Are you ambitious? When you examine your life or heart, where do you see yourself tending towards selfish ambition? Are you finding that God is maturing your heart motivations towards Godly ambition?
Godly Ambition is reverent activism that constantly depends on the Holy Spirit to accomplish what he wants to do through us.
Selfish ambition is striving to accomplish anything for our own end, our own glory. It is a cold and empty lie that cheats us out of worship.
Dave Harvey in his new book, Rescuing Ambition calls ambition– the instinctual motivation to aspire to things, to make something happen, to have an impact, to count for something in life.
I’ve always had ambition, a passionate drive to accomplish as much as I can. Hyperactivity and the love of accomplishment have characterized my days. One could call it work ethic – a God created, directed vision for success that guides my dreams and decisions with passion and humility every day?! However, because of my sinful heart I so often in an effort to “check off the boxes” in my days, along the way, I steal God’s glory and feel pride in my work. As God changes me, ambition is changing, work is becoming more worshipful. I am SLOWLY becoming more dependent on Jesus and am more aware of His hand in even the smallest of tasks.
Pursuing ambition can certainly be self-glorifying. I don’t want to merely sprinkle bible verses and prayers on my ambitious striving and call it Godly. Seems to me calling my ideas God’s, is pretty low on the scale of selfish ambition. So how can we, pursue Jesus in life’s ambitions and trust that God will keep us from all evil. (Psalm 121)
1. God created us to be ambitious. (for HIS glory)
2. He wants us to work hard, steward well, and exercise wisdom with dreams, plans, and actions.
3. Ultimately, all that we DO or DREAM is for Jesus to look good, not us.
4. He knows me personally and the Gospel transforms my heart, plans, and dreams every day.
5. The Grace of God is where I get approval, in my justification before God is my peace.
6. Striving towards worship in my actions, prayers, and dependence on Jesus refines my motivations.
Awareness of the temptation to sin with ambition can suffocate a God given desire to act. “True humility doesn’t kill our dreams; it provides a guardrail for them, ensuring that they remain on God’s road and move in the direction of his glory.”
As Christians, we have a deep down appetite for God’s glory. Each of us have different expressions of worshipful response to the awe of God’s glory. When we plan our lives and actions, we must pray for wisdom and ask, “am I worshiping Jesus with this?”
If we love God’s glory, it translates into a lifelong, passionate quest –in other words, godly ambition.
Jesus Christ embodies the glory of God. As we come face to face with the Cross of Jesus, we are compelled in belief and worship. The grace of God wires us for ambition. Ambition that is authored by the in-dwellling Holy Spirit inspires us to “do” for his glory.
The good news with ambition for us, is that we can run with passion to point others to Jesus, by loving Jesus and others through the works he has given us to to.
Ambition can be sinful, but DOES NOT mean we should go apathetic because of our fear of sin. As sure as we are God’s loved kids, he will keep us from evil (Psalm 121) and rescue our hearts. He will create in us passion, conviction, and action to Give HIM Glory.
Do you ever think you are groaning but you are actually grumbling? Sometimes, we mistake one for the other.
We are always suffering in some way and we are always sinning in some way. Our very nature is sinful and our interaction with the world and other sinners brings suffering into our lives, daily. Being a Christian is living with the reality of both sin and suffering and Seeing and Savoring Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer in both. Thankfully, our identity is neither sinner or sufferer. It is in Christ that we find our hope, strength, and identity. Love incarnate comes down to rescue us in the midst of both sin and suffering.
When I am suffering, I am tempted to grumble. Like the Israelites grumbled at God, displeased with his provision, my discontent heart throws a fit at God. Whether it is being overwhelmed with my schedule and tasks or being heavily burdened down by conflicts and relationship strain; I start to enter the pity party zone and snuggle up to grumbling. Feels like a nag in my heart, robbing peace and joy in Christ. Grumbling is often masked with prayer requests, tears, and sharing for the sake of raw authenticity. We think we are groaning, but we often are grumbling.
So, then– what is a Godly response to suffering?
2 Corinthians 5:2a
For in this tent we groan,longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.
We often are de-sensitized to the drama of suffering. From stories of rape, incest, betrayal, natural disasters, divorce, abuse, whatever it is– we respond with as much love as we know how to give. Each of our stories are marked with suffering. Even now, we can see suffering’s stain on our daily lives. Whether it be sickness or financial strain, how can we reconcile suffering with faith?
I need a savior for my past sin and suffering, my current sin and suffering, and my future sin and suffering.
