SURPRISE!

Surprise! 

What rises in you when you hear that word?

Do you love surprises?

Or do you prefer predictability—knowing what’s coming and when?

A little internet research informed me that most people like to be surprised. 

(I was, actually, surprised by this). 

Those who don't have a need for PREDICTABILITY...and, surprise always falls into the category of uncertainty. 

I’m a bit neutral. Most of my surprise-experiences have been good ones.

But it’s the hard surprises—the ones that arrive uninvited and unwelcome—that tend to shake me (and probably you, as well):  the loss of a loved one, a difficult diagnosis, a fractured relationship…
even the smaller disruptions—delays, cancellations, misplaced luggage.

Those are the ones that throw us.

And yet…surprises are part of life.

If we’ve embraced our identity as holy oddballs—elect exiles, sojourners, pilgrims—Peter tells us there is one “surprise” we should actually expect.

SUFFERING! 

In fact, Peter goes so far as to say DIFFICULTY shouldn’t surprise us at all.

“Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you…as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)

Peter is helping us redefine what is normal.

Trials are not interruptions to our lives.
They are part of the pathway of our faith.

“…though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith…may be found to result in praise and glory and honor…” (1 Peter 1:6–7)

During the years I studied to obtain my degree in counseling, one of my professors encouraged all of his students to develop a theology of suffering. 

In fact, the final for that class wasn't an exam, but basically a dissertation on the subject.

That exercise revealed, with clarity, how little I understood what the Scriptures tell me about dealing with this topic. 

Peter knew we'd need our own theology; a firm foundation to stand on when we have to face the trials of life.

He starts with two simple truths intended to shift our understanding of "normal" and help us to steady our souls.

His goal for us is to move more rapidly from  SURPRISE to SOUL-SETTLED when suffering lands in our laps.

First—tribulation is normal.
There is nothing unusual happening when hardship comes.
It is not personal. It is not proof that something has gone wrong.
It is part of living in a broken world.

Maybe… it’s just our turn.

Second—the Lord is present.
We do not suffer alone.
And if He is with us, He is not passive—He is purposeful.

He is refining.
He is strengthening.
He is preparing something in us that will one day result in glory.

Again, Peter’s goal is not to explain away suffering—but to prepare us for it.

So that we can move, more quickly,
from surprise…to a settled soul.

And, I believe he's inviting each of us to develop our own Biblical understanding of suffering... (praise the Lord, he won't be giving us a grade!). 

In Peter's experience, he knows we're going to need it...and he wants his listener's to be ready.

So, let's add this exercise to the top of our to-do-lists (even I need a refresher on my theology of suffering)...and more of Peter's advice next week.

Holy Oddballs One-Another (and a look at Easter)

Just around the corner (this Sunday), we will celebrate Easter. 

Sometimes, it's easy to get lost in the doings and the trappings, rather than reflecting and celebrating the reason of the season (just like at Christmas time).  Hence, the reason, I attempt to set aside Lent as a season to "journey to the cross" and sit in its shadow...

"Easter" (as my young grandson once informed me) is a 'BIG DEAL!'"

Indeed!

It's so much more than bunnies and baskets; Easter reminds us that once we: 

...were dead in our trespasses and sins, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air...the passions of our flesh...and were by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3)

...were the uncircumcised and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world... (Ephesians 2:11)

...were far off, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel...(Ephesians 2:12)

...lived behind a dividing wall of hostility...(Ephesians 2:14)

 

BUT GOD...

...being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, made us alive together in Christ, brought us near by His blood, tore down that dividing wall, grew us into a holy temple, fellow members of the household of God, and filled our hearts with PEACE, HOPE, JOY... (Ephesians 2:4-22)

How can we not rejoice the way the Apostle Peter encourages (Greek word - agalliaō; a combination of words meaning much joy; to jump for joy, exult, be exceedingly glad)?!?!

Easter spotlights for us the one-anothering of Jesus, especially His "work" on earth as submitted servant (see last week's blog).

Jesus...who, though, He was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant....and, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient (this Greek word can also be translated as submissive) to the point of death...on a cross 

(Philippians 2:6-8). 

Jesus...who for the JOY set before Him (Hebrews 12:2b)...willingly gave up His will to the will of the Father (Luke 22:42) that He might die once for all sinners (Romans 6:10) that we might live to eternal life. 

So, when Peter says, "put on Jesus (again, this is my translation of Peter's instructions to the holy oddballs to whom he is writing his letter)" - keeping Easter at the forefront of our brains - the first response that comes to mind is - - - - Now,

Go and do likewise:

ONE-ANOTHER one another, just as Jesus did, faithfully submitted to the Father with a heart to serve. 

