The Drumbeat of Ezekiel (and Redemptive History)

A new year has arrived marking completion of the first semester of law school and the start of new adventures in the second. I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas break as I caught up with great friends and family. It was also a much appreciated time of rest and even a little adventure.

I recently read the book of Ezekiel and was struck by the repetition of this declaration from the Lord - "And they shall know that I am the Lord." Interwoven in Ezekiel's account of God's covenantal faithfulness to often a disobedient and unrepentant people, this persistent "drumbeat" declaration is found. This declaration is so prevalent that it is found at least 51 times throughout the book by my count (including some only minor variations). A casual flip through the book would also allow the reader to recognize reoccurring words such as "glory" and the theme of God's love and jealousy for his people. Why would God be so persistent in calling attention to himself? What is so good about his glory? And what is the nature of his relationship to his covenantal people?

At the time of Ezekiel's writing, the people of Israel were facing invasions and distractions from neighboring nations. Apart from external problems, the people also distanced themselves from the Lord by their unfaithfulness and idolatry. The weakness of many kings who did not listen to the Lord but rather appeased the idolatrous lusts of the people only distanced the people further from the Lord. But even through Israel's unfaithfulness, God remained faithful. Indeed God's promise remains for us today in 2 Timothy 2:13, "[I]f we are faithless, he remains faithful." But why does God do things so that we can know him? What is so important about knowing God? If any creature demanded such attention, it would be nothing less than egotism and the chiefest demonstration of pride. In view of this demand for our attention and worship, he still further invites us into a covenant relationship - a covenant that Scripture suggests is the most incredible joy and what the church has described as man's chief end. What is really so great about this drumbeat of history?

Before answering more specifically, it is important to understand the Creator/creature distinction. As I have talked about in previous posts, God is completely independent and in need of nothing external to himself. He is Creator of everything. And everything created is infinitely dependent upon the sustenance of him, the Creator. We are in infinite need of him who is completely sufficient and without need. But what makes this relationship beautiful? Is it beautiful? Or some contend, how is this not slavery?

Perhaps this would be bondage if you did not believe the one thing God is trying so desperately to tell you. From Genesis to now, God's persistent declaration is, "I want you to know me - and know that I am good." Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." God knows the one thing that will satisfy us - himself.

All of redemptive history, God has been persistently communicating to us the drumbeat, "I am doing this so that you will know me!" But the only way this is good news for us is if God is really good. Everyone will pursue happiness or that which will bring them most joy. And God knows that ultimately, the pursuit is only satisfied in himself. Indeed if this were not true, God would be a liar. And if God asked us to pursue anyone or anything else other than himself, he would not be God! For that object would then be God. And God would be an idolator. This emphasizes the grandness and importance of God's message. But further than that, it is a strong call for us to consider our affections and worship. No one is exempt from worship. Everyone worships someone or something. For worship is the manifestation of a person's highest affections and delight. What or whom are you worshipping? Is your worship reserved for God or for some substitute?

So if God is God, John Piper suggests that he "must be himself if he is to be for us." "The rules of humility that belong to a creature cannot apply in the same way to its Creator. If God should turn away from himself as the source of infinite joy, he would cease to be God. He would deny the infinite worth of His own glory. He would imply that there is something more valuable outside himself. He would commit idolatry." But the question is, do you believe God's promise? Do you believe what God says about himself and our dependence upon him?

God did not withhold this good news from us. From the garden to the tower of babel, from the Israelites' bondage in Egypt to their unfaithfulness in the time of Ezekiel, from the cross to today God is persistently saying, "Taste and see that I am good!" He does everything so that we may know him and enjoy him. For this expression throughout history is an expression of his love. It is love because God knows our bondage - a bondage to sin - and seeks to liberate us from that bondage and rescue us to himself, the object of our worship and joy. For truly the confession states, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever!"

Instead of an egregious demostration of pride, God does what love requires in giving us himself. To what or whom are you giving your worship?

Humility - True Greatness

Humility is perhaps altogether the most and least desirable attitude to cultivate as we grow in Christlikeness. It is not difficult to appreciate the beauty of true humility, but to desire it without and as opposed to pride is a difficult discipline. Regardless of the person, humility must be increasingly sought and cultivated - not as another achievement of pride, but rather as a continual pursuit in Christlikeness. It is necessary not only for our joy but also for our participation in God's redemptive work as his ministers of reconciliation.

