Its Hard to Believe

It is my blessing today to teach for a second time a group of 50 rostered freshmen at LCU. The real number will be closer to 40 as the last few trickle into the classroom. They tell me the 4:00 p.m. class was preferable to the 8:00 a.m. option. Their surprised stare in awkward as they see my unfamiliar face in the front of the classroom. Starry eyed college newbies, and skeptical, over-churched students will take their seats to hear what this aged substitute will say. I assume I will have about 3 minutes to gain or lose their attention.

The subject; Jesus and the Gospels. This week I get to cover Mark's account of Jesus. On Tuesday I asked how many had even read Mark's Gospel. The response was mixed. Some said yes, others offered the truth of their laziness. Still others watched to see what others said before offering their hand to answer for themselves. Then I asked them to read for about 8 minutes. Some did not have a Bible. They joined with others who brought their text book. So they began to read chapters 3-7. It was encouraging to see frustration on some faces when time did not allow them to finish.

The Bible doesn't deserve to be boring, or even terribly predictable. No, I don't expect that the words have changed, but that the words are changing me, ... unpredictably. When I read about this man, Jesus, I should expect that He can always surprise me, challenge me, change my mind about him and what he wants from me.

Jesus isn't easy to believe. There was a time when I thought He was easy to accept, to follow. But the truth of the matter is He expects a lot. Not an unreasonable obedience, but hard. Actually impossible. (I assume you agree, unless you have mysteriously and erroneously avoided a need for grace.) So, why should I be frustrated if these students look at me with the same skepticism read about in Mark's gospel. Even those disciples tossed about by the waves and then see the calm waters still wondered who he was. Those who watched the strong man living in the tombs, naked, and possessed by many demons come to his right mind, questioned sensibility and sanity of both Jesus and the other crazy man.

I told the students on Tuesday, "The gospels weren't written as merely a news account, nor a physical history of Jesus. These words were written to work on the hearts and minds of real people, wrestling with what to do with, and what to believe about a man named Jesus."

I told them they should do the same. Today, the assignment was simple. they will

God, be with me today, in every hour. I offer myself to you and to Jesus; in whom I truly believe. Help me to offer to these students the authentic Jesus. To help them encounter him as he really is. May I offer them a view of Jesus with all of the intended difficulty to believe and inspire them to believe with all of the commitment it will take to believe in Jesus in this world.

The LORD is still teaching me patience. Even this statement tells me that his patience endures through example. Michael Taylor, a longtime friend, mentor, and confidant posted a video recently which has been wearing on me. You can read more from Michael at http://michaeltaylor.cc/

I am unable to discern any single purpose for posting this item. I have been affected on many levels. Was I patient with my children as their youthful exuberance repeated questions, not so much to be answered, but as a cry for my attention? Am I listening when others speak, or am I already forming my response, as they speak. Are others as important as "me"? What does my life say to "them"? Are others (thoughts, needs, hurts, desires) not just as pressing as my own?

Ann Voskamp, another of my electronic mentors, (http://www.aholyexperience.com/) relays her thought that every bush is ablaze with the glory of God, if we would but notice. This thought slows me down (on my good days) enough to allow me to see the miracles around me, to hear the magic of sound and explore the unending myriad of color. And see life!

LORD, forgive my selfish impatience. Help me to see the sparrows. Help me to hear and see others. May I embrace the moment, live in the moment, celebrate you in each moment.

Matt 10:28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a pennyd]" style="line-height: 0.5em; ">[d]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.