Cheap Power

My electricity bill is higher than usual this month, but Christmas lights on the house are worth it. And, while my gasoline costs are going up and up, the freedom and mobility my car affords is worth it. The fact is, while I wish I had an unlimited supply of cheap power, the benefits of power - in this case, electric and automotive - are worth the price I have to pay. But just recently I was reminded that there is an amazing source of power - in this case, personal and social - that comes at almost no cost.

My Dad was an amazing man, a good and faithful man, with principles that were to his life's message what bones were to his body. They held him together, held him high in the esteem of those who knew him, and afforded him real, personal power. Now, right at the start I need to tell you that in this context "power" is a good thing. It is not manipulative power, or abusive power, or tryannical power. I am talking about the power to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. One of my Dad's principles was never to miss the chance to say thanks. He was always gracious when receiving, and genuine in his rush to let the giver know how much the gift was appreciated.

Sadly, we are dangerously close to losing that simple courtesy in our society. Ever notice how few of the children remember to say "thanks" let alone be genuinely thankful? Unfortunately, they are learning it from us, as we have spent our lives "looking out for #1" so much that we have become expectant rather than thankful, assuming rather than grateful, and increasingly oblivious to the fact that the thankful heart is not only a joyful heart, but also an amazing source of power. Think about it: During the Christmas season, how many plates of cookies, tins of candy, Starbucks gift cards, and other assorted expressions of friendship did you recieve? And how many presents did you unwrap on Christmas? What do you think would have happened if, for each one, you took the time to write a simple, personal, and genuine note thanking the giver for their thoughtfulness, and friendship? For starters, you would be one more hand added to the effort to maintain a civil and gracious society. But beyond that, your small investment would have great power in the lives of those who, while reading your notes, would be reminded that loving, and being loved is the only fountain of meaning in this life.

I like to think of it as cheap power. Take 5 minutes, add some genuine expressions of thankfulness, mix in a sincere interest in the giver, and some sprinkles of appreciation. Write it or type it and invest the 39 cents. Now that's pretty cheap power, and the best thing about it is that this kind of power is not a zero sum situation. Unlike gasoline, the more thankfulness you extend, the more you'll find in your own tank. Wow, cheap and renewable all in one! So how about it? Does your sister-in-law know how much your kids enjoyed the presents the cousins sent? Did you let your boss know that you greatly appreciated the gift card? Maybe we can all keep learning from my Dad: "Never miss a chance to say thank you; you'll be amazed at how it will lift their spirits." Now that's power.

Hope this helps,

David W. Hegg

Ordinary and Extraordinary

This time of year proves quite difficult for some people. The much anticipated excitement of the holidays has passed, the decorations and gifts have been put away, and the visits by friends and family - counted on to make it really Christmas! - are over. About the only vestige of Christmas remaining is the credit card statement, and that only adds to the feeling that the good times are truly over. And now, facing the inescapable return to the ordinariness of their ordinary days, they do so sadly and reluctantly. In a strange way, these are the truly "poor" for they lack the "currency" necessary for everyday joy. They don't understand that true "wealth" is found in having an ordinary life that is, well . . . extraordinary.

If you follow my line of thinking a bit further here, the "poor" are those whose lives require the injection of some outside "excitement" in order to produce personal enjoyment. We see it everywhere. Our society is filled with people running here and there looking for any way to interrupt their lives with the entertaining, the exciting, the special, the spectacular. Unfortunately, this kind of excitement is short-lived, and all the more so as it becomes in itself another form of the ordinary! Some, pressing on and on in the search for greater doses of excitement turn to unrighteous outlets, finding it their inherent danger yet another level of life-enriching, "risky" energy. Or so they think. What they don't know is that the very thing they crave is a means of their own demise. But, such is also true at the begining, for every life that depends on external excitement for purpose and satisfaction is traveling a road to ruin. The joy of real living is not purchased from society's peddlers. True purpose and satisfaction in this world is only found when the things that fill our ordinary days are understood in all their extraordinary ways.

My ordinary life is filled with the extraordinary. First, there is my wonderful wife, who is both a friend and a teacher to my soul. My children also are God's daily gift, as are the many other authentic relationships I enjoy. My days have purpose - yes, even Mondays - because my calling begins with the understanding that the blessings God has lavished on me are not meant to be hoarded by me. I am not the end-user of all God has granted to me, and every day is another joy-filled opportunity to invest in others, helping their lives to blossom and produce fruit for still others to share. And the amazing thing is this: the satisfaction I find in obeying God's commands and call never seems to grow old. The euphoria of knowing that my life counts in the greater scheme of things brings a greater joy and satisfaction than any of the other exciting experiences I have known.

