Washing Glass Globes

Unsplash: Matt Seymour

I was recently on vacation with my husband and children to spend the week with my in-laws who live several states away. They are actively caring for my sister-in-law, their daughter, who is two years out from brain surgery that removed a large, and thankfully benign, tumor. While she has come a long way in her recovery, she has faced several set backs and is currently wheelchair bound, requires a gastric feeding tube for nourishment, and needs hands-on assitance with many necessities of daily living.

Over the past year that Stacy has been home from the hospital convalescing, my husband, our children, and I have endeavored to be as helpful as we can be whenever we spend some precious time with them. 

I'll never forget asking my mother-in-law during this recent trip, as she was nestling several feeding bags into a cooler, how I could best help around the house while she and my father-in-law drove into town to accompany Stacy to her therapy appointments. She quickly scanned the kitchen and then promptly asked me to do the following three things:

• Wash the glass globes of all the bathroom and kitchen light fixtures
• Clean and refill the hummingbird feeders
• Pick the ripened squash from the garden 

I quickly assented, stepping aside for them to wheel Stacy out the front door, and set right to work, but all the while my mind was in a state of flux and unrest. I couldn't help but think, Really? Of all the things? Light fixtures and hummingbird feeders? No sheets to wash, errands to run, bills to pay, cupboards to organize, files to sort, calls to return, appointments to make, rooms to vacuum, or sinks to scrub?

And so, as I awkwardly scooted step stools into hallway bathrooms (as light fixtures are always JUST out of reach), unscrewed tiny metal holding pins (that inevitably bounced out of my hand and clattered around behind the comode), and submerged glass globes into a bucket of soapy water, I pondered the importance of these daily tasks compared to all the things that must be accomplished to run a multi-person household, especially one that is supporting around-the-clock medical care.

And yet, as I think more upon things now, it all comes into sharper focus. Perhaps it is the passage of time or the well-timed reading of a beautiful book on the cultivation of quiet.

But this is how I see it now.

Those "little" and maybe "unnecessary" tasks around the house served a larger, mightier, dare I say holier purpose.

They literally increased the level of light by which we lived and reaffirmed the wonder and beauty of life, creation, and the natural rhythms of planting and harvest.

Author Sarah Clarkson says it this way, in her book Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention: 

"their [the fields and flowers] beauty wasn't a neutral distraction, peripheral to the suffering at large in the world. They were a kind of answer and defiance, an order and loveliness that endured..."

So, by washing the light fixtures and caring for hummingbirds, we were driving a stake in the ground for beauty, light, and life. Those other "to dos" that I could quickly conjure up would get done out of necessity--somehow and in someway by someone. That day--my mother-in-law's 80th birthday, in fact--was a day to bring in the light through sparkling fixtures, bake a cake, string up a hand-lettered banner, reclaim beauty, and support life...even the life of little gem-like birds, small enough to hold deep within the palm of one's hand.

In a very real and tangible way, this reclamation of beauty, light, and life in these small little ways summoned us all to trust our Creator, the Light of the World, in much deeper ways with big things like brain tumors, wheelchairs, and feeding tubes.

On that day, my mother-in-law did not need me to step in and encourage her to simplify, to cut out all the "non-essential" aspects of creature care in and out-of-doors, but she needed me to drive that stake deep into the ground by flipping on a switch and allowing her to "oooh and ahhh" over the lightbulbs she could see with crystal clarity when she returned home.

I'm still reflecting, still processing, still praying my way on this pathway of wisdom, one day at a time. Will you join me, dear friend?  I so hope you do.

Three Powerful Questions

Unsplash: Edward Lawrence

As you might know, I'm an avid nature-lover and nature-journaler (check out this post if you want to learn more). It is a practice that I came across in our homeschooling journey, and one that I still enjoy, even as my children are in high school and college. Sometimes, my nature journal looks more like a quick entry into a notebook and a printed sticky photo beside it, instead of a hand-drawn illustration, but it is a way I love to document the natural world and how it changes throughout the year. Often, my entries include new-to-me plants, flowers, and insects; other times, it simply records the first snowfall of the year or the first firefly of the summer (which was yesterday in our parts!)

The Naturalist's Notebook by Nathaniel T. Wheelwright

Through nature journaling, I've learned to ask three questions, thanks to the instruction of naturalist author and teacher John Muir Laws.

