The long and short of it is that Balaam is a “hired gun” who performs blessings, curses, divining, and any other sort of soothsaying for the right price. At this point in the story, Israel is trying to cross through Moab, peacefully. However, King Balak doesn’t like that idea because he’s afraid of how many Israelites there are. So he tries to hire Balaam to curse Israel before attacking them.

But God gets a hold of Balaam first. He tells Balaam not to go…Balaam agrees but hopes God will change is mind (there’s a lot of cash on the line)…God tells Him to go…Balaam goes, but has a little incident with an angel and his talking donkey (that’s the funny part of the story)…Balaam gets his head screwed on right and proceeds to meet with King Balak with a strict understanding that he’s only to do what God instructs him to do.

It’s a great story.

But it’s also got an important message…at least for me (and anyone else who speaks to others about God…this includes every disciple, but especially those doing it as their vocation). Here’s the lesson that Balaam learns and proclaims to King Balak:

Balaam replied, “Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth.” (Numbers 22:28, NLT)

That’s such an important lesson and reminder. It’s my goal every time I speak in a Sunday morning. I want to “speak only the message that God puts in my mouth”. I think I do that most of the time…but not all of the time. I just hope God doesn’t have to send a talking donkey my way to be sure I get the message.

I was hoping that writing about it would help, but so far no luck!

I did read something this morning in the book of Numbers (a book I was dreading, but am now finding that I am enjoying). It was about Moses…more specifically about how God defended Moses when Aaron and Miriam criticized Moses (how cool would that be? To have God Himself come to defend you personally?). Here’s what God said about Moses:

But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses? (Numbers 12:7-8, NLT)

Two things I notice here. First, God says He speaks to Moses clearly…with no riddles. I know a lot of people who wish that’s how God would speak (although I think He does and we just make it hard). Second, Moses “sees the Lord as He is”. I love that phrase. Moses saw God without any filters. He really saw God. I want that.

So I’m off to try and find some focus today…maybe I’ll learn to hear and see God more clearly in the process.

But being passionate doesn’t guarantee success (no matter how you measure it). And being passionate doesn’t mean you’ll do things right. I haven’t. The good news is that not all is lost…not even close. I have great people around me that know what they’re doing and are picking up the slack.

The lesson I’m learning is about the importance of staying connected. When I was in the corporate world this wasn’t nearly as important. People got paid to work and if they didn’t do what we expected they either shaped up or…(you know how that one ends).

Not so much in my new line of “work” (I still hate calling it that). Here, connections are life-blood…critical to keeping anything alive. Over the past few months I’ve made the decision to focus my attention on a smaller number of people…really poor into their lives as best I can. Not a bad call…not one I regret…but I got distracted. Also not an excuse, just the reality.

The consequence is that I lost connection with others. These are leaders that I left in the dust, flapping in the wind (choose your own metaphor). And it’s my responsibility to correct the situation. It will take work. It will take focus. It will take dedication.

But that’s the other great thing about connections…they can be re-established. This is an error that has an “easy” (if not simple) fix…get connected again! So that’s what I’m doing…and I hope I’ve learned my lesson!

He led them astray.

Sure, they asked for it. They got restless and asked for what was comfortable in place of all the crazy new stuff going on all around them. They asked for it, but Aaron certainly wasn’t obligated to give them what they wanted; he was obligated to give them what they need. His first opportunity to lead and he blew it.

So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!” (Exodus 32:2-4, NLT)

The people asked for a god to worship and Aaron had every opportunity to point them to God. Instead, he built them a golden calf (reminiscent of the gods they left behind in Egypt). And when he saw how excited they were about the calf he built an altar..and THEN tried to get God involved the celebration. Slippery slope!

Enter from stage mountain…Moses. He comes down from the mountain after talking God out of destroying the people for their idolatry (something He had JUST warned them about). Moses sees the mess that Aaron has made and he takes charge. He destroys the idol. He gives the people what they deserve. And then he continues to lead His people back to the right path…back to God and His promises.

Am I an Aaron or a Moses? Do I lead out of my own comfort zone or do I lead people down the harder path of obedience and love toward God? Do I have what it takes to make a stand against convention and cultural acceptance?

Am I on God’s side or the other side?

Why do we not seem to celebrate key markers in our spiritual life much anymore (or am I just missing them). We have key holidays such as Easter and Christmas, but those are quickly deteriorating into commercial enterprises. We don’t reflect much or spend much time actually celebrating what we’re supposed to be celebrating (they turn more into family markers than markers of our spiritual journey).

We need markers along our spiritual path to remind us of where we’ve come from and where God is taking us. They’re important. God has used them since the very beginning. This morning I was reading about the Exodus from Egypt and guess what we find? Markers…

This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the Lord: “With a strong hand, the Lord rescued you from Egypt.” (Exodus 13:9, NLT)

Passover was “like a mark” to the Israelites. It was established to ensure they would always remember what God did for them…where they had been. God established this particular marker because He knew it was important. For them. For us. But we don’t do this much anymore. We need to.

Several years ago when Anita and I took a spiritual retreat together to pray and talk about going back into full-time ministry. We stole away for Winter Park. We prayed. We talked. God showed up. There was healing. There was an answer. We wanted to remember that weekend so we agreed that we would purchase a marker…some tangible, visible reminder of what God started that weekend. And we did. It’s a little silver angel that sits on the mantle in our bedroom. Whenever I see it I know that we’re doing what God asked us to do. It marks an important event. When times get tough, the marker is there to remind.

