Zeal For Your House Will Consume Me | John 2

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the courts, he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So, he made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me. [John 2:13-17]

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It’s probably safe to say that most of us have been somewhere or participated in an event that we were excited about. It could have been a concert of a favorite singer, to a store after a much-desired purchase, perhaps a first date or outing with a special friend. Countless details of the experience might have been subpar but because of our mission— the ZEAL of what we were hoping to achieve; The details that would normally subtract from our experience, never even factored into the equation or made it to the final sum when calculating the value of the event.

Without noticing it, sometimes our church attendance can become more of a routine or a task to be checked off. We can come expecting a ‘show’ that will entertain us without any effort or forethought on our part. We might have a list of people that we need to meet while there so that we can discuss our own agenda. Other times we can get so busy with the ‘maintenance of His house’ that we neglect our own relationship with our Father or we forget His introduction to others.

If Jesus came in to do a sweep of the building you attend what are the things that he might get rid of? If he were sweeping your heart, where would he call your attention? Could it be that your response to what you see and hear is a reflection of your own expectations? –And that the measurement of your zeal is an indicator of your engagement? After all, to be consumed is not just to put something in but to give yourself over to the purpose.

LET US PRAY

Father God, we thank you for a good word but also for your mercy. That as our Father you pour out love to us again and again and bring restoration. Speak to our hearts about who we are when we come to see you. Help us tune our heart and our activities to the things that serve your purpose. Help us be bold enough to stand up for the things that honor you and end the things that don’t. Remind us of the things that have impacted our zeal and help us take our relationship to a new level.

THINK ABOUT IT

To the kids – [Parent's take a few minutes to read through this devotion with your child. If you're commuting together, have them read it and answer the questions below.]

1.     What are the reasons that we go to church?

2.     Why is that important?

3.     When you go to church what are some of the things that you look for, or what activities do you participate in that might not line up with our reason for going?

Parents – What about you? [These questions are intended for you to complete on your own. You can certainly discuss them too, if you feel that they are age appropriate.]

1.     You can’t be ‘consumed’ by more than one thing. If you had to pick one, what is it that consumes you? Don’t just limit this reflection to Sunday. What are the things that consume you Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday? Does your love for His church or his people carry over or are you instead consumed by fear, ambition [things you hope to accomplish], anxiety, or even frustration about things that disappoint you?

2.     From an outsider’s perspective, what activities could someone see or hear about your involvement in that might seem less than holy?

3.     If we find that we are more excited about other events, activities, and relationships, could it be that those things also receive our worship?

4.     When looking at the activities in your church, what things stand out to you as lacking or less holy. Talk to your Pastor about it. See how you can get involved.

Going Deeper [A journal prompt] - Meditate on this today and later this afternoon write your reflections below. What part of this devotion spoke the most to you and why? Is there something that you can do in response?

Change of Pace and Acceptance

It's awfully hard to try and squeeze in all of the things that need to be done in a day, isn't it? We can wear ourselves out trying to keep that neat and tidy order when the events of life don't necessarily fall the same way. I've been trying to be more flexible with my routine these days and yet still get done the things that I need to do. More importantly, I've been trying to take better care of myself too.

Click image to listen to audio version

For the last few years I've gotten up between 4:30-5:30 each morning so that I can read, write, study or occasionally catch up tasks before the rest of the house is stirring. That time started as just five or ten minutes earlier and eventually grew along with me.

In the last year, I've also been able to add exercise to my morning routine as well. It was another addition that started with just "ten-minute workouts" because I didn't have the kind of time that allowed for more than that. In the same way, that time allotment grew again as I did. I am proud to say that I run about three miles, in addition to some other exercises, three to five days a week now.

But sometimes rising earlier to squeeze things in, comes at the expense of my energy or my mood. I've occasionally been too tired by the end of the day to still feel like embracing it. So, I've been trying to sleep in on the weekends and even a little later throughout the week. I can't describe how hard this challenge has been for me. In so many ways I feel like [by resting more] I am selling myself short or lowering some standard, but I don't know where that thought comes from.