These questions are:

1. "I notice..."
2. "I wonder..."
3. "It reminds me of..."

Question #1 helps me to slow down and observe the detail of what I am seeing. I notice its color, texture, shape, or behavior. These unfiltered observations can be quickly jotted in a notebook.

Question #2 transforms these simple observations into active curiosity and inquiry. It helps me to generate questions about the subject's purpose, how it might work, or why a certain characteristic I am noticing might exist.

Question #3 exists to build connections between what I am seeing and the information I already know. It helps me to uncover patterns, identify metaphors, and ultimately serves to deepen my memory and understanding of what I am seeing.

I recently reflected upon the power of these three questions when I study God's Word, as well.  After reading a Bible passage, it helps me to slow down and just notice the surface details such as who is doing the speaking, where the action is happening, what exactly is going on or being said. I can ask myself: what do I notice in this passage?

Next, I endeavor to ask the second question, I wonder..., and apply it to the passage. Is there a cultural context I am unfamiliar with and might not be clear about? (If so, I highly recommend the IVP Bible Background Commentary as a helpful resource) or maybe I jot down a few questions to ask my pastor or think further about on my own.

Third, I consider the question This reminds me of...and I attempt to make connections between this passage of Scripture and things I know about our world or with other places in Scripture. For example, I recently read a passage in Jeremiah (see below) and it reminded me of a similar passage I had read a few years ago in Ezekiel:

“Your words were found, and I ate them,

    and your words became to me a joy

    and the delight of my heart,

for I am called by your name,

    O Lord, God of hosts."             —Jeremiah 15:16

 

"And he said to me, 'Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.' So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, 'Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.’ Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey."                —Ezekiel 3:1-3

By considering these passages together, it got me thinking further about what it means to "eat" God's Word, in contrast to "reading" or "studying" it, which are the verbs I typically use when I think of my interaction with God's Word (see this previous blog post to learn more about "tasting" God's Word).

And I didn't use the word "last" when I got to question #3 because these questions serve as a gateway to more questions, questions that might involve asking God what He would have me do that day, or whether there is a sin I should confess, or if there's a person He wants me to reach out to...you get the idea. As always, Bible study leads us to a greater end: worship (praising God for who He is), prayer (conversing with God about what we learn and confessing sin), and application of His Word in our lives (a daily, sometimes slow-going process as we become more like Christ through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit). 

Three powerful questions.

Three powerful ways we can dig into God's Word to better understand it and see how it relates to our daily modern lives.

I pray that we would not only see the wonder of the natural world around us this summer, but that we would grow in our knowledge and curiosity of God's Word, too, dear friend. I trust these questions will help us both to notice, to wonder, and to make connections, all to the glory of God and for our ultimate good. 

Forget Not His Benefits

Unsplash: Jon Tyson

As I've grown up in the church, somewhere along the line I've been taught to love God for "just being God" and not for what He can give me.

Several scriptures echo this sentiment as well: 

Paul encourages us to love and worship the Creator and not the creation in the first chapter of his letter to the Romans (see Rom 1:21-23).

James makes it clear in his letter to the church that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above (see 1:17).

And so it came as a refreshing surprise this week as I was in the Psalms to realize that David encourages us as God's people to "forget not God's benefits" in Psalm 103.  Look at verse 1 and 2 with me:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and all that is within me,

    bless his holy name!

 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits..."   Ps 103:1-2 (emphasis mine)

What follows these verses is a catalog of all the "benefits" we have as the covenant children of God that we can thank Him for:

• forgiveness of sins (v. 3, 10, 12)
• healing from diseases (v. 3)
• redemption from the pit (v. 4)
• a crown of streadfast love and mercy (v. 4, 11, 17)
• renewed energy and youthfulness (v. 5)
• justice and the working out of righteousness for us (v. 6)
• God's revealing of his ways to us (v. 7)
• His mercy and grace toward us (v. 8)
• God's compassion (v. 13)
• His seeing our weaknesses and loving us with compassion (v. 14-16)

When I think upon it, this concept of loving God for who He is AND for all the benefits He imparts to us makes sense. 

While I love my husband for the man that he is, I also love and appreciate how he provides for our family through a full-time job. I am blessed by the military and veteran benefits he and I both receive through income, health care, and life insurance. Do I love him because he provides a roof over my head and allows me to have adequate health insurance coverage? Of course not!  I would still love him if he suddenly became unemployed and we had to sell our home and live out our days in our minivan. BUT I can be thankful for him AND for all the benefits I enjoy as his wife (and be grateful I don't have to live out of a car!).

