I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
– Romans 7:15

I don’t really like instructive letters. No matter what the instruction is, I resent it. I’m not sure what cataclysmic forces I might have unleashed on the world for failing to uphold my end of the numerous chain letter contracts to which I was bound in my childhood: “If you don’t send this letter to seven people, everything bad that ever happens in the future will be your fault.” (I think that was the gist of it.) I don’t even like when a writer breaks the unspoken “wall” between the pages of a book and me, the reader, telling me to do something other than continuing to read. I want to be inspired to action, not instructed to it. No matter what the instruction is, I always feel at least some sense of patronizing condescension from the author who must take a secret delight in making me do something I wouldn’t have otherwise done.

So, it is with great humility that I walk directly into my own hypocrisy and ask you to do something beyond merely reading the rest of this note. I realize many of you will continue to read without pausing to do what I’m about to ask of you. Just remember, if you don’t complete the forthcoming task, you will be responsible for every bad thing that ever happens in the future everywhere.

Ready?

Now, take ten seconds and consider at least three things everyone should do. What are the things, experiences, or practices that all human beings ought to do?

That list is likely to be wide and varied. Some of you started with basic hygiene: bathe, change your sheets, brush your teeth, etc… Others of you thought of exotic travel destinations (i.e.: Lake Mission Viejo), or lemon meringue pie, or first kisses, or roller coasters, or putting the seat up, or putting the seat down, or using the correct fork, or trying a hula hoop. Maybe, some of us veered slightly more relational in our answers: call your mother, or pick up the phone when your mother calls, or stop lying, or spend more time with loved ones, or forgive, or cry sometimes, or laugh more often, or laugh less frequently at someone else’s expense. The list could go on forever.

We’re all familiar with what we SHOULD do. Quite honestly, we’re often far more familiar with what everyone else’s list of “shoulds” looks like. Our issue is not that we are unable to determine what we’re supposed to be doing. Everyone knows broccoli is good for you, and that we SHOULD eat more of it. But, it’s gross. Ice cream is not gross. We don’t choose ice cream because we are unaware that it is a lesser health choice. We choose it in spite of what we know.

Most people — when you ask them about Jesus’ ministry — believe that he was dedicated to an agenda of better clarifying what we SHOULD all be doing. It’s not uncommon for people to reach the conclusion that Jesus’ followers are merely intent on being better at completing the long list of “shoulds” in the Bible. What is it that God is after in the Bible? Is it merely obedient robots living under the fearful threat of of punishment? Or, is God seeking something more for us that cannot ever be reached by climbing a moral ladder of shoulds or should-nots?

Just maybe the “shoulds” aren’t enough to ultimately accomplish what God wants for us in our lives.

This week, we’ll challenge this notion of should-allegiance that so many people have about the Bible. Invite friends who may have been burned out by a tradition, belief, or a practice of merely being told that they’re not doing enough right things. God wants so much more than that for us… and for them. Let’s explore it together as we continue in our series: TRANSFORMED.

See you soon,

Jeff

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  – Psalm 37:23-24

I’m always impressed with people who “delight in [God].” We’re all familiar with obedience. I have an obedient dog. Well, he’s mostly obedient. We know people who follow the rules. We know people (and dogs) who don’t. Yet, delight is a far cry from simply doing right things and avoiding wrong things. It’s more than that… and less. Delight isn’t the absence of effort. I’m sure people who delight in recreational rock climbing can tell you about effort. But, the effort comes from a deep place — a well of energetic joy sourced from something artesian and mysterious. It’s that thing that makes a person keep coming back to it — no matter the effort required.

When the Psalmist (David, in this case) writes about delighting in the Lord, he starts with the outcome of such a God-orientation — firm steps. The implication within the text is that the one who delights is guided, securely. Regardless of what a person faces, evidently God “upholds them” — so long as they delight in him. In other words, the person who draws from that well (that place where God empowers, challenges, and convicts us through the Holy Spirit ) — where our character is cultivated and delight is born, will find an inexplicable firmness in their steps. Faith (and delight for that matter) is tested when the steps ahead are not abundantly clear nor understood by all parties. In short, we’re always tested in the midst of change.

One thing I have always appreciated about working at Mariners is that I get to work with people who delight in God, no matter what challenges they seem to face. In that sense, I get to work daily with people I admire. So, I am continually reminded of this idea: God is not simply to be obeyed, but delighted in. Especially, when there are transitions and changes in our midst.

With that in mind, our much-beloved high school pastor — one who so clearly delights in God, Jordan Maslyn — will transition off our Mariners MV team. He wrote recently to the parents of our high school students:
God has made it clear to Sara and me that our current chapter in Southern California has come to a close. God has closed some doors here, and opened some doors in Richmond, Virginia (close to Sara’s family!) for us to begin our next chapter as a family. This means that we will be saying “See you later!” to so many people that we love in Orange County, and that we will not get to be physically present for the incredible work God has been doing and will continue to do in HSM.

He continues…
This ministry has thrived and grown because of the Holy Spirit, the friendships that have been built through the ministry, and the safe but challenging environment created by the small group leaders. It will be these things that continue to draw your students closer to Jesus even after we move.

Jordan and Sara have helped us to start a great ministry to high school students. I agree with Jordan that the work God began a year and a half ago will continue in the hands of capable volunteer leaders as we find the next great member of our Mariners MV staff team to lead the High School Ministry.

So, to Jordan and Sara both we bless you, in affirmation of the Psalmist:  “May the Lord make firm your steps as you delight (to an even greater degree) in him.” We love you. We will miss you greatly. I’m grateful for your heartfelt dedication to the lost, the lonely, and the forgotten. You have the heart of Jesus.

See you soon,

Jeff

P.S.: This Sunday, we’ll take a break from our TRANSFORmeD series as Doug Fields will teach in his usual, brilliant, insightful, and approachable way. That said, if you have a friend who is unsure about God, inviting them to join you as Doug teaches may be a moment that forever alters their impression about Jesus and his church.