Spiritual Lessons from Hockey

I attended my first professional hockey game Friday night. Hockey, like soccer or basketball, is a sport I can really get into. And I did. I'm not sure how I thought moving and gripping my hands were going to help the Griffins score points, but something worked. They won!

While watching them, I noticed the main weaknesses that have caused my home team so much grief this season.

1) They often didn't work at controlling the puck.

2) They didn't always work as a team. They would leave a player stranded at a strategic point, such as their goalie, thus giving the opposition a clear shot to defeat them.

3) One of them would try to work solo.

These are just a few, but the main and obvious signs of their Achilles heel. It also struck me that these have parallels in the Church today.

As the Griffins haphazardly hit the puck, often passing it to an area where only the enemy waited, so the Church often (maybe in zeal without knowledge) opens herself up to ridicule (and thus, more importantly, the reputation of God) by not properly using the Word of God. By claiming foolish actions as being based on the Bible, we give the enemy more opportunities to shut many ears to the truth. By hateful attitudes and actions to any sinner, not the least homosexuals, we have not shown a God of love, but a God of hate. Instead, we should love the sinner, while hating the sin.

As the players often did not work as a team, so the Church often becomes so divided by small differences that we fight each other. The battle isn't against flesh and blood, but against principalities and spiritual forces unseen. One sin God says over and over in Scripture that He hates is causing division amongst His people. How far could we spread God's Truth, if Christians loved one another and helped one another, irregardless of denominations and minor issues!

Lastly, going solo. As one player trying to shoot a goal from far away (instead of to a closer teammate) is counterproductive, so pulling away from the gathering of believers is counterproductive. We are in a spiritual war. Isolation of one means victory for the enemy. Whether you face hurt, bitterness, or disappointment with a church congregation, finding in God the freedom to forgive and join again (or another congregation) is essential to your growth, as well as you being essential to the work of the Body in the location God has placed you. No man is an island.

The huddle is over. Let's go out and play as a team!

Carping or Communing

I've been reading this week in the book of Numbers. Certain passages from chapters 11 and 12, especially, strike me each time I read them.

For any who may be unfamiliar with the history of Israel this far--briefly: the family of Jacob (aka Israel) moved to Egypt to survive a famine. God provided for them there through His surprise use of Joseph (a son of Jacob).

Four hundred years later, the Egyptians forced the Israelites into slavery. Yahweh, used Moses and Aaron, to come to their rescue. Through a miraculous escape, involving plagues and walking through the Red Sea on dry land, Yahweh led the people around the desert, sending food from heaven, of a kind not directly equivalent to earthly food. The people have grown tired of the food. Thus begins chapter 11.

What amazes me in these chapters, as elsewhere, is how Yahweh is always looking deeper. At first, on the page, it may appear that His anger is aroused at their discontent. However, it seems so clear as one reads on that the people grumbled, but Moses prayed. Yahweh answered Moses prayers, but He was angry with the grumbling of the people at His servant and, ultimately, at their God.

If God was impatient, surely such a complaint as this from Moses would have stirred His anger: "Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms as a nurse carries an infant...?" Instead of anger, Yahweh shows Moses who of the people can help him. He lightens Moses burden. Even when Moses confessed unbelief, God only replied, "Is Yahweh's arm too short?" He answered by showing His power to provide meat for millions of people.

Then, in chapter 12, Aaron and Miriam began to think in human terms toward Moses. Instead of seeing him only as an instrument of God, faithfully carrying out Yahweh's commands, they envied his position and the power of his word amongst the people. God heard this too. Again, this was not directed by them to God, but in grumbling against His servant. Because of how humble Moses was, I love how God stands up for him, how He reminds them that Moses is not just a man in a position but in a position created by God.

How easy it is to grumble! It is easy to criticize those in authority, particularly, spiritual authority. We take the leisure of observation to analyse how one is weak or not satisfying our personal requirements. I wonder how many thoughts and conversations we will find replayed to us before the throne of Yahweh when He defends the position of those He has placed where they are.

