trusting God through awkward situations

the Meaning of Life

The Meaning of Life: the Image of God – Shannon Lewis ©2006

I once heard Dr. Richard Pratt tell the true story of a young woman who was cheating on her husband, and had left her husband and two children to live with her boyfriend.  But soon, things had gone sour with her boyfriend too - he had thrown her out of his place - so alone in a hotel room, despairing the events that had led her to where she now was, she shot herself in the head with a .38 caliber pistol.  The note she left on the nightstand simply stated, "Don't cry for me – I'm not even human anymore."  Ironically, just two floors down in that very hotel was a New Age convention. The gunshot couldn't even be heard above the din of the crowd, who were all chanting, "I am God! …I am God! …I am God!"

How very confused we can become.  We are given so many conflicting messages about who we are, and who we are to strive to be, and what life is all about.  It comes at us through TV, music – it sometimes even come at us in CHRISTIAN literature – it's not as though the authors we read are all divinely inspired…they make mistakes too.

But here's the deal – the lies we believe about who we are, and what we're here for, affect more than just us – this is not just a personal issue.  It was these lies that allowed Hitler to murder millions of Jews back in the '30s and '40s!  It is because of these lies that we believe that boys can take advantage of girls, or even vice-versa.  It's the subtle lies we believe about ourselves and others that allow us to speak harshly about others.  Racial prejudice – lies!  Judgmentalism – lies!  I want to approach the root of those lies – I want to address the "meaning of life".

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

So God created man in his own image,
   in the image of God he created him;
   male and female he created them.    

And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

-Genesis 1:26-28

To get the full meaning of the text, let's also reflect on another translation:

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature  So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle,  And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."  God created human beings;  he created them godlike,  Reflecting God's nature.  He created them male and female.  God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!  Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."- the Message

Christians often talk about being made in the 'image of God', but how often do we have even a clue as to what it means?  I'm sure you've heard many explanations – most of which, though partially true, are still primarily 'adventures in completely missing the point.'  For instance, though it may be true that in some sense both God and man are 'tri-unity' – trinity – both being, in essence, Mind (God the Father), Body (God the Son), and Spirit (God the Spirit) – the fact is that such is not really the point that Moses was making by using the phrase "image of God."

What comes to mind when we think of an image? For me, I think of a picture of my wife and another of my son, both of which I keep in my wallet – and the famous painting "Old Man in Sorrow" by Van Gogh that I saw in Atlanta last year – or even the beautiful art installations that some of my old college friends used to throw months of their lives into creating at Ohio University where I went to school. All of those are images.

Consider a trophy: one awarded to someone for a great deed.  For instance, consider the Medal of Honor given to a war hero by the president himself after returning from life-threatening service to our country.  What do you think our war hero would do if I put his medal in front of my car and ran it over?  How would he feel if I set on the ground and bashed it with a baseball bat?  Do you think he'd be mad?  Do you think I'd LIVE?  It always gave him a great sense of pride whenever he looked at it – maybe I should bash it again?  Yes – this example is relevant, just stick with me.

Moses wrote the book of Genesis.  In ancient times – in Egypt and the other surrounding areas where Moses lived, they had Pharaohs and Emperors who ruled over huge territories.  They didn't have TV's, nor Billboards, so to remind the people of who was "Boss" – who was "Head Honcho" – who owned all of 'this' – you had IMAGES (little statues) on every street corner, and in front of important places of business.  In fact, just about anywhere you went, who ever your King was – he'd have his Face & Shoulders carved into wood, or stone, shaped from gold or some other expensive metal.  And EVERY PLACE you saw an image of the Emperor – it was as good as if the Emperor had been standing there saying "THIS IS MINE" – it stood as a constant reminder of who he was, and who you were in relationship to him – it represented his sovereignty, power, and authority over you, and whatever you did to that image, you might as well have done it to him.  Yet, this image was replaceable, because it was normally just clay or stone – on rare occasion they were made of more valuable metals and such, but even then…it wasn't what the images were MADE OF themselves that made them valuable, it was who the represented that determined their worth.

