A Better Way In 2022

The media looked back on the top stories of 2021. While the top story of my life or yours’ in 2021 didn’t make the national or local news we know what it was. Perhaps it was an event, an encouraging word, a memory, a celebration, a disappointing loss, or a lesson learned?  Maybe you learned more about your limitations and in the midst of it, you became more aware of God’s gracious provision.

The New Year provides an opportunity for pause
This time of year many look back by getting out their mental calculators keeping scores of their victories and losses. Most of us hope this year will be better than last. Others approach the New Year with mixed emotions hesitant to let go of the past. Others make overly optimistic and unrealistic plans of how their New Year will look.

Some believe that a good intention means a new beginning, that on their own they can make a new start whenever they want. That would be nice if it was that easy.

What treadmill are you on?
Change is inevitable, but what kind of change? Maybe we need to look at the treadmills we’ve been on? Do we need to change our perspective from ‘this is the way things ought to be according to me?’ Or, look at how we measure success, or maybe it’s living for the approval of others.

These treadmills don’t just distract us from a satisfying life they can consume us
These perspectives can unknowingly trap and rule us. They can suck the energy right out of us and leave us utterly empty. It’s not easy to let go of all the mental stuff we insist we need for our tomorrow along with all the stuff we continue to haul with us from our yesterdays.

One thing that we can all count on this New Year is change
Some changes we gladly choose and others we don’t. Yet, more often than not, despite our high hopes and best efforts we fail to change in the ways God desires. We can’t just grit our teeth and force ourselves to act with compassion. It’s not about trying harder on our own.

Yet, many of us have become far too passive in our pursuit of change and wholeness, and peace. Could in our therapeutic age we have fallen into the passive mindset of “talking through our problems” or “dealing with our issues” or “discovering the roots of our brokenness in our family of origin?”

But I see a more non-passive approach to change in the New Testament. Namely, set your mind.
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

Jesus isn’t interested in us being changed into people who only become nicer and more agreeable. God does not ask us to accommodate Him but to live for Him. He has something far more different in mind for us this New Year. God can change your life story this New Year. There is a better way.

Live for what matters to God
All of us who have attempted change and failed to know if this year is going to be any different, we need a new approach. Becoming what God desires of us is not a quick-fix formula. It’s a heart change.

There are certain things and people we cannot change, but there are changes we can make that can leave a lasting impact on other people’s lives if we choose to live for what matters to God. God has been changing the hearts and minds of people and nations for thousands of years and He desires to change yours’ and mine too.

Here’s the deal: God significantly changes our lives when we live out a heart's cry of, “Not my will, but thy will be done. What do you want me to do for You Lord?”  And that will be enough.

The God that changes not, changes everything!
Be grateful that His love for you will never change! That’s one thing you can count on today and forever!

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3; 33:22

Getting Clarity in Decisions

A young naval Ensign had proven his skills to his Captain and was looking forward to the day when he would successfully take the giant destroyer out of the dock and out into the open sea. Finally, the day arrived, and Ensigwas enthusiastically and quickly barking out orders to the crew with a flurry of hurried activities.

Another officer came to the Ensign to give him a radio report from the Captain. The Ensign thought it was kind of odd to receive a radio report from the Captain when he could have just come to him personally. Here was the radio message:

Congratulations on your excellent departure from the dock in record time. You did everything according to proper procedure and in fact, you broke a record, but there is one thing I want to bring to your attention, and that is, always before you depart make sure the Captain is on board.”

Sometimes our lives are like that. We got the procedures down, but we forget to make sure our Captain is on board. There are a lot of smart people who have a lot of knowledge but have a hard time applying it to their lives.

The speed of information today is utterly mind-blowing. With a simple click, we can know something anywhere in the world within seconds. We hear a lot of voices and have plenty of information about a lot of things, but what do we do with it?

What is knowledge and what is wisdom?
Unfortunately, there is not a direct correlation between knowledge and wisdom. Webster’s definition of wisdom says ‘Wisdom is accumulated philosophic or scientific learning, the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships.’

We all need wisdom. Wisdom is meant to be practical, not theoretical. Wisdom doesn’t mean you know more, but it’s what you do with what you know. 

