More is Expected

(Read Luke 12)

It’s hard to remember a time when we weren’t experiencing war, racial conflict, or violence that tries its best at being a worse example than the incident before it. Last I checked, 19 children and 2 adults were killed in the recent shooting in Uvalde, Texas. I tweeted something the other day that put accountability on all our shoulders. No part of our society is above reproach in these inexcusable, violent tragedies. Through this week’s devotional, you’ll see what I mean.

My friend (B) has been an example of guidance and leadership at least for the 30 years I’ve known him. He was always one of the Dads the kids would look up to and respond to. He is one of the friends who you can always depend on for help, advice, and direction. As a self-described “cradle Catholic” there was never any doubt as to where his beliefs came from, what always impresses me more is how he applies his beliefs. His faith in action.

Jesus went on: “Does anyone bring a lamp home and put it under a bucket or beneath the bed? Don’t you put it up on a table or on the mantel? We’re not keeping secrets, we’re telling them; we’re not hiding things, we’re bringing them out into the open.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”
Mark 4:21-23

“I was baptized as an infant, did all the sacraments, and grew in my faith through the church traditions and liturgy,” (B) said to get us started. “Church was an active part of my faith, even in high school on mornings after all-nighters.” (B) is a humorous self-aware man who pays close attention to the context of things in his life. Our chat bounced from infancy to the present day, from childhood to being a parent of three. Throughout our conversation (which required two zoom sessions), everything he answered connected to his moral compass. (B) would be the first one to tell you that he’s no Saint, but the Christian message always provided direction guiding his path.

“While in college, I realized that I had been gifted talents by God,” he explained. In his Junior year, (B) led the league in interceptions. He was an incredible athlete and even tried out for a few NFL teams. (B) isn’t conceited about his gifts, but rather thankful and humbled by them. He joked, “I guess the Holy Spirit wanted to play football and he picked me that year to do it through. Through this process, I paid more attention to my faith. I grew closer to Jesus Christ.” A year later, he met his future wife who was and still is, hugely instrumental in his faith walk. Unlike many college couples in a secular setting in those days, they often attended church together. “One time, we went to a Spanish mass. Neither one of us knew what they were saying, but we were too embarrassed to walk out and leave.”

God, in His infinite wisdom sprinkled with a sense of irony, peeled away revelations to (B) that he never expected. “I went to a FCA meeting sophomore year.” FCA is a Christian ministry that focuses on athletes with a goal of uniting faith and athletics to impact the world. His attendance, wasn’t random to God, but the way he described it to me, sure sounded that way. (B) continued, “I ended up running FCA my junior and senior years.” Fast forward 20+ years to when his middle child was in high school. “I attended a meeting with her for the first time.” You should know that at this high school, FCA met at 6:30am before school. Not a lot of teens are keen on that sacrifice. But the ten to twelve kids participating that morning were thrilled to see them. “They said, ‘We were hoping an adult would walk in.'” They were starved for some guidance and leadership. (B) has continued with a high level of involvement with FCA, including leading meetings, consulting, and public speaking.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Luke 12:48

Even Spider-man’s uncle paraphrased a version of this passage in scripture when advising Peter Parker. “With great power comes great responsibility.” As members of society, we should be held responsible for what we have. For believers of Christ we are responsible for what we have. We are expected no matter our gifts, talents, wealth, or time, that we use them to benefit others. God, not us, gets the glory. These earthly blessings are temporary. They’re on loan entrusted to us by God. Jesus was telling His disciples in Luke 12, that those of us who know God’s Word are more accountable to use our gifts than those who don’t.

“Football in college made me recognize the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.” It’s always funny to me how God uses different things, people, events, and yes challenges in our lives to get closer to Him. (B)’s more intimate relationship with Jesus blossomed past college and matured through church worship, his wife, and raising his kids. He added, “More than the other benefits, the ministry of family made me stronger in my faith.”