We need markers in our spiritual journey. What are the markers along your path? What markers do you need set up?

In addition to getting a few reminders I almost always read something I’ve read a thousand times before in some new light. And that happened this afternoon as I finished the book. Paul is on his way to Rome having appealed his absurd case to Caesar. Along the way the ship they’re on gets into a bad storm (which would have been avoided had the captain listened to Paul, but that’s another story).

At the end of this horrific storm the sailors run the ship aground and are about to abandon ship. Wise in human standards…not so much a part of God’s plans though…

Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away. (Acts 27:30-32, NLT)

Now, by this time Paul had some credibility with the captain since everything he had warned them about had come true. So I understand why the soldiers decided to change their plans (and I must admit I would have been all for getting in that lifeboat). But what they did next is what got my attention…they cut the ropes!

There was no going back after that…no change of heart allowed. They accepted God’s plan to stay on a sinking ship instead of trying it their way. The plan made no sense, but they did it anyway. They didn’t just follow God’s plan…they got rid of the safety net. No more choice but to do it God’s way.

I wish I did that more often, but I must confess that too often I follow God’s plan but I don’t always cut the rope. Sometimes I keep the safety net in place…just in case. Now that I say it it sounds ridiculous (that’s because it is). In case what? In case God’s plan doesn’t work out? Ludicrous…He’s God and I’m not.

Again, this is the decision that Pinecrest faces as we come together over the next three weeks to seek God’s face about our direction and finances. Will we follow His plan no matter how crazy it might sound? And will we cut the ropes or will we keep our safety net intact?

Here’s one vote for cutting the ropes.

It saddens me. It challenges me. It shakes me to my core spiritually.

Chan is talking about the Holy Spirit in our spiritual lives and how the Holy Spirit is supposed to be evident in our lives. But that’s not often the case. He goes so far to say…

I think the worst part is when you get outside the church’s walls and interact with believers and nonbelievers in the same sphere. Can you really tell a difference? (p 31)

OUCH! If I answer that question honestly the answer is far too often that I cannot tell the difference. And I am including myself in that indictment. But we’re supposed to be different. We’re not just supposed to ACT different (although even that doesn’t always happen); we’re supposed to BE different…

This is the question I just can’t get around: If it’s true that the Spirit of God dwells in us and that our bodies are the Holy Spirit’s temple, then shouldn’t there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit of God living inside of him or her and the person who does not? (p 32)

Um….yes. There should be a huge difference. So why is that not often the case? Why is that not the case in my own life?

That’s what I’m going to start examining and praying about. Where have I missed the mark? What am I holding back from God? What am I afraid will happen if I live my life fully in the presence of God’s Spirit? What would happen if I fully allowed Him to guide and direct my life on a daily basis?

That the question we’re asking over the next three weeks at Pinecrest too. As a community, what would happen if God really got a hold of us and we let Him lead…let Him do some amazing things…got out of the way and got on-board with God’s plan?

All I know is that I’m going to start this journey, because I’d like to find out…

But the LifeGroup leader was doing a great job guiding the discussion and keeping the group on the right track. Paul is talking about how Christ overcame Adam’s sin…how His sacrifice conquers our legacy of sin. He’s talking about how Jesus brings us into right relationship with God. He’s talking about the power of grace over sin. Great topics and great discussion.

Like I said, the leader was doing a great job. And he had just finished making this great point…bringing some of the discussions together…when someone’s cell phone sang out: “Message Received!” The timing was brilliant. It brought a laugh and drove the point home.

Message received.

I wish I had that more often in my life—some external indicator to tell me when the message is received. For me and for others.  ;o)

This is no original idea/concept. Confucius said it best…

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

I can honestly say that I haven’t worked a day since January 1st of this year. I’ve been plenty busy…but it hasn’t been work. Why? Because I love it and it’s what God has called me to do. I’m not even sure which part is most responsible…the doing what I love or following God’s leading (they are very interrelated!). I just know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and I have the blessing of loving every second of it.

Has it all been rosy? No. Has it all been fun and games? Of course not.

But it hasn’t been “work” either.

So, I stand behind Confucius’ advice and I take a little poetic license and tag on a little something extra: “Chose a job you love and that God has called you to, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I am blessed. I know it. And I thank and praise Him for it every day!!

However, there is a difference between “worldly sorrow” and “Godly sorrow”. Here’s what Paul has to say on the subject…

I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. (2 Corinthians 7:8-10, NLT)

When I read this passage this morning it took me by surprise…can’t remember this teaching even though I’ve read it several times. And it’s timely based on some of the discussions I’ve had in the past week with some people who are going through some pain and sorrow in their lives. Here are a few things I take notice of in this passage:

• God allows pain and sorrow in our lives in order to change us…it has purpose…it leads to salvation.
• Worldly sorrow leads to our death…spiritual death.
• The difference? Our attitude and reaction. If we respond with repentance then it’s Godly sorrow…otherwise it’s worldly sorrow.
• God wants us to have some sorrow/pain in our lives because He wants to change us…to mold us into the image of Christ.

Does any of this make our pain and sorrow easier when we are in the middle of it? Not likely. But it is an important reminder that our attitude and response in the midst of our pain will determine the end result. Will we allow God to shape us and grow spiritually? Or will we be stubborn and unrepentant and end up dying spiritually?

The choice is ours…