Groaning is a response to the reality of how broken our world is and how desperate we are for God’s presence and power. We groan when we are in need. We groan when we are calling out for help. Our HOLY and FAITHFUL God hears our cries, our groaning.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
In contrast, grumbling is displeasure, discontentment, and flat out complaining to God. Remember the whining heart of Martha at Jesus, tattle telling on Mary in Luke 10. She asked for help from Jesus, but she did so through grumbling and her mind set on her own agenda.
Grumbling isn’t just putting out negative vibes. It is– when I say in my heart or out loud, God you aren’t good.. A Subtle Unbelief. God is slow to anger with my grumbling just like he was with the Israelites in the wilderness. God who is constantly and miraculously giving mercy is abounding in steadfast love.
We are called to this:
Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
There is real suffering and pain. We need to humble ourselves and cry out to our savior, asking him to show us how to worship him in our responses to suffering. I stand with assurance that Jesus is my redeemer and I am loved. Responding to suffering– is an opportunity to enjoy Jesus and point to his grace. I can worship Jesus by observing his suffering, his humility, enduring cross. And, in some way by my groaning in suffering I am sharing in his suffering.
Won’t you call out in weakness to God for help, a deep down groan for aid? Will you resist the temptation to throw a fit in your heart either in silence or aloud? Groaning is honest, humble, and a reflection of our belief that God is faithful to walk with us in suffering. Groaning is worshipful, because it magnifies God’s holy character and our need for Him. Our weakness is obvious and our joy is more abundant. Groaning is coming face to face with Christ’s ultimate suffering in our place and the grace he gives us to suffer for His glory.
Often, I am consumed with my work, working out my faith, working on my home, family, tasks, whatever. My eyes are easily looking at what my job is and I lose sight of God’s work.
God is paying attention to me and is working on me.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Growing up without my father, my view of “dad” was full of uncertain and painful experiences with men who pledged short-term love to my mother, my sister and me. I grew cold to the desire for a dad. As I grew in Christ, my understanding of God the Father became more distant and theological than tender and personal. The thought that God is a faithful and loving Father seemed unreal. Yet, over time, I have learned to cling to him like a toddler pulling on her daddy’s leg.
When we view God through rotten experiences with our earthly parents, we project sinful characteristics on him—often without realizing it. Instead, we should start with knowing God and interpret life through the knowledge of him. I had it backwards.
He is a faithful Dad and delights in his kids.
Philippians 2:12-14 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
This is amazing! As I work out my salvation and delight in God I grow in worship. As I work, I am often nearsighted and only see only tasks and duties, yet God shows me that I do not work alone. He is at work—on me!—paying attention to the details of my heart. I can cry, “Abba,” and he hears. He never forsakes my need. He is not distant. He is near and his love is steadfast.
Psalm 147:11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
My heavenly father works on me and is pleased with me because of Jesus. As I repent of independence from him and instead walk in dependence, God softens the hard edges of my heart. I am his daughter, hoping in his steadfast love.
My relationship with work is complicated. I don’t just work and worship. I tend to grab the glory for myself when I accomplish work and I tend to work by will power and self-sufficiency than humble dependence on God.
Just yesterday, I felt proud with all that I got done in the day. Pride sucks out the humility and my arrogance kills worship. Good thing God is patient to redeem my heart in this area!
What about you? Are you competent in your work? At the end of the day, are you pleased with your accomplishments? Does your “plate” seem manageable? Are you satisfied even if you didn’t get your work done? Are you proud if you accomplish or grumble if you don’t?
Arrogance can sneak in with our completed tasks. As the boxes are checked, pride can carry us to the next action item. The ambitious heart seeks the next challenge and self-sufficiency is commonly the energy that drives our achievements. Self-confidence and self-sufficiency is often what motivates, not worship and dependence on God.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
What does Godly confidence look like, then?
I can stand in confidence in God’s grace that I am a woman that Jesus loves. Jesus gives me all that I need as I depend on Him to complete (or not complete) my work each day. I can worship with confidence and competence, believing that I am not my work. My task list does not define me.
If I believe that the Holy Spirit is what drives me throughout my day, then I can stand confident even when there are incomplete tasks. My competence and confidence are not contingent on my accomplishments. My confidence is in Jesus and the work HE does, not my work. Jesus’ work on the Cross is what identifies me. He has made me competent to be a minister of the Gospel of Grace. Sometimes that means competence in completed tasks, other days competent in incomplete tasks, all the while needing Him to define my days for me.
God defines me, not my work. Grace feels wonderful.
