Author: Jason Metz

  • TIME, EFFORT AND COST

    TIME, EFFORT AND COST

     Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

    – Colossians 3:23-24

    So often in life we react and all too often, it is in an impulse way. Let’s face it, life throws a lot at us in rapid order and sometimes we feel like there is no time to think about it. So we react. Yet many times, if we are being honest with ourselves, we do have the ability to think things through, to ponder upon our response, our choices and their potential outcomes. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. 

    The results when we leap before we look are unpredictable and uncertain. Unfortunately for many today, this has become a way of life. Simply reacting, bouncing from one questionable act to the next, driven by an emotional response that undoubtedly digs the hole a few feet deeper. 

    Inherently we then wonder how we have come to such a place as the dilemma stares back at us. It is easy in these times to become a victim of circumstance. But are we really? Or did we react when we should have reflected?

    Is this really how we are meant to be living our life? Is this how God created us to be? And how does this reconcile the abundant life Jesus talks about having in our life?

    Becoming a follower of Christ does not mean putting your brain on auto pilot. It’s actually quite the opposite. We are told to take every thought captive. That’s our part. Submitting our thoughts to Christ opens us up to the availability of the Holy Spirit. This is not only in the hard times and the times of temptation, but in every choice and decision we are faced with.

    When our choices and our decisions are guided by the Holy Spirit, everything we do, we do with the Lord in mind. Though Colossians 3:23 and 24 can seem like a daunting task, this yielding does in fact allow us to do whatever we do, heartily, as we are working for the Lord and not for men or ourselves. Liberation comes within the Lordship of Christ, destroying the captive bonds of this world. 

    There is an old adage that in principle may make some sense, but in practice application falls apart quickly in our day and age. When we face a difficult situation or task, we say, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

    If we were to actually look for a needle in a haystack, that’s just not a good strategy. It’s a waste of time and effort. In our lives, we are each given a certain amount of time and ability on this earth. As believers, we are to steward all resources given to us by God. This includes our time and effort. 

    To be a good steward takes deep insight and constant evaluation, not simple reaction. In the presence of the Holy Spirit, we begin to recognize His wisdom and discernment as it pertains to our stewardship.

    One of the most difficult challenges we face in our life is evaluating our own effectiveness for the Kingdom. When presented with those God given opportunities, if we are not sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we can simply react and miss them. We justify away why the opportunity is not important or relevant because we have not taken the time to think about the potential impact in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

    It’s hard to overcome our propensity to react because the need for change is always a looming reality. However, until we get to this point, we will continue to suffer with living out Colossians 3:23 and 24.

  • CONFLICT

    CONFLICT

    Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief].

    -Matthew 10:34 (AMP)

    Conflict, we all have it, but why and what do we do with it?

    Conflict can be defined as a struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands. Conflict is interesting in that it is only a perception, meaning it only really exists if it’s acknowledged by both the parties that are experiencing it. That’s why it can be so frustrating when one person sees conflict while the other may not. There is no doubt that the world is full of potential conflict.

    Opportunities abound for clashes of opinions, arguments and to pick up offence. The result, conflict between people, ideologies, assumptions and emotions. Conflict is right up the enemy’s ally. And he thrives if that conflict goes unresolved. Unresolved conflict fosters division, anger and alienation. Driven by a sense of pride and desiring all other views and opinions to align with ours, conflict can become a drawn out, nasty situation that only brings the worst out in people. On the other hand, when conflict is worked through and resolved, in a healthy way, healing and restoration takes place.

    Within the faith realm, conflict gets interesting. There is no doubt that God allows conflict to come into our life. He will even cause conflict sometimes. Why? Because the conflict that the Lord exposes us to gives us the opportunity to come to Him or to come back to Him. In many cases it results as an opportunity to trust Him, work through issues and grow even deeper in our faith. 

    A good example here is all the different times the Israelites went into exile because of their disobedience and idolatry. God initiated conflict through wandering in the desert, being conquered or taken to a forged land. But the Lord never deserted them and through these conflicts led the people back to Himself.

    How we view conflict in the world and in our faith determines if we will become a slave to it or if it will become a means of growth and health.

    So if conflict is unavoidable, what are we to do? First off, we shouldn’t ever seek conflict avoidance. That’s unhealthy and detrimental in many different ways. Instead we should seek conflict management that leads to resolution. 

