Change the Landscape!

“But thanks be to God, 
who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ 

and through us spreads everywhere 
the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 

(2 Corinthians 2:14)

     The autumn is finally here.  After a long summer, with many fires burning throughout the state, the rain that has come is such a blessing.  It has quelled the fires and refreshed the land.

     The autumn in Boise is sadly a too-brief affair.  But it is glorious, as all the trees turn color.  While we are not New England, we still get quite a show, largely due to the monotony of the late-summer landscape.  The wild grasses have all turned light brown, and the sage is a gray-green.  The sage is blooming with its mustard-colored blossoms, and that provides some color, but otherwise, the high desert terrain remains rather quiet in its colors.

     Then the trees, with the ever cooling nights, explode into color.  The greens of late-summer leaves turn to golden yellows or breathtaking reds.  Like Roman candles, they seem to be on fire.  

 

      Many trees are in a process of changing, with some leaves still green, while others, on the same tree, are turning red and yellow.  These trees are a wonderful kaleidoscope of autumn itself—change happening, day by day, slow but sure and beautiful.

     The most outstanding result of the trees changing color is how they alter the landscape:  they are very noticeable now against the grasses.  They were rather innocuous in the summer, but now their colors enliven the landscape with beauty.

     As Christians, we sometimes blend in the landscape of our world a little too well.  We don’t say or do anything that makes us stand out, for we are embarrassed by those brothers and sisters—however well-intentioned they may be—who stand out in jarring and obnoxious ways.  In order not to be like them, we may go to the other extreme, and be not much different from those around us. 

     I like what my brother said about trees—they are “so stoic and consistent.”  They simply are.  They don’t consciously seek to alter their colors on the landscape.  They are part of the landscape and they have role to play.  As Christians, isn’t that the same with us?  Aren’t we part of what God is trying to do:  reclaim this world?  C.S. Lewis talks of God invading the world—He is reentering its sin-filled land and reclaiming what is rightfully His, away from Satan.  Satan is indeed the “prince of this world” but that doesn’t mean God has, in any way, capitulated to Satan’s temporary ownership of this planet.  We are God’s invasionary force.  Christ was the first to step into the enemy’s camp, and trumped Satan’s greatest weapon—death—with His resurrection. 

     But what if we are here, and we so blend in (I accidentally typed “bland in”—that fits too) that the landscape is not noticeably different with our presence?  Our colors are muted and we have no distinction from the grasses around us.  What a shame! Think of it this way:  be the “other side.”  Yes, there are those who stand out in the landscape and are an embarrassment to the kingdom, but should those folks then be the only ones that are out there?

     How about living in such a way that we are the counter-argument to those who are misguided in how they present Christ?  We shouldn’t force our witness; it should just be there, a natural outgrowth of our love of Christ and His love for us.  In other words, our love should be what makes us stand out in a dreary landscape:  a love on fire, in reds and golds and oranges that draw others to us, so we can point the way to Him! 

     Jesus used light as His metaphor: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).  Or fruit:  “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

     In other words:  light and fruit and trees are all in motion:  growing, moving, and ultimately showing the world that God is here, and He’s taking His planet back:  one soul at a time.

Prayer

Lord of all that is Good:  I am small on this rather large and overwhelming landscape of brokenness.  Let me be light:  reflecting Your face, as the moon does the earth.  Let me be fruit:  growing and becoming a sweet nourishing presence.  Let me be a tree in autumn:  ablaze with Your glory, giving beauty to ugliness.  May my life only reflect You and Your love.  In the One Who is Love, amen.

Shedding Skin

     I found a fully shed skin from a snake recently.  It was a rather ghostly object lying on the ground.  I have found a snake’s skin before, but it wasn’t whole.  This is the first one I have found that literally looks like a snake—it has a mouth and eye holes.  I can picture its inhabitant very easily.

 

      The skin also tells a story of not just a previous occupant, but what a struggle it was to release this skin.  The skin is twisted, like a loose corkscrew.  It tells that the inhabitant had to struggle to shed this skin.  It had grown too small for the snake and at some point, the shedding began.

