“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Theodore Roosevelt
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel his pleasure.”
“Hide not your talents, they for use were made,
What's a sundial in the shade?”
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel his pleasure.”
“Hide not your talents, they for use were made,
What's a sundial in the shade?”
What's a sundial in the shade?”
2 SAMUEL 7-9
18Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:
LUKE 19:1-28
20“Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
22“His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
24“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
JOURNAL
It is interesting that Jesus tells this parable upon his declaration that salvation had now come to the house of Zacchaeus. Interesting that Zacchaeus was a tax collector and hated by most in his community. Yet Jesus is really unconcerned about his past or his reputation. Jesus looks to the heart and what he finds is what others cannot see. Jesus sees passion and action, not passive goodness.
Too often when I think about the "good" things in life, my thoughts go to times of ease, peace, vacation and moments where success was realized and I could rest in the rewards. While those are blessings...they are not the meat and potatoes of life. From David to Zaccheaus, the heart of God is one that affirms action, not passivity. That reality is at the heart of Roosevelt's quote as well as Jesus' message. A great life is not a life defined by leisure and possessions but rather a life defined by work, courage and love.
It does not matter what I haven't done or the wrongs I haven't committed. Ultimately it doesn't even matter my past or my sins. What matters is my heart today, in this moment. The hope of Jesus is that every day I can embrace being a new creation. I can rest in his love, redemption, forgiveness and grace. God gives me the freedom and authority to work and love in spite of fear, frustration and the distractions of immediate gratification. In fact he affirms that his spirit moves me beyond timidity into great confidence and boldness. Shrinking back is actually rebellion and a refusal to acknowledge and live in his love.
It is interesting that Jesus tells this parable upon his declaration that salvation had now come to the house of Zacchaeus. Interesting that Zacchaeus was a tax collector and hated by most in his community. Yet Jesus is really unconcerned about his past or his reputation. Jesus looks to the heart and what he finds is what others cannot see. Jesus sees passion and action, not passive goodness.
It does not matter what I haven't done or the wrongs I haven't committed. Ultimately it doesn't even matter my past or my sins. What matters is my heart today, in this moment. The hope of Jesus is that every day I can embrace being a new creation. I can rest in his love, redemption, forgiveness and grace. God gives me the freedom and authority to work and love in spite of fear, frustration and the distractions of immediate gratification. In fact he affirms that his spirit moves me beyond timidity into great confidence and boldness. Shrinking back is actually rebellion and a refusal to acknowledge and live in his love.
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