Instead of grumbling in private (where God hears anyway), how much greater the results could be, in our lives as well as in our churches and nations, if we brought all concerns and complaints to Yahweh now, expecting answers.

"I desire then that in every place men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling" (1 Timothy 2:8).

His arm is still never too short to bring about the impossible.

Who's Side is God On?

One of the things heavy on my heart this week is the state of my nation. I am actually not thinking directly of the present administration, which you may or may not like. I'm reacting to the people.

Two things have disturbed me: some of those supportive of the present administration here in the States and some of those against it. Let me begin in reverse--with those against it.

Someone I work with, who speaks to large groups of Christians, reported an alarming attitude amongst the majority of those to whom he talks. They seem to be arguing that our only option is to form militias. This is disturbing on many levels.

For one, the conduct of a Christian as taught in the Bible is expressly contrary to rebelling against authority. Paul urges us strongly to pray for our leaders and respect those in authority as God's agents.

The Apostle Peter argues: "What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you. God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you. He left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps. Christ never committed any sin. He never spoke deceitfully. Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused him. When he suffered, he didn't make any threats but left everything to the One who judges fairly." (1 Peter 2:20-23)

We have an unusual right to peacefully make our voices heard. When we know something to be wrong, we can try to vote against it or entreat our leaders to follow their consciences. We are not, however, called to take violent action (even if things get worse) to take back what we have had.

We are promised persecution. As hard as it is to accept, what we as citizens of the West have experienced is unusual to most of the world. PRAY we keep it! But don't, by your thoughts, conversations, and potential actions CAUSE persecution for all Christians, because you choose to take the law into your own hands (the devil's delight!). Don't be such a pawn. Be a Christian, if you call yourself by His name.

On the other side, I worry when I hear people twisting definitions in order to make something that's unconstitutional palatable. I'm thinking here of the right of the President to go against Fox News. Whether you like them or not is immaterial. I have heard over and over those in journalism saying Fox does not qualify as news, because they do not present their material with the appearance of objectivity. Because it is not news, they say, it is perfectly right for the President to close them down.

I see freedom of speech slowly being redefined to fit a narrow definition of what is allowed. I hear of it in the UK--a couple imprisoned, because they said they believed Islam was wrong, and that offended the Muslims who heard. There is less tolerance for truth and more applauding of twisted, mutilated truth that has a pretty face and good PR.

When we seek to know which side of the political line God is on, I'm reminded of Joshua 5:13 - 15. Joshua was leading the Israelites into a battle God had told him to fight. Before the battle he saw, "a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our enemies?' And he said, 'No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.'

As Oswald Chambers said, God is not on any side. The question is are we on God's side. If we claim the name of Jesus, let us follow the example of Jesus, wherever it may lead.

Cleaning Up Debris After the Storm

After a period of chaos in my life, an urge inevitably arises to wipe away the old and begin again. This varies. A little storm...minimal organization. A hurricane...

Let's just say, recently, I've had the desire to delete my Facebook profile and this blog and disappear (as much as possible for someone who's job is mainly online). The impulse arose to do as my friend Marco--get rid of everything and wander Europe. However, the picture of my cat, a suitcase of books, and no shelter, quickly awakened my snoozing senses. I think I'll just clean my closets.

What compulsions surface when your life feels chaotic?

Look Around

Recently, I watched one of my favourite movies-Awakenings. Based on a true story, I appreciate the brilliant acting, filming, script, and directing, but also the chance to be reminded about life.

The story takes place in the early 70s in a chronic hospital in the Bronx, New York. A research doctor, Dr. Sayer, becomes interested in certain patients that are catatonic, yet catch balls that are thrown towards them. Through investigation and persistence, he is able to try a new drug on, first, one, then, all of these particular patients. They awaken, many after ten to twenty years of this coma-like state. Leonard Lowe is one of the main characters with whom Dr. Sayer forms a close friendship.

