Keep Things Simple

I'm probably like a lot of Christians, in that I have a few books of the Bible that I spend a lot of time with and some that I forget about. It's not that I view any books as less important than others; but, some I am simply more familiar with and have had the time to study more in-depth. One of the things I am trying to do this year is to dive in to books that I haven't spent as much time with (The Gospel of Matthew was earlier this year....I always lean much more on Mark; later I will be focusing on 1Peter). Right now, I am really consumed with the Epistle to the Hebrews. Regardless of authoring controversies, I am struck by how concise the instruction is in this book, and how wonderfully the author puts forward a concrete and powerful version of what "faith" really is. Many will be familiar with this passage; but, it has really spoken to me over the past few days (our guest preacher used it in church yesterday) and I wanted to share (especially for those, like me, who have not encountered it in a while). The labels for the passages are, obviously, mine...:

Hebrews 12

Keeping focus on what matters

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Understanding that trials/tragedies hurt; but, also often make you stronger

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as children? It says,
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child."

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate children at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had parents who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 Our parents disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

How to live with others

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

And back to keeping your focus...
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire."

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Often I find my life is growing too complex. Even if my Outlook Calendar is bare, I am obsessed with all of the things I "need to get done." Our culture here in Midian is a frenetic one...if you aren't busy, then you are falling behind (have you mowed your lawn/trimmed your hedges this week? What about your expense reports? Did you call your family?? For goodness sake, why don't you actually do a GOOD job on your club's newsletter this time?).

For those who follow a God apart from time, though, and are travelling a path to an eternal city, the tasks that greet us every day have to be kept in perspective. While we certainly want to enjoy the journey...we can never lose sight that our travel has a defined destination. As my life becomes more and more frantic, I like to remind myself of this passage from Hebrews....it helps me to "keep it simple."

Keep your eyes on the road.....