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Posted on December 18, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 18: Read: Luke 18

Persistence: firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition

The reading today is all about persistence. I admit that I am tempted to give up when opposition hits. I draw conclusions like the fox in Aesop’s fable The Fox and the Grapes.

On the contrary, Jesus pushes us to persist even when the odds seem to be stacked against us. Especially noteworthy today are verses 9-14: Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. Too often, I stand afar off and look with disdain toward others and beat my chest, thanking God that I am not a sinner. When, in reality, I am both a sinner and a saint.

To regularly recall the words of the tax collector, “Oh God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner,” is a far better place to live. Knowing I am a sinner and yet deeply loved by God enables me to deeply love others in spite of their sinfulness. (See Daily Reads 12.17.2019 for more on forgiveness.)

Today, when you are tempted to give up like the fox, remember that you are deeply loved and cherished. Stand under the waterfall of God’s mercy and become a conduit of his love! (Richard Rohr, Preparing for Christmas: Daily Meditations for Advent.)

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Posted on December 17, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 17: Read: Luke 17

In reading this chapter, it’s difficult to get past the first ten verses without pausing to think. Mostly because if there is one place we universally have difficulty, it is in extending radical forgiveness.

Not only does Jesus want us to practice prodigal love with one another, he also wants to see lavish, unmerited forgiveness. As a matter of fact, he says if someone comes SEVEN TIMES in one day having done the same thing every single time, we should forgive.

Then he tells a seemingly unrelated story about a servant and his/her master. That person should not expect to be thanked for doing their job. They should just do it knowing they are fulfilling their obligation. What does that have to do with forgiveness?

Everything! When we forgive someone, even if it is seven times a day, we are only doing our job!

Truth is though, if I forgive someone that often for the same offense, I think someone should say “thank you!” But Jesus says we are only doing our job. Our response should be, “I am an unworthy servant who is simply doing my duty!”

It’s likely we are all going to gather with family and friends over the next few weeks (if we haven’t already). There will be plenty of opportunity to be offended.

I think I will start this mantra: I am an unworthy servant who is just doing my duty! And let the offense float away like an unwanted balloon.

And that might make all the difference.

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Posted on December 16, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Date 16: Read: Luke 16

Today’s reading centers around money and wealth, but the lessons are deeper than just having money or not having money.

I learn, from the first story Jesus tells, that money corrupts and should be used to benefit others (verse 9) so that when they are gone, my eternal home will be waiting for me. This coincides with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:19-20.

I learn, from the Pharisee’s response to Jesus, that “what this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.” (verse 15) I am reminded that my financial decisions may not always make sense to others. But I’m trying to do what honors God, not this world.

I learn from the final story, that some people just won’t believe, even if someone comes back from the dead. I believe Jesus was talking about himself. If the Pharisees didn’t listen to the prophets, including Jesus, they weren’t going to be convinced to believe when Jesus rose from the dead.

Where is your heart right now? Are riches or the pursuit of riches, overshadowing your heart? Does it make you blind to the plight of others around you?

In the church service I attended today, we were challenged to spread the joy. How can you spread the joy today? This week? A random act of kindness? Sharing your resources with someone? Let the joy of Jesus’ presence fill you today and allow you to be generous with someone.

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Posted on December 15, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 15: Read: Luke 15

Prodigal: having or giving something on a lavish scale

In today’s reading, Jesus emphasizes the lengths he goes to in order to bring someone back to himself. While the younger son is often the focus of Jesus’ story of the wealthy man with two sons (Parable of the Lost Son) and is even entitled, “The Prodigal Son”, the more poignant point of the story is the love of the Father. It perhaps is more rightly entitled, “The Prodigal Father”.

My favorite phrase in this entire chapter is in verse 20: “…and while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming.” As I sit with that phrase, my mind’s eye sees a father who, every day, keeps watch for the possibility that his son will return. And because he was watching, he saw him when he was still a long way off.

The Father still watches for us today. He continues to love us and believe that when we wander, we will come back. And he lavishly, even recklessly, pours his love out on us.

You aren’t too far away for the Father to see you. He longs for your return and waits expectantly every day!

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Posted on December 14, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 14: Read: Luke 14

In my Advent reading today, I read Richard Rohr’s daily meditation in “Preparing for Christmas: Daily Meditations for Advent”. He talked about the difference between managing and receiving life. Spiritual wealth does not come as a result of merit, organization, influence or position.

We grow spiritually by receiving. It is by emptying myself and allowing God to do what only he can do. He separates me from my own small self and fills me with himself.

In the reading for today, Jesus says the same thing. When we try to achieve greatness based on what we have or with our own perceived power and position, we end up empty.

There is an element of receiving that creates in me a sense of unimportance. To receive is to humbly let go of all that I might accomplish on my own, to cease striving and allow God to come and fill me with his presence. That is what I want – deeply at the core of my being.

And then, the nagging sense of my unimportance in that process threatens to undo me, sidetrack me. My small ego self screams to be recognized and applauded; appreciated for my efforts to accomplish good in the world, to be noticed. I fear not only being anonymous, but ineffective.

Perhaps this is only my struggle. But I was challenged today that the only good I will do in the world is by being open and vulnerable to receive the life God wants to give me through Jesus. It is by counting the cost, letting go of power and renown, embrace the willingness to be anonymous. It is in this that I will know life.

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Posted on December 13, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 13: Read: Luke 13

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans with vengeance. Wreaking havoc and displacing thousands of people, activity in the city screeched to a halt. Chaos ensued.