    In our relationships, resolution leads to restoration and restoration is God’s heart. When we open up ourselves to conflict management and eventual resolution, we follow God’s leading and His will and way is accomplished in our life. If we do not, the seeds of bitterness and unforgiveness take root. 

    Conflict resolution takes effort, time and patience. Pride, hurt and fear are the chief adversaries here. Instead of avoidance, we must identify, acknowledge, address and pursue a godly solution.

    Understand that conflict never resolves itself in the dark. Jesus is described as the light of the world (John 8:12), as the Word (John 1:1) and as the Truth (John 14:6). Among other things, these are conflict mediation titles. So the number one factor for conflict resolution is inviting and involving Jesus in every situation.

  • OWNING IT!

    OWNING IT!

    Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

    – Romans 6:3-4

    Slang terms. Some of them we love, some of them we hate, some are idiotic, while others actually have a deeper meaning. Regardless of how we feel, we must accept the reality that slang terms become part of our language while reflecting our culture. One such slang term that, if you take the time to actually listen to what it is insinuating actually can carry weight as a follower of Christ.

    Owning it. You need to own it. You are really owning it. The literal definition alludes to possessing something, usually materialistic or financial in nature. However, informal English has opened up this term to a personal aspect in our life. Owning it generally means accepting full responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their outcomes. It is confidently embracing our unique qualities and achievements. Owning it signifies accountability, taking ownership of a situation, positive or negative, good or bad rather than deflecting blame.

    It is not hard to see how this slang term fits into our faith and the intensity we follow Christ. In reality, it is nothing more than a metric, a barometer so to speak that we can use when looking in the mirror. 

    Unfortunately, many today have become content living off of others. Not so much from a financial dependance, though that occurs much too often. The far more tragic dependance involved here is living off someone else’s accomplishments, their successes and even their identity. The world has historically always had idols. As disastrous as that was, somewhere along the way, people and cultures have channeled their idolatry on those they, well idolize. These idols are elevated to royalty and seek to portray an image that is wrought with deception. It creates a machine with an insurable hunger that is fed off the insecurities and dreams of the public. 

    In so many ways, history is repeating itself in that it is nothing more than worship of those people and things that, at a core level, only contain emptiness and despair. This idol ideology runs contrary to owning it. Instead of relying on others to establish your identity, your opinions, even your thoughts, to own it means that you grab hold, take the helm and steer your own ship, making your own path, even if it runs contrary to public opinion and cultural norms. 

    It is not hard to see where this fits into our faith. Instead of living off someone else’s identification as a Christian, we choose to make Christ our own. Rather than sharing someone else’s testimony like it’s our own, we step out and live out what Christ has placed before us. In place of attending a church because someone you know goes there, a church becomes your own. And most importantly, Jesus has moved from the abstract to the intimate. Your faith becomes your own, testimonies begin to accrue as you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and you become an interracial, unique, beautiful part of the Body of Christ.

    You are really owning it because you have made the choice to follow Christ.

    As Paul so wonderfully puts it, We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.And now we understand that owning it means living within your identity in Christ.

  • WONDERFULLY UNCOMFORTABLE

    WONDERFULLY UNCOMFORTABLE

    “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 

    – Matthew 14:28-29

    As Americans, we like to evaluate aspects of our life based on comfort. Can we live and retire financially comfortable? When we get home from a long day, we like to change into clothes that are more comfortable. We choose a mattress based on comfort level. When we are having a hard day, we crave comfort food. Many Christian’s seek out and select a church that extends a level of comfort that they deem acceptable.

    From a Biblical perspective, we see something very different. We don’t need to look any further than the New Testament to see that commitment to Christ and purposefully walking with Him actually brought the disciples to a place of worldly discomfort. Willingly, they gave up their home, their occupation, their cultural identity, not to mention personal safety and security. The teachings of Jesus in regards to following Him were upfront, a servant leader lifestyle engulfed in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit and contrary, even in opposition to the world.

    The Biblical standard for following Jesus remains the same over two thousand years later. 

    For us today, we may face different challenges and situations, however they must lead us to the same point. This includes a place of wonderful discomfort.

