C.S. Lewis: Uninterruptedly

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:29-35

“St. Paul, dissuading his converts from marriage, says nothing about that side of the matter except to discourage prolonged abstinence from Venus (I Cor. VII, 5). What he fears is pre-occupation, the need of constantly “pleasing”—that is, considering—one’s partner, the multiple distractions of domesticity. It is marriage itself, not the marriage bed, that will be likely to hinder us from waiting uninterruptedly on God. And surely St. Paul is right? If I may trust my own experience, it is (within marriage as without) the practical and prudential cares of this world, and even the smallest and most prosaic of those cares, that are the great distraction. The gnat-like cloud of petty anxieties and decisions about the conduct of the next hour have interfered with my prayers more often than any passion or appetite whatever. The great, permanent temptation of marriage is not to sensuality but (quite bluntly) to avarice.”

C.S. Lewis in The Four Loves (New York: Harcourt, 1960) 124.

Yesterday Sammy and I enjoyed a great hunt together (pictured above). While on the drive back, we talked about Lewis and The Four Loves. While he’s head over heels in love, I urged him to keep God first. Or in the words of Lewis, to wait “uninterruptedly” on God. I shared that while marriage is a gift from God, it also comes with the danger of avarice.

Does you marriage distract from your generous service to God? Let’s think about this danger for a moment. Avarice is the desire for things. Practically, this comes into view as “wanting” a big house, nice cars, big vacations, etc. When we want these things, we shift from waiting “uninterruptedly” on God, to spending ourselves in an endless pursuit of these things.

Often it takes people years to realize that these are an empty quest. I am thankful to have a wife that aims to grow closer to God, not to accumulate things or experiences. She encourages my generous service. What a blessing! I pray that Sammy and Emily, as they wed tomorrow, will wait “uninterruptedly” on God. Make it so, Lord Jesus.

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4

“Like the cellar-growing vine is the Christian who lives in the darkness and bondage of fear. But let him go forth, with the liberty of God, into the light of love, and he will be like the plant in the field, healthy, robust, and joyful.”

H. W. Beecher in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 106.

Sammy and I will walk through some fields this morning with Joy and Hope (Sure we will have those feelings on this pre-wedding pheasant hunting outing, but those are the name of our German Shorthair Pointer hunting dogs). As he gets married this weekend and builds a home, I pray it grows into a healthy, robust, and joyful place.

I’ve been thinking about what questions to ask him and any last words to say in our last shoulder-to-shoulder outing before he gets married. I think I’ve landed on these two ideas: liberty of God and light of love. The first is vertical, relating to his relationship with God, and the second is horizontal, linked to other people.

This is essentially the Greatest Commandment of Jesus, to love God and love others. So, what does this have to do with generosity? Studies show that a son flourishes with the blessing of his father. I hope to give him one final memorable blessing to live in the liberty of God and in the light of His love.

Few choose to live this way, which is why today’s Scripture text says that “rare and beautiful treasures” are in the rooms of homes built by wisdom. This is a good reminder for me, and perhaps for you too, to remove all fear from the house, which brings darkness, and to keep liberty and love in every corner of our home.

But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. Haggai 2:4

“So, my brethren, let us do our work, that others entering on it may carry it forward through after generations. Thus shall the work of the fathers become the glory of their children; and in the end, when the mystery of God shall be finished, we shall see, in its completed beauty and proportion, the great fabric into which we put our little all; and we shall rejoice at once in the skill of the Architect and the diligence of the successive builders.”

William M. Taylor in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 126.

Today’s Scripture was the verse for our Global Gathering which brought three groups together, the board, staff, and regional facilitators of GTP. Three times Haggai exclaims “Be strong” and then he adds “and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” It’s like God was speaking to all of us.

I charged the group to build GTP not for ourselves but for the next generation. Likewise, wherever you are, ask yourself if you are working for God and for the next generation. This picture of the generations as “successive builders” adds depth to our investment in their lives.

