Bless the Lord

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Ps 103: 1-5

Hope in Jesus Alone

Dave Zuleger post:  A Hope Greater Than Healing

Lots and lots of people in our churches are in serious, ongoing, life-threatening pain.

I wrote before about how God does not just bring us through suffering, but he also works in our suffering. But, what if the healing comes? Or, what if it never comes in this life? Is our hope in the comfort, the relief, the healing here? No, far more than healing, our hope is in God himself and him alone.

The Futility Around Us

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility. . . For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (Romans 8:18–22)

This paragraph begins and ends with suffering. We know from the Bible and from experience that there are deeply painful experiences of suffering for us in this life. And we also know that much of the brokenness we experience personally has to do with the broken world we live in, cursed by God because of sin.

The earth we call home has been “subjected to futility.” It is in “bondage to corruption.” It has been “groaning in the pains of childbirth.” There are earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and hurricanes that wreak havoc in our world. And there are smaller, but awful problems like difficulties with crops, water flooding basements, and trees falling on houses. In your neighborhood, across our nation, and around the globe, the world we live in is broken and futile in all kinds of ways.

The Futility Within Us

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23)

It’s not only creation that’s groaning in futility, but human beings — us — even Christians. Even those who have escaped condemnation (Romans 8:1–4) and have the Spirit of God living inside of them are groaning in pain and suffering and confusion. Why?

Because even those who have put their faith in Christ still must live in these broken bodies conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5). We’re called to “put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit” (Romans 8:13), which means our bodies will still desire sin, even after we’re in Christ. Paul goes as far as to say that these bodies are dead (Romans 8:10–11). And not only is there still sin in us, but there is physical suffering of every kind. There is chronic pain, auto-immune diseases, extreme disabilities, cancers, and everything in between. Our bodies are “wasting away” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

The picture we come away with is one in which not only is creation futile and groaning, but so are we — groaning because of sin and because of suffering. A futile place with futile people. Things simply are not as they should be.

“We’re fragile people living in a futile world. Things simply are not as they should be.”Tweet

Healed Today, Gone Tomorrow

I pray often for members of our church with health issues that they would be healed. Paul asked three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). In James, the elders are called in to ask for the healing of a person that is sick (James 5:14–15). It’s right to pray and ask for these symptoms of the curse to be taken away. And yet, many times, there is pain that doesn’t leave. And the healing doesn’t happen.

We rejoice when God heals a case of terminal cancer or relieves someone of chronic daily pain, whether it is through a miracle or a doctor or both. The curse has lost another battle and God has shown his goodness in a sweet and meaningful way in the life of one of his children. But, even the most miraculous healing is extremely temporary and fading. Even if someone is healed after years of chronic pain, or even if a terminal cancer patient watches his tumor disappear, or even if someone with severe disabilities experiences unexpected improvement, our hope far outweighs any healing in this life.

Yes, we praise God for any of these good gifts, but we must realize they’re not the ultimate goal or hope. In fact, the person in pain with cancer or with disabilities is still living in a futile home with a futile body, even after his healing. The healthiest person in the world lives in a place where disaster could strike or his body could fail at any moment.

The Futility Behind Us

These realities are why it is utterly important to find our hope in Jesus Christ himself rather than in any healing or circumstances, however good.

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. (Romans 8:23–24)

Adopted into God’s family, we were saved in the hope of the redemption of our bodies. It is amazing that we’re no longer under condemnation for our sin (Romans 8:1–4). And it is amazing that we’ve received the righteousness of Christ as our own (2 Corinthians 5:21). Just as amazing is the reality that one day even our bodies will be redeemed. Even our broken, futile bodies will be free from sin and suffering to fully do what we were made to do: worship Jesus Christ.

This is the promise that makes Romans 8:18 possible for those in pain. “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” This is why our ultimate hope is not in the healing of our bodies now, but in the redemption of our bodies then.

The Point of Our Pain

If you’re suffering, remember that one day every tear will be wiped away and you will be with Jesus forever. God is making all things new so that there is a day coming when we will worship Jesus with redeemed bodies in a redeemed creation — finally free to focus all of our energy on enjoying and praising the glory of our God. Whether you were healthy or not in this life, you will experience — with all of your senses healed and heightened — the fullness of the beauty of the Lamb that was slain for you.

Ultimately, we don’t find our joy in pain-free days or a positive diagnosis. In life and in death, we find our hope and joy in knowing that there is a day coming when we will no longer see Jesus dimly, but face to face — no longer in futility, but in freedom and fullness.

“Our ultimate hope is not in the healing of our bodies now, but in the redemption of our bodies then.”

