29. September 2010 by BruceSmith.

I Quit

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28. September 2010 by BruceSmith.

Reasonable Faith?

Would you answer the following question in the affirmative?  Is there good grounds for biblical faith, and if so, do you know what those grounds are?  Think twice before you answer.  Or, rather, go to the following site and test your basic “spiritual belief system knowledge” at http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge.  At the link, for the Pew Forum, you will find a basic 15 question test on religious beliefs, understanding.  These are basic beliefs of major world religions.  In reality, the questions test things that any thinking, aware, spiritual believer ought to know about each of the religions represented in the survey.

The staggering reality, one that is nothing new to those who have been in and around churches or religious groups for any period of time, is that overall, respondents failed the test.  The average test score hovered around the 50% mark!  That is to say, in other words, people claim to believe in God or in “gods”, and in teachings, they actually know very little about.  Make no mistake, this survey is no trick test.  It only tested knowledge of basic knowledge within the groups investigated.  In the U.S., considered one of the most “spiritually aware” of all developed countries in the world, apparently, we fail miserably when it comes to what we really know.  It would stand to reason then, we fail miserably when it comes to true belief.

The Bible says, “Come let us reason together…”  The New Testament encourages us to “be ready in season and out of season to give an account of the hope within you”.  Basic belief, it is clear, should entail a firm grasp of what it is we are to believe.  How can we claim to follow One we do not actually know?  And if we think we “know” Him, yet actually know nothing about Him, how does this hold together logically?

The challenge for our country, and certainly for our churches is significant.  Its no wonder we live in a culture where the church closely reflects the setting around us.  Our beliefs, if polls are correct, demonstrate little difference from the surrounding culture.  Our lifestyles, as polls, and visible reality demonstrate, show little difference from the secular culture in which we find ourselves.  And painfully, the reality of our daily experience is too often shockingly similar to that of the world around, a world we suggest we are to impact with a different reality.

I would encourage you, test yourself.  Go to the link above, and take the test.  See if, in fact, you actually have an awareness of the most basic of spiritual truths in your “religion” or other major world religions.  As Christ followers, we are called to know of the hope within us.  The polls suggest, statistically, that atheists and agnostics actually have a more clear awareness of beliefs than we do!  If this truth we claim to adhere to actually has life defining implications, should we not have a real craving for deeper knowledge of the reality given to us?  Should the truth of the Gospel not grab us so intently that we cannot settle for a failure in belief, in understanding?  The scriptures call us to “get understanding”.  We are actually called to pursue truth with an intentional focus.  

As Jesus said, “It is truth that will set you free”.  He also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…”  I wonder how many actually recognize it was He who said these things, that they are actually true in the real world and in real time, and that we must absorb these things as living reality within us if we are to experience the power these words convey.  

The Old Testament suggests that without vision God’s people perish.  Historically, the Jewish people walked this reality.  Every time they walked away from God’s path for them, they, quite literally, perished.  It remains true for us today.  Let us know Him.  Let us know about Him.  Let us pursue Him, with our hearts, mind, soul, and strength…as He tells us we have need to do in the scriptures.  It is not an option for true believers.  Belief entails a driven pursuit of knowledge.

We have a reason for belief and followership.  Come, let us reason together.  Let us know the reasons, and share them.

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org

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22. September 2010 by BruceSmith.

SCANDALOUS LOVE

When “scandals” abound, whether around us, or in us, its the scandal of the cross of Christ which makes the difference. CNN, church groups, nor fallen people need to make us lose heart. The brokenness of the world, the church, our own heart, is a reality. The scandal of God is that He loves and pursues us still.

Today, as I turned on the news to settle into my current events catch up mode, the stories, more stories, were there again.  The scenes are not all too different, and the hype remains the same.  It always goes something like this, “Church guy, church group, betrays their words and morality.  The nasty reality, the truth, hidden by them, is dark, ugly, hypocritical.”

