The Silence of the Lamb

True, it is a childhood favorite. It has probably been played by untold millions of children. But I still hate it. The Quiet Game. It wasn’t that I couldn’t be quiet; the game just didn’t have enough action or excitement. Were you any good at this game? Maybe you were your class, school or family champion! You may have gone undefeated, doggedly clamping your mouth shut, unwilling to make a sound. As good as you may have been, I know someone who could have outlasted and out-quieted you! Jesus. He would have been the undisputed world champion.

Jesus showed his powers on several occasions. No sound made in Pilate’s court. Herod heard very little either. The blind man in Mark 8 was led out of his comfort zone into the wilderness with no commentary on the scenery or the route offered by Jesus. Jesus was simply unflinching in His ability to hold His tongue.

It is excruciating. It is inevitable. There are just times when it seems like God in locked in an unending quiet game with us. We lean forward with baited breath longing to hear that still small voice, the whisper, the smallest sound, only to hear nothing. The Silence of the Lamb can be annoying, frustrating, discouraging, and certainly frightening. The most frightening aspect of God’s silence is that far too often the lack of dialogue or response causes us to take matters in our own hands. We make crucial decisions, choices and take detours in our journey merely hoping that we have done the right thing. We are unsure, nervous, filled with trepidation and doubt because there was no sound. This brings me to one of the portions of scriptures that we quote but seldom trust. “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by God.” Silence is too often seen or heard as a license to do as we please. No noise – we go it on our own. I challenge you to understand that silence does not equate to lack of guidance, lack of leading, or lack of concern or involvement on God’s part. He is simply ordering our steps. He won’t speak until it is necessary.

Don’t stop serving! Don’t stop walking! Don’t stop doing what you are doing until you receive different orders. Grow comfortable in the silence. Listen to the volume of silence. The absence of His voice may very well be the loudest indication that you are on the right path. No Words? No Worries!

Middle Man

Please take a moment and read over them. Exodus 25:17-22, Numbers 2:17, Daniel 3:24-28 (3 Hebrew Children), Habakkuk 3:2, Mark 6:47-51 (Disciples in the middle of storm).

The principle is set in place very early in Scripture. In Exodus, God tells us that He will meet with the priests from between the cherubims. In Numbers, instructions are given that the tabernacle must be erected in the middle of the camp. In Daniel, the Word declares that the fourth man came walking into the middle of the fire. Habakkuk says that God will restore us in the middle of the years. Mark states that the disciples were in the middle of the sea when Jesus came walking on the water. The principle is clear and encouraging - God is the "Middle-Man"! He has a habit of showing up right in the middle of things - in the middle of our meetings, in the middle of the fire we are going through, in the middle of the years when we may feel like we have been forgotten, in the middle of every storm. God shows up and walks into the middle of our circumstances and situations.

I want to encourage you today, that regardless of how things look at the job you're working in or how tough things are at home. In spite of hard-headed and hearted people, God will show up. If you feel helpless and like it is hopeless, take courage, God delights in walking into the middle of impossible situations and working miracles. In fact, in Zephaniah 3:17 we receive a powerful promise. The Word says that "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty." In other words, not only does He show up in the middle of things, He shows up prepared to do mighty things on our behalf. Whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing and fighting, in the face of obstacles and difficulties, hear the promise of our Father. He is mighty in the midst of those things.

Don't lose hope in or sight of the Middle Man. He is faithful to show up at the very moment that it looks like everything is lost. In the middle of your lack, He will show up as Jehovah Jireh . . . your Provider. In the middle of your sleepless nights, He will reveal Himself as your Jehovah Shalom . . . your Peace. In the middle of an attack, He will present Himself as your Shield and Buckler. Right in the middle of your weakness, He will become your strength. Right in the middle of your pain, He will show up as Jehovah Frugal . . . He won’t waste your pain. He is our Middle Man. If you're right in the middle of it, begin to look around and anticipate His arrival. He will arrive shortly. Be encouraged!

I am praying that God will show up right in the middle of your stuff, today!

Destination Disease

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 (Message)

Thorough examination complete, the doctor will be unable to diagnosis the sickness. The pharmacist will stare at you with glazed eyes unable to offer or fill a prescription that will bring relief from this malady. Common. Contagious. Fatal. Debilitating. It produces paralysis and, unfortunately, Christians seem especially susceptible to this infection.

