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Turning Points in Life

Last weekend, I participated in a Kairos Prison Ministry Weekend, wherein volunteers shared the love of Christ with participating inmates. The focus, patterns and content for each Kairos Weekend are the same, yet each Weekend takes on its own characteristics. Notably this time, I didn’t hear professions of saving faith in Jesus Christ, per se (although there may have been some unbeknownst to me), but virtually all the men experienced the Weekend as something of a turning point—an opportunity to look inwardly and upwardly, and to change the direction of their lives. Deep, genuine gratitude permeated the group. Here are some paraphrased testimonies from the closing ceremony.

I want to thank God. I was in darkness, but God sent brothers and gave me a family.

I wondered, what’s with all the cookies? Then I realized they touched my heart.

I was able to take down the walls that I’ve used to protect myself.

I thank God for the opportunity to be here. One thing that helped me bring down my walls was all the discussion around forgiveness.

I’ve been trying to turn my life around. We can’t be judgmental; we need to pick people up, fight our demons and go toward the Light.

We’re in a dark place. People give you fake smiles, but this weekend brought a genuine smile.

I love this whole Weekend. It helps get me ready to guide my children when I am released.

I learned to listen and not judge. I’m not perfect at forgiveness, but I’m learning.

This was a great experience. I was lost and am still lost. I’m trying to find my purpose in life. I want to find my light.

I have not felt this kind love in all my life.

Clearly, seeds of truth were sown into men’s hearts, and men’s hearts began to open, some a little, perhaps, and some a lot. (God knows for sure.) Yet that’s what Kairos is all about: sowing seeds of truth into the soil of men’s hearts. It reminds me of the historic account of a Samaritan woman who, leaving her water jar behind, hastened back to Sychar, heralding her encounter with “the Messiah at the well.” As the villagers made their way to Jesus in response to her testimony, He told His disciples, “The saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”1 Did you catch it? The work of sowing seeds of grace and truth is every bit as vital as reaping a spiritual harvest. Sowing and reaping—both are crucial, each in its own time.

Then when called to sow, sow confidently! If called to water, water prayerfully. And when sent to harvest, harvest joyfully. For the Lord of the harvest is with you.

Father, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” 2 Send us into your fields to plant, water, or harvest, that lives would be saved and you would be glorified. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 John 4:37-38 NIV
2 Matthew 9:38

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The “Greater Works” We Do

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”1—Jesus, to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion

Let’s call out the metaphoric elephant in the room, shall we? How does Jesus’ promise to His followers, “greater works than these will he do,” resonate with us? We read these words and nod in acceptance because Jesus spoke them, but doesn’t doing “greater things” than Jesus seem more aspirational than accessible? He’s the one who taught the truth, confounded the cunning, healed the sick, and raised the dead. And we will do greater things?

When we think of “greater works than these,” miracles first come to mind, of course. It is true, God still works miracles and wonders in, through, and around us. Were we to ask 20 randomly selected people how God has shown Himself to them in miraculous ways, I firmly believe we would be absolutely astounded at their stories (and perhaps rightfully convicted of our doubt).

But let’s also consider this one truly “greater work” God does through us, His people in Christ. Two thousand years after Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection, how big has His church become? (Remember to include “the church triumphant,” all who have gone on before us.) Billions! And still growing, still spreading! How, we ask? Through people! God continually redeems fallen people through people once fallen and now redeemed. Paul says as much: “[God] reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”2 Thus it has gone for two millennia and continues still: God reconciles fallen people to Himself, then sends them out as reconciled people to those still fallen. In the grace of God, we who rebelled against Him have the humbling honor of directing people back to Him. And the body of Christ relentlessly expands, spreading like wildfire yet today. And Heaven grows. That God would fix the world through us who broke it—what wisdom, what privilege; such love, such grace.

Paul continues, “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”3 So stand strong in your reconciliation to God through the atoning work of Jesus. For He has prepared works for you to do4—“greater works,” we might humbly say, the greater works of reconciliation and its fruit of growth.

Father, your wisdom, love and grace are beyond our comprehension. Thank you for making us your ambassadors and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. May you find us faithful to this call. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 1 John 14:12 ESV
2 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV
3 2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
4 Ephesians 2:10

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Saying “Yes” to a Friend

I read a book years ago, God’s Covenant of Blessing, written by John P. Milton, an Old Testament professor at Luther Theological Seminary. It was as dry as toast, yet rich as scones. So I’ll summarize Milton’s overview of “covenant” as best as I can, and then let’s plug it into our lives.

Biblical covenant is a set of stipulations initiated by God, aimed at becoming an agreement between Him and mankind. God’s covenants consist in terms of promises or commands, and oftentimes both. Note God’s call to Abraham: “Go from your country . . . to the land I will show you [command]. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you . . .[promise]”1 Mankind may accept or reject God’s covenants, but we may not help determine their content. God’s covenants become mutual when say “yes” to His promises by believing them, and when we say “yes” to His commands by obeying them. Unbelief or disobedience, on the other hand, are tantamount to rejection. Abraham chose “yes,” as James writes: “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”2

So God’s covenants are, at heart, relational. Think about it: “God’s friend”—what a blessing, what an honor! Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus assured His disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants . . . but I have called you friends.”3 Note we are still called to obedience, though no longer as servants, but now as friends. So Jesus commands, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”4 For Jesus also promises, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”5

Jesus assures us, “[The Holy Spirit] lives with you and will be in you.”6 Do we believe this? Then let’s go! He also declares, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”7 Do we believe this? Then let’s sow. Wherever the Spirit sends us, whatever He call us to do, we must, for His burden is light and His promises are sure. This is covenant relationship.

“Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”8—Jesus

Father, no matter how many promises you have made, they are “Yes” in Christ.9 Send us forth in this confidence, that we would do your will. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Genesis 12:1-3 NIV
2 James 2:21-23 NIV, emphasis added
3 John 15:14-15 ESV
4 Matthew 28:19-20a ESV
5 Matthew 28:20b ESV
6 John 14:17 NIV
7 John 15:5 ESV
8 Luke 11:28 NIV
9 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV