Victory in Submitting

You've heard me talk before about the passing of time, and how quickly the days, months, weeks, and years seem to fly by. In 8 short week I will end my Junior Year of College and move swiftly into my senior year 3 months later. I think there are moments in our life when we both reject and embrace the passing of time. We may embrace the passing of time when inflicted with a prolonged illness, yet we reject it as we watch our children and grandchildren grow older. I've often wondered when the roadmap for the rest of my life is going to fall into my lap and I will finally be able to navigate the future without hesitation. Recently I've realized that this day probably will never come, and there is but one thing that will help me walk the path that has been laid in front of me: submitting to the will of Jesus Christ.
I heard someone say once that if you want to hear the laughter of God tell him YOUR plans for your life. It doesn't take someone long after meeting me to realize that one of my biggest faults in life is wishing time away. I wished away my high school years, and struggled because of it in my first months of college because I wanted those days back. For so long now I've wished my college years away so that I can move on to seminary and begin my Masters in Divinity education. The season of lent is an opportunity for me to take a step back and self reflect on my life, from its victories to its faults, and re-evaluate my relationship with Jesus Christ. Throughout this season while I have spent hours trying to turn the hands on the clock ahead and bring my undergraduate career to an end, Christ has presented me with a new challenge: wait patiently on Him and the will of His father in heaven. There are days when I sit in prayer for hours and plead with the Lord to pass the time and in return He says, "My child - there are things that have yet to be revealed to you. Trust in my will. Trust in my plan. Trust in my timing." How easy it is for us to forget that we are not the pilots of our life, but co-pilots to God. In Lent we are given the opportunity to celebrate our freedom from the bondages of sin as we follow Christ on his walk to the cross where, after being beaten, spit on, and mocked he spread open his arms and died carrying the sins of the world on his shoulders. How easy it is to forget that while he was hanging on Calvery's tree he wasn't thinking about his pain, but about us. As he was was being crucified, with blood rushing down his face, he was carefully mapping out my life and your life. He was laying out a beautifully crafted time table for our existence on this earth asking nothing in return, only that we would follow his plan for our lives by picking up our crosses and following him.
1 Chronicles 16:11 says, “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” Are you putting your life and your passing days at the foot of the cross? Are you seeking the face of the Lord today, searching in His eyes for answers to the questions life hands you? Do you believe that there is more to be revealed to you if only you would be patient? Yes, the roadmap for my future will probably never fall into my lap, but that dosent mean that my path isn't mapped out by the one who made and sustains me. I suspect that the next year and a half of my college education will fly by even if I don't wish it away, but by putting my trust in the will of my God I know that a dead end does not meet me. Instead I am greeted by a map of endless roads of opportunity worth exploring with the master by my side.

Gardens of Endless Water

It's truly amazing what one hears when they only take the time to slow down and listen. Why does it seem the older we get, the harder it is to slow down? I promised myself at the beginning of this school year that I would take time to slow down and enjoy my faith more. A good intention promise, I must say, but not one I was able to keep to myself. Like any other college student, or any other young adult for that matter, my scheduled filled up quickly and the days began flying by. Before I knew it finals week had arrived and I found myself tying loose ends up and ending another semester. As any good Norwegian would say: ufta!
It was a busy Wednesday in October when I found myself running into First Lutheran Church. I was running late, and soon had to begin rehearsal for my middle school tone chimes choir. Once inside the music room I grabbed a music book, and flew into the church office to have Jo, the church secretary, make copies for me. While waiting I noticed a pile of books sitting on the pew inside the door. I asked about them and Jo invited me to take as many of them as I wanted. Anyone who knows me knows I never pass up free books, so I took the top 5 books without looking and later threw them in my car. Needless to say, the semester didn't slow down from there, and before I could turn around it was the beginning of December. If there is one thing I have learned over 20 years on this earth it is that God speaks no matter how busy you are. One night, early this month, as I pulled into my parking lot, parked my car, and went to retrieve my backpack from the back seat, a strong desire came over me to grab this green bible that I had dumped there almost 2 months ago. There was nothing special about this random New Revised Standard Version bible resembling one you would find in a hotel bedroom. Feeling too tired, however, to argue with God I grabbed it and shoved it in my backpack, not pulling it out again until several hours later while I was crawling into bed. Once snuggled under the covers, a book mark sticking out from the top caught my eye and my fingers drew me to the page where one verse was highlighted in red. It was Isaiah 58:11 - "The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.” To say I sat there in awe for 10 minutes would be an understatement and suddenly it all hit me at once. I was parched. I was being pulled in this direction and the next; I was tired and running out of energy. I was exhausted and neglecting the word, prayer, and at times the Lord all together. My bones were hurting.
Do you ever feel like your garden, your life, is withering before your eyes? Do you ever feel like you put so much energy into the world that by the end of the day you have no energy to put towards your faith? We live, brothers and sisters, in a fast paced society where slowing down is rarely an option. We run at full speed from the moment our feet hit in floor in the morning until our heads hit the pillow at night without taking time to stop and nurture our garden, our life. I am guilty of denying my garden the good soil of the Holy Scriptures, the seeds of prayer, and the living water from heaven. As I paged through the contents of this bible I noticed that Isaiah 58:11 was the only verse highlighted. No other markings or bookmarks appeared within its pages. Who ever the previous owner of this bible may have been, they knew what it took to bring nutrients into their life, and their ministry in this world was encouraging others to care for their gardens. There was a challenge issued to me the night I opened this green, random, every day bible. The challenge to live my life as an endlessly abundant and watered garden; as a disciple for Jesus Christ. A challenge to slow down every day and enjoy the beauty around me - to give thanks and adoration to our Father in heaven. Will you heed this call with me? Will you pull out your garden plows, and till up the soil in your life? In this season of joy and expectation, join me as we provide our gardens, our lives, with the nutrients, the riches, that can only be found in Christ Jesus.

Who Am I?

Ecclesiastes says that there is a time for every season. Well, while we are still enjoying the beauty of summer, my life has changed seasons and I find myself sitting, once again, on the campus of South Dakota State University beginning my Junior Year. A few short weeks ago, however, you would have found me at home, in my bedroom, staring at my walls and shelves, accompanied by a blue storage container with the words "Aaron's Room" labeled neatly on the cover. It was time. It has been over 2 years since graduation when I ended one chapter of my life in order to begin another. As I slowly started laying my trophies, certificates, ribbons, and plaques in the container I was slowly fighting back the tears as well. It understandably seems strange to some, but packing the contents of a very important part of my life into a 30 gallon tub seemed impossible. As I sat in the stillness of that moment, and took time to meditate on everything that I have become, an all to familiar voice whispered, “Who are you?”
The Holy Spirit asked me who I was that day. What defines me? What defines you? Am I defined by the accomplishments of my past or, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, am I defined by my faith in Him? All to often, brothers and sisters, we get caught up in the riches of the world and we forget about the riches we have in our faith. Paul said in Galatians, “I have been crucified in CHRIST and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” As inheritors of the kingdom of heaven, Jesus Christ shares with us his unconditional love, eternal embrace, and ceaseless grace. The riches we find at the foot of the cross cannot be compared to the trophies of this world. Am I defined by the paycheck I get every month in the mail, or by those I help with the money I receive? Am I defined by the job title I hold, or by the experiences I am blessed with because of the work I do? Am I defined merely by the label of “Christian”, or do I actually live my life for the one who gave his life for me?
When my room was cleared that day I snapped down the lid on top of the tub, and placed it in the storage room in my basement. Did those experiences help shape the man I am today? Absolutely. Do they define my existence here on this earth? Absolutely not. I stand firmly today believing in the promises of 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 where it says I am marked with the seal of Christ. His spirit has been placed in my heart for safe keeping. I have been anointed. I have been defined in Him.

The Blessing of Time

I once heard someone say that time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with. Two and a half weeks from now I will be standing on top of the halfway mark in my education here at South Dakota State University. Wasn't it just yesterday when I was moving all of my belongings into a dorm room? And tomorrow I will start packing them up again and start taking odds and ends home with me. I think many college students are asking "Where did this year go?" Do you ever ask yourself that question? Where has the past year of my life gone?
Several people fear the passage of time. I, and maybe some of you, however, realize how precious and beautiful time can be. I look back on this year not resenting how quickly it came and went. Why? Because I know that I spent it doing exactly what Christ wanted me to do. My Lord placed me on this campus, in the city, in the state, in this time, for a reason. Every day he introduced me to people who would change me in big and small ways. Every minute he exposed me to new ideas and experiences to nurture my faith. Every second he blessed me with opportunities to witness and glorify his name. There were many challenges, and roadblocks to overcome this past year. There were inevitable potholes in the road Christ laid before me. There were times when I wanted to stop in place and turn around. However, time and time again, while he stood by my side, we filled in the potholes, pushed away the roadblocks, and overcame the challenges. All of these things would not have been possible if seconds would not have turned to minutes, from minutes to hours, hours to days, days to weeks, and so on and so forth. Faith does not grow before your eyes in seconds. Faith is a journey - a destination.
Some say time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with. However, I say time is something beautiful that deserves embracing. I embrace the gifts it has given me. The seconds I have spent embracing loved ones. The minutes I have spent in front of the piano. The hours I have spent in prayer with friends. The days I have spent surrounded by my family. Above all, however, the life I have been given to praise my Lord.
Time. A monster or a blessing? What have you accomplished with Christ this year? We stand here asking "Where has this past year gone?" When really we should be asking "Where have we gone in this past year?"

