Reframed or Renewed?

People approach things differently than God does. While this may seem obvious, let me elaborate. Last week, I observed our cultural tendency to reframe situations in an obvious attempt to mislead, misdirect, and misrepresent the truth. The SpaceX rocket launch on May 27th encountered some issues, and here are a few of the statements that were made about it:

1. "The launch was a success because it went better than the last launch (which ended with space debris scattered across the waters off the Florida coast)."

2. "The rocket experienced an unscheduled and uncontrolled disassembly (in more straightforward language, 'That thing just blew up!')."

3. "There was an 'uncontrolled landing' in the Indian Ocean (which, let's be honest, is better described as a 'crash')."

Do you see a pattern here? Our culture reframes the truth into language that blurs the meaning and obscures the real picture. If it weren’t so amusing, it would be insulting!

Now, here we are. Our entire political system and corporate landscape are trying to find ways to express things that either shade or ignore the truth. The examples above illustrate a much deeper problem. Are we satisfied with this reframing of truth and reality, or are we interested in the genuine article? Enter Jesus …

In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Let’s spend the next three weeks unpacking this! What does "the way" mean?

The Greek word is "Hodos," which means a path, a road, or a journey on which one travels. It is derived from the word "Methodos" (does that sound familiar to any of you?). Methodos refers to "following in an orderly fashion," something that we Methodists certainly appreciate. We follow Scripture, which informs our Book of Discipline, which in turn guides how we run our congregations. 

Here, "Hodos" presents Jesus as the sole path to eternal life with the Father. In a world filled with polytheism (many gods) and 'polyhodos' (many ways), Jesus provides us with clarity, certainty, and purpose. His command to us is simple: "Follow me!" Amen.

Truth and Light, In Our Face!

John’s Gospel opens with a stunning declaration: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9). It’s poetic. Beautiful. Hopeful. But if we’re honest—also a little intimidating. Because when the Light comes, so does the Truth. And that’s where things get uncomfortable.

We love the idea of light. It’s warmth. It’s clarity. It’s safety. But what about the truth it reveals? Jesus doesn’t just illuminate our world; He exposes it. He exposes us—our shadows, our motives, our missteps, even the ones we didn’t know were there.

It reminds me of a moment years ago when I volunteered on a Habitat for Humanity site. I decided to “share my wisdom” with the project manager about how we should proceed with the next steps. He smiled, then gently but firmly said, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”—a direct quote from Job, where God reminds us just how little we truly understand.

I’ve never forgotten that. It was truth—right in my face.

And God’s Word does that. 1 John 2:8–10 presses even further: “The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining… Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.” In other words, you can talk about light all day long, but if your life doesn’t reflect that truth in love, you’re fooling yourself.  This is both truth and light, right in our face!

Jesus doesn’t offer light and truth as nice ideas. He embodies them. And He gives them not to flatter us, but to transform us. To call us out of darkness, even the darkness we prefer.

So the real question is not whether Jesus brings light and truth. He does.

The question is: Can we handle it?

Or more importantly—will we let it handle us?

We Know Not!

One of the most profound statements made by Jesus from the cross was Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!"  He made this statement about the people He is facing from the cruelty, pain, and shame of being publicly tortured and killed.  It demonstrates the level of love that God's forgiveness actually takes!  This is one of those things God can do, but I am not sure we could do.

But ... what if this statement is taken more generally?  What if Jesus is making a statement about our actual knowledge of the task, and our continued propensity to miss the point and miss the mark?

In my consulting life, as an "expert" in my field, I was amazed at how many people, because I had the word "consultant" beside my name, thought I was at the highest level of my profession!  I was far from that, and still had far more to learn than I already knew.  This truth (again) hit me in the face when, after seminary, I sat in a hospital room and a man had died that should have survived.  I didn't know what to say.  I didn't have the tools, the knowledge, or the "expertise" to seamlessly navigate that hard day.  I "knew not what I did!"

But then, I began to think about this confession.  Here are my thoughts ...

1. We truly don't know what we are doing when we are submitted to God.  Because it is not us driving the car!  It is God, through the Holy Spirit!  This is not a negative ... it is how movements, not institutions, are built.  The Congo is filled with challenges, obstacles, and ... with God's Spirit.  Jesus said, "I have overcome the world."  Do we believe that even when we don't know what we are doing?

2. We don't know what we are doing when God has made and is executing His plan.  Jesus told Nicodemus ... "The Spirit blows where it will."  Do you believe that?  In the song Shadow Step, the singer says, "Move me like you do the mountains ... move me like you do the wind!"  We are the people of "The Way" but that 'way' is under God's direction!

3. It is not only OK ... it is GOOD that we don't know what we are doing.  Because if we knew what we would face, the mountains we would climb, the waters we would pass through ... we would say, "Not me!"  But we are led, fed, and filled with the Holy Spirit ... "So God, move us!

