What would you do for a Klodike bar?
Trains of thought are funny things. Yesterday, after picking my children up from their mothers, we were on the way home and they started a discussion about what they would be willing to do for 1 million dollars. This was one of those moments as a parent, your ears perk up and you listen…
The discussion was typcial of one led by teenage boys and the willingness covered swimming through vomet and human sewage. Surprisingly they would do it for a million dollars!
Then as my mind works it magic, I heard that old TV commercial jingle “What would you do for a Klondike Bar? Then the train of thought went further and I began to think about risk. You see, that is the real question. What would you do (willing to risk) for the gain (a million dollars or Klondike Bar)? Then my mind diverted again and began to contemplate a man named Cornelius.
In the New Testament, Book of Acts, there is a story of a soldier named Cornelius. Cornelius was by reputation and practice a devout man of faith and action. He was known for his generous giving to the needy and his regular prayer time with God. He was by all measure a success both in his career and spiritual life. His faith was not only a personal matter but his whole family were known to be devout and God fearing. He basically had it all together.
One day during his prayer time, an angel of God came to him and said “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come before God as a memorial offering, so send some ment to Joppa and bring back a man named Simon”. What a strange statement! Your actions have come before God as a memorial so send some people to go get a man from Joppa! Talk about an opportunity for risk. Not only was he asked by God to do something out of the ordinary, but he was told to involve others! Imagine for a moment what must have went through his mind. What if I imagined that? Who is Simon? Why do I need to see him? Why cant I go to him, where nobody knows me? Why do I have to bring him here? What if . . .
Risk!
Fortunately Cornelius listened to God and took the risk. He sent two of his servants and a miliatry attendant to Joppa to get Peter. Now the story continues that the men went to Joppa got Simon and headed back to Caesarea. Meanwhile, Cornelius gathered all his relatives and close friends together in expectation of what Simon who do/say. You see, I think that is an important part of risk, and that is expectation. But with expectation, brings greater risk! Imagine if Simon was a disappointment? Imagine if he was some kind of freak! Cornelius was exposing his close friends and family to this unknown factor. Most of us would wait, filter Simon, then disapate what occurred to reduce our risk. Not Cornelius. Faith!
I love the encounter when Simon arrives. He says, (slightly paraphrased) “Strange! You guys know that it is unlawful for me, a Jew to associate or visit with a Gentile, or in this case a large group of Gentiles. But God told me the other day that I should not see any of you as unpure or unclean, so when your men came for me, I decided to come. What do you want of me?”
Imagine Cornelius’s thoughts as Simon spoke. First the realization that he is a Jew and should not be there, second that Simon knows and says as much. Then a strange moment as this guy says he heard from God, that it is ok to break the rules. Risk is definitely seeming risky at this point. Then the hammer falls. When Simon asks, What do you want? Imagine Cornelius’s heart sinking and thinking “What! You dont know why your here? I dont know, I thought for sure you would know!”
Then Cornelius says as much, by recanting the story of his vision and then he sums it up, by saying “So we are all hear to listen to what God has told you to tell us!” Wow! Talk about risk! The story goes on that Simon tells them about Jesus and in that process the Holy Spirit comes on all, everyone who heard the message. Then Simon had them baptized and the Christian faith was effectively poured out upon your and my ancestors and the way of Salvation began to be openly preached and taught to Gentiles.
What a great reward for the risk! I owe you Cornelius! Thanks.
So I will conclude today with a couple of questions for you to consider?
What would you do to experience the presence of God?
What would you do to keep your heart/life pure?
What would you do . . .
Comment on What would you do for a Klodike bar?
Failings
I don’t know about you, but I hate to fail. But no matter how much I hate it, I do. Over and over. Not always in the same way (although occasionally that does happen!), but each test/trial of life brings new opportunity to succeed or fail.
However, when we fail, it is not always bad. I like the way Oscar Wilde said it, “Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.” As I consider failure, I find several things of value that if received, profit me abundantly:
1. Failure at something means that you now know for sure, one way that does not work!
2. Failure at something means that you have gained experience, that if shared, will benefit those who also are headed where you are.