So today, dear friend, let's endeavor to praise God for who He is, yes, but also for all the benefits we enjoy as His children because of His deep and indescribable, unearned, and never-ending love He has for us.

Let us, in David's words "forget not His benefits" and may our day, our week, our year, our lives, never be the same for it!

Sipping Downstream

Unsplash: Matthieu Petel

It wasn't long ago when I was chopping up vegetables to put into a tossed salad. The house was quiet; it was that awkward hour before dinner and evening activities, but after the school day for my teenagers.

My mind wandered. I was bored.

Like a roulette wheel, my mind shuffled through all the options that could brighten this late afternoon and give me a lift after the salad was assembled and the table set...

a scroll down social media, a glass of wine, online shopping for that graphic tee I'd been eyeing, a sweet treat...

And then, I felt the Lord tell me--in my heart of hearts--that these things weren't bad, but that'd I'd be "sipping downstream."

I thought about that image in my mind.

You see, if Christ is our ultimate source of satisfaction and comfort, then I liken him to a fountainhead. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a fountainhead as the starting point, the principle source, of a stream or river, and to sip downstream from that could only mean two things: 

You are sipping diluted water (at best) or polluted water (at worst).

I think of all those minerals that come from natural springs that become diluted the further out you gather up a glass to bottle it up and enjoy its medicinal qualities.

I think of all the cities, power plants, and landfills that rivers ultimately pass by to empty into the Chesapeake Bay, close to my house. I'd never want to drink from all that toxic pollution!

Instead, God draws us to Himself to enjoy the REAL deal--the true source of pleasure, delight, comfort, peace, and rest. He created us to be unsatisifed with diluted or polluted sources of these things.

So in that moment, as I pivoted to the sink to wash up my knife and cutting board, I prayed. I prayed that the Lord would meet my need and be my cure for restless boredom. I asked Him to soothe my buried stress, calm my anxieties, give me peace and rest in Him alone.

A few days later, as I studied the book of Jeremiah, I found this challenge within it's pages:

"And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?"  Jeremiah 2:18

To God's people in the Old Testament, Egypt was a place of great wealth, stability, political power and military strength. But the Almighty God was in covenant with His people and called them to love and fear Him, to depend upon Him to lead them, provide for them, and strengthen them.

I am left to think about how I turn to "Egypt" for comfort and solace, strength and peace, when I'd only be sipping downstream from the Fountainhead of my Lord and Savior.

I am still working out how drinking from the Fountainhead...and not sipping downstream...looks, day to day, hour by hour, and I know I am not alone. I smile to hear a song from Forest Frank on my Pandora station: 

"Give me faith to move mountains

How could I be thirsty, when I'm sippin' from Your fountain..."       Thank You song

How about you, dear friend? Will you join me in considering ways you "sip downstream" in your life...in big ways...in small ways...diluting God's peace and joy in your life? May we not settle for diluted or polluted sources of strength and comfort, but turn to God in prayer and seek His Word each day to refresh and guide us at the deepest level.

 

Carried vs Carrying

Unsplash: Alexandra Tran

Over the past years, as I've made my way through my 40s, a little passage from the book of Isaiah has been particularly dear to me:

" 'Listen to me, O house of Jacob,

        all the remnant of the house of Israel,

    who have been borne by me from before your birth,

        carried from the womb; 

   even to your old age I am he,

        and to gray hairs I will carry you.

    I have made, and I will bear;

        I will carry and will save.'"  Isaiah 46:3-4, emphasis mine

 

This image of God carrying me--from the womb and on into "old age and gray hairs"--has been profoundly encouraging to me, especially on days that feel out of control or overwhelming. I've also been struck by the reality that God is near to me and is faithful to me, through difficult times, yes, but also in all those ordinary and mundane times that never cease to exhaust me as a mother of three teenagers.

And yet, what I've never noticed until this week is the startling juxtaposition that exists between this passage and one just a few verses before it: 

"Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;

        their idols are on beasts and livestock;

    these things you carry are borne

        as burdens on weary beasts."  Isaiah 46:1, emphasis mine

You see, these two passages, when taken together, demonstrate the stark contrast between our one true God and all of the lesser, counterfeit gods (aka idols) that we erect in our lives:

One carries us.

