Conscious of Sin, Then Conscious of Victory: thoughts on A Christmas Carol

     I remember as a child watching an old black-and-white version of "A Christmas Carol" at my grandma's house. Like many others who have read or watched this classic tale, I was appalled by Scrooge's greed, felt sorry for Bob Cratchit, loved nephew Fred, was awed by the Ghost of Christmas Past, enjoyed the Ghost of Christmas Present, and was enchanted by the Cratchit family - especially Tiny Tim. But when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come made his appearance I was afraid. (I hid under the covers for most of his scenes.) What a relief to see Scrooge once again in his own room. All was right with the world again - and not only that, Scrooge was saved!
     Good endings make a story, but the best endings usually come after there's been triumph over conflict - a major conflict. Hiding under the covers (or skipping to the back of the book) to avoid the unpleasant parts might seem inviting, but if there is no conflict, the victory loses it's power.  I'm not one to shy away from confronting a problem, but I often wish there was no problem to begin with. (Let's just skip those unpleasant "scenes"!)
     I'm currently reading 52 Little Lessons from a Christmas Carol by Bob Welch (and loving every page!). In the opening chapters of his famous book, Charles Dickens describes Scrooge as a "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous old sinner. Hard and sharp as flint, .... secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster." Harsh words indeed, but certainly an apt description of the character Scrooge.  In our world of "political correctness" we shy away from placing "labels" on people. We discourage others (and ourselves) from placing "judgments". And while I'm not condoning a judgmental attitude toward our fellow man, I will point out that many times this leads to a lack of discernment when it comes to truth - the truth about others and ourselves. The truth that we are ALL depraved and in need of salvation.  If we have no sin in our lives why do we need a Savior?
     The title of the second chapter in 52 Little Lessons from a Christmas Carol is a lesson in and of itself: Growing Wiser Means Getting Uncomfortable. Excerpts from the chapter shine a little more light: "... (Dickens) wanted us, as individual readers, to squirm a bit when we contrast our lives with a higher standard..... He wants us, as individuals, to confront our own ghosts. He wants us to feel the chill of regret if necessary and like Scrooge, to make changes in how we live....... In short, Dickens is shooting for nothing less than spiritual or moral revival in those of us who read his story....... Isaac Newton's first law of motion suggests that everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it. A Christmas Carol is just such a force...."
    While difficult to put into practice, we should honestly desire those "forces" which require growth on our part. While they may seem heavy and unbearable "for this present moment" they work for us a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".  While to me as a young girl, the Ghost of Christmas Future seemed bleak and scary, in actuality he finishes the work that brings about the eventual change in Scrooge's heart. Without his contribution Scrooge may never have experienced true freedom. Because coming face to face with our own immortality brings clarity to situations we might rather ignore. And while confronting the darkness may seem frightening, it is, in the end, what will bring about true victory.
     Once again returning to Bob Welch's book, I love how he brings out a very pertinent observation on how we place barriers in the way of receiving the truth about ourselves - that whole idea of becoming uncomfortable in order to gain wisdom. When we become aware of (and therefore uncomfortable with) shortcomings in our life, we have a choice: we can face them and allow Christ to change us, or we can rationalize that the problem is not us, but someone else. "...when encountering those who serve more admirably, (Scrooge) mindlessly dismisses them as people who are exploiting him.... The more Scrooge grumbles, the more Scrooge convinces himself that he is a victim to all this blather. The more he feels like a victim, the less responsibility he feels to change. And the less responsibility he feels to change, the more he becomes encrusted in his own meaninglessness."
     Don't let satan convince you that you are a victim. This reminds me of a quote I recently copied:

"The consciousness of sin may degenerate into defeatism.

"It's too bad, but that's the way I am." (one might say)

The devil rejoices when we are defeated but is afraid of the consciousness of victory.
The devil makes us conscious of sin; but the Spirit of God
makes us conscious of sin and then conscious of victory.

-Corrie Ten Boom, Amazing Love

  In A Christmas Carol we find this true in Scrooge's life. His entire life is played out before him making him conscious of sin and shortcomings, pain and sorrow. But to what purpose? To defeat him? Of course not. To illustrate that no one is too far-gone. Anyone can change through the power of Christ. Because of the utter desolation that was Scrooge's life, the light and salvation at the end of the story shines so much brighter.

"but the Spirit of God makes us conscious of sin and then conscious of victory."

Investment: Commit in Order to Earn a Return

     If you've been following my blogs, you've seen posts about my missions adventures this year. If you haven't, you can find them here, here and here. And while I've posted plenty of pics and given logistics and details, I also wanted to post about the heart of our trip.....

