One Last Sealed Order for Lucas

Today we learned that Lucas Astudillo, good friend, avid euphoniumist and CMI alum, lost his battle with cancer. And so, in the midst of tears, we try to figure out how to navigate life without him. And it's a pretty difficult challenge.

His faith and positive spirit helped set the personality of CMI 2011. But his determination to keep in regular contact with CMI friends he made after he returned to Argentina, despite being a continent away, was inspiring. While my daughters spent more time on Skype calls with him, his brother Marcos and friend Loreley, I had a chance to say hello to him from time to time.

And by sharing his infectious humor and encouragement electronically, he became an inspiration for me.

Jonathan made a decision to be David's friend, even though it wasn't easy.  As Lucas was separated from us by over 5,000 miles, Jonathan was separated from David by Jonathan's jealous and insane father, King Saul. And because the days they had to share were limited intensified their determination to develop a friendship anyway.

1 Samuel 18:1-4 (NIV)
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.  From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family.  And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.  Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

Jonathan was more interested in being David's friend than being the Prince. So he gave those things that represent that honor in order to express his true friendship.

So here's the challenge from Jonathan, Lucas and anyone who has ever determined to be a friend against all odds: Let nothing stand between you and your friends. Not distance, not time, not circumstances. Not language, not technology, not cancer.

Sometimes I look at my life and count the friends - the real friends - I have. God has blessed me with many who would be Jonathan to me. And then I measure the time I spend with them. And I realize how much I fall short. I need to answer Jonathan's challenge and Lucas' example, by being the friend I need to be to those who are ready to extend themselves to me. In other words, in honor of Lucas, I need to be a better friend. There is no such thing as too busy, too far away, too different. I need to be a better friend.

Will you join me in honoring Lucas by being a better friend to those we still have with us?

We'll all miss you, Lucas. Save a seat in the Wonderland Band in heaven for all your CMI friends. I know you'll be waiting with a smile and an encouraging word for each of us.  And you'll probably move down the row so that someone you call friend can sit in a place of honor. 

Playground Connections

Yesterday I had the privilege of spending an hour with our 3-4 age preschool room kids.  We started upstairs with song time followed by talking out the day - what the weather was like, what day of the week it was, and what kind of clothing is suitable for the weather.  After sitting still for so long, it was time to go out to the playground.


Once we navigated the halls, stairwell and half a dozen doors in (almost) quiet single-file line, we emerged to the sun drenched playground.  I felt like Willy Wonka finally opening the door to the Chocolate Room, watching his guests scatter to discover all the treasures to be found within.  And scatter they did - some to the swings, some to the climbing wall, others to the slide.


As I kept an eye on the group, one by one they shouted, "Captain Tom, watch this!"  As soon as they had my attention, they climbed up, jumped down, or swung from one ledge to the other.  


And so I responded with "Whoa!" or "Wow!" or "No Way!"  And they seemed satisfied.  But they wanted that kind of response again and again.


It made me remember with fondness when my own kids were that age, and they longed for their Dad to be there, to watch them, to respond with encouragement.


I wonder if we ever long for someone to watch us in what we do.  Did someone notice that I created that report for my boss with excellence?  Did someone see when I let the person with only two items in front of me in the grocery checkout line?  Did someone realize that I bit my tongue when I felt the urge to be critical?


And what kind of response would we expect if someone did see us?


The prophet Isaiah announces: 


All of us have become like one who is unclean, 
    and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; (Isaiah 64:6)

Too often we get caught in the performance trap with God.  Only it isn't his trap, it's ours.  We think that if we just do something amazing, something unexpected, something "Godly," he will sit up from his throne in heaven, notice and respond with delight.  "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," we hope to hear.

Rest assured, he does see what we do, but that isn't the basis of our relationship or his favor.  If it was, we'd all be in a heap of trouble.

Isaiah explains a few verses later,


Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. 
    We are the clay, you are the potter; 
    we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

God is our father.  While he is our master and we his servants, our relationship with God is more like a father-child relationship.

In other words, he loves us no matter what.  And he wants to be the one who does the amazing work in our lives.  Of course, we serve him.  But he wants us to stand back sometimes and let him do what he wants in our lives.

He wants to shape us - transform us - into an extraordinary creation.  He wants to lead us, help us, change us, to match his exciting plan for our lives.  Not just where we go and what we do, but he wants to transform the essence of who we are.