And so it goes.  Whenever I see or hear of these kinds of things the staggering and sobering reality of brokenness sets in.  I always try to pause, ask God for grace and truth, and for protection and forgiveness for my own proclivity toward sin.  The truth is, you see, we are all far too open to failure.  You think not?  Perhaps you have not replayed some of your thought life in your own mind lately, or your past. Or perhaps you have forgotten the words of Paul, the Apostle, who said of himself, though a giant of faith, “I am the supreme of al sinners”.  

The scandals before us now in the Catholic church and in various Evangelical settings ought not surprise or shock us.  Whenever we attempt good things, all of us, the enemy will be there ready and waiting to attack us.  The enemy seeks to destroy the people of God and His work in the church.  Moreover, because the church is made up of broken people, misguided people, even darkened people, she will always have problems.  As has been said, “Standing in a garage does not make one a car”.  Not everyone in the church or even in a position of leadership is truly a follower.  Again, Jesus Himself told us this would be the case.  People pursue church involvement and even leadership for all kinds of reasons.  When they came to Jesus asking who would enter the Kingdom, and touting their use of His name for good deeds done, Jesus spoke of His response to such people, “…depart from me, I never knew you”.

The lessons to be learned, I think, as we hear of sexual sin, even deviant sexual abuse, corrupt money matters, political posturing, and all the rest that comes out of these events, are many fold.  First, however, we must immediately remember that we too are fallen and open to distortion, escapism, the hardening of our hearts, rebellion, and all manner of sin.  We must guard our hearts, confess our own failure, and hunger for more of God and less of us in our lives.  

It would do us well also to remember, where we see patterns of sin within institutions, sexual abuse and the like, that we also are given to patterns.  Patterns, left unchecked or covered up, hidden from others and even from ourselves, lead to a future of deepening conflict and pain.  Further, we must, just as any institution must, consider why a given pattern has been surfaced clearly.  Are there underlying realities in our lives which have settled these patterns in?  Are we attempting to live lives in ways God did not intend?  Does imbalance in our view of God’s expectations and callings cause us to move toward harmful patterns?  Have we missed the central move and call of God in favor of religious laws which always lead to distortion and captivity instead of vibrant freedom and joyful pursuit of God’s calling?  Have we taken the easy way out of pain from our past, and sough to bury in ways that will never suffice?  Religion will not heal our wounds nor subdue our drives.  Only a deep knowledge and love relationship with God can do that, and an openness for Him to reach as deeply as He must in order to tear out all the bad that festers within our souls.  

Churches will fail.  Men and women of God will fail.  Even the “good” ones (as if there is any such thing scripturally) will stumble along the way.  We, most certainly, will fail to live up to the pristine call of God for us.  May we pray and pursue the scandal of forgiveness and unconditional love found in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.  It is utterly scandalous that a perfectly holy and pure God, who gave us life, who we violently rebelled against, would yet, reach down to us, come along side of us, and offer a way for restoration and intimacy.  Could it be that we wind up pursuing all manner of intimacy, false intimacy, with women, men, children, money, computer screens, dollar bills, and more, because we have had our vision of God’s love for us and good desires for us clouded by a world drowning amidst false dreams?  Do we still believe the lie sold to Adam and Eve in the beginning that something other than God is worth our deepest affection and pursuit?

There is no sexual, financial, relational, aspirational, entertaining, or ego driven dream that will fulfill us apart from the love of God.  Truly.  It has never worked.  Addictions, to drugs, fame, porn, serial dating, drink, accomplishment, sex, power, riches, even do-goodism, will never hold our hearts well enough to satisfy.  Only the call of God, and that pursued with abandon, can satisfy and keep.

May God hold us, keep us, make His face to shine upon us, amidst our best and amidst our worst.  May His name, His face, His very being, be seen as He loves us in spite of our scandalous ways.  May He keep us all in the safety of His hands and the shelter of His ways when all around us and within us is begging us to venture outside of His care.  May we fall in love with Him all over again, as often as we have need.  Truth is, that’s a moment by moment reality for every living, breathing human.  Further, kept in the arms of a loving God, may He enable us to love those around us caught in the trap of scandal and failure, and be mindful of His love and care for them.  