Now, please don't get me wrong. I am not advocating a total boycott of movies, good food, good wine, or golf! No, no, no, and especially no! The Apostle Paul made it clear that God has given us all good things to enjoy (you'll find that in the Bible, in 1 Timothy 6:17). But, the problem starts when we look to those enjoyments as the source of our daily well-being. The truest currency with which daily joy is bought is a genuine appreciation of what God has given to us as the basic components of our normal lives. Of course, the first is His Son - Jesus Christ the Lord. Once you come to see this Gift in all of its magnificence, you'll come as well to see that the ordinary things God has granted you to know and enjoy are actually the means of extraordinary joy in this life . . . yes, even on Mondays.

Hope this helps,

David W. Hegg

I've seen the wardrobe

Just tonight I took in the Chronicles of Narnia film, with my wife. I must admit up front that I had not desire to see it since I made it only a few pages into the book. Fantasy has never been startling enough to keep me interested, perhaps because I face it with the knowledge that noone, not even the author, actually believes this could happen. But, fantasy dislike aside, this is one good film. The messianie and salvific themes are prevalent without being abnormally pushed. The child actors make you forget they're young in their craft, and the talking animals deliver lines that keep the story curiously humorous. My only complaint - and I realize it might just be an arrogant one - is that the wardrobe in the film is nothing like the one Lewis was staring at while writing these stories. Unlike the ornate piece in the film, the actual wardrobe - which was on display on the 2nd floor of the Wheaton University library when I toured the campus some years ago - was quite simple, made from hard, black walnut, and quite unremarkable. Even so, it's charm was so inviting that the library staff had posted a small, handwritten warning saying they could not guarantee the safety of any who tried to go inside!

Kudos to the filmakers behind the Narnia film! It told the truth, fostered real thought, all with an all-but-lost sense of authenticity and sublety. I hope its commercial success means more Chronicles in the near future.

Mr. Robertson's Neighborhood

One day, a man in Mr. Robertson's neighborhood came into a measure of hardship. Make that a double - maybe triple? - measure. So beset upon was he by trouble that his health and his wealth, and even his family, were soon parted from him.

So, of course, because he was Mr. Robertson, and this was his neighborhood, he went right over to the poor man's home to confront him. "Dear Sir", he began, "the misfortune you have met is really not misfortune at all, but the direct, and intentional judgment of God on your vile, wicked, and rebellious life. I, of course, know these things, since this is my neighborhood. It is obvious that your sin is great, that you are quite content to live in the midst of it, and that you have every intention of multiplying it . . . and so God has now reached down to put a stop to it. I only tell you this because it is true, and also so that others will come to hear about my views, and respect the fact that this is, after all, my neighborhood." Having ended his rant, Mr. Robertson waited - though not patiently - for the man's response.

"Dear Mr. Robertson", the man began, summoning up all the voice he could muster, "you really are a dolt aren't you? For your information, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar have already been here singing that same old tired, stupid song! Another guy - Elihu also stopped in, and then God Almighty Himself had His say. And the fact is, not all personal tragedies can be chalked up to personal wrong doing. How is it that someone like yourself - a preacher - can be so stupid as to go on spreading such nonsense? Sounds like you need a good long vacation, maybe at the beach, with a good book. I could recommend one in particular . . . And by the way, if God always brings tragedy on those who go on doing things that He hates, that embarass Him, how come you're still upright?"

Changes

Thanks for dropping by.

Today I am mindful of just how quickly things change. Yesterday, here in SoCal, winds and rain ravaged our city. Today, bright blue skies have us wondering if it really happened. Yesterday a good friend called to say his wife had been promoted from this life to live eternally with her Savior. Today his world has been changed forever. Things happen quickly, big things like life and death, and little things like wind and rain. What makes this even more intense is that we are largely unable to forestall these changes. I say mostly, because - while we cannont change the weather, or postpone our dying - my friend's family was not overwhelmed with her dying because she had prepared herself, and them, for her departure. For her, and for them, the change came quickly. In an instant she was delivered from her pain and brought triumphantly into the presence of the Lord Jesus. Consequently, for her husband and children, while the days seem dark, they are enjoying the bright sunshine of a hope that will not disappoint. Death came, but life has triumphed, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Just my thoughts,

David W. Hegg