     Excitement is always high on travel day. The untranslatable Swedish word 'Resfeber' defines it best:

"The restless beat of a traveler's heart before the journey begins,

a mixture of anxiety and anticipation." 

The unknown future fuels our expectations and we wait with baited breath to see the end result. And then at the end of our journey we know. It's now history and thus, a part of our story. Each new experience and each new destination forms our life, our character, and who He wants us to be.

     For me, this year's adventure was a little different. I found myself on a new continent, in new countries and in a new position. New sights to experience. New challenges to embrace. New opportunities to seize and fresh outlooks to receive. And while "the new" adds a twist into any experience, our goal is basically the same any time we head out in His name. Make Him known.

     The gospels of Matthew and Luke record a story: a bit different in each version, but the same story regardless. The Master leaves something of great value with each of his servants (some received more, some received less), and then returns after a prolonged absence expecting the servants to've applied themselves and made a profit on the talents in their care. Some did, some did not. But to those who DID, more was given. There are many ways to look at that story and define what those "talents" symbolize. Different analogies would apply and all would be pertinent in various situations, but for this post, I want to think of each of those talents as a person. After all, people and relationships are one of the most valuable things in life, right?

     As we headed out on our journey, I envisioned the Master placing many new "talents" in my hands. He asked me for investment and a return. Some returns I saw right away - others I may not see for years to come, - possibly never (in this life). But my job is to invest - I leave the results to Him. From one-on-one late-night talks with a young friend just met at camp, to track times with many young faces taking in every word that was spoken. That early morning photography hike with 4 teens when I really actually wanted to sleep for another 2 hours. :) But the joy & fulfillment I felt in each of these situations didn't compare to what I felt watching my team reach out and invest. Because when we invest in someone and then watch them turn around and invest, we see our efforts take on that multiplication aspect that keeps on giving.

     My heart still feels the warmth it felt in the moment when Maddie came running up with pure joy on her face as she exclaimed "Hannah invited Jesus into her heart tonight!" (I had watched with tears as she talked with her just moments before.)

     Or when I walked into the "mess hall" at lunch time to see Chase sitting at a table surrounded by campers as he told stories in the way only he can. He held their attention with ease.

     Or when I looked through my telephoto lens to see Lauren holding hands and offering counsel and comfort to a young girl in tears.

     Or watching Matt talk with and gently guide an overly boisterous kid as we hiked. Taking the time to invest when it wasn't necessarily easy.

     Or sitting in as Tara taught a lesson to 12 chattery girls and explained truths from the word so they could understand Him better.

     Or hearing from Amanda that a camper wanted to talk with her about "something" later. And then hearing before bed that the result of that encounter was the camper rededicating their life to the Lord.

     Or seeing Laurel share a room with campers who had no sponsor - stepping in and providing support and love for a roomful of girls.

     Or watching as Andrew prayed with two boys on the last night of camp. Setting an example of prayer that I hope those boys will remember for years to come.

         My prayer is that for each of those who were touched by someone on our team, they will turn around and reach out to someone else in need. To offer an encouraging word, a gentle touch, a prayer - or just a smile. Investment. What a joy to see my team exhibit these simple actions and much more. They represented Jesus well. He will always take our smallest efforts and turn them into great gains for the Kingdom.

Invest (verb): to involve or engage especially emotionally; to commit in order to earn a return.

The End is Better than the Beginning

"The end of a matter is better than it's beginning, and patience is better than pride."

 

     Do you dread hardship? Do you wonder why it happens and then long for the days when life was comfortable and familiar?  I do. Or, at least I have. You know, there are just those days. I don't know about you, but so often troubles come in groups. First one {and I'm thinking, "ah, this will pass soon"} then another, and another, until before you know it........ there's an avalanche. Life seems to be hitting you from all sides and you wonder where did those peaceful moments go?
     Many times, our struggles are deep, real and personal. At other times, it's just the buildup of insignificant, petty annoyances that finally reach a breaking point. Or maybe it's just two or three small issues that seem overwhelming or disheartening when they all fall apart at the same time. This recently was my experience. {Although I've dealt with the other two scenarios on various occasions as well.}
     Life was moving along so smoothly {albeit super busily} and expectations were high. There were a few question marks, but I felt sure the Lord would work those out in His time. And He did. Just not in the way I had presupposed. In fact, totally different than I had presupposed. Was I crushed? No. Was I heartbroken? No. Was I disappointed? Yes. But here's the real question: was I disappointed in God, in my circumstances, or the presupposition I had created? Basically the latter.
     "All things work together for good, to them that love God."  We often quote this verse, but do we really understand it's meaning? ALL things..... the bad, the ugly, and the disappointments too. It's what He wants to teach us through the circumstance that's important - not the circumstance itself.  Life is full of situations where I can learn to grow in this area - to understand His care in all circumstances. Times when I feel unnoticed, hurt, and dissapointed.
     Recently in my devotions, I came across this passage in Ecclesiastes 7:

 

The end of a matter is better than it's beginning,

and patience is better than pride.

