PRINCIPLE: “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.”

I like doing puzzles. Granted, it can eat up large chunks of time; but I easily justify it by claiming it serves as a good diversion from the normal, daily routines and stresses, and it works to sharpen my mind (which some days needs a lot of sharpening!)

In doing puzzles I’ve learned that at least one thing is inevitable – there will comes points where I’m stuck and can’t find any pieces that fit anywhere. I’ve learned that, rather than stressing and quitting, it’s best to switch positions, to go to the other side of the table, to get a different perspective. “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.”  It’s amazing how many pieces I then find that fit. And it’s all because I put myself in a position to get a new perspective.

I’ve also learned that the same is true when it comes to viewing and understanding life. The Bible is filled with admonitions that say, in essence, “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.” Consider Joseph’s words to his brothers about understanding the circumstances of life: “Now do not be upset or blame yourselves because you sold me here. It was really God who sent me ahead of you to save people’s lives. This is only the second year of famine in the land; there will be five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor reaping. God sent me ahead of you to rescue you in this amazing way and to make sure that you and your descendants survive. So it was not really you who sent me here, but God…But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid; I can’t put myself in the place of God. You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened.” (Gen. 45:5-8 & 50:19-20 GNT) “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.” Reflect on Paul’s words about viewing other people: “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!”(2 Cor. 5:16 NLT) “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.”Think about Jesus’ words to Martha about her dead brother Lazarus: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40) “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.” Viewing life’s circumstances, other people, and the issues of life and death from Jesus’ perspective rather than our own provides new, significant sight.

Jesus explains it this way: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) Once we believe in God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son, we live in the environment of life rather than of death. We see circumstances, people, and all of life differently; we see it from God’s  perspective. And to be sure we understand how to cross over, Jesus told us “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” (John 7:17) We change sides, we cross over, we move into the environment of life by  obeying – by doing what Jesus says to do. Perhaps it’s time to quit trying to understand and figure out everything that happens to us in life, to stop evaluating and judging people from our own prejudices, to cease from focusing on death and darkness and to cross over to Jesus’ sight. We do it anytime, every time, we obey. Just do what He says, think likes He thinks, serve like He serves, love like he loves. It will be amazing how many pieces will fit. “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.”

Principle: “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.”

Driving through the tunnels sends my mind into thinking overtime! The tunnels speak not only of passage into the presence of our Savior, but also about preparation for it. Often, when approaching a major tunnel, there will be signs stating what items are prohibited  – items that are not safe to have in the tunnel. Most such items are potentially explosive. Usually these signs are posted miles in advance of the approaching tunnel so there is plenty of time to check your load. In fact, that’s what the signs are meant to do:  “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.”

Isn’t that a message for our journey through life as well? Once in the tunnel it’s too late to check the load, so “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.” There are simply some things – many things, in fact – that we cannot take with us. Hebrews states it clearly (12:1): “Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up…” (CEB). The NLT puts it this way: “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”  “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.” There is baggage that not only slows us down and trips us up as we head for the tunnel, but which is also dangerous as we enter the tunnel. There is a lot of baggage we can’t take with us – which is potentially explosive and will disqualify us.

Certainly there are sinful things we do or think that are not allowable in the presence of God. That’s obvious. But note that Hebrews doesn’t limit the baggage only to sin – it’s anything that weighs us down. That implies we lug around some good baggage – but good as it may be in and of itself, it slows us down.  When I was entering my final year of seminary education and training, I decided to give up doing radio play-by-play of a local high school’s football and basketball games. Oh, I loved doing it – and I was told was good at it (truth be told, if God hadn’t called me into ministry, I’d probably have spent my life doing sports broadcasting). It also provided a means for witnessing. But it was taking away time I could spend studying and preparing for a life of ministry – and from my young family. There was nothing wrong with broadcasting itself – but it slowed me down and was tripping me up. It was standing in the way of a deeper relationship with Jesus.

What is that baggage for you? Service in the church? Charitable volunteer work? Always being available to others to help them in their need? Pursuing your hobby or special interest with all your spare time? Spending time with family and friends? What are the activities, interests, or pursuits in your life that are good, but not essential – and perhaps distracting – to your relationship with Jesus?