And THAT is what Moses is referring to when he calls you the "image of God"…you were created for one primary reason, to spread God's kingdom by simply "being" like God to people.  When you look upon another person, they are to act as a reminder of God – that they are His, that THIS is ALL HIS – to you.  As much as you may not like me -  no matter how you feel about me – I am a reminder, an image, of God to you…and you are to me the same!

But here's the real tricky part – do you know what that means? If you attack me physically – God takes it as if you are attacking Him.  It's just like you taking a beautiful statue of your ruling Pharaoh, Emperor, King, or President, and bashing it to pieces right before his eyes.  And when you make fun of or speak badly about others, you might as well take that beautiful statue of God, and paint graffiti all over it – deface it for the entire world to see.  You don't think it's true?

– MatthewFor I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Matthew  25:35-40

These are not special categories of people – who of us hasn't been thirsty?  Who of us has never had need of anything?  Who of us has never been "naked" in a sense – not literally, but when others might have made fun of us when we were not there to defend ourselves - we needed someone to stand up for us - someone to cover for us, or give us a covering? 

When I first went off to college and became a Christian I radically turned against the person I was as an Atheist – a preppy looking, hyper-conservative Republican (looking back, Libertarian would be a better word) – and flip-flopped into a shaggy, long-haired, smelly hippy, and a democratic-socialist.  As a result of this change, many of my high-school friends began talking very badly of me behind my back, and no longer accepted me into their 'click' – all but one.  I remember hearing about one occasion when my name came up, and a number of my former friends began speaking harshly of me, and one of them – my true friend, apparently – stood up and defended me.  Even though he isn't a believer in Christ, what he did for me was a defense of the image of God in me, and not only makes me cherish his friendship all the more, but, I believe, was a God-honoring act.

When we read "the least of these", we shouldn't think "only those folks that are really bad off" – instead we should read; "whatever you do even to those you think don't deserve it, you do that to Me."

Think about the greatest commandment; 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' – Luke 10:27

Who is your neighbor?  Treat that person EXACTLY as you want to be treated!  That's how you can know that you REALLY love God!  It is easy to say that we love the Lord, but hard to love his children – his images – but the truth is, if He loves the person next to you with the same love that He loves you, how can we justify not doing so as well?

So, first, the meaning of life is that you were made to reflect God to one another, and to do everything you can to RECOGNIZE God in each other – and to love Him by loving one another.  But there's a second part…let's go back to Genesis again…"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion"

We're supposed to MAKE LOT'S OF BABIES! Well, that's what you THOUGHT this meant, though, isn't it?  God created Adam and Eve and next he said, "MAKE BABIES!"  That's NOT what he's saying here.  This same theme runs through the entire Bible - "be fruitful, multiply and have dominion" reappears in one form or another at least 17 times in the Old Testament right up through the book of Jeremiah.  God tells Adam to multiply and have dominion.  God tells Noah to multiply and have dominion.  God tells Abraham that he will MAKE him very fruitful – that He will MULTIPLY HIM.  God tells Jacob through Isaac to multiply and have dominion.  But, most interesting to me is that in Jeremiah, he is talking about Jesus BEFORE Jesus has even been born, and he says, ""I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number."  And how did Jesus do this?  Well, he told us to be fruitful and multiply, too. 

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. – Matthew 28:18-20

Be fruitful and multiply – if you represent God, and God's kingdom, and I tell you to make more images of God – to multiply – and spread them out all over the world – to make more disciples who will also look like Jesus – who will look like God – and to spread them, God's telling you this: spread my Kingdom.  He's saying, "I want folks that look just like me EVERYWHERE, so people will be always reminded of me, and they might praise me and give me glory!"  You see, we each have sin, and because of this that "image of God" has faded.  But Jesus restores that picture by making us like him – the perfect image of God! 