I despise weakness…
I get overwhelmed. Relational debt, housework debt, and the dread of some procrastinated project sneak up, drain the life out of me, and leave me feeling discouraged and flat out weak. Those overwhelming moments reveal my true weakness. Yet too often, I deny it. Blind with ambition, I reach for my bootstraps, pull myself up, and get back to work.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
My heart naturally resists depending on God when I’m weak. The noise in my heart, amplified by tough self-sufficiency, can drown out the Holy Spirit’s reminder: “my power is made perfect in your weakness.”
…yet weakness is a gift.
And then there are the times when his voice breaks through the noise and exposes my heart. It is a struggle to swallow my pride and obey, but it is that turn of repentance—right in the midst of the mess—that I begin to hope again.
The truth is that I am weak every second, not just when I feel overwhelmed. Jesus wants me to see that when I am overwhelmed, he is giving me a gracious gift: seeing more clearly my constant need for him. So rather than denying weakness, I can boast in it because it draws me closer to Jesus in worship.
Like the other day– I was scurrying around the house getting stuff done feeling very behind on my seemingly urgent tasks. Our third child invited me to play dolls. Pause. Graciously say no or accept this opportunity to connect with my daughter? In the moment, my overwhelmed with my work– heart was faint. I thought, “I can’t play right now!” Yet, the Holy Spirit changed my thoughts to dependence and flexibility in my weakness. We had a great time playing. When I went back to work, my heart was more tender than it was previously.
Feeling overwhelmed is a signal to check my heart’s dependence on God. Am I softened to the Holy Spirit? Digging in to depend on God? Do I find my soul’s refreshment in God’s sufficiency? In these times, I’m learning to cling to my savior who accomplished perfect work on the cross and continues to save me from my sin. God meets me at the point of my prideful self-sufficiency and lovingly brings me to my knees in worshipful dependence.
Worship through work is not just working hard for God’s glory; it is also in the attitude of humility, realizing how weak and unable we are. We can all grow in dependence on Christ and boast in our weakness. We must humble ourselves before the face of God and thank him for the gift of weakness.
“Do it… by myself!” I have heard those cantankerous words many times from my children, as toddlers. It is somehow adorable and aggravating at the same time, huh? Those words make an attempt at independence from my help. My kids have actually pushed my hands away as I have tried to help them: pull up their pants, tie a shoe, wipe their nose, etc. Some natural independence that comes with maturing I understand, but under the basic desire has a whiff of that familiar rebellion that my heart knows oh so well…. it smells like my own life long attitude to God–“Do it by myself”.
I am zooming in on what I call Godless Independence. It’s Godless because it denounces consciously or unconsciously the presence of God in our lives. Godless because it says to God, “ I got this one, thank you very much.”
One could blame this human independence issue on our culture, thriving on accomplishments and performance. One could decide to blame it on: apathetic communities that turn their backs on poverty–which can produce some independent, bitter people vowing never to burden society again, poor parenting, absent family members, bullies who slap you around, feminist philosophies meant to drain you of the Biblical confidence in God’s design for our roles, and/ or the buffet of worldly ideas that build your “self concept.” Our world loves independence! We praise you for “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps”, proud of your ability to shine while you did it all alone.
Actually, the blame.. the Core of the issue doesn’t lie within these circles outside ourselves. They are noteworthy influences, that is true. However, the real problem lies in our own hearts. You, and me babe. We are born with a resistance to God’s help. That urge to go it alone is a battle within our heart. It is in opposition to God’s loving enabling grace for us.
God lovingly and sovereignly created us in His image. We belong to him and are made for His Glory. Since the Fall, God’s beloved kids have foolishly claimed, “Do it by myself!” To –God! How wretched! From our career building to spouse selection, we know best? What? Especially with the little things: our schedules, our friendships, our tasks; do we believe that God cares and is paying attention to the details of our lives? Do we really believe that we can chart our own course?
I have been an Independence Queen. I shudder looking back on the foolish and prideful beliefs that I have acted on. A few years ago, I had this helpful image in mind when describing this Godless Independence. The picture was of me walking along: focused, driven, and Jesus is holding my hand, enabling each event, relationship, and task. In my independence, I shake his hand away. At first casually I shrug him off. I think. Then, my desires and my own ambition shakes him off a little harder. My sinful desires want to pridefully accomplish life and deny the supernatural enabling grace of the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, that isn’t the whole picture. He doesn’t let me shake him away!
With repentence is the gentle reminder that God never left me, even as I try to shake his hand off. The only difference is my perception of his presence. He is always present, even if my self-sufficient heart believes he isn’t with me. God faithfully purses me personally while I stubbornly resist his help.