    Dying to ourselves moves us into a place where we can truly live for Christ. Our flesh takes a stand here and the battle can be harsh and distressing. It really is a place of wonderful discomfort. And then, in a similar fashion, there is the lordship issue. To come under the lordship of Jesus goes beyond taming the flesh and means we do the things Jesus commands us to do. 

    The choice to obey brings a wonderful discomfort into our lives. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is never painless. He lovingly shows us our sin, our disobedience and those things we need to bring before Christ. As hard as conviction is to face and respond to, it is always wonderful discomfort. Sometimes we struggle in prayer. When our heart is broken or we are in despair, when anxiety seeks to strangle us, when anger or uncertainty seems to abound, it can be hard to go before the Lord. But we know we need to. What a wonderful time of discomfort because we know that He is always there, always waiting for us.

    Then there are the Kingdom decisions that we face throughout our life. The opportunities that the Lord places before us. These are the times we have to make a choice. A choice to follow where He is leading, even if it brings displeasure or uncertainty. It’s okay, even normal to wrestle with God before making a decision. The wonderful discomfort in these times brings clarity and commitment. 

     

    When Peter chose to step out of the boat, it was a wonderfully uncomfortable experience. Choosing to trust in Jesus despite a lifetime of living on the sea and understanding the water. Instead of trusting his years of experience, Peter had to unlearn his reliance upon himself and choose to trust Jesus. That’s wonderfully uncomfortable. Stepping out of the boat onto and not into the sea. There is a wonderfully uncomfortable experience when the uncertainty in yourself intersects with the unlimited confidence and ability of God. It is a place that even though we have full trust in the Lord, we have to reconcile it within ourselves. It is a place of choice that often leads us into the realm of the wonderfully uncomfortable.

  • MEASURING UP

    MEASURING UP

    Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

    – 2 Corinthians 10:12

    All cultures and societies have some degree of an imposed standard, a measuring stick so to speak. Some are more overt while others are closer to an unwritten rule. Whether this is intentional or it simply evolves, the norms that influence the customs of a nation or ethnicity become apparent. At its most basic level, it becomes an accepted standard of measure.

    As history tells us, there can be negative effects with any imposed standard of measure. The most evident of these is the inevitable establishment of a class system. Again, throughout history we see some in society elevated simply because of birthright or social status while many are depressed into a peasant, servant or slave role. From this point, bigotry and racism are but a short step away.

    The basis of many wars and oppression are founded in some degree of an imposed social measurement. To a believer, this should come as little surprise. The prince of this world seeks to deceive and divide mankind. One of his primary tactics is tempting us with pride and envy, two edges of the same sword. Tragically, this tactic is not only effective from a nationalistic or ethnic standpoint, but it is also prevalent in our personal lives. 

    The main difference here is that one is culturally imposed while the other is self induced. Without a firm foundation, it becomes easy to over inflate or conversely devalue ourselves or those around us. This brings us back to the issue of pride and envy. The results are predictable, we either think too highly of ourselves or we find fault in everything we do or are.

    How did we ever get to a place where the standard of measure has become such an effective weapon bringing division amongst each other as well as within ourselves?

    As a follower of Christ, one of the wonderful changes that occurs is that we are no longer bound to a worldly, sinful, fallen standard. When we are born in Christ, not only are we a new creation, the old measuring stick is abolished. Because of the Holy Spirit, we move away from how the world sees us or even how we see ourselves and begin to see ourselves through God’s eyes. Not only does the Father see Christ in us, we see Christ in us and in our brothers and sisters in the faith. However, we must guard against falling back into our old ways. 

    One of the most important questions we need to be asking ourselves is, what or who am I measuring myself against? Paul becomes a relatable example here. Before his radical encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul had every reason to elevate himself above those around him. When Paul met Christ, a humbling followed his surrender and with that a new measuring stick was given to him.  

    Consider Paul’s words to the Philippians found in chapter 2 verses 3 and 4, Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

    The new standard of measure that we receive when we are born again is summed up in the Great Commandment, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

    What measuring stick are you using in your life? 

  • PHONE BOOKS

    PHONE BOOKS

    Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
    -Matthew 24:35

    All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,but the Word of the Lord remains forever.”

