Improvising

Going through the letter of 2 Timothy in our "Good Soldier" series I've been struck with the obvious: preparation, faithfulness and discipline.

Phrases in the letter include "hold on to the right pattern...," "follow the Lord's rules for doing His work," "work hard so God can approve you," "do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life," "remain faithful to what you've been taught." (New Living Translation)

However, this is only part of being equipped. It would be tragic to miss out on the importance of improvisation in the battle. We are trained by God's Word so we can respond rightly in every situation.

My dad played trumpet in jazz bands and was amazing at improvisation. I tried to excel in the things that were important to him, including the trumpet. I could read and play the music, but really struggled with improvisation.

One day I asked him how he did it. He just smiled, shook his head and said, "You've got to play all the time, practice, do scales, listen to other great players, practice playing along by ear, build your 'chops,' work on your tone and range, a lot of stuff you don't like to do... Because improvisation flows out of discipline and hard work. There's a magical thing that happens when it starts to flow naturally in the moment." Pause. Another big smile, as though he believed I could feel and understand what he was saying. It only took me 20 years to figure that out, long after I put the trumpet away.

It is so easy to reduce our spiritual journey to right information and formulas -- if I can recite the right doctrine, check the experiential boxes, say the thing that sounds spiritual, pray the prayer that impresses...

The greater challenge is to put God's Word into practice. It is to step out of my comfort zone and exercise His love and gifts with people who are unimpressed (outside the walls). It is to view the unexpected as an opportunity.

It is very hard for religious people to improvise.

Jesus said it this way to a guy who had relegated it all to right information and formulas:

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 ESV

Improvising in God's kingdom is not about self-expression or desire, but instead responsiveness to Jesus. The wind is blowing, God is on the move.

You are invited to join Him and give yourself to Him. Remember the challenges of 2 Timothy to hold on, follow His Word, work hard, to remain faithful.

And be prepared to join Jesus outside the box when it is time to improvise!

Worship, prayer & spiritual battle

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16:25-26 NLT

What a mind-blowing picture of spiritual battle. Paul was provoked day after day by a girl who was annoying them (following them around and shouting that they were awesome). The girl who was a fortune-teller was under the influence of some evil power. Finally, Paul had enough and commanded the evil spirit to STOP, and the girl was set free.

Interestingly the girl was able to bring in lots of money through her fortune-telling and this stopped when she was set free. The guy who benefited most was furious that his source of income was cut off. He rallied a mob who almost killed Paul and Silas, eventually throwing them in prison.

So here they are on a "mission from God" with supernatural power bringing freedom to people. Sounds exciting. Then the counterattack. The devil is never happy when people get set free. And people aren't usually happy when their source of income dries up.

So what did Paul and Silas do? They prayed and worshipped.

They weren't praying the people who hurt them would be struck down by God. They weren't praying anything manipulative -- "God put all these people in prison so they can feel what we're feeling."

I think they were praying something more like Acts 4:29-30

"And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Have you experienced backlash when following Jesus? Are you in some sort of spiritual or emotional prison, locked up, hindered, afraid? Have you been unjustly treated, even when your actions have been noble?

Take up your greatest weapons -- prayer and worship! Turn your focus to Jesus. Begin to pray for His kingdom to come. Pray Acts 4:29-30.

Pray "Lord take this situation in my life and be glorified. Come and have Your way. Break through so Your name is lifted up. Set even more people free from the power of evil. Forgive those who have attacked me."

Can you imagine Paul and Silas praying for their friends, at midnight in jail, crying out for God's blessing on each of them by name.? Think of being in the cell next to them, "What's up with these crazy guys? I'm trying to get some sleep. Why aren't they angry? What are they doing praying for all these different people, sounds like they're going to pray all night..."

And whenever we add worship to our prayer, watch out! Your perspective is changed to thankfulness. You can't really worship AND pray without being changed. You'll be filled with faith that God is good and He is in control.

And who knows but God will bring an earthquake and the prison doors will fly open.

And even if they don't, the ones worshipping and praying are already free...

The Battle for what's most important

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:4 NASB

How does this picture translate in our day?

The parents were exhausted, running on fumes.

"Our 9 year old plays football on a team with other 9 year olds. In the weeks leading up to the season they practiced 2 hours a day Monday through Saturday. Now they practice three nights a week plus a game on the weekend. After practice it is homework for at least a couple hours, which requires one of us to basically do their work. BTW, I really resent having to do the homework. We seem to be going through the motions in our marriage and everything else. Help!?!"

Time is our most valuable commodity. And is it any wonder the enemy of our souls would bring "good things" and "the American dream" to entangle us?

Jesus addressed this in his Parable of the Sower. "The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it." Mark 4:18-19 MSG

Do you ever feel strangled or choked out by activity? Is your relationship with Jesus just kind of "there" but never in focus?

First of all, we need to continually lay everything before God in prayer asking for wisdom.

Secondly, we can ruthlessly evaluate our calendar and cut out things that keep us from health and wholeness. One family I know put a moratorium on kid's sports for a year and instead planned a weekly family fun night. Another family decided to serve the poor together once a week and then go out for dinner together. One couple told their kids that they were going to work on their marriage and start having a date night but that meant the kids could only be involved in one activity outside of school. Another couple established three family nights a week at home in which nothing would be planned.

Finally, don't be surprised there is a price to pay. It is much easier to "do what everyone else is doing" versus suffering the backlash of "Oh my gosh, your 9 year old isn't playing on the team this year? What kind of freak are you?"

It is a challenge to find ways to facilitate friendships while saying "no" to some activities. It isn't easy to sit down with your spouse and kids to discuss the best and healthiest plan for an upcoming season. Praying together about it can also be hard.

I'm not saying to avoid all sports activities. Nor am I saying to stay at home and do nothing.

I'm saying let's raise our kids to make hard decisions because they've watched us do it. Let's teach them to sacrifice the good for the best. Let's train them to understand you don't always get what you want and you have to deal with it. Welcome to the real world.

Let's raise them to know marriage is something we protect, prioritize and build for life. Let's teach them to reevaluate everything in the light of what is most important. When they hear the words of Jesus they'll have a reference point because they've watched us "seek first the kingdom of God" and heard us reframe our lives with that as our goal.

Running on fumes? Entangled? You've been enlisted by Jesus, the One who was more "in demand" than anyone else. He understands. If you seek to please Him, He will guide and refresh you!