The best definition of humility I have found comes from C.J. Mahaney in his book on the subject. Mahaney says, "Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness." Meditate upon that truth. This suggests that humility is much more about acceptance of truth as opposed to a dishonest reckoning. Mahaney further says that "...all genuine humility is rooted in God's holiness and our sinfulness." What does he mean by this assessment?

Most often when humility is considered, people measure it subjectively by degree. The question is asked, "Do I consider this other person better than myself?" "How does my humility (or pride) compare to his or hers?" And this is an important truth - we are to consider others better than ourselves. But is this the substance of humility? I think humility is much less about a comparative analysis and much more about the rightful acceptance of God's truth about who we are and who he is. Accepting this truth will take care of humility's appearances.

How does accepting this truth provide fertile soil for the cultivation of humility? Without the awareness of these twin realities (God's holiness and our sinfulness), "all self-evaluation will be skewed and we'll fail to either understand or practice true humility." At this point, it is important to consider the nature and character of God and our relationship to him. God is independent. He stands alone, governing his creation by the word of his mouth. He is complete, without need, and fully divorced from any measure of dependence. Contrast his character to ours now. We were created infinitely dependent creatures - completely insufficient on our own and in need of something external to ourselves. God created us to find our satisfaction, salvation and identity singularly in him. Why is this important?

Without a proper understanding of who God is and our relationship to him as dependent creatures, we will hopelessly be enslaved to comparing ourselves to and finding our identity in those around us. When we attempt to find our identity in comparative merit and positional (or social) ranking, it is entirely impossible to cultivate true humility. For success is then attached to an anchor that can never hold. In the context of self-evalutation, comparative merit and positional ranking serve to cultivate pride in the superior performer and dejection in the weaker achiever. Neither of which is found in the substance of humility.

Humilty is not about reckoning yourself to be inferior in any way. But rather it is the honest acceptance of God's truth about who he is and who we are. You may think that I am suggesting that desire and ambition are to be neglected. Absolutely not! But rather, look to the example of Jesus. "He clearly redirects that ambition, redefines it, and purifies it: 'But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.'" Must is a much bigger word than it seems on first glance usually. What Jesus seems to be suggesting is that there must be a "reversal of all human ideas of greatness and rank."

"As sinfully and culturally defined, pursuing greatness looks like this: Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification." I recognize the severity of this language, but consider further how this pursuit contrasts its biblical counterpart. True greatness as Jesus proclaimed is "serving others for the glory of God." For this is the ultimate expression of humility. It seems rather simple. Considering this call, we can only look to Jesus and his example as the true demonstration of humility.

Philippians 2 is one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture. Meditate on these words. "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedience to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" - Philippians 2:5-11.

It is entirely unnecessary to explain the incredible contrast of Jesus' example of greatness when compared to our contemporary definitions. But what does this mean for us? Since the ultimate goal of God for his people is Christlikeness, this is the example we must pursue and desire to emulate. Of course such a pursuit can only be empowered and sustained by the Holy Spirit working in and through us achieving progress along the journey. And I am thankful for the Lord's commitment to accomplish this pursuit in making us more like Jesus until we are pefectly like him at a time reserved not too long from now.

With this perspective however, what are the practical implications? Before discussing this, it is important to consider what John Stott has said about the nature of the battle - "In every step of our Christian obedience and service, our greatest foe is pride and our greatest ally is humility." And this is true. When we do not simply accept God's truth about who we are and who he is, we search for our identity in the opinions of those around us and our comparative merits. Such a disposition is destructive - one that cultivates pride and that is susceptible to a dejected spirit. Investing in comparative merits and others' opinions is futile due to the fluxuating and fickle nature of the object of attachment. When our identity rests in God's truth, we can be assured of our worth and engage the world confidently.

God's truth is constant and sure - as is his love for his children. In our call to Christlikeness, God desires our faithfulness - not a comparatively good performance. Corresponding to the parable of the talents, God has apportioned to us specific gifts and talents and only requires us to be faithful managers. God personalizes those gifts and talents for us so that he may achieve his purpose through us in bringing glory to himself. God only desires faithfulness. The performance follows only as a shadow. The next time you think about success, reflect on your identity in Christ and ask yourself one question, "Am I being faithful with what God has given me?"