While We're Here...We Work

When I turned sixteen, I secured a real job (even though I babysat for years before) at JC Penney’s department store in their sewing section (that dates me!). 

Since I loved to sew and, by then, had been making my own school clothes for a couple years, I was thrilled! 

Weekdays I spent finishing high school classes, while weekends were dedicated to Mr. Penney among fabrics, notions, and patterns. Mmmmmm….I can still smell that department-store-air; and, the happy chattering-sound of shoppers remains safely stored in my memory. 

Of course, I had a dress code that held to modesty and professionalism.

So, each weekend, I enthusiastically “dressed for work.” 

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I’ve spent a lot of time on the fact that if we’re going to live in this world as social misfits, holy oddballs, peculiar pilgrims, we must dress for work.

Each day we get up and “put on Jesus,” then get after the mission and ministry of the Kingdom.

Ah, but, what does our work look like? 

Well, the Apostle Peter spells that out for us and covers every aspect of life.

He discusses our role within the church; the government under which we live; as workers under a boss; as wives and husbands; closing with “and all the rest of you…”

Peter’s pretty straight forward: 

Be subject to one-another and serve one-another.

In other words, Peter tells us our main job is to one-another one-another as we work for the Kingdom. 

After all, the goal is to bring others along with us to our heavenly home and one-anothering is the best way to do so. 

As exiles we are to make exiles (OK…disciples, we’re to make disciples). 

There are a lot of one-another-instructions in the Scriptures, but Peter's letter encompasses just two.

1. Be Subject to One-Another

Here’s what Strong’s Dictionary says about this Greek word, hupotasso:

A Greek military term meaning "to arrange in a military fashion under the command of a leader.” In non-military use, it was "a voluntary and willing attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.”

It’s about honoring those in positions of leadership (giving due respect to the position, if not the person), showing love, having a tender heart, and a humble mind-set. In this, we fear God. 

Bottom line: eagerly get in line to do the work which the Lord has assigned you to do. 

2. Serve One-Another

Again, Strong’s Dictionary for the Greek word, diakonos: to be an attendant; one who waits on another; one who executes the commands of another. 

A "diakonos" performs his/her duties with a willing attitude of joy and acceptance. 

Just an observation - I don’t think we much like these two word-sets. 

In this day and age, they rub us the wrong way, because we fear being taken advantage of. We fear the abuse. 

I understand. There seems to be a lot of abuse to those who one-another in these ways.

However, Peter, influenced by the Holy Spirit, would tell us by way or reminder:

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God (1 Peter 2:12)…

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16).

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21).

Work as Jesus worked; serve as Jesus served; submit as He did….even unto death. 

So, this is our work (according to Peter): 

MAKE A PREDETERMINED CHOICE TO WILLINGLY GET IN LINE TO SERVE OTHERS.

And, I have to ask myself is this my mindset each morning after I "get dressed for work?" 

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For a complete list of "one another's a .pdf has been attached if you will click on this link. 

What Does It Look Like to Put on Jesus

I don't often re-write a past blog, and if I do, I have an unspoken rule with myself that it will never be a recent post. 

However, I want to do just this.

Rewrite (sort of) a very recent post from September 25th (the original can be found here). I, also, recently published it in the recent edition of my book Please Don't Send Me to Africa (on Amazon).

This entire entry is based on a memory that popped up back in September as I sifted through old photos.

They were mostly taken during the season I call "the Africa years," when our family served at Rift Valley Academy (RVA) in Kenya.

The picture spot-lighted our youngest daughter, Mandy (age 6), onstage at an all school talent show. She'd spontaneously agreed to perform her favorite chorus, "Jesus Be Jesus In Me." 

Jesus, be Jesus in me.

No longer me, but Thee.

Resurrection power,

Fill me this hour.

And, Jesus, be Jesus in me.

As I held onto that little photo, my heart echoed those lyrics in prayer, as they have many times over the years.

And, I know, that same train of thought has been the cry of many a disciples soul.

As mentioned last week, Paul wanted it for himself and for those he'd mentored:

 Imitate me as I imitate Christ .

(1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1)

Oh, how I want for Jesus to be Jesus in me! 

For me to live like Him...

But, this was the question I posed in that particular blog post -- it floated onto the landscape of my mind like a foggy mist arrives on the shores of the Pacific ocean: 

Which Jesus do you want to live in you?

