The Young, Saved, and Fly

In a world where text messages and emails have replaced letters and conversation it’s been increasingly difficult to truly communicate feeling and affection. That is why the prospect of being kind is one that most people simply take for granted.  The pace at which we operate has made kindness a difficult concept as well.  We look past those in need and miss opportunities to do good daily.  Believe me I’m not holding anyone at fault because I too have allowed life’s hurdles to consume me at times.

I have an uncle who doesn’t have any children and isn’t married. As a child he would always get my sister and I any gift, toy, or candy we asked for. It was his way to show he loved us. He wasn’t much of a talker but as I got older I always made sure to visit and check on him as did my sister when we would come home from college on break. As I continued to get older I allowed the work stress and general life stress tire me and I saw my extended family less and less. I knew my grandparents, uncles, and aunts were aging but in my mind I always assumed there would be time to visit, time to see them, and time to tell them I loved them. In December of 2008 my uncle had a stroke, shortly after that, his brother who was also my godfather, passed away. I have to admit for a while that I was upset with myself. I didn’t visit either like I should have and was so consumed what was going on with myself that I didn’t check on them like I should have. Over time I found peace because I knew my uncle who passed away knew I loved and admired him a great deal and my uncle who had the stroke survived and God allowed me the opportunity to tell him what an influence he’s been on me. My goal now is to exhibit the type of kind love the mentioned in the scripture. I don’t believe being kind is a hard thing I just believe kindness is overlooked.

Jesus’ kindness was seen throughout the bible. He operated with kindness and humility. It was clear to see in many stories like the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9 or in Matthew 8 where Jesus healed the man with leprosy he not only operated in kindness he did it with a humble goodness and no expectations of anything in return.  Kindness is having a good or benevolent nature or disposition (the thinking).  It’s desiring to do good to others.  Goodness is moral excellence, virtue, generosity, and the activity calculated to advance kindness (the doing).  It has been stated by a few published authors that”kindness is the sincere desire for the happiness of others.  Goodness is the activity calculated to advance that happiness.”  Kindness is the thinking, the thinking of others.  Goodness is the doing.  Simply enough we are to do good by and for one another.

Our purpose in life, of course, is to glorify God.  In Galatians 5:13″You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” If you go back through the bible Jesus never stopped with the kindness.  He always calculated the activity required to meet the needs for the sincere happiness and joy of others.  Jesus never fell short when it came to goodness.

I’m committed to trying to be more sensitive to show more kindness.  To help someone in need.  Love is patient, love is kind.   It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud (1 Corinthians 13:4).  In showing kindness we show love and our capacity to love one another the way God has called us to.

Be Young, Saved, and Fly…

Jeff

Jeff Beckham Jr.

When you read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails.” which one of the phrases of that scriptures stands out most to you? I know we’ve all heard this scripture a thousand times. It seems like if it’s church, a wedding, or just in passing you’ve heard a person discuss this as a sermon or bible study. Most of the time when people talk about this scripture it’s usually in reference to everything that follow the very first phrase. I can recall the first time I heard a sermon on this scripture I remember the minister speaking about kindness, modesty, and humility but I can’t recall a time where I’ve heard one talk about the very first part of that scripture, “Love is patient.”

Patient love seems like an easy enough concept. Maybe that’s why so many people skip over that part; but is it really? When I write about topics or speak on topics I like to use examples to provide relevance. When it comes to love and being patient I don’t think there is a better example of the active use of patience with love than that of Jesus Christ. I mean think about it who didn’t Christ love. Judas who sold him out, Peter who betrayed him, and humanity whose sins crucified him. I could not imagine what kind of patience it must have taken for Him to love us. I mean if it was any of us we probably would have given up. If a friend was supposed to have your back on a job interview and denied they knew you when the hiring manager called; would that person still be your friend tomorrow? Would you still be able to love someone who cheated you or sold you out for money? I don’t think I could be a patient loving person moving forward.

Patience is truly a virtue these days. We don’t have to wait for much of anything anymore. No one operates with patience about anything. Instant movies, fast food, and a pervasive attitude of instant gratification guides us these days. Everyone wants what they want when they want it and no one is willing to wait on anything. However scripture clearly defines this as the first element of love. Have you ever considered why this one was written first? Human beings aren’t linear by any means. We don’t behave like robots and emotions cause us to act and think differently daily. Emotions, values, and behaviors are just a few basal components of human nature. Think of them as peaks and valleys on an EKG machine. No one is up all the time and no one is down all the time it’s a slight fluctuation. In order to truly love someone you have to operate with patience as people undergo these basal occurrences. I think that’s why Paul listed patience 1st. (we aren’t going argue over interpretation and version today we’re just gonna roll with the NIV ok!) Paul understood that people change and that all other elements of love are codependent on patience. Think about it.. Love is kind but at times when it’s not you have to be patient because sure enough if it’s true love it will be kind again. Love doesn’t boast and it’s not proud but there may be proud moments in a loving relationship. Love is not easily angered but ask any married couple that have spent a lifetime together or couple that’s been together long enough to go through something and they will tell you anger will occur yet it’s the patient love that helps them get through. Love is patient. The fluctuating nature of human behavior causes it to be.

