Taking the Yoke of Jesus

, , , , ,

TAKING THE YOKE OF JESUS

Jesus tells us, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew [11:29]) A simple request to turn away from those things that distract us and turn to accepting the lessons and wisdom of Jesus. To have faith in Jesus rights our path, not only because he is with us, but because we pick up his ways.

My friend Mel, who had left the corporate world to help the poor for the Catholic Church in the northwest part of the United States but now returned, called me in distress. He had walked away from a well-paying job for two years to help those less fortunate. Upon his return to the corporate world he was finding it hard to find a new job. Many interviewers did not understand why he left, and many were put off by the fact that he was sixty. He kept meeting dead ends in his job search. Confusion about doing good in the world and then being rebuffed in the job market had created a crisis in his life. He did not need a job for the money; he just wanted to belong again.

“His self-esteem plummeted, and he began to feel worthless. His searching kept leading him to disappointment.”

Over the next two years, he searched for a place to work. He prayed on a regular basis. He even went away for a week to a retreat center looking for his answer. He wanted desperately to belong again. His self-esteem plummeted, and he began to feel worthless. His searching kept leading him to disappointment.

We talked on a weekly basis, at an appointed time, and during these sessions, I would often probe him about why a job in his old world was so important. He would reply, “Because it is my identity.” For years he had worked hard to provide for his family and build a wonderful résumé, but now he had lost that ability.

“He kept waiting for Jesus to answer his prayer to find him a job.”

During these two years, Mel would still help others. In fact, he helped a group of nuns create a shelter for homeless pregnant women. Many days he put in long hours painting and fixing the shelter. Within this community he found acceptance, but not what he wanted. He wanted to go back to his old life. Oftentimes, I would tell him how much I admired his caring and giving efforts for others. I would relay to him that when I told his story to other people, they were amazed at his giving nature and life. For two years, this was not enough for Mel. He kept searching and not finding. Eventually, he decided to go back to school and become an EMT, while he waited for a more ideal new job. He kept waiting for Jesus to answer his prayer of finding him a job.

Typical of Mel, he was one of the best students in the EMT training. Despite some physical limitations he was able to keep up with the younger people in his class. He began to thrive. Many times, I would get a text from him saying something like “I can’t talk tonight, I am going out with my classmates.” I was used to this, as many of the people I help eventually find their answer and move on to their new life. It is a very familiar process. I miss these people and often wonder how they are doing, but my job was done.

“Jesus had been answering his prayers; he just had not paid attention.”

Later, in one of our final conversations, Mel relayed to me that he had prayed for an answer many times, but he kept looking in the wrong spots. The answer to what was his identity did not lie in the old spot of the corporate world, but in helping make the world a better place. Jesus had been answering his prayers; he just had not paid attention.

Jesus asks us to take his yoke. Jesus reminds us that he is “gentle and humble of heart,” and that his “yoke is light.” How many times do we all pray for something that we want, but Jesus gives us something different? He gives us a life plan that soothes our soul and gives us meaning. Many times, it is about following a new path, away from the familiar. A path of uncertainty on which we take his yoke and are guided by his “gentle and humble” heart.

Mel is peaceful now and I miss my weekly calls, but I am happy that Mel’s new identity is on a path of giving. When we ask ourselves about Jesus and wonder “What sort of man is this?” Jesus’ answer is also, that he is “gentle and humble of heart.”

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

 

Parting Thoughts
  • In seven words describe your life goals?
  • Are you on this path or another?
  • Where should you be looking?

Photo by Samuel Zeller

We love giving credit to budding photographers to help them gain more exposure.

 

/by

Today’s losses are Cheaper than Tomorrows

, , , , ,

 

“As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.”