I will be somewhere in the air between Frankfurt and Denver when this posts. Upon arrival my focus turns to Sammy and Emily’s wedding celebration this coming Saturday. Pray with me for a generous outpouring of grace, love, and peace as two lives and the communities that nurtured them come together to celebrate their union in Christ.

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49

“God is a kind Father. He sets us all in the place where He wishes us to be employed; and that employment is truly “our Father’s business.” He chooses work for every creature which will be delightful to them, if they do it simply and humbly. He gives us always strength enough, and sense enough, for what He wants us to do; if we either tire ourselves, or puzzle ourselves, it is our own fault. And we may always be sure, whatever we are doing, that we cannot be pleasing Him, if we are not happy ourselves.”

John Ruskin in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 123.

In wrapping up on the final day with GTP staff at the Global Gathering, I’m so happy. Most of the time this week of service I was happy too. As I reflect, the times I was not happy, I am sure I was either trying to control outcomes or trying to accomplish my purposes. Notice my issue would be like a stubborn child not wanting what the Father desired. Ever do that?

God forgive me for those times.

So what is the generous gift from our good and kind Father? We get the gift of strength sufficient for each day, the confidence that we are pleasing Him, and we get happiness in our work. Thank you for your generosity, God. Help us to embrace this so that we are always working with rather than kicking against our Father’s business and doing it with happiness.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

“To deny one’s self, to take up the cross, denotes something immeasurably grander than self-imposed penance or rigid conformity to a divine statute. It is the surrender of self to an ennobling work, an absolute subordination of personal advantages and of personal pleasures for the sake of truth and the welfare of others, and a willing acceptance of every disability which their interests may entail.”

George C. Lorimer in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 169.

As the GTP Global Gathering draws to a close, I am thankful for the power of Christ in each board member, staff member, and regional facilitator to help us do “immeasurably more” as we surrender ourselves to the “ennobling work” before us for the welfare of others.

The “willing acceptance of every disability struck me” part when I read it. Most people want generous service that is comfortable. What would it look like for you to uncomfortably surrender for the sake of others? Sacrifice is the path to which He has called us. It is following in the steps of Christ Jesus.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Matthew 16:24-25

“Taking up one’s cross, my dear, means simply that you are to go the road which you see to be the straight one; carrying whatever you find is given you to carry, as well and stoutly as you can; without making faces, or calling people to come and look at you. Above all, you are neither to load, nor unload yourself, nor cut your cross to your own liking.”

Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 168.

The GTP board has joined me in commissioning the regional facilitators and today, following God’s leading, I am challenging them to consider prayerfully the faithful activities they will engage in this launch year.

In a way it is bearing a cross because we have discerned that to be people of confession, we must not only confess our sins, but following the example of the cupbearer, Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:5-11), we bear the sins of our people with our own.

What’s your cross to bear? Will you carry whatever you find stoutly, that is, with courage and determination? This relates to generosity as the giving of ourselves in complete surrender to God is often unthinkably hard.

Father in heaven, help each of us carry our cross as stoutly so that our faithfulness contributes to fruitfulness around us and so that our lives bring You glory. Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

No wearisome days, no sorrowful nights; no hunger or thirst; no anxiety or fears; no envies, no jealousies, no breaches of friendship, no sad separations, no distrusts or forebodings, no self-reproaches, no enmities, no bitter regrets, no tears, no heartaches; “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.”

R. S. Foster in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 300.

This post seemed fitting as today marks the 10th anniversary of my herniated disc and stenosis condition. Ten years of chronic back pain has caused me to live every day in light of eternity.

I had to change my diet, give up every cardio sport I previously enjoyed, and determined that rather than complain, I would live every single day for God with every ounce of strength He supplies.

None of us are immune from pain and tears. What we can do is control our response to these situations. We must not complain, but rather, press on and hold on to today’s text, one of the most generous promises in the Scriptures.

Whether you suffer from pain or tears, heartaches or regrets, all that will be forgotten when you meet our Lord. So, let go of those conditions and live as generously as possible with every minute God gives you.

Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. Exodus 30:30

“God consecrates us with His Spirit; whom He adopts, He anoints; whom He makes sons [and daughters], He makes saints; He doth not only give them a new name, but a new nature. God turns the wolf into a lamb; He makes the heart humble and gracious; He works such a change as if another soul did dwell in the same body.”

Thomas Watson in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 159.

Today the GTP board will consecrate and commission the staff and regional facilitators for the work ahead. May God make us humble and gracious workers to serve the world by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As Watson notes, God consecrates us with His Spirit, and in so doing, gives us the gift of a new name and a new nature. What great gifts! The new name on us is His own, which is why our lives must exhibit Christian generosity.

The new nature is the power to live out His teachings. Will we tap it or go at it alone? Will we give abundantly from His supply? When we keep in step with the Spirit we exhibit the fruit of generosity.

We serve as conduits of blessing. What will you do? My prayer for myself and my fellow staff and regional facilitators is that His name and nature are made known through my humble obedience and service.

And I pray Jesus also makes it so for you.

Know that the Lord has set apart His faithful servant for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. Psalm 4:3

“If you want to live in this world, doing the duty of life, knowing the blessings of it, doing your work heartily, and yet not absorbed by it, remember that the one power whereby you can so act is, that all shall be consecrated to Christ, and done for His sake.”

Alexander Maclaren in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 158.

In our generous service, how do we draw the line between doing our part becoming absorbed by it in the process? It’s not an easy question to answer. For my part, I wrestle with this as my wife and family could feel forgotten because of the rigors of my travel and the work God has put before me on a global scale.

So, how should we live and work in a manner that is consecrated to God? These questions and more are at the heart of the GTP Empowerment Journey, an evening and morning experience that we are piloting at the Dubai Global Gathering with the board and regional facilitators.

We start with the idea that each person matters to God. From there, we consider that we are part of something bigger. God has not only set us apart for Himself but has something He wants to know. He cares about our ‘being’ and ‘knowing’ as well as our ‘doing’. We challenge participants to reflect prayerfully while they rest before thinking about their ‘doing’.

Then on the following morning, we talk about how together we can make a difference in our roles, but we must set God-honoring standards and hold each other accountable. In short, only glorify Him when we work together to preserve His honor. The journey is designed to help us consecrate ourselves together for Christ so that as one body we serve Him.

To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Deuteronomy 10:14

“Live, as it were, on trust. All that is in you, all that you are, is only loaned to you; make use of it according to the will of Him who lends it; but never regard it for a moment as your own.”

François Fénelon (1651-1715) French archbishop and theologian in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 159.

Today is a historic day in Dubai, UAE! The GTP Board (from 7 countries) and Staff (from 3 countries) will welcome our Regional Facilitators who live in the 12 regions of the Lausanne Movement (in parentheses). They have come from Switzerland (Europe), Moldova (Eurasia), Egypt (MENA), Nigeria (EPSA), Côte d’Ivoire (Francophone Africa), Hong Kong (East Asia), India (South Asia), Philippines (South East Asia), Australia (South Pacific), Jamaica (Caribbean), Mexico City (Latin America), and South Dakota (North America).

One big objective brings this group together: a desire for trust, a longing for people to live in light of the reality of God’s ownership and their stewardship. They believe that if God’s servants live obediently and administrate His work according to standards that ministries can flourish with sustainability and be positioned to endure suffering. What about you? Do you live like all that is in you and all that you are is only loaned to you? Do you make use of it according to the will of Him who lent it to you?

Do this and you will discover what trust is. Do this and you will find there is no other way to live. Do this and grasp the life that is truly life! If you are in, shout, “With You!”  But, I capitalize the “You” because don’t say this to me, but to Him who lends you all you have and Who can be trusted in all things, for all things. You can trust Him with your life, you wife, your husband, your children, your children’s children, for all you have ever needed, need now, and will ever need. “Live, as it were, on trust.”