Hold me

lest I

waste breath

Only

bracing

for death.

This was written as a reminder to embrace our sick or elderly family and friends while they are alive. I have noticed that we tend to distance ourselves as a means of self-protection, and almost treat them as if they have already passed away. That, however, is simply selfishness getting in the way of us pouring love into their last days, or years, with us.

World peace: is it possible? Although it’s what all super-models and social activists call for, I’ve never considered it to be likely. As long as the earth is ruled by evil, I imagine there will be “wars and rumours of wars.”

“But what about specific wars going on right now? Will they stop?” You may ask. “Oh yes,” I would respond. “I certainly hope for peace on a smaller scale.” You may press, “In the Middle East? Is that possible?” Here I would pause, unsure how to respond. Somehow the Middle East is different, although I can’t really elaborate on that, because here my thoughts stall and I stutter trying to figure out why.

Yesterday at my University I viewed a documentary entitled, “Encounter Point”

(www.encounterpoint.com). It told the stories of both Israelis and Palestinians hurt by the current conflict. Whether they had lost a loved one or been imprisoned, they all had “reason” to seek revenge. What blew me away, however, was that they did not. Rather than continuing the cycle of violence, each of them in their own way and through their own abilities was seeking a nonviolent end to the conflict. Role models included Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Bader Shah Khan and Muhatma Gandhi. These few people who the video camera followed represent thousands of other civilians who are trying to be heard above the deathly noise of machine guns and car bombs.

The words which made me hope a little bit more for peace in the Middle East were spoken by a young Palestinian man. He likened the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to that of the English and French, which went on for hundreds of years. And yet, somehow, English and French are now able to live civilly side-by-side. Is that too much to ask for in the Middle East? Although wars may continue until the end of the age, perhaps we will find peace where we least expect it.

Nichole Nordeman sings (”Gratitude” on her album “Woven & Spun”):

“So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace. Move our hearts to hear a single beat between alibis and enemies tonight. Or maybe not, not today. Peace might be another world away. And if that’s the case… We’ll give thanks to You with gratitude for lessons learned in how to trust in You, that we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream in abundance or in need. And if you never grant us peace. But Jesus, would You please…”

Life is filled with opportunities, and I love to take advantage of them. If there’s an opportunity to learn, I’m there. If there’s an opportunity to serve, I’m there. If there’s an opportunity to fellowship, I’m there. These are all good things, right?

Maybe not.

As a “do-er,” I easily over-commit myself until I feel guilty if I have a free evening at home. I imagine a need to constantly be doing more and more to show my love for God, while taking the time to meet with Him is moved to the back burner. Is this how it’s supposed to be?

Jesus didn’t seem to think so. The story is told of a sinful woman who came to Him while He ate dinner at a friend’s house. She showered Him in expensive perfume, washing His dusty feet with her tears and drying them with her long hair. Those eating with Jesus saw this as an extravagant waste. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor,” they complained (Matt. 26:9). Something could have been done with the perfume to help others. After a long day likely filled with preaching and healing, however, the Son of God did not see doing as the top priority. He desired adoration. The woman was worshiping, and she had the right idea.

Although listening to sermons, feeding the poor, and meeting with other Christians are all good things which God calls us to do, they are not the most important. God is jealous for us to worship Him.

The scary part is that the seemingly good things I do could become my gods. A friend shared with me recently that our idols are things we set up to diminish our fears. When I’m not doing something, am I scared that I am not a good person? Am I scared what other people may think of me? Then maybe by doing more in compensation I am setting up a god other than the one true God.

How does God respond to this? When the Israelites bowed to idols, God declared, “They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols” (Deut. 32:21). As our bridegroom, His love is deep and never-ending. Even when we turn away from Him, He continues to love us. He desires to rejoice over us as we adore Him. Instead, I hardly give Him the time of day because I am too busy “serving Him.” Deeper than my mistakes hurt myself, they pierce Him. What He asks of us is faith, in Who He is and what He’s done. Trusting in my own abilities when He’s the only one Who can save me is an insult to Him and a death-wish for myself.

Paul sums up the right approach pretty well in his letter to the Galatians: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Gal. 5:6). The end result of this love will include helping the weak and sharing with one another, but the purpose is much higher. First of all, my heart must be in the right place, focussed on God and not myself. Through faith I love God, and as I am in a loving relationship with Him I am able to love and serve those around me. This change of heart turns all my doing from being idolatry to being worship. When I no longer depend upon my own goodness to save me, I am able to rest in Him. There is no longer the pressure to be constantly doing more and more. Instead, I find the freedom to bow down and adore Him.

Jesus called, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). So I come.