One Man's Voice

Ever so often, an author comes along and redefines a word or a thought I have had all my life. His/her writing doesn’t quite contradict what I’ve understood in the past, but sheds new light on it in a profound way – bringing new meaning and insight to what I’ve been taught. F. W. Boreham was just such a writer and today remains one of my very favorites. On this beautiful Easter morning, I wanted to share with you one his very best short stories, titled Tetelestai!

It was a farmer’s word. When, into his herd, there was born an animal so beautiful and shapely that it seemed absolutely destitute of faults and defects, the farmer gazed upon the creature with proud, delighted eyes. “Tetelestai!” he said, “Tetelestai!”

It was an artist’s word. When the painter or the sculptor had put the last finishing touches to the vivid landscape or the marble bust, he would stand back a few feet to admire his masterpiece, and seeing in it nothing that call for correction or improvement, would murmur fondly, “Tetelestai!” “Tetelestai!”

It was a priestly word. When some devout worshipper, overflowing with gratitude for mercies shown him, brought to the temple a lamb without spot or blemish, the pride of the whole flock, the priest, more accustomed to seeing the blind and defective animals led to the altar, would look admiringly upon the pretty creature. “Tetelestai!” he would say, “Tetelestai!”

And when, in the fullness of time, the Lamb of God offered Himself on the altar of the ages, He rejoiced with a joy so triumphant that it bore down all His anguish before it. The sacrifice was stainless, perfect, finished! “He cried with a loud voice Tetelestai! and gave up the ghost.”

This divine self-satisfaction appears only twice, once in each Testament. When He completed the work of Creation, He looked upon it and said that it was very good, when He completed the Work of Redemption He cried with a loud voice “Tetelestai!” It means exactly the same thing.

F.W. Boreham, A Handful of Stars (London: The Epworth Press, 1922), 102-013.

This morning, I read in my Smith Wigglesworth devotional about Stephen, a man full of faith and power.  Stephen didn’t enjoy a life of ease.  As a matter of fact, he was killed because of His faith in Jesus Christ. Many argued and disputed with him but notice how he responded to them – it gives evidence to God’s Spirit at work in his life.

Acts 6:10 kjv ”And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.”

 It reminds me of the importance of constantly seeking God for more of His wisdom and Spirit. In our day to day, we too can find ourselves drawn in petty arguments and disagreements. Like Stephen, we can choose a response seasoned with wisdom and the Spirit of God, or a response that reeks of our fleshly desire to defend our positions and our preferences. Wisdom knows when to be silent, when to listen, and when a response is needed. Wisdom also knows the One whose preferences really matter.

Today, let us give God permission to shut our mouths, and if we must speak, give us His words and the grace to express it in His way. It’s the best way to respond.

Reading through the New York Times Magazine’s tribute to those we lost in 2008, I found myself reflecting on some of the greats of our time and the significant deposits they left on the earth – people like Steve Fossett, Jim Mckay, Tim Russert and many others. One thing that stands out about them all is that they are remembered not for their abilities, connections, money, or fame, even though each of them excelled in every one of these arenas. They were all simply remembered for the impact they had on the lives of others. How they affected us together. The lives they lived receive acclaim today because they shared what they had, used their abilities to strengthen the inabilities of others, spent their money to improve areas where others had lack, and used their connections and fame to bring transformation to their world.  I applaud them all!

 As I think about this year, it does make me think – what will be said of us? Truth is, we too have the same opportunity to impact our world and arguably in a way that may indeed matter even more. You and I can live lives that can also have a profound impact on others, both practically and even on a greater plain, spiritually. It takes place as we discover our purpose in God and live up to our calling. Jesus spoke of true greatness in a different way…

 Mark 10:43-45 esv But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 No doubt, we too have a message, the means, and the opportunity to use our gifts, treasure and talents to supernaturally impact this world for Jesus Christ – to raise His fame across the earth. It is in this way, you and I can experience true greatness in His Kingdom. Perhaps as we look back and applaud those who have served us well, may it inspire us all to look forward and commit to serving others well. Not only will it position us for greatness, it will bring honor and acclaim to our Lord Jesus Christ. What will be said of the life you live?

I am and will eternally be grateful to God. As I reflect on life today, I am increasingly amazed and humbled at God’s love and mercy. The older I get, the more I realize just how undeserving I am.

For many of us fortunate to have dinner with our families or friends today, I thought I will share what has become a bit of a tradition in our home. Before we eat, we take a moment to read Psalm 100. It’s a short but powerful psalm of thanksgiving. From our family to yours, have a beautiful thanksgiving and a life filled with more and more of God’s presence and His incredible goodness. Thanks for allowing me to share my blog with you. Much love,

David

Psalm 100 nlt

1  Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!

2  Worship the LORD with gladness.

    Come before him, singing with joy.

3  Acknowledge that the LORD is God!

    He made us, and we are his.

    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4  Enter his gates with thanksgiving;

    go into his courts with praise.

    Give thanks to him and praise his name.

5  For the LORD is good.

    His unfailing love continues forever,

    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

 

Kerby Brown taking on the 40 foot wave

This picture caught my attention recently. It is an Australian surfer, Kerby Brown, taking on a 40-foot wave and living to talk about it. What a gutsy combination of being bold and audacious.  Dictionary.com suggests that such a picture can only be described as bodacious.  It stands in contrast to my play-it-safe self.

You see, I tried surfing early in the summer and actually loved it.  I have brand new surfer shorts (never worn) and a surfboard that went from the store to the garage and has, since then, provided a bodacious experience for spiders. Now summer is way gone and I have totally missed out on a potential new career opportunity .

I think Christianity – or more accurately, following Jesus was meant to be bodacious. That’s what it was like for the believers in the book of Acts. They loved dangerously, forgave recklessly, shared their stuff wastefully with those in need, and pursued God unashamedly. They had a faith that wasn’t confined by fear, and lived out what it meant to be changed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. These disciples were bold, audacious and lived Romans 12.

Romans 12:9-12 (MSG)
⁹Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. ¹⁰Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.¹¹Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master,¹²cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.

I’m not talking about living dangerously just for the sake of it- that’s “stupidacious,” (word not found in dictionary.com). However, many who carry the label of Christians, find themselves confined to religious ghettos – garages of other play-it-safe, stored up fellow believers, who hide from interacting with those who really need to be touched by the good news of the Gospel. Jesus was drawn to those who needed Him the most and so should we.

Indeed, this comes with a price.  People may reject you and your efforts, but let that spur you on to keep trying. Wipeout is actually part of the experience. If when you think of reaching beyond your comfort zone and taking a risk for God you are hindered by thoughts of:

• “I tried that already and it didn’t work…”
• “That’ll never work for me…”
• “I’m not good enough… strong enough… spiritual enough… smart enough…”
• “Me? You’ve got to be kidding!”

If that’s your list of normal constraints, absolutely disregard that list and dare to be bodacious. By God’s grace, you can influence your world. You must!

 P.S. Next summer, I do intend to hit the surf again. Can’t wait to take on the 40-foot wave.