It is his grace at work helping me to declare war with this version of Independence. This sin, when carried out to its fullest is the horrific belief that I could actually pay the price for my sin. Godless Independence says, “I will die for myself.”
The Cross of Jesus shows me the miraculous grace that transforms this independent queen into a joyful dependent servant for God’s glory. Jesus has already won every battle that I am fighting or will fight. His righteous blood shed for me has paid the price for my sin. Christ Jesus is my Savior and I celebrate His saving grace and transforming grace that continues to change my heart.
Dependence on God is only as the Holy Spirit works to redeem me. I am asking for help a lot more often from God and others. Feeling tender-hearted and heavy with the weight of various responsibilities characterizes my thoughts. Fear of God and Prayer are Biblical categories that have given me rich truths to cling to. I am still running fast and with passion, but I am finding more joy in worship along the way: seeing my strength, identity, and all love from my Jesus.
March is flying by. This month we put our home of 7 years on the market. My dear husband has finished his book. It has been stressful, burdensome, and quite an opportunity to see Jesus more clearly in our lives. I can sense how God is carrying us through it for His glory.
March is also the month that I enjoy taking more time to reflect on the Cross of Jesus and the amazing gifts of his death, life, and grace. So, instead of blogging, I am studying, reading, and journaling.
God has been so faithful to sustain us. The book project is done. The house is on the market, so we could be moving soon. I am researching, planning, and preparing to homeschool my four children next year. There is much to be praying about and I am fighting to stay close to Jesus in the midst of seeming chaos.
In the meantime, I am writing for the Mars Hill Blog and keeping my home and family running the best I can. Worship. Worship. Repentance. Worship. Writing. Praying. Dependence on Jesus. More repentance. Worship. All of life is worship!
I’m pulling out my Easter books today. Each year, I lay all the Easter Childrens’ books out for the kids to read and I grab a couple that I use as my daily devotionals.
Recently, I set down with my 6 year old son. We talked about his room and how he might “steward” his stuff better. He confessed he doesn’t like to throw stuff away and likes to keep it all under his bed. As I have watched him hoard things from small little papers to candy from previous holidays; I have noticed the boy needs some patient and firm training in organization.
Organization naturally flows in you or not. Those that have it see life in orderly categories and “stuff” as a positive challenge to organize. Others, don’t get it, are frustrated by it, and or resist it. Many learn the skill and have to discipline themselves to stay on top of organization, or the chaos is overwhelming. Organized or not, we are image bearers of God, meant for reflecting Jesus. We can all learn from one another and worship in our strengths and our weaknesses.
Practical project: My second son needed some guidance. We brought 3 opened paper bags into his room. We pulled all the stuff off his shelf, under his bed, and in his drawer. Facing a mountain of items to process, I helped him see how to approach it. I showed him to consider each item quickly. Then- place it in one of the 3 bags. 1: trash (obvious junk- don’t need to keep). 2: Not sure (ask mom about) 3. Keep (and find a home to put it) He processed the pile and asked me to come back in the room. It took him about 30 minutes and he had successfully filled the trash bag. We discussed the 2nd bag and found homes for the 3rd bag’s items. He saw the order in the project and seems delighted to do it. I complemented him on being “teachable” and willing to learn from momma, we exchanged warm affection at the job we did together, and I believe he felt loved by the learned skill. I talked to him about stewardship and how when we take care of God’s stuff, we are showing him a thankful heart.
Heart lesson for me from little lesson with my son: Motherhood sanctifies me. It takes God’s strength to lovingly and patiently teach my children. They are gifts from God and I have the immense responsibility to steward them. As I was setting on my son’s bed with him chatting about organization and stewardship, I had a beautiful moment of practical love from the Lord. As I teach my children how to steward God’s varied grace, I am stewarding the child (a gift from the Lord). I tremble with the weight of this responsibility and praise God that I get to love and steward these children.
this prayer is taken from the _Valley of Vison: A Collection of Purtian Prayers and Devotions_
Heavenly Father,
If I should suffer need, and go unclothed, and be in poverty, make my heart prize thy love, know it, be constrained by it, though I be denied all blessings. It is thy mercy to afflict and try me with wants, for by these trials I see my sins, and desire severance from them. Let me willingly accept misery, sorrows, temptations, if I can thereby feel sin as the greatest evil, and be delivered from it with gratitude to thee, acknowledging this as the highest testimony of thy love. When thy Son, Jesus, came into my soul instead of sin he became more dear to me than sin had formerly been; his kindly rule replaced sin’s tyranny. Teach me to believe that if ever I would have any sin subdued I must not only labour to overcome it, but must invited Christ to abide in the place of it, and he must become to me more than vile lust had been; that his sweetness, power, life may be there.
