Remembering The "National" Anthem

Ok, maybe I'm being too judgemental; at my age, maybe even crotchety and ornery, but enough with the National Anthem already!  Look, I've performed in public, given speeches and workshops -- I know what being in front of crowds of people can do in that split second of opening up one's mind to the fact that "they are all staring at you, expecting something of you, maybe even judging you" -- *CHOKE!*  But, in light of the "Aguilera Flub" and the "Warfield-Cross Issue," which brought, once again to the front, the "Marvin Gaye Rendition" and the "Roseanne Barr Assault," don't you think it's about time we just sing it? 

What is all this stuff about artistry and creative license?  What if our President decided to "origami" the Constitution, you know, just to make it a little more interesting and fun? or paint the White House blue with orange trim, really demonstrate America's freedom of expression?  Whatever you sing at your concert or for your audience, whatever you hang in your gallery or create for your friends is strictly your privilege and your responsibility; whatever belongs to the nation -- leave it alone.  Take a moment to put ambition, showboating, glory-seeking, personal preference aside, and bask in sacrifices made, blood shed, respect and gratitude, sorrow and untold expense, a catholic humility and national moment of homage -- all so you can, within the privacy of your own venue or coalition, perform what you like, as you like it.  Don't make it any more complicated than it already is; don't obssess over your own "signature" on things; don't care who is listening or what power they wield.  Sing it from your heart, and sing it with respect -- after all, it's my anthem, too.

Joy -- It's Not Just for Christmas Anymore!

"I will not allow uncertain circumstances to steal my joy."  Even though I was in and out of the car, and couldn't catch the full discourse, the radio pastor's words definitely sowed a seed; I've been thinking about it ever since.

Look at the facts: natural disasters, tyrannical governments, broken relationships, bad knees, long-term illness, foreclosure --temporary, volatile, immense beyond conscious choice or control, and nothing which is able to steal the joy that knowing Christ brings.  I recently finished Richard Wurbrand's Tortured for Christ.  The persecution God's people have endured joyfully, happily -- all because of the Joy that within them lives -- is amazing, and shameful to me.  People have suffered, are suffering imprisonment, physical abuse and torture, slander and shame, loved ones lost before their eyes -- and with joy!  Not because they are any happier to face their tormentors than we are to deal with unreasonable bosses, or unemployment, or prodigal children, or allergy shots, or chemotherapy -- but because of Christ, and His joy!  He lives within me, and the Bible has assured me that nothing can take Him from me!  Not to mention, the insignificance of a credit card bill or an overdue book report compared to the tribulation these folks suffer...

And looking at it, I have to consider God's grace in bestowing such eternal joy on us, joy without end, joy without limit, when we are those who whine if we have to teach Sunday School three weeks in a row because "that Mrs. What's-her face can't everseem to show up!"  We tithe for a short while before deciding, "I've been good; I'll just skip a week so I can get those cute heels while they're on sale."  We stay home from Bible study for a headache -- just imagine the headache a crown of thorns could cause...

  

Ezekiel 2:7

Ezekiel 2:7
“You must speak My words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen…”

Think of the most hardened, agnostic person you know, and happily tell them the Gospel! Feeling warm and fuzzy yet?

Think of your most difficult, uncooperative child and, at the height of one of their ungrateful rants, graciously bestow on them God’s blessing. Easy, right?

Think of the most self-righteous, hypocritical buttinski in your church circle, and lovingly reproach them for their duplicity and high-mindedness. That’s right; you’re feelin’ it now, huh?

“You must speak My words to them whether they listen or fail to listen…” Our Heavenly Father goes on to tell the prophet Ezekiel that if he tells the people and they fail to listen, they are accountable for their own iniquity, while he has saved his soul. But, if he fails to tell them, and they continue to sin, their sin is on his head.

Wow. So what does that look like – having a spiritual discussion with someone who really doesn’t want to hear it, or maybe worse, feels they’ve mastered it? Speaking from experience, UGLY; but we’re not in the business of saving souls, just proclaiming the Gospel through words and deeds. I’m not negating the use of God-given common sense mind you, but when God presents an opportunity we need to obey no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient the situation. Besides, He’s God; He knows the heart, and He has prepared the hardest of soils for planting.

Motivated By...

Picture, if you will, a mom, arms laden with laundry, headed to the basement, resigned to a long stay.  Someone starts after her with a dirty pair of socks.  "Give them to me," she says, "I'm headed down anyway."  She struggles to carry more.  This scene happens twice more before she reaches her destination.  Why?  Why does she do it?  Love?  Maybe.  She's a mom; she undoubtedly loves her family very much.  But, if she's a busy mom like me, she probably doesn't want others underfoot while she's trying to take care of business.  While she loves, accomplishment and rest may be her motivation.

Now, the fighter in the ring with a new sparring partner.  "C'mon!  Give me more!  Hit me!"  Why?  Love?  Not likely.  He wants to be tested and strengthened.  He wants to feel the exhilaration of resisting each blow, standing strong when others would crumble, boosting his confidence.  Boosting his ego.

The shopper.  I watched yesterday as a man literally dumped an armload of groceries out onto the table next to the register.  "Guess you should have gotten a cart," said the shopper behind him.  "I do it every time," he replied.  I stood there smirking, knowing I'd never be able to tally the number of times I've walked into Sammy's for a pound of cheese, and waddled my way to the register looking like lunchmeat Jenga.  Love?  Of lunchmeat, maybe, but not really.  Unpreparedness, lack of discipline?  Most likely.

Lastly, Christ on the cross.  Burden after burden laid upon Him.  All the while whispering, "No, don't hold that back from Me.  Give it up.  I can take it."  Multi-tasking mom, longing for chores to be done -- lay it down.  Fighter, suffering to prove something to those who have ridiculed, doubted -- lay it down.  Shopper -- determined to adhere to the boundaries this time -- lay it down.  Christ can take it, every bit of it.  He is prepared to take it, no matter how heavy or disheartening the load.  Christ wants to take it.  Not because He "would have been there anyway," not for His gratification and edification, not because of anything He did or failed to do.  But out of Love.