“The only calibration that counts is how much heart people invest, how much they ignore their fears of being hurt or caught out or humiliated. And the only thing people regret is that they didn't live boldly enough, that they didn't invest enough heart, didn't love enough. Nothing else really counts at all.”
― Ted Hughes, Letters of Ted Hughes
― Ted Hughes, Letters of Ted Hughes
EZEKIEL 40
1In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me and he took me there. 2In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. 3He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze; he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. 4The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see.”(40:1-4)
1 PETER 5
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”a
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
JOURNAL
Here is Peter writing to those who have been displaced and who are struggling. Here he writes as a witness to all that Christ suffered. Here he writes as one who devoted his life and spent it intimately with Christ. These final words of the letter are sobering and a reminder that we are here for a purpose and to do a job. We are here to serve, we are here to be examples and to encourage. We are here to be humble and submit. We are here to do not get...although he promises that God will restore us...we will get everything we ever deeply desired...which is union with God.
The past few days I have been struck by the brevity of life and that any moment may be my last. I thought about all the times I have shrunk back from problems and challenges. I thought of all the times anxiety and insecurity got the best of me. What if that had been my last breath. What if that had been the message of my life. That thought terrifies me because it is so final. When my last breath occurs on this planet, I will not be able to have another one. It will be final and so what do I want it to be spent doing?
In thinking through this I was reminded of a lesson I learned when I was a sophomore in high school. It was during half time of a football game. I was making my second start at quarterback and we were getting beat handily. I had been saked several times and I was becoming gunshy. I had begun focusing on the rush rather than completing the play. It was causing me to hesitate and hold onto the ball.
As I sat there nursing my bruises the thought occurred that I was going to be hit regardless of whether I held onto the ball or threw it...either way I was getting hit. A calm came over me when I realized that I could do this...I could step into the teeth of the rush and deliver the pass. Yes I would get hit but maybe I could still make a play. In that moment I changed...I became a different player. I no longer struggled with the fear of being hit.
Looking back...that is one of the lessons and experiences I cherish most of my football career. It didn't change the outcome of the game...we still lost but the reality is...I won. I conquered a fear and it led to me being a better player and in the future I was able to help my team win games, because I was no longer afraid to take a hit.
This is precisely what we are asked to do everyday as believers. We are asked to step up, serve and take hits. One thing that will prevent us from being all that God created us to be is fear of the opposition, fear of being hit, fear of losing ______ fill in the blank. Once we are able to reconcile that we are gonna lose it regardless, we are going to be hit and face difficulties regardless, then I think in that moment we can change. We can let go of the fear and step into all that God has called us to do and be.
The past few days I have been struck by the brevity of life and that any moment may be my last. I thought about all the times I have shrunk back from problems and challenges. I thought of all the times anxiety and insecurity got the best of me. What if that had been my last breath. What if that had been the message of my life. That thought terrifies me because it is so final. When my last breath occurs on this planet, I will not be able to have another one. It will be final and so what do I want it to be spent doing?
In thinking through this I was reminded of a lesson I learned when I was a sophomore in high school. It was during half time of a football game. I was making my second start at quarterback and we were getting beat handily. I had been saked several times and I was becoming gunshy. I had begun focusing on the rush rather than completing the play. It was causing me to hesitate and hold onto the ball.
As I sat there nursing my bruises the thought occurred that I was going to be hit regardless of whether I held onto the ball or threw it...either way I was getting hit. A calm came over me when I realized that I could do this...I could step into the teeth of the rush and deliver the pass. Yes I would get hit but maybe I could still make a play. In that moment I changed...I became a different player. I no longer struggled with the fear of being hit.
Looking back...that is one of the lessons and experiences I cherish most of my football career. It didn't change the outcome of the game...we still lost but the reality is...I won. I conquered a fear and it led to me being a better player and in the future I was able to help my team win games, because I was no longer afraid to take a hit.
This is precisely what we are asked to do everyday as believers. We are asked to step up, serve and take hits. One thing that will prevent us from being all that God created us to be is fear of the opposition, fear of being hit, fear of losing ______ fill in the blank. Once we are able to reconcile that we are gonna lose it regardless, we are going to be hit and face difficulties regardless, then I think in that moment we can change. We can let go of the fear and step into all that God has called us to do and be.
17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
ACTS 9:17-19
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