    -1 Peter 1:24-25

    Back in the dark ages, when telephones were stationary, tethered to the kitchen wall by annoying cords and limited to antiquated analog dialing devices, people needed a way to know how to get in touch with others. The solution was simplistic and effective. Phone books were created, published and distributed to everyone who had a phone line. It was the solution that made life easier and connection more available. As the jingle went, you could let your fingers do the walking. Useful, even vital information was at your fingertips, all arranged in alphabetical order and divided into the white pages containing personal phone numbers and the yellow pages which were reserved for businesses and organizations. 

    However, an issue became apparent. People move, new businesses open, old ones close and the information in the beloved phone book would quickly become outdated. At that point, it became rather useless, except for acting as a booster seat or an effective interrogation tool.

    As with all evolving technologies, a solution was quickly implemented. Phone customers would get a new, revised and updated book every year. If you lived in a thriving community, each year your phone book grew, even to the point of needing two phone books. The ever expanding phone books even became a main advertising tool for businesses. Designed with the ability to catch your eye, companies competed to have the best phone book presence, even choosing names that would appear first in alphabetical order. Once again, an ever changing layout was needed based on what businesses could afford. As exciting as the yellow pages looked, the white pages were the simple and pragmatic counterpart. However, the same problem persisted, once printed they were essentially outdating themselves. If not careful, it was easy to become inundated with phone books especially if you didn’t throw the prior years away.

    As temporal as the world is, God is eternally the same yesterday, today and forever. So is God’s Word. As a result, the biggest problems caused by the shifting sands of this world are countered by structure and stability. Unlike a phone book, the Bible never gets outdated. The original information is the same relevant information that mankind is in desperate need of right now. 

    The Bible contains the revelation of Jesus Christ and the Father’s plan for humanity. How confusing and tragic it would be if we were presented with a new Bible every year. Because God’s Word is permanent, we are able to study and memorize it. The effective application of God’s Word in our life is constant and consistent in our lives year after year. Within this context, the confidence we extend to God and His truth only increases.

    Sometimes I miss the good old days when phones were attached to walls and phone books seemed like the oracle of public information. But then I remember the disappointment and frustration that came with dialing the seven digits only to hear, this number is no longer in service. 

    When we dig into Scripture and offer our prayer up to the Lord, aren’t you glad that you will never hear, this number is no longer in service? 

  • I READ IT IN A BLOG, I SAW IT ON A PODCAST

    I READ IT IN A BLOG, I SAW IT ON A PODCAST

    It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than to hear the song of fools.
    -Ecclesiastes 7:5

    We live in an age of information overload. Within seconds, our fingertips have the ability to pick and choose what we want to hear, what aligns with our opinions and what justifies our thoughts and feelings. Now if all the information available was reliable, truth based and trustworthy, we could celebrate this modern advancement of mankind. However it seems people in general are rapidly degrading in their intellectual aptitude. Why? Could it be that when information is readably available, when we can simply listen to others who claim to be experts, when we no longer need to dig in and figure it out ourselves, our brains actually become lazy and out of shape?

    Not all available information is detrimental, much of it is healthy, necessary and has the benefit of leading us in the ongoing process of learning. But as with everything, in the presence of boredom, the people will seek out anything to stimulate their entertainment.

    No longer do we need to commit to reading a whole book or do our own research. No longer do we need to tax our brain through critical thought and trial and error. We don’t even need to personally experience new things, because after all we can simply experience these things through others.

    Again, not all, but more and more of the content that is available is easily posted with relatively no boundaries. The most overt issue here that should glare at us with deceptive eyes is that there is no accountability for content creators. This means they can write, video and post whatever they want with no responsibility to truth or accuracy. At best, content creators are only challenged by… other content creators. Inevitably when clicks are the ultimate goal, content follows popularity, controversy, fear or lust. That is what our human nature craves. The result is blogs and podcasts full of false information enticing us away from truth. Even more detrimental to the Christian follower is the over abundance of false theology. If you think about it, this is nothing more than manipulation. We are being manipulated to like and follow. As a result, content creators bring in the mighty dollars or Bitcoin if they are really trendy.