God's Gifting

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Gal 6:4-5

Ripple Effect

Trevin Wax post: The Ripple Effect of Our Leadership Influence 

My reading pile always has a leadership book or two. If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed that after you read a dozen or so of the most popular and respected books on leadership development, you start to see similar patterns and arguments. Many of the books sound alike. So whenever I pick up a book on leadership that says something unique, I stop skimming and start reading.

My copy of Jenni Catron’s book Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence (Thomas Nelson, 2014) is all marked up with sentences I’ve underlined and notes I’ve made in the margins. Jenni spent years in the Christian music business, she served alongside Pete Wilson at an influential Nashville church – Cross Point, and she is now on the leadership team at Menlo Park, where John Ortberg is pastor. Today, she joins me on the blog for a conversation about stewarding our gifts and influence for the good of God’s people.

Trevin Wax: You define “clout” as “the influence that God has given to you and to no one else.” Leadership impact is determined by how you manage this clout. Why is it important to know the particular ways God has gifted and called you?

Jenni Catron: I believe that God has designed each of us to impact the world in a way that no one else can. You have a specific purpose – a calling – that only you are qualified to fulfill. The unique combination of your gifts, talents, experiences and opportunities equips you to lead and influence those around you unlike anyone else.

I like Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of Galatians 6:4-5:

“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”

This truth brought to life for me the significance of understanding our influence. God challenges us to “make a careful exploration” of who He has made us to be so that we can do our “creative best” with the life He’s called us to lead. Knowing how God has gifted you and understanding His calling for you is critical to unleashing your clout.

Your God-given influence is a gift to you and others. We need you to thrive so that you can help others thrive.

Trevin Wax: I appreciated the way in which you distinguished between different ways “clout” will manifest itself. The arena of influence may be different. Billy Graham has influenced more people than an ordinary pastor. The key is to recognize that we have significant impact on the people around us, no matter how large the arena of influence. How do you encourage and challenge people who wish they had a bigger arena of influence?

Jenni Catron: It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others, but in doing so we miss what God wants to do through us. When we fixate on what someone else is accomplishing, we squander the opportunities right in front of us.

Influence has a ripple effect. We never know who might be impacted by our investment. I’m sure there were people who had a significant influence on Billy Graham’s early life. Little did they know that being faithful to invest in this young leader would result in tidal waves of influence for generations to come.

We never know how God is using us; so be faithful to steward the opportunities and the relationships He’s given you right now. When we can find peace with the gifts that we’ve been given and aren’t tempted to compare ourselves with others at every turn, we begin to enjoy the freedom and purpose of living from our unique God-given influence.

Trevin Wax: I was struck by your candid confessions of vulnerability and insecurity throughout this book. In almost every chapter, as you deal with certain “clout-killers,” you speak from personal experience as having manifested many of these negative character traits (jealousy, insecurity, fear, etc.). Why do you think it’s important to lead from a position of weakness, not just trumpet your strengths?

Jenni Catron: I believe that leaders must lead themselves well to lead others better. Leading ourselves well includes taking a hard look in the mirror to identify our weaknesses. Leading from this place of vulnerability allows me to be honest with myself and others. It forces me to humbly acknowledge where I need to grow and what I need to learn.

In his book, Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer says it this way:

“Good leadership comes from people who have penetrated their own inner darkness and arrived at the place where we are at one with one another, people who can lead the rest of us to place of ‘hidden wholeness’ because they have been there and know the way.”

I think people appreciate this in leaders today. We don’t need to go to an unhealthy self-deprecating extreme but humble transparency is refreshing. Honest leaders are simply willing to acknowledge where they need to grow, admit when they’ve gotten it wrong and reflect a desire to keep growing to get it right.

Trevin Wax: When you talk about the paralyzing nature of fear, you mention how often the Bible contains the phrase, “Don’t be afraid.” My favorite line in the book – “God doesn’t say, ‘Do not be afraid. You’ve got this!’ He says, ‘Do not be afraid. I’ve got this.”” You write about your church’s leadership during the Nashville flood of 2010. What did you learn from this experience about confronting fear?

Jenni Catron: The Nashville flood was a defining moment for me as a leader. Everything in me wanted to hunker down with my family, watch the dramatic news footage and eat comfort food until everything was alright. But that wasn’t what God was asking us to do. People needed help and they needed hope and someone needed to step up to fill in the gap.

I learned through that experience that we often confront our greatest fear at the crossroads of influence. We face our greatest fear at the threshold of our greatest opportunity to make an impact.

Because our church leaders were willing to confront our own fears, we were able to make a significant impact in our city. We earned influence that may not have come any other way. It was an opportunity for our faith to grow as we experienced God’s work through us in spite of our own fear.

