Exceeding Expectations

Don’t you just love getting a performance review? Perhaps not....if most people were honest, they would tell you that sitting down with your supervisor or leader and receiving a written review with scores and evaluation metrics can be a little unnerving.

Back when I was working at Ford, they changed the performance review process and the ‘best’ grade that a person could get for a while was ‘exceeds expectations’. At that time, only a few people received that grade. The majority received a review that said they ‘fully met expectations’ and of course their were a few that ‘needed improvement’.

Did you know that as Christians, true Christ-followers, we also will receive a performance review? The Bible teaches us that all of us will die and that after death comes a judgment (Hebrews 9:27) In addition, the Apostle Paul said, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Cor 5:10)

We may not think too much about the idea of being judged or given a grade but I believe that Jesus talked about it when he gave us the parable of the talents. One person was given five, one was given two and one only one. After the master returned, those that were given five and two had earned five and two more respectively.

These two faithful people were given their performance review. The master told them they had done well and He put them in charge of many things.

The one that was unfaithful dug a hole in the ground and hid the money and returned what he had been given. His performance review didn’t go too well. No silver star, no ‘atta-boy' for this person, it was back to hard labor.

While it may be difficult to think of us being judged we should all understand that we are accountable. One of my favorite verses is Luke 12:48 where it says, “Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.”

We have all been given very much. We live in one of the most prosperous countries of the world and have been given many talents....gifts from God that are to be used for His glory.

Don't dig a hole and hide what God has in you. Exceed your expectations and the expectations of those around you and you'll not be nervous when you get your performance review.

Underdog

Sometimes it good to be the underdog.

As I write this there are three NCAA basketball games on TV and in just the past few days there have been no less than eight major upsets including schools like Missouri, Michigan, Duke, Temple falling to the underdog.

God likes underdogs. I can say that with full confidence but I'm not referring to basketball or sports of any kind. God likes underdogs because when we are weak and unlikely to overcome, He comes alongside us and fights our battles for us.

The Apostle Paul said in relation to God's sufficiency and his ability, "When I am weak, then I am strong".

Not a contradiction as Paul was merely calling upon the combined history of the people of Israel and this new and quickly growing Christian Church that was born on Pentecost.

While all humans are frail and our weaknesses abound particularly if we live long enough to acknowledge them, God typically enjoys using the underdog or placing us in a position where the task is too great for man but not for God.

In the book of Judges God prepares a man named Gideon for a battle against overwhelming odds. Gideon rallys 32,000 soldiers from the tribe of Ephram, still likely inadequate but God surprises him with these words, "You have too large an army with you. I can't turn Midian over to them like this—they'll take all the credit, saying, 'I did it all myself,' and forget about me. Make a public announcement: 'Anyone afraid, anyone who has any qualms at all, may leave Mount Gilead now and go home.' Twenty-two companies headed for home. Ten companies were left." (Judges 7:2-3)

The story in the Book of Judges continues, twice more God thinned the ranks of soldiers until there were only 300. From 32,000 to 300, God made sure that Gideon and his army were underdogs.

God gave Gideon a great victory over the Midianites. After dividing his company into three and using stone jars, candles and a shout, the victory came to the underdog. God got the glory.

What are you facing in this life that you feel like an underdog? Your business, finances, family, health and day-to-day trials can sometimes feel overwhelming but God loves the underdog. In First Samuel 16:7 God says that man looks on the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.

Guard your heart. Keep it fixed not on the things of the earth or the ways of man but of heaven and the instructions given to us by God. See what God can do with the underdog.

Social Justice?

I've been watching the news reports of the "occupy" movement and one of the things that amazes me is the seemingly lack of interest in the objectives of the movement. It seems like many people have decided that they are likely part of the 99% and can feel a sense of solidarity in the movement but most of us (likely including most of the participants) are unsure exactly what this movement is about.

I don't pretend to know the aims or objectives of any individual or group but I've been curious as well about the growth of what many people are calling 'social justice'. I'm a stickler for the meaning of words and have found myself challenged by what people mean by social justice particularly in what are traditionally conservative church circles.

