Staying Power v Running Power

Before writing some words about the message, I can't say enough about the ministry with our 5th & 6th Graders. Yesterday we celebrated a "graduation" of the 6th Graders into Student Ministry. As they finished out the "Grapple" curriculum, 30 6th Graders made commitments to Jesus or re-commitments to remain followers of Jesus. Yesterday was a great snapshot of the vision of Cornerstone Church: Building Lives with Christ as the Cornerstone. Thanks Club 56 teaching team. You're the best!!

Going through the story of Joseph yesterday I touched on a principle that deserves a little more attention. It goes along with the principle of waiting. Joseph's story is filled with the principle and it comes with more rewards than the way we often approach difficult or unwanted circumstances in our lives. There is more in the scripture about staying power than about running power.

Scripture is clear that there is one thing we ought to run from - temptation. Joseph did that. The New Testament tells us to flee from two other things: the love of money (1 Timothy 6) & idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). Run from these things as hard and fast as you can.

The story of Joseph's life is one of staying power. It's the New Testament message of perseverance. Too often we try to get out of the unwelcome and unwanted circumstances of our lives and in doing so we short-circuit the growth God wants for our lives. Instead of seeking a way out - except from the dungeon - Joseph served others. It wasn't about him. It was about God. God blessed him as a slave, a prisoner nad as a ruler I think because Joseph chose to serve God, to stay, in unwanted and undesirable circumstances. More often than not we run instead of stay.

We switch teams & relationships. We trade one imperfect thing for another. There are times to make a switch - God calls us or abuse drives us out. But staying reaps greater rewards than running. For a long time I've watched people run from churches. They trade one imperfect church - pastor - people - for another. The thing about running is it's easier the next time. Pastors call them "church-hoppers" because we so often watch them go from place to place as things get tough or something happens they don't like.

Joseph served God in places he didn't choose and didn't want to be. He learned more about himself and about God that way. And God was able to shape and mold him in a way that running would not have provided. When we run we take ourselves with us.

Perhaps you've heard the story of Mr. & Mrs. Tony Campolo. They are both intelligent people who have a serious disagreement on a hot button topic - homosexuality. They are both able to read the original Greek of the New Testament but they come to different conclusions. Years ago I heard Tony say that of course they were staying together. It was the right thing to do. It was also an example to the Church. They choose to stay and allow God to work in their lives.

There have been plenty of times I've wanted to run from unwanted circumstances. Sometimes I stayed because I had no other choice. Sometimes I stayed by choice. Sometimes I ran. I never learned and grew more from running than I did from staying. It's uncomfortable to stay. It's hard to stay. Pride - selfishness - cheap grace - lax discipleship - unteachable heart. These and more are the fuel for running.

I've never known a strong marriage when there hadn't been a time to make a choice - stay or run. I've never known a strong Christian when there hadn't been the same choice. Joseph teaches us that even if life is full of injustice, unfairness and unwanted, unwelcome and unchosen circumstances God will use them if we'll focus on Him instead of on us. Joseph rose above his circumstances because his life was about serving God not himself.

I'm praying for Joseph's character to grow in me. That may mean there are some circumstances I'll need to stay in instead of run. But if God is the goal then it'll be worth it.

Jonah & Joseph

This week I thought a lot about Noah and his ark but have tried to live out Jonah and Joseph in my everyday life. Will did such a great job with Jonah last week - thanks, Will, for helping us take a giant leap forward in Student Ministry. You add value to our team and Church community.

Jonah and Joseph both ended up in places they didn't want to go to. Joseph was sold and forced. Jonah was reluctant and running eventually being hurled by what I believe would be projectile vomit, something every parent has experienced but imagine it from a BIG fish!!

God used them both but I'd much rather be known as a Joseph than a Jonah. Jonah was reluctant, a racist, prideful and full of anger. Yet God still used him. I'm thankful for that but may my life be less difficult for God to use.

Joseph had a spirit and perspective about him that eludes me - and most of us who seek to follow Christ. He complained. He didn't like his circumstances. He did everything he did with excellence, a heart aware that God was with him. It wasn't a promise. It was a fact. It wasn't a feeling. It was a reality, felt or not. When I wonder about my circumstances; when I am confused by false accusations and dungeons, it's Joseph that gives me hope and a goal. Can I trust God to use those things? Can I live out Romans 8:28 as Joseph did long before it was written?

This week I have been haunted by thoughts of people with whom I am no longer in relationship. I have been encouraged by my prayer partner as we pray through making sure those now distant voices don't drown out God's present voice. It's not about learning from mistakes. It's more about refusing to own what is not mine to own. I'm wondering why this week and what God is wanting to teach me and how it works in the tapestry He is weaving. That's not mine to own either - God has a plan and my job - our job - is to live into it with the information we have at the time not worrying about what we don't know yet.

So I'm praying to have the heart of Joseph, wondering if I have more of Jonah than I'd like. We're talking about Joseph this week @ Cornerstone as we finish out "It's Not Over." He sought to live faithfully to God and his Egyptian Master while enduring circumstances he didn't like. It's the teenager who doesn't like his teacher. It's the spouse who doesn't like his or her partner. It's the child who doesn't like the home he or she lives in. It's the pastor who doesn't like his or her people (not self-reflective by the way - I love Cornerstone). It's the parishoner who doesn't like his or her pastor. The list could go on as you can see. What I see more often than not in Scripture is a God concerned with how we live in the midst of unwelcome, unwanted circumstances rather than running away from them. It's the application of a principle someone once taught me - God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. He is more concerned that we encourage rather than tear down. He is more concerned with that our words lift up instead of spread gossip, that our heart reflects His heart rather than anger and retribution.

Jonah and Joseph. Not a lot in common except the most important thing - God used them both to accomplish His purpose. I wonder what threads God will use today to weave my tapestry for His Kingdom?