In the weeks that followed, there were many good people with good intentions who speculated why God allowed a hurricane to do so much damage in one place. There were a few that postulated the hurricane was God’s judgment against the city.

I was working on my bachelor’s degree at the time and these speculating discussions surfaced one evening in class. My professor wisely said that if God was in the business of bringing judgment against sin in that way, we would all be gone.

The first few verses of this chapter reflect the same words, coming from a more powerful voice – Jesus!

Perhaps you have had the same thoughts when you watch world events play out, asking some of these same questions. Is this event God’s judgment? Or perhaps you are living in the midst of a troubling situation and you wonder if it is God’s judgment against you.

Read again Jesus’ words in the first five verses of this chapter. Whatever is happening in your life is not God’s judgment. That isn’t how God works.

I hear Jesus saying that there is something worse than suffering here on earth. And that is separation from God for all eternity. Jesus continues to invite us to repentance and relationship with him. Today is the day. Now is the time.

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Posted on December 12, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 12: Read: Luke 12

As I reflect on this chapter, the overwhelming question that comes to mind is this: On whom or what do I depend? Where do I turn when life is chaotic?

Jesus challenges his listeners to consider the trajectory of their lives. Dependence on self and what I can accomplish will, in the end, not be enough. Whether I depend on myself to defend the gospel or to provide for my daily needs, it will not be sufficient. It will seem wise, but ultimately fall short of the richness of the life promised by Jesus.

These phrases catch my attention today:

  1. for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said. v 12
  2. Life is not measured by how much you own…a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God. vv 15, 21
  3. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. v 31
  4. You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. v 40
  5. You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times. v 56

On whom do I DEPEND? May my dependence be more and more on the One who truly is dependable.

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Posted on December 10, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 11: Read: Luke 11

Jesus was invited to the house of a Pharisee for dinner. Some of those in attendance were also religious teachers. A Pharisee was one part of the Jewish population who emphasized following the law to the most minute detail often forgetting about the intention of the law in the process. Jesus often clashed with the Pharisees for this reason.

Jesus wasn’t the best dinner guest by social standards. Read verses 37-53 to see for yourself. One of the religious leaders even spoke up, telling Jesus that he had offended them. Probably because they were responsible to teach the law and Jesus said they were getting it wrong. Essentially, he told them they were learning the words of the law but forgetting about the heart of the law.

As I read this, I wonder what Jesus would say if he was a dinner guest in my home. Of course, I want to believe that he would praise me for offering hospitality and thank me for giving selflessly of my time and resources. But, would he?

Here is what always draws me up short…Jesus spoke the harshest words to the religious people of the day. He showed the most compassion to those the religious establishments pushed away and called unclean. I have to ask myself – where do I fall? Am I easing the burdens of the people I encounter or am I weighing down others with burdens that would be impossible to bear? Do I have a check list of criteria others must meet or do I receive them with open arms just as they are?

It’s an important question for me to answer. I bet it is for you too.

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Posted on December 10, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 10: Read: Luke 10 (or at least verses 38-42)

This chapter concludes with Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha and Mary. It appears that Martha was the one who extended the invitation to Jesus and his disciples to come and eat in her home. When Jesus arrived, Martha busied herself preparing the meal while Mary sat with Jesus and his disciples to listen to Jesus’ teaching.

In my mind, I imagine the scene. Honestly, I would be Martha working hard in the kitchen, all the while wanting to be sitting at Jesus’ feet. But I would feel responsible for making sure the meal was well prepared and presented with precision.

Our family likes to have a dinner together at least once a month. I confess that on more than one occasion, I found myself seriously frustrated. Why? The children and their spouses came and grabbed an appetizer and/or drink and went to the living room to play with our granddaughters and chat about their lives. I was in the kitchen busily finishing meal preparation, completely missing out on the fun conversation that was happening. I found myself saying right along with Martha, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister (read children) just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her (them) to come and help me.” Luke 10:40

After several of these frustrating events, I changed my approach and did one of two things. Either I worked really hard in advance to have the meal prepped and mostly ready so I could join my family in the living room. Or I divided the meal responsibility with my children and we prepared the meal together. This moved the friendly banter and catching up to the kitchen.

When I read about Mary and Martha, I can’t help but think about holiday gatherings that will take place over the next number of weeks. Perhaps the lesson I learn from Jesus’ admonition is to place value on what is truly important. Connecting with family and friends is more important than what we eat. I have to ask myself how I can make the food simpler so I don’t miss important conversations.

This seems really practical and yet it is this kind of conflict that ruins a gathering of great a potential.

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42

How about you? Do you relate best with Martha or Mary? What can you do to make your holiday gatherings the best they can be?

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Posted on December 9, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 9: Read: Luke 9

I want to draw your attention to verses 23-25 in this chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Jesus says in order to be his follower we must turn away from our selfish ways. There is no benefit to gain the whole world and yet lose our soul.

Henri Nouwen puts it a little differently. He says in order to live a life of compassion, we have to die to our neighbor. By this he means that we die to what they think about us, how they might judge us, giving up measuring our worth and value by the yardstick of others.

So, how are these two similar? If we are constantly concerned about what others think about us, if we measure ourselves by the achievements of others, if we stand in judgment of others, we are enslaved to them. If we die to them, and ultimately to our own ideas of what is good, we are free to live for Christ. We are free to show compassion in world changing ways. If only we die to our neighbors and our self at the same time.

How do you need to die to your neighbor today (dying to yourself and taking up your cross in the process) and live for Jesus? What keeps you from letting go of the yardstick of the world?

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