DO NOT BE AFRAID

Have you ever seen someone do something death-defying? Recently, in a social media photo, my cousin posted a pic of herself performing a running "happy kick" over the thinnest sliver of "Devil's Bridge" in Sedona, Arizona. Her caption was so appropriate: "DOING IT AFRAID!" 

It's a true statement... We do so many fearful-to-us things (because, for whatever reason, we need to do them), but we "do it afraid." Pause for a minute and think of an example in your own life......

Then we come to the Christmas Story, when on three occasions, supra-beings from Heaven (angels) interact with non-special beings from earth (humans). Each time the higher says to the lower: "Do Not Be Afraid." Alright Mr. "I'm so insightful and seemingly unaware of your feelings," what are you going to do about the source of my fear?

• In Mary's case in Luke 1, she is still afraid due to everything in life that is about to change, all of it out of her control. Instead of planning her wedding, to become a wife, now she will be planning a birth, to become a Mom, maybe, without a husband. Would Joseph ever understand this bit of news?
• In Joseph's case in Matthew 1, he is still afraid of what people in his culture are going to think and say and maybe even do when they find out that his fiancé is pregnant, even if he tries to convince them he didn't father the child.
• And in the shepherds’ case in Luke 2, they are afraid (terrified is the word) because it’s a big ole’ angel who’s talking to them! An angel talking to shepherds? They know their own status. They’re outsiders, the paid-to-camp zookeepers, watching their flocks, even at night.

In each story, the source of fear is still intact however, in each case, the Heaven-beings had information that changed everything. Good news to change views.

• To Mary: This child to be born will be the world’s reigning King with a Kingdom that will break into this broken world. And Mary, He is your King.
• To Joseph: This son will be God in the flesh, God with us, coming to rescue everyone. And Joseph, He is God with you, and He is coming to rescue you.
•  To the shepherds: This child WHO HAS ALREADY BEEN BORN is the Messiah. And yes, He has been born for you because you matter to God.

God has something so much more for us than a hope that we will “do it afraid.” When He says, “Do not be afraid,” He steps up as the reason we can respond with authenticity and actually possess no fear because He is more... than the source of fear and He is greater than fear itself.

What are you afraid of? Talk with God about it. Let the story of His Son wrap itself around your heart until the fear is gone. He is your Saviour and He is with you. “Do not be afraid.” ...No, really. Do not be afraid.

LOVED... EVEN WHEN WE MISS

Have you ever blown it… big?

•    Maybe a job interview for that “perfect position” and you said things you never intended to
•    A relationship that was never supposed to end but crashed and burned because of something you said or did, or didn’t say or do
•    Maybe a horrible financial decision that took a long time to recover from, or maybe you haven’t yet
Have you missed the goal so badly you feel like a complete failure? Has that failure defined you; made you look at yourself as someone who will never succeed at anything significant?

A few Novembers ago, a College football team in South Carolina, the Clemson Tigers, were in a must win game to continue their season. Down 14-28 in the third quarter, they came back to tie 28-28 with about one minute to go in the game. Clemson’s field goal kicker, Chandler Catanzaro had an opportunity to win the game with a 30-yard field goal. For a College kicker, that’s similar to a basketball lay-up. Everything lined up well, but Chandler missed it. How do you think he felt? These are his words: "like a failure and overwhelmed." 

If you were in his shoes, would you rather run to the sidelines or out of the stadium?

When you blow it, would you rather go to the church to deal with the pain or go elsewhere to try to escape it? Would the church make the pain go away?

In the dying moments of the game, Clemson’s defense gave the ball back to the offense. Chandler got a second chance but now it was from 43 yards out. The problem was that confidence in Chandler was leaking. Few people believed in him now: the fans, his teammates, his coaches, and even Chandler himself. There was one exception… Clemson’s Head Coach Dabbo Sweeney. As Chandler took the field Dabbo said: “We can win it now or we can win it in overtime. I would prefer we win it now. But whether you make this kick or miss this kick does not matter. I’m your Coach and I love you and I’ve got your back.” Believe it or not, he missed again! HE DID NOT! HE MADE THE KICK and Clemson won the game!

Chandler went on to the NFL 3 years later and in his rookie year broke a NFL record by making his first 17 consecutive field goal attempts. He is one of the best in the sport at his position and in the month of November 2015, Chandler kicked a field goal in the dying seconds to win a big game, at the highest level in football.

