Saturday, January 16, 2010

Saturday Seara Post

Location: Dining room table in the apartment in Sighisoara, the 16th of January at 5pm.

The church bells are ringing.

That is something I love about Sighisoara. The bells still ring, reminding me of the bell tower at my college, reminding me of stories of days long past.

I just took a walk in town to get away from my computer, laundry, and the little household tasks that pile up on a Saturday making you feel pathetically unproductive. Though sunny, it is not warm outside, but I was oblivious to the cold as I strolled prayerfully, humming praise songs and drinking in this small city's late afternoon.

My stroll took me past the market where a few brave souls were hoping someone would come buy some apples, potates, or onions; needing fruit, I obliged one of them as I continued on my way. I passed the train station and arrived at the bus station, greeting by a young girl who broke my heart. She is from what is probably the poorest village we ministered in, and she asked why we had not been coming. How do I explain (in Romanian, no less!) that I was an intern who merely peeked into their lives for four months? Begging for money for bread, I gave her an apple instead, but when she said goodbye, she seemed happy just to have had someone stop and talk to her. Her village is not very close for a little girl to travel alone in the cold to come beg in the "city."

I circled around, eventually heading home. I had been struck by the different neighborhoods I had walked through--some with nice houses, others with leaning shacks. I heard some folks speaking Hungarian outside of what may have been a wedding reception, I passed several Gypsies, and I rubbed shoulders with Romanians.

You know, it is not popular to be a Gypsy here, but you cannot change it if that is how you are born. Yesterday, we watched some videos to promt historical discussion of the Communist regime, with several "eye-witnesses" present to tell us how it really was. In the same way, these people cannot change the fact that they were raised and educated in the Communist ideals, for better or worse.

Sometimes I wonder why things are the way they are here, but usually a little thought gives me an idea. For instance, why do I see so often men using chainsaws for construction projects? Probably because they cannot afford several kinds of saws, they do not have convenient electrical access, and chainsaws are the most practical tool because of their need for firewood. Why do Romanians still tend to go to small grocery stores several times a week, instead of buying in bulk for a few weeks? Probably because most, especially the poorer class, still do not own cars and therefore can only carry so much as they walk home to a house that may or may not have a small refrigerator. Why do many people here get so concerned if a piece of my clothing touches the ground or the floor? Probably because laundry machines are still a luxury, and dryers are practically non-existent, making it important to keep clothes clean as long as possible. No wonder I had trouble finding a laundry mat in Oradea back in June! People do not have money to take their clothes to be washed! Why do so many of the village kids have worms? Because they do not have access to clean drinking water.

Why do I tell you all this. Partly I mention it because I have been spending lots of time in prayer, which makes me extra pensive. Partly I want you to join me in experiencing these things, because it helps us keep our priorities in the right order. All over the world, even next door, there are people who may be living differently than us, and who may relish a kind word, a smile, or a moment's pause from us when we meet them on the street. Finally, I want you to think with me about the definition of rich. Many here think I am rich because I am American, or because I do not have a paying job. They are right that I am rich, but it is because I have an Almighty God who paid the highest price to give me this life I live, the life of His Son Jesus. Now my task is to share those riches with the world around me, careful not to throw pearls before swine, but generously to those who might have no other recognizable riches. If I can pass on my fortune to you today, it will have been a good day. If you can receive this treasure I am carrying, it will change your perception of value of everything you see and every person you meet.

May you be richly blessed today.

A Rose From Home

A Rose From Home

My Story (As prepared for my church congregation this spring--2009)


I have a story to tell you. I am the main character, but the story is not about me. I have traveled several parts of the world, but my adventure has been closer to home. I am twenty-six years old. My story begins like many of yours…

I grew up going to church. I had been born into a family who labeled themselves “Christian,” in a country that labels itself “Christian.” Every Sunday found me attending a worship service and Sunday school in a mainline denomination church. I served as an acolyte, attended Vacation Bible School, helped my dad count and record the offering money, sang in the youth choir, was a leader in the youth group, and occasionally served as liturgist. Baptized as an infant, I was confirmed at the age of twelve, thus becoming an “official” member of the church. Then, hurt by the church, my family left to find another.

Have you ever been hurt by the Church?

After months of searching, we settled into a very large independent church. Things were different there, and I was quickly welcomed and at home among new friends that truly had a passion for Jesus. The Word of God was taught boldly from the pulpit, and I was introduced to a missions-aware lifestyle. So it was with regret that I said goodbye only a couple of years later to move with my family to another church. I purposely remained aloof, not wanting to make new friendships before I left for college a year later. Besides, I was loosing my faith—or so I thought—and I didn’t want anyone to know. I was asking scary questions like “Is there really a God?” and, if so, “Is He the Christian God?” and “Would I be Christian if I had been born in another part of the world?”