“Destination Disease.” Max Lucado calls it the “Whaddiffs and Howells”. We sit and we think “what if this” or “what if that” or “how will I this” or “how will I that.” We are so focused on tomorrow that today is nothing more than an overlooked, under appreciated afterthought. Granted, we are commanded to keep our eyes on the prize, but so often we ignore the importance and joy of the process and journey. We despise today’s moments. We forget to take care of today’s responsibilities, today’s task, today’s mundane, today’s unglamorous, today’s behind the scenes . . . waiting for the someday and the one day. So locked into tomorrow and our future greatness that today’s opportunities, today’s chances, and today’s obligations are forfeited and forever lost.

I have fallen prey to this disease. Several years ago while riding in my car, I was crying out to God about my desire to pour my life into young men who felt called into the ministry. I asked God, “When are You going to provide a platform for me to fulfill this desire?” I was eaten up with the disease. Completely wrapped up in what might happen. God very clearly spoke to me and instantly healed my disease. He simply said, “I will provide a platform when you take care of the young men I have already given you.” Correction produced clarity and I suddenly and clearly realized that I had nine young men in my youth ministry who had a call on their life. My disease almost cost the kingdom nine valuable and gifted young men. What has the disease stolen from you?

The disease is deadly, but it is not incurable. Matthew writes a prescription when he instructs us to deal with today and not to worry about tomorrow. Keep your focus on what you can do now and let God worry about the “Whaddiffs and Howells”. Proverbs 18:16 offers us the second dose of antidote and reminds us that, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Simply put, we don’t have to work, force, pull strings, or promote ourselves. We don’t have to sit around waiting for the right break, the right phone call, or right promotion. We don’t have to come up with a slick marketing scheme or strategy. Using your gift in your present situation and surroundings destroys the disease. Your gift, when used where you are, will make room and a place for you.

Are you sick? Do you have the disease? Hold your head back. Pinch your nose if you must. Swallow pride, ego, jealousy, and ambition. Blink until you dismiss the vision of lights, press releases, fan fares, and rave reviews. Take your medicine. You (and everyone else around you who need your gift now) will be better for it TODAY.

“A One Track Mind”

Have you ever been accused of having a one track mind? I can still hear that phrase ringing in my ears as it has been uttered by my parents, my teachers, and now my wife. It is true that I can get my mind set on something and become consumed with the pursuit of that one thing. However, I have recently been asking myself the question, “Just because I have a tendency to have a one track mind, does that also mean I am single-minded?” If I am honest with myself, I am not sure the answer is yes. Unfortunately, I believe the same can be said for most of us.

If there was ever a common denominator that joins believers it is that we all seem to have a problem with being single- minded. I am not entirely sure it is our fault. We have been trained to multi-task. We are inundated with continually changing visual stimulation on TV to the tune of a new scene every 7 seconds. We are bombarded with technology that clamors for our continually diminishing attention span. We have thousands of voices shouting for our attention on a daily basis. That is where the problem begins. James declares in 1:8 that “a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways.” One commentary says that the concept of double minded actually means “double-souled”. How can you trust God with all of your heart, mind, and soul if you are distracted by the pursuit of so many other things? How can you sell out to the will and purpose of God for your life if so many other voices win your attention and your allegiance? I must ask, “Who has the loudest voice in your life?” What or who is causing you to be split souled to the point that you can’t obey, sacrifice, follow, or depend completely on God?

Having a one track mind can irritate people. I am not even sure it is healthy. However, I am sure that we need to become single-minded. We have become stuck in apathy. We have become rooted in lack of action. We have become entrenched in slow response. We have become marked by missed opportunities. All of this has happened because we have become distracted by distractions. The remedy is to filter through all the voices and push away all but that all important still small voice. We must become single-minded once again.

In Greek mythology, Sirens were part human, part bird. The Sirens lived on a rocky island in the middle of the sea, possibly near Italy. They sang melodies so beautiful that sailors passing by couldn't resist getting closer to them. Following the sound of music, the sailors would steer their boats towards them or jump in the water to get closer. Either way, it always ended in disaster on the rocks. There are only two stories of men resisting the Sirens. In the story Odyssey, Odysseus ordered his men to put beeswax in their ears so they couldn't hear the music as they sailed by. His men tied Odysseus to the ship's mast so he could hear the enchanting tunes but wouldn't be able to swim ashore. Jason and the Argonauts were also saved because they had Orpheus (a talented musician) on board with them. He played music that was even more beautiful so the men hardly heard the sound of the Sirens.

I am not asking you to stick your head in the sand and ignore what is going on around you. In fact, Scripture implores us to be people who understand the day, the generation, and the culture in which we live. I am, however, encouraging you to daily stick your fingers in your ears and tune in to the sweetest and most beautiful voice you can ever hear, HIS!