A mistake does not have to define you for the rest of your life. The power of someone greater loving you and believing in you can turn around the worst moment in your life.

That is the gospel of Jesus. God’s love and forgiveness covers our failure. 
•    More than our failure is God’s love
•    More than our pain is God’s comforting friendship

Believe in the “Coach” who never gives up on His pursuit and commitment to walk beside us through everything. Invite Jesus into your failure and pain. Then dream… and try… and never give up on a life of significance. Someone has your back. Live life for only His approval already gained through the cross because we're loved... even when we miss.

Knee-ed To Be Sustained?

I had another post prepared for this month but then... my daughter ran the Toronto Marathon this weekend (and my wife the half Marathon). Our girl Ruthann tells her story and it's too good and too relevant to your life and mine not to re-post it here. Lengthy read, yes, but SO worth the time. May it change something inside the ropes of your life, especially if you "need to be sustained."

Lord, sustain me. You hold the world in Your hands. Hold my knees right now. 

The shooting pain through my knees, sent me reeling with each pressing pound to the ground under me. Four kilometers into the race, and my knee was already causing me much grief. Four weeks earlier, I had suffered an injury in my knee, but had been quite confident the worst of it was over. Little did I know it would persist in such a debilitating way.

Just prior to the race, my dear father prayed over my knees.  I questioned if the prayers were answered.

Did you not hear our prayers? How will I finish this race, Lord? 

I will sustain you.

But how will I be able to do this with my knees in this state this early in the race? 

I will sustain you. I will hold you. I will hold your knees. Trust Me. 

The words soothed my soul for the moment, but as the pain persisted my faith waned.  I plodded along, each step becoming more and more taxing. The pain began to shift from my knee down through my shin and into my foot. And the other knee joined the painful party. I did not think I was going to be able to go on. 

Even youths grow tired and weary, even young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in Me will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint. Remember your mama? She is walking in pain. But I am sustaining her even now. 

Jesus, I want to believe that. Can I please see my mama? I just need to see her! Will you please allow that to happen? 

As I ran my next few kilometers, I allowed my mind to be distracted with scanning the other side of the course as I looped back on Lakeshore, looking for the woman that I have the privilege of calling “Mama”.  Finally, as I rounded to the 16 km mark, I saw her in full form! She was radiant, vibrant and clearly sustained. What joy filled my heart to see she was not quitting; rather, she was pressing on through the pain.  A renewed sense of purpose and perseverance flooded my body, driving me deeper into a place of determination.

I entered the “road less traveled” at the 19km mark where the half marathon and full marathon split. Prior to that moment of seeing my mama, I seriously considered veering off with the half marathoners, heading home early.  But with the sustaining hand of Christ through the picture of my mama, I pressed in.  A million miles to go. 

Upon reaching the halfway mark, I made a phone call. 

“Hanika, I am at the 21km mark! I made it halfway!

“We are here at the 31 km mark waiting for you! Keep going girl.”

“Pray for my knees.”

“Okay, we are praying. See you soon!”

As we hung up, I became more aware of my surroundings, knowing the familiarities of it. Not unlike last year, when we entered the loneliest portion of the race, the world became dark and bitterly cold. I was thankful I had not taken off my mitts or my headband, which I had considered doing on some of the warmer stretches. I passed the point where I had made a friend last year, which had carried me through the second half of the race. 

Jesus, I need a friend. Send me a friend. 

No one came. There was no one I was pacing with. No one that seemed to be in stride with me. I was alone. My breathing and stamina were in a great place, but my legs were slowing me. With each step, I became more and more discouraged. 

Jesus, why are you leaving me to do this alone? You know I need a distraction, a human right now. You know the pain that is consuming me. 

“Keep going. I like what I am seeing. I like that you are staying right behind him. It’s like he has gone before you and drawn a line in the sand and you are running it. That’s perfect.”

The words were from presumably a running coach who was biking beside a runner.   But the words were spoken to me. 

There is no where that you go that I haven’t already been. I go before you, leading the way for you. I have endured all pain, more than you will ever know. Keep running in the line in the sand that I have marked out for you, the line that I already made by going there Myself! 

A dear streetleader called me just then. 

“Supie? Are you almost done?”