For example, many of us are pleased with the church's involvement in feeding the poor, reaching out to the homeless, providing educational opportunities, etc. Some churches have taken an even more active role in things like educational and mentoring programs for young people and adults. Here in South Florida, our church is involved in stopping human trafficking, foster parenting and adoption, all of which are considered to be the practical manifestation of God's kingdom on earth. Many that are involved in these programs embrace the term 'social justice' as an all-encompassing category of doing good works.

However, the definition of the term social justice is important. Outside of the church, advocates would normally define social justice as 'equality of opportunity' and to manufacture 'equality of outcome'. Their rally points include things like more progressive taxation, income redistribution, equal rights for same-sex marriage and property redistribution.

The 99% and "occupy" movements are also sited as examples of people that are involved in social justice. Regardless of what some of the people that are involved in these movements consider their objective there are many that are looking for completely new economic and political systems, an end to Capitalism and freely embrace the statement, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs". That quote was popularized by Karl Marx in 1875 and was the fuel for the communist revolutions of the early 20th. Century.

Here is another quote you may want to consider, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

Reliable Eyewitnesses

How do we know if an historical document is reliable? Two types of examinations that scripture is subjected to is the Anachronisms – inappropriate use of words that were not the appropriate period and eyewitness accounts.

Anachronisms

Anachronisms abound in art, literature and movies. Sometimes they are intentional -- like the Flintstones using garbage disposals and foot-powered automobiles. Sometimes, they just slip in because the author is not fully informed of the time period. For example, The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci in 1498, depicts oranges. Oranges however were brought to Europe by Portuguese traders from India in the 15th century and were unknown to the Jews at the time of the Last Supper.

One of the supposed anachronisms found in the Bible was in Genesis. In Genesis 40 Joseph interprets the dream of Pharaoh’s butler and grapes are mentioned. For years, historians said the Egyptian's didn't grow grapes and didn't drink wine and therefore questioned the accuracy of the text. However, the painting above discovered on the ancient Egyptian tombs, shows that the Bible was correct and the historians were wrong

What about “eyewitness” accounts?

Many of the New Testament accounts are from eyewitnesses. The Gospel writer John was an Apostle and eyewitness (as likely Matthew was both author and Apostle) and the other gospels contain accounts given by eyewitnesses. A reading of the four gospels presents many accounts and sayings of Jesus that while overall are in agreement, vary slightly from one gospel to another.

The fact that there are minor differences in some of the accounts actually helps establish the reliability of the eyewitness account. In a court of law for example, the judge expects some very minor discrepancies in testimony because eyewitness accounts are the best recollection of different witnesses. 

If they were too similar, they would be thought to be rehearsed.

In the Bible, we see no significant difference between eyewitnesses. The quotes we have from Jesus and others in the New Testament are obviously not word-for-word transcripts which actually gives them more credibility. These reliable eyewitnesses are just some of the ways that the credibility of the Bible is substantiated.

Why they call it WORK!

You have heard it before, “That’s why they call it work!”

Understanding the value of work, the type of job, the difference between career and job, occupation and calling seems to occupy a lot of our interests and our passions.

The Bible has much to say about work. In the book of beginnings, Genesis, we read that work was part of God's plan for his creation. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15 NIV).

Did you catch that? Adam wasn't there on a vacation, here was there to "work it and take care of it."

Because of the fall of man, work has been a toil “Cursed shall be the ground because of you; in sorrow you shall eat of it all the days of your life. And thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plant of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground; for out of it you have been taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return. (Genesis 3:17-19)

It will not always be that way. In eternity, the curse will be lifted but we will still work. The Bible says that we will serve, some will rule but all will have responsibilities. What responsibilities will be given us in eternity? The Bible says that "His servants shall serve Him" (Rev 22:3) in eternity and that he who has been "faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things" (Matthew 25:23). Whether you are a servant or a rule, you will work.

Today, between the Garden of Eden and eternity, choosing to not work because we can't find the ‘right’ job or because we have government benefits is really not one of our options.