The Hebrew word for wisdom is used to describe a skill to work, expertise, experience. The Apostle Paul said the Athenians prided themselves in their ‘deeper’ Greek philosophy of superior wisdom by saying, “They spend their time doing nothing, but talking and listening to the latest new ideas.” Acts 17:2

Wisdom does not necessarily have anything to do with age.
The book of Proverbs tells us that wisdom is developed by the choices you make and is dependent upon our heart’s willingness to grow. If you want to grow and make the wisest decisions in your life then seek God’s wisdom. Peter tells us,

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 1:5-8

Is Normal Just Around The Corner?

Is normal just around the corner? What is normal? Is it when you can extend a handshake or hug someone again? Depending on where you live, when you can get back to work. Take off the mask and attend a concert, sit on the beach, attend a major league baseball game? When the economy comes back? Regardless of your perspective things are going to be different.

Is back to normal when you get your job back? When you can pay your bills or your kids get back to school or you can see your elderly family members. When you can go to a restaurant or take a vacation. Fill in the blank.

Hopefully, as a result of COVID millions have had time to think about their lives and what’s important. Some hope their lives will change in some significant way. Maybe we’re hoping for something different, maybe even an adventure, but we end up settling with the usual. 

No one planned on COVID or any other personal tragedy. Things happen that are out of our control. In the middle of adversity we can develop a different perspective. Recently some of us have or are going to discover a roller-coaster adventure that we didn’t plan on. We need to hold on.

Thousands of years ago God asked Abraham to leave all the things he was familiar with and go to a land he had never seen and winds up wandering for years. Jacob and his sons go to Egypt looking for groceries and four hundred years later Israel pulls up stakes and heads for home. 

The fishermen Peter, James and John heard the master’s voice and threw their nets aside to follow Him. Get ready, the old is past and the present and future are going to get interesting. Saddle up your horses.

Is an adventure a thing we make happen or something we choose or does it choose us? 
An adventure is, by its nature, a thing that comes to us. It is a thing that chooses us, not something we choose.” C.K. Chesterton

Abraham was not looking for the one true God, but God showed up with an invitation. Many of us can miss God moments so easily because our plans and expectations can become our hindrances to seeing what is and what can be.

As a result, we can get stuck in perpetual discontent and think, “This is the way things ought to be!"
We can get so committed to arranging our happiness that we miss precious moments right in front of us. We don’t think of what might be around the corner because we think we know what’s coming. We seek our happiness in temporal things because our hearts have nowhere else to go. Sad, it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Could it be that we’ve missed something along the way? Has trivial distractions and the tyranny of the urgent clouded our vision of what is important?  Do we make so little of eternity by magnifying the significance of our own lives and diminish the reality of the next life to come?
                     
                       We make nothing of eternity and an eternity of nothing.  Blaise Pascal 
          
Embrace what God has said about the life to come and how it impacts us today
Set your affections on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
If you read history, you’ll find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were those who thought the most of the next world. CS Lewis

He has set eternity in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11

No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human mind has conceived the things that God has prepared for those who love him. I Corinthians 2:9

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

Even though eternity could be just around the corner for you and me it is to be lived today!
I saw a big frontier in front of me and I heard somebody say let's go. Saddle up your horses. We've got a trail to blaze. Through the wild blue yonder of God's Amazing grace  let's follow our leader into the Glorious unknown.

This is the life like no other. This is the great adventure. So come on, get ready for the ride of your life. Gonna leave long faced religion in a cloud of dust behind and discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored. This is what we were created for.   The Great Adventure - Steven Curtis Chapman

A Better Way in 2018

TV networks are looking back at the top stories of 2017. While the top story of my life or yours’ in 2017 didn’t make the national or local news we know what it was. Perhaps it was an event, an encouraging word, a memory, a celebration, a disappointing loss, or a lesson learned?  Maybe you learned more about your limitations and in the midst of it you became more aware of God’s gracious provision.

The New Year provides an opportunity for pause
This time of year many look back by getting out their mental calculators keeping score of their victories and losses. Most of us hope this year will be better than last. Others approach the New Year with mixed emotions hesitant to let go of the past. Others make overly optimistic and unrealistic plans of how their New Year will look.

Some believe that a good intention means a new beginning, that on their own they can make a new start whenever they want. That would be nice if it was that easy. 