“It depends what you mean by almost done! I have a lot of kilometers still to go. Probably another hour and half of running.” Oh Lord, have mercy. Sustain me! 

“Okay, we are still here waiting to cheer for you!”

“Thank you dear girl! I love you. Please be praying for my knees!”

“We will! See you soon!” 

I pressed in deeper. I entered the Beaches, whispering a prayer for a dear friend and kindred spirit, Thoughtful Girl, who lives in that area. As I prayed, Thoughtful Girl called me. 

“Ruthann?!? Wait, are you running? I was just going to leave a message. I wanted to let you know that I love you, I am thinking of you and I am praying for you. How are you doing?”

“Not great. I am in a lot of pain. My knees are greatly troubling me. I don’t know if I can finish the race.”

“Can I pray with you right now? Jesus, You are with Ruthann. Give her the encouragement that she needs right now. The strength she needs to continue and to finish. We love you and you love her!”

As I hung up the phone, Jesus directly answered the prayer. The long awaited sight of familiar faces renewed my soul. Cheering Friend, Coach Papa and Teacher Friend came just in my time of great need! They spoke words of encouragement, cheering me on, reassuring me and speaking life into me. Teacher Friend, who ran the 5 km race earlier that morning, joined me in my running for a few kilometres.

I sustain you. 

As Teacher Friend, went off to the side, I felt lifted once again. However, the thought of the long stretch back clouded my present joy, bringing me right back to a place of discouragement.

 (Hover over picture...)

“Hi Rudy.”

A long time family friend, Perseverant Man, came alongside me.  We talked, momentarily relieving my mind from thinking about the task ahead. As we chatted, I couldn’t help but wish I would be able to run with him. Knowing however that I was not in the best of physical condition to finish strong, I tried telling him to run ahead, knowing full well that he was in a much stronger state and would be able to complete his race in a much better time than me. 

“Rudy, I have nothing to prove. I just want to be able to finish. And if it is okay with you, I would like to run with you.” 

I sustain you. I hold you. Trust in Me. 

Another glimmer of hope filled my soul. I actually believed I could finish the race. With each pressing kilometer, the pain persisted; however, having someone to share the burden by talking about everything else but the race and our bodies brought the strength I needed and the perfect distraction. Each kilometer came to us faster and faster.  By the time we hit the 40 kilometer mark, I was absolutely astonished. 

“Rudy, my knee is really starting to hurt. I am experiencing pain that I never did when I did my training runs.”

“Don’t stop! Keep going! We can do this together!” I couldn’t believe the words were coming out of my own mouth! 

I sustain you. I hold you. Trust in Me. 

We rounded the corner, and upon reaching the 41 kilometer mark were overwhelmed by a hoard of UrbanPromise cheerleaders, shouting and encouraging! Tears welled up in me, amazed at the fact that I had made it this far. And I was confident that the reason was because of the sustaining power of the One who was with me through each step. 

500 meters. 400 meters. 300 meters. 200 meters. 

“Do not give up! Let’s go!”

An unprecedented strength filled my legs, giving me new speed I hadn’t yet felt. I broke out ahead of Perseverant Man with the finish in sight. 

I sustained you to sustain others as well.

I slowed, welcoming Perseverant Man to come alongside me, and hand in hand we ran across the finish line with our hands held high.

Sustained. Each. Step. Of. The. Way. I answered the prayer of your Papa George over your knees. I held your knees. I held you. And I still hold you. I still hold the world in my hands. I hold your kids, the youth, the families at UrbanPromise Toronto Camp Freedom. I am the One who sustains. All things.

(Adapted Repost from http://justaclaypot.tumblr.com)

On the Wall AND Down the Hall

What is on the wall is less important than what happens down the hall.

This applies to all of life whether it's at home or in the office or shop, or even in a church. Having inspirational quotes or texts from the bible hung around the house or on the walls of a church building has very little meaning if people are ignored or they are being treated without kindness, justice and respect. Even a bumper sticker identifying oneself as a Jesus-follower has very little relevance if the driver is a tail-gating, road raging, people cursing... well, maybe a bit of hyperbole but you get the point. Let's be authentic. People may admire what's on our wall, aesthetically, but what they really appreciate, what truly touches their life deeply, are the words on the wall lived out in a life. That is something beautiful to admire and maybe even emulate.