Maybe on the playground of life, rather than clamoring for God's attention, maybe we need to sit down, quiet ourselves and watch what amazing things God is already doing in your life.  

And maybe you'll say something like "Whoa!" or "Wow!" or "No way!" And you'll mean it, because God's work in your life is amazing.

More on Simon's "Undercover Boss" Moment

As I usually do when I prepare and study for Sunday morning, I come up with much more material than I have time to deliver.  Today, the message was "Who is this Jesus? Our Best Look at God."  We started with John 10:25-30 and ended up looking at Luke 5:1-11, examining the moment when Simon realized that Jesus was more than just a teacher - he was God.


As I look at Simon's experience, I discover six things that accepting Jesus as God means.


To accept Jesus as God means. . . 


. . . to obey him even when it doesn't make sense.  


Remember, Simon had been fishing all night long (verse 5).  I don't think it was an accident that Jesus picked Simon's boat as a preaching platform.  And I don't think it was an accident that Simon hadn't caught anything all night.  Sometimes Jesus uses circumstances to get our attention.  But what would have happened if Simon didn't cast his net - just one more time?  After all, it didn't really make sense, did it?  


What has God been asking you to do?  Why are you hesitating?  Are you resisting that call to pray for something you've been praying for years?  After all, what will one more prayer time do?  Are you struggling to shake a habit - you know it's wrong but what difference will full obedience mean?


When we know Jesus as God, we are inspired to obey him even when it doesn't make sense.  That's what faith is all about.



. . . To be overwhelmed from time to time with God’s blessing.


Take a look at Simon's catch - the one Jesus told him to cast for.  The nets were so full they were breaking (verse 6).  They were so heavy Simon needed help lifting them (verse 7).  The boats were so full they were sinking (verse 7).  When we finally acknowledge Jesus as God, we see him as the one who can meet our needs.  When God answers prayer or he blesses me out of left field, sometimes I feel ashamed at being so surprised.  After all, didn't I believe God would come through for me?  


But then I think of how delighted I am when I can surprise my kids with a Christmas present.  It's a lot of fun, isn't it?  I think God takes a great deal of pleasure in surprising us.  


Yes, I think our faith needs to grow bit by bit so that we can pray bigger prayers.  A growing faith unlocks God's goodness and power in a more dramatic way.  But acknowledging Jesus as God means that we will be overwhelmed from time to time with his blessing.


. . . To partner with others


When the big catch came in, Simon needed help, and he called out for others.  And they came to help (verse 7)


When you accept Jesus as God, you suddenly become part of a team - a family of brothers and sisters who help you along the way.  Have you considered joining a Bible study or small group?  Being a part of a group of believers means that you will spend time who have been through what you're going through.  They understand.  You're going to gain from the wisdom of others, and they can gain from  (verse 7)


. . . To see yourself inadequate and insufficient without him


When Simon finally realized who Jesus was, he suddenly saw himself for who he was - a spiritually needy Simon.  (verse 8)  It was like being a toddler on the field of an NFL game - the comparison is dramatic and overwhelming. 


When we acknowledge Jesus as God, we see ourselves as inadequate and insufficient.  The best news is that Jesus accepts us as we are.  He forgives us and gives us a fresh start in life.  


. . . To accept a new priority for your life


One Simon "got it," Jesus gave him a new priority - taking the fishing skills Simon already knew: patience, determination and strength; and putting them to practice in winning people to Jesus.  (verse 10)


I get the sense that God is calling our congregation to conduct a fishing expedition - to cast the nets one more time.  There is a neighborhood just west and north-west of the corps building that God is calling us to reach for his kingdom.  On Saturday, March 31, we will be taking a "prayer walk," going door-to-door, asking for prayer requests.  Let's acknowledge Jesus as God by going out into our neighborhood - reaching out with God's love for others.


. . . To live your life by a new pattern


At the end of this chapter of Simon's life, he begins a new one - he starts following Jesus.  (verse 11)  He wants to spend time with Jesus, learn from him, and pay attention to how Jesus does life.


When we acknowledge Jesus as God, we start following him.  Try reading a little bit of the Gospels every day to see how Jesus lived, and then put what you learn into practice. 


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So, how will you live this out?  Are you ready to accept Jesus as God?  If so, fasten your seatbelt, because there are going to be big changes in your life.