The meaning of Life: to be like God, to represent God to those who don't see Him yet, to recognize God in people and place who can't believe that they might be His, and to SPREAD that IMAGE, so that others will recognize their need to be like God, to represent God, and to see Him places that they may have never recognized Him before!  In one short phrase – the meaning of your life is to GLORIFY GOD!

What's that means for us here?  Don't slander, harshly criticize, judge, bicker, or back-bite others. God is in them – they're a picture of Him, even if imperfectly.  If someone is God's image, shouldn't you assume the best?  Speak the best?  Offer the best?  Treat them the best?  The old song goes, "they will know we are Christians by our love". 

Let us love one another as God has loved us, and by that fulfill our ultimate purpose: to be and recognize the image of God to, and in, one another.

So be it.

Josh & the Gospel

Josh & the Gospel – Shannon Lewis ©2006

I don't get to do this often, so whenever I'm asked to teach I go through a serious crisis – what is the most important thing I can share?  And honestly, I have a hundred Biblical issues running through my head that all seem important to me, and I pray, and I read, and I study and try to discern what God would have me say, and that continues until the night before when, God-willing, it all comes together in a bright flash of light, the space-time continuum splits wide open, and God personally hands me a sermon, especially designed for every one of you. 

Okay, so only some of that was true, but I do believe that what I have to say tonight is especially important, and I just ask that you give me your full attention.  I want to share a story – a very familiar story most likely – a story about a man named Joshua.

Josh was born and raised a Lower-Middle class kid - he wouldn't have found himself on St. Simons Island.  In fact, his town - set between two much larger towns - would've been more like living in the nearby 'metropolis' (sarcasm alert!) of Darien.

His Mom got pregnant out of wedlock, told her folks she was up to no wrong, even though she WAS engaged, and that was most definitely suspicious.  Some people thought she'd had a short affair with some fellow on leave from the military, but her fiancé accepted her wild story that amounted to something like believing in Santa to most everyone else who heard it. 

As far as everyone knew, however, Joe was either the boy's father, or just a really incredibly good guy, because when little Josh was born he raised Him as his own. 

While growing up, Joe – Josh's dad – worked in the local construction industry, picking up odd jobs from various contractors, and supporting his family the best he knew how.  They later had other children: one named Jamie, and the other named Jude – apparently they liked 'J' names.

Now, Josh was a good kid.  Actually, he was a generally spectacular kid, in some ways, but still, he was a child.  I mean, Kenimer is the joy of Cyle & I's lives right now, but the kid isn't "Saint Lewis" or anything.  Anyway, Josh was a Bible-study freak, which was good, but he did sometimes question his parents, though as respectfully as could be hoped for.  And though he never EXACTLY 'ran away', he did disappear on occasion, and rather intentionally, it seems.  Once, when they had finally tracked the kid down he was at church, explaining to the pastor why he was wrong, and showing the guy chapter and verse to prove it.   

Years passed, and Josh studied, and worked, and pretty much lived a normal life, except that he lived with his folks till he was 30!  Maybe that was because he's from a rural community, or was just so busy running his Dad's business (he went into business with his Dad, by the way).  Still, that struck some as a bit odd. 

And, Speaking of odd, Josh has a cousin named Jon who was a wingnut – a homeless, 'fire-n-brimstone' street preacher who ate bugs and junk.  Strangely enough, some folks actually listened to this dude, too – he was like 'Brother Jed' in hippy clothing, and quite a site to see.

Well, to celebrate his 30^th birthday Josh decided to track down his crazy cousin, and as soon as the loon saw Him, he said to all those around – some of which were actually listening, but a good number who were simply there to taunt - "Whoah – check this out! Look!", pointing to Joshua, he spoke both quiet and slow – " the scapegoat who's gonna take the blame for all of this."  And I'm sure everyone there would've gotten a good laugh if time hadn't stopped and something really strange and beautiful happened that no one can QUITE put into words.  The best any could explain it was that "The sky opened, some thunder boomed what almost sounded like language, and a beautiful bird landed on Josh's head".  Jon seemed to be the only one who really understood it at all, and he seems strangely pleased – as though all his life had been leading up to this.

