Category: Perspective

Categories
Perspective

Inherit The Earth

Perhaps you were as shocked as I was when this picture came out of a long line of mountaineers queuing to reach the summit on Mt. Everest. Apparently the government of Nepal was also a bit shocked. Nepal is ordering mountaineers not to share photographs of other climbers without government consent. It’s not the image they want to portray; I guess it looks too commercial, like a line for a Disney ride. However the cost of a Disney ticket is considerably less then the $50,000 to $160,000 you will shell out to climb Mt. Everest. I suppose taking a selfie on the peak of Mt. Everest is priceless.

I wonder sometimes why people like to go big. I look at pastors of Mega Churches and pastors of large churches that are striving to develop Mega Churches and ask myself why. I’ve also been in plenty of medium size and even small congregations that desire to grow large but obviously don’t have the charisma or organizational skills to do so. What is it in a person’s heart that thinks bigger is better? Is bigger always better? I’ve learned over the years to examine my heart when I find myself striving for growth and longing for the fame that would accompany an increased number of followers. It would be interesting to ask pastors why they want to grow large followings.

Vince and I camping somewhere in Wyoming

During one of our House Church gatherings, my friend Vince brought up the verse in Matthew 5:5 where Jesus says that the meek will inherit the earth. I’ve always had a problem with what “inherit the earth” means. I found this online at https://www.unityportrichey.org/inherit-earth.

First it is important to realize that when Jesus spoke of the “earth” he did not mean merely soil, this planet we call earth. It really means manifestation. In other words, your “earth” means the whole of your outer experiences, and to “inherit the earth” means to have power to bring your conditions of life into harmony and truth. Jesus was referring to the conditions of our lives from our bodily health outward to the farthest point in our affairs. So Jesus was telling us how we may be masters of our own lives and destinies. How then does Jesus suggest this is done? In a certain way that may seem quite unexpected… through meekness.

Sometimes Jesus doesn’t make sense. Through meekness we inherit the earth? In this world, I am tempted to think big, to climb to the peak of Mt. Everest with a long line of followers. I long for fame and fortune. In reality, like Christ, I find it better to have meaningful relationships with a small group of people. Spending time camping or having coffee with a friend brings me much more joy than if I was preaching sermons in front of thousands of church members. Following Jesus’ example brings harmony and peace into my life and I truly can say that I am “inheriting the earth”.

Categories
Perspective

Aligning Purpose

Image from Achieve Centre for Leadership

I was living in New Jersey when 9/11 happened. Like the majority of people, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing that day. I lived across the Hudson River and in the weeks and months afterward I can recall seeing the makeshift memorials, the smoke, full churches, overly polite people and American flags everywhere.

181,510 Americans enlisted into active-duty service during the year after 9/11. The military hasn’t seen numbers like that since then.

I assume if you ask people why they join the military the number one reason would be to Serve Our Country. There are however other reasons. I found an on-line a list of 25 reasons for joining the military:

Serve Our Country, To Learn New Skills or a Trade, To Find Purpose, To Travel, To Get Physically Fit, To Pay for College, To Save Money, To Have Adventure, To Enjoy Job Stability, To Retire Early, To Gain Experience, To Continue Family Tradition, To Find An Alternate to College, To Earn Respect, To Form Friendships, To Receive Housing Stipend or Loan, To Learn Discipline, To Gain Perspective, To Meet Challenges, To Earn Military Perks, To Get Paid Vacation Days, To Get Help Starting A Business, To Find A Positive Environment, To Showcase Leadership Abilities.

As I am writing this, Russia and Ukraine have been at war for 70 days. Most people thought the war would be over in a week or two. The people of the Ukraine are bravely defending their land as Russian forces invade. You don’t have to convince Ukraianian people to fight, they have purpose.

I remember reading an article stating that Russian military youth were told to get on a plane not knowing where they were going. Imagine finding out you are invading your neighbor, a peaceful country, and then being asked to risk your life for this ignoble cause. Captured Russian soldiers say the same thing…

“They tricked us, they duped us, I think 90% of us would agree to go home”.

The majority of the Russian army would go home if they could.

In our house church we have been discussing what it means to be a Christian and what it means to be obedient. For me, aligning purpose is important in considering both these questions. Tony Hsieh writes in his book Delivering Happiness which focuses on employee/organizational relations.

The combination of physical synchrony with other humans and being part of something bigger than oneself (and thus losing momentarily a sense of self) leads to a greater sense of happiness.

