We had a blast with our middle school worship team in our home last night for the Oreo Olympics, complete with opening ceremony and the passing of the Oreo Olympic torch into Oreo Olympic Stadium. We had the chopstick relay, Oreo pair figure skating, Distance Roll, Accuracy Roll, and Oreo Sculpting among other events. And, as in any Olympics, winners were awarded medals for scoring highest in the most events.
For our fire-side devotion I presented a magic wand (purchased for $1.00 at Dollar General, so I'm not expecting much spark) and asked: "If you had a magic wand, what would you make disappear?" They responded: "Hormones," "gossip," and "certain school subjects."
I asked them a question God's been answering for me all my life: "Has it ever occurred to you that the very thing you'd most like to disappear may be the exact thing God's using to bring out His best in you and to reward you?" To zap away the challenge means to zap away the reward. What would we lose if hormones disappeared? No gender, sex or babies. (However, it would be interesting to see the advertising world regroup and scratch their heads for a while if sex didn't sell.) Without hormones, we'd all look alike, be bored to death and go extinct. Without gossips how would we learn to depend on God's opinion of us and rise above the peer pressure and the downpull of people? Without the self-discipline it takes to do the work in our least favorite subjects, we'd become lazy, spoiled, "gimme this, gimme that" children and the world would topple since no one would do anything they didn't want to do. And, who would appreciate the actuaries, chemists and engineers of the world?
Things haven't changed that much for us as adults. If we had magic wands wouldn't we be tempted to erase the adult versions of these top three middle school issues?
Hormones = Inner turmoil. Who doesn't still struggle with getting our hearts and minds to fall in line with what we know is right? Who doesn't argue with themselves about what to say or do in emotionally-charged situations? Anybody out there still feel like you're in middle school when it comes to self-control in response to negative situations and emotions?
Gossips = Stirrers of all kinds. Gossips, dissenters, troublemakers, along with catty, critical and overly-competitive people display amazing tenacity and make our lives miserable if we give them too much room of say-so.
Certain subjects = Any responsibility we consider a pain in the neck. No career or job escapes drudgery; for each sparkle of glamour comes a drop of sweat. Data must be entered, forms signed, checklists checked off, meetings attended, deadlines met. Every accomplishment costs time and effort. Living day-to-day requires us to do laundry, pay bills, and maintain what we own. No one who's breathing escapes work or decision-making except for the mentally incompetent or insane.
Jesus listed unexpected rewards for anyone trusting God to help them face what they wish would disappear.
Matthew 5:3
NIV: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The Message: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.”
NIV: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”
The Message: “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”
Matthew 5:5
NIV: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
The Message: “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be brought.”
NIV: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.”
The Message: You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for
God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat."
God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat."
Matthew 5:7
NIV: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
The Message: “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for."
NIV: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
The Message: “You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
NIV: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
The Message: “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”
NIV: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The Message: “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.”
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