Princes, Kings, and Trust

I spent today learning about King Louis XIV…

How he consolidated power and modeled the first centralized state at Versailles;

How he spent 50% of the Gross National Product on the immense palace and grounds;

How he ruled by “divine right” and truly saw himself as a god (the “sun god”).

Shoulder to shoulder with 10,000 other on-lookers, I shuffled through his enormous palace.

I walked through the infamous “hall of mirrors” where the treaty of Versailles was signed.

I saw the small door near his bed for his various partners for, as the tour reminded me, “it was no secret that the ‘sun god’ warmed many beds.”

Then, I walked the sprawling gardens.

All of it, the ultimate salute to the accomplishments of humans…one human…one king. Louis XIV.

But, Louis would go on to die. His great grandson, Louis XV, would rule during a time when everything Louis XIV worked for was lost, destroyed, and erased.

Psalm 146:3-8

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

I couldn’t help feeling the truth of the passage from Psalm 146 as I glided through Louis’ salute to his own greatness. It is now a tourist trap. Certainly, Louis would be horrified to see what has become of his incredible palace and grounds.

By contrast, the Kingdom of God is not about the self, it is about others. It is not about the creations of people, but about the one who created heaven and earth. It is not about a benevolent monarch providing for his people temporarily, it is about God providing for humanity eternally. It is not about lifting ourselves up, but about God lifting up all those who are bowed down.

May we never take ourselves, or our endeavors so seriously that we forget where God is at in the world. God’s not in the mirror, or in the hall of mirrors. God is in humility. In a silent prayer shared when no one is looking; in a desperate plea for help when no answers are obvious; in the silence we encounter when words fail us; even in this moment, as I write this; and that moment, as you read it…God is here. May he sensitize you to his presence today…and may we trust in the one and only endeavor that will outlast all others; the Kingdom of God.

The Ancient Choir

Hebrews 12.1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,  and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…

“Tradition” is a word that evokes a broad range of emotions in us. Some people would call themselves “traditional” and feel very proud of that title. Others might downplay traditions, seeing them as barriers to innovation. Of course, there are times when traditions might be problematic if they become more important than the reasons behind them. Jesus spent much of his earthly ministry attempting to remind the religious authorities of his time about this. But often, traditions represent an attempt to stay grounded in the same truths that have held previous generations.

Another Lutheran pastor, Nadia Bolz-Weber, put it perfectly when she said “You have to be grounded in tradition to innovate with integrity.”

I am writing this devotion from the 1^st deck of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I just arrived in France yesterday, on my way to the Taize community. We have sung much of this community’s music in worship. It is a hot day, and the sun is just starting to dip low enough to reach out and touch the horizon. One of the travel guides I read suggested paying to go up the Eiffel Tower earlier in the day, and then staying put as the evening advances and the lights of Paris emerge.

My first and most important stop today was obvious; Notre Dame. The flying buttresses and magnificent stained glass of this ancient Gothic cathedral bear witness to the work of many generations. Can you imagine starting a “building project” on your hometown church, knowing that it would be literally HUNDREDS of years before it was complete? Can you imagine toiling under the hot sun, carrying stone, day after day, so that your great-great-great-great-great grandchildren might have a place to worship? I simply cannot fathom this. (For those of you who are in my Facebook contacts, I posted many pictures from today on there).

With visions of past generations in my head, I entered the soaring sanctuary. Off in the distance, I could hear the faint sound of voices singing in perfect harmony; the sound slowly filled the cavernous room. My first assumption was that they play these chants for background music as tourists silently mill about, snapping endless pictures…but I was wrong. Far at the other end, right in front of the altar, stood a girls' choir, dressed all in white. As the words “Kyrie Eleison” rang out, I was filled with a sense of awe. It was like the years between today and Notre Dame’s first worship service vanished. For almost 1000 years, Christians have been singing in this place. And now these girls and I were a part of that crowd. I had to fight the tears of gratitude that came, as I recognized the incredible depth of Christian community that surrounds me. I thought of you all, the people of St. Luke, my home community, and the ways we are not so different from everyone who has gone before us.