The Four Loves - An Introduction (Part 1)

Last week I enjoyed a nice break from class but not from work. Fall break was enjoyable and restful - a nice intermission to the semester. During the week I revisited one of my favorite books, The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. I have said for a long time that this was my favorite book, and I had almost forgotten why. As I was reading I kept thinking that it would remain in my top five books, but I questioned its longevity in the top spot - until I read the last chapter. Over the next few weeks, I will walk through some of the main themes from the book. I think Lewis' real strength is his clear communication of truths that we may understand only intuitively and cannot harness into words effectively or easily. His exploration of the nature of love in its various kinds is a true masterpiece.

Lewis begins his exploration by distinguishing between Gift-Love and Need-Love. He likens Gift-love to "that love which moves a man to work and plan and save for the future well-being of his family which he will die without sharing or seeing." The second, Need-love, is that which "sends a lonely or frightened child to its mother's arms." These distinctions are easy to recognize in the context of illustrations. And would the exploration of such a topic allow for any other?

Understanding the distinction between Gift-love and Need-love it becomes apparent which one is most like "Love Himself." Certainly "Divine Love is Gift-love." This should be no surprise since God lacks nothing in himself. He is uncreated and completely sufficient in himself. His triune nature cultivates unity and community as each member gives and receives in perfect relationship. But what about us? Could we be any less like our divine example in nature? Our Need-love should be readily apparent in view of this perfect love. "We are born helpless. As soon as we are fully conscious we discover loneliness." This truth resonates perhaps rather easily as we recognize our incredible need for something outside of ourselves. In Romans 8:18-25, Paul communicates that this dependence arises from God's subjection of his creation to futility. But this subjection was for our good - to illuminate our need and point us to a freedom that is only found in the salvation he provides.

This Need-love extends further, however. "We need others physically, emotionally, intellectually; we need them if we are to know anything, even ourselves" (emphasis added). Let us not confuse this need love with selfishness. Like any of our impulses, it can be selfishly indulged. We similarly recognize a need to satisfy our hunger, and although the satisfaction of that need can be over-indulged, its mere presence is not sufficient to deny its important function. So Need-love is not something to be avoided as a "bad spiritual symptom."

But this points us further. "Every Christian would agree that a man's spiritual health is exactly proportional to his love for God." But what is the nature of this love? "Man's love for God, from the very nature of the case, must always be very largely, and must often be entirely, a Need-love." This is understood most easily in our need for forgiveness and God's sustenance. But even then, the more we grow the more we become aware that "our whole being...is one vast need." And this need increasingly casts our gaze to the only satisfcation of that need - our loving God. This is not to discount a person's capability of reaching beyond Need-love in our relationship with God, but perhaps even those times only serve to remind us of our incredible need. For "the highest does not stand without the lowest." In humility we must come. "Those who come nearest to a Gift-love for God will next moment, even at the very same moment, be beating their breasts with the publican and laying their indigence before the only real Giver." And certainly this must be how it is. The Lord invites those with heavy burdens and promises to fill the present emptiness experienced by all who ask.

In view of this incredible dependence, another truth surfaces. "Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God." For could such need ever meet a greater fullness? Has such sovereingty ever met such humility? Such power and such weakness? This paradox staggered Lewis upon his first discovery. Two new distinctions arise from this consideration of "nearness to God."

Lewis distinguishes a nearness to God in likeness from a nearness to him in approach. For God has created everyone in his image. From this imaging, we are all more like God than his other earthly creations. But seondly, a nearness of approach is rather different. In explanation Lewis says, "...If this is what we mean, the states in which a man is 'nearest' to God are those in which he is most surely and swiftly approaching his final union with God, vision of God and enjoyment of God." He then provides an analogy to clarify further. Imagine a man overlooking a cliff to a village below. The man may drop a rock that will quickly reach the nearby village. He can see the structures and landscape below and may physically be close, but this nearness is only by proximity. The man's nearness of approach is distant. He must indeed travel perhaps further away from the village in proximity on the way down to become nearer by approach. For to approach the village, the man must make the descent. And this descent - marked by a long journey bringing the man even further away from his destination at times - will propel him forward in his goal to approach the village. This journey is likened to our own personal journey - the journey of sanctification, a journey of our approach to God.

"What is near Him by likeness is never, by that fact alone, going to be any nearer. But nearness of approach is, by definition increasing nearness. And whereas the likeness is given to us - and can be received without our thanks, can be used or abused - the approach, however initiated and supported by Grace, is something we must do." The likeness that is cultivated in nearness that we receive by sonship is "not that of images." "It is one way more than likeness, for it is union or unity with God in will." This imitation is an imitation of God himself, incarnate in Jesus. This is the divine life operating in human conditions.

