Tag Archives: Bible

THAT ‘IMPOSTER SYNDROME’ John 15

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I was reading about what’s called the ‘Imposter Syndrome’. Usually hits very successful people. People with power and wealth. That we envy? Maybe. Maybe not. For many of them, the fear of being discovered, called out as the fakes, phonies, ands imposters that they feel they really are, absolutely shivers their timbers. If only others knew, giving them the jitters from being called a playactor or worse, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, rather than the real thing.

Probably, there’s some of this in each of us, if we’re honest. The person we present to the world somehow lacks genuineness and transparency. We’re not all we’re cracked up to be. The person inside does not match the one outside. Know what I mean? Again, if they only knew.

Like how mean-spirited I can be in my thoughts. The revenge I’d like to see happen while writing about forgiveness and kindness. Those cutting thoughts about someone I consider a friend. That I can be hard-headed and harder-hearted. I could go on and on, but I fear you’ll discover the real person within me! Or will you?

Reading John 15, I’m challenged to hear what Jesus says. To listen intently and without distraction, if that’s possible. Lend Him my ears. And, most of all, to believe what He says. Like what? That I’m a child of God (vs.1-5). Really? That I’ll grow closer to Jesus as I follow Him. Honestly? That my life will be productive for the Lord and others (vs.5-8). No kidding? This is the real deal. Jesus isn’t faking it. But remember, it’s only as long as we stay close to Him. And you know whether you are or aren’t. Don’t you?

Prayer matters (v.7). Not so much my feeble words as the One who answers prayer. And that I’m loved by God the Father and by Jesus, His only Son (v.9). Chew on that for a while. That Jesus calls me His friend (v. 15). Can you imagine? He’s not really that desperate, is He? No! But if He only knew the real me. If only. But He does. Everything. Through and through.

Reading this chapter from John’s Gospel, I’m challenged to believe what Jesus says. Be all in. Allow His promises to sink in for a change, crowding out that imposter feeling of being a phony-baloney Christian. If only He knew. Well, as I said before, He does. Still, He gives His promises. It’s not about me and how good I am. For good I’m not, truth be told. You want good? Look above to the Lord.

So, I’m taking Him at His Word. Yes, two steps forward, one back, remembering that Jesus is patient with the likes of me…and you. After all, He’s our friend. Remember? While you’re at it, take that syndrome and cross it out with all that our Lord did and does, said and says. And stand tall. Standing on what? Right! His promises.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for calling me your friend. Amen.

WHICH WILL IT BE? Mark 15: 6-15

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We all have choices to make in life. Do this, do that. Go here, go there. Which college or trade school to attend? What career to pursue? Who to marry and where to live? All involve our Lord. Or do they?

Money or Christ? Sexual adventures or purity? Material stuff or grateful contentment? Impressions on others or how we’re doing with the Lord? You name it, choices are involved. Some good, some neutral, some plain awful.

I’ve made them all. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Was I following the Lord? Choosing His way? Yes, there are those. I wish that all my choices were cleared with Jesus first and foremost. Be honest, just me? The only one wearing the dunce’s cap? You wish. I’m one of a large crowd, getting larger every day, sad to say.

Here in Mark 15, Jerusalem’s political head honcho has a choice to make. So does the crowd gathering at his feet, yelling and screaming, waving their fists in a threat of bloody violence.

In front of Pontius Pilate stands a man accused of blasphemy and insurrection. During this festival, Pilate will release one prisoner, the one the crowd cries out for. How about Jesus Christ? Does this itinerant preacher and healer deserve death or a sudden release? Another option is Barabbas, a known murderer and sworn enemy of Rome. He’s a nasty dude. Some ancient manuscripts of the New Testament list his name as Jesus Barabbas (Matt. 27: 16). Bar Abbas, in the local Aramaic language, means ‘Son of the Father’. Which one does the crowd want?

How ironic. Which ‘Jesus, Son of the Father’? The dealer in death and treason, or the One who brings life and healing and love and forgiveness and goodness, and that’s just the beginning? Which one?

It’s still the biggest choice in life. For that crowd and for all of us. Whether to believe in Jesus as Lord of your life or not? To thumb your nose His way or to bow the knee in worship and submission? Try to run your life without reference to God, or to get in line behind Him for a refreshing change?

How about it? Which will it be?

Lord God, how wonderful to be in your family as your child, now and forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FROM MY YEARBOOK SO MANY YEARS AGO NOW!….Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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In 1970, so many years ago now, I graduated from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Our yearbook was called the Arch, because the main entrance to the inner-city campus was through a brick archway. A tradition had been established years before that each graduating senior would choose a favorite Bible verse as a life goal, and that passage would be printed near their names in the yearbook. I chose 2 Timothy 3:16 for my life verse–‘all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…’ That’s a wonderful verse, wouldn’t you agree? Elevates the Bible to its proper place as the inspired Word of God. But I have a question– why this for my life verse? I wonder now why I chose that verse hoping that it wasn’t just to put something down on paper to get my graduation work over with, and move on to something more pleasant. Another thing off my to-do list. Knowing me.. I more than wonder. Now, don’t get me wrong. 2 Timothy 3:16 is the foundation of my life and ministry…from the time of my conversion to this day, I know that the Bible is where truth with a capital ‘T’ can be found. The ultimate Truth… reliable, available, universal, for all time and times for any who seek Him and His way. I believe that more-and-more–and I’ve been exposed to so many arguments and people who disagree and feel the Bible is just myth or fable or unscientific, outdated, bigoted antiquity. Those in churches who have just cast the Bible aside when it is no longer convenient for them. I know because I was educated at a seminary that decades before had marginalized the Bible, I was ordained in a denomination that to this day keeps inching and inching away from the clear teachings of the Bible, I’ve been to Bible studies with local pastors who would stomp out in anger if any of us just dared, and I dared, to challenge their disbelief in the Bible as the inspired and inerrant Word of God. I’ve been there. I’ve heard it. I can sniff it out from miles away. I’m glad I chose 2 Timothy 3:16 as my life verse. It’s been the anchor in my boat of life that Jesus pilots. The constant in an evermore slippery world. I’ve heard it calling me back when I had drifted far away myself. My only regret is not adding verse 17 to my life verse. Other classmates had chosen more than one verse. Don’t think we had to choose just one. I should have added the next verse. The one about being a man of God, a man thoroughly equipped, a man serving God in His good ways. As I look back on my life I sense a disconnect between knowing and living. Between my head and my heart. And now as a bit more mature believer, it’s very hard to break old habits, to connect those dots,to connect those 2 verses, praying that the Holy Spirit would give me a faith that works…for Him and for others. I can’t change what’s in that 1970 yearbook. You can’t find a time-machine to go back and redo your life and choices. But you can live for Him today. You and I can stand on the Word of God… AND live His way ‘equipped for every good work.’ I’m learning, little by little, to let Him connect the dots. How about you?