June 7: Tuesday Refocus

“Nothing will divide the church so much as the love of power.” - Saint John Chrysostom

These words from the Archbishop of Constantinople were written in 400 AD. But they cut as deeply today as they did then, and in every century since. Because we are those who quarrel and fight because of warring passions (James 4:1), we desire and do not have, so we murder. We covet and cannot obtain so we fight and quarrel (James 4:2).

Why would we desire, or seek anything else, when we are those who have been lavished with the steadfast love of God (1 John 3:1)? Why would we attempt to establish our allegiance when we are citizens of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36, Philippians 3:20). Why would we seek to be great, when it is better to be least in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19)? Why would we pursue a place of honor, when Christ invites the lowest to move higher (Luke 14:10)? Why would we dwell in the tents of the wicked, when it is better just to keep watch of the door to the house of God (Psalm 84:10)?

Lord, may you purify our desires, change our longings, and satisfy our hearts in humility. Everything that we could ever truly need is found in You. In Your name, amen.

Learning,

AB

May 31: Tuesday Refocus

“What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.” - Henri Nouwen

We are in a hurry, but love is patient and kind.

We to possess and consume, but love does not envy or boast. 

We want authority and ownership, but love is not arrogant or rude.

We force our own agenda, but love does not insist on its own way.

We are upset when our needs go unmet, but love is not irritable or resentful.

We glory in the failure of others, but love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, 

believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things.

Love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Power creates distance, but love moves near.

Power protects, but love invites vulnerability.

If the watching world is to know us by our love for one another, we must first know that we love because God has first loved us (John 13:35, 1 John 4:19).

God we thank You that You have first loved us. That Your love moved near us in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ. May we be known by our love as we love You and others. In Jesus name, amen.

For love,

AB

September 3: Tuesday Refocus

‘He who is armed with the power of God will not tremble at the noise raised by the world.’ – John Calvin

Creation groans –

natural disaster

polarization

war

poverty

technology

refugees

anxiety

mass shootings

power imbalance

oppression

celebrity

…and not only the creation, but we ourselves… groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies (Rom 8:19-23).

The chaos of sin birthed a noisy world. 

A noisy world perpetuates a frenetic people.

But children of God are not born of flesh, but born of the Spirit (Jn 3:6).

And those born of the Spirit are born again to a living hope (1 Pet 1:3-9).

These children are given hearts of flesh in exchange for stone hearts (Ez 11:19).

This life in the flesh is now a life of faith, loved by the given Son of God (Gal 2:20).

‘If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.’ – Rom 8:11

Lord, You have empowered by Your Spirit to live and stand in our noisy world.  Would you enable us to carry the peace, presence and life of Christ to our homes and neighbors, schools and workplaces, communities and cities, social media platforms and the ends of the earth.  For Your glory and our good.  In your powerful name, amen.

Standing,

AB