Day 202: Ecclesiastes 1, 2 and 3

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.(Ecclesiastes 3:11).

The very fact that we aspire to something greater than this mortal life is seen by some as proof that not only are we God's creation, but also that something glorious waits for us beyond the grave. As the writer here has so eloquently said, we have been given the capacity to reach beyond what we can see and touch, and to encounter the living God. How could we be satisfied with anything less?

It's no wonder we get bored. We set our hearts on temporary things when we were meant to strive for things eternal. We fill our days with spirit-numbing activity when we were designed to touch God. We settle for a paycheck when we were intended to transform our culture. We sit on the couch when we should be out storming the gates of hell. We are satisfied with just getting by when we were destined for glory.

This is not to suggest that I should strive to be someone I'm not, but that I have been tasked with being the very best me I can be. There is a well known story told by Rabbi Zusya, and early Hasidic rabbi. He said, "In the world to come God will not ask me, 'Zusya, why were you not Moses?' He will ask, 'Zusya, why were you not Zusya?' "

When we become the person God designed us to be and cooperate with him to accomplish great things, there is nothing which we cannot achieve.

So how are you, the person God designed you to be, going to change the world this week?

Day 201: Proverbs 28, 29, 30 and 31

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8).

Why is it so easy to stand by and do nothing? Is it apathy? …cowardice? …assuming that someone else will step up? The ultimate example of this is Kitty Genovese, the 28-year old New York City woman who was stabbed to death right outside her apartment building in 1964. Her extended attack lasted over 30 minutes, but neighbors (by popular report up to 38 of them knew something bad was going on) huddled indoors and did nothing. Ten years later, a woman was beaten to death in an adjacent building while again neighbors heard screams, but did nothing to help [1].

Those are extreme cases, and it’s easy to read about them and assure ourselves we would behave differently. Yet Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan informs us that this is not just a 20th/21st century phenomenon. It’s part of who we are as human beings. In every city, there are those who have no voice and need someone to speak in their defense.

Who will speak up for the poor? Who will speak up for the victim of crime? Who will speak up for the abused? Who will speak up for the indebted? Who will speak up for the hungry? Who will speak up for the addicted? Who will speak up for the enslaved?

The only thing needed for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing. – Edmund Burke

For whom should you be speaking up?

[1] Rorschach of Watchmen (both a 1985 graphic novel and 2009 film), is a regular guy, motivated to don a costume and fight crime by Ms. Genovese's murder.

NOTE: Does anyone besides me wonder when comic books became graphic novels?

Day 200: Proverbs 25, 26 and 27

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit (Proverbs 27:18).

A newly planted fig tree takes a few years to produce. Jesus told a parable about a farmer who had invested three years in a fig tree without harvesting any figs. He was fed up and decided to dig up the tree and plant something else. His caretaker convinced him to leave the tree one more year, during which time he would fertilize it and try to salvage the tree. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down (Luke 13:9).

Good things are worth waiting for. I’ve seen microwave ovens, but as of yet I have never seen a microwave farm. The farmer cultivates the ground, plants the seed, and provides the plants with just the right amount of fertilizer and water. Then he waits. In time, the farmer will enjoy the fruits of his labor… literally.

Reminds me of the old man who told his grandson he was going to plant an oak tree after lunch. The grandson scoffed, saying such a tree would take decades to reach maturity. The grandfather responded, "Then I'd better plant it this morning."

What good thing would you like to enjoy at the end of the growing season? A succulent apple? A better marriage? A college degree? A financially comfortable retirement? An intimate walk with God? Better plant now.

What would you like to enjoy a few months (or years) down the road?

