Pursuing Justice by Ken Wytsma

Being someone who works in the area of fighting human trafficking, a book titled "Pursuing Justice" immediately grabbed my attention. So many people within the church have a misguided belief in the meaning of God's justice system. I was encouraged to see an author willing to explore the concept more in depth. In his book, Wytsma explores the biblical concept of justice and how we often missing the mark within our Christian circles. Once we know more about justice, how are we called to make it our pursuit? This book is a great place to start learning how to being your journey.

I personally found this book to be enlightening and informational. Working in ministry in areas most people avoid, I have first had exposure to those who are in the greatest need of justice. Wytsma did an excellent job in explaining the various types of justice, such as criminal justice, social justice, political justice, etc. The author used scriptures to support his writings and showed how justice is a character trait of God. Perhaps my favorite chapter is the one showing the correlation between justice and grace. As the author and scripture explain, injustice is a sin. Various biblical references are given within the book supporting this connection. It is only through grace that injustices can truly be made right.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about how to impact the world outside the four walls of a church building. It is educational, thought provoking and well worth the time spent reading.

No Plan B

I have a friend who follows all of his posts on Facebook with a phrase. Yesterday I saw his post and several posts below his another friend posted a photo containing the same phrase. This has caused me to stop and really think about the implications of two small words and one letter.

NO. PLAN. B.

Think about what this simple statements means. Whatever the calling, or plan "A", there is no alternative. There is no back up plan. So many people live their lives in a frozen state of inaction because they rehearse all the "what if" scenarios in their mind. Not only do they require a "Plan B," but also a "Plan C...D....E....F...." (you get the point). 

The faith of the disciples has always challenged me in my walk. When Jesus called Simon and Andrew, scripture says they IMMEDIATELY left their nets and followed Him (Mark 1:17-18). James and John followed in the same manner (Mark 1:19-20) Can you imagine if they had looked at Jesus and instead of allowing Him to become their Plan A they questioned Him. They could have said, "You know Jesus, that sounds cool to 'fish for men' but I have a family at home and bills to pay. This fishing for fish gig is going pretty well so I really don't need to follow You and fish for men. How odd a statement is that anyway? Does fishing for men pay? Will it provide food for my family? What about leaving my dad? He would have to do all this work himself or hire more workers. We can't do that to him. Thanks Jesus, but we just don't see how this would be wise."

This was Simon, later named Peter. The same Peter whom Jesus said He would build His church and the power of Hades would not overpower it! (Matthew 16:18). Can you imagine how history may have been rewritten if Peter had lived in "Plan B" mode?

How are you operating in your Christian walk? Have you allowed Christ to become your "Plan A" without keeping a back up option of "Plan B?" The reality is too many Christians are living life with Christ in a position other than "Plan A." Or maybe we have placed Christ in the "Plan A" position, but we keep a closet full of alternatives just in case this Jesus 'thing' doesn't work out the way we expect.

I think we do not place Christ into the "Plan A" position because it is not easy in our flesh. Anyone who tells you living fully for Christ is easy is not being completely honest with you or themselves. My flesh battles daily against the call from Christ on my life and purpose for which God created me. I ask God "WHY?" at least a dozen times a day (especially when looking at my bank account). I've received criticism, judgement, and harsh words for following Christ. When I quit my corporate job after 13 years simply because "God told me to," there were those within the church who demanded to know my "Plan B." Our culture operates in contingency plans. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live our lives with Christ as the only plan.

Personally I once again find myself in a critical decision making time in life. I have been operating in "Plan A" for a couple years now, but recently God has revealed a new "Plan A". What once was the plan has changed.  It will not be easy. It will require absolute and complete trust in Him. Do I have the strength and faith of Peter, Andrew, James, and John? Can I lay down my net and IMMEDIATELY follow Christ in whatever direction He calls? 

What about you? Where in your plan list is Christ? Have you sold out to the call and purpose of your life as designed by your Maker? Regardless of your past, He is still calling YOU! Not only regardless of, but oftentimes because of your past is exactly why He wants YOU! Just as He spoke to fishermen of fishing for men because it was a reference they understood, He is also calling you based on your experiences. What's your plan?

As for me, NO. PLAN. B.

Why Live in Torment?

When something goes wrong emotionally, what is your first response? Do you reach for some form of pain medicine? Perhaps you even reach for a glass of wine. Do you call the doctor and schedule an appointment? Let me ask this question...the last time you felt down or angry or depressed, did you check your heart for bitterness or unforgiveness?

Before you think this concept seems completely off base, consider what Jesus said regarding forgiveness in His parable regarding the slave who had been forgiven his debt.