The others we must carry ourselves.

While reading this short passage, I can just feel the weight that all those things that I chase after for fulfilment and meaning that are really just heavy burdens that complicate my life, weigh me down, and leave me weary and exhausted.

I find the late pastor Tim Keller's definition of idols to be particularly helpful:

 "An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give"  --Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods

An idol that I erect in my life could include my relationships, hobbies, food, alcohol, working out...the list could go on and on.  Many of these things are wonderful gifts from God, but if I turn to them for comfort or satisfaction in life, instead of turning to God, then they just become burdens--like wooden or stone idols the people in Isaiah's day carved out and had to carry. Not only do these idols fail to serve my life, but instead, they detract from it and hamper me from running the race God has for me. 

This reminds me of the exhortation we've examined before in the book of Hebrews: 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:1-2

Will you continue to cling to and carry all those idols that ultimately fail you and weigh you down? 

Or do you, like me, long to be carried through it all in the arms of the One who is stronger than us?

Together, let's ask God to examine our hearts and show us how we can continue to let go and follow Him fully. May we relish the freedom and joy of being carried by our Almighty God, who will never leave or forsake us, this week and beyond!

The "Wow, Woe, and Wherever" Response

Unsplash: Joshua Earle

I'm journeying through the book of Isaiah (with the aid of this beautiful Bible study guide), and I've come to a familiar passage found in the beginning of chapter six.

Perhaps this passage is familiar for you as well. It is Isaiah's vision of God, his "cleansing and calling" as some scholars put it.

"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'  And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke."   Isaiah 1:1-4

I've come to see that this is the WOW part of Isaiah's response to God. It is true: when we get a sense of how awesome, holy, BIG and powerful God is, it makes a profound impact on us and causes us to stop what we are doing and do a mental and spiritual reset.

But the next part of Isaiah's response is interesting and impactful as well:

"And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.'"  Isaiah 1:5-7

I call this the WOE response. When we see God in his greatness and glory, we soon realize how small, sinful, and weak we are, and it can cause us to despair.  Our WHOA soon turns to WOE as we know that we don't have a lot of moral ground to stand on beside God in our own strength and ability.

Thankfully, God makes a way for us to be with Him through the process of atonement! We see a picture of this when the angel touches a burning coal to Isaiah's mouth to take his sin and guilt away. We as believers experience this cleansing when we trust in Jesus' saving work to take away our sin, so we can be united to Him and stand justified before God.

But Isaiah's response which follows this WOW and WOE is most interesting and challenging to me.

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'”  Isaiah 1:8

In essence, Isaiah says to God WHEREVER--wherever you want me to go, whatever you want me to do--send ME.

Is that not beautiful? 

It seems that whenever we truly encounter the living, holy, awesome, mighty God, it ceases to be "life as usual" for us.

We see this in the lives of the disciples whom Jesus called.  At his command to "follow Him," they promptly left their day jobs, lifestyles, even friends and family in some cases, to adopt the agenda that Jesus had marked out for them to spread the gospel throughout the land.

So, what about you, dear friend?  Have you had an encouter with the living God that has caused you to see your sin, step into forgiveness, and then lay down your plans for your life, eager to do and say all that God asks of you?

May your life--may my life--never be the same when we encounter God.  May we be able to say to God, like Isaiah did: "wherever and whatever" in the power of his Holy Spirit today.

 

God’s Perfect Justice

 

Photo credit: Mr. Dietrich

“Don’t you SEE that?”

“Aren’t you going to DO something?!”

“This is ridiculous!”

“Are you kidding me?!”

This was the chorus that surrounded me last evening as I watched a home varsity lacrosse game from the stands. 

Cries rose up from adult men, women, and high school students alike, mostly directed at the referees, but also to one another, as they shouted in disbelief at the failure of flags thrown and fouls overlooked during the second half of the game. 

This conference match up always proves to be harrowing as both teams are superior in the league. Let’s just say that “contentious” might be putting it mildly, and I could feel the electric energy and palpable tension the entire time of play. 

On one level, it was an interesting display to watch. Our home players would score, then do a quick-step-and-fist-pump in front of the visiting student section. In similar form, their players would run at full speed toward one another, take a flying leap, and chest bump one another. It was quite a show of “athletic peacocking” as well as lacrosse playing skills to say the least.

Both teams played their hearts out as the game went into two periods of overtime. 

