Just like this image to the left, we also have many layers and textures that make up who we are.  Some of what stands out before others is blue, some cloudy and there are some, but not often seen, dark. Society too, puts us in situations that can and do push us into intersections with the expectations of others.  These expectations shape and segment us in ways that both we and those around us no longer see the whole.  We can become so divided by our roles and responsibilities that we are no longer able to remember who and whose we are.

Jurgen Moltmann writes, “Men are compelled to declare faith in and to do things which they do not want to do. Modern society is called a pluralistic society because in it a multitude of views and interests, groups and associations are competing with one another.  In it man experiences himself too as a pluralistic being, who must live at the point of intersection of often very different claims, standards and expectations, which can no longer be brought under the common denominator of a single personality which is at peace with itself, and of a consistent picture of life.  The compulsion to constant new adaptation can lead to the dissolution of the continuity of life as lived”.

      We can be pushed, pulled, and twisted, as we try to meet these claims and demands that contribute to the constant adaptation that we find ourselves in.  But we don’t have to lose sight of who we are or of whose we are.  In fact, the Spirit of God and the Word, regularly remind us of both who we are and whose we are if we would listen and yield ourselves.  I believe that God desires for us to live lives of wholeness and abundance. We are called to become more like Christ and His is the only expectaion that truly needs to be met.  Listening  and yielding do not come easily to us. It takes time in solitude, the Word and in prayer. It is also most helpful if we have someone to walk with us as we yield ourselves to the Spirit of God.  This could be perhaps a Spiritual director, a trusted soul friend, or a  loved one who will listen without judging, who will pray for you and who will hold you accountable if needed.

     We will continue to have this fragmentation as the world continues to push its way into our lives with it’s expectations,  and we certainly do have God given roles and responsibilities.  But we are to be more than these individual pieces and parts, we are to be the sum of them all, by and in Jesus.

Quote: Jurgen Moltmann, On Human Being, pg. 89

     Our Pastor recently spoke about the beatitudes and included the portion right afterwards where Jesus talks about not “hiding our light under a basket”. It got me to thinking about the many ways and places that we as people hide who we are, and in the process minimize God’s light that shows through us.

     All of us have those places where we keep our true identities hidden.  We are afraid of being real before others. Perhaps its because we are unwilling to risk the ridicule or judgment of others.  Maybe we want others to think only good of us, or to come across as having it all together.  Whatever the reason or reasons, conscious or unconscious there are deep places within us that we don’t expose.  By keeping our true selves in those secret places, we are not allowing the Work of the Spirit to shine his full light in us and through us.  People are not able to see the full glory or shekinah of God radiating out from us.

     God through our Lord Jesus Christ and by His Spirit has set us free and called us to live life to the full.  To let his light shine through us before the world in the here and now.  His Spirit is at work in us and is shaping us to be like the person of Jesus, and we need to yield ourselves to that process.  Taking steps out of hiding and into His light.  This process looks different for all of us and occurs in different ways and times by our yeilding and God’s grace and mercy.  The work is a part of God’s sanctification on our lives and by His power, we need only to notice those promtings and to yield.

     Have you noticed where you hide? Trust and yield.  Move into that place of freedom and life as God’s beloved.

     Today as I celebrate a wedding anniversary, it is once again an opportunity to reflect upon my vows and the making of vows or promises that we as people make daily.  As we journey through this life we all make commitments and promises, some that have taken much thought and  consideration and others that seemingly take no thought at all.  How quickly we sometimes say yes to something, only to regret it later or just not keep our promise.

     I believe that God asks us to be vow keepers.  That as scripture says, “our yes is supposed to be yes and our no a no.”  Our promises  are not to made lightly.  Maybe not all of them are “to death do us part”, but they have an impact on us and our journey with God and others.

     As we live in this world, God calls us to be a blessing and light in the world.  Part of the way we do that is by taking seriously our promises and keeping our word.  When we begin to falter in that area, it has an effect on our connection with the father.  If we can’t keep our commitments with other people, we will also struggle in our relationship with God.   Before we choose to say yes, we need time for reflection, consideration of other commitments, and of course prayer.  We need to remember that it is “ok” to say no.  We need to allow space in our lives for those times that God would have us say yes.  If we have made promises to others or to things that have caused us debt, etc., we may not be free to say yes to God when he calls us to follow him in an area of service.

     Today spend time looking at the vows that you have made to God or others.  How many of those “vows” do you still keep?  Ask God for the grace and power to fulfil those promises.  God is faithful and steadfast, may he give us his grace, mercy, and power to be the same.

Picture: Rainbow Sunset by jurvetson

     I have been a avid archer for a number of years and this weekend I had the chance to go and shoot my bow with a good friend.  As often happens, when I got home I began to think of the idea of “missing the mark”.  How many times do I miss the mark.  How many times we all miss the mark.

     The Greek word that we use for the word “sin”, is where we get this concept of missing the mark.  Try as I may, I still find myself sinning and not living up to the “mark” or standard that God sets.  If you have ever seen the Olympics and the archery competition, take a look at their equipment.  There are all kind of mechanical aids that are used to help the archer stay on target.  Sights, stabilizers, v-bars, clickers, etc., and even the arrows themselves are designed to make hitting the center a little easier.  But with all of this, even the best of archers miss the mark.  I miss frequently, just as everyone does. 

     C.H. Spurgeon writes, “There are two very powerful forces in the world, which have been there ever since the time when Eve partook of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden.  Those two forces are sin and grace”.  Grace, overcomes our sin.  In Romans 5:20-21 Paul writes, “But law  came in , with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. (NRSV)

     By grace, Jesus Christ has overcome our sin.  On a practical note, Spurgeon when speaking of sin and grace writes something for us to consider, “If you have received this grace, which has abounded over your sin, take care that you do more for grace than you ever did for sin”.

     This past weekend, we once again celebrated independence day.  It allowed me to reflect again, and  to be thankful for where I live and for the grace and mercy that God has bestowed upon our nation.  It also caused me to think about the places in the world where freedom is lacking and non existent.  But mostly, it let me think about where true freedom is found.

It is easy to get trapped into believing that our freedom is found in governments, democracy, and political systems. Though if we really look at those systems, we can see where there is no freedom and where those systems do not set  free all who are bound or locked in, or trapped.  Freedom is not found in those places, it is found in the person of Christ.  Jesus came to set the prisoners free. 

     We who have been set free, know what true freedom is and have an obligation to live and to share that freedom with others.  That freedom indwells us who believe, by the Spirit of God.  2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from he Lord, the Spirit. (NRSV).

     Let us remember where true freedom lies, and bring that to others around us.  Our freedom is found in Christ.

Picture: Freedom, by Dazzie D