Do not say "why were the old days better than these?"

for it is not wise to ask such questions.

Consider what God has done:

who can straighten what He has made crooked?

When times are good, be happy;

but when times are bad, consider this:

God has made the one as well as the other.

 

     When you really stop to think about it, the end is better than the beggining. Just in very simple terms if an experience has been enjoyable, we don't want it to end - but when it does end, we have all our happy memories. If it's something unpleasant, we wait for the ending in anticipation. :)  Let's plunge a little deeper: the birth of a baby, the finish line in a race, the culmination of months & years of hard work..... truly the ending is better than the beginning. And then there's that term we use called "closure". Having some kind of finality - even if that finality is heartbreaking - is better than never knowing the end.
     After my week of disappointments, a ray of hope shone bright. A simple conversation with one person and I begin to see where this will possibly lead. It's a ways yet in the future, but I am willing to wait and trust that He knows what He is doing....... and that "the end of a matter is better than it's beginning."

 



Thou God Seest Me.....

     Ever feel as if no one notices you? Ever sense that you've become one of the crowd and no one cares what you think or say? Or, after someone has been close to you for years, you discover that they don't really "know" you? Depending on the circumstance, perhaps this is reality...... perhaps it's only perceived. Regardless, this is a feeling many of us struggle with - I know I do. When an event or circumstance causes this feeling to grow, we sometimes mistakenly relate this feeling to how God views us. Especially since we never see His face - rarely hear His audible voice. It can be easy to think that He doesn't see, and doesn't know me.

     A while back, I went out for dinner with a large group (non-family). We took up several large tables and the restaurant was full of other people as well. As dinner was served, I noticed that our water glasses had not been filled. {I was extremely thirsty.} I asked the waitress if she could fill our glasses. She nodded, smiling. Returning a few minutes later with a pitcher of water, she began filling glasses at one of the other tables. I watched as she filled glasses at each table - making several trips back to the kitchen to refill her pitcher - before finally making her way to the one where I was seated. She then proceeded to fill every glass at the table but mine. I tried to catch her attention before she left, but unfortunately, she didn't hear me. Granted, there were a lot of people there - and she was SO busy - but since I was the one who asked, I figured she would remember to fill mine. Not so.  After asking another waiter for water, I continued my meal. A third request also went unnoticed. I sat there feeling very invisible. "Am I that forgettable?" I wondered. By the time I'd finished, I still had not received water. To top it all off, my glass was taken before I could stop them! Looking back on it now, it's quite humorous. {How could that many people forget my water?!} At the time it was not. I'd had a hard week and a particularly hard day and my mood had seen better days.

     When I begin to feel invisible, I almost unknowingly question whether God sees me - whether He actually notices my feelings, my hardships..... me, as a person. King David must have felt this way. In numerous Psalms {chapters 10, 13, 44, 88 and 89} he asks God where He is - is He hiding? How long will He keep His distance?

     Many years before David, another experienced these fears - and she had very good reason. Cast out by her mistress and harshly treated, she faced a long hard road of exclusion, loneliness and anguish. Until Someone saw her and sent deliverance. When Hagar looked up and saw the angel of the Lord before her, her hope was renewed. Refreshed with nourishment for her empty exhausted soul she now saw God in a whole new light. Scripture tells us that she began to call Him by a new name. "I have seen the One who sees me" she stated.

     Her experience, her realization, is one that we can learn from. In our circumstances, in our difficulties, in our joys, in our insecurities, in our laughter...... let us never forget that we have an all-knowing Father Who knows us better than we know ourselves. I should never have to wonder if He knows me. He made me. And who knows their handiwork better than the artist who designed it? As I've meditated upon His knowledge of me, I'm transported back in time to events where I felt misunderstood, invisible and unknown. Systematically He showed me how He worked in all those circumstances - providing physical needs, a listening ear, emotional stability, or sometimes just a shoulder to cry on. Almost always, His care for me came through another person. And yet it was so clear, that He prompted it all.
     To finish my story: After our meal was over I felt drained and tired. It had indeed been a long week.  A friend came over, sat beside me and asked if I was doing OK. This opened the door for conversation and a little healthy expression. God, my Father, looking out for me through the care of a friend. Be willing to be that person who will listen - perhaps God is prompting you to give a smile or ask a simple question in order to show His love to someone who is hurting.
     And in every circumstance we can say with Hagar "Thou God seest me...." (Gen. 16:13)