Day 199: Proverbs 22, 23 and 24

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or, “I will be murdered in the streets!” (Proverbs 22:13)

This proverb illustrates one character flaw common to many of us. We’re good at making excuses for playing it safe. I golfed with a friend in Washington who made an excuse for every bad shot… and he hit a lot of bad shots. I hit bad shots too. Know why? Because I’m not a very good golfer! My friend was making excuses for trying and failing. Notice the subject of this proverb is making excuses for not even trying! If I go out in the streets I may get mauled by a lion! Maybe I’d better just stay in bed with the covers pulled up over my head. Better safe than sorry.

That’s just sad! But I’ve done it, and I bet you have too. If I make the wrong choice, things won’t work out the way I want. If I try out for the team, I might not make it. If I make this change, even though it’s necessary, I might offend someone. Better safe than sorry.

In Jesus’ words, this is tantamount to wrapping our talent in a cloth and burying it in the back yard (Matthew 25:14-30). When I was a teenager there was a popular inspirational poster picturing a sailing ship on the ocean. The caption read: A ship in a harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.

What were you made for?

Day 198; Proverbs 19, 20 and 21

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. (Proverbs 21:23)

Like the old carpenter’s adage: Measure twice; cut once, the writer of James puts it this way: Be quick to listen, slow to speak (1:19). With two ears and one mouth, the wise person listens more than he/she talks. Personally, I have more often regretted speaking than holding my tongue. Proverbs 13:36 reads: Opening your mouth can ruin everything (NLT). Mark Twain is credited with saying: Better to keep one’s mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.

That’s why God gave us a filter. The idea is that, rather than speak every thought that comes into one’s mind, we engage the filter and it catches things we shouldn’t say. That’s the way it’s supposed to work. But every once in awhile we forget to engage that filter, and before we know it, someone gets hurt. Sometimes it’s us, but on especially unfortunate occasions we hurt someone else.

James understands: No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (3:8)

We need help. God knows this is not a battle we’re going to win on our own. Thankfully he comes to our assistance. He will help us guard our mouths to speak only words that are honoring to him, honoring to ourselves, and honoring to others.

How’s your filter working?

Day 197: Proverbs 16, 17 and 18

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Most Christians believe God has a plan for their lives. At the same time, many Christians also believe in the concept of free will. Are the ideas of God’s plan and man’s free will compatible? If so, how does that work? What's the balance between God's sovereignty and our freedom to choose?

Have you ever started down one path only to end up somewhere completely different? How could I have known when I started taking piano lessons at age nine in Erie, Pennsylvania that it would one day result in me being a pastor in the Pacific Northwest? And I know God isn’t finished with me yet. It can take years for the reality of God's plan to unfold, but as we look back through the interplay of free choice and random coincidence, we can see the hand of God that has directed us to this time and place to fulfill his purpose in our lives.

Some would say, Okay, then God's predetermined plan trumps our free will. But which God is greater? The God who pulls people's strings like a puppeteer, giving them only the illusion of choice? Or the God who allows his children real freedom, directing their steps only through the persuasive power of his amazing love?

How has God brought you here?

Day 196: Proverbs 13, 14 and 15

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker (Proverbs 14:31).

Among the prophets' repeated complaints against Israel/Judah was their oppression of the poor. Woe to those who make unjust laws . . . to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed (Isaiah 10:1,2). On your clothes is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor (Jeremiah 2:34). They oppress the poor and needy (Ezekiel 22:29). You trample on the poor (NIV 1984, Amos 5:11).

A proverb that really puts things in perspective is 19:17 - Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and they will reward them for what they have done. What a strange thought - to loan something to God. Surely we need not fear God defaulting on his obligations.

And less we dismiss this as an Old Testament technicality that doesn't really apply in a world top-heavy with governmental social programs: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40).

In reading the prophets we could almost get the idea we are innocent as long as we have not intentionally oppressed the poor. In reading the whole of Scripture, however, it becomes plain that it is not enough to not hurt others; we must actively work for their benefit, to advocate for our brothers and sisters.

This is true whether the you addressed is an individual, a church, or a nation.

What can you do this week to be a friend to the poor?