Finally, with one sure-fire shot into the net, sudden victory was achieved and the visiting team cheered at their game win.

I overheard one frustrated home team fan voice to another, “This is the worst officiating I’ve ever seen in my life!”

As a mom of one of the home team players, I can understand the frustration that was being vented throughout the game. But I am not certain that poor officiating handed our opponents their victory; I could see times when our team dropped the ball or plays could have been better executed. The car ride home was quiet and it put me into a pensive mood, reflecting upon God‘s perfect justice and His sure victory at the end of the Age.

Isaiah 11 says this beautifully, starting with verse 3:

 “He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness, he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.” Isaiah 11:3-5

The passage goes on to paint a picture of how the lion will lay down with the lamb and how little children will play near the hole of the cobra. 

Won’t it be amazing in God‘s kingdom that there will be no rivalries or contentiousness, a place where predators and prey will live in harmony?!

You see, in God‘s kingdom, it plays out this way:

Did you SEE that? 

Yes, God SEES and KNOWS. 

Are you going to DO something about that? 

Yes, God will. (In fact, He already did by sending His Son, and He currently is as His kingdom unfolds here on earth)

My son came home with a bent pole from the last play (I’m thankful his pole bore the brunt of all that force, and not him!).

Maybe you, like me, feel a little bent up and beat up from the battle that wages in the world, and in our very own hearts at times.

But as believers in Christ, we’re so blessed to know the victor and to have the assurance that the battle has already been fought and WON!

Jesus is Better

Unsplash: Emma Shappley

Last week, we looked at the exhortation to throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that entangles us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us (see Hebrews 12:1).  Put in this way, it seems that throwing off our excess baggage, as it were, is for our benefit: to achieve the purpose God has for us, for our good and for His ultimate glory. In the larger context of Hebrews, we can do this because Jesus (as the author of Hebrews so eloquently lays out for us) is better.

This week, we will consider a few other reasons why we are called to throw off all that hinders us and the sin that can entangle that also appear in the twelfth chapter of Hebrews.

There is a sizable section of the chapter devoted to the concept that God disciplines us because He is our father and we are His children, and that His reproof is actually an outpouring of His love, done only as  a result of our relationship as sons to Him. 

"And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.' [requoted from Prov 3: 11-12] It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"   Hebrews 12:5-7

So, when we feel the conviction of sin, we ought to interpret that as the grace bestowed upon us by a tender, loving Father, laboring to draw us closer to Himself.  It is not a bad thing, ultimately, but a very good thing! It establishes us as His children, giving us comfort and security that we are indeed a part of His fold.

Lastly, the twelfth chapter of Hebrews ends with the concept that God is to be feared. In fact, a huge reason why we ought to gettison anything in our lives that does not serve our spiritual walk or bring glory to Him is that God is a powerful, frightening, wrathful God, and what He says GOES.  I am afraid that we do not meditate upon God's wrath enough as modern Christ-followers.  Yes, God is our gracious Father, disciplining us out of His fatherly love. But He is also a wrathful, terrifying God with whom no one dared encounter in the time of the Exodus. (If you recall, the Israelite people elected Moses to be their spokesperson and mediator out of fear of talking directly with God or coming into His presence.)

"For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, 'If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.' Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 'I tremble with fear.'”    Hebrews 12:18-21

I am challenged by how this chapter includes the exhortation found in verse 25: 

"See that you do not refuse him who is speaking." 

Will you...will I...ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit to throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles?  Or will we listen, obey, and choose not to quench the Spirit's work in our hearts and lives?

I am thankful for the power we have through our union with Christ to say NO to sin, since sin is quite literally dead to us (see Romans 6), and for the ability in Christ to throw off and to run hard!  May we do this in our lives, and may a watching world be in wonder at the amazing God in all of our midst.

 

Throwing Off the Burdens

Source: Unsplash, Pavitra Baxi

Recently I've been reflecting upon the exhortation given at the beginning of Hebrews chapter 12 to us as believers:

 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."  Hebrews 12:1

We are encouraged to throw off everything that hinders us in life.  And yet, the author of Hebrews makes a fascinating distinction.  Did you catch it?

Lay aside every weight AND sin.  Meaning...not every weight we carry is sin.

And yet those things that hinder our growth or our witness do not serve us and ought to be laid aside.

Sure, weights can include sin, but they are not limited to sin.