       It must have taken awhile, and how vulnerable a snake must be while the process is underway.  As the snake is twisting and turning, and the skin is slowly coming off, the snake is most likely not able to defend itself.  A snake’s usual method of defense is a quick retreat under the bushes.  Or, if it has no easy cover to take refuge under, it coils and strikes.  

      But a snake shedding its skin probably can’t do either, and must patiently await the moment when it can slither away from its previous covering—larger and older and now ready to face the world.   A Scripture comes to mind here—look at 2 Corinthians 5:17-22: 

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

     Interesting, isn’t it?  When we accept Jesus into our heart, He is in the business of making us new:  new attitudes, new heart and new desires.  Of course, the old person is still there, but we are slowly being made into the image of Christ: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)  In order to be conformed into the image of His Son, we have some serious shedding to do.

     We find the skin we’re in too tight after a while:  we can’t move forward to those areas that He is calling us to.  Then the shedding begins and once we leave certain attitudes, desires and behaviors behind, we find this new skin gives us freedom to love and serve Him.

     But just as the snake must shed its skin many times over its lifetime, so must we shed our skins periodically, to grow in Him and become ambassadors for Him, to be part of the reconciliation process that He is offering to the world.  Reconciliation occurs first between us and God, and then reconciliation takes place between us and others.

     But just as the skin I found shows a struggle, our conforming into His image is not an easy or quick process.  He gives us the strength , but we must have the will to endure the twisting and turning.  I couldn’t stand there and just tear the skin away from the snake—I would injure it.  Part of the shedding process is exertion and it makes the snake stronger.

     It is challenging to exert control over our wills to move away from those things that impede our walk with Christ.  Paul likens it to a race:  “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-4).

     But Christ is faithful to the process: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).

     Once we leave our “skin” behind, we need not return to it.  It no longer fits, and we know that He is faithful to us.  The snake was no where to be found when I found its old skin.  And why would it?  It was free.  So, too are we:  “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36).

     Don’t be discouraged by life’s trials:  maybe your “skin” is getting too small and freedom is just ahead!

Prayer

Lord of All:  My “skin” is too small—I know this because I don’t have the freedom I long for in You.  Help me to be patient, and accept the twists and turns as old skin tears away.  Let me realize that beauty lies beneath, and that You will “provide for those who grieve...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3).  In His Name Who is sufficient for me, amen.

Bird Feeders and Creation

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. 

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  

 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not much more valuable than they?   

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”  (Matthew 6:25-7)

     I have always love this Scripture about our Heavenly Father feeding the birds and the beauty of the flowers, and if He cares for such small things,  how much more are we to God and how much He cares for us. 

     Yet, one day, while I was watching all of these sparrows gathered at my bird feeder, it struck me:  am I part of how my Heavenly Father feeds the birds?  The Scripture says that He feeds them, yes, but it doesn’t say how He feeds them. 

     Of course, one could argue that seeds and insects abound, and the birds can always find something to eat.  And yet, they come to my feeder.  It’s easier than chasing a bug.  I keep my feeder full and so a bounty of seed is always waiting for the birds.  So, am I a part of how God is taking care of His creation?

     Then this led me to ponder two points about God's personality and how He works.  First:  He cares for His creation.  He didn’t set it into motion and then stepped away into a far corner of the universe with other matters on His mind.  He is mindful of His creation, mainly us:  “What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalm 8:4)   

     I fill my feeders as often as I can--I am mindful of the birds that visit it, and if it is empty, I feel that I have neglected them.  I am imperfect, yet we bear the stamp of our Creator, and if I worry about such things, how much more does my Heavenly Father take time and concern for those He loves?

     Secondly, He uses us to achieve His work on this planet.  We are His hands and feet, and if we don’t go, then the work building His kingdom is delayed.  He will find any method He can to reach out to us, but we forgo His blessings if we are not dutiful to His call.  He may call someone else, but we each have a unique set of skills and influence that we may exert, and He wants us to go forward, with the prayer of Isaiah on our lips:  “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”(Isaiah 6:8).

     Then, if you draw those two ideas together, even the smallest of things--a smile, a helping hand, a card, an offer of prayer--can take on epic proportions, for we are working hand in hand with the Creator to bring His love to a hungry world.   