Have you ever asked yourself unsettling questions about what you believe?

So I headed into college under a cloud of confusion that only worsened for the next two years. Though I didn’t know what I believed anymore, I continued to go to church every Sunday, and to help lead worship in chapel. Most importantly, even during this questioning, I continued my morning habit of daily study of the Bible. I had begun at age twelve, reading at first a chapter per day, then ten minutes each morning, then an half-hour, and so on. So, only by the grace of the very God I doubted, I remained anchored in His Word and in His community, though I felt like a fake most of the time. Since then I have learned that “fake” is the worst insult the world can give us; that is why the label of “hypocrite” is so offensive.

Have you ever felt like a fake?

Six weeks with missionaries in South Africa followed by a year in France began to teach me what life with God is all about. I began rebuilding my faith, this time it belonged to me, in contrast to me borrowing the faith of my parents, church, or anyone else. In my parent’s basement in 2003, on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, I invited Jesus to live in me; perhaps I had done so before, but I didn’t recall—but since 2003, I have never forgotten that moment. Unfortunately, nothing changed. I continued to do my best to act like a Christian, as I had done for so long.

Have you ever found yourself “doing your best” to be a good person, or to act like a Christian?

Though I did not realize it at the time, I was quenching the Spirit, even though I had welcomed Him into my life. During the next few years, the LORD continued to nurture me, and slowly things began to change. Several tough months in Idaho birthed my prayer-life. I spent three years being humbled in a job that was my informal seminary training. In 2007, a short stint in Mexico helped me to see things as they were, and not long afterward, I was baptized by immersion. No baptism of any kind can save a lost soul—only Jesus can do that. However, this baptism was an important covenant between me and God, symbolizing not only my death and resurrection with Jesus and my public profession of faith, but it also my life change, the beginning of my bearing fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit…”according to Luke 6:44. During the past year and a half, the LORD has provided me with an informal pastoral internship in my church, teaching me every aspect of discipleship. Simultaneously, I have been studying unceasing prayer and worship. I am now very different than I was five years ago.

In the Book of Acts (which tells the story of the earliest years of the Church) every time a person decided to follow Christ, two things took place—though not always in the same order. Each person experienced a life change, which I call the “baptism of repentance,” as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which I call the “baptism of the Spirit.” Looking back, I realize that the Holy Spirit was living in me in 2003, but it wasn’t until I surrendered everything to God, as represented by my immersion, that I allowed the Spirit to have His way in me and transform my life. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)”

Have you invited Jesus to live in you? Have you allowed the Spirit to transform your life?

I tell you this story for two reasons. First, I tell this story in order to boast in the LORD! May God our Father get all praise and glory forever! Second, I tell this story because it is relevant to you. Likely you have heard that I am leaving the country: I have let my light shine before you; please let your light shine within the Church, too! This congregation is in revival, and as each of you allows the Spirit to revive you, the entire Church will be revived and utterly transformed, to the glory of the Most High God. And for His glory is the reason He created us; the reason He sent His only Son to reveal Himself to us; the reason He became Sin for us and died for us on the cross—while we were still sinners; and the reason that He conquered death and offered us eternal life with Him.

It will cost you a lot—in fact, it will cost you everything, your very life. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ Jesus, if you have never invited Him to send His Spirit into you and to transform your life, then do it right now. Just let go of everything to which you are desperately clinging; stop trying to do it yourself! This is the very reason you are still breathing in this physical life—God has been delaying His judgment of this sinful world because He is waiting for you—2 Peter 3:9 says He wants none to perish!

If you have already invited the Spirit into your life, then live like it! Bear fruit! Anyone and everyone who meets you or knows you or sees you or hears you should know immediately and clearly that Jesus the Christ lives in you and loves them! That is how stark the contrast should be between your life and the world around you!

Have you immersed yourself in God’s Word and in prayer in the last twenty-four hours?

If you call yourself a follower of Christ, then there is no excuse for not communing with Him daily! Anchor yourself in the Word! God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is a complete and accurate record of that revelation. And prayer is humbly letting Him love us. Let Him love you! God doesn’t need us, but He wants us! God doesn’t need us to live for Him—He wants to live in and through us! Let us love and fellowship with one another, even when you disagree! Pray for each other—the names in the church directory are a great place to start! Church, we are not only the Body of Christ, but we are the Bride of Christ. We have allowed ourselves to get bedraggled and stained—now let us stand to the glory of God! Let’s let Him purify us, restore us, and love us!

My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have ever once been blessed by God our Father at work in me, then I urge you, please, take seriously His desire to love and work in you, beyond anything you can ask or imagine! I have told you the beginning of my story—may it end in glory to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by way of His Spirit.

Now, what is your story?