So, can you IMAGINE being there?  Would you be wondering if Jon laced the brownies with something more than insects that evening? That's WEIRD stuff.  The sort of thing that, while it's happening you say, 'that's amazing', but a week later you question whether or not it was real, and a year later you don't even remember that it happened, except when someone else brings it up, and then it just seems like a fairy tale or a figment of your imagination – something you dreamed that accidentally laced itself together with your conscious memories in a way you can't quite fully accept, but also can't shake.

From that point on Josh's day to day life changed significantly- he stopped building people's cupboard's and the like, and gathered up a bunch of Shrimpers, a Criminal Defense Lawyers - not the one's who defend those who are really not guilty, but the one's who play dirty while defending the REAL BAD guys and manage to regularly get child rapists and real scumbags off scott-free – THOSE GUYS - not to mention a few drunks, political activists, and a prostitute or two.  They were all pretty much sick and tired of the current government, so He told them that he thought God had called Him to run for president – okay, not exactly, but he did tell them all that, in a sense, he already WAS the president.  Yes – you are right: they were all pretty confused, but they were all pretty sick of both the current political party's guy, and the other party's fellow who was president before him, so they thought – what the heck…let's help him run his campaign…the worst that can happen is we'll lose, and we'll jump ship for the next guy who comes along.

So, Josh went on the road – but not too far, just in the surrounding counties – and publicized his issues.  He primarily spoke in churches, and He spoke on things like poverty, racial discrimination & forgiving debts, which made the liberal pastors real happy but made the Bible-believers think this Joshua fellow must've been a democrat, UNTIL Jesus also spoke on the importance of life – this fellow was CLEARLY pro-life, and seemed to say some thing that were quite supportive of capitalism, which, of course, made the Evangelical's (who were mostly Republicans) very happy, but made the liberals quite uneasy.  The politicians were baffled with the man – trust me: neither party wanted him for their president.

The real issues would end up even worse for Josh's campaign: the religious folks were almost ALL in agreement: the fellow had a lot of ideas that made him flat out dangerous.  Apart from a the societal refuse that was helping to run His campaign, no one trusted him, and even those folks had days where they suspected Josh was just a nut.  You see, this was the problem: there were the liberal religious folks – they didn't really believe the Bible, but enjoyed the 'traditions' because they made them feel very spiritual.  These folks were totally bought and sold by the culture, and were only in the ministry because it gave them important seats at all the big town events.  Yeah, you know these folks: well, they HATED – and I mean HATED – Josh. 

1.  Josh believe the Bible, and whole-heartedly. 

2. He believed in morality and truth – I mean, they sorta thought "What's good for me is good for me, and what's good for you is good for you – just don't undermine the traditions, and it's all good"

3.  He talked about people being raised from the dead – which they didn't believe in; and following God above the pop-culture, which they just thought was in pretty bad taste.

4.  Their issue was this – Josh was a TRUE BELIEVER: he was convinced there was truth – REAL right and REAL wrong – that people were either LOST or FOUND…

5.  And mostly they hated Him because, well – I personally like Josh for this 'cause it sounds like something I would do when not really thinking too much about consequences.  He told them, "You're Satan's illegitimate kids."  DUDE – that is so off the chain!  Now, if I'd said it I'd been like "Hey – Yo MAMA's married to the devil" because, HEY – EVERYTHING is more interesting when said in reference to 'yo mama', right?