    God’s truth on the other hand offers something very different. Hope, wisdom and eternal life. The Bible contains everything we need, but there are a few other reasons we can count it superior to anything else. First, it is the inspired Word of God. The original Content Creator is the only One who can be fully trusted because He possesses all truth and wisdom. Second, God’s Word is alive through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. That means when we study and meditate on Scripture it actually talks back to us. Third, the motivation of God’s Word is eternal, not monetary. Unlike continent creators, God truly wants the best for us. Inherently the best, most important, most impactful message we can ever hear is the Gospel of Christ Jesus. This is intended to be a personal revelation from the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we can go directly to the source, our Bible. Fourth, God’s Word does not need to be filtered, fluffed or repackaged by a third party. This includes content creators as well as authors, experts, pastors and Popes. If anyone discourages or impedes you from going to Scripture yourself, deeply consider their intentions. 

    Though not all content available to us is malicious, self-serving or manipulative, as with all things in our life, it should all be measured against the truth of Scripture.  

  • FINISHED

    FINISHED

    When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.
    – John 19:30

    Three words that changed everything. Three words that held the power of sin and darkness. Three words spoken with ultimate authority by the only one who was capable of wielding true authority.

    These three words echoed throughout both the physical and spiritual realms. The death and darkness that was brought in by Adam’s sin was now broken by Christ’s sacrifice.

    IT IS FINISHED!

    This is a progressive declaration for the church-age. It is a statement that our faith is based upon. It is a promise from the Father realized in our life.

    IT IS FINISHED! 

    The question for us must now become, is it finished in me? Jesus paid the price of our sin debt. He took upon Himself the death sentence that we accrued for ourselves. The redemption that He established is for our reconciliation with the Father. Jesus accomplished the Father’s plan and the Father’s will upon the Cross of Calvary. 

    But we must accept His sacrifice. We must receive through a born-again experience the finality of these three words. We must come to a place in our life where we proclaim to our flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit, IT IS FINISHED!

    As we look to the Cross and the mercy and grace the Father has extended through His Son, do we actually understand the finality with which it is intended? Do we acknowledge that to be alive in Christ, we must be dead to ourselves? 

    Or do we have a misconception about what true Biblical faith looks like? Unfortunately, there is a lot of Biblical ignorance in our churches. Grabbing onto the fringes of Christianity, we seek to feel better about ourselves as we continue to go on living a regular life. But how can we equate Jesus’ final words on the Cross with how we choose to live our life?

    The completeness of these three words must bring completeness in each one of us personally. Until we come to the end of ourselves through the Blood of Christ, we will always fall back into who we naturally are, apart from the Father. 

    The Apostle Paul had to come to the end of himself. On a dusty road, he had an encounter with the King. From that day forward, Paul’s life wasn’t changed as much as Paul had a new life. For Paul, it was finished that day and every day going forward. The words he wrote to the Galatian believers were a personal statement that we too need to learn from and apply.

    I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

    Everyday we need to resolve in our life that IT IS FINISHED. We need to keep our eyes on Christ and live within the hope and life that He has extended to us.

    We must understand that when Jesus said, IT IS FINISHED, He not only made salvation possible, He also opened the door for His return. 

    Have you accepted His atonement stemming from the Cross and are you awaiting His return?

  • ROUND AND ROUND

    ROUND AND ROUND

    Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
    -Matthew 11:28

    Sometimes life can feel like you are on a merry-go-round that is spinning faster and faster. Day by day, we struggle to hang as life continues to throw things at us. Our thoughts keep us awake at night rattling around in our head screaming for attention. The next day is full of fretting, frustrated by our tiredness. Our attention and energy seems to be consumed just trying to hang on. It’s disorienting as we just keep going round and round, seemingly facing the same issues over and over. Weeks begin to bleed into one another while we grope for the light at the end of the tunnel. But we just can’t seem to make it stop. It feels like life continues to spin out of control. As exhaustion increases, our apparent options decrease.

    Our primary focus is directed at trying not to be flung off and our disorientation distracts us to the point we can forget those fundamental truths we know are there.

    Truths that remind us that we are God’s. Truths that point out that the momentary is but a speck in the eternal. Truths that emphasize that Jesus does in fact offer us rest. Truths that call us back to the peace and joy found in the Holy Spirit. Truths that declare that God is in fact our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

    We forget these truths because we have moved our eyes from Jesus to the cares of this world. We forget that because of Christ, we can simply get off the merry-go-round.

