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Published: 15 September 2018

The tension between these two is a regular part of everyday life.  I experience it all day long.  There is an “ideal pastor,” and then, there’s me.  There is an “ideal church,” and then, there’s us.  There is an “ideal community,” and then, there’s Greenville.  There is an “ideal week,” and then, there’s this one!  The ideal can be a vision that keeps us alive and working for the better.  The ideal can be a tranquilizer that keeps us from doing anything because we know it won’t be perfect.  The ideal can be a burden that results in grief because things never end up like we had hoped.  The ideal can be a catalyst to unhealthy criticism when we use the ideal in comparison to wherever and whatever we are.  Of course, the real can be a reason to accept the status quo.  The real can be an excuse to quit.  The real can make you crazy!  So how do we live in the tension between the real and the ideal?  The answer is in the question…”between.”  The ideal is good, without it, we’ll never grow.  However, the real is where we are and God knows this.  He is with us in the real, even when the real is a real mess.  There is a place for contentment in the real.  Not that we just accept things “as they are,” rather that we do the best we can with what we have in partnership with God.  Evaluating our ideals and why we have them is a spiritual exercise.  Some ideals are the result of listening to the wrong people—this always leads to frustration.  Some ideals are the result of our inner longing to be back in the Garden walking with God and bearing His image.  Those ideals should be seriously pursued in the context of our season of life.  I bring this subject up this week because of our text in Acts.  Some of what we will read is not ideal but it’s comforting to know that God doesn’t abandon people in “less than ideal circumstances.”  In fact, “He will never leave us nor forsake us.”  Really!

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Published: 30 August 2018

Really?  What if the kids are sick?  What if a parent has cancer?  What if the car breaks down?  What if you have been betrayed by a close associate?  Is that really what the Holy Spirit intended?  Honestly, it seems a bit demented.   I think there is a big difference between rejoicing in all things and rejoicing or giving thanks for all things.  Those little words make a big difference.  I don’t believe God would ever want us to give thanks for abuse in any form.  I believe God is sad with us about the disparities in our culture.  I do not believe He compels us to give thanks for fires, burglaries and false accusations.  However, in the midst of these things we can rejoice for what is unchanged, pure and good.  We can continue to rejoice in the gospel and all God has provided.  We do not have to give thanks for the brokenness of this world but we have things to rejoice about in the middle of the mess.  There are countless blessings that are ours in Christ that remain unchanged in the midst of the brokenness, pain and burdens.  This week, in our study of Acts 15, we’ll learn how happy the people in Antioch became when they heard the report from Jerusalem.  What encouraged them?  Why was there joy over the contents of the brief letter delivered by the delegates?  Simply, they were rejoicing in the gospel.  They were encouraged by the gospel.  Because of the gospel, we can have a deep and abiding sense that all is well, in spite of the mess around us.  This will take some practice and will not be without tears at times.  But, to rejoice in all things is the prerogative of the children of God.    Let’s do it…and help one another on to that which glorifies our good, good Father.