The nearness distinction is important to understand in connection to our view of love and God himself. It is often repeated as found in Scripture that "God is love." This is true and perhaps best balanced with another truth that "love ceases to be a demon only when he ceases to be a god." We must not confuse the first truth by conversely believing that "love is God." For "every human love, at its height, has a tendency to claim for itself a divine authority." Almost anything becomes permissible if it is done in the name of love. Each of the four loves to be discussed may be subjected to this blasphemy. But often the most noble and pure loves are most susceptible to such claims.

"We may say, quite truly and in an intelligble sense, that those who love greatly are 'near' to God. But of course it is 'nearness by likeness.' It will not of itself produce 'nearness of approach.'" Because much love is near to God by likeness, we may "give those human loves the unconditional allegiance we owe only to God. Then they become gods: then they become demons. Then they will destroy us, and also destroy themselves. For natural loves that are allowed to become gods do not remain loves. They are still called so, but can become in fact complicated forms of hatred."

Need-loves are not near enough to God by likeness to be set up as gods. And human loves can be "glorious images of Divine love." But our sanctification is certainly a journey of approach. And that approach is our journey into Christlikeness - for Christlikeness is God's purpose for his children. May we increasingly grow in that purpose as we humbly approach the one who has called us - Love Himself.

October = Baseball! (and studying)

It's October. That means a few things - NFL teams are finding their rhythm (or not), college football is nearing the home stretch, UNC is preparing for some college basketball dominance and last but not least... MLB playoffs!

I know people either really enjoy baseball or dislike it completely. I really enjoy baseball. After growing up watching most of the Atlanta Braves games and attending many at the ballpark, I enjoy watching good baseball. Baseball in October is always really exciting. Drama unfolds as a little known team rises to national prominence or a historic rivalry is renewed on the grandest of stages. I enjoy the storylines - especially when the most unlikeliest of teams unseats a powerful big market team. This postseason I am pulling for the Tampa Bay Rays in lieu of the Braves' failure to make the playoffs. I'm excited to know that the entire Tampa Bay team is paid less than the New York Yankees infield. That just shows anything can happen.

So in celebration of postseason baseball, I will share my current dream lineup:

1. Alfonso Soriano LF - Soriano has a huge bat, great speed and is a class act. He is a competitor and I want him at the top of my lineup.
2. Hanley Ramirez SS - Ramirez is young, fast and swings the bat incredibly well for a middle infielder. He hits the ball all over the field and can steal almost any base at will.
3. Chipper Jones 3B - Chipper is a veteran leader and fields as good as any third baseman in the game. He always makes contact and hits for high average.
4. Albert Pujols 1B - Pujols is perhaps the best hitter in the game right now. He is a great leader, a gold glove fielder, swings a powerful bat and is always on base.
5. Josh Hamilton RF - Hamilton emerged as a star this year. He has an amazing story and gives glory to God for the redemption he has experienced. On top of that, he has extraordinary power, and when runners are on base he will make sure they arrive home safely.
6. Brian McCann C - McCann is perhaps the best hitting catcher in the game right now. He hits for good average and power especially for the cather position.
7. Chase Utley 2B - Utley swings the bat perhaps better than any other second baseman in the league. He also has power which is a rare jewel in the middle infield.
8. Ken Griffey Jr. DH - Griffey is older now, but he has amazing class and would be a great team leader. Nothing is smoother than seeing Griffey send one yard. He's a favorite.
9. Grady Sizemore CF - Sizemore is young and fast. He hits for incredible power and almost a given for a 30/30 season.

Pitchers:
1. Tim Lincecum - Lincecum is young and absolutely amazing. He throws hard and knows how to win. Even on a weaker team, he has made a strong case for the Cy Young.
2. Josh Johnson - Although injured for most of the year, he is a hard thrower and a competitor. I want him near the top of my rotation.
3. Francisco Liriano - Liriano's repertoire of pitches is more than effective and deceptive. He always has a low ERA.
4. Cole Hamels - Hamels is young and a good change of pace from the hard throwers at the top of the rotation. His curveball and changeup leaves hitters baffled.

This would be my dream team. Other players may be better, but I like my chances with these guys. Well, back to contracts.

Go Rays!

After 1 Month!

The first month at Regent has been incredible! I have really enjoyed all of my classes and received consistent confirmation from the Lord that I am where I'm supposed to be. From the friends I have met to what I've been learning about, it has been a great adventure.

