Ready for Either

Mark’s Gospel records the account of James and John asking Jesus to sit on his right and his left in glory. In reply Jesus asks “can you drink the cup I drink?” They say “sure, why not” and Jesus tells them “you will”.

Author, theologian and bible commentator William Barclay comments on this text in his classic work “The Master’s Men” (page 101)…

“So then both of the brothers drank the cup of Christ. Let us see what the cup of Christ was. John went to Ephesus; he lived for almost a hundred years; and died in peace full of years and honor. James’s life was short, and came to an end swiftly and suddenly through martyrdom by the sword-and yet both drank the cup of Christ. There is a Roman coin, which has as its inscription the picture of an ox facing an altar and a plough, with the words: “Ready for either.” The ox must be ready for the dramatic sacrifice of the altar or the long routine of the plough. The Christian who dies in one heroic moment and the Christian who lives a long life of fidelity to Christ both drink the cup of Christ. The Christian . . . must be ready for either.”

I’m convinced, first we drink then we discover our fate. In the end it doesn’t really matter, the pay’s the same. For me the key to readiness is… I’m already dead.

“I have been crucified with Christ…” Galatians 2:20

“My life is not my own…” 1 Corinthians 6:19

“To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

So Lord, what will it be today… altar or plough? My answer is yes.

© Tom Zawacki 2007

Stuck in My Head

Sometimes someone tells you something and it sticks with you, it really sticks with you. A close friend called me a few days ago and mentioned a verse from John chapter five.

Jesus responding to his detractors says… "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does" John 5:19.

It’s been stuck in my head ever since.

Like most everyone I know, I’m a busy guy. My Tungsten E Palm is filled with appointments, I’ve got 28 items on a to-do list, I can barely see the top of my artificial wood grained six foot by three foot desk and my inbox has 22 emails. Managing my schedule has required that I prioritize. Long ago I decided that…

~ People trump things
~ My kids trump people
~ My wife trumps my kids and
~ God trumps everything

I agree with those priorities, I’ve taught them from my pulpit and counseled others to embrace them but… am I really living them? Does God truly trump everything? Jesus’ statement convicts me. How much of what I do is what I do? And how little of it is what the Father is doing? Ouch! I’m pretty sure that ache I’m experiencing in the middle of my chest isn’t heartburn, it’s conviction. Here are some of the questions that have been stuck in my head…

~ If Jesus could do nothing by himself, how much can I do by myself?

~ What is the Father doing?

~ Am I capable of seeing it?

~ What does it look like?

~ Am I willing to stop what I’m doing to do what the Father is doing?

~ Even if I can see what the Father is doing, do I have the faith, the courage and the guts to do it… whatever it is?

Hmmm…

© Tom Zawacki 2007

Art Credit “Contemplation” by Justin Black

Why We Go

Burning Man 2007 was an amazing, inspirational, exhausting yet exhilarating experience. I had the privilege of serving with a wonderful team of 50 extremely gifted people. For six days we gave away 20,000 bottles of water, espresso drinks and the unconditional love of the Creator to some of the 47,000 “burners” who annually descend upon Black Rock City in the Nevada desert.

Streams Ministries has been sending teams for the past four years but this was my first Burning Man experience. In the dessert I discovered in the most practical of ways that Light always overcomes darkness and Love does indeed cover a multitude of sins.

On Friday afternoon we offered Mother and Father Blessings. The Burners lined up eager to receive. One young woman came to us seeking a spiritual cleaning as well as a father’s blessing. She had been raised Mormon, rejected her parents faith and subsequently her parents had rejected her. While I blessed her, as a father I asked her to forgive me for squeezing her into my mold. Tears filled her eyes then rolled down her cheeks and on to my shoulders. I held her for a long time silently asking The Father to heal her wounds and capture her heart. I’ll never forget her.

Another young man entered our tent also seeking a spiritual cleansing. He wore a large black and white spiked wig, a multicolored vest decorated with buttons and pins and a large bandana like scarf tied around his waist. We chatted for a few minutes to make him feel more comfortable and to hear his heart. When it came time for his spiritual cleansing he abruptly stopped us saying “wait!” With passion and intensity he removed the wig from his head and threw it on the floor - quickly followed by the vest and scarf. He then shook himself from head to toe saying “OK, that’s better, now I feel more real, let’s go.” With his vest removed we could see many self inflicted cutting scars on his chest. As we poured a bottle of spring water over his head we asked the Creator to cleanse him, heal him and set him free. More tears and long hugs followed, again my heart was captured.

I can hardly wait for next year and another opportunity to love on those very people Jesus came and gave his life to rescue.

© Tom Zawacki 2007