Thus I must seek a grace from contrary to sin, but must not claim it apart from himself. When I am afraid of evils to come, comfort me by showing me that in myself I am dying, condemned wretch, but in Christ I am reconciled and live; that in myserlf I find insufficiency and no rest, but in Christ there is satisfaction and peace; that in myself I am feeble and unable to do good, but in Christ I have the ability to do all things. Though now I have his graces in part, I shall shortly have them perfectly in that state where thou wilt show thyself fully reconciled, and alone sufficient, efficient, loving me completely, with sin abolished.
Hebrews 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
My two year old daughter has observed, enjoyed, and copied my 4 year old daughter’s every move the last few weeks. Lydia (the 2 year old) has learned the skill of imitation. More than funny, it is a ironic picture of my own imitating heart. She wants to wear Abi’s clothes, say what she says, prays what she prays, and even throw the same fits she throws. As I watch Lydia imitate, I am recognizing where I imitate those around me.
Sinful imitation for me is to think and act the way the world does about material possessions, beauty, relationships and roles. I easily slip into the sinful teen magazine foolish view of beauty and my body. Instead of seeing beauty through biblical lenses, I see it by imitating the false or sinful ideas from the world. Like Lydia, I watch and imitate with my behavior.
3 John 1:11 Beloved, do not imitateevil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
Lydia wants to be like Abigail. She admires her, she loves her. Whatever Abi does, in Lydia’s mind– is the best option. Her affection and adoration of Abigail controls her actions. Lydia’s imitation is worship. Over time, little Lydi’s heart will mature, her desires will change and our prayers are that her allegiance will be to God. Abi will continue to be a good example, as Abi’s life points to Jesus.
So I ask you, who do you imitate? As Paul and John in these scriptures (enabled by the Holy Spirit) urge us to- imitate Godly people- for the fruit of their life is worth imitating. They don’t mean imitate like Lydia does. When we merely copy someone, we are making a God out of them, worshipping them. But– if imitating someone is seeing their life lived in humility and worship, we can: learn from, be sharpened by, and enjoy the example that the Godly set By pointing us to Jesus. The purpose of imitating anyone is to draw us closer to Jesus.
Philippians 3:17 Brothers,join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walkaccording to the example you have in us.
My prayer is that the Godly people in my life would continue to be examples that continue to point me to my Jesus. And that I would humble myself to learn from them and be sharpened by them. I can imitate with the confidence that God is at work in my heart and HE is who I worship. I am thankful for the encouragement from God to bless me with people in my life to learn from and grow with.
We looked at the Sloth in a previous post. The sloth, a consistent couch potato and friend with apathy. Always looking for a way out of hard work, the sloth doesn’t feel deeply or live life under discipline or passion. The Sloth is content with life as it comes, whatever…
In extreme contrast, the Controller is obsessive, busy, and demonstrates a rigid lack of flexibility. Controllers can appear to be disciplined, productive, and virtuous. Often leaders, their lives are characterized by multitasking, vision, lists, and accomplishment. They see life as orderly chaos and their job is to orchestrate the order.
Well, you guessed it. If you know me personally or through this blog– you’ve guessed which extreme I am the closest to. Yep– the Controller. My sin with control is mostly subtle but occasionally the desire to control my environment leaks anger and anxiety like a deadly poison– affecting my family, friends, and anyone who is the obstacle to my completed task. Control hardens my heart to hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit in my day.
Ellen Vaughn, in the book, Time Peace has covered this in greater detail and has confronted me Biblically. With her prodding, I am face to face with my sin of controlling. Don’t get me wrong, a competent and organized life lived in humility is a precious opportunity to reflect Jesus. However, the more I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus, I am realizing my deep need for sanctification in even the best areas of my life. The Controller sin, in my heart is forgiveable, thankfully.
Our dear sister, Martha in Luke, chapter 10, was a controller. She lost sight of her aim to worship Jesus, and instead her goal became the task, her work, the preparation of the meal. Jesus loved her and spoke truth to her that I can only imagine humbled her competence (her ability to accomplish much) until she died. I wish that I could spend the day with Martha and ask her questions about her heart that day. I am grieved that I can relate so so much, to the distraction of being more concerned with tasks than worship so often. I can relate to the tattle telling heart that resents when others experience a freedom to engage and flex on tasks.