What treadmill are you on?
Change is inevitable, but what kind of change? Maybe we need to look at the treadmills we’ve been on? Do we need to change our perspective from ‘this is the way things ought to be according to me?’ Or, look at how we measure success or how we control people and circumstances or maybe it’s living for the approval of others.

These treadmills don’t just distract us from a satisfied life they can consume us
These perspectives can unknowingly trap and rule us. They can suck the energy right out of us and leave us utterly empty. It’s not easy to let go of all the mental stuff we insist we need for our tomorrows along with all the stuff we continue to haul with us from our yesterdays.

One thing that we can all count on this New Year is change
Some changes we gladly choose and others we don’t. Yet, more often than not, despite our high hopes and best efforts we fail to change in the ways God desires. We can’t just grit our teeth and force ourselves to act with compassion. It’s not about trying harder on our own.

Jesus isn’t interested in us being changed into people who only become nicer and more agreeable. God does not ask us to accommodate Him, but to live for Him. He has something far more different in mind for us this New Year. God can change your life story this New Year. There is a better way.

Live for what matters to God
All of us who have attempted change and failed know if this year is going to be any different we need a new approach. Becoming what God desires of us is not a quick fix formula. It’s a heart change.

There are certainly things we cannot change, but there are changes we can make that can leave a lasting impact in other people’s lives if we choose to live for what matters to God. God has been changing hearts and minds of people and nations for thousands of years and He desires to change yours’ and mine too.

Here’s the deal: God significantly changes our lives when live out our heart's cry of, “Not my will, but thy will be done. What do you want me to do for You Lord?”  And that will be enough.

The God that changes not, changes everything! 
Be grateful that His love for you will never change. That’s one thing you can count on today and forever!

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3; 33:22

The Best Decisions in Life

If you want to know how to make the best decisions in life consider…

Stop waiting for an outburst of passion

Many people have the illusion that there is some passion out there just for them. If they discover their passion then every day of their life would be filled with exhilarating emotion and effortless motivation. Don’t wait for passion to lead you some where you’re not. Start by bringing passion to the place where you are now.

Ask wise people to help you
If you need wisdom don’t try to obtain it all by yourself. Get around wise people whose character you trust, who love you and who care about your welfare. Bounce things off of them. Often we see God’s direction better through the rear-view mirror than the windshield with the help of wise counsel.

On our own we can miss open doors. We can seek out information that confirms what we already want rather than looking for the real truth, “Should I buy that or not?” But rather, we could say, “What’s the best way I can use this money.”

Learn by experiment and your failings
Does God ever have guidance for a particular decision? Yes.  Does God give guidance for every decision? No. Sometimes God’s guidance is not so much about what he wants to do through me as what he wants to do in me. Discerning open doors is never the same as guaranteed success.

Having second thoughts about going through a door is not unusual. You might have buyer’s remorse about a choice you made, but there is a better way to go through the door and that is with all your heart. The way to go through one of God’s open doors is with all your heart.  That means that sacrifices are involved - choosing one thing means not using another.

The ultimate door
Wisdom is wonderful. Wisdom makes for better relationships, better workers, better citizens and better parents. But wise people still get cancer, wise people get betrayed and wise people die. Wisdom in the Bible reveals that there are limits to wise human decisions.

All that the Apostles loved and prized and cherished about wisdom they found in Jesus. Wisdom loved and suffered on the cross. Wisdom died and wisdom was raised to life again .Wisdom is far more than common sense and practical advice. Wisdom is alive today and can walk with you through the doors you face. The ultimate door is a person!

“I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture.”       John 10:9  

What Does It Take To Become Wise?

In our previous blogs from ‘Wise Up – Everyday Wisdom we saw how we can recognize a wise person, but what does it take to become wise? It doesn’t happen overnight or by reading a self-help book or by five easy steps. Wisdom comes from understanding and living by three truths. The first truth is...
It Takes God

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6To learn wisdom we first need revelation, but what kind of revelation? There is plenty of confusing philosophical and religious resources out there to choose from, but which one do I align with? Do I try something to see if it works? 