Matthew 10-12-13

TODAY’S LOSSES ARE CHEAPER THAN TOMORROWS

I remember sitting at a conference room table with Bob Macaleer, a top banker for a large Boston bank, and the owner of a small struggling business. The owner had broken his covenant with the bank and was now looking for more money. As a very young financial advisor for the struggling company I was very unsure where this meeting would end up. The company had failed to hit its sales plans for a number of months and was now out of cash. In the previous months it had avoided letting the bank know it was struggling. It viewed the bank as an adversary, even though it had lent them money in good faith. Now the business had only place to look for new cash, the bank.

The owner of the company sitting with his attorney made a bold statement, “If you don’t lend me more money I will file for bankruptcy and you will get little in return.” I had heard about this being the strategy before I went into the meeting and had my doubts. But I was young and unsure of my footing. While I personally wouldn’t lend the company more money, I was assured that this tactic would work by both the owner and attorney.

It didn’t! The banker said to the owner and the attorney, “Today’s losses are cheaper than tomorrow’s. I don’t use good money to chase bad.” The company did file bankruptcy and the bank did get pennies on the dollar. But the bank had spared itself future losses. I was fortunate to hear and see this lesson very early in my career. A lesson I would remember many times throughout my career and pass on to those younger than me to learn.

Jesus passes on a similar lesson to the twelve apostles to prepare them for their journey of creating believers throughout Judea. A simple message that their time and the gifts of God were valuable. A simple reminder to examine if what they were giving would be properly accepted. A reminder to not spend time where they weren’t wanted. A reminder that their gifts from God were valuable and to not get caught up trying to convince the unconvinceables. Seems a little harsh from Jesus’ point of view, but considering the sacredness of God’s gifts, wise words.

Like the banker, we have limited resources and must be wise with how we parcel them out. Our focus should be on making a positive impact with all our resources. Whether it be money, our time and our energy. There were other places for the bank to lend money, growing businesses that respected the bank. For Jesus, he was searching for helpers that valued God and treated the words of God with a sacred intent. For us it is the same.

Be wary of those who gossip. Be wary of those who mislead. Watch carefully for those who only like us for our money. We should stay strong to avoid being liked at the expense of morality. Avoid going along to get along. Our lives and resources are precious and so is the word of God. We should be careful with whom we become partners.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

 

Parting Thoughts
  • Who are the most important people in our lives and why?
  • Do we spend enough time with the people we need to?
  • How do we avoid getting trapped in tough situations?
  • How should we create our daily to do list?

Photo by Cole Keister

We love giving credit to budding photographers to help them gain more exposure.

 

/by

What Do We Do When Our Candidate Loses?

, , , , ,

 

They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Matthew [22:21]

WHAT DO WE DO WHEN OUR CANDIDATE LOSES?

I recently had a discussion with a close friend that drifted into her dismay over the candidate who had won the most recent election. She was angry and in a state of disbelief that such a despicable candidate could win. Her main question was, “How could these people who voted not see his weakness.” From her perspective she was right. I pointed out that from other perspectives she might not understand why this person won. I suggested that she try to sort through why the other candidate won to discover their point of view.

What could she do? For this moment very little, except emotionally accept the result. But for the future, there is a lot. First, she had to accept the result as the voice of her nation. Accept what others had said. Perhaps the candidate was immoral with a poorly directed life compass. More importantly it is the understanding of why the voters chose a different candidate then hers. Perhaps they chose this candidate because they were angry they weren’t being listened to and desired a change at any cost. Perhaps they were tired of paying taxes and seeing a bloated government. Perhaps they felt their candidate was one that could resolve their fear of not being represented in the halls of our government.

Whatever the reason, it is not always about the candidate but about the strength of the voices that voted. Knowing why they voted the way they did is more important than the candidate that won. This is the voice of the people and the way our democracy has been set up. We live in a country that has the longest continuous democracy in the world, because we allow voices to be heard. It has survived when many others have faltered. It survives because the voices of the people have the right to choose who leads. Maybe in error the voices have spoken, but the system works.

