Getting It

Here’s an excerpt from an article and interview with Ryan Lochte (the Olympic swimmer):

Just one of the jewel-encrusted items that often adorn his teeth is reportedly worth $25,000.

"I am taking this seriously, but there's so much more to life than just swimming," he said. "That's what I want to have people know: You know what, I'm having fun doing this."

Still, free time for the 28-year-old -- who has been called one of the Olympics' most eligible bachelors -- has been severely limited over the past decade.

When asked "who gets more women," he or rival and fellow American swimmer Michael Phelps….

Consider the way the champion is different than those who interview champions, or those who buy and read interviews.  The public apparently wants to know about his grill, his bling, his dating habits, his financial rewards, and how he does all the stuff that appeals to the typical person.  But the typical person doesn’t get in to the Olympics.  the typical person doesn’t even come close.

Christians are asked also about their sex lives, their dating habits, and all sorts of stupid things.  We love to debate whether or not it’s okay to keep some of our money, or do we HAVE to give 10%, and if so – is it of our gross or net income.  We deal with a barrage of issues that almost all revolve around rules - what we are not allowed to do, and what we get for it.

Seriously?

Like the interviewer in the article and the public who have their typical shallow thoughts, many people just don’t “get it.”  Or as Isaiah and Jesus would say, “Having ears, they cannot hear; having eyes, they’re yet blind.”

Being a disciple means that we actually believe (have faith that) it’s more blessed to give than to receive – and the results are obvious!  I’ve heard from some fellow disciples lately who are frustrated they cannot give more: money, time, assets, more of themselves, and just more, more, more.  The cool thing about being a disciple is discovering that the more you give, the more blessed you really are.  And as we grow like that, we discover that God really does give more to the one who already has.  Did you notice that it’s only those who gave the most that got to see Jesus transfigured?  Only those fully-committed saw Jesus walk on water, or calm the storm.

The world wants to debate whether it’s possible to calm the storm or walk on water, and Jesus fans think it’s neat that he supposedly could do stuff like that … but true disciples ask Jesus if they can get out of the boat and walk with him!

“Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.”  For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he’ll have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.  Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Matthew 25:28-30

 For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.  The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows (How?  He doesn't know.  The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.)  But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.  Mark 4:25-29

 To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.  For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.  Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  Matthew 13:11-13