To do this means rearranging things, and having to be creative about how some things get worked in. For example, the Sunday before last, because I slept in, our whole morning routine was practically void. Sunday has recently become the sports day for both of our older kids. We also go to church. The whole day is full and the only things that got done that morning were a few chores before we left.

But later while Sophie was at volleyball practice, Jackson and I went out to the playgrounds behind the school. He played, and I ran circles around each section of the field that he was on, in order to squeeze in a run but frequently stopping to help or answer questions. It was at a much slower pace than I wanted but it allowed all of our needs to get met and still leave time to watch Sophie play.

[This next part will sound a little off topic but hang in there.]

As we approached the third playground, I was appalled and saddened to see that it looked like an entire team or two played a game of basketball, then left the empty bottles of two flats of water and a flat of Gatorade after they drank it. Trash was everywhere! I understand accidentally dropping a bottle or forgetting trash. -But seriously the water bottles and Gatorade were all the same kind, and there was an empty trash can twenty feet away. It was obvious that an entire group just walked away. Other piles of trash we're also left, almost as an "acceptable response" to the main message. How could that many people think that it was okay to just leave their garbage?

So, I stopped running and enlisted Jackson to help me pick it up.

Jackson was eager to do so, and we made many trips back and forth from the court to the trashcan. He was trying so hard to squeeze it all in- in one load. He kept dropping bottles. At one point I look up, and he had a water bottle hanging out of his mouth because he'd grown tired of picking the same one up when it wouldn't cooperate. [Zoom in] Of course, I yelled for him to spit it out. haha. But he was so cute and glad to take part. I had to take his picture first.

To his excitement, he found a dollar, a race car, a baseball, a sweatshirt, and a pair of gloves. While you and I know that there aren't always so many instant rewards of our good deeds, it easily became an opportunity to talk about just that. That sometimes when we are obedient and/or 'do the right thing', we too might be surprised with what we find. Not to mention the good we feel when we take care of something, even when we didn't have to. -or that 'the good' can still be for our own benefit, like a clean place for us to play, even when it's someone else's garbage.

I've been thinking a lot about that day, and I share it not to gloat about what we did or because I think that I do so many awesome things. There is a real tendency in me to be legalistic, and I need the reminder that's coming next. Perhaps you do too. -Which brings me back to my point.

You and I can exhaust ourselves, getting up earlier, trying to do too many things, going too many places, being on too many boards or counting only what other people approve of as a 'qualified' offering of our time. -Sometimes even neglecting the best ministry that we have [our families]. Or like Jackson, growing frustrated because we're trying to carry too much. We can even allow ourselves to feel guilty when our first, second, and even twelfth contribution is all that we have to give.

Sadly, sometimes we never even start something like getting up early to read our Bibles or begin an exercise routine because in our mind we're already comparing ourselves to what we think our ideal version is. We know the dedication that those folks put into it and 'we ain't got time for that' so we tell ourselves that our tiny offering won't make a difference.

But take a look with me at Mark 12:41-44 for a moment. It's a section about the widow's offering and it reads:

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything- all she had to live on."

You can also read on to see sections where Jesus talks about doing for the least and being trusted with a little, and having the faith of a mustard seed (which is another small thing). You might even recall his miracle about the fish and loaves. It is often the littlest examples that God does the biggest things with- in the Bible and in our lives.

In fact, Jackson probably learned more from me in the fifteen minutes of picking up trash than he would have in a year's worth of me doing something else that he might not get to be a part of. -And I might be too busy or too tired in other scenarios to remember to go back and teach him 'the why' later.

I am a hot mess in so many areas but the most successful changes that I have made in my own habits, have been because of my smallest changes that gradually added up, later on.