We are left with two directions we can take, when our candidate loses. The first is to understand how we can help our voice be better heard the next time. Perhaps this includes helping the candidate of our choice. Perhaps this means helping with forums or marches to state our position more strongly. Perhaps it means changing individual minds about our position. Perhaps even being a candidate ourselves. This choice is one of civil change.

The second direction is one of despondency. One of civil discord. A direction we should not take. Letting our anger overrule our intellect. We see this when we hear about pipe bombs being delivered to those who disagree. We see this when people are forced out of a restaurant because of who they support. We see this with calls that encourage violence against opponents.

The second direction doesn’t work and will only lead to greater harm. We cannot put out a fire with gasoline! Jesus himself told those in the first century to respect the voices of the government. Jesus didn’t preach or ask for violence, but for peaceful demonstrations. Jesus would ask that we give to the emperor what was the emperor’s. But at the same time to give to God what is God’s. This last statement limits the power of the secular when we act on our disappointment through the ways of God.

There are many examples of civil protest that works. Certainly, that of Martin Luther King and the peaceful, but assertive demonstration that led to desegregation. Or perhaps we can look to the efforts at the turn of the 20th century to enable women the right to vote. They made progress in two obvious errors of society.

Discord that leaves our neighbor injured or left behind is not what Jesus would want. Jesus would want wrongs righted. He would want justice served. But not through civil discord. But through those positive steps we can take to change the world.

Perhaps our candidate lost and we feel unheard. The first step we should take is to change the future, by respecting our democracy and enacting the freedom our democracy gives us through our voice. A voice that sees what should be and acts to peacefully make our country better.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

 

Parting Thoughts
  • What did we hear about the direction of our country through the election results?
  • What steps should we take to help get our voices heard in the next election?
  • How can Jesus and prayer help our country?

Photo by Jerry Kiesewetter

We love giving credit to budding photographers to help them gain more exposure.

 

/by

Was Jesus a Democrat or Republican?

, , , , ,

 

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

1 Peter 2:9

WAS JESUS A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN?

I was recently on a radio show and was asked by a panel member was Jesus a Republican or Democrat. My response was Jesus’ political party was one of God and for all humankind. Certainly Jesus would be saddened by the deep and angry divide between our two political parties today. He would ask that they put away their pre-recorded narratives and focus on civility and love for each other. If Jesus were to vote he wouldn’t vote along party lines, but for the individual that best represented the Kingdom of God and the candidate who loved his neighbor.

Politics today have never been more rancorous or unlistening. Neither side listens to learn, but shouts to drown out their opponent. Many candidates receive money from outside influencers that have their own agenda, that the candidate must back. Politics today have created a divided nation. To which Jesus would be dismayed.

Jesus’ politics would be focused of bringing God’s words to all people, regardless of color, religious affiliation, gender or age. Jesus would listen to fully hear and understand his constituents point of view. If he disagreed, in a civil and loving way Jesus would explain why he disagreed.

Jesus sees all humankind as a powerful nation. Jesus wants us to be a Holy nation. Not one that is motivated by money or power. A nation that cares first and acts second. Jesus wants us to see the sacred nature of our earthly existence and be pointed to doing good and not harm. Jesus would not support violence against those who disagree with our views. He certainly wouldn’t approve of pipe bombs in the mail or promoting violence against those that disagree or the slaughter of people from another religious point of view. He wants our nation to lead with love.

Jesus platform is quite simple, “Love thy God and Love thy neighbor.” He would encourage us to feed the poor, heal the sick. He would want all nations to see other nations as composed of God’s children. He would disapprove of war. He would want us to protect God’s creation. He would believe in a judicial system of second chances for those who repent.

I am sure he wouldn’t become entangled with those who seek power through money. He would know that dealing with those who try to manipulate others is a dead-end street. He would not give into the lure of money that comes from powerful political organizations.

He cautioned us in the famous Sermon in the Mount by saying, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”(Matthew [7:15]) He would know that these wolves exist not to do good, but promote an agenda that is self- serving. He would know that there are those who will try to do good, but would have to cater to their political leaders. He would not espouse that we should “Go along to get along.” He would want each of us to evaluate each candidate and issue independently and not be influenced by money, fame or outside influencers.

