Defining Moments

This coming February marks my debut as a columnist for the Inglewood community newsletter. Although it’s a few months away, I completed the inaugural piece earlier this week. you can view the article this coming February by picking up a copy for yourself or reading it online, but for the benefit of those who otherwise do not come across the article in person, I’ve decided to post it here for your reading pleasure. Be blessed, Tim Bitz
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DEFINING MOMENTS

Ask anyone to share a defining moment in their life, and they’ll most likely tell you some sort of conflict and their struggle to overcome it. It doesn’t take too much to see our world is full of defining moments. I immediately think of those in Haiti dealing with a cholera outbreak while still trying to recover from last year’s earthquake. How well are they coping, and how will this struggle define them as a nation? The most recent volcanic eruptions in the Philippines have me wondering how those affected will overcome their devastation. And millions watched this October as 33 Chilean miners were rescued from its collapse in August. Maclean’s Magazine details how the tragedy has become a defining moment for all those involved in the rescue. The 33 that descended below the earth’s surface are not the same as those who emerged 69 days later.

For those of us living in Calgary, these stories may seem distant and difficult to relate to. But if we look within our own city, it’s not too hard to find a defining moment we can relate too. Those of us living in Inglewood are aware of last year’s murder behind Colonel Walker School. As the police investigated the crime, it was learned the victim was a resident of the Horizon Housing complex. In the minds of some, this became a defining moment for those living across the bird sanctuary. When this news surfaced, the complex – and its residents – became a scapegoat. Some Inglewood home-owners pointed a finger at Horizon Housing, blaming their newest neighbors for a rise in Inglewood’s crime rate. They feared those who lived there would contribute to a decline in the community’s morale. Although that can be said of the murder in late February 2010, to place that stigma on all those inhabiting the complex is a grave mistake.

In the 18 months that Horizon Housing has been accepting tenants at the Alice Bissett location, there have been a few defining moments where the tenants take a stand against injustice. Having a sense of ownership and pride toward their dwelling, some occupants have banned together ensuring the building is a safe place. As a fellow tenant I can attest to this.

One of my first neighbors was a drug addict and known gang member. My first time meeting the gentleman, he offered me the number of an escort. I declined his offer and retreated back to my apartment. We didn’t talk much after that. One thing I did learn was that the guy was loud, obnoxious, and had no respect for his neighbors. People made constant complaints to the manager. At 3 A.M. you’d hear the guy screaming obscenities at the top of his lungs. A few times I would wake at 7 A.M. to hear the building manager insist he turn down his stereo, because it could be heard half way down the hall. The neighbor’s inconsiderate manner escalated and some of us grew impatient. Police would stop by on a weekly basis, as our calls lit up their phone lines insisting they intervene on our behalf. Logging complaints both with the police and Horizon Housing staff, the residents of Alice Bissett Place worked together to get this guy evicted.

This was a defining moment for those of us who live in the Horizon Housing complex. It stands as an example that we are not idle. It defines us as active citizens who care as much about the neighborhood as the next person. It defines us as those who take action against injustice. To say otherwise is bloody murder.

What’s Your M.V.P: Your Most Valuable Possession?

Last week was the release of James Cameron’s newest box office hit Avatar: The Extended Edition. In preparation for the event, my church decided to have a movie night dedicated to the film. We would watch the movie then have a discussion based on some of the biblical themes drawn from the film. The film itself is stunning with special effects and graphics that had me struggling to keep my chin off the floor the first time I saw it. Aside from the special effects, one of the central themes to the movie is the story of Sam Worthington’s character, Jake Sully.

One of the first things we learn about Jake is that he’s a paralytic marine. But Jake’s paralysis doesn’t disqualify him from active duty. His heart and determination are displayed by his desire to keep pace with his fellow marines, despite his lack of mobility.

Shortly after his arrival to the army base, Jake learns his paralysis may only be a temporary thing. In a private meeting with his commander, the resilient soldier learns he could undergo a procedure to regain the use of his legs. All Jake has to do is obey the Colonel’s orders, and in return the Colonel will pull the strings to make sure Jake receives full use of his legs once again.