Friend, it's okay that you don't have enough time to do what all of your friends do. It's okay that you don't have money to buy as much or the means to provide the same contributions.

Matthew 6 reminds us not to look too far ahead. Do what you need to for today, which might look very different than your preferred routine. Offer your very best in whatever situation you're in. -And do what you need to do to keep YOUR lamp burning.

By being able to renegotiate time to fit in what matters, we're able to change the pace and sometimes see not only more of the details but also find more of the rewards ourselves.

Un-coincidentally, it's the same in our relationship with Jesus and time spent in scripture. It's usually the one nugget we glean that makes the biggest difference, instead of hours spent cramming the lesson.

So my question to you is, if God can accept and make good use of our smallest efforts, why can't we?

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I hope this message speaks to you on some level about an area of your own life. Maybe you need to dial something back in order to embrace more or perhaps jump in, even if it's only a quick dip. I challenge you to go for it and in whichever direction you go,  I pray that it becomes a fruitful effort. <3

Steward of Your Vessel

One morning, before everyone else got up, I hopped on my bike and rode three miles down to a nearby landing. Then I sat for thirty minutes on a pier, noticing thoughts and giving thanks to God, praying and admiring nature.

When my time was up, I hated to leave the silence and the cool air (even though I was growing chilly). I hopped back on my back and rode the three miles back home.

What you don't realize is that the person that walked back through my door was not the same person that walked out of it. I woke up particularly angry and frustrated that morning. Even when I sat alone quietly reading scripture and praying; I could feel this buzz, like a current, reverberating through my thoughts, making it hard to focus.

There could have been any number of things to define as the cause; circumstances, hormones, thinking patterns, even going a few days without exercising. etc. Who knows?! -But trying to pinpoint it didn't seem like a fruitful effort. So many times, that action has led to blame, condemnation or further aggravation.

I knew that I didn't want to spend my day that way. Not only would it be hard for anyone that I came in contact with but it would be harder for me to get through as well. So, after I finished reading my Bible, I quickly got dressed so that I could squeeze in a ride before everyone else got up.

I couldn't help but notice that the "energy" that felt like anger pulsing before had left my bones as it was released in pedals down and up the hill again. Now instead, there was a quiet emptiness. Not the sad kind, but more like a place of rest, safely tucked inside my heart. One that was free and had room to accept more the world around me.

The word steward came to mind, and it struck me.

As 'good people' and/or 'Christians' we often think of stewardship over things and resources that are given for us to share. The definition even says that a steward is "a person who looks after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train; and one who manages drinks or meals." 

When we consider that all things that are given for God's purposes, then we too, are considered His vessels (Romans 9:21-23, 2 Corinthians 4:7). Many times, by sharing ourselves, we can be the most useful or effective resource in the life of those we are alongside.

Yet, in this crazy-busy world, we often don't make time for ourselves to exercise, meditate, read scripture, or tend to other self-preserving habits. Especially if they involve "extra work" or something unfamiliar. -Other, more demanding, things frequently get our attention instead; wearing us down.

If we are to serve, love and be a light... why would we not want to lead with the cleanest vessel possible? It is easier to love when we're not frustrated. It's easier to be patient when we're rested. It's easier to pray and share a Word when we know the words we need to share.

This may sound exhausting, unrealistic or even legalistic. Yet we do not give a second thought to changing the oil in our car or handling routine maintenance for other vessels and tools we 'can't live without.'

You and I are the only stewards of the vessels that He has given us to navigate this life. May we find the time and encouragement to honor Him by caring for ourselves; giving our truly best to others. :)

A New Chapter

(copied from a Facebook status)

I got accepted to VCU in 96 for Mass Communications.  For several reasons I didn’t go. Then I got caught up in the working world and just never found my way back to school. A few years later when I applied at the bank, I really had no idea where I wanted to go. I submitted my application as a result of a few friends prompting me to do so. I also applied at the Humane Society and a few other places. I told God that I would accept the very first one that was offered as his will for me. -No matter what I wanted because I hadn’t been as happy with how ‘my’ choices were turning out.   