    In Matthew 11:28, Jesus extends His rest to us. In that moment, He was offering His way to those who were bound by all the religious rituals that could not provide any peace or rest. They actually did the opposite. Bound by religion, the people were stuck in the loop of going through the motions. The merry-go-round was at full speed and going nowhere. But the Father intervened by sending His Son. Religion was finally illuminated by the Light at the end of the tunnel and it was in the form of redemption and relationship. Redemption through Christ saves us from our sin and relationship saves us from religion.

    The world today throws its religion of stress and busyness at us in a similar way that the religious leaders dominated over the people. Whenever our focus is consumed on those things we think we have to do, we quickly lose focus on the important things we need to do. And the most important thing we can do is place our trust in Jesus. When we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him. Everything else flows from this point. The merry-go-round doesn’t merely slow down, it stops. Why? Because we have moved our eyes from the distraction of this world onto the one who has conquered this world. Even though there are things in life that we must address and even press through, our attitude and perspective is different because we have opened ourselves up and pursued the only one who can give us rest, peace and joy. Even in the darkest nights and the deepest valleys.

    If your life feels like a merry-go-round spinning out of control, Jesus offers you steadfast stability within Himself. If the world and those around you feel like they are crushing down on you, Jesus offers you shelter that cannot be overwhelmed. If the labor of your everyday life is getting too much, Jesus offers the love that conquers all. 

    When you’re in the thick of the battle, when trial and tribulations seem to be getting the best of you, Jesus is waiting to give you rest.  

  • HUNGER

    HUNGER

    Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
    – Matthew 5:6

    Eating is such a part of who we are. It is an everyday ritual that often determines the schedule of our day. From a physiological standpoint, eating means life. When we don’t take in nutrients and the right nutrients at that, we will eventually succumb to malnutrition and death. The hunger drive that is wired within us is one, if not the most physical drives that we experience. 

    However, hunger as well as eating goes way beyond a biological need and response. We have a natural craving and our taste buds draw us to flavorful and different foods. The variety of different foods make meal time exciting and more satisfying. Grocery stores are packed with isles and assortments of different flavors all with the ability to cause us to hunger for something special, something satisfying, something comforting. There is no shortage of restaurants either. From down home American food, to gourmet cuisine, to numerous ethnic cafes, we are drawn to what will satisfy our hunger in that moment. 

    Mealtime has another aspect to it as well. It is a time of social gathering. Gathering around the table with family and friends goes all the way back to the creation of mankind. Sharing a meal with someone is so much more than simply meeting a biological need. It produces a common relational experience that many times memories are made from. 

    Jesus’ use of the words hunger and thirst in Matthew 5:6 establish in us something that we all can relate to. Everyone eats and drinks. Everyone knows the importance of food. Everyone, from the newest baby on, understands hunger pangs that are only satisfied with mealtime. This is why so many of Jesus’ complex teachings were available at a basic level to all who heard it. Because they are relatable. Yet there was always something that prompted those He taught to move from a basic physical understanding to a spiritual reality. 

    Righteousness is the diet the believer must choose. This we are to have a craving to do what is right in God’s eyes, mirroring His perfect character through submission and humility, striving to follow His teachings and the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are to resolve to become a disciple of Jesus and just like how food is necessary to keep our earthy body alive, the Word is necessary to keep us spiritually healthy. Not only will our spirit be nourished, but we will also gain a sound mind and body.

    However, similar to our grocery stores and restaurant choices, we too have a choice of what we feed our spirit. There are many things out there that seek to garner our attention. Like refined sugars, there are those things that attempt to entice us into a choice that will always leave us needing more as well as feeling sick. The old adage very much holds true here, you are what you eat.

    God has blessed us richly with the food He has provided us. It is the only option that we truly hunger and thirst for. It is only God’s Word that has the nutrient density to draw us to the righteousness of the Lord.

    When faced or tempted to grab a quick meal or satisfy an unhealthy craving, unhealthy spiritually that is, God always has a healthy table set for us. 

    Matthew 5:6 is part of the Beatitudes. These are more than mere suggestions, they are the blueprint to living a blessed life in Christ. In each of them, we have a required obligation on our part to be able to experience those things that God has already provided. Similar to grace, we must be the ones to apply the teaching of Jesus into our life, just as it is each one of us that must decide what we will hunger and thirst for.

    Jason Metz, Lead Pastor