3. Failure at something means that tomorrow you have a new opportunity for success.
4. No success has ever been achieved without failure.
I like what Provers 24:16 says, “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” Basically, when you fall, and you will, sometimes over and over, get up! Keep trying.
“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”
Betrayal
Over my life I have had several situations in which I felt personally betrayed. A violation of trust, a broken promise, or just plain deceit. In some cases this was very clear, but in many of the situations there is no direct thing that says aha! So as with many situations in life, I found myself headed to lifes manaul, the Bible.
I was quickly reminded of the greatest betrayal of all, that of Judas. As I read the story and pondered the depths of it, i realized Jesus was aware of the betrayal long before it occured, yet allowed it anyway. The one thing I know and understand about God is that he can do anything! That means he could have at any moment ceased Judas’ actions and prevented the betrayal, but he did not. Why? A master plan.
I am reminded of the words of Joseph, “You meant it for evil, but God intended it for good”. How can I ever presume to know more than God. Everything in life is not just about me. God is at work in the lives of everyone around me. I often pray “Lord use me”. It is amazing when he does, it is not always with glitter and glamour. Sometimes it is throwing me into the muck and mire. Why? to accomplish His purposes.
I recall that “God is not willing that any should perish”, that even means those that betray us. “God chastens the ones he loves”. In the act of betrayal things will often come to light. The things that are hidden (intent of the heart, etc.) will come to light. Under the light change begins to happen.
When you feel betrayed, start by asking what is going on, I mean what might God be trying to accomplish through this situation? It might be to bring some of your own crap, insecurities and weeknesses to light so that healing can begin. It might be to bring someone elses heart to light so that God can begin the redemption process. No matter what the situaion, God loves me. I read how “He endured the cross”. I think of endure, I dont think of vacation but of hardship. What great love held Him to that cross, suffered abuse and ridicule.
Reflections
We all have them. Moments or things that cause us to reflect on our lives. For me, September is a biggy. The first part of the month is an intense reminder of my failed marriage. My anniversary is on the 7th, this year would have been 19 years. She moved out on the 10th, this year makes 1 year. The second half is when I have my birthday, 28th. This year I will be 42! My life is not what I thought it would be.
Don’t get me wrong, I have lived a wonderful life. God has blessed me with 4 amazing, beautiful children. My life is full of friends who truly care about me. And I know and experience God in my life daily. Not a bad run so far, but always room for improvement.
At 14, I came into a relationship with Christ. This was a life altering moment for me, forever changing who I would be. Over the last 28 years, I have endeavored to learn God. To comprehend Him more fully. This has not been an easy task. Everyone has an opinion on who God is and what He wants. Over the years I have sat and listened to many people tell me about God, to express who they thought he was. Some my heart resonated with and others, I thought “you have no clue!”. Strange.
Now I dont presume to know that much, but I have had my faith shaken, shifted and down right turned upside down. The last couple of years has not only been a deep personal struggle, but also a hard look at God. Lots of yelling and crying out. Lots of anger, bitterness, rage! I would often look in the mirror and ask, who are you? I no longer knew myself and wondered if I really knew God. I mean after all, I trusted Him. How could he have let this happen?
What a delima. My days were filled with rage and down right anger with God and my nights were filled with sorry and crying out to Him. But He was kind. Every day He would allow my anger. Taking blow after after blow. Then at night He would pull me close, let me drop my head on His shoulder and just cry. Kinda strange, but I almost felt as if He were crying with me.
What have I learned? Life is hard. God is real. The future holds surpises and things unexpected. Friends are wonderful.
My heart resonates with that of the Psalmist, Giant Killer, Adulterer, Murder, and Father, David:
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
God sends his love and his faithfulness. Psalm 57:1-3
Are you struggling? Cry out to him.
I love the song by the group Third Day, “Cry Out To Jesus”