Trevin Wax: Another great insight in your book – “Comparison twists what should be unique about us into something that we are either grossly dissatisfied with or disproportionately proud of.” How does the comparison trap lead to a leadership train wreck in either of these two directions?

Jenni Catron: For most of my life I thought comparison was the way to navigate the world – see what others are doing, compare that to my life, make adjustments, and compare again. I believed that comparison was a necessary skill for survival in a world that compares and competes over everything. The problem with comparison is that it doesn’t end with a simple sizing up. Our temptation to compare distracts us from being who God has called us to be.

The pendulum swing of comparison has us envying one person one minute and then diminishing the value of another the next. In one direction we can fixate on what we don’t have and how we don’t measure up. This type of comparison leads to jealousy, envy, greed, dissatisfaction, and ungratefulness. We wind up feeling grossly inadequate.

In the other direction, comparison leads to pride. We begin to see ourselves above others and consciously or not diminish the value of others. Even the disciples were guilty of asking Jesus who was greatest among them (Luke 9:46-48).

Trevin Wax: Patrick Lencioni, one of my favorite writers on team dynamics and leadership, wrote the foreword and says it’s one of the best books he has ever read. How did you connect with Lencioni and why do you think he appreciated this book so much?

Jenni Catron: I connected with Patrick via a mutual friend and was ecstatic he agreed to write the foreword. Patrick works with leaders and their teams all over the country and I think he sees firsthand the need for leaders to get more honest about the issues that hold them back personally. Patrick resonated with the idea of the “clout killers” and the need for leaders to understand how these issues might be hindering their leadership. I think that Patrick would agree that the healthier a leader is, the healthier the team will be.

Trevin Wax: Thanks for stopping by, Jenni. And thank you for writing a helpful book on leadership.

God's Words to Us

Jonathan Parnell post: When God Himself Speaks to You

John Piper says that good news is so dense and so constant in Romans 8 — and so vastly superior to all earthly good news — that we scarcely feel the force of it until we take every verse of Romans 8 and restate it as the miracle it means for our lives.

So that is what he did.

As the apostle Paul described gospel ministry to be “God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20), Pastor John speaks the truth of Romans 8 to us as if God himself were speaking them. They are God’s words to us, and in his final message of the 2014 National Conference, Piper encourages us to just listen. He encourages us to bring our minds and hearts into a “hungry readiness to hear the Lord himself speak kindly and deeply and powerfully to our souls.” In this excerpt, he mentions sixteen, which takes about four minutes.

• In Christ, you are free from eternal condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
• My Spirit in you will one day give life to your mortal bodies in the resurrection. (Romans 8:10–11)
• I executed the penalty for your sin in the crucified flesh of my Son. (Romans 8:3)
• My Holy Spirit is fulfilling in you the demands of my law summed up in love. (Romans 8:4)
• My Spirit’s power is the only means by which you can kill your sin. (Romans 8:13)
• My indwelling Spirit is the spirit of adoption, wakening the cry from your heart, “Abba Father.” (Romans 8:15)
• As my children, you are my heirs and will share my glory after a life of groaning with me in this fallen world. But children, that groaning is not worth comparing to the glory that you will one day see and share. (Romans 8:17–18)
• One day, this entire creation will attain its own freedom and glory after and from and for my glorious children. (Romans 8:21)
• When you don’t know how to pray in your sufferings, my Spirit prays for you through your very groanings. (Romans 8:26)
• But one thing you do know: I work everything for the good of those who love me and are called according to my purpose. (Romans 8:28)
• From eternity I took note of you, acknowledged you, chose you, and destined you infallibly to magnify my Son by becoming like him as the great firstborn. (Romans 8:29)
• I forged in eternity the unbreakable links of the chain: predestined, called, justified, glorified so that at no point is any of my elect ever lost. (Romans 8:30)
• Do you see, then? I, the Almighty, am for you! No one can successfully be against you. (Romans 8:31)
• I gave my own Son to save you. And so, with the hardest act behind me, nothing can stop me from giving you everything you need to enjoy me forever. (Romans 8:32)
• No charge can stick against you. I, the judge of the universe, count you righteous in my Son, Christ Jesus, who died, and rose, and reigns, and intercedes for you before me. (Romans 8:33–34)
• Therefore, everyone and everything that attempts to block my love for you will not only be removed but it will be swept into the river of my omnipotent love, and it will serve you for your good and my glory forever. (Romans 8:38–39)

See John Piper’s full message, “Greatest Book, Greatest Chapter, Greatest Joy.”

Him Alone

Satisfy Us

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Ps 90:14