Change the world

The NBA playoffs this week offer interesting insight into human behavior and the perception of those truly talented -- the “game changers.” Each club still chasing the championship title (Los Angeles, Denver, Cleveland and Orlando) features one stand-out performer (Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Dwight Howard) who is soundly praised in victory and roundly disparaged in defeat. Yet, in evaluating each player’s performance, too much credit or blame is readily assigned the team’s superstar based solely on the outcome of the contest. The Scriptures, too, are filled with numerous accounts of those that both succeeded and failed due to their human natures, but the real “world changers” stand tall above the rest. Abraham, Noah, Moses and Paul, to name but a few, teach us that following God’s specific instruction brings blessings and rewards (Deuteronomy 28:1). Jesus Christ fulfilled his Father’s will with the ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, conquering death for all our sins, past, present and future (Hebrews 9:28). As Christians, we’re not being asked to build an ark, lead millions out of Egyptian bondage or carry the gospel message to churches throughout unfamiliar lands. That heavy-lifting has been done for us by the “game changers” of the Bible. As believers, we’re merely being asked to change the world… and do so one relationship at a time (Mark 1:16-18). The clock is ticking, but fortunately, we don’t have to go it alone – our teammates and Head Coach are alongside to cheer us to victory. Got your game on?

Heart of the matter

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).” In the 70s and 80s, no single Scripture ever received more broadcast exposure, thanks to Rollen Stewart, a fixture in American sports culture better known as “Rainbow Man.” With multi-colored wigs and handmade signs, Rollen brought attention to the core truth of the Bible – that God is Love and that the capacity to love lies within every human heart. There are times when love can be misplaced, misdirected or missing all together. We can love our material possessions and a plethora of “reality” programs, but if too zealous in such pursuits, we may miss the Lord’s call (Galatians 5:13) to serve one another in love. When we listen to our heart’s true desire and love with all our heart, soul and strength, we will find peace, comfort and contentment in His promise (Deuteronomy 7:9). A pure heart is fully committed to the well-being of others, as when my father used to sit me down for one of his “heart to heart” talks. On occasion, I may have interpreted his stern visage and strict discipline to somehow be unjust and unfair, but never once doubted that he loved me, his adopted son. Love is the heart of the matter and nothing matters more than expressing our love to those who matter most. Why not start with the Great Promise-Keeper, whose love endures forever?

Gotta serve somebody

Businesses spend considerable resources getting as close to their customers as possible. Most consumer surveys include one key question -- “How’s our service?” -- to which respondents more often submit negative complaints rather than positive compliments. No matter our chosen occupation, we are all engaged in the Service industry. Our sovereign God devised a Master Plan and desires mankind, regardless of human flaws, short-comings and insecurities (hey, nobody’s perfect… with one notable exception in Jesus Christ), to execute accordingly. In Moses, you see a man who presented every possible excuse for not accepting the Lord’s calling, yet accomplished great things in service to Israel through faith, obedience, prayer and perseverance (1 Samuel 12:24). The decision of who to serve, however, has only two outcomes – either we serve the Creator or we serve ourselves. One choice yields blessings, abundant joy and eternal life, the other temporal comfort with no long-term benefit. Ultimately, we will serve somebody and be evaluated for the quality of our service (Hebrews 6:10). This life was not meant to be consumed cafeteria-style, where you pick and choose only what you prefer or what suits your personal taste. After all, things do happen and best-laid plans are often interrupted. While the decision to serve rests with us (Joshua 24:15), we can rest assured that God has already prepared our hearts to help others and given us the special abilities necessary to satisfy our “customers”: those who are truly in need.

Space cowboy

As a child, I was fascinated with space and, in particular, space travel. The idea of zipping through the heavens at warp speed on a “top secret” quest to an unknown galaxy far, far away seemed an exhilarating and inherently dangerous endeavor, not knowing who – or more likely what – one might encounter along the way. I recalled such youthful musings this week as NASA launched perhaps its most challenging mission ever: sending the shuttle Atlantis crew into orbit to repair the 19-year-old Hubble Telescope. Without question, the sheer scale of the heavens is beyond our own human capacity to describe, a boundary the most imaginative minds can’t begin to comprehend, much less accurately define. And yet, God knows each solitary star, every tiny little thing (Isaiah 42:5). In the hustle and bustle, we may stop occasionally and glance skyward in amazement at a solar eclipse or a fiery comet and contemplate the possibilities, our instinctive curiosity heightened. With all that available real estate, our minds race as we think to ourselves, there must be other people out there… somewhere (Psalm 46:10). The shuttle program ends next year, and with it, man’s sojourns will cease, at least temporarily. So, although I’ve long since put away my pre-pubescent pondering over inter-planetary expeditions, I won’t stop continuously seeking to get closer to the One who created all that Space in the first place -- and do so while firmly grounded here on earth, in His Word (1 John 2:4-6).

Operator, information...

Like it or not, today’s technological revolution touches every aspect of our lives. In fact, you’re probably reading this blog on-line at your computer, via a Blackberry, or perhaps through iTunes on an iPod. Content providers don’t want to miss any opportunity to reach every possible audience, so it comes as no surprise that, increasingly, more and more people are reading the true Word of God, the Holy Bible, on their cell phones. There is even a company called Thumbplay that offers ringtones by popular Christian bands and Bible-verse wallpapers. I know what you’re thinking: would God approve of the gadgetry (Ecclesiastes 3:14)? There are those who argue that such activity trivializes an intimate bond that the more traditional pursuit of reading the Bible text itself in the peace and quiet of your family room affords. Yet, if you have downloaded your favorite passages for frequent reference alongside your calorie counter, then you may only be guilty of returning holiness to every day life (Job 23:12). Either way, God seeks a personal relationship with you and, in this case, the means do justify the ends. Ultimately, the question is not whether a “Bible in your pocket” represents the next great communication application –- or “app” as they’re known in the vernacular. The real test may simply be how you’re going to “apply” what you read and learn to your daily walk (Luke 8:21).