The question surprised me.

"Well, the Jesus of the Gospels, of course!"

While that answer seems obvious, I recognize that the Jesus people think of today often looks very different from the Jesus of Scriptures (how you view Him depends on who you ask).

We humans have a tendency to recreate Jesus into our own image, according to our own desires, politics, whims, and opinions.

But, the Jesus I want living through me, doesn't vary from the portrait painted for us in the Gospels. This is the Jesus I desire to have shine His light in me and out of me. The Jesus I pray will daily transform me so I act just like Him.

Oh, that He will ultimately conform me to His image (see Romans 8:28-29), because the Jesus of the Gospels:

Led with humility, always serving.

Lived love through sacrificial giving.

Never demanded His own rights, but sought to uplift "the other."

Cared for the "least of these" as He met needs: healed the sick, fed the hungry (out of His own resources), welcomed children, visited those in prison...

Didn't ever attempt to transform culture ("give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar"), but desired, above all, to transform hearts (think how culture shifted after His death).

Spoke truth boldly, confronted sin with love, respect and gentleness.

Resisted personal temptations and honored His Father's will, even when it was a difficult ask (think the cross).

Detested hypocrisy...especially among the "churched" - "Woe to you, hypocrites."

Unpacked Scripture so that all men could understand, find their way to the Father, and the eternal home he is preparing for them ("didn't our hearts burn within us," disciples said as they walked with Him on the road to Emmaus).

Knew His purpose and never deviated.

Always, always showed us the heart of the Father.

These are just a few of the things that come to mind, when I pray, "Jesus, be Jesus in me..." 🙏

So, when Peter tells us (in so many words) to "Put on Jesus," this is what he means. 

Get dressed for action by giving Jesus full-reign to live through us in these ways to the world.

By the way, these are the virtues of the Kingdom that really is our home.

How "Holy Oddballs" Dress

Recently my mind wandered back to sixth grade (which feels like a century ago).

That was the year school suddenly clicked for me. Until then I’d been an average student, but something changed when I walked into Mrs. V.’s classroom.

Every Monday morning the chalkboard held the entire week: assignments, due dates, tests, pages to be read — all clearly written out. We knew exactly what was expected in order to succeed.

And I loved it!

That year, I learned I thrive on predictability. Give me a clear goal and I’ll aim for it. From the moment I sat down on Monday, I got busy. I worked ahead whenever I could and usually finished everything by Wednesday (have I mentioned I tend to be an overachiever?). My grades rose accordingly.

The lesson I learned that year was simple:
Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.

I still like checklists. Rubrics. Calendars. Plans.
Write the to-do list on the chalkboard of my life and I’ll go after it.

Which brings me to living as a “holy oddball.”

Lately I’ve found myself wanting the apostle Peter to just give me the bottom line of his instructions:

Tell me what I have to do to live successfully as a social misfit for Christ and I'm all over it.

So, I sat down and filtered the rest of his letter through one statement in 1 Peter 1:13:

 Prepare your minds for action.

After wading through all his instructions — live holy, live reverently, live obediently, love deeply, cling to truth — it finally dawned on me:

Peter’s list is actually one line long, three simple words.

Put on Jesus.

Or to say it another way: imitate Jesus.

Paul says the same thing: 

Imitate me, as I imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). 

Be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1).

If Peter were writing on the chalkboard of our lives, he wouldn’t need paragraphs. Just one command:

MIMIC JESUS

The Greek word is mimetes — where we get the word mime.
To copy the actions of another so closely that their life becomes the pattern for yours.

And imitation isn’t passive. It assumes an active relationship.
You watch closely enough that you begin to think like them, respond like them, value what they value. It’s spending enough time with them that you live as close to their heart as humanly possible…

Which means Christian maturity isn’t mastering a spiritual checklist.

It’s knowing Christ well enough that, over time, His reflexes become yours.

So the goal isn’t memorizing more rules (that’s just legalism).

It’s walking so closely with Jesus that when life presses in, your first response begins to look like His (that’s love).

And, that’s the path of the holy oddball.

Is it a commitment you’ve made — not just to believe in Him, but to become like Him?

It’s exactly what Jesus asked of his disciples when He called them - and they knew it was an invitation to discipleship:

Come, follow Me.

(Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:17, John 1:43, Matthew 9:9)

Their response? ...and, immediately they -- left their nets, their boats, a lucrative tax collector's job, and some even left other mentors -- and followed Him -- in order to become like Him -- to "put on Jesus."

How do holy oddballs dress? They put on Jesus.