Expecting the Unexpected

 Exodus 12:40-42 Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the Lord’s divisions left Egypt. Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come.

Have you ever had to wait? It’s funny how waiting works. With all of the planning and scheduling in our day to day, sometimes all you can do is wait. But, it seems that no matter how long or often you do it, waiting never gets easier. 

The Israelites knew something about waiting. Long before Israel even became a nation, God made a promise that the people he chose, would become a great nation and inhabit land. While they waited for the promise, God’s people went through much hardship. It took over 400 years of waiting on God’s Promise before the Israelites finally gained breakthrough. 400 years!

Now, if you’ve spent any amount of time in church, you have probably heard preachers give eloquent renditions of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea under the revolutionary leader Moses. This scene is especially popular in the black preaching tradition, having been a major thread in the tapestry of African American history. 

However, what many preachers do not speak on is the gap. The scenes of a 400 year gap between the promise and the prison-break is place that is far more familiar to the every day person, than the season finale episode of the miracle of a parted red sea. But, there are some lessons in the gap. 

1. Expect the unexpected. Some people believe, since they came to church or came to faith, that life should start working out. But, anybody who has been on this journey of following God understands, that this life of faith is not a get rich quick scheme. Following God means some unexpected challenges will come your way. Just like it was unexpected for Israel to find themselves in slavery after God had promised to make them a great nation, so many people find themselves in unexpected places in their day to day lives. But, when you expect the unexpected, you are committing to live God’s way even when life doesn’t go your way. 

2. Live Today For A Better Tomorrow. Israel’s commitment to stay committed to God even though things turned very sour for them, established a culture that preserved a legacy to be handed down throughout the generations. In other words, the amazing thing about the Israelites, is that after 400 years of slavery they still came out worshipping the God they had known even though the Egyptians wanted them to abandon him. Committing to God’s way is not just going to be blessing for you, it will be a blessing for those that come after you. 

3. Timing Is Everything. Bishop TD Jakes said: “People who don’t understand God’s timing can become spiritually spastic, trying to make the right things happen at the wrong time.” Trying to do the right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing. Following God is not just about looking right, it is about doing right. Anybody can look like christian on Sunday, but how you live in the gap between the sermons is where real faith is built. 

Will you commit to wait for God even when God’s timing takes longer than expected. Will you commit to do the things that please God even if it means being obedient when no one is there to record your good deeds for the ‘gram? (instagram, its a social media thing). It is so important that we follow God even when life throws us curve balls. Choose today. Make the commitment to follow God even when you face the unexpected. 

Destiny.

Scores of sun kissed brown bodies filled the halls of the old Southside Hebrew Temple. Single moms, CNAs, and Transportation professionals, packed into that old landmark. One team of energetic twenty somethings led the meeting with loud music, while another cadre of brothers directed the chaotic mass to their seats. Before long, the entourage appeared on the stage. Among them was the Apostle, donning his signature curated ensemble, only further enhancing his legend. 

He taught on destiny. It was a compelling message. I learned four major lessons. 

Lesson 1: Use discernment to make decisions. 

I’m almost embarrassed to admit this was a lesson for me. But yo! Discernment is a gift from God to be able to perceive beyond what is readily observable. Growing in this gift by putting it into practice with each decision yields not only a string of better quality decisions but wisdom in the ability to perceive beyond whats on the surface. 

Lesson 2: Potential is pointless without a plan. 

Everyone has potential. Potential is the possibility of performance or production but not the proof. Everyone has potential, but only some have the purposefulness, perseverance, and patience to realize it. Unrealized potential has a definite shelf life. The Late Dr. Myles Munroe was famous for sound teaching. Among many quips of wisdom, he was known to say “the graveyard is the richest place on Earth.” Many die without realizing their potential and usually the breakdown started with the lack of a plan. If you fail to plan you plan to fail. If you are going to realize your potential you have to make a plan. A good plan is simple, measurable, and revisited often. 

Lesson 3: Finding destiny, means going the hard way at times. 

Simon Sinek said it best, millennials don’t know how to work hard. It’s common knowledge that this generation of young adults have some peculiar thoughts about life. They want to be millionaires without learning to budget, moguls without learning skills and applying them in a field, and they want all of the benefits of a full time career with the flexibility of seasonal position. But, the road to destiny requires hard things. In fact, the biblical narrative is full of examples of what it takes to find destiny, chief among them is the story of Jesus. As a Christian this story guides my daily life. The central theme of this story is the love of Jesus, a love so scandalous that not even the threat of owning the death I deserved deterred Jesus from his destiny, to reconcile millions to God. Talk about a hard road. 

Lesson 4: Sustaining change starts on a spiritual level.

The Preacher taught that many people will try to make a decision to change something, and then find themselves struggling to sustain the change. The answer to this deficit lies beyond the naked natural world. There are layers to things in life. In order to sustain change, you need to start the process of changing on the appropriate level. As a christian, I first start with spiritual awareness. If I am observing a need to change, the observation is directed to the spiritual. From there my spirit influences my mind, will, and emotions-my soul, and from there my body actualizes what my spirit is convicted by, my mind is convinced over, and my body

When is Enough, Enough?

There is a story in the bible that gives us a quick glance at a very real moment between Jesus and his disciple.

Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Have you ever tried to make plans with a friend who is always complaining? It's the person who is ”literally going to die (like seriously)“ if the group doesn't hurry up and decide which restaurant to eat at. The funny thing is nothing ever changes the outlook of our complaining friends. No matter what the circumstance is, their suffering is continually the "worst thing ever (like seriously).“ It's as if the pain of hunger, while waiting for others to decide what the plan will be is so great that he or she is convinced they will spontaneously combust if someone doesn't make a decision. 

Now if you cannot think of someone like this, just be aware that we are all thinking about you. And, this is your intervention. Just kidding... sorta.

There is something we can learn here. Being negative isn't always a bad thing. Many complainers are just realists. We need realists. But, complaining without contributing, is counter productive. It seems like no matter what solutions are offered, complainers are unsatisfied. Their goal seems to be unhappiness and displeasure. Many complainers end up feeling left alone, like nobody understands. But, we have to go back to the beginning. What is your goal? Do you want a solution? Misery may love company but company loves positivity.

Like complainers, when you do not forgive, you become so preoccupied with the problem that you fail to see your own power to rise above the problem.

Your pain is real. I believe you. You should have never been hurt. You should have never been treated poorly. Whatever you feel is legitimate and yet, it does not change what happened. Failing to forgive is prolonging your pain. Forgiving is not becoming friends again or reconciling before healing. Forgiveness is about you. Forgiveness is changing your focus on someone else's failure, so you can focus on your healing. It is deciding to take responsibility for your quality of life. 

Holding another person responsible for pain we carry, strips us of the power to move on. Rehashing the incident over and over hardens our hearts and steeps us in misery. That is unforgiveness. It is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick. This is the kind of behavior that attracts the wrong crowd. You want people around you who will empathize with you and help you heal. You do not want to be surrounded by people who will egg you on in your misery. “Bad company, corrupts good manners.” 

Attitude of Gratitude.

Colossians 3:17 Encourages us that “whatever we do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the father though him.”

The New Year has begun. Thanksgiving has come and gone. The mad dash of Christmas capitalism has run its course. Now, smatterings of resolutions and reminders of the custom to set lofty goals are pinned to our social media timelines.

In the hustle to catch up after the holidays and chart a new course for the next 300+ days, how often do we just take to be grateful? Could you imagine being around people who were only thankful once or twice a year?

Some of you working in the retail business might feel like you only hear thank you once a year. 

Or maybe you're a parent, sometimes it feels like we have to remind our kids to be grateful every hour, on the hour.

Have you ever held the door for somebody, only for them not to say thank you? It's the kind of moment that makes me want to stop all the shoppers entering the store until the culprit is found and brought to justice. 

There's just something about hearing thank you. There is something about seeing joy expressed on another person's face when you compliment them or do a good deed for someone. 

There's a famous quip of wisdom, often called the golden rule. It says, "Treat others the way you want to be treated." Being a grateful person is just as important as being kind and compassionate. Expressing your thanks for help when you receive it, lets the other person know that you appreciate their help. 

Don't let the bad moments in life distract you from the good moments. Sometimes it is tempting to focus on the bad, but when that moment comes ask yourself, "how much has dwelling on the negatives ever helped me?"

Instead, make a commitment to stay grateful. Expressing an attitude of gratitude  each and everyday. 

How Can I Grow in My Faith?

Consider Hebrews 10:24. “…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds…”

When you think about your life, what comes to mind? Do you reminisce of memories from the past? Do you light up with excitement about your future?

Whether you reflect on the past to build your life on patterns or look ahead to blaze new trails, you need a plan for the life you want. Having a plan for your life is very helpful. “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

In the Bible, there is a story where Jesus, meets up with his disciples after spending time away from the daily grind of ministry. The story takes place in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 17. As soon as Jesus meets up with his team of disciples, he is presented with a problem. While he was away, a father brought his boy to the disciples because he needed help. But, the disciples weren’t prepared to help him. 

Once Jesus arrived he helped the boy as if he had a backup plan in case the disciples messed it all up. Everyone marveled. The disciples asked an important question. “Why couldn’t we help him?” Jesus replied, “because of the littleness of your faith.”

But, then Jesus talks about having faith as small as a seed.

Why would Jesus tell them to have more faith and then talk about having small faith?!

Here is the connection. Faith is like a seed. It is small. And, in its seed-form, it’s hard to see its power. But, the power of the seed isn’t in its present form. The power of the seed is in its potential. Your faith has power because through faith we can see potential. 

When you have faith like a seed, though you only have a little bit, the potential is great. How do you get from here to there? You need a plan. When Jesus spoke to his disciples about having faith like a seed, he was illustrating a point. The focus in this scripture isn’t how big or small the size of your faith is. Jesus was illustrating the need to tend to our faith the same way that a farmer tends to a seed to realize its potential. 

If you are going to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, you are going to need a plan. At Hill City Church, we believe in forming intentional relationships. Living life in a community of like-minded people helps spiritual growth become a reality. We gather in small groups and connect with other people who encourage us to become our best in Christ. In our small groups we pray together, talk with each other, listen to God’s word, and have fun like loving families. Thankfully, God has given us his scripture and a community to help us interpret what we read, which is what actually helps our seed-like faith to grow. Through these relationships we receive God’s help to reach our potential.