(B)’s career has largely been based on sales, but the impact of his life has always been on connections. Whether it was coaching t-ball, soccer, high school football, or mentoring students, (B) led by the Christian principles God implanted in him. I asked him about the Aha moments in his life. “I don’t really have any, it’s the small moments that are the aha moments,” he replied. “I see God’s providence in the little things. God’s beauty. The quiet presence shared with a loved one. Love of an animal.” I have spent many nights sitting by their backyard fire pit on cool nights, so I can attest to the peace he describes.

Like me, (B) has a thirst for deeper understanding of the Bible. “I love the context of the stories and parables in the Bible. The woman at the well talking to Jesus in the midday sun, opened my eyes.” The woman at the well was shunned by society. For whatever reason, divorce, death, infidelity, etc… she had gone through five husbands. Furthermore, she was a Samaritan, another strike against her from a traditional Jewish standpoint.

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:9-10

Normally, women would fetch water in the cool of the morning. It was a practical and social practice of their community. Not this Samaritan woman. She traveled alone in the heat of the day to avoid condemnation. Jesus broke through all kinds of barriers talking with her. She didn’t come to the well for redemption, she didn’t come to be purified, she wanted water. Jesus reached her in a way only He could and offered her God’s living water. After seeing Jesus as the Messiah, who did she go and tell? The people who she was avoiding in the first place.

(B) explained, “The asides in the Bible aren’t just asides, they are incredibly important and relevant to the story.” He exclaimed, “It was an awakening.” He started attending Bible Studies, and most recently one on church history. Some people find history, let alone church history, hopelessly boring, not (B). I could hear the passion as he unpacked the knowledge he gained from this course. I could tell that it has also given him some of the context he was seeking. We didn’t have a lot of time for details, but the fruits of his studies are evident in him.

“Cradle catholics can be lazy,” he dropped on me. “We can go to church, listen to sermons, follow liturgy, but not explore deeper on our own.” I told him that I believed it applies to people of all denominations. “I’m more engaged on a personal level in my faith. The more I’m challenged, the more I grow in my faith.” We talked about Martin Luther, (B) said, “I think he was actually good for the Catholic church. He challenged it at a time when it needed it.” Rather than diluting his faith, his study of the egos, politics, and reasoning of his religion has empowered it. “It’s important to think about and reflect upon your faith.” How can you be expected to give more if you don’t understand what you’re giving?

Many years ago, (B) started writing a blog. His blog covers topics filtered through the Holy Spirit that relate to his role as a character coach. “The past 10 years my faith has continued to climb,” he said. “A lot of this growth has happened through my blog. I put myself out there. Because of the conversations on his blog, “I listen more effectively,” he admitted. “I’m now hearing and viewing things differently.”

“What about Luke 12:48” I asked.

“About 8 years ago I discovered relevance of this scripture in my walk,” (B) answered. “I have been blessed, with so many things, with gifts, with my background, with my family, but I need to do more.” He said that the blog has created many growing conversations that he would never have experienced otherwise. “One of my most prolific commenters is a Hindu woman. She has told me ‘I love your blog.'” We don’t know the relevance of her interest in the blog now, but (B) is planting seeds. “I am watering them and perhaps helping her move forward in a walk with Jesus.”

We talked a little bit about the shooting at the school in Texas this week. (B) echoed my sentiments on today’s world. “We have a gaping hole in the world because the love for others is lost. It’s a commandment. Not showing dignity to others is actually doing harm to Jesus.”

Followers of Jesus should always be ready for whatever circumstances they encounter. On display in (B)’s life is his motivation from Luke 12:48, that God expects more of those who have been given more. Ever since I’ve known him, he has shown the importance of being a servant over just serving. “I try to BE a servant out of giving and praise, and not just checking a box.”

This world needs more dialog. More connections. More giving back. As (B) says, “Listen, understand, love, then plant seeds.”

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”
Chuck Swindoll

Key Application:

1. What are you blessed with? If you’re reading this devotional on a phone, computer, or tablet you’re pretty blessed. This week, try not to take inventory of your ills. Take inventory of what you have been given. Praise God for them.
2. Read Luke 12. Was Jesus talking just to his disciples? Or was this a message for all believers to use that we have been given to serve others and glorify God?
3. Starting a conversation is an inroad to someone who might be hurting. Try not to persuade them you’re right. Listen, connect, and let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting.

 

Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.