"

For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began to settle accounts, one who owed 10,000 talents was brought before him. 25Since he had no way to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. 

26“At this, the slave fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything! ’ 27Then the master of that slave had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan.

28“But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him 100 denarii. He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, ‘Pay what you owe! ’

29“At this, his fellow slave fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’30But he wasn’t willing. On the contrary, he went and threw him into prison until he could pay what was owed. 31When the other slaves saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened.

32“Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you? ’ 34And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.”

Read verses 34-35 again....

"And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.”

I think we can easily read this verse and dismiss it as referring to what happens to us in death should we choose to not forgive. However, note the slave was not killed and then given to his tormenters. He was very much alive. Until he could repay his own debt. 

Think about the symptoms in our body when we refuse to forgive. We become angry and bitter. Take a moment now to think of someone who hurt you or a situation where you were wounded emotionally. I bet simply thinking of the matter caused your blood pressure to rise and your pulse increase. What must happen to us when we live in a continual state of unforgiveness? When we dwell on the pain caused us by someone our body pays the price. This opens the door for satan and his demons to torment us! What better way to attack us than in our emotions? When we live in unforgiveness we close the door on God! Scripture asks how can light and dark exist in the same place? They cannot! If we are angry, bitter, and full of hate, then we are living our life according to satan. Satan LOVES to see us living this way! He knows, because he knows the scripture also, that we choose to live apart from God's blessings and peace as long as he can keep us living in offense. 

If you are experiencing some form of pain, depression, etc. in your life, I plead for you to take the time alone with God to ask where might there be unforgiveness in your life. Ask God to show you the person who hurt you as He sees them. Pray for them! I had a situation happen in my life that was very painful. I've found as I've been earnestly praying for that person, my hurt from them has decreased. God has shown me areas of their life that need to be healed, revealing the "why" of what they did. God is no respecter of persons. What He has done in my life and many others, He can do for you also. Ask Him to reveal bitterness and anger you may be holding onto in your life. Ask for His healing not just from the event, but for healing from the physical manifestations you are experiencing as a result of the "poison" in your system!

I look forward to hearing your testimonies of what happens after you do this! 

Perfectly Imperfect

This morning I was serving as church as the "floor director." We are a satellite campus and my job is communicating between the tech team and our campus pastor to let him know where our main campus is in their service. I also work with the tech team and sound team locally to make sure everyone is on the same "page" for what is to be done next. Several things happened this morning that threw us a bit off. Some things were beyond our control, but others were simply us being human. 

As one of the things happened I apologized to my pastor explaining I had told the person what was needed to happen, there was simply a delay in it happening. I said "If there is one thing we are, it's perfectly imperfect." He paused, and then replied, "You know, I think I actually prefer it that way." 

I've been thinking about this simple 10 second exchange in conversation all day. I've been a part of a church in the past that takes pride in their excellence. I served in a similar role at another church and when things went "wrong" they were not handled as graciously. What happened in me personally was a feeling that I could never be good enough. I felt this way because the reality is that I am human. I will make mistakes. Those on my team will make mistakes. The question is not in whether or not we will make mistakes, but in how will we handle the situation when mistakes are made?

How about you? When a mistake happens in your life or things do not go exactly as you planned, how do you respond? Do you respond with anger and frustration or with grace and understanding? How about when those around you make a mistake? Are you forgiving or do you belittle and demean them? Do you expect grace for yourself, but refuse to give the same level of grace to others? 

There is power in allowing others to see our mistakes. There is freedom in being real. I am not referring to our own freedom. For those who are struggling, it is freedom for them to see we all make mistakes. Whether it's the lights not working correctly or the sound not playing the second we expect it to play. Perhaps it's admitting we haven't treated our children the way we should. Maybe it's admitting we struggle with self esteem and feeling worthy of our calling. There are so many ways we make mistakes daily. What happens, especially within the church, is those in leadership or serving in visible ways are looked up to by those in attendance. When we become so focused on the "production" we are overlooking part of the purpose of having church in the first place. Is our purpose to put on an excellent show? No, it's to allow the Holy Spirit to move and for lives to be touched. Recently a plug came out during a service and we lost all sound, lights, and power. In a production, this would be disastrous. What happened instead was the worship team kept right on singing. The congregation raised their voices even louder. 

God often speaks loudest in what we see as a mistake. Our disaster become His opportunity for His ministry time. Remember this the next time things are not perfect in your world. When someone does not meet your expectation, look for God's message through the disappointment. Think of something that happened recently to you and examine if it was handled with grace. If not, maybe an apology is needed to whomever was not extended grace. 

I think I'll go apologize to my kids right now.