A Pill for Everything – I like to watch football on TV – except for one thing – commercials. Drug companies have ads for everything. If dad has ED, mom has PMS, the kids have ADHD, and the in-law has OCD, we are fortunate to know that somebody has a pill that will solve all our problems… particularly if issue is properly labeled and has reached a level of familiarity where we all recognize the acronym. Caffeine, sugar, or alcohol show up in everything we eat or drink – addiction sells. The overemphasis on prescription and over-the-counter drug use totally escapes our political candidates. They are just promising to make the drugs cheaper by controlling those greedy corporations. No one would think of suggesting a moral lifestyle might be the solution to AIDS.
In Church – Before we started our church we belonged to a congregation with a “hospital vision.” That meant we targeted helping people with needs – making redemption real to hurting and wounded people. During my 13 years as a pastor inner healing was a major emphasis. We learned how to recognize multiple personalities and correct co-dependent relationships. The minute we learned what performance orientation was, I was personally suspect. We could see some level of dysfunction in every member of our congregation. It became a hobby to have the appropriate diagnostic label for everyone. We has some tendency toward introversion; focusing on our dysfunctions instead of our potential.
Note: Just so you know, I think the church should have a wing of emphasis to heal the sick. The hospital emphasis is good… but if it’s the only emphasis the congregation lean toward sickness. It will not attract “healthy” or “prosperous” people unless they have vision to be spiritual doctors. A few do, but most Kings don’t. Here’s a healthy distinction; those with a pastoral mindset have “compassion” for those in need and want to reach out to them. Kings have a passion to mobilize the energy and wealth of healthy people and change the world. We need both. The former belongs in the safe haven of the local church; the latter belongs in the marketplace.
Focus – Our culture has most of its focus on dysfunction; little focus on function. If someone in society is held up as a role model, we usually find out later he or she was corrupt, cheated, or used drugs. We just found out the pillars of the great American pastime (baseball) were on steroids!
Now here’s where I want to inject a little thought. God has called you to be a functional hero. His goal is to have your name made great so you can bless the nations (Gen 12:2-3). Now you can’t live in our culture and not be concerned that all of your flaws will soon be publicized; perhaps even God will shout them from the roof tops!
Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. Luke 12:3 KJV
The Message Bible gives a clearer sense of this verse. It’s about hypocrisy, not dredging up sin that has been forgiven and is under the blood.
You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town. Luke 12:2-3 THE MESSAGE
The answer to your imperfections is that God has always been perfectly willing to use imperfect people. We are forgiven and therefore in God’s eyes we are “perfect.” That is theologically perfect – as mature as we need to be to accomplish our goal. You and God both know your areas of weakness. However, God has always worked through people just like you. Kings can’t survive self-condemnation! We can survive the enemy’s attack, which often comes in the form of condemnation.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… Rom 8:1 NIV
Here’s the reality. Right now, condemnation is primary tactic of the enemy. Holiness is a primary tactic of God. Heroes are held up to the light by God and the enemy. Wood, hay and stubble are being consumed and gold is being refined. You are being held up to the light as well – because you’re God’s hero. Let the chaff be consumed and the gold shine through. Instead of being afraid of the light of exposure, run to it and embrace it – Jesus is the light.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5 NIV
“You” are the light of the world – Here’s the next “shocker.” Once you get over your fear of having the light shine on your life, you become the light of the world. God intends to hold you up as an example of His Glory… in wisdom, in fruit, in prosperity, in ministry.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16 NIV
Release a King – Here’s your response, “Yes Lord. I will be your example… in wisdom, in fruit, in prosperity, and in ministry… one of your lights in the marketplace.” There is an anointing on God’s people to do great exploits in business and in ministry. Put your “good” eye on your coming dynasty instead of your dysfunction. We all walk toward the focus of our vision or eye. We become the focus of our faith.
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.” Luke 11:34-36
Learn to see the healthy, functional gifts and anointing in yourself and others; the riches God has put in the saints. Learn to multiply the talents God has put in His people. Let’s do the works!… build the Kingdom.
8 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints Eph 1:18 NIV
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 NIV
Life is an adventure. People are a blessing. God is amazing. We’re winning.
