I’ve been writing this blog now for several years. I’m not even exactly sure how long it’s been. Maybe five years?
I sit down once a week and try to come up with something that has something to do with Kinship Christian Radio that will encourage you, something that will help you grow closer to Jesus, something that will bring glory to God.
But who am I?
If I’m honest with myself and with you, I gotta tell you, I’m pretty much just a big dumb guy in a plaid flannel shirt.
I don’t mean to be self-deprecating here. I know I’m not all that stupid in terms of measurable human intelligence, but really, the knowledge of even the smartest human being on the planet is pretty much a big nothing-burger in comparison to the astounding wisdom and intellect that created even the simplest organism on the planet, let alone the entire universe.
I saw a post on an atheist-Christian debate site where someone said “Theology should come back to science…” and I was astounded at the level of arrogance humanity has come to. As if “science” were inerrant, omniscient, and not the product of flawed human beings.
Aren’t these the same people who took decades to decide if eggs were good or bad for us? (The American Heart Association now says, yes, eggs are good for you –but only one per day and it’s better if they are not part of a Western diet. I kid you not.) And the butter vs. margarine debate? Seriously, we do not have the time to go there.
So, I have no illusions that I’m a big shot or a big deal. In fact, whenever I even get close to that kind of arrogance, God is faithful to put some obvious reminder of my own fallibility into my path.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
The verse doesn’t even say fear of the LORD is wisdom. It says fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
So, when I pulled out in front of that car the other day and the guy almost hit me and my life flashed in front of my eyes for a second, God was saying, “Okay, we have a place to start now.” (I paraphrase.)
And with all of this fallibility of mine and the certain knowledge that I will indeed pass from this earth some day, in steps Jesus.
In steps God in the flesh.
When Jesus was having that last supper with his disciples and he washed their feet and things were suddenly getting very, very real he told them he was going away and they could not go with him, but he would come back. He commanded them to love one another, and Peter insisted he would go with him. Peter pledged his very life to Jesus and Jesus looked Peter in the face and told Peter he would disown him not once, but three times.
He then tells the disciples (who had to be sitting there with swaying jaws by this time) that they should not let their hearts be troubled because he was going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house so that they could be with him. And he says to them:
“You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:4 (NIV)
And they don’t! They’re baffled!
Thomas, old doubting Thomas, looks at him and says,
“Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)
These guys are as clueless as me. They have no concept, no clue. Who is this guy?
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (Verses 6&7)
Boom!
Jesus has come right out and said He is God! That’s who this guy is!
Of course, they still don’t get it and he basically has to get out the crayons and draw them a picture. For the rest of John 14, Jesus details what that means and tells them the Holy Spirit will come and color in that picture for them.
And that’s who I am.
No, I’m not the Holy Spirit. I’m the guy God has given a crayon.
In my tiny little way, in the futility of my weak human ability, God has put his very own Holy Spirit in me that I might be given a glimpse, a taste, a hint, a sliver of light in a dark world that I can search and strive and look under rocks to try and find the right combination of words and phrases to be able to begin to describe the all-surpassing greatness of an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, glorious, amazing God and the height, the depth, the length, the breadth of his astounding, awe-inspiring love for all of us in His only Son, Jesus Christ!
God doesn’t need me. He wants me!
He gave me this gift to use. This is what I am supposed to be doing.
And the thing is, He gave each and every one of you gifts too! As you tune into Kinship Christian Radio, you hear and experience the gifts he gave the announcers, the preachers, the teachers, the musicians, and every voice that comes over your radio.
You have a gift, too. You’ve been given something, some color of crayon, some way to share the love of Jesus in this life! Even if it’s baking cookies, bandaging a bloody knee, taking a kid fishing, speaking a kind word, saying a prayer with a hurting soul, traveling to distant lands, painting a bathroom, or painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, we have all been given some kind of gift that can shine the love of Jesus into another life!
God has a plan for you. God has given you a gift. Any voice that says your gift isn’t good enough or doesn’t count is the voice of the liar.
You are valuable. You are loved.
Share what you have been given because it doesn’t belong to just you.
Today’s Praise
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Romans 12:6-15 (NLT)