Thanks be to God,

Bruce Smith 

optimuslife.org

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15. September 2010 by BruceSmith.

Getting a Grip on Game Realities

“I can do that!”  “I’ve always had enough talent!”  “Oh, that’s easy!”  “If they can do it, I can do it!”  “I’ll master that in no time!” “I got this.”  “Failure is not an option.”  “Do you know who you are talking to?”

Have you ever spent time around people who think, in their own strength, they can do anything, and on any timeline they choose?  You know the sort.  They are all around us.  They are found on the playground in middle school, the trading floor, the boardroom, the church, and the court.  Independent, all-sufficient, satiated, and ever capable, in their own eyes.  Their time is money, and the world is their oyster.  What they want, they will get, no matter what.

In the world of tennis these are the people who, after watching a seasoned player for an hour or two, will say, “I think I’ll take up the sport.  I think I can get there in a few months, maybe a little longer”.  LOL!  Then, three, four, five years later these people are frustrated, bitter, discouraged, without any energy for the task, or they quit.  Its tough to watch, and the refrains of imminent success are at once humorous and beguiling along the way.  Somehow, reality has never set in.  

In tennis, if you hope to develop as a player, you must deal with reality.  In order for a player to achieve a high level of success, a sober view of the starting point must be intact.  If you don’t really know where you are you cannot possibly know how to get where you want to be, or more importantly, where you need to be.  How can you start without a proper starting point?  If you skip the hard work of building a foundation, learning the basics, training the body and mind for the long haul, how can you possibly expect to get everything from the game it offers?  It just won’t happen.  No human effort or ability will be enough.  If you are not listening now, and just told yourself that you are the exception, I am writing for you :)), especially.

The first step, and actually the reality for a player’s advancement at any level, is securing a professional, a coach, to be on your team, one who can lead, guide, inspire, correct, tweak, build, and re-make your game as needed.  Its true for tennis, skiing, golf, swimming, … and life.  If you refuse reality, close your eyes to where you are, shut an ear to the truth about your game, the road ahead will disappoint you.  The fastest way to excellence on the court starts, well, at the start.  The beginner, novice, intermediate, anyone who wants to be an expert, must come to the court with humility and a hunger for growth.  We cannot, however, seek growth, if we don’t understand the stages of that growth, and what stage we now find ourselves in.  In life, as in tennis, the next phase of maturity builds upon the previous one, and the entire structure must have a solid foundation.  God, the Coach of coaches, who questions all of the non-coaches of our world, will not allow His students to skip the beginning, the fundamentals.  He will keep taking us back there, painfully if need be, so that the work is deep and the muscle memory of the soul sure.  No amount of good deeds or psychologizing will work.  Its His way or no way.  He will rework us, and He will frustrate us as long as He needs to in order to prepare us for the game He intends. There are no shortcuts.

Many people, wanting so badly to master the game, wind up in utter despair at some point having not accomplished what they set out to do.  Some call it burnout. Others, pointing to a false start, are aware that the entire process was built upon a house of cards.  However well intentioned, the journey won’t match expectations apart from a proper launching point.  Once acknowledged, and once submitted to, the former anguish and despair of insufficiency leads to the journey of joy and accomplishment.  I am, of course, talking now not only of tennis but of life.  Just as a proper view of the process in learning the game of tennis enables us to find a proper strategic plan for success, so too, in life, a proper view of who we are, what we are lacking, and what we need, sets us up for a grand journey forward.

