I heard a story of a grandpa and his young grandson just hanging out together @ home. Then the grandson said he wanted some pickles. So the grandpa went to the fridge & got a jar of pickles. The little boy insisted on opening the jar himself. Knowing his grandson would not be able to, the grandpa gently just stepped back & allowed the little boy to try. With all his might, the young lad tried, & tried, & tried. He even looked @ his grandpa a couple times in the midst of his attempts, face all red from trying. After several minutes & several attempts, the young grandson was beat, tired…not quite crying, but certainly tears in his eyes from his failed attempts. Finally, he looks up to his grandpa & says, “Grandpa, can you help me?” At that moment, the grandpa smiled from ear-to-ear, walked over to his grandson, and gently said, “Yes, I would love to.” A few moments later, both are enjoying pickles!

Wow! Aren’t we a lot like the grandson, and God is like the grandpa, Who loves it when we ask for His help! God loves us so much that he gave us the freewill to try things apart from Him. Likewise, that same gift of freewill allows us to ask Him for help. God loves it when we do! Just know sometimes that He says yes, and sometimes He says no, or no-not-now. In any case, we should continue to ask and know His answers to us are designed for our betterment: to draw us closer to Him.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
–James 1:2-5

In the movie “50 First Dates,” vet Henry (played by Adam Sandler) sets his heart on romancing Lucy (played by Drew Barrymore), but she has short-term memory loss; she can’t remember anything that happened the day before. So every morning, Henry has to woo her again. Her friends & family are very protective, and Henry must convince them that he’s in it for love.

Although a modern chick-flick, I loved this movie as it portrayed, in a unique kind of way, how us men are to PURSUE the lady in our lives everyday; whether she is our wife, fiancé, or girlfriend. We are not rest on our laurels once we “win her.” Now, I’m no relationship expert, but I’ve finally realizing that us men are not to stop @ just “winning” her heart, but we are to “treasure” it.

In this movie, that’s what Henry did. He knew what he did everyday to “win” her. Lucy did too, but she would forget the next morning. In fact, she would forget who Henry was. At a certain point, Henry was frustrated and almost gave up. Then his heart changed to “treasuring” Lucy. Here, he realized what “love” is: SERVING ANOTHER FIRST & NOT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN. She was no longer a conquest to be had. And each day thereafter, Henry treated her like the queen she deserved to be treated like. And although Henry still desired Lucy to acknowledge him, his efforts, and enter into a relationship with him, he still persevered knowing fully well that their is a good chance that she may never gain her long term memory. Wow! Too cool!

This is how God PURSUES us everyday. Some of us acknowledge Him and come into a relationship with Him. While many of us have a short-term memory of how He has blessed us, and have yet to acknowledge Him and enter into a relationship with Him! I’ve finally acknowledged God in 2003, and accepted Jesus Christ as Savior; and I never turned back since, because I know I am treasured by Him!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
–Revelation 3:20

Fear hurries, fear takes. It does not support, it does not know modesty, it is not humble. It does not honor others, it is not considerate, it is not calm & controlled, it keeps no memory of compassion. Fear does not embrace good but lives on lies. It always abandons, always questions, always despairs, always encourages quitting. Fear, never wins…

—

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”
–1 Cor 13:4-8

Have you ever seen the movie “Rudy?” It’s an awesome true story of a lifelong underdog who chased his dream to become a Notre Dame football player. The odds were very much against this likelihood, but through persistence and perseverance Rudy would overcome incremental obstacles to ultimately attain this dream!…

As with any dream worth chasing, doubt will pervade from time to time. In this video, Rudy is hanging by a thread. He is desperate. He needs to be accepted as a student at Notre Dame or his dream would never happen. I love how the priest encourages Rudy that it’s not about the results, it’s more about HOW you chase your dream. And the results are ultimately left up to God!

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”
–Hebrews 11:39-40

Isn’t this so true?! Hebrews 11 is a summary narrative of how many of the Old Testament characters OBEYED God through faith. In this, many of these same characters DID NOT receive what appeared to have been the “promise.” Soooo what was the “promise?” The promise God made to, let’s say Abraham and Moses, was the “Promised Land.” Though God’s promise was eventually fulfilled many years later, Abraham and Moses did not themselves ever set foot in the Promised Land. Rather, they received something much better than anything they would ever have received on earth…God’s future promise of redemption & salvation. And it was in their trials and imperfections that Abraham and Moses learned to rely on God.

In Rudy’s case, his trials & imperfections throughout the movie mirror that of Abraham and Moses in their journeys. Now, Rudy was chasing a self-imposed goal, whereas Abraham and Moses was following commands from God. Sure, the motivation is very different. But, God is interested more in how we get there. The results are up to Him.

So as the movie ends, Rudy does indeed overcome all the obstacles and attains his dream of playing football for the Fightin’ Irish. He was by far the worst player on the team, but he indeed had the biggest heart.