Yet, then the Bible thumpers also hated Josh.  Though they loved the Word, they were merciless with sinners (unless they 'changed their sinning ways'), and thought that the way to God was through rules.  The problem was, people break rules, so they made rules protecting the rules – that way, even if you broke one of their rules, it wasn't REALLY a sin, necessarily, because that rule was just there to PROTECT you from breaking the real rule somewhere down the road.  For instance, let's say the neighbors property has a 'no trespassing' sign on it, and for the sake of your safety your parents told you that, to keep you from trespassing and getting in trouble, you weren't even to come NEAR – within 10 feet – of that neighbor's property line.  Well, that sounds understandable, to a degree, but what if you parents told you that you couldn't even GO OUTSIDE?  Now the rules are getting ridiculous!  Well, anyway, these people had invented something like 700 extra rules to keep them from even coming CLOSE to breaking the REAL rules!  Overboard!  And the real problem with that is this: it gave the false impression that they were really holy, and they weren't - their hearts were still far from God, and they only did good things to keep from breaking the law.  Well, they hated Josh…

1.  Josh regularly undermined and broke some of their 700 laws – often just to spite them -  and sometimes, when it seemed important enough, even reinterpreted even some of the 10 commandments!

2.  Along with the religious people he regularly was challenging, he hung out with hookers, liars, drunks, and…well, just about anyone that looked like 'lost trash' to the holier-than-thou's…and he not only hung out with them, He LOVED them even when they didn't 'get it' and respond the way they should.

3.  Lastly, he used God's name in a way that they didn't think was appropriate.  No, I'm not saying that he 'cursed', but that's how they took it.  Well, imagine this – what if went up to your pastor and told him that something he preached on Sunday was wrong.  Well, though that might be bold, he would probably ask me why it was wrong.  Now, let's just say I respond with, "Because I said so."  Now, if I really said that, I'd be NUTS, but there are two other options – I'm an arrogant liar and think my opinion counts for far more than it's worth, OR I'm somehow saying that I'm God and WROTE the book.  In my case, I'd be the arrogant liar or the nut – Josh was God.

So, there you go – 30 year old Middle-class boy, runs for president, or Lord/King – you choose the word (the concept remains similar) on a platform NO ONE quite supports entirely, he campaigns and ends up infuriating everyone, eventually getting attacked by an angry Mob who secretly have a connection to the people in charge of getting folks put in the electric chair, and he gets gruesomely executed along with two other murderous revolutionary criminals.  In the 3 years they were with him, the folks that were supporting him in his 'run for office' never really 'got it', and so they go back to their old jobs immediately, and life sort of returns to normal for a few days. 

That is, until a few of the women – who, of course, one being former hooker, weren't well respected or considered very trustworthy, attempt to visit Josh's grave, and find him gone.  Some of Josh's other friends had gotten together and were sharing stories, and when the women tell them they respond like any of you would: "DEAD people, last I checked, TEND to STAY   DEAD.  You two are nuts!"  One guy goes so far as to say, "I'll believe you after I touch his bloody wounds…"  But eventually Josh makes his appearance, and every one of his former friends suddenly understand… he wasn't running for an earthly 'presidency' – Josh IS, in REALITY, the REAL PRESIDENT – the HEAD HONCHO – the real BIG KAHUNA – the Fellow BEHIND the Curtain: that guys who MADE IT ALL, and BY HIS VERY THOUGHT and DESIRE HOLDS EVERYTHING THAT IS TOGETHER. ..

Josh or Joshua – literally, in Hebrew, Y'Shua – which we ended up translating into English as Jesus: Jesus is THE King…THE Lord… God Himself.  I hope you understand my story – I can imagine that parts of it might be a little confusing to you.  The reason I told it this way is that it's SO EASY, when reading the new testament, to think of Jesus as a RELIGION – even if we believe it, we can read the Bible like it's a myth, no more important that the myth of Thor or Ulysses or Zeus.  But the New Testament, except for Paul's letters and Luke's Gospel, was written by COMMON, ordinary, jacked up kids – and I do mean KIDS – John was only like 13!  Kid's like you, who's lives were TURNED ON THEIR HEAD by this VERY REAL, VERY HISTORICAL, LIVING, BREATHING God smack-up-in-their-face person we call Jesus.  Jesus could tell the liberal 'religious folk' that there was truth because HE WAS THAT TRUTH.  Jesus could tell the self-righteous religious folk that Sinner's were welcome in God's kingdom, because He, himself, was making a way for them to come in – he was actively inviting them, US, to be part of what He is up to – His agenda…HIS LORDSHIP & KINGDOM!

