Thoughts on the dozen

Sometimes I think we put the 12 apostles up on pedestals when we really need to remember that they were regular guys. Last night we were studying Mark 10 during Cgroup. We got to the section discussing the request of James and John and spent a few minutes on this particular verse:

35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

I think the general consensus was something like "Really? Whoa James and John, back it up for a second and think about what you're saying. Do you really want to demand that Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and God of the universe, do what you want him to? Not only that, but the request you're following it up with is one of power-hungry selfishness? You sure you want to do that?" We had a good laugh at their naivete and the fact that they just don't get Jesus and his purpose even though he's been trying to hammer home the point to them for a couple years at this point. But really, do we get it? Granted, we have scripture right in front of us to study, the knowledge of what happened to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit living in us. But despite all this, I still think we lose sight of the big picture a lot. As Eugene pointed out, don't we ask in that way too? "Please God, could you help me with this... oh, and here's how I want you to fix it." It's not that far removed from the way James and John were posing their request.

So my point here is really just that the 12 were regular guys. Human beings. Yes, they got to walk along side Christ and be a part of his ministry on earth, but they were still human. We can see the absurdity of some of their choices and actions (Peter, dude, what were you thinking trying to rebuke Jesus?!), but I'm going to argue that some of my choices and actions are just as naive and ridiculous. I think if we put ourselves in their shoes we'd probably have a little more compassion for them and try to see how we're pretty similar. Just trying to follow Christ and make sense of it all. Our thoughts are just too human... :)

Questions?

This afternoon I was having coffee with Becky. We were sitting in the Union with our cups of Starbucks and chatting about family, testimonies, women's ministry (or reformation thereof), and Cgroups. As we discussed the Cgroup retreat last week, I was telling Becky that I don't consider myself to be very good at formulating questions for our Cgroup study. My thoughts tend to come as statements--'Here's what I think, now what about you?' Before I just considered it to be something that I wasn't talented with--I still think this in light of the fact that it just doesn't come as easily to me as other things do. However, I do think I can improve on it (with grace of course), instead of just chalking it up as a loss. As I confessed this to her, she said something along the lines of "Huh. That's funny. I figured as a scientist you'd be good at coming up with questions." Haha I'd never thought of it that way. I actually think I am quite a bit better at coming up with scientific questions. I could write you out a list of questions that I have about apoptosis, and alphaviruses, and persistant infection in arthropods, and host factor and viral protein interaction. There's a pile of journal articles on my bench waiting to be read to shed light on those subjects and another to-do list of experiments that I'm going to do to hopefully add something to that bank of knowledge.

So what's the difference? Why can I come up with loads of questions about science, but when I look at a passage of Scripture I find it harder to come up with those questions? I'm still tossing this around in my mind, but I think part of it is the type of information I'm looking for. In science I'm searching for knowledge, facts. This protein interacts with that one, this is what happens, and here are the implications of that on a larger scale. In Scripture, I'm looking for wisdom, insight, God. The goal for the study is to get people to talk, ask questions that will lead to discussion of God and life... That's all for now... still thinking on this one.

Show me Your glory

I caught a glimpse of your splendor
From the corner of my eye
Most beautiful thing I've ever seen
It was like a flash of lightning
Reflected off the sky
And I know I'll never be the same

Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
And I can't go on without You, Lord

When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won't settle for ordinary things
I'm gonna follow You forever
And all of my days
I won't rest until I see you again

Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
I can't go on without You, Lord

-"Show me Your glory" Third Day

If you asked me about the most important thing that God has taught me this year, I would say it was what He has taught me about His glory. I've been hearing about God's glory my whole life... literally, I grew up in the church and I actually cannot remember a time when I did not know the name Jesus. It's taken me 22 years to get a little glimpse of what God's glory actually means/looks like. It's one of those words that you use often, but when asked to define it, you stumble. So that's first... what is the definition of glory: n. a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity; something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration.

So how have I seen God's glory this year? First, is through science (big surprise there, huh?). I talk about science a lot... I realize that, and it's not going to change. :) Science is one of the things that God has given me a passion for. Just within the last year or so, I finally realized that one of the reasons that science is so cool, is God. Studying science is studying God's creation. Every time one of my professors says something along the lines of "It's amazing how this works. If this one aspect was changed, it wouldn't function at all" etc, I have a little 'hallelujah' moment. I have such a huge appreciation for nature, the human body, and the universe as a whole. My roommate and I were just talking the other day about how the more we learn about how our bodies work, the more we're freaked out that they even work at all. I'm breathing right now involuntarily. If for some reason my lungs stop, I die. Do you ever move just because you can? Ok, this is going to sound strange... sometimes just for the fun of it I think "I'm going to move my hand" and then my hand moves,. It gives me this sense of awe... how does that happen?! A message can go from my brain down to my fingers! Isn't that cool?! God's glory is so evident in His creation.

Ok, moving on from science... Another way God has shown me His glory this year is through my Cgroup. Normally, when I lead a group of any sort, I have this checklist either written down or just in my head. Things I need to do to make this group successful, or me successful as a leader. I need to organize this, do that, pray for this, read that, talk to this person, etc. I don't think there was one time this year, when I had my entire list "checked off" before Cgroup. There was always something (sometimes several things) that I didn't get done. There were days that I didn't get around to doing the lesson until the night before, and I didn't feel as prepared as I wanted to be. Despite my unfinished to-do list, God always showed up, always blessed the conversation, always brought the group even closer together-as a family. The success of this group had nothing to do with me and my checklist, and everything to do with God. Glory be to God! He deserves all the honor and praise.

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 29:1-2 (go read the rest of it; it's beautiful)