What if we've been sold a bill of goods and find out we've been deceived since the beginning. What if we've  had a wrong view of God because of the wrong resources or because of our family of origin? As A.W. Tozer said,
“Left to ourselves we tend to reduce God to manageable terms. We want to get him where we can use him, or at least know where he is when we need him. We want a God we can in some measure control. We need the feeling of security that comes from knowing what God is like.”
It’s great when we know where someone is coming from, to know that the relationship is based upon trust and truth. Our relationship with God is no different. We need to know the truth about who He is and what He has said.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
The scriptures are abundantly clear that God has revealed Himself through His creation and his Word, yet it is not enough to just know this, we need to also walk in His ways. Many of us know this, but none of us have arrived, we’ve all blown it in some way.

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16  The second truth is...
It Takes Others
Others can help us with our perceptions, attitudes and behavior. Wisdom is not a ‘do it yourself thing.’ We need friends who can kick us in the pants when needed and stick closer than a brother. Their role is critical to who we are and who we are becoming. We cannot escape the truth that the scriptures encourage us to listen to others to become wise.
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. Prov.15:31

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Prov. 13:20

If we want to become wise we need conversations with wise people and ask them questions and take notes. Take them out for a meal, coffee or a walk.  Just do it! Honor them with your questions. Thirdly,
It Takes YOU!
No one can make you wise. While you can get an education at the best schools and  from teachers and good books they cannot make you wise. Only you are responsible to grow wise, no one else. Wisdom calls out to YOU, “Won’t you come listen to me?”

If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.   Proverbs 2:1-5
How badly do we want to become wise? Those who seriously desire to live by biblical wisdom can withstand the adversity of our broken world and the shallow and fickle trends of our culture. They dig deep in the wisdom of the scriptures. How about you?

What Do You Do With Change?

Change is one thing we all have in common, the one thing we can count on
Change is inevitable, inescapable, and not easy when we’re challenged with new territory or changes we didn’t ask for? How do we respond to change? Change is part of God’s plan in history and in our personal lives. There are changes in the:

Heart - the scriptures reveal that to have personal relationship with God and be part of His family a personal heart change needs to take place. (Eze.36:26: 2 Cor. 5:17)

Mind - If our hearts and minds are not constantly changing and renewed we won’t be amazed by God’s grace. (Rom.12:2)

Culture - Not a revelation here, look at the unprecedented rapid change in our own world today from IT, social media to the various answers to the world’s problems. In Jesus’ day he was accused of being a nonconformist, defiling the Sabbath and being a friend of sinners. He pushed back on the religious system of his culture when he said, “You’ve heard it said of old, but I say to you…”

He told the religious leaders, “You teach the traditions of men as the commands of God.” Not exactly a way to win friends and influence people. Jesus’ advent changed everything! The Jews were in a fervent uproar, Jerusalem was upside down and the Romans were on edge. The gospel was revolutionizing hearts for Jews, Romans, Greeks, Asians, Europeans and Africans.

Church – The early church changed from Saturday Sabbath to Sunday worship, from an underground persecuted church, to an institution, to a global movement. And when the church desperately needed reform God brought the Reformation.

The word of God became the ultimate authority rather than the church and the Reformation’s ‘sola fide’ – salvation comes by faith alone, changed not only European monarch’s deference to Rome, but the peasants and the entire world. The Reformation and the first printing press unleashed the scriptures to the common people and began to be translated in countless languages.

Leadership – We hear the endless mantras of politicians promising changes in the role of government, immigration, the IRS, health care and the way we understand and fight terrorism. We’ve heard all about hope and change and to make America great again. It has been said, “Change is inevitable, but misery is an option.” Being that change is unavoidable what can you and I do to learn from it?  

Change our attitude about the changes we can’t control

God continuously reminded Israel as He reminds us today that His future is better than any past that we’ve ever experienced. (Jer. 33:3; Haggai 2:7-9) Do you think that the good ole days were exaggerated? Can you believe that your present or future can be better than your past?

Let go of the past and move forward

Living in the past is not very exciting. If only change would stay away from those places that are sacred to us that would be great, but many times the most difficult things to give up are those things we have identified as God’s blessings.

For many our crisis is the place where we meet God, the intersection where our desperation meets God’s intervention. God calls us to take the memories, but leave the trinkets behind.

We can learn what not to do from the Israelites’ wilderness journey who limited their future by living in the past instead of the challenge of a new tomorrow! Like the Hebrews, if you stay stuck in the past you relinquish your future. Don’t be stuck in a time warp, your future is waiting! There is hope. Today can be the beginning of a new chapter in your history.