This is the message of God’s prophets, the Old Testament life coaches for Israel, and it remains the message for us today individually and as a culture.  We live our lives convinced that the dominant cultural view is correct.  Its all good.  Don’t worry.  You’re o.k. and I’m o.k.  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  Don’t get bogged down by the church crowd.  They only want to slow you down.  Those people are depressing.  You can be anything you want to be.  You control you.  Its your life.  Don’t let anyone tell you how to live.  The refrains are endless, but they share a common theme, “Its about you.  Do it your way”.  We are led to believe that we are bigger than the game itself.  Athletes, we should note, who do the same, end up making a mockery of themselves, their teams, and the game.  Nothing could be further from reality, and nothing can hinder us more from an experience of joy on the court of life.  Such refrains are as ridiculous as the person new to tennis stating, “I’m the next Roger Federer”.  In fact, its more ridiculous.

As any quality tennis coach would instruct his pupil, Jeremiah, the great prophet and life coach of the Old Testament, guides us, “Even the stork in the heavens knows her time; and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming; but my people know not the ordinance of the Lord”.  What are you thinking! He shouts.  You must be crazy!  You don’t have a clue where you are or what time it is in your life!  How then are you going to make a plan to move forward in His plan?  This approach will not work!  Wake up!  The time to start anew is now.  His cries, as a coach, to Israel, were not rage filled tirades, rather, they were the longings of a coach who wanted more for his proteges, and realized they were destroying their own games.  They were listening to all the cultural would be “coaches” who were in fact non-coaches.

Jeremiah, often referred to as the “weeping prophet” was given a tough calling as a nation-coach.  In love with his people, and longing to see them reach their full potential as players on the court of life, his task, a God-directed one, was to help them realize they were not even on the court chosen for them, let alone, playing the game as it was meant to be played.  Jeremiah, knowing his people had the potential to play on a high level, grieved over their inability to admit who they were.  He knew that if any future remained for these soul-athletes, they would have do deal with the first reality that was clear to him and to God.  They were broken, fundamentally.  The footwork, the strokes, the timing, the game plan, …it was all off, badly.  They had come to embrace a kind of game that, despite their hunger to perform, only led them further away from the goal.  As we know, one only need begin a journey a little off course in order to wind up on the other side of the world over time.

The need for each of us, if we are to win on the court of life, is to see our broken down game for what it is.  We must have anguish over our current commitment to a false game.  The game of cultural desires, false dreams, and mis-placed affections is leading us way off course, and leaving us fatigued of soul, mind, and spirit.  Committed to this broken game we find our lives lacking energy, enthusiasm, purpose, or joy.  We are happy to be breathing and still standing most days.  All the while, we miss shot after shot at a bigger life.

And now, here is the good news about the game.  The game was intended for us to experience it fully.  It can be accomplished.  There is a coach who can instruct us, and prepare us for victory.  When we see the past attempts for what they were, utterly destructive and inadequate, and when we truly grieve them (which is a deeply settled understanding of how mis-placed our lives were, it is a hopeful anguish, an expectant depair), it is then that the dream actually kicks in.  New realities spring up from this place of pain.  Here, in this moment, things we never knew existed open up to us, abilities we did not know we had come to life, new energy is given, and a fresh joy sets in.  

The call of the coach is to alert the pupil to reality.  His call is also to extend the reality of hope.  In the death of the false game, the real game comes to life and Game Time takes on new dimensions.  While it is true that false endings never come without great pain, it is equally true that new beginnings arise with a deeper joy than we knew possible.  Where the game once fell apart amidst the battle, the new game thrives and even ramps up all the more when the pressure is on.  The newly invigorated player, seeing beyond himself, now wants to let his game shine for his Coach who gave him a new game, a new life.  Once we own that the game is bigger than us, the game unfolds for us.  It is one thing to play.  It is another thing altogether to know the One who created the game!  Hope for the unfolding game is not found within the playgrounds of a secular world.  Rather, this new amazement for the game comes alive, is given to us, at the behest of the One who created the game and who offers us new dreams for our future.  Our Coach offers us a championship game.  Its the call and promise of Isaiah,

“Remember not the former things, nor consider things of old.  Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth…” (43:18-19)

It is this astonishingly joyous, mindful, purposeful, and energizing game that we all long for.  As Jesus, the game maker and game changer, suggested, “…in me is life to the full”.  He also instructed, hearkening back to the prophets, that all who are tired and weary, exhausted on the court of life, wobbling with heatstroke, should come to Him for rest.  As the prophets told, and as Jesus confirmed, “Even the youth shall grow weary…but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall not faint.” (Isa 40:30-31)

Change your game.  Start anew.  Swing for your life.  Play on.  