As Leonard awakens into adulthood, he longs to be able to experience the life he has been missing. Unfortunately, around this time, his body begins to become immune to the drug. Dr. Sayer sees the side-affects, but doesn't have a remedy.

One moment that awakens my senses is when Leonard requests that the board give him the right to go out alone for a walk.

Head Doctor: I'm curious. Um...What would you do if you went out?

Leonard: I'd go for a walk and look at things. I'd talk to people. I would decide if I want to go in this direction or that direction or straight ahead. I would do all the things that you people take for granted.

Head Doctor: And that's it?

Leonard: That's it.

When this request is denied, Leonard rushes to the door. As he is dragged away, the camera films from his view focusing on a glass door and warm sunshine slowly moving farther out of sight.

"I would do all the things that you people take for granted."

What do you take for granted? Can you walk? Have you ever enjoyed the feel of walking, the strength of your muscles, the ability to stretch and run and skip? If you are limited here, have you enjoyed the other senses? The smell of crisp fall air; the touch of a hand or the feel of soft fur; the taste of your favourite meal; the sound of music or laughter; the beauty of a landscape, picture, or face?

When was the last time you longed to see someone and realized how great the ache would be if they were not there? It is like waking from a dream to imagine a family member, friend, pet that you love, gone; then to reaffirm your love for that one as if you received them back from the dead.

The freedoms we have to make decisions: instead of dreading grocery shopping, try to imagine countries without grocery stores. Then open your eyes to all the richness before you.

With the Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend and the American next month and with Christmas less than a few months away, the fall is a wonderful time to slow down and become intoxicated with gratitude for all that God has given.

We have so much, don't we? What are you thankful for?

If God Says No

I've been contemplating lately about longings. Bear with me.

Longings are not only universal, but relatively constant. Even in a state of contentment, we get hungry...

My questions have come from analysis of the past and present, and questions of the future.

Recently, I acquired a copy of two letters from a member of The White Rose (an anti-Nazi, German university resistance group) and her fiance. The letters have never been published in English. Many of The White Rose members were killed with personal and national dreams unfulfilled and never knew that their movement was later used by the Allies.

I've mentioned before, Dietrich Bonhoeffer died two days before the Allies freed Germany. Corrie ten Boom, lost her family in a concentration camp and, after all she'd been through, would daydream of taking a walk with a man she'd dated before the Holocaust.

Two of my friends have lost spouses this year: one in an accident, the other from an aneurysm. Both have confidence they will see their loved one in heaven, but never again on earth.

These examples are mainly relational, but Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith chapter, lists many heroes, who died with a variety of hopes unfulfilled. Yet, they had confidence in God, who keeps His promises.

So, as I bring my request before God, I'm reminded that He may say "no." If He does, I am left with the question of how I will respond. Will I accept His answer or will I pout (and when the longing is great, it's hard to accept that it may be satisfied another way than how I hope)? Will I seek Him only for what I want or will I seek Him for Himself?

It's not as easy as it sounds, is it? Like in every area of life, I've found it is a process of surrender, which may have to be learned again.

What about you? How are you learning the difference between seeking God versus seeking His benefits?

Urgent vs. Important

For those who have followed my blog, yes, this is unusual to post twice in one week. Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the death of a childhood friend. That and other thoughts got me musing.

While in college, my father would often admonish me, concerning my relationship with God, to make sure to make time for what is important. He knew that the urgent would always demand precedence. This is true on many levels.

An idea that has come to me frequently is that you make time for what matters to you. You know if someone thinks you're important by how they act. It doesn't have to be big things, maybe just a note, but they reach out because you matter.

My friend was killed in an accident. He was on his way to work and his life ended. Thankfully, the testimonies of friends and family reveal he lived out a similar principal, with people and with God. But, if he hadn't, how quickly it would have been too late.

So I'm reminded once again--make time for what's important. Life doesn't slow down (I'm learning that). Instead, it accelerates. It's you who has to say, "This one matters!" Your children, parents, spouse, friends... savour the moments, the touch, the faces, the words. Take time for God. Take time for people.

Activities never end, but people do.