Josemaría Escrivá: Difficult easiness

People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16

“Spiritual childhood is not spiritual immaturity or foolishness or softness; it is a sane and robust way which, due to its ‘difficult easiness’, the soul must embark upon and then continue, led by the hand of God.”

Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) in The Way (Strongsville: Scepter, 1992) 855.

The spiritual journey is one of “difficult easiness” thanks to the gracious and welcoming posture of our Lord Jesus Christ toward us.

But notice that Jesus was indignant toward the disciples. That’s a strong word. He’s indignant toward anyone and everyone who tries to hinder children from coming to Him.

This especially pertains to vulnerable children. This implies that as we mature, Jesus wants us to take a gracious and welcoming posture, not a hard one, toward younger souls.

When I think of a little child, one word comes to mind: dependent. My two granddaughters are dependent on their parents. They run to them, find security, and depend on their care.

As we get older, this becomes a “difficult easiness” for us. We gravitate toward independence in our flesh. Thats the difficult part. The easiness part relates to resting in His care.

Where do you find yourself today? I ask because the generous life requires us to resist the proclivity of our flesh and lean into this “difficult easiness” with confidence in His care.

If you find this challenging, then look at children. Watch them. Become like them.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23

“God lets Himself be seen by those who are able to see Him because they have the eyes of their soul open. Everyone has eyes, but the eyes of some are blinded as it were in the darkness and they cannot see the light of the sun. But the light of the sun does not cease to shine simply because these sightless ones fail to see it; rather is this darkness due to their own inability to see.”

Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli as cited by Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 379.

As I look for God in the sea of people at this Lausanne Congress, I see Him in the faces of His servants from places like Côte d’Ivoire, Pakistan, and Ghana.

I see His glory radiate from their countenances, His kindness from their words, and His goodness from their actions. These are not sightless people.

They have the eyes of their soul open. This fills them with faith to live, give, serve, and love generously. So, at this huge event, I have simply prayed for God to open my eyes.

His light is shining on the darkness of our days. If I miss it, Eugenio would say, it is not because the light is not shining but because of my sightlessness.

May God grant everyone reading this healthy eyes and clear vision, because, as Jesus makes clear in today’s Scripture, that impacts everything else.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2

“His Majesty desires and loves courageous souls… Do not let your soul and spirit shrink, for you may lose many benefits… Do not let your soul hide in a corner, because then instead of striving for sanctity you will simply come up with other imperfections and many more of them.”

Teresa of Ávila in The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself 13.2-3.

The header photo above gives you my view at L4, the The Fourth Lausanne Congress in Seoul, South Korea. It’s a joy to participate in meetings with more than 5,000 influential Christian workers.

My small table is a slice of heaven. I am sitting with three men and two women from Saudi Arabia, Poland, India, Lebanon, and USA. Delegates at the event represent more than 200 nations.

Each one of these participants has a choice, as well as you, reading this somewhere around the world, has a choice today after reading this post.  You can choose to strive for sanctity with courage or you can let your soul hide in a corner.

Today, with David the Psalmist, I want to remind you of the benefits that come to us when we strive for sanctity. When we set ourselves apart and aim to live every single minute of every day for God.

Rather than make a list, soak in the entire Psalm today. Enjoy Psalm 103. And strive for sanctity with courage.

1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

“Generosity always leads people closer to God. On countless occasions this is the greatest favor we can do our friends – encourage and foster their generosity. This virtue enlarges their heart and rejuvenates them, making them younger, more capable of love.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 373-374.

Happy Birthday to my brother, David, today. His generosity leads people closer to God. And click here if you want to view my preaching from yesterday.

And I preached at Greenhill Church today (Sunday). It really inspired people, thank the LORD. I was weary when I woke up but I feel rejuvenated. When I empty myself to encourage others, by God’s grace I am enriched. I hope you experience this too.

Now our team will participate in the Lausanne 4 through next Saturday. What is Lausanne 4?

In the words of Michael Oh, Global Executive Director / CEO of Lausanne: “Lausanne 4 is a multi-year, global, polycentric process facilitated by the platform of Lausanne, towards catalytic collaboration of the global church, for the discipling of all nations and the shaping of the world in 2050.”

In plain terms, it is a invitation-only gathering of key Christian workers aimed at collaboration for the discipling of all nations. We (7 of 14 GTP staff invited) have come to listen, learn, pray, and discern our part in God’s bigger picture as it unfolds in the world.

To give you some history, Lausanne 1 convened in Lausanne, Switzerland, led by Billy Graham and John R. W. Stott, to inspiring Christians to work together. Lausanne 2 happened in 1989 in Manila, Philippines emphasized taking the whole gospel to the whole world. Lausanne 3 gathered in 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

Gatherings like this do not happen very often. This is one of those kairos moments. Please mark your calendar to pray for our team this week as we interaction with 5,000+ delegates onsite from nearly every nation. I am sure if you do this, God will enrich you in every way, and we will experience the blessing and impact of your prayers.

Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. Philippians 4:17

“In a society which sets no bounds to its conspicuous consumption, we frequently see apostolic works and the people who have dedicated their entire lives to them deprived of the means to continue, often subjected to privations, and re-organizations, and constantly questioned as to whether they should not cease their activities and close down. The greatness of soul our Lord asks of His own will lead us not only to be very generous with our own time and economic means, but also to assist others to feel moved themselves to help, according to their means, for the good of their fellow man.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 372.

Thanks for your prayers.

I had the privilege of preaching at Sarang Church today, one of the largest churches in the world with more than 100,000 members. Today’s service launched a Special Global Leaders Convention. I served as the first of ten speakers.

My talk aimed at the youth. Specifically the church commissioned 7,000 youth as prayer warriors. So my message came from Mark 6:30-44 challenging the youth to be like the boy who gave Jesus what he had, 5 loaves and 2 fish.

I also showed the Palmful of Maize video with Korean subtitles. It impacted many people deeply.

The Korean people, much like Americans, live in a context of conspicuous consumption. And in such settings we need to raise our sights higher to aim at assisting others “according to our means.”

The thrust of my message challenged listeners to ask each other, “What do you have? Go and see.” And from there I charged them to “Give God what you have!” If you want to watch it, click here.

And join me in praying that the many people who said the sermon impacted them will assist others according to their means and shift from conspicuous consumption to facilitating transformation.

I delivered this message not because of what I want from them, but because of what I want for them, what I want to see credited to their account. I pray that for all who watch it and all who are reading this.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

“Furthermore, taking on great endeavors for the good of humankind, or alleviating the needs of many people, or to giving glory to God, can occasionally lead to the expenditure of large sums of money, and to putting one’s material goods at the service of those great works. The magnanimous person does that if can, without hesitation and misgivings. Living the virtue of prudence, he evaluates all the circumstances, but not with a fearful or shrinking soul.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 372.

After a rigorous week in India, I had about 15 hours on Thursday to rest at my hotel. In solitude this reading resonated with me before flying all night and day from Hyderabad to Bangkok to Seoul.

We can only accomplish great endeavors if we bring our energy and resources to the challenges without hesitation. Think of examples of this and the implications of our immediate action in everyday life.

The sports athlete breaks off the line in a race the second the starting gun fires, without hesitation. The professor, recognizing the teachable moment, asks a question that leads a student to transformation, without hesitation.

The mother of a newborn hears what sounds like noise to anyone else and jumps to respond knowing just what her baby needs, without hesitation. The giver sees an opportunity to bless others and responds, without hesitation.

Today marks another ‘without hesitation’ moment. Sarang Church invited me to serve as the opening speaker of the Special Global Leaders Convention. When the invitation came, I responded without hesitation: Yes.

I posted the event poster on my Facebook. I am humbled by the famous people who will speak after me. To prepare, I blocked time in my calendar for solitude with the Father, like Jesus, to discern what the Spirit would have me say. I got a clear message.

But I need your help to deliver it, without hesitation? Make a one-time gift to GTP here to help cover the costs of this around the world trip which has activated the peer accountability group in India and now has me speaking at this strategic convention.

But don’t stop there. Pray for my message targeting children, youth, and adults to engage actively in God’s work. Pray for it to result in mindset change that positions one of the largest churches in the world to play a catalytic role in Christian mission.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

“Faced with something really worthwhile (noble ideas, apostolic tasks, and God above all), a great soul gives of his own without reserve: money, effort, time. He knows well and understands the words of our Lord. No matter how much he gives, he will receive more. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back. We should ask ourselves if we give what is ours with generosity. What is more, we should ask whether we give ourselves, whether we follow the path, the specific vocation our Lord asks of each of us, with promptness and sure steps.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 372.

We did it! We activated NobleRank as the peer accountability group for accrediting churches and ministries in India. Now the real work begins for Arpit and Joycia to help organizations get through the process. God help them.

Our meetings created a large queue. How large? Praise God the governance seminar Monday surfaced the first candidates. Then the IMA (India Missions Association) will have 25-50 agencies apply from their 8 regions.

Don’t miss how significant this. IMA is the largest mission association in the world. It has 317 organizations sending 60,000+ foreign missionaries and serving 300,000+ national missionaries.

We attempted something big for God this week and He worked mightily. We came here at great expense and effort. We gave of ourselves sacrificially to attend meetings and he blessed beyond comprehension.

Personally, I am praising God that He has used our humble efforts to raise the sights of His people to following standards for helping the church flourish in the largest population country in the world, 1.6+ billion people.

The lesson: focus on what is noble regardless of what anyone else is doing. And give generously of yourself and your resources. And do this with confidence that the God of peace is with you.

Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. Proverbs 10:12

“On the cross, Jesus did what He had taught. “Father forgive them,” He prayed. And immediately He added the mitigating reason, “for they know not what they do.” Those words show the greatness of soul of Christ’s humanity. “Love your enemies”… “pray for those who abuse you”… Jesus has always asked that same greatness of soul from those who are His own. The first martyr, Stephen, died asking pardon for those who killed him. Are we then not to pardon the comparatively trivial incidental things that happen to us each day? And if back-biting and serious defamation, should be aimed at us, should we let slip that opportunity to offer something more valuable in return? It would be better still if we never reached the point of finding it necessary to forgive, imitating the saints in refusing to take offense in the first place.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 371.