This proves to be a source of struggle for Jake once he starts using his Avatar body. Introduced to the Na’vi people as a fellow warrior, Jake learns how the Na’vi people live. Throughout the movie, we see him learning essential skills like how to hunt and kill his prey. He becomes a skilled archer, learns how to mount a horse and tame a wild Pterodactyl-like creature. On this learning curve, Jake learns about Eywa – The deity and life source for all things on Pandora. Eywa is the one thing from which all living things originated; and the ultimate goal of the Na’vi is to become one with Eywa. Increasingly attuned to the life of the Na’vi, Jake is strangely attracted to this harmonious lifestyle. He soon finds himself torn between the Colonel’s promise and becoming one with Eywa. This resonates with the apostle Paul.

Before meeting Jesus, Paul was one of the Pharisees; a religious group in the New Testament that meticulously followed all of the Jewish laws in addition to a series of their own laws. Because he was a Pharisee, Paul took great pride in the things that made him a Pharisee. Things like being circumcised as a child. Having been born with a lineage that traces back to the Tribe of Benjamin gave him s sense of entitlement that others did not have. And in Phil 3:6 he says he was the strictest Pharisee ever known. That is, until he met Christ. After his encounter with Jesus (see Acts 9:1-19), he writes in Philippians 3:8 that all he once held dear is now considered worthless. Nothing can compare to knowing Christ. Now, Paul’s top priority is seeking unity with the father and becoming one with Christ.

In the beginning of Avatar we learn Jake longs to regain the use of his legs. As the movie progresses, we see that Jake desires change. Like the apostle Paul, Jake now craves the life he lives on Pandora and yearns to become one with Eywa. Consequently Jake begins to question the true value and worth of his mobility.

I’m not going to spoil the movie for you by telling you how it ends. But I wonder how many of us are like Paul, hanging on to something we ought to give up. How many of us have an MVP; a Most Valuable Possession? Paul’s Most Valuable Possession was his identity. These are things that made him a Jew; his circumcision, his heritage and reputation as the most devout Pharisee around. When he met Jesus, Paul was told to give it all up and follow Christ; to become one with Christ and seek unity with the Heavenly Father.

Are we any different? How many of us have MVP’s? What might be an example of a most valuable possession today? Think about your own life. Is there something you consider to be an MVP? If someone asked you to give it up, could you? Would you?

A Humble Conundrum

Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there--on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

Because I'll never hold the picture
Of the whole horizon in my view
Because I'll never rip the night in two
It makes me wonder
Who am I, Who am I, Who am I

And great are you

Hey....Jealousy?

I recently heard a story about a man trapped in the Arctic Circle. The man had been a seasoned explorer but the harsh climate and blinding snow storm proved to be beyond his experience. With the looming fear of frostbite and death, the man cried out to God seeking intervention. To save himself from death, the man uttered the following words: “God, I don’t know if you’re real, but if you are come and save me.” A few minutes later an Eskimo found him and nursed him back to health. When asked about the intervention, the man gave credit to the Eskimo for saving his life adding that God never showed up to rescue him.

Make fun, and disagree with me all you want, but if I was in the situation I would view the Eskimo as God’s agent in answering that prayer instilling a sense of belief in a living God, and opening the door to a groeing and active faith. I don’t know if you agree with me or not, but suppose for a second I am right. Upon hearing that prayer, God directs an Eskimo my way to rescue and aid me back to health. Afterwards I go on living my life as if that experience didn’t change me; still denying the existence of God, the same as I was before the arctic rescue.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately of God’s reaction to situations like this. The bible speaks of God‘s jealousy. I wonder if God gets jealous when He intervenes and doesn’t get credit for it. What does He do? Does He sit around all grumpy pouting over the fact that He intervened and someone else takes the credit?

Or does He review the incident and shrug it off, then its back to business as usual? Personally the answer is neither here nor there, but isn’t it fun to wonder sometimes?

Pass Interference

In the NFL, pass interference occurs when a defender makes contact with the receiver that prevents his opportunity to receive the ball. Some examples of pass interference include tripping, pushing, pulling or cutting in front of the receiver. Pass interference also includes pulling on the receiver's arms.

