Exercising my right to waive my rights

I love the way Oswald Chambers writes. I could never have written that way. But I consider it a privilege to read what he said. On May 25, there is this:

Whenever right is made the guidance in the life, it will blunt the spiritual insight.

Thus he says, in thinking about Abraham's parting with Lot,

If you are living the life of faith, you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God choose for you.

I waived all my rights when I came here to Boston. I am asked not even to talk with new friends but only work, separated from family and church for several weeks, perhaps months if I don't refuse. So how can I give up such basic rights? Certainly not because I am "owned" by a contract. Rather, my rights are not paramount any more. What matters is that my God is glorified and pleased with me. He and He alone matters. For I believe assuredly that He will bless me, not if and only if I please Him, but because He promised to do so. As I believe His promise, I am bound to Him and desire nothing more than to glorify Him before all who know and work with me. For this reason I am willing (at least temporarily) to waive my rights and let others use me as they might use a tractor or fire poker.

"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." [Jn 15:8]

And for this, I allow the Father to prune off unfruitful branches from me. Father, I know you are pruning me by sending me here to Boston. Please help me not to resist any longer, but yield all my branches to you. Though you strip me bare, help me trust and not demand my rights. Help my wife and children to also trust you, and not doubt, but grow deeper with you.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

New new digs

I finally arrived in Boston last week, and spent two days working with my boss on site. It has been a huge adjustment, being back in a big city. Why God brought me here was still a hard question until this morning, when I visited Grace Chapel. There I learned that their pastor is going on a two-month sabbatical. It was a good message because it was an example. There was nothing wrong; he just needed and had earned a sabbatical, a rest period to recharge. I'm sure after 9 years solid pastoring, and 25 years in the ministry, he needed and had earned such a vacation. He seemed quite happy about it, and not the least worried about his church, which he placed in God's hands.

I on the other hand have not earned anything, have been a lay pastor, part time, for only 6 months in Charlottesville, and three years in Richmond, with occasional respites when we visited other ministries or conferences where I didn't preach. I have no reason to think I need or deserve a sabbatical, even of three or four weeks. I did not want to leave behind my fledgling church to come and work in Boston. But it is clearly the Lord's will. I must trust and believe this, and know that He will take care of my church and bless it. In the end, it is ME the Lord wants, more than my work or talents. He wants my heart and my mind, and for me to love him with all that I am. Lord, am I fantasizing, or did you really bring me here out of your love for me and my family? Please help me to give you my heart, and to be a blessing while I am here.

It was also a great, great blessing to be with the Jungs and Jeoungs in Cambridge today, to have their wonderful Korean cooking, and to have their children as my own, calling me samchun, and their fellowship. I can't thank the Lord enough for them, and they even asked me to preach next Sunday. Lord, help me to encourage them by your word, and bless them each.

It goes without saying that I miss my beautiful Christine, and Josh, Sadie and Matthew, and worry about them. But they are doing well and keeping the faith. May God be close to them.

New job

More than a month ago I started my new job. I thank God for this new job. My new boss is one who has been my best friend, a dear brother in the Lord, and the kind of academic I can relate to. Not that academics are perfect nor even better than other non-academics. But being the deep thinker I am, I am grateful for a kindred spirit.

So I just want to thank the Lord, and ask: Father, help me to bring you glory in this new endeavor. Enable me to concentrate and work harder, with focus and determination. IJNA