Excess baggage is prohibited in the tunnel. And once we’re in the tunnel, it’s too late; the baggage must be shed before entering. Perhaps the issue  to consider is how do we want to enter the tunnel? Knowing that Jesus is coming to greet us and carry us through, to take us to be with Him, do we want to crawl, walk, or run to Him? I want to run! How about you? “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.”  The apostle Paul had this idea firmly implanted in his mind and heart: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27) Eugene Peterson captures the point well in The Message: “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.”

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PRINCIPLE: “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

Barb and I enjoy putting puzzles together. We relish the challenge and like the fact that, supposedly, doing puzzles is one way to keep minds fresh and alert (and we need all the help we can get with that!) But early on we learned there’s a problem – there’s more than one way to do a puzzle. And there’s the rub. The first thing Barb likes to do is turn over and lay out all the pieces; the first thing I like to do is find the edge pieces and get the frame together. Both ways work – but when we’re working together it’s difficult to use both approaches. Something – someone – has to give. If we want to complete the puzzle in the most efficient, least stressful way, we need to be on the same page regarding the process. The way to success is teamwork. That’s worth remembering. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

It reminds me of the apostle Paul. In his first letter to the Corinthian Church he dealt with divisions in the church, primarily with divisions caused by selfish attitudes. Paul talks about some specific issues causing divisions in the Corinthian church. There was, he said, more than one way to approach what kind of meat to eat,  more than one way to worship, more than one way to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and more than one way to use spiritual gifts. But, he warned, do not let your way get in the way. (10: 23-24) “’Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”(10: 32-33) “Do not cause anyone to stumble…I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.” Give up the demand for your way – the way to success is teamwork. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

To illustrate the principle, Paul – in chapter 12 – points to how our bodies work. (12: 12, 26)) “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body….If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” All the parts can work independently, but then the whole body would be dysfunctional. But for the body to function in a healthy way the many parts must work together. So for Paul the way to healthy functioning is through great teamwork – and the way to great teamwork is seeking the good of others. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

I have a strong suspicion that what works in the body of Christ, works as well in athletic contests, office staffs, government agencies, marriages – and even in completing puzzles. Granted, leadership sometimes, in special unique circumstances, demands leadership that states “My way or the highway.” But in most of our everyday situations, there is another way, a healthier more productive way.“Do not cause anyone to stumble…I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.” “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

Yet Paul brings the body illustration to a climax by nailing down why we should seek the good of the other (12:31): “And now I will show you the most excellent way.” And that way is love. (13:1-8) “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” In all things, “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

PRINCIPLE: “When going out and coming in, be thankful for the cot.”

Being a counselor at summer camp had its privileges. One of them was the sleeping arrangements. Campers and counselors all slept in A-frame tents which had been constructed on wooden platforms. But while the campers slept in their sleeping bags on the floor, we counselors slept in sleeping bags on a cot. While there were several reasons for this privilege, one was tantamount. At ‘lights out’ time, we placed our cots in front of the tent door so no one could go in our out without our awareness. No one could sneak out, or even go out to the restroom, without our knowledge. And while it was sometimes frustrating for the campers to awaken us and then have to step over us,  it was  for the safety and well-being of the campers. Sometimes we had to remind them of that purpose. “When going out and coming in, be thankful for the cot.”

In reality, sleeping on the cot was not so much a privilege as it was a responsibility. The safety and well-being of the campers was upon us. But we weren’t the first ones to take up such a position. “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture…I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.”(Jn. 10:9-10) Jesus took that position centuries ago. He took responsibility for our safety, our well-being, and, indeed, our very lives. Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise in Ps. 121:8 – “The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

What a wonderful truth to know! Once we come to God through Jesus Christ – once we enter into eternal life – we are part of a gated community. And Jesus is the gatekeeper. We go nowhere without His knowledge. Wherever we are, He knows we’re there. That means there, in that place, we can find pasture; our needs will be supplied. And no matter what choices we make, no matter what happens, we can always go back inside the safety, shelter, and pasture of our gated community – because Jesus be is always at the gate to welcome us back and let us in.