I think we need to take this patience factor into account with existing and new relationships. We probably all could use a little more patience before we rush to judgment or decision. If we used more patience in love, things would be so much different in our lives. Divorce would decrease dramatically because couples would take their time before rushing to the altar. Friendships would be stronger because we would speak and act with patience towards our friends more often. Relationships would be better off because we would take more time before entering into them and we would guard the others heart once we were. Think about it, patience would limit or prevent bad relationships. Patience would allow two parties time to go through what Hill Harper calls the A-F-I process in his book “The Conversation.” That process stands for acquaintance to friend to intimacy. So often these days folk jump form A-I before establish the F part. We cause ourselves heartache and even worse by moving too quickly or making hasty decisions inside of relationship. Physical attraction pulls us away from the friendship component and we end up messed up. Maybe we can take a little more time with the each other. Consider the other person more. If it’s truly the 1 Corinthians kind of love then remember that patience comes 1st. I hope this helps you.

Jeff

A picture of hope

Have you been in a holding place lately?  You know, a place where it just doesn’t seem like much is happening and you’re struggling to be patient because you want something new to happen in your life immediately.  I think we’ve all been there.  I know recently I’ve felt like I’m just not using all the gifts God has given me at work and I’ve questioned whether or not I’m operating in His purpose or running a rat race.  I’ve just felt like a change must be on the way because life can’t be this mundane. Well this week I’ve had friends speak to my life in this area and I felt it necessary to share.

One friend found a lost family member after many years.  A few weeks earlier this same friend spoke of the desire to find the lost family member but had no clue how.  My friend had done the internet searches and had just about lost hope that finding the lost family member would ever occur.   Just when my friend thought it may be a lost cause my friend received a call the phone rang and it was someone who had located the long lost family member.  When I was a kid it used to amaze me how when God decides to perform a miracle He does so in a manner that you know it was only him.  You see my friends lost family member had only got online 4 days ago and that it only took four days from that step for a family to find it’s lost member who had been looking for years But God!

I have a cousin who many years ago lost contact with the family.  Growing up she was the cousin I looked up to the most. She was a few years older, smart (matter-of-fact the 1st to graduate from a 4 year University in my family), funny and had one of the kindest spirits you could encounter.  Many things went on in the family and we lost contact with her.  Yesterday she found my sister and added her as a friend on Facebook and last night I added her as a friend on Facebook. Our uncle passed away in March and at the funeral I actually told my mother that I missed my cousin and wished she was there. My mother told me to pray and continue to pray and that in time God would make it happen.   Yesterday after nearly 8 years He did. But God!

Today I met for lunch with a young man who has a vision to change the city of Gary Indiana.  We met to talk about initiatives I could help him with and in doing so,  we sat across the table exchanging ideas of vision and ways to execute things to change lives.  We talked about God and how the divine architect builds on top of solid foundations.  We talked about how he allows people to cross paths at particular times after going through specific things to help each other accomplish His purpose.  We talked about waiting on God and being patient.  We talked about hope and ways share our message with people in our communities.  Needless to say it was a great lunch but from it again I witnessed God doing a work.  My friend talked with me about how to maximize my effectiveness as a leader. It was a Word I needed and received. But God!

These are only three examples but their are numerous examples of God operating in lives of those who have faith.  Hebrews 11:1 says “NOW faith is being sure of what we have hoped for and certain of what we do not see. “Webster’s defines faith as simply belief.  So, God is operating in the lives of those who believe.

I know that this faith thing seems so complex at times.  I think we make it much more difficult then it needs to be. We complicate it with doctrine, rules, and denomination when God just wants us to believe in him blindly and his son Jesus.  I choose to live a life based in hope and assuredness.  I choose to live one that resides in the fact that God is alive and this because he sacrificed his son Jesus Christ for our sins and he rose from the dead.    I am committed to traveling this road of hope and faith and I don’t want to take any other path.  I choose this road because it’s along this path that you see God’s miracles big and small.  It’s along this road that you meet people who refuel you, give you tools you need down the road, and encourage you to continue on your journey.  The road of hope is one not littered with the pot holes of doubt and insecurity.  I encourage you to travel this road. God Bless You