Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat…”

This verse was pointed out to me this past weekend. Pretty freaky! This is Jesus talking here to Peter. Could you imagine this scene? Could you imagine Jesus turning to you and informing you that God’s enemy has personally asked to destroy you? I was reminded last week once again that the enemy is alive and well. There is a real battle going on for the hearts & lives of people today. Satan is active, alive, and determined to kill, steal, and destroy.

So I pull on to this camp on Thursday to speak for a High School Retreat. As soon as the car turned on to the gravel road entrance to the camp, I immediately became short of breath and my heart was beating viciously fast. I had no idea what was going on until a bit later. I began to discover that many of the teens at the camp have succumbed to the wiles of Satan. They are blinded to the goodness & greatness of God and believe all sorts of lies about Him. As I read honest evaluations of their spiritual journeys (they each filled out a card and these were posted on a board in the chapel), many mentioned their displeasure for God and God’s people. Not once was Satan mentioned. Not one time! It is as if he doesn’t exist in their worlds. God is to blame for everything while Satan sits back unnoticed, sneaky, loving every minute of it.

It was just a wake up call for me. I have forgotten over the last few months Satan’s purpose for existence — “to kill, steal, and destroy” our lives. Have you forgotten?

I was taught growing up to never say the word “sucks.” So sorry mom & dad, but no other word can describe the week I just had. To say, “This week stunk” or “This week was really hard” would not fully communicate the last seven days. This past week just plain old sucked! The reasons for the “sucking” of the week vary. From conflict/miscommunication with friends (of which I am to blame — so I have felt like crap for hurting people) to getting the rosy news from Consumed’s accountant we were in the hole $500, to being rejected…I have had it all. So as I sit here boo-hooing for myself, I am reminded of Jesus’ words to the first 12 followers of the way. He said this in John 14:1:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

I am learning more and more that in life, bad things are going to happen. They just are. You can’t control them. You can’t even control the stupid mistakes you are going to make. We are just prone to do completely idiotic things at times. We can’t control being hurt or experiencing sadness either. Those are going to happen as well. But there is one thing we can control. We can control the anxiety, worrying, etc. that we spend far too much time doing in our lives. Jesus basically says to His disciples: “If your hearts are troubled, it is your own fault.” You think I’m wrong? Read his words again. He says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” We have control over whether or not our hearts are troubled. Again, I’m not saying we control hurts or wounds, etc., but being “troubled.” If we are allowing our hearts to be troubled, then maybe we don’t trust God enough, plain & simple.

This is so true in my life. I allow circumstances many times to dictate how or what I am feeling. It is so garbage! Bas stuff is going to happen in all of our lives. But God is always faithful! He is completely 100% trustworthy in any & every circumstance. He is always good! He always will fight for us!

The enemy wants to swoop in during these moments of hurt, confusion, and despair and whisper things about our Father that he will burn for. I know in the past I have made agreements with the enemy and wounded my heart even further. Presently speaking, however, I’m not going to believe his lies. I am going to choose to get it right this time. I am hurt, but I won’t let anxiety take control of my life. I’m reminded of the song in Hillsong’s album Look to you when they sing (or should I say shout) this statement over and over:

“The enemy has been defeated. Death couldn’t hold you down. I’m going to lift our voice in victory. We’re going to make your praises loud!”

Truly Matt Redman (I know, I’m jumping all over the place right now) is right, “Blessed be the name of the Lord!” No matter what, blessed be the name of God. No matter what the circumstance. No matter what men say. No matter what the enemy whipsers! Blessed be the name of God.

For the moment at least, my heart isn’t troubled. I’ll choose to trust in God & His only Son that died for me. I’ll choose to fight for Him. I’ll choose to hold nothing back as I storm the gates of hell.

“Blessed be your name God.”

Yesterday (Sunday, August 6) some in one of our community groups participated in The Minnesota Lynx Great Basketball Dribble. The event was a 2.5-mile walk/dribble to benefit breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic here in MN. Each participant gave (from themselves or a sponsor) $25 to be involved. To be honest, three years ago I most likely wouldn’t have taken a group corporately to an event like this. This event wouldn’t have fit into my grid of what “churches” do. Well, maybe if we went on the walk and handed out information about the church or something similar. But the more I listen to Jesus’ words, the more I understand the Gospel message is a holistic one, impacting all areas of life. I believe Jesus was pleased to see some of His followers walking down the shaded streets of downtown Minneapolis for the purpose of somehow being used to eradicate a horrible disease like cancer.

My outlook of what it means to truly follow Jesus is shifting dramatically. I am shifting away from this position:

Following Jesus means I am saved from an eternal destiny in hell to a wonderful inheritance called heaven. Because of this I am no longer supposed to sin and I am responsible to convert as many people as I can to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. This, and only this, will keep others from hell as well.

Obviously there is nothing false about this statement. I do believe in heaven & hell, and that belief/faith in Jesus is the only way to experience eternal life. I think this outlook of what following Jesus is not wrong, but incomplete. I am finding myself shifting more to a position like this (concerning what it means to follow Jesus):

Following Jesus means immersing myself in an eternal (beginning now), amazing, intimate walk with God forever (abundant life). This relationship impacts every area (holistic) of my life. It not only means I stop sinning, but I also really start living. I strive to make a difference in the world by using my gifts, talents, abilities, and sweat to see God’s kingdom & will (see Lord’s prayer) become a reality here on earth. I believe God is active & present on earth now. I want to either join in where His activities are taking place or be used by Him to create environments for others to participate in His desires for this world & the next.

So back to the Great Dribble… Even though this was sponsored by U.S. Bank & The Minnesota Lynx (that is a WNBA team for those of you who have no idea) instead of First Whatever Church, I think God was present there. I believe God is concerned for those suffering from breast cancer. Many of the stories of the Gospels describe Jesus’ compassion & healing of physical sicknesses.

God is active other places as well. I want to join in. I want Consumed Ministries to join in. I want to not only take the message of “life” verbally to people, but also through service, love, and sacrifice as well.