Chicken Little

Chicken Little is a fairy-tale character who imagines the sky is falling when an acorn falls on his head. He runs around spreading panic and fear among all the other animals.

I must confess that I occasionally fall prey to the Chicken Little syndrome, described by John Landry as "inferring catastrophic conclusions possibly resulting in paralysis.” We are all aware that things are falling apart around us. This is not news. What we need is a Chicken with a plan on how to deal with entropy—a Chicken who is not overwhelmed, paranoid, or hysterical—a Chicken Peaceful perhaps?

Chicken Peaceful would notice the ominous signs, but instead of spreading fear, he might think: What can we do about this? What reasonable precautions can we take to protect ourselves and others from danger? I may be little, but I trust in a big God who is in control of everything. I shall stay calm and listen for further directions. I am confident that as long as I stay within God’s sphere of influence, obeying his instructions, I am safe.

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;” (Psalm 91:14-16 MSG)

Sand Dollars

I’ve never found a sand dollar. Then again, I’ve never put much effort into looking for them. I’ve seen sand dollars that others have discovered—so I know they exist. Those who have found them say that one has to know where to look and when to look. When I walk on a beach, I walk on the dry sand where I find a lot of broken sea shells. I’ve been told that sand dollars are found at low tide on certain gently sloping beaches. You have to walk slowly, right at the edge—your feet can’t be on the dry sand, but partially immersed in the water. As soon as each wave recedes, search carefully and you may find the flat, circular outline of a sand dollar.

Sometimes, faith can be as elusive as a sand dollar. Discovering your faith requires intentional seeking. It isn’t something we stumble upon while strolling casually over dry sand. Those of us who are reluctant to get our feet wet might find a lot of broken sea shells (which are as common as broken churches). You have to search carefully—but your timing, location, and some divine guidance are all essential too.

“This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” (John 6:65 NIV)

Faith is God-enabled. It is not something that we can will-power our way into. We can't just decide to study, pray, and try really hard to find faith. God reveals Himself to anyone who seeks sincerely—so it's not exclusive to any chosen group. However, those who have found faith can share their experience--which may enable others to discover their own faith.

Valued vs. Valuable

Last night, my husband and I had an interesting discussion about the difference between what is valued and what is valuable. 
 
Things that are valued are variable depending on the times and culture in which you live. At the present time, being tech savvy is more valued than the ability to grow food. Someone who develops an app for the Apple iPhone is considered more worthy than a farmer who grows real apples. Consumers prefer forms of entertainment that distract rather than inspire. Current music, books, movies, TV shows, sporting events, and leisure activities are appealing diversions, yet rarely influence deep thought or positive change. Leadership abilities are highly esteemed, while servant hearts are not. Ambition, acquisition, and accumulation are honored more than generosity, humility, and compassion.

Valuable characteristics are enduring and constant—sustaining and nurturing all of creation. Sunlight, clean water, fresh air, fertile soil, health, love, a sound mind, fairness, peace—these things have been cherished by every culture in every century. Timeless values are beneficial and all-encompassing—rarely profitable to one group while detrimental to another. 

When making any choice, when weighing any option, it might be helpful to distinguish between what is valued and what is truly valuable—between that which is temporary and that which is eternal.

More Feet Washing

Soon after the story about Mary washing the feet of Jesus comes the following:

Jesus “poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron.” (John 13:3-6 MSG)

 “So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.” (John 13:12-17 MSG)

Somehow, reading these two accounts one after another made me wonder if there was any significance in this sequence.

Maybe because I’m a middle-aged woman, I no longer find romantic stories about young people all that inspiring. However, when I see a couple who have been married for several decades and are still obviously devoted to each other, I’m intrigued to hear their love story. I want to follow their pattern. I want what they have, so I’m willing to do what they do.

When we are involved in an intimate relationship with God, we realize that we are just responding to Someone who has been attending to us all along—Someone who cares much more about what is going on inside of us than on the outside. When we reciprocate this love, giving of ourselves, submitting, serving—this pattern of mutual devotion becomes an example for others—making them desire a similar rich, deep, sacramental relationship.

Rubbing His Feet

(Part of John study)
 

“Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor?” (John 12:3-6 MSG)

Mary anointed and massaged the feet of Jesus. Judas thought this was a waste.

There are certain people and tasks that I want to take care of; and then there are other obligatory duties I know I should be doing…but really have no heart for. I feel sheepish about serving those I feel drawn to and chide myself over the responsibilities and burdens that I neglect. This leaves me feeling storm-tossed and conflicted. Yet, I also sense that this desire to care for this particular handful of individuals—this focused passion—is a gift that not everyone receives.

Have you ever done menial tasks for someone you love and the world thought you were wasting your potential? Do you feel drawn to a lowly, servile position—something as unimportant as massaging the feet of Jesus?

Rubbing someone’s feet is a very intimate task. Not everyone feels a longing for this level of intimacy. If you happen to be one of those few who have been blessed with this gift, do not take it for granted.

Sure, the world will see it as a waste of your talents and opportunities. Humans are impressed by grand projects that have a huge impact, bringing accolades and profit.

“When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory.” (John 12:43 MSG)

This is really the crux of the problem. Most of us care more about human approval than about honoring God. No matter how much we fight it, we keep making choices based on human standards. We cave in to seeking self-fulfillment rather than God’s glory.

Love One Another

If a hotel room or a restaurant is not up to my standards of cleanliness, then I just never patronize that establishment again. In fact, I steer clear of every business that is part of that chain. On the other hand, if my home is dirty, I clean it up. I don’t just avoid going to the parts of my house that are messy, (although I have been tempted to stay out of my teenager’s living space, since he actually has a biohazard sign on the door!)

“Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it.” (1 Peter 1:22-25 MSG)

This verse comes up right after the one from yesterday that reminds us how God is the one who got us out of the mess we were in. ‘Loving one another’ means entering into one another’s mess. This is a subject I’d rather not write about. I would much rather spend time out in nature by myself or with those I love and avoid chaotic environments.

Now, I’m all for helping friends or family members who are in need, but I if I meet a strange meth addict whose life is a hot mess—I walk away quickly in the opposite direction! Most of the time I can’t improve the situation, and all I end up doing is spreading the disease anyway. Or at least this is my excuse for avoiding certain kinds of people.

When Jesus commanded us to love one another, he didn’t just mean our friends and family. However, I don’t know how He expects us to get involved in every mess! Maybe, like hotel maids, we aren’t responsible for cleaning every room in the hotel, but only the ones we are assigned to. And maybe our assignments change regularly and we have to meet with our Supervisor to know what to get involved in each day.

Getting Away from the Herd

 “Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in.” (1 Peter. 1:18-21 MSG)

I spent so many decades of my life pursuing half-truths and my own moral compass. Like a recovering addict, I’m constantly tempted to fall back into this habit. When I’m around this sort of behavior—around those who “make a religion out of their own whims and lusts,”¹—I’m drawn into this darkness. The magnetic pull of worldliness overpowers my moral compass. I become disoriented, no longer sure of where true north is, and lose my way. Most recovering addicts try to stay away from environments that may trigger a relapse. Similarly, it’s best for me to steer clear of certain toxic environments.

I have found wonderful hiding places that allow me to get away from the herd—spaces in nature that call me to adore a power beyond worldly values, beyond my own whims and lusts, beyond the dead-end, empty-headed life I grew up in.   

¹(Jude 1:17-19 MSG)