Take My Life and Let It Be

So, I've been pushed off the high dive in the deep end. I've talked about starting a blog for a while now, because I enjoy reading the musings of others in their personal blogs. Now, it's pure competition and ego that drive me to write today. Translate -- my intern blogs, one of my best friends blogs, my first college room mate blogs. Why not?

I've entitled my blog, and this first entry, "Take My Life and Let It Be," because Jesus has been stalking me through five different worship services in five different communities with this hymn from Evangelical Lutheran Worship #685. Here's what I said in a sermon about this phenomena:

Sermon 20121111

Grace and peace…

·  Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

·  Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

·  Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

·  Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

·  Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

·  Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/445#ixzz2BvCozW6p

What is God up to?

Jesus is calling us to whole life stewardship.

Funny story – several times in the last few weeksincluding face book on Thursday, my own protests, ok, I surrender, Jesus has been dogging me.

Jesus is watching, judging, commenting…

This widow, puts her heart in the treasury of the temple, when she gives everything she has.

The scribes give out of their abundance, is their heart in it?

Thesis: How would we contribute to the treasury if Jesus were watching us? If he were actually, physically here?

Let’s say, Jesus is watching – to me, that isn’t a scary phenomena, but a welcome presence in our lives. Jesus is watching our conduct, not only on Sunday mornings when we’re placing our offerings in the plate, but how we’re conducting our entire life’s stewardship – how we spend our time and our possessions, and how we utilize ourselves and our neighbors.

He’s looking out for the widows and all who offer thanks and praise. He’s judging how we’re stewards of one another.

He sees us when were sleeping, he knows when were awake – kids are more conscientious at this time of the year, because they’re wanting Santa to deliver their entire wish list –

Different proposition – Jesus isn’t only watching you, he is with you, guiding you and urging you to keep the needs of others in mind as you make decisions of how to spend your time, your money, and your service.

Like in school for example – a lot of stuff happens in school – I remember middle school like it was yesterday – not an easy time in life – lots of small groups, some days I was part of one or another, but even then once part of a group, members didn’t always exercise kindness – stewardship of others – kindness, compassion, standing up for those who are exploited – never forget the multiple times I watched a class mate get shoved under a bench or put in a garbage can by bullies in the hallway, and regret and repent now, that I didn’t stand up for him. How we treat other people matters. This is what Jesus is saying as he gives the commandments. This is what he’s saying as he watches the generosity of the rich and the poor .He knows that the poor are exploited by those in power.