Restlessness

In different times and in different ways, our heavenly Father offers us a simple proposition:  Follow me beyond what you can control, beyond where your own strength and competencies can take you, and beyond what is affirmed or risked by the crowd -- and you will experience me and my power and my wisdom and my love.

Jesus beckons me to follow him to that place of weakness where I risk the vulnerability of a child so that I might know how strong my Father is and how much he loves me.

But truth be told, I would rather be an adult.  I'd rather be in a place where I can still pull things together if God doesn't show up, where I risk no ultimate humiliation, where I don't have to take the shallow breaths of desperation.

And as a result, my experience of my heavenly Father is simply impoverished.  He says his power is made perfect in my weakness, not in my strength.
                                                                                       
                                                                                         From Gary Haugen's book Just Courage

For those of you looking forward to this week's entry titled, "Jonathan picks a fight," I'm sorry to inform you that that message will be delayed!  The fact is, Jonathan doesn't really feel like picking a fight right now. 

Nonetheless, we are restless, aren't we, men? 

I received a prayer request recently from a friend who's been irritable and impatient after witnessing the need for justice in the world.  After all, as a man of action, engaged in life, we have a warrior who's willing to die to live inside.  Yet, many of us (myself included!) find that life here is just full of suburban monotony and triviality that we're trapped in.

We need an outlet.  We need to put our hands to work.  Many of us have our own vision of what life should look like, but many times God has another path for us.  As men of God, engaged in life,
-  we worship God and provide for His church;
-  we serve our wives and children, lovingly providing and caring for them;
-  we work diligently in our careers with the abilities God has given us.

May I offer another?  Fight injustice.  

It's difficult having seen injustice in the world and not being actively engaged in fighting it.  Honestly, more often than not, I imagine myself as some sort of warrior (not because I have too much time on my hands), when in reality, I seek safety in a personal weakness only to find spiritual atrophy, mediocrity, and boredom.

Jesus offers us another way.  Let's explore that next time.

Until then...
"Father God, merciful Provider who I am privildeged to be called a son with my brother Jesus Christ, search my heart - my true heart - and show my how you want me to fight injustice for your glory.  While you search me, I'm not going to sit around and wait for a sign.  I will love and serve you, love and serve my precious family, and serve you at work.  I will move in the direction of your will.  I know as long as I move for your purpose and in your purpose, we, you and I, are of like mind.  Steer me down the path you want me to go.  I'm not waiting for a glorious sign, although you could show me one.  I'm moving for your purposes.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen."