First Impressions

Looking back on my life, historically my first impression would be better classified as a wrong impression.  There have been many times I had a negative first impression of people who later ended up being among my best friends!  The first glance or personal interaction can distort the truth of reality.  People are more than just a face and a name, and it is a shame for us to judge by appearance.  It is not above a man to do what is shameful, or to even make a practice of it.

When I arrived in Sydney, I took the train from the terminal to the home I am staying at in Baulkham Hills.  The train was creaky and old, and as I rode the train from the Central Station tall graffiti-covered brick walls loomed on either side of the tracks.  Rubbish lined the sides of the tracks as we sped under grey, overcast skies.  Serious people stared straight ahead as the train jostled from side to side.  Abandoned buildings with broken windows, the same red bricks, the same graffiti flew by kilometer after kilometer.  It would be a lie if my first impression of Sydney was very good.  Everything looked grim, dim, run-down, and tired.

The next day I took the same train on a trip to the wharf where the world-famous Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge are.  They were an amazing sight, as the sun filtered through patchy fog and wind brushed cool upon skin.  As I spoke with a couple pastors on the wharf, countless people walked by taking pictures and videos of the famous sights.  Ships carried sightseers through the choppy water in the bay.  I didn't bring my camera with me, but I'll never forget the sights of Circular Quay.

Since my arrival I've met many beautiful people, experienced wonderful hospitality, and have seen a beauty that was indistinguishable at first.  I flew into Sydney as a tourist and after five hours I had a picture of what Sydney was like.  But as I might have predicted, my first impression was not a correct impression.  Sure, there are abandoned buildings and tons of graffiti, but a city is more than buildings and weather.  The beauty in a city is not in design or ornamentation, but in the people and relationships you have there.  In the same way, the beauty of a person is not in their proportion, face, or figure, but their possession of a God-breathed soul.  In every person there is the mark of the divine, for God has formed man in His image.

Had I designed or engineered a world-famous landmark, I would have an appreciation that no one else could possibly have.  The architect would not love the structure he designed because the opera or plays that take place within, but because he poured his own ideas and creativity into it.  When we look at a person, we may not see what strikes us as physical beauty.  But in every human body God has breathed a living soul, an everlasting component unique to a human being.  God does not have wrong first impressions of a person, for He does not see as a man sees.  God looks upon the heart, and sees His creation through eyes of love and deep affection.  The God who created the heavens and the earth, knows all the stars by name, and made every person unique knows intimately all His creation.

I am blessed beyond measure to know that God always judges righteously.  He does not "rush to judgment" or make a mistake based on a wrong first impression.  God's natural inclination is to love what He has created, for all that He has made is good.  It is man who refuses that love by rebellion, sin, and doing what is right in our own eyes.  God has revealed His love to us by sending Jesus Christ to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world.  He demonstrated His love for us, for while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Sydney is a beautiful place, and all that God has created is good.  Man pollutes, destroys, ostricizes, hates, judges, and lies.  But God is not like a man that He should lie or speak unrighteously.  His judgments are not tainted by first impressions, for He knew your name before the foundations of the world were laid.  God is not like me, who judged a city by the rubbish and graffiti that litters the railways.  Regardless if you see yourself as a graffiti covered building or a downtown high-rise, God sees you in truth.  If God is for you, who can be against you?

Mr. Universe?

"Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God, [8] who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains. [9] He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry. [10] He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. [11] The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy."  Psalm 147:7-11

On the first Tuesday in November, the Melbourne cup horse race is held annually in Victoria, Australia.  It is often called "the horse race that stops a nation."  For many people in Victoria it is a holiday where men don suits and women wear dresses and fancy hats to watch the horses race.  Even people who are not horse racing fans gather to watch the powerful steeds, pick their winner, and place their bets.  All can appreciate the quickness and power of a horse running at top speed.  God is the One who has given him strength and clothed him with thunder (Job 39:19).  God is pleased with His creation, but it is not the strength of a horse that gives Him greatest delight.  God takes pleasure in those who fear Him.

Proverbs 20:29 says, "The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head."  Young men do glory in their feats of strength, ability to run, bench press max, and how many push-ups or sit-ups or pull-ups they can do.  Entire stores are dedicated to nutrition for building lean muscle and maximizing the effect of a workout.  Pictures of heavily-muscled copper-toned bodies plaster the magazine covers and tubs of protein powder.  Man has engineered chemicals and workouts to make the human body so muscular it almost looks foreign.  Though man may glory in his strength, God is not impressed or moved by the muscles in a man's arms or legs.  He is not intimidated by "Mr. Universe" in pink drawers, complete with 22 inch arms and 57-inch chest:  God takes pleasure in those who fear Him and those who hope in His mercy.

Isn't it ironic that man would create an award dedicated to someone deemed "Mr. Universe," the limits of whose body can be measured in inches with a piece of tape?  One man earns the title of Mr. Universe one year, and the next year another will take his place.  A horse deemed the Melbourne Cup winner one year is not guaranteed even to show the next.  I ask you, how great is our God?  How amazing are His infinite eternal attributes!  He is the Creator of the Universe and covers the sky with clouds, and provides food and water to support life on earth.  We who are intimidated by a man who stands six inches taller than us should be absolutely overcome with abject humility before the One who spoke the world into existence and knows all the stars by name.  We ought to cower before a God of such power and might.  The universe itself is far too minuscule a measuring unit for any attribute of the God of heaven.

