The Teaching of Disillusionment By Oswald Chambers

Jesus did not commit Himself to them . . . ,

for He knew what was in man —John 2:24-25

Disillusionment means having no more misconceptions, false impressions, and false judgments in life; it means being free from these deceptions. However, though no longer deceived, our experience of disillusionment may actually leave us cynical and overly critical in our judgment of others. But the disillusionment that comes from God brings us to the point where we see people as they really are, yet without any cynicism or any stinging and bitter criticism. Many of the things in life that inflict the greatest injury, grief, or pain, stem from the fact that we suffer from illusions. We are not true to one another as facts, seeing each other as we really are; we are only true to our misconceived ideas of one another. According to our thinking, everything is either delightful and good, or it is evil, malicious, and cowardly.

Refusing to be disillusioned is the cause of much of the suffering of human life. And this is how that suffering happens— if we love someone, but do not love God, we demand total perfection and righteousness from that person, and when we do not get it we become cruel and vindictive; yet we are demanding of a human being something which he or she cannot possibly give. There is only one Being who can completely satisfy to the absolute depth of the hurting human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is so obviously uncompromising with regard to every human relationship because He knows that every relationship that is not based on faithfulness to Himself will end in disaster. Our Lord trusted no one, and never placed His faith in people, yet He was never suspicious or bitter. Our Lord’s confidence in God, and in what God’s grace could do for anyone, was so perfect that He never despaired, never giving up hope for any person. If our trust is placed in human beings, we will end up despairing of everyone.

A Hard Look At Sin

I was reading the Remix Solo which are excerpts of scripture that you examine at a deeper level. Slowly and with a quiet and pensive heart towards God. Like you would sip French press coffee. First inhaling it, then one delicious sip at a time. Examining scripture with that level of intentionality allows it to have a fuller effect on your whole being. Sometimes that effect is like hitting a wall at full speed. I just did that a couple of days ago. Take my word for it, it really hurts and takes a while to recover.

The Scripture was Leviticus 4:32-35 in the Message
32. “If he brings a lamb for an Absolution-Offering, he shall present a female without any defect,
33. lay his hand on the head of the Absolution-Offering, and slaughter it at the same place they slaughter the Whole-Burnt-Offering.
34. The priest will take some of the blood of the Absolution-Offering with his finger, smear it on the horns of the Altar of Burnt-Offering, and pour the rest at the base of the Altar.
35. He shall remove all the fat, the same as for the lamb of the Peace-Offering. Finally the priest will burn it on the Altar on top of the gifts to God. “In this way, the priest makes atonement for him on account of his sin and he’s forgiven.

At first you are to read it slowly. Then again in a whisper as you imagine every part of that scene in your head. Can you see yourself walking into the field to find a little white perfect female lamb. The best that you have. I can imagine that I was there when the perfect little thing came into this world and quickly attached herself to her attentive mother. I would then remember the joy between mother and infant. The bond so strong that I would gladly die for any of my children.

I would have to carry that white, sweet bundle of fur over to the priest knowing what would be done to her. Female, delicate, little, innocent, white, soft. I love animals, this exercise is hard for me. This little baby girl lamb is going to have to pay an ultimate price for my sins that day.

Then I would have to carry that lamb over to the priest knowing what comes next. Would the altar already be bathed in blood? I can imagine the smell of iron in the air, turning my stomach as the lamb looks up at me and calls for it’s mother. I think at this point I would probably start to lose it, through tears or worse. My stomach would be lurching.

I would hand her over with trembling guilt laden hands, knowing what was to come. The priest would lay his hand on her head. In that moment transferring all my sins to that innocent little white bundle, crying for her mother. Then a knife will very quickly slit her throat and her life would leave her innocent eyes. If you have ever had to put down a beloved pet, this sight is haunting. It cuts through all your memories and squeezes your heart with the greatest regret.

The price of my sins would be this offering. Why did God make it so gruesome? Was it because he is insensitive or maybe because our sins are so heinous? God allows this visual demonstration to unfold before us to show us the great cost of our actions against God and others.

I was imagining the Priest who actually had to do all this grotesque work and the fact that My Jesus was the perfect lamb that took away my sins. My sins bore a terrible price. How casual we can be today with the thought of Grace that carries no memory of the great and ultimate price. Jesus’ death was a thousand times worse than what happened to the lamb. His blood was shed so I could be free, free to love, to live forever in His presence and to pursue others so they may know they have been paid for.

I am also free to sin again. But can you imagine that sinning would carry for us a greater burden if you knew the walk you would again have to take to the sheep pen? How about the greater thought of Jesus’ sacrifice, the cross and the blood that was beaten out of his body for me and for you.

I long to remember the sacrifice so that I constantly rejoice in the freedom to not sin.

My my heart hurt so that I do not hurt yours Lord.

A Hard look at Sin

I was reading the Remix Solo which are excerpts of scripture that you examine at a deeper level. Slowly and with a quiet and pensive heart towards God. Like you would sip French press coffee. First inhaling it, then one delicious sip at a time. Examining scripture with that level of intentionality allows it to have a fuller effect on your whole being. Sometimes that effect is like hitting a wall at full speed. I just did that a couple of days ago. Take my word for it, it really hurts and takes a while to recover.