When I was called to work for the bank as a Teller, I tried to talk them out of it. “But I can’t count money” I said. (Only half teasing.) But I remembered my commitment and thankfully, they hired me anyway.  

From day one I LOVED it. I was only a teller for a year. I was briefly a CSR and then transitioned into our I.T. department when it was then only a 1 woman show.  I watched it grow and change and multiply in a variety of ways.  –And now we’ve grown to double digits in staff.

I can tell you that while I may not have been active in church or as particular style of believer, I tried to seek the Lord with all my heart. As I grew, he used that job more than anything else to change me. The lessons I’ve learned have been invaluable. Every class that I took seemed to apply to some area of my personal life in the exact season that I needed it. EVERY Supervisor I’ve ever had there has been very special to me. They were each more like mentors & kindred spirits than a “boss”. (THANK YOU <3) I’ve made some of my best friends there too but as a whole the organization feels more like a family. (And on top of it, it IS a great place to work!) Boy I could rattle on….

There are so many posts that lay under the surface of this announcement; in how God was with me every step of the way. (And I hope to share them with you when I find the words). But basically a treasured and dear chapter is ending and a new one is beginning. 20 years after that initial college application, I am transferring to our Marketing department as the Digital Marketing Coordinator. It’s bittersweet. I am sad to leave my team and the department that I’ve been in for 14 years. But I am also downright giddy at what lies ahead.

–Most of all, I am grateful.  …Very, very grateful.

Sleep tight friends and remember, it’s never too late to lift him up and no prayer is ever too small. It’s a start.

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” –Psalm 37:4

The Spirit Goes Wherever It Pleases

Yesterday I was praying in the shower before church and I don't really feel like I understand everything that I was feeling or even what the Lord is trying to show me but the words adoption/fostering came to mind... again. While I see that he is opening my heart to the idea in the future, I can't discern what it is that he wants me to see right now. 

When the kids and I left church the snow was coming down. It changed our immediate plans and so I ordered a pizza that I had to go pick up for lunch. On the way back there was a man riding a bicycle down 17. The kids and I started talking about how it looked like he was slipping [by his tire tracks]. Traffic was heavy too.

As we passed him, I thought about how cold it was and how wet he must be. I made a comment out loud and said that I wished that we had room. Ethan quickly offered to wedge into the back between his siblings so that we could squeeze him in. It's kind of a big deal when one of the kids offers up "Shotgun". So, I tuned in.

I used to pick up people along the road before we had kids. Colin made me stop after we had them. It was an easy agreement because I was worried about their safety too. -But as we passed this man, I just felt like I was supposed to turn around. So I did. 

We pulled over into the old Page School parking lot and I was a little nervous as he had a shirt over the bottom of his face. He put the bike in the back of the truck. (Which is also ‘unusual’ because I was borrowing my mother-in-laws truck. I'm normally in a van). Anyway, when he opened the door and pulled down his mask I was relieved and startled to see a young boy. (20yo) Soaked. I instantly recognized the stubbornness of my own youth and knew that whether or not he was doing something good or bad he was only doing whatever it was to prove a point. -Even if it was only to himself.

Anyway, he got in the truck. Only for me to discover that he was going across the river to Newport News. I hated to only drive him part of the way but I was not comfortable driving farther than necessary in the weather, which didn't look to be letting up anytime soon. He was okay with only going part of the way and made a comment about not expecting to see nice people. In an instant I knew that I was supposed to talk to him about Jesus.

It felt just like a scene from the movies as I turned to look at him and said “Do you know Jesus?” –He is the reason I turned around, after all. We began a conversation about church and it turns out the boy was adopted and had also lived in a foster system. He lived here now with his brother and sister in law. I tuned in some more…

The smell of pizza was all over the inside of this truck and so, very uncharacteristically me again, I asked him if he wanted to come home with us. I could feed him and dry his clothes. (I barely invite people over because our house repulses me most of the time and I am not being modest.)