A thought struck me as I listened to the angelic voices…

Tradition is simply community – stretched across time. We are all part of a great choir that has been going on for thousands of years.

None of us would argue that Christian community can be an incredible source of support, grace, mercy, and love. But in the never-ending push and pull between innovation and tradition, I think we often lose sight of all those who have gone before us; what the writer of Hebrews calls the “great cloud of witnesses." They ran their races with perseverance, trusting in the love of God they saw in the life of Christ. Now, they are in the grandstands and we are in the race.

The writer of Hebrews uses the metaphor of a race; after what I witnessed today, I will use the metaphor of the great choir. People have been singing this love song for thousands of years, and we are joining in as well.

May you know today that whatever you are facing, you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, a great choir no one can number… God surrounds us, in space and time, with brothers and sisters who can cheer us on. If you need some cheering, be courageous enough to admit it, and lean on others. If you know someone who’s got an uphill battle, lend your voice to the choir.

Hot Springs and Laws

By the ordinances of the Lord is your servant warned. Psalm 19:11

Pay attention to how you listen. Luke 8:18

I am meditating tonight on the beauty and gift of "ordinances" - like the warnings we read today at Yellowstone that told us not to take a dip in the scalding waters of the hot springs, God's ordinances are for my health and safety. 

The one I knowingly, WILLFULLY break most often? Sabbath keeping.

How great is our God that one of his "big 10" is "REST IN ME!" ???

Maybe I will see it a bit more like the hot springs warnings...there to keep me ALIVE.

Where do you need to take sabbath in your life?

Dehydrated

The biggest "secret" of the desert is very simple: Drink enough water.

Seems simple enough, but it is easy to forget. The real trick is to drink more than what you THINK you need...if you do this it turns out you might be getting enough.

Today we traveled from just outside of Milwaukee to Bismarck, ND. It was a good day. A LONG day...760 miles with two kids...but a good day. We are excited to be on our way to Yellowstone.

But...we didn't drink enough today...and we are all feeling it. Mild headaches, irritability, lack of energy...all symptoms of dehydration. Like the warning lights that go off on the dashboard of your car, these are reminders that something is amiss.

Jesus said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” John 7:37 (NIV)

Are there warning lights going off in any way in your life? Symptoms that you might be a little dehydrated spiritually?

One of the things I am being reminded of daily on this sabbatical is that our connection with God is a lot like our water intake...if we try to get what we think is "just enough," we are always feeling a little dry...but if we take a moment often to pause, to read a thought from the Bible, to pray, to ask for God to guide our thinking and actions, it can become a source of living water for us. 

My simple prayer for each of us tonight is that we pay attention to the warning signs...and take time to pause, asking God to sensitize us to Christ's presence with us. Let we, who are thirsty, drink...

Depends on...

"I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them."
Hosea 1:7 (NIV)

"So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy."
Romans 9:16

How often I get this turned around.
I know what I'm called to do, what I CAN do, what others can do, and so much of my effort goes into that.
But I really need to be reminded of these truths above...especially the Romans passage.

I think we all need this reminder...that we bring our best, we offer it to God through our work for our families, our friends, our church, and our community...

But then we have to trust.
Trust that it will be enough.
Trust that where my abilities begin, God is.
Trust that where my abilities end, God is.

Today, this single word is an invitation for me, and for you, whoever you are, as you read this.

Where do you need to trust today?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for our many blessings, gifts, and talents. Show us how to use these blessings to glorify you. Give us true understanding of your words of love, and give us trust in your ways that we may better hear and see your will. Amen.

Home in the World

Today I leave the monastery. I have spent five days here in prayer, silence, reading, hiking, biking, and worship. It has been deep, rich time. I have felt "at home."

I miss my family, but there is something about this place that feels like home. Or maybe it is simply that when you are aware of the presence of God, anywhere can feel like home.


Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19


I am struck by the thought that anywhere the sparrow nests is "home" and is also described as "at your altars, O Lord of hosts..."

Since sparrows nest in any number of varied places throughout the world, might this mean that as we walk the world today, we are surrounded by the altar of the Lord of hosts? Might it mean that there is nowhere that cannot be described as a "sanctuary," or a place where God and humanity meet?

I am also struck by the language of citizenry. We are no longer "outsiders" but insiders, even outside. There is no place we don't "belong." There is no place that cannot be a place of homecoming for us.

May you walk the world today with that sense...that you are home, a citizen, beloved, and in the presence of God.

"Favorites"

My son LOVES money.


Not like a lot of us love money...he's actually not all that interested in spending it (yet...he is 9 years old). But he loves counting it, sorting it, looking for specific dates to fill his coin books, and just generally having it around.


His favorite thing to do, though...is to LOOK for it.


He is that kid...the one who you see looking under every vending machine, and poking his fingers in the change return slot. As much as I have tried to discourage it (let's be honest, not because it is wrong, but because it embarrasses me), he still does this EVERY time he sees a vending machine. So, I've stopped trying to discourage it. Not just because it's useless to do so, but because there is something beautiful about his innocence and the way he could care less what others think of him on his tummy on the floor looking under the machine for dropped money.


And he has found a LOT. I would say he finds coins, or sometimes bills, about 50% of the time. One time, at a gymnastics meet, he found a $5 bill under a machine! That gave him all the motivation to keep looking.


"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:7


I suppose the money that's at home in his dish already...you know, the "insider" money...the money that has already been "found," could get jealous that he doesn't pay as much attention to it. But jealous or not, his passion is finding lost money, and filling out his coin books. As long as there is a single open slot (for a 1962 penny, for example) he is going to keep looking because he knows the collection is not complete.


God is always searching for the lost. That doesn't mean those of us who have been "found" are less important...it means that as long as there is even one open slot...even one person who hasn't been touched by the unending peace and mercy God has to offer...God's going to keep looking...and there will be much joy any time the "collection" is expanded. (And, of course, if you want an even more obvious connection with the Bible, read Jesus' parable of the lost coin in Luke 15:8-9)


It turns out my favorite group of people are the people who are not already engaged in our congregation...not because I don't care about the people who ARE there, but because SO MANY of my friends growing up had negative experiences in churches, or no experiences, and in that way, I am keenly aware that there lots of open slots.


May we all join with Christ in seeking the lost, seeking Christ when we are lost, and rejoicing every time the barrier between "outsider" and "insider" is destroyed.

Making a House a Home

We all know the difference between a house and a home...
or at least we think we do.

As I try to put that often-used phrase to words, I find it tough to describe the difference.

A house is a place; a building; 2x4s and drywall; an empty shell.

A home is rest, peace, beauty, joy, comfort, shelter, safety.
It is so much more about WHO is there than WHAT is there, at least for me.

This makes me think that just about anywhere could be "home" if the right people were there.

Jesus answered, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23

The familiar language of "inviting Christ into your heart" has been, at least for me, so over-used in some Christian circles that I don't find it particularly useful, unless I apply to it these correctives:

1. Christianity's focus is loving Christ, not following rules
Loving relationships don't become loving by following rules. I didn't look at the list of vows I made to my wife as a set of rules I needed to follow to do this thing called "love." I am deeply in love with her, so those vows are rules I want to follow. But love came first. Love always comes first. Today's passage makes this clear. Our first focus is loving Christ, and that means focusing on loving what is lovable in him; the way he lived graciously; the way he challenged rules that blocked love; the way he associated with those ostracized by others.

2. When love is the focus, any place can be "home."
I appreciate the quote in the graphic above. It says, "Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful."

In my book, Christ's presence in my heart brings love, makes me more loving, and makes any place feel like home. Christ makes my heart, my life, my home...beautiful.

Thanks for moving in, Jesus. Make yourself at home.