If God takes pleasure in a man who fears God and hopes in His mercy, may those qualities mark our lives.  We are not capable to change ourselves any more than we are able to shake the earth by stomping our feet.  As God says in Zech. 4:6, "...Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."  It is not by the power of a horse or the strength of a man where we ought to glory, but in our awesome God who is our Father, Savior, and LORD.  We should be as the men of faith when threatened with being burned alive in Daniel 3:16-18:  "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.  But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

Is your god whom you serve able to deliver you from a fiery furnace?  Is your god able to deliver you from death, sin, hopelessness, and fear?  My God is able, for His strength far exceeds the strength of any created thing, for He is the Creator of all.  Instead of fearing what man can do to us, let us fear God in the beauty of His holiness.  We should not serve God because of all the good we have received from Him, but because He is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory in Himself.  Men admire a horse because of his speed and a man for his muscles, but our God is the "Over and Above All One."  Know that our God values those who fear Him above all which a man admires.  Man's desires perish with Him, but those who fear God will eternally remain the apple of His eye.  Rejoice in this, O man, for this is a great privilege and honor we are unworthy of!  Glorify your Maker through your trust and faithfulness, for those who rest in Him will never be put to shame. 

The Big Day...

Today was a significant day in my walk with Jesus.  It was a fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken to me seven years ago:  "You will preach, and you will be sent."  I believed in seven years I would see the word of God fulfilled.  Never could I have imagined in 2002 that God would have moved me out of the trade that I loved, into a full-time position working at a church, and later leave that position to pursue the call of God to march forth to the east side of Australia.  As I stood before the congregation at Calvary Chapel Melbourne, it struck me that God has done a marvelous thing.  He truly does all things well.

If you follow the blog you know a little of my testimony.  I never aspired to be a preacher, and never planned on serving in the Body of Christ in a pastoral role.  Yet the call of God to preach was clear, as clear as His call to minister in Australia would later be.  Australia is certainly new territory for me, but the same LORD has never left or forsaken me.  I have never requested to preach at any point, yet God by His grace has provided opportunities across the world!  It's too great a thing for my mind to fully grasp.

This morning I preached on Jephthah, and tonight we had a Bible study on Barak.  Between the two at this point, I find more in common with Barak, a man listed with notable people of faith in Hebrews 11.  Barak is not introduced to us in Judges 4 as a mighty man of valor, a warrior, general, rugged outdoors-man, or administrator.  But Deborah the prophetess of God called him, told him to gather 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun, and muster on Mt. Tabor to fight Sisera God had delivered he and Jabin's army into the hand of Israel.  Barak was hesitant at first, not willing to go through with the plan unless Deborah the prophetess accompanied him.  After he was assured of her support, he was obedient to the end.  Barak demonstrated his faith in God when he came when called, obeyed God's commands, offered himself willingly, and praised God for His great victory.

I believe there is a little of the reluctant side of Barak the son of Abinoam in all of us.  We respond when Christ calls us, but we stop short of obedience unless the conditions we dictate are met.  Like a spoiled child we rebel against the command because we want to go our own way.  Though God has delivered us from sin and death and granted us life, we act like He owes us something.  But a slave cannot dictate his form of slavery.  He has no authority over the command of his master.  God in His grace is exceedingly patient in His training of us to follow Him.  Like the Good Shepherd He is, He does not drive the sheep but leads them.

I thank God for the opportunity to preach today and pray that His Holy Spirit will quicken our hearts to receive of His truth and wisdom.  I have not come to Australia because I have a gift to share with the world, or I possess a rare gift or talent:  I have been sent here to glorify Jesus Christ and lift Him up that He might draw all people to Himself.  It has basically nothing to do with me, save I am a vessel in His hand.  It has all to do with the refinement process of teaching me to rely upon God, opening my mouth as He leads.  I was very reluctant to preach the message this morning because it is not an easy passage.  But God be praised, who enabled me to preach Christ crucified and point to Him from a passage that seems to divide more than unify.  Only our God can do that!

In my opinion, I could use more of the faith Barak showed by his obedience to God and willingness to offer himself willingly to God.  As the last stanza of Deborah and Barak's song of victory says in Judges 5:31:  "Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord!  But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength."  As Jael pierced Sisera's temple through with a tent peg and hammer, may God skewer dead our unbelief!  Too long have we been oppressed by the iron chariots of fear, uncertainty, and the lies of Satan.  It is time that God's people stand in obedience with the faith of Barak, who came when called, obeyed the command of the LORD, and willingly offered himself.  With man this is impossible:  but with God all things are possible for those who believe.

I am in awe of my heavenly Father, who has brought me into green pastures far out of the range of my nearsighted  vision of even a year ago.  As a sheep I cannot discern the blades of grass at my feet except the Good Shepherd direct my gaze.  Sometimes I believe the LORD is generous and gracious to call us sheep, for few sheep are as stubborn and feeble-minded as mankind is spiritually.  May God grant us the grace and faith to trust Him that we might bring honor to His holy name.  In Australia and in all the earth, may the nations laud and praise the One who is worthy of all worship and honor.  May we shine for Jesus as the sun shines in full strength! 

Travel Update!

Tomorrow I am flying down to Melbourne, Australia.  God willing I will be preaching at Calvary Chapel Melbourne and I look forward to holding forth God's Word.  I've been very blessed by the time of preparation and I have no doubt that God will prepare all our hearts to hear from Him.

The messages have come out of Hebrews 11:32-34:  "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: [33] who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."  I find it ironic that most of the men of faith mentioned here are typically used as examples of what not to do.  If God sees these as men of faith, then instead of dwelling on faults and shortcomings it would be wise to consider their examples as good for a change.

God does not see as man sees.  He looks at the heart.  Instead of focusing on the faults of others, it would do us well to consider our faith.  Last I checked our names are not found listed in Hebrews 11.  Ours is a story yet to be written:  when Christ comes again, will He find faith on the earth?  Will faith be found in you?