“Deep…” (by Mel McGuire)

I was having a discussion recently about the frustration that comes when others do not (or cannot) share your passion, commitment, dedication, or depth about something. Not that we are all so deep that no one can hang with us, but some people are simply not going to match or exceed your level of involvement or capacity to care. You’re too deep.

This particular conversation centered around spiritual things and ministry related things, but I believe the principle the Lord shared with me applies to a variety of situations. Everybody will not go deep, or at least as deep, as you in certain circumstances.

The difference between snorkeling and SCUBA diving is illustrated in the two images. The SCUBA diver is deep and while a snorkeler can go deep…they cannot remain there any longer than they can effectively hold their breath.

At some point, they will have to return to the surface. Snorkelers usually swim in shallow water, occasionally diving under water for a short period of time. They must be able to return to the surface in order to breathe. They can go deep, but they cannot stay deep.

SCUBA divers are equipped to go deep and stay deep. Of course, they take their air with them, but it allows them remain underwater for extended periods of time. They may see a snorkeler, may even hang with them for a minute to two…but then the snorkeler must return to the surface.

So it is in ministry or other endeavors where people do not have equal commitment or passion. Everyone is not equipped or even interested in SCUBA diving. It takes longer to certify, requires more training, carries more risk, and takes more effort. Most people are content to snorkel.

When it comes to actually swimming in the ocean, I am a snorkeler. “Jaws” convinced me long ago, I had no God ordained reason to be that far under water for that length of time. I own that. In other areas of my life, I am a SCUBA diver and I own that too. I have some friends who can go deep and stay deep with me, and I have some friends who “snorkel” in those areas.

The bible tells us that “deep calls unto deep” and there are “the deep things of God” that some will explore and experience…but not everyone. That is fine. Snorkelers who remain under too long could drown. We have all seen folks fall away because they “got in over their head”. They needed to return to the surface.

Whether is a concept that requires a certain amount of depth like fasting or sacrifice, or a level of commitment that goes beyond one’s ability to “hold their breath” …everyone is not going to be able to go deep.

Prayer, Worship, Giving, Serving, Teaching, Hospitality, Study of the Word…these are all examples where all of us should be willing to get in the water. But some will snorkel while others will SCUBA. Deep is calling…who will answer?

“Sound Check…” (by Mel McGuire)

My pastor was teaching on the subject of using the platforms that God provides in our lives. During the message he touched on the subject of the importance of doing a “sound check” prior to a live performance.

I don’t recall everything he said about it because the Lord began poking me in my chest (gently of course) about the importance of sound checks in my life. As I listened to Him, I realized how many different times He had given me the opportunity to conduct a sound check. And consequently, how many times I may have misused said opportunity.

There are many reasons to do sound checks, but the main purpose is to make sure that what you are saying is being heard in the manner you intended. Ultimately, the sound check is not about you, but about the audience.

At a concert, for example, the artist comes out before the audience is seated and performs enough samples from their playlist to enable the sound engineer to fine tune the sound for that particular venue. There are no universal settings.

When all is said and done, the artist must trust the engineer. The artist can then be free to perform and let the engineer (the expert) monitor the sound, making adjustments as needed as the acoustics change due to a variety of factors, including the size of the audience.

As believers where we can miss our sound check is when we do not test our message prior to ministering. I am not talking about preaching per se, but then again, I am. I often will call someone who knows me, knows my God, and will run a few ideas or concepts by them before I stand and minister.

Just because something sounds good to you…doesn’t mean it will sound good to your audience! Do a sound check. Be open to some fine tuning in your delivery, your style, and your method. What might bring life to your friend can turn another into an adversary. Do a sound check. Be willing to change to allow the message to be received.

I have missed sound checks because I did not say what God told me to say, when He told me to say it, to whom He wanted me to say it to. I have been late for sound checks, leaving me to feel stressed and anxious about how to say something vital to someone else. Sound checks remind us that what we say to one, we cannot say to all.

A sound check is the one on one conversations we have with God, and with each other. Where we learn the better way to say or do something, so it brings forth life, not strife. Sound checks are when we learn we cannot threaten everyone with fire, brimstone, and eternal damnation…and expect their immediate conversion to the faith.

Sound checks are those times in prayer when we extrapolate conversations about difficult subjects we may not want to have…and God shows you how to say it, when to say it…He is the author of the message, let Him find tune it. Do a sound check.

“Starship…” (by Mel McGuire)

During the most recent installment in the Star Trek franchise, “Star Trek – Beyond”, there came a point when a Federation Starship needed to take off from the ground.

Captain Kirk, a great leader who never seems to concern himself with how his commands were accomplished, told his crew essentially to “figure it out”.

He was promptly reminded that the ship was a starship…it was built in space, and was never intended to operate anywhere other than space…among the stars. Thus the name, starship.

My spirit sang with instant revelation! We are like that starship. We were created to operate in a certain atmosphere. Without giving away any spoilers for the film, the ship was able to operate without being in space, but it was limited and could not reach its full potential or utilize all of its ability.