A final thought is how we are called to be people who are willing to fly.  I have a friend who sells yachts.  In the America's Cup, the yachts are referred to as "flying."  At a certain speed (the speed of escaping the friction of the water and even a small measure of gravity, these vessels rise up out of the water and literally fly along the surface.  Maybe we should do the same.  But how?  Come Sunday and we will unpack some answers and probably find even more questions.

Where the Church is growing is where people, who do not know what they are doing, rise above structures, organizational friction, imagined (and real) barriers, and doubts to become Christ-followers ... not Christ-leaders.  I invite you to the ranks of those who know not, but follow anyway!  AMEN

Utes

Some of you are wondering about your preacher.  Has he lost it? Is the title of this text some long-departed Native American tribe?  What are utes?

Others are smiling and remembering a quote from the best lawyer movie ever, My Cousin Vinny.  Joe Pesci (Vinny Gambini) is defending a case under Judge Chamberlin Haller (Fred Gwynne).  He is describing 2 young men, calling them "utes."  He really meant "youths."  

Scripture has some specific things to say about youths, and God, through Scripture, understands some of our false perceptions about youth.  You know ... flightiness, irresponsibility, short attention span ... Hey, wait, I think I just described myself.  Paul tells Timothy something about these false perceptions, and how to handle them.  He tells Timothy, "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in all you say, in the way you live, in the way you love, in your faith, and in your purity (1 Timothy 4:12)."  Some reading this are saying, "That's it Paul ... you tell em straight!"  The fact is, this advice is just as much for all of us as it is for our youth.  Let's break it down.

1. You will, because of your age, be pigeonholed into false and inaccurate categories.  That is life ... because that is just how people are.  Ignore and rise above this.

2. You rise above this by:

    - Becoming an example (a positive one)

    - Living in a way that is good, positive, exemplary

    - Loving others, even the ones hard to love

    - Having and showing faith by believing what God has told you

    - Living pure and holy (all that is pure, right, holy, good, faithful)

This Sunday we will celebrate 2 graduating youth.  I wish I could share the recommendation letters I have written about them because those letters are both complimentary and true.  Sarah Edwards and Scarlett Law are both people I am honored to call friends.  They are beautiful in every way, and all of us should consider it an honor to encourage, bless, and send them forward.  We will see both of them here a lot (I hope) and I pray they will always count on me and some of you for counsel and advice going forward.  I thank God they have come our way, and I will pray a blessing over them on behalf of the Church.  May the Lord bless them, keep them, make His face shine upon them, turn His face toward them, and grant them peace, success, goodness, and His very presence each and every day!  I love our utes!  I hope you do too!  

Great Joy

One of the preachers at the Annual Conference this week (Dr. Tim Thompson) spoke on the topic of how great sacrifice is a path to great joy.  His text was from Hebrews 12:1-2. When I think about this text, I can't help but think about the topic of Mother's Day.   For the best of earthly mothers (those in Christ) live out this concept ... sacrificing greatly, and getting great joy from that sacrifice.

When I read this passage, it causes me to think about the attitude and mindset of our great God.  For God, in Jesus, sees past the cruel cross and the finality of the tomb, to a joy unspeakable!  And what is that joy?  It is God's people .. the children of God .. the joy of seeing all of us grow, thrive,  become productive, and live good lives, because we are God's children.

How does this happen?  1) Mothers teach/model focus (fix your eyes on Jesus).  "Look at me while I am talking to you!"  Capturing the eyes, the attention of a child while they learn to tie their shoes.  Connecting to their children as they deal with life situations ... and modeling grace, love, kindness, self-control, patience.  And, acknowledging Jesus as the source of strength and power over the calamities that happen in life.  2) Mothers show faith when they trust in Jesus.  Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is not in the seen, but in the unseen.  Our faith is perfected by living life in the context of our living hope in Christ.  Our Jesus is living.  Our Jesus is good, even in the storm.  Our Jesus perfects us (Wesley called it sanctification), and we claim that "perfecting" as God's grace that grows us up! 3) Mothers claim and show joy, even when they are tired, overwhelmed, and imperfect.  This joy is another unseen thing.  Mama had joy in who and what she saw in me, sometimes present, and sometimes future.  I really didn't deserve any of it, but mama dreamed, hoped, and trusted in God's redeeming work and plan.

There is Jesus reflected in the attitudes of mamas who are in Christ.  And that reflection is here in this passage.  Jesus' sacrifice was a great and mighty work of God.  Jesus' cross was a beautiful expression of love.  Jesus' joy was already there, as He looked beyond the cross to the joy of relationship, family, and eternity with those who claim His redeeming work.  Mama knew that her great sacrifice was a path to great joy!