The type of Christian who exudes a love beyond all other loves, offers healing to the broken hearted, and wipes the tears of those who mourn.  The type of Christian who’s reputation goes before him, paving the way for the glory of our Lord.   A Christian who’s life is evidence of one thing and one thing alone.  A Christianity which causes nonbelievers to pause and proclaim, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you”.

Christians, may we come to terms with the reality of our sometimes blatant, sometimes subtle hypocrisy.  May we come begging for forgiveness from the ones who we have harmed with our carelessness.  May we learn to lay down our masks of religion, instead learning the art of intimate relationship through Christ.  May we live a life that exemplifies to the world that truly, our God is with us.  And in the end, may they go with us.

Lord, forgive us for our hypocrisy.  Teach us to live our lives worthy of your Presence.  Teach us to lead others to you.