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org

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12. September 2010 by BruceSmith.

Life Thought:

The atheists, in the face of evil, say, “Is God truly good?”  The follower of Jesus responds, “His goodness is found there in His wounds”.  In a culture that seeks to merchandise evil and make cool that which is evil, we should be reminded that God is ever extending His goodness amidst the pain, suffering, and evil of our world. He does not ignore, negate, or deny it. He reaches into it with goodness and compassion. What separates the God of Christianity from all other religions is His wounds. He suffers with and for us.  In every other religion its about what we do to earn our status before the supposed deities.  Only in Christianity do we find a God who acts on our behalf with love and grace, a God who makes the first move, amidst our own inner evil.  

Our task, in light of the pain of our world and our experience, is not to trivialize it, turn away from it, refuse to view it, or anesthetize it with fun or lightness, but rather, to see reality as it is, and to understand that God is longing to work through us, and in us, amidst the mess.  We cannot expect to expose ourselves and our kids to the merchandising of evil (via television, movies, video games, etc.) and expect to have God’s perspective on it.  Evil, sin (and it must be seen and called for what it is if we are to have freedom from it), anything apart from the biblical view, no matter how “fun” or “harmless” it may appear to the lazy mind, serves only to detract from our God given purpose.  In a culture addicted to adrenaline and pleasure, and avowedly numb to violence, murder, and pain, unlike any culture in history, we are in great need, as a people, to find again, the truth of God’s desire to see the ugliness of sin for what it is and to call others to His glorious goodness.  

Parents, teach your kids to view the world, as it is in reality, through His lens.  Don’t just show them fun and goodness.  Teach them now to think deeply and honestly about the realities of this world.  There are enemies set to detour them early.  Teach them to see the lie within the cultural vibe in the music, entertainment, social allures, and “fun”.  Help them view things as they are, as defined by God.  The video game culture, the MTV scene, and the seduction of the silver screen will not lead your kids to a correct and life-giving view of pain, death, sex, pleasure, intelligence, or faith.  Be hands on.  Actively engage, teach them to think, and prepare them to lead, not follow.

There is goodness to be had in this world.  There is beauty. We can appreciate the arts, music, creative entertainment, and the rest.  It must, however, point us toward God’s standard of truth and offer an appropriate view of what is true and realistic.  God’s wounds are a clarion call to the reality that the dangers and evil of this world are real, and that it is vitally important, critical even, that we see this worlds ills as He sees them.  He died for the very things we crave, He bled to redefine “cool”, He allowed Himself to be ruined by violence in order to overcome the violence done to our souls.

Can God be good?  Look at the wounds.

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org

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7. September 2010 by BruceSmith.

T.P.G.U.  (Tennis Player’s Guide to the Universe): getting a grip on focus

Its time to focus.  As we have seen already, the grip is essential to all that follows.  Once the game itself has a grip on us, then and only then, can we fully pursue the game itself with full vigor and focus.  Within the grip of the game, while in the grip of the game, the sheer joy of the journey unfolds.  Focus, mental, physical and otherwise, is the element which opens up to us, a full world of adventure.  Focus, is the game within the game.  In the classic text on the Inner Game of Tennis, Tim Gallwey presents a convincing case that the mental part of the game, the focus part, is what determines how success unfolds on the court (and this is true for the beginner as well as the accomplished player).  Its the focus which determines how we perform under pressure.  Its the focus which determines how we stay the course, how we pursue the game, how long we remain in the point, and how the game unfolds.  Its the focus which determines the resolve with which we approach a critical point.  Its the focus which establishes how we handle setbacks in the game, and its the focus which allows us to execute a strategic plan that can lead to victory.  Its all about the focus–in tennis and life.  The lazy, distracted, or inattentive mind has no chance for achieving excellence.

