Everyday Difference

 “Make a life-giving difference in your everyday world.” That was the answer to the question I had never even realized I needed to ask: What do you want to do with your life?

As a man of faith, and family it can be really easy to pour my everything into those two things. But the simple and honest reality is I am more than a man of faith; and I more than a husband, Dad, son, brother, etc.. The two inform a major piece of me, maybe even the majority of me, but I am more—and so are you.

I mess this up a lot. There are entire days that meander by with my having made almost no difference for anyone whatsoever. Especially if I get caught in the self-reflective trap that’s so easy to slog my way into on occasion. 

However, what I really want is to leave everyday a little better because I showed up. I want every room to be a little brighter because I brought love there with me. I want everyone to know they are important.

I get it wrong a lot. I’m still learning a lot about this.  But I know my life is aimed at something bigger than I’m able to do on my own. I know I want to learn a little more, love a little more, and live a little more.

I want to do all of it in the company of the people who mean the most to me—and I want to invite as many as possible into this same adventure. High-fives, handshakes, and attaboys are the tip of the ice-berg. Let’s aim at the everyday difference we can leave in our wake when we love everyone the right way.

Let’s lay down our conditions. Let’s set aside stereotypes, hasty generalizations, and the mind numbing polarization that frankly most of us grew tired of months ago. Let’s offer a kind word, a neighborly gesture, and strong hand to those who need us.

Let’s get where we’re going in the glad company of everyone around us. Let’s do it together. Let’s make an everyday difference. What are we waiting for? 

September 2 - Already Clean

John 15: 1-11

Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. (John 15:3 ESV)

Cleanliness was a big deal to the Old Covenant Jews. They had all kinds of ceremonial laws about it. They had rules about washing, eating, sickness, sex, and even housewares. There were a lot of rules. By the time Jesus came their rules had become so convoluted and misconstrued that they overwhelmed the original purpose for the desired cleanliness.

During a teaching about human relationship with God, Jesus told his followers that they had been made clean. Their cleanliness was a freeing thing. It freed them from their sins. It was amazing. And it was all done by Christ.

Jesus had made them clean. He had asked them to follow him. He had called them out, and then cleansed them of their sinful issues. Jesus did it. Jesus did it.

Christ makes us clean when we are his. It's what he does and what he wants. It is a work of his power and his grace extended to us that allows to live in that cleanliness. It's pretty cool to be clean, not because of our own actions, but because of the power of the Word that Christ has already spoken concerning you.

I Know Him

When I close my eyes I can see my son's face. The dimples. The smile. I can hear his precious little giggle, and the way he flaps his arms when he gets excited. I can remember the soft feel of his skin when he throws his arms around my neck for a hug or reaches out his tiny hand to grab mine. He is my son. I know him. I am wonderfully blessed to be able to work in a career that affords me a generous amount of time with him every day. I relish every precious moment of it. At this point in his young life, I know everything there is to know about him.

I've spent a lot of time in ministry teaching, preaching, and training people to join their heart to their mind in "knowing God". Something I've spent much less time thinking about is how well He already knows me. My needs, my laugh, my idiosyncrasies, and guffaws. He knows all that could, would, or ever will be known about me.

For some that line of thought may be potentially terrifying. I find it gloriously freeing. We spend so much time in this life playing to the mob, trying to appease the expectations of those around us, fearful that they may discover us for the phonies that we are.

How amazing that God, who knows me, died for me, not just in spite of myself, but to bring me around to an altogether different destiny. I am His. He knows me.