The Controller can eventually relax. Only by submission (yes, submission) to Christ. He can redeem to ambitious heart that seeks to get things done. As this heart transaction happens (almost daily) for me, I see how precious grace actually is and how near my Heavenly Father is to me. I can calm down, enjoy the freedom to be flexible, and worship Jesus in and through my work more quickly.
I can trust Jesus to Lord over my life, arrange it all. He has it all under control. Martha had God in the flesh pointing out her sin of controlling and her misplaced worship. Jesus was gracious to her and is the same Lord being gracious to me. In his grace, I find my hope that he can change my heart. I stand in joy and belief that as my heart is broken over sin, Jesus’ death and resurrection– I can trust Jesus to sanctify me.
I probably will always (given my personality) tend towards selfish ambition and the desire to control my environment. Jesus is changing me. And no, the opposite of who I am isn’t repentance, necessarily. I can be controlled by the Love of Jesus, rather than Me being the controller.
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
For more on Martha and Mary, see more of my articles here. Just search “Martha” in the search box, if this link doesn’t work for you.
God is our refuge and is not far away from us. Lacrae’s new song written to benefit the relief effort to Haiti, is so true. God is not far away. We need to keep praying, sending money, and helping in any way possible for these hurting image bearers of God to receive help in their time of great need.
The idea of Biblical Stewardship is old school. No one in our culture actually thinks that everything that they have–from: resources, health, gifts, children to- time, money, and relationships– aren’t their possessions! And the truth is–all is from our Creator God. The notion that we are “managers” of God’s stuff is laughable to most people.
Yet, the Bible calls us to Stewardship. The responsibility to care for everything is to reflect God’s goodness. What a joy to be able to see Christ in everything and respond with worshipful stewardship!
Reading through scripture, we find that few actually are Godly stewards. We squander, hide, resent, ignore, obsess, control, and basically rebel against God’s lavish gifts. He calls us to worship Him. Stewardship is an avenue in which we can express to him our gratitude for realizing his provision.
There are several categories where sin shows up in the way we engage with stewardship. Firstly, the Sluggard or the Sloth. Throughout God’s word, we see these people rebuked for their idle behavior.
The sin of sloth can invade even the busiest life. In fact, it tends to infect lives that are too busy, full of too many things. Though we tend to lump sloth with laziness, it isn’t necessarily physical idleness. It’s more of an attitude, a spiritual idleness. The Latin term for it was acedia, which means “not caring.” Slothful people might well run around doing everything or lie around doing nothing. The core problem, either way, is that they feel nothing. Down deep, they don’t care. Sloth can be expressed both as do-nothingness– or extreme busyness that covers up the apathy within so that person doesn’t have to face its core cause. -Ellen Vaughn
The soul of a sluggard craves and get nothing while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Proverbs 13:4
As you read this, are you asking yourself, “Huh–Am I dadgumb sloth?” or maybe you already know that you are tempted in these ways. The sloth is apathetic and sometimes masks it with busyness so we don’t catch on to the idleness in his/her heart.
The sloth can repent! However, behavior may change, but the heart is what matters most. Pray that as God sees your (our) hearts, he would see a heart that is diligent and responding in worship with work. The good news is that Jesus can redeem these sloth-like tendencies and as we are being conformed to His image, we are rescued by His grace.
In the 1990’s, my Bible college English professor and Advisor soon became a cherished woman of God’s grace to me. I had few Godly examples in my life at the time, and Jackina, was one of the few. A natural story-teller, she captured our hearts with her humor and her passion for God’s word. I admired her life and appreciated her maturity. She inspired me to love literature and to challenge myself in creative writing. Jackina is most certainly one of my bricks, God has used to build a foundation of knowing Him. A brick that always pointed to Jesus and asked how I could best reflect Him in my life. I am truly grateful for God’s “tender grace” in letting me know Jackina.
It is with great pleasure, that I reconnected with her, after many years and found out she was working on her first fiction project. Bethany House has published two of Jackina’s novels. First, Tender Grace. Second,Things Worth Remembering.
A novel written by Mrs. Jackina Stark, Tender Grace was a timely read for me. The main character in the book is Audrey who is in her fifties and has just lost her husband.
“Determined to find healing, Audrey Eaton embarks on a trip to the one place she and her husband always intended to visit but never did. When things don’t go as planned, will she embrace the unexpected graces that guide her journey?”