The penalty for pass interference is either an automatic first down for the opposing team, or it moves them ten yards closer to the end zone. As a Christian it’s possible to have pass interference affecting our lives. The Ten Commandments tell us to have no other gods, and to keep the Lord our top priority. Exodus 20:4 tells us that we shouldn’t have any idols. Whether they represent something on earth or some angelic being, they interfere with our worship of the Lord God Almighty. An example of this can be taken from the Apostle John.

Near the end of his life, John was sentenced to spend the rest of his days in exile. Refusing to call the emperor a god, John was sent to the island of Patmos. It’s during this time that he made five contributions to the bible. The Gospel of John; First, Second, and Third John; and the book of revelation all carry his name. After being shown all the events regarding the end of days, in the book of revelation John writes:

“I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!”

Here we see that John wants to worship the one responsible for showing him this great revelation. As he starts to do so, the angel advises him not too. The angel deems himself unworthy of worship. In this admission, the angel shares his equality with John; a mere servant of God. He then reminds John of the decree in Exodus: the Lord shall be the sole proprietor of worship. If he continues with his worship of the angel, John will be running pass interference and subject to penalty.

These days, not too many people come into contact with angelic beings. So when we come across something like this in scripture it can be tough to relate to what John was going through. But there are many things that interfere with our worship of God. Money, fame, fortune, family, pride, anger, lust, trust (or lack of it), hate. These are just a few of the things that can make God a secondary priority in our lives; the list is endless. But as you look at your life, what are some things that could be interfering with your relationship to God? What could be preventing you from one hundred percent commitment to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Some don’t read their bible everyday. This is something I personally struggle with. Reading my bible everyday is sometimes exhausting. I try to read a chapter a day, but some chapters are incredibly long. In those cases I break it down to five or 10 verses a day. You can also listen to the bible online. So sometimes I listen to it. A friend of mine doesn’t have the discipline to read chapters of his bible each day. Instead he will come across a passage quoted by authors or pastors; then spend some time reading and reflecting how it relates to his own life.

Maybe the struggle is with finances and giving. Every time they pass the plate around at church, you refuse. You know the bible talks about giving and that you should give financially to the church, but you live paycheck to paycheck sometimes using the local food bank to fill your cupboards. Did you also know that God wants you to test Him with your giving? Malachi 3:10 says:

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10 NLT

I have a friend who traveled the world on a year long mission trip. Before she left, I told her I would support her with my monthly tithe. It wasn’t always easy giving up ten percent of my income. There were times that I considered using that money on other things like birthday gifts or putting it toward my debts. I was hesitant but I still gave.

During those times, I held God to the promise that if I gave He would look after me. Sometimes I would even quote the words from Malachi and wait to see how He would provide for groceries or my debts. God came through with that promise. My neighbors would stop by offering me food they didn’t want or couldn’t have due to dietary restrictions. Other times my fridge would be empty, yet my freezer was so full I was able to give food to those in need.

At the end of the month my bank account had a little bit of money left over. Sometimes it would be three dollars and other times fifteen. Regardless of the amount in the bank, at the end of the month I had a little left to spare. If this is one area you find yourself lacking, I urge you to test God as Malachi encourages us too.

Pass interference can also interrupt our worship of God through a lack of prayer. James 4:2 says: “…you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” The unique thing about our God is that He can do the impossible. He is the one giving us the strength to face our problems and help us as we go through trials. He is the one guiding us in all that we do. But the help and guidance He offers is pointless if we don’t spend time in prayer. Prayer is how God knows about our needs and problems.

I don’t know what interferes with your relationship with God, but we all have things that prevent our opportunities to worship God. Going back to our example of a football player being called for pass interference, I turn it over to you. Think of some ways God is being tripped, pushed, pulled or cut from the worship you ought to give Him. Once you’ve done that begin working with someone to eliminate those things from your life. The person you work with could be anyone. It could be a pastor, close friend, or even a family member.

Share with them how you’re on a journey to better your relationship with God and need to work on some things that have been getting in the way. Ask them to keep you accountable by checking in once in a while to see what progress you’re making. Over time things will get better. As they do, be sure to share the success you’re having and throw a little celebration after each success. This will make it more fun and seem less daunting. Be blessed my friend. As you begin the journey remember these words from Jesus:

Don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matt 6:31-34 NLT