In today's fast-paced, Facebook/twitter saturated culture, who has time to invest in other people? Are we to busy with "our" life to pour the love of Jesus into other people? Pouring into others takes consistency, commitment and a love for people. It is looking at people through the eyes of Christ. It is hurting with people when they hurt. It is rejoicing with those who rejoice. It is dying to yourself so that the power of Christ can pour through you.
For me, the times I am most irritable and critical is when I am only thinking of myself. The world tells us that if we look out for our own desires then we will be "happy." If this were true we would see a lot of happy people! Most of what I see are people who are hurting, lonely and looking for love.
Do you wait until others pour into you before you begin to pour into others? Do you sit on the sidelines with expectations of others to make you happy? You see, when we serve others by pouring into their life, we receive the joy of Christ. Jesus loved without expectation. He loved and poured into others all the way to the cross. Jesus' love is not meant to be sealed in containers. It is to be channeled with an intentional decision to love until it hurts. Is this difficult? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes!
My brother Justin (j-robproductions) finished a new short film called "The Cup." He did an awesome job!
"This simple short film leaves you with a question "Who do you pour your life into? Yourself or others? In our insane, busy schedules we've become so self-centered and we don't even know it. The backbone of this film is "Selfishness disguised as everyday life."
Who are you pouring your life into? Yourself or others?
We all make choices.
What will we eat for breakfast? What college will we attend? Who will we date and eventually marry? Will I serve at church or just attend? In student ministry I have the opportunity to lead and encourage students. My desire and goal is to lead them to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. I am unashamed about leading students to love Jesus more than anything else. More than sports, friends and even their families. If they love Jesus it will result in healthy priorities.
I always encourage my leaders to not simply give advice, but to learn to ask the right question. The art of the question is crucial to dig out the priorities and beliefs of each person you talk too. Too many times in my past I would simply tell the person what to do. All that I am teaching them is to have the correct behavior. Correct behavior does not always reflect the heart.
Few questions I've been asked:
"What is wrong with _____?" A great question to reply with is, "What is right with it?" Principle: Holiness is more important than happiness
"I'm just going to church but it is not like I miss all the time." Great reply question is, "Whatever is most important to you, you will do. What is most important for eternity?" Principle: Leadership starts with sacrifice
"My Dad/Mom are bad parents, I can't stand them!" A great response question is, "Are you honoring your parents based on their actions or upon God placing them in authority in your life?" Principle: Honor your father and mother.
"I like the beat, what's the problem with bad language in the lyrics?" A great response question, "Does the music you listen to bring glory to God?" Principle: What you fill your mind with affects your beliefs.
"What is wrong with dating a non-Christian, it is not like they are a "bad" person?" A great response question, "Does they love Jesus?" "If they love Jesus, don't you think they would follow and serve Him?" Principle: The person you marry is the second more important relationship, second to Christ.
"I want to make my own mistakes, why do I have to listen, you don't understand?" A great response question is, "Why would you want to go through life making unwise choices on purpose that hurt yourself, God, your family, and future children?" Principle: Choices affect all relationships
"I want to serve God, but what if I cannot commit 100% and make mistakes?" A great response question is, "Do you think God expects perfection?" "In the Bible, how many people made mistakes but God still used in a great way? Principle: God's grace is greater than our mistakes, He is never through with us.
Conversations can lead to a deeper level when questions are asked. The questions we ask need to focus on the heart of God. In leadership it is much more about asking the right questions than always having the right answer. If the right question is asked, we are leading students to dive deep into their heart to struggle through the answer. It is teaching long-term decision-making. In student ministry, we are teaching them about life, not just behaviors. Ask the right questions to get to the heart!
Embrace grace. I'm trying to understand what it means to embrace the grace of God. I tend to focus more upon all my regrets, failures and mistakes. You might have one, two or more from your past. What follows regret usually is a painful reminder of mistakes. We all face mistakes and have to face the consequences. In my life I remember the time I reacted instead of responded to the "smack talk" of older middle school girls. They were riding their bikes as I was playing basketball on my driveway. They were ridiculing me and calling me names. I became angry. Angry enough to grab a few rocks and throw them as hard as I could! What I didn't realize is my youth pastor's SUV was in the way. I blew out the back side window in his vehicle. In my rage, I lost control. I regretted my anger each day I worked to pay for the window to be repaired.
Minor regret, I get it. If you are like me you carry around painful moments from the past. In scripture, one of Jesus's disciples was the "king" of mistakes. His name was Peter.
To me, Peter is one of the most interesting people in the Bible. He was the epitome of a courageous follower of Christ who made a lot of mistakes. Peter was the man of "firsts" as a disciple. Cutting a guy’s ear off (John 18:10-11), walking on water (Matthew 14:22-23), believing in Christ and then denying him three times, first one to enter the empty tomb and first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection (Luke 24:34). Peter was faced with regret from his past. Jesus came looking for Peter once He was resurrected. You see, Peter allowed his regrets to control his future. Peter based his worth upon his performance. What he didn't realize is that Jesus wasn't through with him yet!
Jesus came to Peter and had a heart-to-heart conversation:
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Did you notice what Jesus asked Peter? "Do you love me?" Jesus is much more interested in our love for Him than how much we can do for Him. Living for Christ is not performance based but driven by our love for who He is. Peter was refined by the fact that Jesus embraced grace, not his mistakes. Peter's regret led him to return to his life as a fisherman. He had lost the vision for his life because of his past failures. Jesus had a life changing conversation that reinstated him to be a leader in the early church. Shortly after Jesus left, Peter preached and 3,000 people were saved! Peter realized this verse, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).
Peter was killed by the horrible Emperor Nero in A.D. 64. Peter insisted upon being crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy to die the same way Jesus died. Peter’s view of God changed because of his relationship with Jesus!
God is never through with us. If you are like me, you keep asking, "What If" or "If only" questions. We must embrace grace and understand that God is refining us. For me, I remember the times I spoke angrily to my brothers growing up. I remember the times I fail in measuring up and question why God would continue to use me. Embracing grace is understanding that it is not cheap. Grace was available at the cost of Jesus' blood on the cross. Understanding that Jesus does not need us, but wants us is the essence of embracing grace. Instead of embracing regret, I encourage you to see through the eyes of Peter and embrace grace. Just like Peter, we need to embrace His grace and never quit on Jesus' call on our lives.
Are your regrets fueling your life or the grace of Jesus?
I love how the skit guys capture the grace of Jesus.