But as the gatekeeper Jesus also keeps out the wolves seeking to attack and destroy us (10:12-15 CEV). “Hired workers are not like the shepherd. They don’t own the sheep, and when they see a wolf coming, they run off and leave the sheep. Then the wolf attacks and scatters the flock. Hired workers run away because they don’t care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep.”  Whether going or coming we are under the protective care of Jesus.

To be honest, we must admit that there are times when knowing Jesus is at the gate frustrates us. Just knowing He’s there makes it difficult to go out to places we might want to go, and to do things we might want to do, of which He disapproves or from which He discourages us. We, like the campers, cant just get up and go out and do what we want to do; we have to check in with the Counselor –  the gatekeeper – first. We just can’t step over or around the cot – it’s always right there in front of the entry. But it’s always for our good: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Here’s how some other translations state this glorious truth: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  (New RSV) “I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.” (GNT) “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (NLT) “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (MSG) Get the idea? So “When going out and coming in, be thankful for the cot.”It’s there – Jesus is there – to guarantee our well-being. We know – because the cot on which He laid was a cross; He did give His life for us. And we can have life in all  its fullness, richness, and abundance. So “When going out and coming in, be thankful for the cot.”

Principle: “When it’s time to grow, change your bends.”

We were cleaning up our family room and study – all part of rearranging the rooms of our house to make room for some of our family to live with us for a while. One of my projects was to gather up all the old cables, cords, and wires and either dispose of them or organize them for storage in one relatively small place. Sounded simple enough – until I realized how many such cables, cords, and wires there were!

Not to be deterred, I diligently gathered them all together, sorted them out, dumped some, and contemplated what to do with the ones remaining. I found a suitable box so decided to wind up or fold each cable, cord, and wire and bind it with a twisty. In doing so it quickly became obvious that some of the thicker, heavier cables had a mind of their own. They still bent in the same places as they did when I bought them – and they weren’t about to bend in any other place. Thick and tough, once bent in a certain place, they have always bent there. They seemed to holler out, “Bent this way when I was born, be bent this way until I die!” “Stubborn cables,” I thought. “What good is a cable with no flexibility? To be more useful they should bend in different places!”

Then it hit me – I wonder how many of my bends and folds are still the same as they were years ago? Do I still bend and resist at all the same places or or have I become flexible enough to grow and be more useful? What good is a person with no flexibility?I was learning the lesson: “When it’s time to grow, change your bends.” I think that’s what Jesus was teaching when He said (Matthew 9:16-17) “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” “When it’s time to grow, change your bends.” Goatskins were used for holding wine, and as fresh grape juice fermented the wine would expand and stretch the skin. Old skins, no longer able to stretch and expand, would break; only new skins could hold the new wine. Jesus was saying that He brings new life that cannot be contained in the old skins; unless a person is willing to change and grow – to bend and fold in new places and ways – he or she will miss out on the full, abundant life Jesus offers. In fact, this full, abundant life may even break us if we’re unwilling to change and grow. “When it’s time to grow, change your bends.”

We all tend to resist change and growth to a certain degree – and usually to out peril. But if we want to experience more of Jesus’ life and power within us,  we must change our bends.  “I’ve worshiped this way since I was born, and will worship this way until I die!” “Always sung only hymns and will sing only hymns until I die.” “Always given this much and will give this much until they carry me out the church door.” “Always prayed this way and always will.” “Never raised my hands in church and never will.” “We’ve never done it this way before, and we never will.” “Never _________ and never ________.”

You can fill in the blanks.  The point is, what bends and folds do you need to release? Where do you resist the prompting and power of the Spirit? Where are you missing out on the abundant life Jesus is offering you? Where do you need to bend and fold, to be more flexible? Where do you need to be open to change?  Jesus is waiting to pour His new wine into you – lack of wine is not the issue. The issue is, can you hold it? What kind of skin are you  – and what kind do you want to be? “When it’s time to grow, change your bends.”