Wrong Message, Wrong Time

While flipping through channels the other day I came across an interview with a pastor from the Caribbean Islands. He was discussing the current economic difficulties the world economies are experiencing. This pastor reasoned that since no money has "left the earth" or "gone to heaven" that the economies should have continued on as they had previously. He stated that since no money has been lost there is no reason for a recession. I thought this alone was maddening because it was such an ignorant and adolescent understanding of economics and our current state. Nevertheless, he continued on.

The pastor would go on to say that the reason the world is going through an economic downturn is because the "promise" that the "...sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous (Proverbs 13:22) was being fulfilled. He said that the "storage" of the wealth would not go on forever and this is now a time of transfer. Again, I was maddened by the whole reasoning. I was particularly bothered by the logic of the whole thing. Embedded in his statement was that in order for God to bless His people he would have to take from others, as though His resources were limited.

As I sat and continued to listen (couldn't pull myself away from the tv) my mind immediately went to Jeremiah Chapters 27 and 28. Contained in these two chapters are a contrast between the True word of the Lord and out right lies (as the scripture calls it). Jeremiah was sent to deliver the message that various kingdoms would be conquered by the King of Babylon. In contrast there were other "prophets" giving the message that the king of Babylon would not conquer them.

As a warning and sign to the people God had Jeremiah place an Ox's yoke on his neck to provide a visual picture that the conquered kingdoms would submit to the king of Babylon. While Jeremiah was in the temple he was confronted by Hananiah, another prophet of the day. Hananiah said that Jeremiah was wrong and his message of judgement was not accurate. Hananiah painted an optimistic picture of what was to come. While making his pronouncement of "prosperity" he took the yoke off of Jeremiah's neck and smashed it. In response Jeremiah stated that he "wished" Hananiah's prophecy was accurate and even hoped it would take place. Despite his hopes, Jeremiah maintained that his words were in fact from the Lord and the burden of proof now rest on Hananiah.

God did not let Hananiah's move to mislead the people go. God proclaimed that instead of a yoke made of wood, it would now be a yoke of iron. This was to symbolize that the people would be forced into slavery. God said even the animals would be under the rule of the king of Babylon. Then the Lord instructed Jeremiah to deliver this message to Hananiah; "Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, but the people believe your lies. Therefore, the Lord says you must die."

As I sat listening to this pastor's statements I feared that people would believe his report. This is dangerous because America and our world are facing serious issues. The current state of our economy has not come because of a supernatural transfer of wealth from wicked to just. It has come because of a lack of character, honesty, integrity, and usury (the charging of outrageous interest rates that equals robbery). In addition, we are facing a number of moral issues-SIN.

Now is a time for repentance, a time for spiritual renewal, a time to seek God for his grace, mercy, wisdom, and guidance. This is not a time to continue on as though all is well and normal. Most people know that a wealth transfer is not happening. Many dedicated Christians and churches alike are suffering from the failing economies. Where is there "transfer?" Christian leaders need to face the facts and recognize that if we don't stop this "baptism" of consumerism and "paper chasing" we will be placing a yoke of iron around the necks of the people. Much like Jeremiah, it is my hope that the pastor's words of windfall prosperity to the kingdom were true. I fear like Jeremiah, that this is the wrong message at the wrong time.

Starting Over

In 2001 Larry Crabb released a book called Shattered Dreams. This book was quite popular among the people in my circle at that time. There were Bible studies/Book Studies surrounding this work. I started to read the book and I found it to be of a spiritual nature but it wasn't really speaking to me at the time. Recently, I picked the book up again and I have found it to be a magnificent work. So why the change?

My perception of the book has changed because my life experience has changed. Back in 2001 I was incredibly hopeful for the future. I was sewing seeds in the spirit, in education, in my job and I was looking forward to a great harvest. At that time I had experienced some major losses and pain, but I was still highly optimistic about my future. Since that time my dreams have been crushed.

All I had hoped for has not gone the way I planned or hoped. My career, my finances, my relationships, my health, and most painful-my ministry, has gone every way but right. The pain of Shattered Dreams has come upon me in a way that I have been thinking I might not recover. I poured my heart, resources, time, and prayers all into one big wicker basket that has gone up in smoke. The reality of my current state is painful. I have lost my "What if?"

Despite my painful circumstances all hope is not lost. One of the main points I have tried to drive home to the young men I work with is having the ability to give your all in an effort to obtain your goals and in the event that things don't work out, having the maturity to deal with the disappointment appropriately and continue on. This is living life in a way that you feel the pain of loss and suffering and experience the joy and happiness of success-all to the full. This is where I am and what I am struggling to do.

I highly value authenticity. I try to live my life as an honest, real, "authentic" person. I don't want to fake joy, fake blessing, fake faith. I want to be real. I feel pain and joy alike. I believe that if I am authentic I will have credibility with those I encounter. Authenticity does not come without a price. The price comes when your actions are congruent with your words. My actions are now being tested by my words. My dreams have been shattered and the question is; "What do I do now?"

Well, I have to start at square one-GOD. As an authentic person I can't pretend that my relationship is right with God because it is not. As dream after dream has been shattered I have hardened my heart toward God more and more. That has left me angry with God and asking "Why?" Why would he allow me to fail after I poured my resources into advancing his kingdom? Why would he allow me to fight for my dream only to see others obtain it? Why would he let me harden my heart like this and be so distant? Why, why why?

I doubt I will ever have the exact answer to my questions. What I do hope for is that I will be restored in my relationship and passion for the Lord with a joy that is deeper than anything I have ever had before. I hope that my relationship going forward will be more authentic than it was before. I hope my motives would be pure, not clouded with ulterior motives.

So, here I am. Starting over again. I wish I knew for certain that my journey will take me to greater heights and deeper depths in the Lord. Truth is, I don't know where this is going to go. I only know that I am going. I will be documenting my journey here on my blog. Feel free to make suggestions as to how you have dealt with times like these in your life if you have ever experienced such times. Let me know how you found your way again. Hopefully, if you are a person that is in my shoes maybe we can walk together. With that, here we go.