Max Weber, the Prussian sociologist, coined the term, “Protestant Work Ethic” based on a number of observations regarding capitalism and the religious beliefs of the people including Christians who knew the scripture found in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12:

"If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their own work quietly and to earn their own living."

Today Churches rarely quote this verse if someone that is needy asks for help. Churches help people. However, there is much to say that work helps people.

All work glorifies God. Paul said in Col 3:22-24, “Slaves obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service as people-pleasers but with sincerity of heart fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Slaves had the worst jobs; they were assigned to hard labor, the menial tasks, about as far away from a career that we can think. We are called to work hard at everything because work itself is valuable. It gives us discipline; it keeps us occupied and productive. In all work, we serve the Lord.

Turning the Other Cheek

Our politicians certainly don’t seem to want to ‘turn the other cheek’. I have had to shut off the TV and the Radio lately. Too many negative ads filling the air waves.

Likely their political advisors are correct in assuming that people want leaders to lash back, to fight fire with fire. No one knows who started the verbal volleys but they are likely to continue through this political season.

Actually, few understand this saying of Jesus that we are to ‘turn the other cheek’. Some people like Ghandi and a few very pacifist Christian groups take it to mean complete non-violence. “Lambs to the slaughter”, “non-resistance into the grave”, hardly something that appeals to many. Martin Luther King Jr. knew the truth of the power of non-resistance, not as a religious absolute but as a powerful tool in winning over your enemies.

In Matthew 5:39 Jesus said, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Personally, I don’t believe that Jesus was talking specifically about non-violence although that is certainly within the context of these verses. One of my theology professors gave ample evidence of a Middle Eastern culture that identified a slap to the face as a disgrace, a blow more to the ego than to the head.

I believe that Jesus was teaching through the Beatitudes and in many of his other lessons that His followers have a great opportunity to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21), to love our enemies and do good to those that hurt us (Luke 6:27).

When we behave like Jesus would behave, we don’t become soft or weak. Instead, we bless and encourage and love others regardless of how they mistreat us or speak evil of us. Unfortunately, our political leaders don’t have lots of good examples to draw upon but there should still be hope coming from our local churches.

Some of these lessons that Jesus taught are hard lessons....but necessary if we are to truly change the world.

What a waste!

I've never liked wasting anything: time, money, gas, food, an education....

While you may think that is an admirable quality, for me it's been something I've had to overcome.

For example, my day-planner filled with to-do's, activities, schedules, business events filled my days and nights with what seemed like profitable things to do.

In the Gospel of John, there is a story about Mary of Bethany. John says that Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead was there at the dinner table. Then "Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment." (John 12:3).

The story goes on that Judas and the other disciples were indignant as the costly perfume could have been sold for 300 denarii and the money given to the poor.

At this time, 300 denarii was about a years wages. The picture at the top left is of a rare parfume called, "Clive Christian's Imperial Majesty." The bottle retails for about $215,000, considerably more than a years wages.

Jesus however doesn't share this criticism that the costly ointment had been wasted. He says that it had been used for the day of his burial. It wasn't wasted, it was appropriate. It wasn't a time to think about the poor that could have been helped but it was a time to focus on Jesus.

Mary had been criticized before for 'wasting' time with Jesus. Her sister Martha wanted Mary to help her with food prep but Mary chose time with Jesus. Jesus shows us that time with Him is not wasted.

Often, we fill our day with many pressing things while the more important things are ignored. What a waste! In 1 Cor. 15:58, the Apostle Paul tells us, "Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that the work you do for the Lord isn't wasted.

This theme is consistant in the Bible. Jesus spent the first thirty years of His life in preparation of a three-year ministry with twelve men that would change the world. Moses spent forty years with Pharaoh and then forty years with his father-in-law Jethro before he led the people of Israel out of Egypt and to the promised land. The good samaritan delayed his journey and took the time to clean and anoint the wounds of the man left half-dead and then took him to a place where he could fully recovery.

At the end of our life, may we be able to look back at time spent with the Lord and in work we do for the Lord. If we don't, we may look back at our days and have to admit, "What a waste!"