Rules for Relationships - One Final Thought
Sunday was Scout Sunday and I want to thank all the Scouts and Scouters out there who invest so much into these programs to build up young people. You don't
have to wonder what guides a Scout.
Through scouts' oaths and laws, you get a clear picture of what their
ideals are – what they are shooting for in life. No other group of young women or young men
walks with such a transparent set of ideals.
Maybe you have wondered, wouldn’t it
be great if God was as transparent? Sometimes, it sure would make things easier
especially when it seems so many other people God does seem to be more
transparent than he is with us. We read the Bible and hear the stories and ask," why doesn’t God speak to me in a burning bush? Why don’t I get clear dreams about what God
wants me to do? Why don’t amazing things
happen to reveal God to me?"
I have been
convinced for awhile God prefers hide-n-seek and scavenger hunts rather than
e-mail and cell phones. But more
recently I’ve come to a place where I think I maybe off just a bit. I recently spent a week listening to Dr. Bob Mulholland, author of a great book on the Christian life entitled, "Invitation to a Journey." He referenced an
unknown author who wrote, “God is always at home. It is we who have gone for a walk.” If you’ll notice in the stories in the Bible
how even when people like Moses sees the burning bush or Peter has a dream –
they still argue with God about what to do – even when He speaks and becomes
transparent.
God is
mysterious. God does keep secrets. But when it comes to the heart of what
matters most; when it comes to us – God is transparent.
For YEARS,
people have wondered and asked – “what does God want from me and my life?” But long ago, in a sort of three-way,
conversation between God, a prophet named Micah, and the people, the people
asked…
Micah 6:6-8 (GNB) (6)
What shall I bring to the LORD, the God of heaven, when I come to
worship him? Shall I bring the best calves to burn as offerings to him? (7) Will the LORD be pleased if I bring him
thousands of sheep or endless streams of olive oil? Shall I offer him my
first-born child to pay for my sins? (8) No, the
LORD has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is
just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.
God has made himself transparent with
us. How does he want us to live and what
does he want us to do? Do Justice. Show love and mercy. Walk humbly with God. Clearly, there is nothing we can give to God
– nothing that God needs from us. But to
us he makes himself transparent – sharing with us what he desires of us…
God’s heart says we should give all
their due whether it is our boss or friend but also those who have no voice –
the needy and the prisoner. We should
love mercy – not just seek justice but go farther and act with kindness – meet
the need. But that isn’t all, because
God asks us to walk humbly. And to do
that, we must be transparent.
When a person becomes transparent –
authentic with God – then it follows, that we’ll become transparent with
others. If there was any doubt of God’s
willingness to be transparent with us – we need only look at Jesus the Christ –
God in the flesh. This is what Christmas is all about!
How do we become transparent with
God? In his own words, Jesus said, “I can guarantee this truth: Those who
listen to what I say and believe in the one who sent me will have eternal life.
They won't be judged because they have already passed from death to life.” (John 5:24
GW)
To walk humbly with God means letting
go of the idea that you are God – that you’re in control – because you aren’t. To walk humbly means asking of ourselves a question Bob Mulholland asked our Academy group, "On
whose terms is God, God?" I did that for
the first time when I was a junior in high school. I’ve had to do it many days in my
relationships.
God calls us to be transparent with a
God who has never hidden his plan and desire for us. Though somethings are hidden, the rules for
relationship with God and with one another are thankfully, quite clear. Whatever it is, whatever part of your life
that you’ve yet to share with God, may I suggest that today is the day to begin
living these rules for relationships.
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