My Boss Is Making Me Blog!!

It's Thursday-3:57pm. My boss (a.k.a. Pastor Mike) calls my cell phone to tell me that my weekly duty of being his minstrel was not quite over; my next task would involve the use of actual brain function. What is this great task you ask? (Hey, that rhymes.) Well, you're reading it! Welcome to the weekly email. Be prepared to take a stroll into my mind and thoughts. Here we go...

For the past several years of my life, always around this season, a sad look works its way onto my face. Small children notice it, women promise to pray for me, and grown men attempt to console me with a heartfelt squeeze to the shoulder or sagacious nod from across the room. No explanation is needed between us; I know what they are saying: "Better luck next year..." It's an emotion shared with their eyes. It is that look of disappointment. The face of a man who's heart has been ripped out of his chest cavity, thrown from the Sears Tower (it will always be the Sears Tower to me,) and run over by the rushing morning traffic of the Chicago streets. It is October and I have the look of another broken Cubs fan!!!

Can you see that look on my face? It is my firm hope that this is the last year you will ever notice that dejection; that crushing defeat. Does that mean I want the Cubs to win next year? Of course! But, it's so much more than that. It's just too dangerous for ME to care that much, so I have decided to reevaluate my affections. Here's what I mean.

Over the past few months I have tried to pay close attention to things in my life that stir more affection for Christ and take notice of things that rob me of that affection. I quickly realized that sports is a huge area of my life; an area that does not stir my affection for Christ, but that steals from me moments God is speaking to me because I can not hear him over the din of the game. I am not trying to say it's bad to be a sports fan, but for me, investing so much of my life into something that has no eternal significance is bad for my life.

There are things that stir my affection toward Christ and it is important for me to aim for these. Those of you who don't know me all that well should know I am what you could refer to as a 'Bible Nerd'. I love to read it! It's important that I am constantly in God's Word; for me, even one day missed becomes a challenging hurdle. Let me put it like this: Have you ever been sitting on your couch, lazy as all-get-out, when suddenly you realize just how hungry you have become! The pangs of hunger grow, but for some reason you can't get off the couch. The pain in your empty pit is dominating, yet somehow the ability to get up and do something about it eludes you... It is similar for me when I don't get into God's Word; I'm hungry for it, but it becomes an almost impossible task to force myself up from the couch to satisfy my soul.

I am also stirred through music. To me it is the way that I am most able to connect with God on a deep, emotional, and real level. Some of the best times of complete vulnerability before Christ have been those moments when I am simply alone with a guitar or piano, singing the words of the Psalms. Fellowship with my family and friends also culls my affection towards Christ, knowing I am blessed to feel His Presence in our prayer together and our connection to each other. When I travel to other parts of the world and serve those that have greater need than myself, I grow in adoration of Christ because it means I'm putting action to His call to love others and sacrifice for them, like He has for us.

These are just a few examples, but I hope you are starting to see what I'm talking about. I want us all over next week or so to take some time by ourselves and search our hearts prayerfully, being sure to ask, "What stirs my heart for Christ and what robs me of that affection?" As our Christ-drawing passions and our God-fleeing proclivities are revealed, let's start making tangible movements toward the things that stir us toward Him and begin to loosen our grip on the things that have no lasting effect on our lives.

Will I wear my Cubs hat again? Yes. Will I cheer if they win the World Series (no laughing please)? I'm sure I will. But I am not going to let them losing take the joy of salvation away from me! I'll not place the Cubs, or any sport, or anything in a position to rob me of precious time that I can invest in God and His Kingdom...

I challenge you all (and myself as well) to take that time in the next week and ask God to reveal Himself to you as He continues to stir your affection for Him. Have a great weekend!

See you Saturday... or Sunday.

In the grace and peace of Christ Jesus,

Nirup