Their goal was to simply get it back in space…where it was created and designed to operate. The bible teaches us that as children of the Kingdom of God, we are not of this world.

We were born here, we live here, but we were not created or designed to operate by this world’s system! When we became children of God, adopted by Him, and heirs to His kingdom, we are expected to operate by kingdom principles.

We CAN live in and by the world, but we will be limited and cannot achieve our full potential. Our goal should be to get back in the place where God intended for us to operate.

Only God can empower you to break free from the world’s desire to keep you earthbound. Like the starship needed to overcome the gravity of the planet in order to reach space, so too must we, break free from the constant downward pull of the world.

In space, time is measured differently. We talk about light years instead of miles per hour, for example. How often have we gotten frustrated with God because we are measuring his movement (or lack thereof) by worldly standards?

When in space, our perspective changes. We have all seen images from outerspace, courtesy of the space shuttle or satellites…how small does the earth appear when viewed from space?

How large do your problems seem while you are still earthbound? But from God’s perspective, if the earth is His footstool…how big are they really? Oh that we would remember who made us, and see things as He does…we are starships.

Get in the presence of God, allow Him to boost you up out of the influence of the gravity of this world. Allow Him to show you your proper place among the stars…where starships operate freely at full capacity and with full power. Be a starship.

“Ant-Man…” (by Mel McGuire)

I am writing this before I see this film. I have every intention of seeing it, (I tend to enjoy all the Marvel Comics movies), but this concept just spoke to me, so I am going to be obedient and not wait.

Based on the trailer and limited knowledge I have of the character, when he puts on the suit…he shrinks in stature but increases in strength. That PREACHED to me right there!

John the Baptist said, “I must decrease, for He must increase”. Paul said, “When I am weak, He is strong”, and “in my weakness his strength is perfected.”

The whole concept of becoming smaller in order to be stronger and more powerful is a good one for us Christians to grasp and embrace as if our lives depended on it.

Before honor comes humility and he that humbles himself under the mighty hand of God will be exalted in due time.

It would seem the Ant Man suit allows him to shrink in size, which would make obstacles and enemies seem even larger, but he gains enough strength and power to overcome them…but only when he is small.

But not small in his own eyes…for while in the suit, he KNOWS he possesses a greater power than he does on his own in his own strength!

Now I don’t know how the suit works, don’t really care. I don’t know how long he can remain small and strong…I may learn that in the movie…but I do know that when he is little, he can do big things!

When we as believers, allow the power of the Holy Spirit to flow through us, we can do great and mighty things for God! But we have to minimize our ego, our opinion, our wisdom, experience, and ability. The power is in the suit! The spirit man has the power!

To be clothed in humility is to recognize, like Ant Man, that sometimes… you need help to overcome your adversaries. And that help is available when you humble yourself and ask.

It would also seem that even when in the suit, there are enemies that operate at the same level…but victory for the ants come when they work and fight together!

The bible refers to the ant several times and usually it is a positive reference. How they work together and can do great things as a group as opposed to operating as individuals. How they prepare for lean times during times of plenty. Ants are powerful!

I will probably write more after seeing the film, but I had to get this out now. Humble yourself. Be little while at the same time allowing God to be big in you. Stay in your suit and let the power of God flow! Be like Ant Man…small and mighty!

The spiritual battle for souls rages on…time to suit up, get small, and get busy fighting!

“Shadows…” (by Mel McGuire)

This is an award winning photograph of camels walking across the desert in Africa. When I read it had won an award, I immediately wondered, “for what?” The caption on the photo then admonished viewers to look closer, which I did. Nothing…at first.

Then I saw it. I was not really looking at a bunch of dark camels walking across the desert… I was looking at their shadows! I instantly agreed the photograph was worthy of whatever award it had won…and got a revelation from God at the same time. Shadows.

In reality, because of the relative angle and position of the sun, the camel’s shadows appeared much larger than the actual camels themselves. My eye was drawn to the shadows and I almost missed the camels in the process!

Why was this so revelatory to me? I have been encouraging the men in my church to understand that the way others see us is often times in a much better light than we see ourselves. We know we are “camels” in size and stature, but others see our shadow and therefore see us bigger in their eyes.

One definition of a shadow is a reflection, and they are created when an object is between the viewer and a source of light. If God is our light source, when He is allowed to reflect Himself through us, WE appear bigger and better!

The shadow that we can cast, when properly positioned, is like the greater influence or footprint we have when we are in His will. Others may not see all of our flaws and faults, mess ups and mistakes. But God does…and He shines through us anyway!

We have more influence, more impact, than we normally give ourselves credit for. People are looking at our example, our lives, and they are seeing God in us. It encourages and inspires them, it motivates them, and yes, sometimes it convicts them.

My prayer is that we will position ourselves to always reflect a large shadow, not that others will think more of us than they should, but that God will be glorified through us, and others will be inspired to want Him to shine through them as well.

