The Second 50: Reflections on Life and News from the Other Side

The Habit of Reflection

    The habit of reflection is one universally shared. In some form or fashion it is a habit that often focuses on the values we embrace, the actions we take, and our lifestyle decisions.

    The habits concerning our spiritual life are often impacted by an internal vacuum of our need for spiritual direction.  The initial verse in Mark 10 focuses on the habit of the residents to seek out this man called Jesus when he was in the area to hear him teach.

    There is a need within every heart to be encouraged to be a better man or a better woman in a spiritual sense.

 

The Unique Issues of Position and Influence

    The historical story of Jesus teaching in the synagogue of his hometown has lessons for all of us.  Mark 6 relays an account where those who grew up with Jesus were blown away by the wisdom and insight of his teaching.  The account in Mark 6 says they were astonished.

    The understandable question arose as to how was is that Jesus gained such wisdom and insight.  Those who knew him as a boy focused on his family roots.  They noted that his brothers and sisters still lived in the community, and of course these siblings did not possess the wisdom and insight that Jesus shared.  

    Unspoken is the fact that those listening also did not possess the wisdom and insight that accompanied the teaching of Christ.  Instead of enjoying the teachings, it became clear that a jealousy arose as to why Jesus was privileged to have the influence that wisdom and insight can bring. It is easy to question why others have position, influence and power that we do not enjoy...and be offended on the inside, or perhaps wonder why him, and not me.

The Challenges of Life & Dissed for One's Beliefs

    In the story of the sower who encourages men to have a spiritual relationship with God, the historical figure named Jesus shares a sober truism about the challenges of life, and the consequences of living out one's faith.  This sober reality is said to apply to those who gladly hear and accept the value of a personal relationship with God.

    The challenges of life can discourage them from maintaining a personal relationship with God.  Those times when they are put down and criticized can also discourage them from maintaining a personal relationship with God.  (Mark 4:16 - 17).  It is always hard to know, upon meeting a person, whether he "gladly heard' in his heart the value of a relationship with God, but turned away because of a harsh criticism or put down, or because of the extreme discouragement that life can sometimes bring.

    We must always encourage men to never give up seeking to know God in a personal way.  That is the lesson for the sowers...those who encourage others to seek and maintain a personal relationship with God.  It is hard to fathom that clear that this historical figure called Jesus was simply a good man when one thinks about his story of the sower and how people responded to the encouragement to put God first in their live, i.e., the word.

The Sower and the Second Camp

    Today's reflections about the historical figure named Jesus touches on a different part of a story he tells about a sower who sows the word. If one is inclined to believe that Jesus was simply a good man, there is little doubt that in this story that he is addressing how people respond to hearing about a spiritual relationship with God.

    The story Jesus tells about the sower focuses on a second group.  This is a group that is described as "gladly" hearing what is said about a relationship with God.  Unlike the first group, the word is not taken from their hearts when they hear about a relationship with God.

    This second group is described as one which does not have any depth to their character, or perhaps their spiritual relationship with God.  Jesus describes them in an interesting way.  He says they 'endure for a time'.  That leaves the impression that they like what is said about a relationship with God and live a life consistent with what is shared with them. (Mark 4:16-17)

The Case for for Daily Meditation

    My oldest son (Jonah) left for Helsinki to try out for a professional soccer team.  He has graduated from college at UAB and despite four (4) years of playing soccer there has a passion that burns brighter than ever to continue playing.  Although he will only be there a month, I have the sense this is a life changing event as he steps fully into the career world.

    I decided to share with him a few of the verses which have been a pillar of strength for me over the years.  One of the verses was Joshua 1:8 where God, according to biblical accounts talks to Joshua about becoming the leader for the people of Israel after Moses had passed away.  The emphasis placed on a daily mediation could not be clearer, nor could the words: "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and then, for then you will be careful to do all that is written in it and then you will have good success".  (Joshua 1:8).

    The effective leader meditates on the words of scriptures as he navigates the issues and challenges of life.

Leadership and The Sower's Example

    The Sower sows the word.  This short phrase shared by the historical figure called Jesus defines so much about the man.  It has occupied my thinking for today's diary.

    There is such a natural tendency to refer to Jesus as  great historical figure, or simply a great man. or even a great leader.  Yet as one read through the biblical accounts, once is faced with words and actions of Jesus that do not fit the definition of a great man who was spiritually indifferent.

    Jesus is asked by those closest to him to shed light on a parable he had just taught the crowds.  It was the parable of the Sower.  (Mark 4:13).  Jesus begins by sharing, 'The Sower sows the word'.  As one reads this story, it is clear that 'the word' refers to teachings about a relationship with God.  In our own way, we must also model the Sower's example.

Hanging Out...Then and Now

    One of the great aspects of Twitter and Facebook is that these online social sites allow us to 'hang out' with people with know or care about.  I also have an account at Twitter and one at Facebook as well. 

   It has been so great to 'hang out' or touch base with friends from the past, and share a word or two with them.  For those who of us who admittedly enjoy following a celebrity or two,  it provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with them.

    We all deal with our personal spiritual life in a personal, unique way.  Our relationship with God is of course personal and unique.  As I begin my personal Second 50 of years in this life, I think more about lifetime values and my own relationship with God.  I also think more about current events and the long-lasting values and memories we take from them.

    Though I am by far not a 'spiritual man', I am personally intrigued as I try to reconcile the biblical accounts of Jesus with the idea he was simply a great man, or a great leader. This morning, I was struck by the biblical account that Jesus "summoned" a small group out of the crowds which were following him to go with him on a mountain.

    That indeed must have felt like the most wonderful privilege.  Here was a guy who was becoming the most well known in the region.  He was known (by biblical accounts of at least four (4) different authors) for a very unique way of inspiring people to be their best for God.  For those 'summoned' (per Mark 3:13), it must have felt like the chance of a lifetime.  An undeserved special blessing.  It certainly was life-changing.

Leadership and Management Values...Answering the Why

I read an article in USA Today about Jaqueline Neal, an officer for the company

Glory Foods.  The article focused on the books she was reading and which had

made an impression on her.

    I hope I have saved the article, or can find it somewhere.  One book concerned

the idea of becoming the best person you can become as the best contribution you

can make to your company.

    That is clearly a reflection on values, character, integrity -- and other intangible,

timeless principles.  This leader often purchased books which had made an impression

on her for the employees at Glory Foods.

    The question was posed to Jesus as to 'why' he had spent time with those regarded

as 'tax collectors and sinners'.  (Mark 2:15-17).  Just like the president at Glory Foods, 

Jesus shared that there were those who needed their values, character and inner integrity

adjusted.