Whom Are You Holding?
If we are going to be “holders” of others, then yes, we need to be available to them. But we also need to do the inner work that will motivate and set us free to “hold” them in their time of need. In particular, we can ask the Lord to release us from the grip of our fears so that we might care for others with genuine compassion.
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Further Reflections on the Inner Work of Jesus
As we do the inner work required of leaders, the story of the temptation of Jesus reminds us of how Scripture makes such a difference. Not only does the Bible reveal to us who God is, who we are, and what we’re called to do, but it also helps us see into our own hearts and minds. When we face temptations that would take us away from our best work, God will help us do the inner work that enables us to clarify our true identity and calling.
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Inner Work as Preparation for Leadership: The Case of Jesus
When he was tempted by the devil, Jesus did what we would call “inner work.” In this case, the inner work of Jesus had to do with questions such as: _Who am I? What is my mission? How am I to act in light of my true identity?_ Though you and I won’t be working through questions like these as the fully human, fully divine Son of God, we do have to figure out who we are and what is our life’s purpose. Along the way, we often have to reject opportunities that, however tempting they may be, are not what God has for us to do.
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An Invitation to Inner Work
Scripture has much to say about the importance of what’s inside of us. In the Bible, we discover how we can do inner work in a distinctively Christian way, and how this work isn’t just ours, but is something God does in and with us. For now, however, I want to answer the “Should we be doing inner work?” question with a resounding “Yes.” Though God certainly cares about what we do with our lives and the fruit they produce, there’s no question that God cares deeply about our inner lives, what the Bible regularly refers to as our hearts. Through the gospels, Jesus invites us to join him in the inner work he’s already begun to do in us.
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The Intergenerational Implications of Christmas
The Christmas story makes it clear that you matter to God and God’s work no matter how old you are. You aren’t too young for God to use you. Nor are you too old. Moreover, as God uses people of all ages in the divine plan, those people not only contribute individually but also interact intergenerationally. Christmas underscores the intergenerational work of God.
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Good Things
At this hinge moment of history, in a backwater Roman province, a young peasant girl, overwhelmed and pregnant, yet saw and knew and prophesied the coming of the Messiah in the tradition of all the great prophets from the Hebrew Scriptures. And alone among those prophets, she bore in her very body that very Messiah, incarnate for our salvation.
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If You Will Wait, Part 2
While we are waiting and—often—creating stories of doom for ourselves _or for others_ God has repeatedly demonstrated that if we would just wait, God’s power is perfect because we are weak.
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If You Will Wait, Part 1
Advent produces waiting. But not a listless wait with no anchor; we wait with root in the soul. We wait like a people who know that God is not done with his people. Like the practice of sabbath, or Habakkuk, or Paul, we pause and look back, look forward and rejoice and press forward.
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Sabbath: A Time for Meaningful Conversation
In synagogue gatherings, Jesus engaged in conversations about significant things. His example shows us that meaningful conversations are essential to our experience of sabbath rest. Sometimes these will happen in the context of our church community. Often significant conversations will take place in other settings, especially as we share food together. No matter the way we do it, we need to include meaningful conversation in our regular times of rest.
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Sabbath: A Time for Scripture
The example of Jesus in Luke 4 reminds us of the centrality of Scripture in sabbath observance. As we stop working in order to rest, we open our minds and hearts to hear God speak to us through Scripture. We do this through both individual reflection and congregational worship. As we hear others read and interpret God’s written Word, we ask the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and inspire us. And we set aside time for prayerful meditation on biblical truth.
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Sabbath: A Time for Community
Regularly gathering with others on the sabbath allows us to share together the goodness of God’s presence experienced in worship and in common meals. It also helps us to be faithful in our own sabbath observance. Those of us inclined to overwork will be well served by the discipline of regularly scheduled gatherings for worshipping and eating with others. The example of Jesus reminds us that our experiences of regular rest need to include time well spent with others.
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How Solitude Can Unleash Your Imagination
No matter how busy our lives might be, all of us would benefit from setting aside even a modest amount of time for solitude. When we’re by ourselves, like Jesus, we’re not really alone. Rather, we’re away from people so we might draw near to God. As we do, our imaginations will be unleashed so that we might participate creatively in God’s work in the world.
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The Redemptive Imagination of Jesus, Part 1
There is certainly a time and place for didactic language, for explanations and demonstrations, for elucidation and evidence. But the power of imaginative story can take the truth from our heads to our hearts, and from our hearts into our daily lives. We experience this power as we hear the parable of Jesus known as The Prodigal Son.
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Mentored by Jesus to Mentor Others: Part 1
Think about it: Where would you be if you did not have others wiser and more experienced who came alongside to encourage and help you navigate the challenging waters of life, work, and leadership?
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Silent Stones?
The Pharisees have angst over the crowd’s energy and proclamations about Jesus. They demand that Jesus rebuke his disciples. Were they afraid? Nervous? What were they afraid of? Helmut Thielicke says: “There are really only two ways to take a thing seriously. Either you renounce it or you risk everything for it.”
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