Deity Over Dignity: April 2006

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Voice of Truth

I'm listening to this song by Casting Crowns called the Voice of Truth, I think. I just got the CD. I'm kind of new to Casting Crowns. "The Voice of Truth says do not be afraid." It's so reassuring to know that somebody else feels like this. When I hear that voice calling me to step out in faith, I get mad because I'm not sure that I can trust that voice and I'm even less sure that I can trust myself. Even if I make the decision that I wish I would make, how long will that decision last? How soon will I fall? It doesn't seem to take any time at all. So, when God calls me, I get mad. I don't ever want Him to stop calling, but yet at the same time I hate to hear Him because I know I'll fail again because I always fail. I HATE BEING A FAILURE. MY WHOLE LIFE THAT'S ALL I'VE DONE, FAIL AND FAIL AND FAIL AND FAIL. I'M SO TIRED OF FAILING. I HATE FAILING. I JUST HATE IT. I just can't bear trying anymore, so, in a way, I don't want to hear His voice, because then I'll feel compelled to try. But, I don't ever want to stop hearing His voice, because He's the only voice that loves me. I couldn't stand it if His voice ever went away. I just don't know what to do with the things He says, because I can't ever measure up.

I would not argue with Christians that say that our approach to life should be a reasonable response to Scripture, not generally based on unreliable dreams or visions, but Mark 14:13-16 has always perplexed me. It seems more magical than reasonable. How Jesus knew what He knew doesn't really worry me so much as the kind of indirect, imprecise, superstitious-sounding directions that he handed down to these disciples and expected them to carry them out without any question. Of course, they knew Him. They could see Him. They didn't have to test the spirits constantly as we do. Still, it seems strange. Jesus knew so much, why not just tell the disciples the name or the address of the place they were looking for? Why was he so strangely obscure? And, how God does or does not choose to do things is really not for me to question except in that it makes me wonder what kind of directions I should be expecting from Him.

The Power of Hanging Out, by Jim Eliff

1. Find a hanging out place, or several, in your area. This will be easier for some than others. I've even spent some time in the local hamburger place. For most this will have to be early in the morning before work, but others may be able to invest a bit more. The morning usually attracts the "regulars" that you will be best able to connect with.
2. Learn the names of the people you meet. It is good to jot their names down somewhere for reference.
3. Take your Bible, and spend time reading it, writing notes in your notebook, or reading a good Christian book while out.
4. Keep a friendly, approachable look about you. Speak to people. Introduce yourself and find out about them. Focus much of your talk on them. They'll also be curious about you.
5. Seek to get to the layer of philosophical talk. What do these new friends believe about important issues of life and death? This makes for deeper and more significant relationships.
6. You will find that they will be curious about you and your beliefs also. Talk freely about what you believe and how you approach life.
7. Make friends, real friends, who will be important to you no matter what their spiritual preferences are. Love them for who they are.
8. If you have read something interesting that you can pass on, by all means do so, especially if it has something to do with the true love of your life, Jesus Christ.
9. Expect God to do something. Christians make a difference! You might help a fellow believer or a person who does not have a spiritual bone in his body. You never know what God may be doing. The world reacts and responds to "lighted" Christians.