Paul says it this way, in his letter to the church in Corinth:

" 'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up."   1 Corinthians 10:23

So, this has me thinking...

What in my life is hindering my joy, peace, holiness, or my witness to the gospel?

What things are draining me, distracting me, impeding the work that God is doing in and through me?

What things seem to have a magnetic pull for my time and attention? 

Ought I lay these things aside?

I find it particularly telling that the writer of Hebrews gives us this exhortation when the theme of Hebrews as a book is that Jesus is better: Jesus is better than the prophets, the angels, Moses. He is the better sacrifice, the better priest, and He ushers in a better covenant. You get the idea.

Why ought we lay aside the weights that hinder and the sin that so easily entangles?

One reason is that Jesus is better.

More to come as I reflect upon these things and examine my own lifestyle, indwelling sin, and daily habits.

Will you join me, dear friend?

Will you stop to consider the things--sinful things and non-sinful things--that might be hindering your joy, peace, witness or sapping your energy, stealing your time, being a burden for you that you simply don't need to continue to carry?

I pray that the Spirit would reveal to us those things we ought to jettison, knowing that He will provide the power and strength to carry it out, to the glory and praise of God.

Christ in Me

Source: Unsplash, Sarah Millar

 I've been reflecting quite a bit about the reality that I am united to Christ.

One way I picture this is as a set of Matryoshka dolls, also known as Russian nesting dolls.

Here's how I see it: I am the small doll, and once I placed my faith in Jesus and was born again, I was opened up and the Holy Spirit was placed inside of me (see 1 Corin 6:19, Rom 8:9). At the same time, I became united to Christ, so it's as though the second doll (Jesus) opened up and I was placed inside. Paul uses the phrase "hidden in him" in Colossians 3:3 to describe this phenomenon. And then we three were placed inside the largest doll, God the Father. So, in effect, I am in Christ, the Holy Spirit is inside me, but we are both in the Father, and we are all one. I don't become a deity or share in the godhead in a divine way, but I am a co-heir with Christ and all of Christ's righteousness has been inputed to me, so that when God sees me, He sees Christ.

Yes, even with an object lesson, it can make your head hurt!

But this is the profound mystery, the glorious inheritance and daily identity that we live and move in, every moment of every day as believers.

Jesus says it like this, as recorded in the Gospel of John: 

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”   John 14:18-21 (emphasis mine)

And as Christ goes on to explain, this position that we have works itself out in obedience.  Because I am in Christ, and God lives in me, I can think, act, and serve differently. 

Consequently, I am also protected from the enemy in this Matryoshka dolls configuration.  

Nothing can get to me that has not gone through the Father first. See Lam 3:37-38

Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. See Romans 8:38-39

What a promise!  What a position!  May we bask in the beauty and security we share as believers in Christ today.  I pray it would impact your day, dear friend, and may this beautiful truth work itself out in the way you work, serve, think, and act today.

The Imperfect Bride

Source: Unsplash, Arlet Padron Benitez

 As I've discussed recently on the blog, my love for the local church has been growing over the past few years in surprising ways.

I say surprising because like we all know, the closer you get to something--whether that is a person or a thing--we begin to notice all its many imperfections.

For example, my skin might look smooth and even at first glance, but place me in front of a 3X magnification mirror, and I am suddenly horrified by all the sun spots, stray hairs, clogged pores, and wrinkles that I see.

We can experience this let down with people, too. Sociologist and author Sherry Turkle speaks to the "Goldilocks Effect" that characterizes our online relationships that technologies such as social media make possible. By placing people close enough to be considered friends, but yet far away enough that their "drama" does not impact our lives, we often do life at this "just right" distance in our relationships (and forfeit deeper love and joy in the process!).

In truth, we as Christians can fall into this "Goldilocks" dynamic, as well. We can go years just skimming the surface of church relationships, never getting past those few minutes of chatting with folks over coffee between services (if we decide to stay after the service at all). Or the opposite happens: many of of us life-long church goers could tell our own stories of disappointment, disillusionment, frustration, and hurt* we've experienced as we've gotten close to others in our church family and let down our guards, so we give up ever trying again.