Jackina weaves together many topics in this novel that are often ignored: widows, loneliness, despair, emptiness, and longings. I became friends with this lovable character, Audrey. I felt her loss and walked with her– in her story of becoming an individual again after the loss of her husband. As Jesus was her comfort, she experienced the natural ebb and flow of pain. Pressing through loneliness, Audrey found joy and grace in the journey. God lovingly provided gifts of grace through new and old relationships along the way and healing in her heart. I loved this book and literally stayed up all night (which I have never done for a book) to finish it.
You will definitely catch on to Jackina’s sense of humor, wit, and joy in the face of sorrow and suffering. With laugh out loud moments and tearful compassion, this book is a must read! NOT at all cheesy or in your face- evangelism. Jackina tells a story of a woman lost in the midst of grief and finds God and herself again.
Just as Audrey drew nearer to God in the face of her pain, I pray that each of us can boldly offer our pain to God as he lovingly redeems our pain– in Christ. The tender grace of Tender Grace is that it reminded me of how loss can reveal our need for a savior, gripped by our pain– we run to the only lasting comfort.
Often, I am consumed with my work, working out my faith, working on my home, family, tasks, whatever. My eyes are easily looking at what my job is and I lose sight of God’s work.
God is paying attention to me and is working on ME.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Growing up without a father, my view of “dad” was full of uncertain and painful experiences with men who pledged short term love to my mother, me and my sister. I grew cold to the desire. As I grew “in Christ”, my understanding of God the Father became more theological– than a realization of my heart’s plea. The thoughts of God being a dad paying attention to the details of my heart seemed amazingly unreal. Yet, over time, I have started to cling to Him like a toddler pulling on her daddy’s leg.
God is lovingly correcting my view of “Father” not by redeeming my earthly experience first, but by teaching me that my understanding of him as Father should be a biblical view.
He is a Faithful Dad and delights in His kids.
Philippians 2:12-14 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
I work out salvation with fear of the Lord, as he delights in me. I delight in God as I grow in worship. As I do my work, I am often nearsighted and only see it as tasks and duties, yet God is showing me that I do not do my work on my own, it is God willing and working with His magnificent power and attention to details of my heart. I can cry, “Abba,” and he never forsakes my need.
His steadfast love never leaves me- even when I sin– he is with me.
Psalm 147:11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love
As I repent of independence from Him and instead walk in dependence, God is softening the hard edges of my heart. I tremble with belief that He is more holy than I could ever imagine as a Father. My heart is hoping in steadfast love and rejoices that I am his daughter.
1 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
“Devastation of Biblical Proportions”, some are calling the earthquake in Haiti. As we watch the footage and stare at the pictures –we are confronted head on with the contrast of our country verses theirs.
Their suffering and desperate need for aide brings tears of compassion and response that begs: donations, time, prayers, and service in as many ways as possible. We watch the events from a far and experience mercy, compassion, and sadness.
Often, as the needs are described, we scramble for resources to give, emptying out our pockets for any way to help. We are all (every person that has ever lived) image bearers of God. When, one part of us suffers, we all suffer. There is a God-given urge in our hearts to respond. But–almost as quickly as we are motivated to respond cheerfully fueled by compassion– there is often a desire to give– out of guilt.
You know what I am talking about. Guilt hits us and motivates us rather than cheerful and sacrificial giving. Or, maybe you aren’t aware. Let’s dig a little deeper to see maybe– a distinction.
Yesterday, I spoke with my children about the specific needs that the people in Haiti have. We desire to shepherd their hearts as we filter what information they get at these young ages. It is a beautiful opportunity to help them see the goodness of God, even in suffering. Anyway, our oldest, while biting down on a cheeseburger said, “I feel bad for eating this cheeseburger.” There, you see!! I didn’t teach my son to respond that way. Part of his experience with seeing need– is a “bad” feeling when you realize you are the recipient of blessing- from a cheeseburger to any other provision. Why is it so common to have a feeling of guilt for having good things, from a good God?
I told him that he need not feel bad for what he has, but instead feel grateful for every little thing, and see the giver as God. He doesn’t need to feel guilt and from that place hand over his cheeseburger. He can both feel gratitude for God’s blessings and respond in compassionate joy to give to others in need. To share with people, with a heart to serve- excited to give as a worshipful response.
Guilt sometimes is a mask for loving compassion. We do penance instead of giving with overflowing gratitude. Humble gratitude is replaced with “bad” feelings. When we feel guilt instead of gratitude, we can pray. We can pray that God would increase our worship. Our worship opportunity here– is to see God as our Father– A good dad who gives good things to His kids. He wants us to be thankful and share. Not compelled by comparison of resources, but out of an overflow of generosity. He wants us to share generously because HE is Generous. He delights is us, as He gives. Prayerfully, we can extend that love to others.