For whatever reason he agreed. My plan was to come home and work on a video for church. But he came in the door and we ate pizza and I must've asked him 50 questions or more. He was so polite and well mannered and even when he spoke about his past, he was careful with his words in mind of the kids. The kids were fascinated and I knew that they were learning something in this moment that I couldn't tell or teach them with my own words.  –But so was I. Without his knowing, his very presence and demeanor comforted me in regards to my prayer that morning.

After we ate, while his clothes were drying, he sat in the floor and played Legos with the kids. -All 3 of them sat with him the entire time that he was there. I washed dishes and prayed about what to do next. I felt like I should write him a letter with scripture & a prayer.

My husband was at gun show and I was slightly nervous about what he'd say when he got home. Although I figured if I was supposed to do it. God would take care of Colin's reaction too. But still... I lit a candle and prayed for peace in the home while I finished the dishes.

When Colin came home, I met him outside and explained that we had company. But instead of blurting it all out. I let Colin lead the conversation and I answered his questions only. -When I told him that I picked him up on the side of the road, I could see 'it' flash across his face. I repeated that he was a kid and the expression eased. He never said a word. He introduced himself and put some things away. Then I explained that his clothes were dry and that I needed to run him to Newport News. Colin said "okay well I will take him".  They got in the car and they left.

Colin returned later and didn't say anything about me picking up the young man (for 3 days). The kids were gone, we sat on the couch. I rubbed his feet and we lightly talked and then he said...okay we'll I'm going to take Ethan to the Ignite Conference in March.

I.sat.mystified.

You might not know about this conference but it's basically a 2 day Christian men's retreat. There are a few big name speakers, breakout sessions on marriage and other topics. There are hunting and fishing exhibits, etc. We learned of it last year. Ethan wanted to go because some of the Robertson's were there. When I got the dates for this year, I told Colin about it and sent him the link and never mentioned it again.

My husband to date is an unbeliever (unless he has made some acknowledgement privately that I am unaware of.) He's not a very social person. He doesn't like crowds or driving farther than 20 minutes. The layers of this decision are each a big deal and then it in itself it is a BIG deal!

I didn't want to tell you about what happened after church yesterday morning because I didn't want to draw attention to what I did. It wasn't about me. Nor do I want to tell you that I have been fasting from something on and off. Truthfully, I haven’t even been sure why I feel like I need to do it. But it reminds me of the verse John 3:8 - "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

That's a strange verse but when I asked God to show me what that means, he gave me this day as an answer.

You and I may not understand why we feel led to do things like fasting or completing unusual tasks. [hearing the wind] We may not ever understand how one thing connects to another like what I was doing and what was happening within my husband that made him decide to go to the conference. [The spirit moves where he pleases] But it sure seemed that when I was willing to stop what I was doing and follow prompting of the Lord, even when it didn't make sense; he was able to go to work on my behalf in a really big and personal way! [With my lesson from the young man and in Colin’s decision.]

I write this post to encourage you on your own journey. May you continue to have many "firsts" in your relationship with Christ. If you wonder when God will lead you to someone, ask him to show you. -But when he does so that's your queue to obey and meet the need. Regardless if you've done it before or the circumstances around it. Try to talk about the Lord, even if it's only offering to pray. I promise that when it's all over, you will feel blessed in being used by God. 

Peace be with you!

What about you-

• Do you ever feel like you should do something but decide not to because it’s too complicated or ‘different’ from what you’d usually do?

• What if it’s the Lord and his still small voice? Would that change your response? Why or why not?

• What if your obedience led to a revelation about him or an answer to a prayer? Would it be worth it?

I pray that you are open to the Lord’s day and all that he has within it! Bless you friend!