How do we imitate Jesus and the saints and refuse to take offenses? This is not an easy question and not an aspect of generosity that I have mined very deeply over the years.

As I ponder it this morning in the midst of important meetings in India that can exponentially impact gospel advancing efforts I give thanks for the answer in today’s Scripture: focus on the love of God.

When we think about the love God has for us and when we consider how measureless and matchless it is toward us, we can extend love toward even the most undeserving.

In places that need the gospel most, there tends to be a lot of corruption and very unlovable people. The only thing that can empower stewards to live, give, serve, and love generously in such places is the love of God.

The sad truth about humanity relates to our pervasive brokenness. But when we match that against the love of God which has now width or depth, we find the solution to showing generosity to the undeserving.

Consider this message from Jesus from which Fernandez draws today’s post.

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36

Let’s listen to Jesus remembering that our mission is not just to show love to our friends, but to show it to the ungrateful and wicked. When we do this we are truly children of the Most High.

God help us refuse to take offense and do this generously because first you did it for us.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22

“Greatness of soul proves itself also in a willingness to forgive, in matters large and small, whether it be people close to us in our lives or far from us. It is not Christian to go about the world with a list of grievances in one’s heart, cherishing rancorous thoughts and memories that shrink the spirit and make us incapable of the human and divine ideals to which our Lord is calling us. In the same way that God is ready to forgive everyone everything, our capacity to forgive must have no limits. The number of times does not matter. The seriousness of the wrongs done is irrelevant, as is the status of the persons who supposedly guilty of the offenses. Nothing makes us like unto God so much as always being ready to forgive.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 371.

Traveling internationally may look glamorous but it’s actually really hard. People do things differently, and sometimes it bothers me and pushes my proverbial buttons. Consider the traffic in India. Few roadways are more maddening to navigate. You have to take a deep breath and choose to forgive 70×7 times in a 45-minute airport transfer.

When we cross cultural boundaries and national borders we often step on each other’s toes. And I think it’s ironic that God chose me for this work, because it’s actually hard for me. With a prophetic ministry, I aim to discern what God wants or how God’s Word speaks to a situation, and when the things I see don’t match or are “not right” it’s just hard.

Perhaps you can relate? Maybe not to the international part but the stepping on toes part. We step on the toes of the people around us. We wrong them. We hurt them. This I believe is where real generosity appears. Consider this Bible passage which illustrates the profound implications of “no limits” forgiveness.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38

If we want God to show us “no limits” forgiveness we get to show it to others. It’s only possible with God’s help and may reflect His love more than any other act.

So far the meetings are going well in Hyderabad, India (pictured above). Keep praying for churches and ministries to embrace peer accountability standards and accreditation. Thanks.

I especially appreciate your prayers for favor for the meetings today connecting IMA (India Missions Association), the largest mission association in the world serving 317 organizations and 60,000 foreign missionaries and 300,000 national missionaries, to NobleRank, the new peer accountability group serving India. The goal is to strengthening the capacities of the organizations and missionaries they serve with standards.

I think it is safe to say there are no limits to the impact that can come from this meeting.

Give yourself to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will help you. Psalm 37:5

“Magnanimity means greatness of spirit, a largeness of heart wherein many can find refuge. Magnanimity gives us the energy to break out of ourselves and be ready to undertake generous tasks that will be of benefit to all. Small-mindedness has no home in the magnanimous heart, nor has meanness, nor egoistic calculation, nor self-interested trickery. The magnanimous person devotes all his strength, unstintingly, to what is worthwhile. As a result, he is capable of giving himself. He is not content with merely giving. He gives his very self. He thus comes to understand that the greatest expression of magnanimity consists of giving oneself to God.”

Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) in Friends of God: Homilies by Josemaría Escrivá (Sinag-Tala Publishers, 1977) 80.

I want to invite you to undertake a generous task and to give yourself to God.

First, the consider this task. As God is opening doors in India, I want to invite your support to advance the work here with me. I made it safely here, but cost for travel, lodging, meals, and expenses to convene strategic meetings with influential workers from across India in Hyderabad will cost GTP at least $3,500 USD.

But the impact of these meetings is huge. Hundreds of churches and ministries served by India Mission Association will have standards for governance and administration to position them for flourishing. You can join in this work. Pause and make a gift here according to your ability.

Second, I want you to consider what it would look like to move from making gifts to giving yourself to God. Often I quote this verse to myself on days when I feel God stretching me in this area.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

It reminds me that did not give me the judgment I deserved, so I get to give my life as a living sacrifice back to Him and in service to Him. This appears not as living like the world but living in pursuit of God’s will.

Think today about what that might look like for you to devote all your strength, unstintingly, to God, while joining me with a gift of any size to support the work in India. Again, thanks.