So, as you chase your dreams today, what would God see in your heart as you persevere?

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
–2 Corinthians 4:16-18

What’s the one thing in your life that you’re holding on to too tightly that is preventing you from moving forward? Hmmmm? That’s a good question, right? Did anything come to mind yet? Maybe a few things, but not sure which one? Or maybe nothing at all, and rather you’re thinking all that you’re not holding on to too tightly.

Okay, okay, enough with the enigma… Here, are some things if you haven’t come up with anything: money, a relationship, a job, the past, a reputation, etc. I assume you get the point now.

In any case, I love the Biblical story of the Rich Young Ruler. It’s told in 3 of the 4 Gospels: Mark 10, Luke 18 and Matthew 19. Here, a rich young wealthy man acknowledges Jesus’ wisdom and asks Him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Using the Luke iteration, Jesus replies:

“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'”

The rich young ruler pretty much replies with an affirmative that he had upheld these commandments. But Jesus responds with:

“One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

For as long as I’ve been a Christian I’ve always wondered if this was meant as literal: to sell all that I have; all my possessions. I often wondered if this was the case, then their must be a bunch of fake Christians because I know very few Christians who have done this (sell everything), myself included…

Over time, I’ve come to realize that what Jesus was doing here in this passage was to figuratively “PUT UP A MIRROR” in the face of the rich young ruler. I doing so, the ruler saw a reflection that he wasn’t willing to let go. He saw himself as just that, a “rich ruler.”

In this case, it’s also interesting that the 1st commandment is not included in Jesus’ list earlier in the passage, thus the very same thing He is emphasizing:

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

So in essence, the rich young ruler had another “god,” idolatry in the sense that money was that one thing that prevented him from following Jesus.

For us today, is it always money? No, but often it is, hence probably why the emphasis on it. But the “reflection” will vary from person to person.

For those who don’t know Jesus Christ as Savior, it’s essential that the first commandment is adhered to. All the others hinge off this. You cannot call yourself a Christian if you uphold other things as equal to or more important than God. Not that anyone will ever always uphold all the other commandments, but the 1st commandment is first for a reason. And this is want Jesus was trying to communicate to the rich young ruler.

For the Christian, this passage can be viewed as an exhortation to examine what is holding you back from fully following and trusting God (see Proverbs 3:5-6).

So, going back to the initial question in this FB post…I guess it can be rephrased:

“What does your reflection look like?”

We’ve all read it–the parable of the “Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:11-32. Their are three main characters here. Two sons: a younger rebellious son who returns & longs for restored fellowship with his father; and a jealous self-righteous son who thinks his good works entitles him to everything. While many Christians will have, at one point in their life, associated themselves with one of the sons, it’s the father that propels this story forward in that he demonstrates the unconditionality of a relationship–thus, unconditional love.

As Christians, we do indeed experience peaks and valleys in our faith walk. As Christ-followers, while the overall trajectory of our life experiences points upward, it’s in these valleys where rebellion occurs. Does it mean we’re less of a Christian or no longer a Christian? No, because our salvation with the Lord is not dependent on what we do or don’t do; our works. But rather if you truly repented your sins and wholly & authentically accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, hence forging a life-long relationship with Him. In the latter is why the father, in this parable, truly characterizes the essence of a relationship…

Here, the younger “son” was in complete rebellion and squandered his inheritance. Broken and destitute he returns to his “father.” I put quotes around “son” and “father” so as to emphasize the relationship even before the son rebelled. As the relationship might have been dormant while the younger son was away in rebellion; it’s when he returns is when he realizes, in a wonderful surprise, that his relationship with father is always there!

I totally love verses 18-20. The imagery is powerful! A broken young man with his head down, probably weeping & crying in complete and utter guilt. And then his father does this:

“I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

His father RAN towards his son the second he saw him! And then he kissed and embraced him! Are you kidding!? This goes against the grain of everything society tells us! And then his father threw a party for him!

While many might wonder where is the consequence of the younger son’s rebellion; this parable focuses more on the aspect of our relationship with Jesus Christ, as Jesus identifies Himself with God in his loving attitude towards the lost…

In fact, this is probably what the older son was thinking. This is where envy and jealousy is bred. In his own self-righteousness, the older son by virtue of his good works felt entitled. And he refused to join in the celebration of the return of his brother. In fact, he probably felt his younger brother deserved to be treated like the servants.

In either case of the sons, the relational aspect with their father was truly characterized by “unconditional love” and not good works, or lack thereof. The ending of this parable is fitting as the father responds to his older son’s frustration, thus encapsulating God’s definition of “unconditional love.”

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'”
–Luke 15:31-32

At this phase in your Christian walk, which character do you associate yourself with?: the younger son, older son, or the father?