“The beauty of the gospel is that God supplies the grace to achieve in us the very thing that He loves. God provides grace to us that we might give cheerfully, feeling His pleasure.” – James Harvey
Seeing need and seeing plenty are both opportunities for us to see God in them. Not to just compare blessings and abundance with poverty and need. We should be responding with generosity and gratitude, NOT guilt driven religious penance.
James Harvey has this article that speaks to cheerful giving…good stuff!
The footage and photos were taken just a few days after the earthquake as Pastor Mark (Mars Hill Church) and James MacDonald were able to go to help. We have a better idea now as to what is needed. The needs are beyond our comprehension.
Please REPOST this, copy it, play it at your church, etc. Please give generously, as the name of Jesus can be revealed by our love.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so
closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is
seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Life swirls around me and I grab some time to stop and rest. All these schedules, tasks, duties, relationships, budgets, demands, errands, ministry, friends, birthdays, neighbors, projects- all capture my attention. Chaotic work and memories flash behindme and I strain forward in this race of “getting things done.”
Thus is the race of our Christian faith. Specifically, my roles as wife and mother. What waits for me as my reward and what motivates my heart to work hard? Throughout the day, what drives me? What is my rest and peace? What are my eyes focused on?
Oh so easily, my eyes are fixed on the little rewards of productivity, the before and afters, the praise from those near me to appreciate my work. My fake rewards leave me empty.
God Himself is my true reward.
He is my motivation.
There is an actual finish line and our home in heaven is waiting for us, our inheritance. Bridging the gap of work and my heart is worship. God wants me to run this race of life with endurance. He has set before me this body, this life, this heart to look to Jesus. I run hard for nothing, an endless race, if I am not looking to Jesus. Jesus is the why of my worship, the object, my reward.
Colossians 3: 23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not
for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as
your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
When the peace turns to chaos, fits are thrown, demands on my time are pressuring, and there is no way dinner is getting made, I freeze and am tempted throw my hands in the air and give up. Overwhelming feelings of my weakness threaten my faith. What keeps me moving forward with endurance? It can only be Jesus that moves me.
I am not alone. I don’t have to be strong.
God is with me now, He is my strength all along, not just at the finish line. He is with me with every move I make, every thought, every tender feeling. He is the promised land, but I am already there! In Christ, I am both running towards Him and with Him.
As I run this intense calling- my worship is increasing. My independence is decreasing. And.. I fall in to God’s precious arms, so that He can carry me the rest of the way.
What “season” are you in?
As a young girl, I wanted to be an adult. When I was single I wanted to be married. When my kids were babies, I wanted them to be preschoolers… As each season changed, my ambitious heart would often covet the next season. Even in my current season, I am tempted to grumble in it, and look forward to a future time in the life of our family.
Each season that I am given is an opportunity for worship. Yet, deep under the sporatic complaints and restless discontentment for my season, lies a dissatisfied heart with what God has given me.
As God calls me to my season, He is calling me to steward His grace in it.
1 Peter 4: 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards, of God’s varied grace.
Ephesians 3:2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you.
Stewardship of God’s grace is more expansive than the stewardship of money. Christians have experienced miraculous grace and are called to be the agent of grace in many ways. We are called to manage God’s stuff (which is everything) and furthermore represent His grace.
Paul (the author of the above verses) was called and equipped by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit which was a season that lasted from conversion until his death. God calls all of us to a particular season and the purpose of it is worship.
My calling shapes my season today. Serving Jesus by serving my family is my daily stewardship of God’s grace. My season is packed with overwhelming dependence on the Holy Spirit to keep my family and home running. More than checking things off a list, I am called to steward the love and grace of God.
Managing God’s grace in my season calls me to humble service without grumbling. Being led moment by moment by God replaces going through the motions of my day. As God lovingly directs my work; I am more gracious and flexible with my duties. As four children experience their mother, they are seeing glimpses of God’s grace for them. The gift and weight of this calling is intense and beautiful. And it is His grace that allows me to extend it to others. I am truly grateful that I am in this season. I long to steward it with repentance and continual and contagious worship.
What is your season? How can you more faithfully steward God’s grace in it?
Are you ambitious? When you examine your life or heart, where do you see yourself tending towards selfish ambition? Are you finding that God is maturing your heart motivations towards Godly ambition?