Recently, as a few couples in the small group that my husband and I host were asking us about starting their own group, we had the opportunity to share about the highs and lows of doing life together by leading our fellow church members in this way. We discussed snack rotations, prayer request texts, and matters involving hospitality, but we also took the opportunity to let them know that by leading their own group, they, too, would get a front row seat to grief, sin, heartache, apathy, and questions about faith and life. I had to laugh when one wife said, "Stop it! You're scaring me!," but it is true--the hard comes with the good, and it is just the way God designed it, this side of heaven.

While grabbing coffee with my pastor recently, he shared about a passage of Scripture that has comforted us both as we've discipled, shepherded, and even parented. It is penned by the Apostle Paul who was writing to a very "messed up" church by all definitions. For example, when they shared the Lord's supper, some folks were getting drunk, while others were leaving hungry. One man was sleeping with his stepmother, which was a behavior even the pagans did not tolerate in that society! (see 1 Corinthians chapter 5) But Paul begins his letter to this broken church of Corinth in a most surprising way: 

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."                                                  -- 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (emphasis mine)

We see here that Paul was thankful for this church, and he was filled with love and hope!  

He is confident that the Corinth church will not stay the way it was becuse GOD would be faithful to sustain them until the end.

Paul could look upon this imperfect bride of a church and see beauty, restoration, healing, and life.

And so can we, friend.

I must ask myself: how can I love this imperfect bride of a church, that is my local church body?

Because I am an imperfect bride, too! I am self-focused, slower to grow and change than I'd like, apathetic at times, and frequently distracted. 

So I'd love to encourage us all to dig in, to get to know others at a deeper level within the walls of our local church. Sure there are things you'd change if you could, but we can all rest with hope and confidence, just like Paul, because God has said He is faithful to grow it and sustain it until the end. Go on that retreat. Join that small group. Volunteer on that work day; serve in that nursery.  

You, and your church family, will be blessed that you did!

 *hurt = non-abuse (to be clear, abuse ought never to be tolerated and the proper civil authorities should be informed and legal pathways persued, both within and outside the church)

United To Christ

Source: Unsplash, Antonio Castellano

I've been a Christian for over 35 years, but it wasn't until recently that I've better understood the profound theological truth that I am united to Christ.

Being "in" Christ is actually a very common way the New Testament authors describe our identity, position, and hope as Christ followers.  Several places in Scripture refer to this deep spiritual union (see 1 Peter 5:14; Philippians 1:1; Romans 8:1). Colossians 3:3 states it this way: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” 

We also see a lot of ink spilled on this concept from early church leaders such as Ignatius of Antioch and Ambrose (the mentor of Augustine).

Personally, I've come to understand my oneness with Christ to be like conjoined twins. When I was an elementary student, I remember being taught that these were "Siamese twins"--a politically incorrect term today--but it speaks to the first recognized pair of conjoined twins from Siam (modern day Thailand), Chang and Eng Bunker, born in 1811. 

 

Chang and Eng Bunker

I had to write a report about these conjoined twins and tell my class all about their lives. Chang and Eng had fused livers and left Siam as teenagers to be part of the curiosities exhibition of P.T. Barnam. They toured Europe and the U.S. for over a decade, became wealthy, and settled down with wives in North Carolina to live out their days until they died at age 62. 

I remember being floored as a young student to imagine how they lived, traveled, married, and especially how they fathered 21 children, all while being united to each other. How in the world?! That must have been awkward!

But this is how I understand my relationship to Christ as a child of His.

He is not my side-kick or helper. He is part of me--we share a mind, a heart, a spirit. I can't uncouple myself from Him, go or sin or "do life," and then reattach myself at whim.  To put it more explicitly, if I were to hop into someone else's bed, cut someone off in traffic, or overdo it at a drinking establishment, Christ does all of these things, too. Conversely, because of my union with Christ, I can love people well. I can push back the dark thoughts, because I have a sound mind, the mind of Christ. He is in me; we are united.

Likewise, due to my unbreakable union with Him, there is no need for me to fear. Psalm 23:4 says it this way:

 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Jesus is with me in a much more profound way than any other human ever could be. For example, when I gave birth to my children, my faithful husband was with me, wiping my brow, holding my hand, and cheering me on, but he was unable to actually enter into my pain and could never hope to experience it or know it. But Christ can and does.

Our union with Christ is also the foundation for our victory over sin. Because Jesus has conquered sin and death, we can, too.  More on this in another blog post, but for now, check out Romans 6:5-11 to learn more.

I think we would live very different lives as Chrisitians if we truly understood the profound truth that we are united with Him, inexorably and forever connected.