Where I'm From

I am from the piano bench of my grandmother
from diet coke and laffy taffy.
I am from the brown house with maroon doors on east 9th street
clean, tidy, and warm with love.
I am from the willow tree at grandma and grandpas
the forest of trees that tell
childhood games of hide and go seek.

I am from mashed potatoes with gravy and soft hearted eyes
from Delton and Jeannine, Ed and Rosie.
I’m from poker players and quilters,
from “try your best son”
and “I’m proud of you”.

I’m from Grace Lutheran Church
from Norwegian Lutheran heritage
and middle row sitters.

I’m from Sisseton, SD in Roberts County,
strawberries and pie.
From the hardworking grandfather,
the best friend grandmother,
and the supporting parents.

My pictures can be found in the same place as yours,
in an album.
However, my memories are found in an album only I can open-
my heart.

Peace - Be Still

There comes a point in time when we realize just how fast life can change. We watched in horror as the news rolled in after an 8.2 magnitude Earth Quake rocked Japan to its core, and 30 foot tsunami waves destroyed miles of its beautiful and fertile lands. As I sat in front of the television, from the comfort of my own home, surrounded by the warmth of a blanket and my family, I couldn't hold back the tears that started flowing down my face. In minutes the Japanese people watched their farm land, that had been handed down from generation to generation, drowned and swept away. Centuries of breath-takingly beautiful architecture came crashing to the ground. Families, the legacy of the Japanese people, were torn apart by death. When the video and photographs were too much to bear and I could feel the weight of the world bearing down on my shoulders I could feel a hand reach for mine, pull me up, lead me into the study, sit me down at my piano bench, pull out a dusty hymnal from the top shelf, and guide me to the page. I slowly lifted my hands to the keys and let my fingers make the music of my Lord as they sang "Eternal Father, Strong to Save."
Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm has bound the restless wave.
Who bade the mighty oceans deep, Its own appointed limits keep:
Oh here us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.
To me, this disaster has served as a reminder of my faith. A reminder of those times when I have been walking the path Christ has set for me, following in his word and commandments, and living his will when suddenly, in a quick second, my life can be turned upside down and rocked to its core. A tsunami wave of emotions overcomes me and I crumble. Much like the disaster that has struck the hearts of the Japanese people, when my faith crumbles before me, do I awake the next morning to only give up and surrender in defeat? When the sun came over Japan the morning after disaster struck and the people were given their first look at the damage did they turn around to go back into their shelter to sit in the darkness? They brushed themselves off, picked up one another, and looked into the future. Today, as you sit and meditate on your faith and those times when it was drowned by a tsunami wave, what did you do? What are you doing today? We praise a God who speaks to our hearts, is speaking to the hearts of the Japanese people, and spoke to the tsunami "Peace - Be Still." Today we praise a God of the future who will shed light, and grace upon the people of Japan. A God who will console those who mourn the loss of over 10,000 people who perished. A God of comfort and healing. A God of the storm.

Heavenly Reminders

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."
My uncle Laurel was a man of perfection. He was a man of integrity. He was, most of all, a beautiful man inside and out. Yesterday was a hard day for my family, as we said farewell to a person who took a hand in shaping many of us. As I have spent the past 2 days surrounded by loved ones I have been reminded of just how blessed I truly am. I was raised on the principal, from the time I was born, that family comes first. And that is exactly what was proved to me this week. We sat along side one another as we told and listened to stories of how special Laurel was to each and every one of us. Stories proving that each of us, in our own unique way, now carries a piece of Laurel in our heart. We meditated on the lessons he taught us. Yes, we shed tears of sorrow, but we did what our family does best: we lifted each other up in a time of need and promised each other that together we would move forward - not forgetting Laurel but holding him close in our hearts and leading by his example.
Today I'd like for you to take a moment to meditate on the importance of your family. What part do they play in your life? All to many times I think we forget that we are who we are because of our family. It is with a joyful heart that I can proudly admit that I would not be the person I am today without my family supporting me every step of the way. There isn't a day goes by that I don't go on bended knee before my God and praise him for giving me these people to share my life with. These past few days have been a reminder of that.
My uncle Laurel was a gardener. He put his time, sweat, blood, and dedication into making this earth a beautiful place for all to enjoy. I take hope and comport in the words of Ecclesiastes 3 when it says that there will come a season to plant and uproot. This was the season for my uncle Laurel to be uprooted from this earth and taken home to rest in the arms of his savior. I take comport in the thought that my God rejoiced when Laurel entered the gates of heaven, like he will for each and every one of us. This was also, my dear friends, the season for reminding. A heavenly reminder about the strength of a family. A heavenly reminder to help us all meet the days ahead.