POWER IN WEAKNESS

(Yes, this is a RE-publish!  I realized I left off the last scribble!)
This week I am combining all my daily thoughts into one post.  The theme on d365.org for the week is Power in Weakness.  The introductory meditation each day reads as follows:
"It's hard to imagine that anyone would choose to be weak over being powerful.  But the way of Jesus sometimes calls us to do exactly that, with the understanding that somehow in our weakness we have the greatest impact.  Consider your strengths and weaknesses, and wonder which of these actually holds the greatest potential in your journey of faith."

Monday, July 9
Mark 6:1-3     The Celebrity Jesus
"...On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place.  He made a real hit, impressing everyone.  'We had no idea he was this good!'  'How did he get so wise all of a sudden..."'  But, in the next breath, they were cutting him down.  'He's just a carpenter, Mary's boy.  We've know him since he was a kid....Who does he think he is?' ... And they never got any further."  (The Message)
     Today we can follow famous people easily - on our TV or Ipod or cell phone.  We can get Tweets!  But in Bible times you have to follow someone around physically or hope they might come to your town.
      If we want to see the celebrity Jesus today, where would we look?  Is he unreachable?  Even Jesus' brothers and sisters didn't recognize him.  What if Jesus is in someone close to us.  Will we see him?  What are we looking for?  Some famous religious celebrity on TV or for the quiet demonstration of Jesus' love in those around us?
     Let's look at those closest to us and not miss the power of Jesus in the ordinary.


Tuesday, July 10
Mark 6:4-6   "Off Day"

"Jesus told them, 'A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.'  Jesus wasn't able to do much of anything there - he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that's all.  He couldn't get over their stubbornness."  (The Message)
     Jesus had an "off day"!  Only a few were healed, but for those few - it was a GREAT day!  When we are feeling 'off' - unappreciated, ineffective, incomplete - remember the positive moments.  In those few seconds, God may have worked a miracle.
     With General Assembly still in my mind, I need to remember that change takes place in cycles.  It might not all happen at once.  We need to keep working and celebrate the small victories.


Wednesday, July 11
Mark 6:7-10   "No Equipment"
"He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching.  Jesus called the Twelve to him and sent them out in pairs.  He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition.  He sent them out with these instructions: 'Don't think you need alot of extra equipment for this.  YOU are the equipment.  No special appeals for funds.  Keep it simple."  (The Message)
     Ah, Lord.  Today is a Missional Meeting and this is the same story we have been using over and over from Luke!  The emphasis today is the power in weakness theme.  Jesus deliberately chooses to make sure the disciples would not deceive people with money or looks, but only by their power to heal and the message they brought.  It is wise to remember that our actions often carry more clout than our words.  We can't preach a simple life and then go out and play with our expensive toys.  Think Mother Teresa - she lives among those she serves.  This is what Shane Claiborne has done in the North Philadelphia neighborhood and Simple Way.  The trappings aren't important.  WE are the equipment.  Nothing fancy, just our hands and hearts in service.

Thursday, July 12
Mark 6:10-13   "Know When to Fold 'Em"

"No luxury inns.  Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.  If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw.  Don't make a scene.  Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.'  Then they were on the road.  They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits."  (The Message)
     This reminds me of Kenny Rodger's "The Gambler" - you got to know when to "hold'em and know when to fold'em!"  Sometimes you have to just walk away.  When it is obvious you aren't being heard, the program isn't working, you are just engaging in pointless arguments, then its time to take your energy and efforts elsewhere.  Maybe the seeds you have sown will sprout, maybe not.
     May God guide us, help us discern where and when our gifts can best be used to do His work.  But may GOD be our guide, not our personal desires or because the job just got too hard we decide our gifts aren't appropriate.

Friday, July 13  Weakness Power
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
"My grace is enough; it's all you need.  My strength comes into its own in your weakness.'  Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen.  I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. ....Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer these limitations that cut me down to size - abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks.  I just let Christ take over! And so, the weaker I get, the stronger I become. "
     How often are we utterly amazed by the creative arts or athletic prowess of physically handicapped individuals, or those who are bed-ridden?  How can they do such things?  They have 'quit focusing on the handicap' and developed their gifts - what CAN I do?  If we take our weaknesses and offer them to God, the power to change, both ourselves and those around us, is real.  God is real and at work in us.  May we let it happen.


Saturday, July 14  "Underdog Stories" 
Psalm 123: 1-6 (TEV)
 "Lord, I look to you. 
Up to heaven, where you rule. 
As a servant depends on his master;
As a maid depends on her mistress
So we will keep looking to you, Lord our God,
Until you have mercy upon us. 
Be merciful to us, Lord, be merciful!
We have been treated with so much contempt. 
We have been mocked too long by the rich and scorned by proud oppressors." 
     Jesus came to save the underdog.  he hung out with the poor, the sick, the outcast, to show them, to physically demonstrate, that God was on their side.  God was WITH them.
     We love a good underdog story!  The movies, books, fairy tables all celebrate times when the victim becomes the victor, the bully begs for mercy, or those in flagrant power are cut down to size.  It is those moments when the POWER of God's love to overcome is revealed.
     Am I the bully abusing my power?  Or am I the underdog, quietly working to share the love of God?  What about you?

d.365.org GO! sending us out into the world this week:
"Now as you journey into this day -
Go, understanding that it is not you, after all, who is powerful.  
Any weakness you know only opens the door
For God's power to become evident.  
And weakness to become your greatest strength."

PS.  I stopped by the d365.org booth (it was part of the Young Adult Ministries, Triennium, etc. exhibit) at General Assembly.  The gal in charge was someone Luke worked with at Triennium in 2007 and Luke had already told her about my devotional book.  I showed it to her and she took a picture of the cover so she could show it at the "office".