     The world is hungry for peace--we serve the very Prince of Peace.  

     It is hungry for bread--we serve the very One who calls Himself "the Bread of Life."  

     It is thirsty for refreshment:  we serve the very One Who calls Himself "Living Water."   

     But we shrink away, and say, "I am not all that important, or all that influential."  Really?

     If you think you are not important, don’t fill up a bird feeder for a while.  The little birds gather and look around.  I see them through the kitchen window, reminding me that I have a job to do.  It’s a simple one, but remember what happens when you put a few loaves and a few fish into His hands?  You can feed thousands!

Prayer:

Dearest Father:  Help me not to underestimate my contribution to the world, lest I fail You in even the smallest of ways.  You built Your church one person at a time, and I can do no less.  Help me not to shrink away but realize that by placing my hand into Your hands, anything is possible!  To You be the glory!  Amen.

Where Do You Hide?

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 94:1)

     We all need to take refuge.  When the sun goes down, the birds roost and it grows quiet.  Why do we think we can be different, always worried and thinking but never resting?  We all need a place to hide, but this baby praying mantis is a good example of where not to hide:  inside a vise.  I am sure he thought this was a safe place to take refuge--perhaps, for now, it appears to be.  But look at the potential:  a turning of the handle will lead to one less mantis in the world.   He’s in a scary, unfamiliar place--our garage-- and he picked what he thought would be a place where his enemies couldn’t find him.  The irony is the very place he picked is an enemy.

       We are no different.  We hide in those things that the world says are safe:  working all the time, drinking, smoking, unhealthy relationships, sexual gratification…all seem safe for a while, because we consider ourselves in control of what we are doing.  We feel good and based our assurance on our feelings.  Remember:  Satan never advertises slavery as such.  He always markets slavery as freedom, and because we like being in control, we strike a bargain. 

     But if we could see what we are hiding in is truly slavery, surely we would avoid it.  But look at how Satan is categorized in the Bible:  “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  (1 Peter 5:8)  You wouldn’t go running to hide by a lion!  But a lion that is prowling is on the hunt, and you may not see the reality of that until it springs out of the grasses, claws extended and mouth wide open. 

    How many people have thrown away their lives with promiscuity, drugs and alcohol, when it all started innocently enough?  “I can put down any time I want” was what an alcoholic once told me, and I watched as the decades and abuse took their toll and rendered him eventually homeless and battling mental illness.  We become enslaved to what we hide in, because it becomes harder and harder to face the world without our hiding place--it’s no longer a temporary refuge.  It takes over and the chains on our hands and feet rattle louder and louder over time. 

     But look at our verse from the Psalm:  hiding in God has two purposes:  one is to restore us, the other to prepare us to fight and go out to be victorious. 

    The first part is seeking refuge under His wings of love and protection.  I once saw a Canada goose at a park, on the walkway, with her wings loosely tucked at her sides.  Then I noticed a tiny beak sticking out, and then out popped a little head.  Under her wings were several wee ones, all safe and secure.  They were looking out at a big world with the assurance that Mama was there to protect them.  It is no different with God:  we need to hide under His wings for a time, to watch the world and to be assured that He is there to protect us.

     The second part of the verse switches imagery to that of warfare:  He is faithful to stand by us and now we can fight:  we have His shield of faith and a rampart of safety from which to see the battle and respond accordingly.  No more hiding:  we go out in a victorious manner, knowing Who our Commander-in-Chief is, and from the vantage point of the rampart, we can see that Devil-Lion hiding in the grasses, waiting to tear us apart.

     Be careful where you hide:  the world is like a vise, squeezing the life out of us.  We need to take refuge in the One Who loves us, and then with His battle plan and His power, go out and face our world. 

Prayer

Precious Jesus:  I hide myself away in places that will eventually enslave me.  Help me to take time to be with You and seek Your Face and know that Your wings are there for me to hide under.  But I don’t want to stay away from the challenges:  they need to be faced, and with Your shield, I can face the battle each day.  In Your Wonderful Name, amen.