You have seen, no doubt, those special players who can raise the bar on the levels of focus as needed.  These players can actually thrive under the pressure of match play.  While others seem to only “play out” when nothing is on the line, these focused performers want the ball on their racquet when it matters most.  Called to meet the challenges of a big match, a huge point, or a critical game, the focused competitor raises the level of the game in the big moments.  In fact, the truly focused player thrives on big points.  These hitters swing bigger, press harder, think smarter, and embrace the moment all the more when its all on the line.  If you are a doubles player, these are the teammates you want next to you on the court.  If looking for a spouse, friend, business partner or confidant, these are your people.  If you are a singles player, these are not the guys you want to see on the other side of the net.  These people play like its all on the line all the time.  They will not let you off easy, and they refuse to embrace the game casually.  They are going to bring it, and bring it big.  When we see this quality in a player or in the life of a person its easy to say, “I need some of that”.  And, indeed, we all do.  

Andre Agassi, the hall of fame player, and winner of numerous grand slams, is known to have had two careers.  In his early career, at his admission, he lacked the kind of focus which we have come to know him for.  He lacked that focus on the court, off the court, and in life in general.  At some point, as he tells in his book, Open, he woke up to the reality that focus was lacking.  It was at that point that his second career began, and it was at that point that life took on an entirely new trajectory.  The rest as we now know, is history.  And what a history it has been.  Andre went from being a pro on the way out too early to becoming a newly committed and passionately focused pursuer of the game.  This reality, according to Andre, was true on and off the court.  As he came to understand that life was more than he ever expected it could be both on and off the court, his drive, focus, and heart were set ablaze, infused with faith, and empowered in a way he had never experienced.  The game he literally hated for most of his life, and the life which was lacking for so long, transformed once he found proper focus.  His second career, even as an older competitor, was stronger and certainly more compelling, than his “first” career in the game.  His new work ethic, grit, court presence, and his new found compassion for others captured all tennis and sports fans alike.  Andre suggests it all began as he came to understand God’s call to spiritual focus, and an understanding of divine love and grace.  Life, all of it, finds its ultimate and daily focus here.

Beyond Andre, tennis fans will immediately recognize the intense focus of players like Jimmy Connors or Rafael Nadal.  These two guys border on maniacal focus and intensity on the court.  To tell you the truth, that’s what I love about them.  It is exceedingly rare to see either of these guys fold, melt down, or take a point off even if injured.  One thing you know when you watch them, it will all be left out there on the court, and it will be a show.  We all tune in to watch.  The bigger the match, the stronger the focus.  If we can learn to bring that kind of love, passion, and pursuit of the game to our own heart and mind, we would all be better served.  On the court, such a focus enables a player to always have their abilities dialed up and ready to go.  The feet are light and moving, the hands are fast and furious, and the mind is locked in.  That is a recipe for a winning game.  If we can learn to approach life in a similar manner, what a difference that would make!  In relational stress we could remain poised and on the mark.  Amidst tragedy we can remain steadfast and hopeful for the next move.  And amidst loss, we can move forward with grace and humility having the knowledge that we gave it our all, no regrets.  It reminds me of the kind of focus Jesus suggested we must have in order to serve Him well, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength”.  That is focus.

