Clarity

It is amazing how much clarity can be gained by taking a few days away from your task list and just relaxing. This weekend Karis and I spent two nights in a cabin out in the woods. We had no schedule of activities or agenda other than rest, reading, and prayer. And that is what we did. We leisurely drove around Beavers Bend Park, stopping to see sights wherever we felt like it, and just spending time together. In the mornings I read my Bible, wrote in my journal, and read a good book. It is almost as if all of the mental and spiritual clutter was swept away out of my brain. I can think and pray much more clearly now.

           

I also spent a lot of time thinking about who I am, my identity as a person. I find that if I don’t think through those very foundational issues from time to time that I quickly lose sight of what my life is supposed to be about. So here are a few specific issues that solidified in my heart as I prayed, read, and wrote throughout the weekend.

           

First, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. No matter what struggle or issue arises in life I know that this is my first identity and priority. No matter if my ministry, marriage, or my family falls apart,  I know that my identity is wrapped up in what God did for me when he sent Jesus Christ to save me from my sins and give me a new life. I am reminded of what the author of Hebrews said in Hebrews 12:1-2:

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus endured the suffering of the cross, physical and spiritual, knowing that the joy that was to come made all of the suffering worthwhile! In the same way, I should treasure God so much that I can follow Jesus anywhere he leads me gladly enduring struggle for his sake. I should also endure every trial, test, and temptation while maintaining the joy of knowing Him! God is so great and the joy of knowing him is so magnificent that all suffering is worth enduring for the sake of knowing Him!

           

Second, I am a husband. I made a covenant with God and with my wife that I would love and cherish her as long as we both live. It is so frustrating to look back at the last eight and a half years and see where I have simply maintained mediocrity when it came to loving Karis. I should treat her the way Paul described in Ephesians 5:25-30

Ephesians 5:25-30 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one every hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Chris does the church, because we are members of his body.”

I am embarrassed to say that if Jesus loved the church the way that I have loved Karis we all would be in big trouble. I am praying for wisdom and sensitivity as a husband, in the hopes that I would become the kind of husband that God has called me to be. It will take time but I trust that God has spoken clearly to me about how to take steps forward to fulfilling the promise I made back in August of 2003.

           

Third, I am a father. Ever since the moment I became a father, about two weeks after we received Hank, I have carried a weight of responsibility for his physical safety, health, and spiritual training. What I have not done as well as I should have done is to train Hank to be a man. I know he is only 21 months old, however every moment is precious and important. Upon returning from our cabin in the woods Saturday evening, I was blessed to watch my father-in-law, Tim, look after Hank. Tim did an amazing job allowing Hank to be a rough and tumble boy while maintaining consistent discipline. It challenged me to take a more active role in leading Hank in his pursuit of spiritual manhood. If he does not learn it from me, then where will he learn it? I am challenged by Paul’s charge to fathers in Ephesians 6:4:

Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

I pray that each one of you would spend some time this week thinking through your foundational identity and how you should live your life in light of who you are in Christ, period! It was a refreshing experience for me. I know it will be for you as well!

Lord, may you empower us, by your grace, to be who you have called us to be! Please give us wisdom, strength, and passion to fulfill the promises we have made to you and to our families! Amen.