He suggests new hires should understand and agree with the purpose of the organization before they commit to working there. I believe it is true in the church setting also.

Like joining the military or being hired on by a company, we can list multiple reasons why we say yes to Christ. Why did you say yes to Christ? Did you understand the purpose and hardships of following Christ before you said yes?

When struggle and persecution come, will you feel you’ve been duped into becoming a Christian and want to return to the comforts of home? Suffering is coming. If you watch the news you know persecution for Christians in North America has started…are you ready? We need to be sober and ask ourselves what is our purpose for following Christ, what is the purpose of the group we are a part of and what does following Christ really mean.

Categories
Perspective

The Other Son

I remember the Jesus Movement in the 70’s. My older brother and some of his friends became really passionate about following Christ and expressing their faith to everyone they came in contact with. My brother, a high school senior, would grab some friends and some hot chocolate from Forest Dairy on Ridge Road and hang out in front of the store talking to people about how their lives had been impacted by Jesus. People responded and eventually they rented out the Upper Room, a fellowship hall in a Presbyterian church, to meet, pray and fellowship. It was a reawakening of the Book of Acts. Watching and later participating with my brother and his friends left a lasting impact on my life.

The Jesus Movement eventually waned but I still longed for a vibrant spiritual connection. I began attending churches and getting involved in ministries but it always fell short of what I experienced during the Jesus Movement. I began to help build other minister’s “kingdoms” and found myself measuring my spiritual worth by how much I accomplished in the building process.


We all know the story of the Prodigal son. God’s love for his returning son is a topic of many sermons. I’m not sure if I’ve heard anyone talk about the older brother, but I do relate more to him than the younger one. The older son drifted so far from his dad, not really understanding the nature of their relationship. He was out in the field working with the servants…why? He was the eldest son not a hired servant. Maybe he thought his Dad would love him more if he was working all the time? In one version of the Bible, the son says, “I was slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders”. Sounds like he never had any fun, never partied with his friends. Bitter and resentful, when his brother came home he was filled with anger. He wouldn’t even go into the house to celebrate…Dad had to come out and beg him to come in.

The Bible never says if the older brother came in and reconciled with his brother or if he really finally began to understand the depth of his Dad’s love. I hope he did. Jesus was telling this story to the Pharisees who also grew so angry at Jesus they decided to plot his death. They never understood Him either. That’s the blinding power of religion. I also wonder about the relationship between the brothers. Perhaps the younger brother looked up to his older brother and saw how his older brother slaved away in the field, complaining about all the hard work, becoming bitter, resentful and hateful over time. Maybe the younger brother didn’t want that kind of life, and maybe he thought the only way out was to take the cash, have some fun and start a new life.

I wonder how many people see our works-based religion and want no part of Christianity. We need to build the Kingdom of Christ, not man’s kingdom. I know, I fell into that trap. What a beautiful statement from our Dad, “My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”

Author: Jonathan Rovetto

Categories
Perspective

Waterfalls

It is estimated that 30 million people visit Niagra Falls each year. There is something so captivating about watching and listening to the strength and beauty of water flowing over rock. The majority of us will stay on the safe side at the bottom looking up…never venturing to experience the falls from the top. However some are brave and willing to try.

Yes, some brave people do kayak over the edge of waterfalls!

The perspective from the top is completely different than what we are used to seeing. I imagine the river narrowing and the water gaining in strength and speed. Perhaps there are more rocks to avoid as you venture toward the edge, with the roar increasing in volume along with the spray of mist rising from the falls. And then of course is the uncertainty of surviving. I think for most people this would be truly terrifying.

I remember one night we were praying for a woman who was going through a lot of turmoil in her life. As we were praying, I saw two different perspectives of a waterfall: one the terrifying view from the top and then the beautiful view from the bottom. I shared this with the group and asked her to put her hope and faith in the hands of the Lord and allow Him to help navigate her life ‘over the edge’. I told her that there will be a time when she would look back and see the awesome saving power of God. It’s been a few years now and yes, she is in a much better place…she survived.

I can only hope that this perspective would bring peace to those traveling down the river of life. Perhaps you’re feeling the water speeding up and hearing the roar of what’s ahead, knowing you can’t get out of the boat. Jesus will help you navigate…put your trust and faith in Him. When you get to the bottom make sure you thank Him, enjoy the view and share your experience with others.

Author: Jonathan Rovetto