Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:2-3     

This text has always had special meaning for me since it was my grandmother’s favorite.  It was even used as her funeral text.  She was a great prayer warrior who “fixed her eyes upon Jesus.”  Like Brother Lawrence she “practiced the presence of God.”  These precious words come from the letter to the Hebrews, which was written to first century Jewish believers who were being persecuted. Some were even considering giving up their faith in Jesus.

The unknown writer slowly builds his case for Jesus superiority, which culminates in the great faith chapter. In this chapter, he also points out that some great men and women of faith lived to see the fruit of their faith while many others— also men and women of faith—died prematurely because of persecution.  In chapter 12 he makes the key point of his letter.  How do we walk by faith? We walk by faith by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus!  Not fixed on our problems or difficult environment.  Jesus was the pioneer and perfecter of faith. He endured suffering all the way to the cross.  So we follow His example and we will also patiently endure because of the joy we know is to come.  I believe he saw the “joy set before Him” by looking past or through the cross and there He saw each of our faces. 

                 RESPONSE: Today I will take my eyes off my surroundings, my problems, my fears and my suffering. I 
             will keep them fixed on Jesus my Lord.

Ora et Labora

    One of the few phrases in Latin that I remember is ora et labora – “prayer and work”.  I first bumped up against this organizing principle of monastic life at Richmond Hill, where I go on retreat.  I am impressed and challenged by this balanced way of living.  Each of the sisters, Mary and Martha, appear to represent one side or the other.  Personally, I have found it hard to keep such a balance.  I have also noticed that the congregations I work with find it difficult as well.  We do quite well with “doing.”  We strategize, form committees, volunteer, go to meetings, use a corporate model for making decisions, draw flow charts, and all such manner of things.  At the same time, we don’t do as well “being” present to each other and to our Lord.  I sometimes wonder what life would be like if we practiced the discipline of ora et labora. 

Lord, let my prayers guide my work and my work lead into my prayers.  Amen.

How Each Apostle Died

I have always been captivated by what the Apostles sacrificed for the sake of Jesus. Tradition tells us that Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword at Ethiopia.  Mark died at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets.  Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.  John was put in a caldron of boiling oil, but escaped death miraculously and was banished to Patmos.  Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.  James, the Greater, was beheaded at Jerusalem.  James, the Less, was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and then beaten to death with a fuller's club.  Bartholomew was flayed alive.  Andrew was bound to a cross, from which he preached to his persecutors until he died.  Thomas was run through the body with a lance in the East Indies.  Jude was shot to death with arrows.  Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded.  Barnabas of the Gentiles was stoned to death at Salonica.  Paul, after various tortures and persecutions, was beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.

What sacrifice are we making for Jesus?  We may not be asked to die for our faith, but how are we living our faith?  Pray that God might bless your journey with him this week.

Prayer Unanswered?

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve . . .

   I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do great things . . .

   I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy . . .

   I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of others . . .

   I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life . . .

   I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for . . .

   But everything that I hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered . . .

   I am among all people most richly blessed.  Amen.

(found in the clothing of an unknown Civil War soldier)

Your Calling

  

“Often we want to be somewhere other than where we are, or even to be someone other than who we are.  We tend to compare ourselves constantly with others and wonder why we are not as rich, as intelligent, as simple, as generous, or as saintly as they are.  Such comparisons make us feel guilty, ashamed, or jealous.  It is very important to realize that our vocation is hidden in where we are and who we are.  We are unique human beings, each with a call to realize in life what nobody else can, and to realize it in the concrete context of the here and now.  We will never find our vocations by trying ot figure out whether we are better or worse than others.  We are good enough to do what we are called to  do.  Be yourself!”                               (Henri J.M. Nouwen, Bread for The Journey)

As I think about vocation, I have concluded: first, my calling is where my gifts intersect with people’s needs.  Secondly, God always qualifies the unqualified to do great things for Him.  So I need not worry, knowing that God is in charge.  I simply am called to listen and discern His will for my life. So I am blessed to be a blessing.