The way we can reach a lost and dying world is through an effective, genuine witness. Our life is our testimony and our influence needs to increase. As others watch us, some rooting for us, some against us…either way, we are casting a shadow of who God is in us.

What a witness we can be when others see our shadow and are impressed. Then when they get to know us, they will not be disappointed because we are less than our shadow, but they will be encouraged because they will recognize how much of an influence we have because of Him and in spite of us!

Lord shine on us…let your glory be revealed and reflected through us. May you increase as we decrease, and may our “shadow” ( your influence in and through us) remain larger than our natural life.

“Odometer…” (by Mel McGuire)

During a great sermon I once heard the speaker was making the point that value in a used car was NOT in the appearance, but in the mileage. This got me to thinking about odometers.

There are two types of odometers in cars. The main odometer tells you the mileage during the LIFE of the car. It cannot be legally reset. The other one, the trip odometer, is designed to help you track mileage on a repeatable basis, like a road trip, daily usage, or miles between fill ups.

The Lord shared two concepts with me about odometers. First, He reminded me that even if a car has high mileage, it is still relative to the age of the car and how and where the car was used.

A car that spends most of its time cruising on a freeway can accumulate lots of miles in a short period of time. On the other hand, a car driven in urban rush hour traffic may have lower miles, but will be much more “used up”.

So He encouraged me to look beyond the numbers on the odometer and inquire as to the lifestyle of the car in question. The same is true with people. Especially people that God has got a hold to.

His yoke is easy and His burden is light…to me that equates to freeway driving while on cruise control…a constant steady pace that speaks to consistency and maximizing efficiency with minimal effort.

A life apart for Him kind be likened to urban driving. Lots of stop and go traffic. Reduced brake life, more frequent oil changes, earlier transmission issues. More opportunities for the little door dings and minor fender benders of life to mar your appearance.

Low miles doesn’t mean a car has been pampered and high miles does not mean it has been abused. Look beyond the obvious and get the unique story of each life you encounter.

The trip odometer simply reminds us that God’s mercy is new every morning, and He gives us countless opportunities to get it right and enjoy a fresh start. Whether we do it at each fill up (weekly) or with each trip (activity or event), we can reset our odometer.

The forgiveness and longsuffering of God is remarkable, but as we partake we must also extend in kind. Allow others a fresh start and be ready to reset their odometer with you to zero as well.

Finally, I recall looking at a used car once with high mileage. The owner said, “Sure, it has 150,000 miles, but only 25,000 on the engine and transmission…” His point being that the new, lower mileage is the number I should be aware of and judge the car by.

The day we give our lives to God, we get in return a new heart, and a new attitude. We start fresh and our odometer is reset to zero in God’s eyes. Look beyond the numbers and see what He sees, in yourself, and in others.

“Up front…” (by Mel McGuire)

When my daughter was heading towards her teenage years, she asked if she could move from the back seat of the car and start riding up front. She was legally qualified to make the move (and she had been for a couple of years), so we granted her request. But we did it because we felt she was ready, not simply because she met some general qualifications. It takes a certain maturity to ride…up front.

Once she got up there, she began to see driving from a different perspective, and consequently she asked a lot of questions and offered some unsolicited advice. When you ride up front, you see more of what actually goes into driving a vehicle, and you see more of what is going on around the vehicle. Getting from one place to the next is different when you are riding…up front.

From the back seat she had a limited perspective and world view. Most of what she saw was out the side window, as her view to the front was shielded by seats and parents. Once she began to ride up front, the backseat became a distant memory, or sometimes a place to store her baggage. She became much more aware of the numerous hazards of driving when she began to ride…up front.

When she sat in the back, communication could be a challenge, but once she came up front, she could talk to us face to face. This made for better and more intimate conversations. I must admit, that part I enjoyed about her riding…up front.

Oh how I long in my journey in Christ to ride up front. To see and know everything He is doing, to anticipate the hazards, to inquire why He chose to take me one way as opposed to another, to be close to Him, communicating with Him face to face. I just want to observe how He maneuvers through traffic, understand why He picks the lane I am in, and how He observes the rules of the road as He gets me safely to my destination.

But even in Christ, it takes a certain maturity to ride up front. We can’t bring our backseat perspective and expect it to serve us when we ride up front. No one likes a “backseat driver”, especially if they are sitting up front! We have to realize why it is so important to our safety to let the driver drive. He has the wheel, and is in control of the gear we are in, the accelerator, and the brakes. We really need to be able to sit back, stay out of his line of vision, and let him drive!

God has a plan for our lives. He knows how to get us to our destiny safely, while allowing us the privilege of watching Him as we enjoy the journey. Eventually we will get to ride up front, not because of some arbitrary qualification, but because He believes we are ready…to sit closer, to talk face to face, and to learn exactly how and why He does what He does. God wants us to know how to anticipate danger, how to maneuver through the traffic jams of life, and how to benefit the most from riding with Him…up front.