Too often, because of pressure, stress, laziness, boredom, and all sorts of distractions, we take a point off in life.  Once missed, that point won’t come back.  Miss enough of them, and we can find ourselves way behind in the game of life.  Enough missed points in a relationship can lead to default.  Enough missed points with regard to taking care of our bodies, can lead to physical disaster.  Enough missed points as it pertains to character, can lead to the distrust of those we hold dear.  Points missed don’t return.  Big points missed stay with us a long long time.  Ask any pro player, or life player, who had a chance for greatness on their racquet only to squander it, and listen closely to the regrets.  Its a strange thing how vividly the replays stay with us.  The good stay as well, so we are wise to stay focused and dialed in so that when the tape in our heads begins to run, we can sit back and enjoy.  When we hear the words, “Game. Set. Match.”, our focus will determine how those words are viewed.  

What I am not suggesting is that we are always so intense that we don’t relax, rest, or allow our hearts, minds, and bodies to repair.  And, for sure, it must be fun.  One can, and must, remained focused on the proper things even when that focus requires rest for the soul.  All pro tennis players take time to relax, repair, and breathe.  That time can come between points, amidst a point (in order to properly relieve pressure and prepare for the next shot), or between games or matches.  But its always focused rest.  Jesus himself said, “Come to me and find rest for your souls”.  Even rest for the athlete is strategic.  Rest off the court, and managed emotional, physical, and mental rest on the court is crucial for competitive play.  All elite athletes are constantly monitoring and directing, with intentionality, the level of their meters on all these things.  All the gauges must be seen in our minds eye so that we can be on point for every point.  In many matches, one point can make all the difference.  One opportunity can make or break the run to a championship.  The same is true in the game of life.  We need to stay tuned in.

Focus is about proper perspective.  Its about seeing the right things in the right way at the right time and moving forward appropriately.  Sometimes this means we must ramp up our energy levels, at other times it means we must quiet our hearts and breath deeply in order to prepare for the next point.  Ultimately, focus is about vision married to balance.  Its about intensity in the right degree, the right situation, applied in the right way and in proper moment.  In the end its about a strategic and wise management of our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits in order that we might compete to the full.  That’s a goal we all share.  None of us want to walk away from the arena of competition knowing we could have left something more on the court.  In the game of life this is especially true.  

Let’s stay focused.  

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org

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3. September 2010 by BruceSmith.

Vision

Come out this Sunday, if you are in the New Orleans/Northshore area, and here Bruce’s message “DreamState: embracing God’s fantastic adventure for your life”.  He will be speaking at Northwoods Church in Downtown Covington at 10:00am.

 Here is your final thought for the week:

What we have need of in our day, in this cultural pool of ideas, is eyes to see.  Not just any eyes, mind you.  Not just physical eyes.  Eyes beholden to the heart of a God who sees all, understands all, knows all, and wants all good for us.  As has been said before, this world goads us to believe a lie when we see with and not through the eye.  Seeing with the eyes of culture, we are blind to reality as God knows it.  Seeing through eyes of faith, our lives are filled with a quality of light and sight unknown to a world stumbling in the dark.  This light pervades every square inch of our lives.

 Muggeridge has written, in his amazing book, Jesus: the man who lives, “Not to flee the world but to discover the world is Jesus directive; and, once so found, and seen with his eyes, it has depths and splendours hitherto unnoticed–as a pretty face touched with affliction discloses its hidden beauty.  If an eye offends pluck it out, Jesus counsels, not thereby becoming blind, but truly seeing; if a limb, amputate it, not thereby becoming crippled, but whole.  He came, he tells us, not to destroy life but that we may have it more abundantly…I can say I never knew what joy was until I gave up pursuing happiness, or cared to live until I chose to die (to self).  For these two discoveries I am beholden to Jesus”.

Jesus did not call us to abandon the world or to hide from our culture.  Rather, he offers us a power, joy, and life so deep that it, as it makes its way into our lives and out into the world, opens up and transforms the world in ways we never could have imagined.  The life of God in us awakens us, amidst the pains of life, to all that is good, marvelous, and beautiful, because it is created by God and bears his stamp.  He is for us not against us.  Anything he points us to is for our good.  

Let’s joyously pursue him and rest in his plan.  That is true vision.

 Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org 

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