After forty years of wandering the Hebrews were finally about to enter the ‘promised land’ their new leader Joshua said to them,

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:7-9

Regarding the theme of change I highly recommend Dr. Henry Cloud’s book ‘Necessary Endings.’ 

A Better New Year

One year ago we were different in ways than we are today and one year from now, we will have changed. Many make optimistic plans of how their change will look the coming year. This year will be their year, the year when their income will increase and relationships will improve. This year will be the year they are finally able to change in the ways they’ve long desired.

We hope that this year will be better than last. What new experiences or changes will come our way? Others approach the New Year with mixed emotions hesitant to let go of the past. Some make a list of bad deeds and resolve “from now on I will…”—how many “from-now-ons” have there already been! Some believe that a good intention means a new beginning, that on their own they can make a new start whenever they want. That would be nice if it was that easy.

One thing that we can all count on this year is change.
Some changes we choose and others we don’t. The theme of change is a constant in the scriptures. What does the nature of that change look like? God changes the direction of a person and a nation into a people who reflect Him to the rest of the world and we can be part of that same story. The Apostle Paul lays out the kind of change God desires for His people.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

Yet more often than not, despite our high hopes and our best efforts, we fail to change in the ways God desires. We can’t just grit our teeth and force ourselves to act with compassion. Trying harder on our own won't lead to change it leads to frustration. We can say, “Yes, Jesus, I'm all in, except when it comes to being generous with my time and money or how I run my company or how I treat people.”

Yes, Jesus, I'm all in, but maybe not entirely.
Jesus isn't at all interested in our being changed into people who simply become nicer and more agreeable, all the while maintaining our own little kingdoms. God does not ask us to accommodate Him, but to live for Him. He has something far more different in mind for us this New Year. That is to choose to…

Live for what matters to God.

Any of us who have attempted change know if this year is going to be any different we need a new approach, a change of perspective. Becoming what God desires of us is not as simple as changing a tire. It is not a quick fix. It’s a heart change.


The question is not if we will change, but how we will we change. Change is inevitable. Which changes can you make this year? You do have a choice.

For a Christ follower we are called to a new way of life, to a new kingdom, to a faith filled life.

As unknowingly difficult as this can be, we need to leave our own self-interested little kingdoms behind. Maybe a part of our own little kingdoms is having a perspective of ‘my way is Yahweh’s’ or don’t you see, this is the way things ought to be according to me.  Or maybe it’s how we measure our own success, or maybe it’s trying to control people and circumstances. Or maybe it’s living for the approval of others.

These things don't just distract us from a greater kingdom they can consume us. They can control us. They can suck the very life right out of us. They can be so utterly empty and meaningless. There is a better way.

There are certainly things we cannot change, but there are changes we can make that can leave a lasting impact in other people’s lives if we choose to live for what matters to God. God has been changing hearts and minds of people and nations for thousands of years and He desires to change yours’ and mine too.

Throughout this New Year may our heart’s prayer be

Father, not my will, but thy will be done…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. What do you want me to do for You?


The God that changes not, changes everything! Be grateful that His love for you and I will never change! That’s one thing we can count on forever!

Changes

February 10, 2011

All of us experience change. Its one thing we all have in common. One thing we can count on. It’s inevitable, inescapable, and never easy when we’re challenged with new territory. How do we respond?

Change is part of God’s plan in history and in our lives. Here are a few changes:

Change of heart - the scriptures reveal that to have relationship with God and be part of His family a personal heart change needs to take place. (2Cor.5:17; Ezek.36:26)

Change of mind - If our hearts and minds are not constantly changing and renewed we won’t be amazed by God’s grace. (Rom.12:2)

Change in culture - not a revelation here, just look at Egypt or the rapid change in our own world today. Accused of defiling the Sabbath, a friend of sinners, Jesus brought  radical change. He told the religious leaders, “You teach the traditions of men as the commands of God.” (Matt.15:3).

Jesus’ advent changed everything! The Jews were in a fervent uproar, Jerusalem was upside down and the Romans were on edge. The gospel was revolutionizing hearts and the world for Jews, Romans, Greeks, Asians, Europeans and Africans.

