"Be the Man!" Week 13

I bow the knee to the Geek Squad. They flipped my switch from “no” to “go.” They rescued the hopeless and gave new life! After many unsanctified frustrations and fulminations with my new desktop computer that was not linking with the internet, talking to my laptop, or printing, I made the call. A very few minutes after arriving a respectful, be-speckled twenty-something had me up and running. He never broke a sweat, and gave no hint of condescension for my lack of computer savvy. The transformation in both my computer and my attitude was nearly miraculous. It was money well spent (ask my wife). This was yet another teachable moment for problem-solving, self-sufficient, I-can-figure-this-out me. How many times have I expended prodigious but hapless energy trying to figure it out, measure up, get it done, or make it work? Then, in utter frustration and defeat I ask someone with expertise for help, and they make the impossible look like child’s play. Lesson learned. Again. Humility really is a grace that gives in all directions, both to the humble who ask, and to the strong who help. Everyone wins and the humble learn. It’s the difference between night and day.
Roger

"Be the Man!" Week 12

“A tool’s got to work where the work’s being done!” This was my Dad’s proclamation when I questioned him about drawing a line the length of a sheet of plywood using his Parker ballpoint pen. He had just a few minutes’ time between the office and dinner to work on the trailer he was building. Rolling up his sleeves and taking off his tie, he then grabbed for the only marking tool he could find; his pen. From one perspective this would seem an unwise deployment of this particular implement. Technically, it was designed for use on paper, in the office, not for the dusty environment of the garage and the rigors of carpentry. However, from another angle, because the need was urgent, and nothing else was available, the pen could serve the purpose. Surprisingly, it worked, and the scene was repeated many times! This calls to mind how often I have questioned the Father’s deployment of me in a similar situation.  Lord, why don’t you wait until you have a better tool? Can’t you send someone with more wisdom, training or time? What am I doing here when I feel so outgunned and overwhelmed by the challenge? Why don’t we wait until we are ready, all the proper tools are gathered, and all the conditions are right before we tackle this problem. But, time after time He seems to be saying: “You are here, and I need you now: work where the work’s being done. And, surprisingly, under that pressing urgency, a capacity and endurance is discovered that I never knew existed. He can use His tools wherever, and whenever, they are needed! The question is: am I willing to be deployed according to His purposes, not just my preconceptions?
Roger

"Be the Man!" Week 11

Pondering God’s forgiveness got me thinking about tankless water heaters. Hang with me on this. Tankless water heaters offer instant, on-demand hot water where and when it is needed.  As appliances they are marvels of efficiency.  Many believers, I fear, think God’s gracious forgiveness works the same way: it’s on-demand, and newly heated for each application. The problem this image creates is that we feel we are imposing on God’s patience and goodness when we confess our sin. We don’t want to bother him with yet another call for his grace, so we delay, waiting for a more legitimate use of his forgiving warmth. This causes us to try to manage our sin and call upon God’s grace only when we really, really need it. Instead, we ought to think of God’s forgiveness as a standing reservoir of pre-heated grace, purchased by Jesus Christ through his work on the cross, ready to flow into our lives. We call for this grace when we feel convicted of sin, not worrying that He is inconvenienced or surprised, or that some new work needs to be initiated. He has already stored up all the grace, forgiveness and restoration we will ever need, and graciously waits for us to agree with Him that it is needed here and now. 

Roger