No, I don’t think Jesus would either be Democrat or Republican. On Tuesday he would support our right to vote and ask us to ignore the rancor and anger we see every day, when we vote.  He would ask us to vote with our Christian conscience for the candidate we feel lives into his platform of “Love thy God and Love thy neighbor.”

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Photo by Element5 Digital

We love giving credit to budding photographers to help them gain more exposure.

 

/by

Being Third Behind God and Our Neighbor

, , , , ,

 

“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Mark [10:45]

BEING THIRD BEHIND GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOR

Gale Sayers, the hall of fame running back and the author of the book I Am Third, believed he was third in his list of life priorities. First God, then his family and neighbors, and finally himself. Gale lives this life even today. A famous person who is well known and any act of being a servant is for all to see.

“Rusty doesn’t serve to garner favor, but he genuinely likes to help others.”

But there are other people that are not famous and serve without the recognition that fame can bring. I know a person like this, Rusty. Rusty serves because he wants to serve others first. Rusty doesn’t serve to garner favor, but he genuinely likes to help others.

Recently, when I was in Asheville North Carolina, Rusty called to see if he could take my wife out for dinner. The problem was we were just sitting down at a local restaurant and getting ready to order. I told Rusty where we were and he came right over. He had been visiting Asheville on a sales call and thought it would be nice to eat dinner with us.

“I have had a great day and wanted to share it with you.”

Rusty, as he always does, entered the restaurant full of his good humor and a happy voice. He sat down and ordered his meal, and informed us it was on him tonight. When we acquired why, he simply said, “I have had a great day and wanted to share it with you.” No other motive, but just to share his joy.

In the past Rusty has always been helpful beyond what anyone could expect. If we told him we had a problem, he had an answer or fixed it for us. He shared his immense knowledge of the woods and the back country of North Carolina with us. There is no problem Rusty can’t fix.

Recently, I heard a story about Rusty from another neighbor, John. John had a statue that was missing a small part. While staying with his neighbor John,  Rusty noticed the broken statue.

The next morning when John got up the statue was fixed. During the night, Rusty had rummaged through some things he found in the house and spent a good part of the evening fixing the statue. This is how Rusty is, he fixes things, he gives great advice and is the first to lend a hand.

My wife, Connie, wanted to learn how to fly fish. I was not a fly fisherman, I cast to reach the hidden pools of the mountain streams. I mentioned this to Rusty, and of course he was going to help my wife learn to fly fish.

“I hear a voice that is in love with God and thankful for whatever he has.”

Over the years, I have gotten to know Rusty. Beyond his always present smile and deep love to serve, he is a very deep and spiritual man. We have had many theological conversations. In everyone I learn something new. But mostly, I hear a voice that is in love with God and thankful for whatever he has.

Rusty views his life of serving others as his duty, a duty he loves and relishes. Rusty will never be famous outside his circle of friends. He will never be on TV. He will never receive global praise. He serves without needing fame.

When I mentioned to Rusty, Gale Sayers view on being third, Rusty replied, “Of course.” I am envious of Rusty because he serves innately through a deeply embedded desire to help. I wonder what a magical world it would be, if we all sought to serve instinctively like Rusty.

“But fame isn’t his chase. He just wants to serve God and his neighbor.”

On the surface, Rusty appears to be just a fun loving good ole boy from North Carolina, but beneath this well-crafted veneer is the soul of a very religious man. His outward charm belies a deeper and faithful view of how to live. We his friends get to experience both. I only wish many others could experience this man. But fame isn’t his chase. He just wants to serve God and his neighbor.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

 

Parting Thoughts

  • Is there a neighbor we can help today?
  • Why does serving our neighbor bring joy into our lives?
  • When we serve others, why do we serve?

Photo by Samuel Zeller

We love giving credit to budding photographers to help them gain more exposure.

 

/by