Listen to me, those of you who know you are Christians – I want to challenge you to live your life more radically for Jesus.  Don't just 'hold on' for something far off – a distant heaven that's somewhere – pie in the sky, by & by…but NOW: You can build your LIFE on this Jesus.  Jesus lived in THIS world not only so He could be like us in everyway, but so WE could then LIVE LIKE HIM.  Remember that the Gospel is not just a class in the schoolhouse of life – it's the University in which you take every other course.  I challenge you to see how God fits in to every area of your life – how you can worship the Lord with your HOMEWORK, your DATING, your SLEEPING HABITS…Jesus, that very real flesh and blood person, BOUGHT YOU AT A PRICE.  I challenge you to remember this: YOU ARE JESUS'S!

But, for those of you who don't 'know Jesus'…when I say 'know', I don't mean, 'know about'.  Let's just say that someone said they 'know Shannon' – if that person tells you I'm a 4' 11" albino hooker, you can pretty quickly figure out thy they've got the wrong chap.  However, if they describe me to the minutest of detail, yet say they've never ACTUALLY talked to me – that they simply know me through other friends, that person still does not 'know Shannon'.  To KNOW, Biblically, is a relational term, and in relationships to know facts about the individual, and you actually commune with – you relate to – them.  If you don't KNOW Jesus, you don't have a genuine relationship with him.  If you find yourself enslaved to certain ways of living that you KNOW are just not working for you – whether it's outright blatant sin, or if it's just that you try and try to make God happy and feel as though you're doing 'pretty good', but just know that God doesn't OWE you anything. 

Well, this is the good news…

• If you feel like your sin is owning you, Jesus paid the price with his own life to buy you back – you may be a slave to sin, but Jesus can free you.
• If you stand right now, recognizing that you are GUILTY – that if you were in a court of law before God without a lawyer that you would receive a nasty sentence – well Jesus can justify you, and he is the best lawyer that money could NEVER buy.
• Do you feel lost, unsure who you are, unsure where you fit in, not sure where you came from or where you're going – Jesus is looking for you, and you mean infinitely much to Him, for he was willing to lay down his life to bring you back to him.  In Christ you will find meaning, purpose, significance, and direction.
• Do you find yourself in a bind, or heading down a road that you are sure will lead to destruction – 'Jesus saves'…that's what it means!  That's what it means!
• Do you feel alienated from God – does He seem somehow distant most of the time, or is there a division between you and your friends, or your family – Jesus is a God of reconciliation…
• Or have you simply been abandoned – by your family and friends, and those who thought you trusted.  God is waiting to adopt you – he signed the papers with Christ's blood – and once God calls you His child you can never been anything less than a child of the KING.

If you take ANYTHING home with you tonight, I pray that it is this…

"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty."
-2 Peter 1:16

Do you know who wrote that?  Peter – arrogant, and often too trusting, bullheaded Peter.  The man that stepped off the boat onto the water, yet also tried to cut off a man's ear – the man who promised NEVER to fail Jesus, but then publicly denied him three times to a young GIRL when asked if he knew Jesus.  THAT Peter, a very real, very jacked up fellow trying to lead his everyday life – now abandoned to Jesus. 

"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

Jesus was, AND IS, VERY REAL.  He is something and someone you can build your life upon – no, he commanded you to build your life upon his life, and if you don't, yours will be washed away.  Don't you want ETERNAL, significant, REAL, Jesus's-lovin' Life?

I challenge you – if you haven't – to get your life right with the Lord.  Give Him your heart, mind, soul, and strength.  Even if you know Jesus, this is an opportunity for you to respond: the Gospel IS LIFE – it is ALL of your life!  LIVE!  LIVE!

Currently Reading What Jesus Demands from the World By John Piper see related

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