I must admit the first few weeks, however, required some learning and adjustment. It's difficult to know exactly what to do when you are placed in a new setting, learning completely new subjects and figuring out how best to use your time. I do not think I'm alone on this. But as time goes, it has become easier to figure out some of those things - how best to study, what to focus on, how to best prepare and participate in class among others. Thankfully, the professors here are very encouraging, and I have enjoyed getting to know some of them!

Well, it's back to work! Contracts and property this afternoon!

Paying Attention

"Am I willing to be attentive to God?" That's the question asked by Leighton Ford in a book I have recently been reading titled, The Attentive Life. Leighton asks, do we see "God as the Great Attender, the One who pays attention and calls us to attention?" This has been a wonderful question to meditate upon as law school is now midway through its second week.

Leighton illuminates further drawing an illustration from C.S. Lewis' book, God in the Dock. From Lewis, Leighton explains that "there are two ways of looking at life: looking at the dancing and moving events, the happenings and surroundings of every day, and looking 'sideways' so to speak, along the beam - to see not only what is happening but why, and what it is that gives meaning to the happenings of our lives." After reflecting on these words, it is apparent that we have the capacity to see not only what is in front of us but also that which is beyond us. Leighton explains that these are not contradictory, but rather they belong together.

Blaise Pascal once thought that inattention is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life. And that truth has become increasingly clear to me as I meditate on what it means to commune with God - to pay attention to him - at all times throughout the day. Now, this does not mean we must retreat from life - mentally, emotionally, physically or in any other capacity. Rather, we are to commune with and worship the Lord in all of our daily tasks, being faithful to the calling we have been given.

In explaining attentiveness Leighton says, "Attentiveness means respecting, attending to, waiting on, looking and listening to the other - the persons and things that we encounter - for what they are in themselves, not what we can make of them. We are called to pay attention to the Other - our Creator God - to know and worship him." Instead of harnessing in our fixed attention, Leighton is communicating quite paradoxically the exact opposite. He continues, "Instead, it involves a letting go of our usual need to control, an opening of ourselves to what we are being told or shown." Consuming possessiveness is not what God desires. But rather he wants us to cultivate an attentiveness that "frees and transforms."

So instead of viewing the world through a subjective utilitarian lens (appreciating something for its usefulness to ourselves), God is calling us to view the world (his creation and others) as he sees it - beautiful, purposeful and glorifying to himself. Let us not be "curved in" on one's self as Augustine said. Corresponding to this view, as Leighton suggests, is Douglas Steere's definition of sin - inattention. "For prayer is awakeness, attention, intense inward openness. In a certain way sin could be described...[as] anything that destroys this attention." Leighton then says, "Salvation - true freedom - is just the opposite of sin, turning us out to the reality of the created world of which we are a part, and to the Creator who calls us to be attenders."

God does not demand our attention, but rather he pays attention. It is not forced, for "the greatest wonder of all is that when we ignore him, he still longs for, yearns for, our attention." God is relentless in his pursuit of our heart. After all, is not love focused attention? What if I paid attention? Agnes Cunningham once suggested that "attentiveness is both a gift to treasure and a discipline to practice." To what am I focusing my attention? What or who do I love? Am I intentional in my attentiveness? Or am I rather passive in my attentiveness, never really focusing my attention anywhere? These are questions to consider.

Simone Weil said, "Expectant waiting is the foundation of the spiritual life." My hope and prayer is that I will live every moment attentive to the Lord. I want to see through his eyes, hear through his ears, and love as he loves with focused attention. Let's not merely look only at the beam, but rather let us look along it as well - perceiving God's meaning and purpose in our life experiences. Let us pay attention to the the Great Attender.

Ready to Go

After moving everything in this past weekend, there was not much time before orientation swept us into the beginning of our 1L year! I have enjoyed getting acquainted with the campus and the area even with my limited exposure so far. And I am excited about the upcoming first day of class as well as the numerous opportunities I have to meet new friends.

Orientation so far has been great. It has been very helpful preparing us for what is expected once classes begin. We have experienced mock classes, learned valuable study aids and have been exposed to the reality of the law school experience. This is certainly different from my past orientations which have mostly consisted of campus tours, student IDs and parking passes. I must say I didn't know what to expect, but they got us off to a quick start!

I have already enjoyed meeting some new friends and classmates. Sometimes you don't know what to expect moving to a new place without many established friends or connections, but my time here has started great. I hope to meet many more friends at the upcoming picnics and outings. Anyways, now it's time to work on homework! Yes, we have homework in orientation. :)