The Scripture was Leviticus 4:32-35 in the Message
32. “If he brings a lamb for an Absolution-Offering, he shall present a female without any defect,
33. lay his hand on the head of the Absolution-Offering, and slaughter it at the same place they slaughter the Whole-Burnt-Offering.
34. The priest will take some of the blood of the Absolution-Offering with his finger, smear it on the horns of the Altar of Burnt-Offering, and pour the rest at the base of the Altar.
35. He shall remove all the fat, the same as for the lamb of the Peace-Offering. Finally the priest will burn it on the Altar on top of the gifts to God. “In this way, the priest makes atonement for him on account of his sin and he’s forgiven.

At first you are to read it slowly. Then again in a whisper as you imagine every part of that scene in your head. Can you see yourself walking into the field to find a little white perfect female lamb. The best that you have. I can imagine that I was there when the perfect little thing came into this world and quickly attached herself to her attentive mother. I would then remember the joy between mother and infant. The bond so strong that I would gladly die for any of my children.

I would have to carry that white, sweet bundle of fur over to the priest knowing what would be done to her. Female, delicate, little, innocent, white, soft. I love animals, this exercise is hard for me. This little baby girl lamb is going to have to pay an ultimate price for my sins that day.

Then I would have to carry that lamb over to the priest knowing what comes next. Would the altar already be bathed in blood? I can imagine the smell of iron in the air, turning my stomach as the lamb looks up at me and calls for it’s mother. I think at this point I would probably start to lose it, through tears or worse. My stomach would be lurching.

I would hand her over with trembling guilt laden hands, knowing what was to come. The priest would lay his hand on her head. In that moment transferring all my sins to that innocent little white bundle, crying for her mother. Then a knife will very quickly slit her throat and her life would leave her innocent eyes. If you have ever had to put down a beloved pet, this sight is haunting. It cuts through all your memories and squeezes your heart with the greatest regret.

The price of my sins would be this offering. Why did God make it so gruesome? Was it because he is insensitive or maybe because our sins are so heinous? God allows this visual demonstration to unfold before us to show us the great cost of our actions against God and others.

I was imagining the Priest who actually had to do all this grotesque work and the fact that My Jesus was the perfect lamb that took away my sins. My sins bore a terrible price. How casual we can be today with the thought of Grace that carries no memory of the great and ultimate price. Jesus’ death was a thousand times worse than what happened to the lamb. His blood was shed so I could be free, free to love, to live forever in His presence and to pursue others so they may know they have been paid for.

I am also free to sin again. But can you imagine that sinning would carry for us a greater burden if you knew the walk you would again have to take to the sheep pen?

How about the greater thought of Jesus’ sacrifice, the cross and the blood that was beaten out of his body for me and for you.

I long to remember the sacrifice so that I constantly rejoice in the freedom to not sin.

My my heart hurt so that I do not hurt yours Lord.

A dog lesson

Quincy lessons

God uses every event in my life in order to teach me great lessons. In this season I am watching the lives of my dogs.  A mama’s best friend.  I have a total of 5 animals that I love, steward and watch with great joy.

My oldest family pet is Chico and he is 13 years old, a beautiful red Pomeranian.

Judah is a sable, long haired blue eyed collie.  He is 10 years old.

And last but not least is Quincy our newest puppy and he is 2 and a ½ months old.  He is a teacup Chihuahua.  So tiny he fits in your hand.

All my boys (dogs) have very distinct personalities.  I am watching the older dogs respond to the rambunctious antics of one dynamo puppy.  They tolerate him for the most part, ignore him whenever they can and they are very interesting to watch.

I was thinking about myself and how I am an older leader amongst very young leaders for the most part.  I lead the young, I am like Chico and Judah at times as I watch the younger set run rings around me, sometimes make absolute fools of themselves but have a good time doing it.  There is much to learn in that kind of passion but the one thing that stood out to me above all the others is how quickly the pup learns and how much longer it takes Chico and Judah.

Take Judah for example.  He is very set in his ways.  He has a few bad habits he refuses to lose.   Judah always barks like the devil himself is at the door even it is just a family member.  Then he insists on rushing that person no matter who they are.  He is a rude host for the first few seconds.  I have worked with him for years and at times he gets it and then reverts to his former bad habits.

I am also in training mode for Quincy.  I stand amazed how quickly he learned how and when to use the bathroom.  Now we are teaching him not to chew on us as he is teething.  He is intelligent and responsive.  Quincy is always looking and listening for my command and my affection.

I watch my boys with an ounce of conviction.  In some ways I am very much like Judah, set in my ways and thinking I’m doing so well because I’m not running around in circles like the young.  But the truth is I need to concentrate on always being responsive to the prompts of the Spirit.  My instincts want to be set like Judah but my heart is like Quincy.  Only discipline and passion will help me adjust my actions.

God is always teaching me and I hope I am always learning.