From Saturday Sabbath to Sunday worship, from an underground persecuted movement to a Roman state religion having a global impact. And when the church desperately needed reform the Reformation came. Missionaries adapted to the cultures they were called to reach. The scriptures were translated in countless languages.

Change in Leadership - the seemingly endless mantra of politicians. Generational changes, changes in relationships, etc. It has been said, “Change is inevitable, but misery is an option.”

Being that change is unavoidable how can we learn to benefit from it?  We can change our attitude about the change we can’t control.

God continuously reminded Israel as He is reminding us today that His future is better than any past that we’ve ever experienced. (Jer. 33:3; Haggai 2:7-9) It seems that the good ole days are exaggerated. Can we believe that our present or future can be greater than our past?

We can let go of the past and move forward.

Living in the past is not very exciting. If only change would stay away from those places that are sacred to us that would be great, but many times the most difficult to give up are those things we have identified as God’s blessings. For many our crisis is the place where we meet God. God calls us to take the memories, but leave the trinkets behind.

May we not be like the wandering Israelites who limited their future by living in the past instead of the challenge of a new tomorrow!  If you stay stuck in the past you relinquish your future. Don’t be stuck in a time warp, your future is waiting! There is hope. Today is the beginning of your history. Stay tuned as we explore embracing your divine future!

Regarding this theme of change I highly recommend Dr. Henry Cloud’s new book ‘Necessary Endings’ 

Out of Egypt!

Janaury 31, 2011

It’s the 7th day of the mass Egyptian rallies protesting the conditions of high unemployment, political corruption and the abuses of citizens’ rights. Looting, the burning of buildings, as well as several lives have been lost as a result. They’re demanding radical reform and the immediate resignation of President Mubarek. By the time you read this Mubarek may have already stepped down and gone into exile.

Egyptians want real change NOW, not later! Their own conditions, along with the recent radical political changes in neighboring Tunisia, are now causing tension in the other surrounding dictatorial countries. This is greatly impacting our own regional interests as the United States and has huge implications to the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.

Facebook, YouTube and international news agencies are covering the events by the minute when phones and the internet are available. This is has caused many to jump on the bandwagon using radical words like revolution even in westernized Islamic Egypt.

There are some valuable parallels that can be drawn between the ancient Empires that have fallen and this present day situation. Babylon fell to the Medo-Persians; Medo-Persians to the Grecian Empire and the Grecians to Rome and eventually Egypt became a Roman province.

Religious belief systems, political philosophies and systems like communism promised to deliver the masses equality and justice and wound up being more repressive than their predecessor. Marxism, capitalized on the conditions of the oppressed and the poor who were desperate for change. The commoners were angry and fed up with the unjust oppression by Czarist Russia making the conditions ripe for the Bolshevik revolution.

In the French Revolution the people of France were also fed up with the Monarchy’s aristocracy and its unjust feudal system. Though they threw out the monarchy the revolution got out of control and thousands of innocents lost their lives in the bloody Reign of Terror.

While we have the luxury of looking back on world history and seeing the social injustices that led up to revolutions and conflicts we need to ask the question many others are asking today: Who or what will replace Mubarek and his political machine-philosophy? A Islamic fundamentalist state enforcing a Talibanic Sharia law? Will peace with Israel be sustained? Or will it be a reformed democratic structure?

The question remains unanswered for Egypt we can draw some truths from this storyline for ourselves. Today, we see needed change in other countries and our own.

In the 60’s John Lennon said, “…you say you want a revolution…” He went on to say, is it the evolution of ideas, a change in the constitution or an institution that is needed? Or “well, you know you better free your mind instead?” Hmm, free your mind instead, now what does that mean?

Freedom, we all want it in some way don’t we? What is freedom? Freedom from who or what? Good question.

Is freedom doing what we want to do? If I have it, what will I do with it? Regardless of what kind of freedom one is talking about, is there a responsibility that goes with it?

Over 3,300 years ago the people of Israel had endured unjust slavery in Egypt for hundreds of years (Exodus 12:40). They were desperate in their conditions with no clear way out.

“Get us out of Egypt now!”

Please stay tuned for the continuation of this blog in the days ahead as we discover the implications of freedom for our own lives. We’ll engage with a people who really needed freedom and what we can learn from them…