Would you be willing to consider this concept more fully this week, in your own life, dear friend?

You can start by looking up some of the verses peppered throughout this blog post or by reading one of the fantastic resources that have taught me much this past year:

Union With Christ by Rankin Wilbourne or One with My Lord by Sam Allberry.

May you--may I--take in the beauty and wonder of this exquisite truth of our union with Christ, and may it forever inform our day-to-day decision making, settle our spirits, and give us joy and hope unlike anything we've ever known.

 “There is no joy in this world like union with Christ. The more we can feel it, the happier we are.”  --Charles Spurgeon

Small Victory, Big Win

 

Source: Unsplash,  Johannes Krupinski

When you become a Christian as a child like me, you don't have much of a "before" story when it comes to overcoming heinous sins.

Yes, as a child I was selfish, lied, complained, disobeyed my parents, fought with my sister, and uttered dirty words from the back of the school bus, but I didn't get drunk at parties, sleep around, use drugs, or embezzle.

My battle with sin has been fought mostly as a Christian, within the walls of the church, in the context of a God-fearing home as a child, and later, within a godly marriage raising children in the faith.

And these are some of the toughest battlefields, in my humble opinion, because these battles can be subtle, often being entirely fought on the quiet turf of my heart and mind. Maybe these battles of thought and will go unnoticed. Perhaps, if they are acted upon, those who witness them are limited to my spouse or children, who might feel the blow of my angry words, see the spoils from impulsive shopping trips, or witness me power through a carton of ice cream.  Unless we are honest with ourselves and transparent with our family and church community, these quiet battles can last for decades.

In fact, many of our sins as Christians are what late author and evangelist Jerry Bridges described as "respectable sins" in his excellent book by the same name. He discusses sin like pride, jealousy, anger, and judgmentalism among others, but like all sins, these serve to drive a wedge between our enjoyment of and fellowship with God.

Lately, I find the Holy Spirit frequently nudging my spirit when I turn to something--anything--besides Jesus for comfort, peace, courage, or support.

Is that fridge raid/drink/online shopping truly necessary? What posture is your heart assuming as you chase after [fill-in-the-blank]? Have you considered turning to me for love/comfort/peace/strength in this moment instead?

*Sigh*

I recently heard the testimony of Arielle, one of the co-hosts of the Girls Gone Bible podcast, discussing how it wasn't until she laid down her sexual sin as a Christian that she was completely free, and her mental health/depression/anxiety markedly improved. It makes me want to examine my own heart more closely with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The times when I do feel anxious or depressed...might they be connected with my holding onto sin--even "subtle" sins--instead of confessing them and running to my Lord as quickly as I can?

In truth, I think that one of the reasons I do not stop to confess these sins is that I don't honestly believe God can change my heart in regards to them.

Now, that might sound foolish, silly, and downright blasphemous to admit. Ought it not take more faith to trust God to forgive the "big" sins--like murder and adultry--than sins like anger and consumerism? I mean, wasn't it a more miraculous transformation for Paul to turn from persecuting Christians to preaching the gospel than it was for Timothy to faithfully lead the early church, coming from a God-fearing family of Lois and Eunice?  

I think not. Even living a life of quiet, daily obedience is nothing short of miraculous. 

I am currently trying to trust God with laying down a behavioral pattern of mine, relying upon Him to give me the courage and assurance that this sin—however big or small—has NO hold on me, based upon the truth found in Romans 6:5-11, 14

"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus....For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (emphasis mine)

This passage makes it clear: sin has NO hold over us, because--through our union with Christ--we have died to sin and will be resurrected with Him.

This passage does not qualify sin--“big” sins, “respectable” sins, “small” sins, “subtle” sins; ALL are all included (as if we could categorize them anyway!)

So, I will trust in Him as I make this first step of confession and running to Him in this area of my life.

I don't have to figure out how to break free--He has already done it! I must simply turn to Him and trust Him, being faithfully obedient to what He calls me to do today.  

And then run to Him with it tomorrow.  

And then the next day, until I find that it no longer is a habit to me. He will set my paths straight as I lean fully on Him.

If there is something seemingly small in your life that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to let go of, would you be faithful to do it as well, dear friend? Not in your strength or power, but in God’s, knowing that you already have the victory in Jesus because you stand united to Him.

I hope you will join me, dear friend, as we trust Him to forgive the big and the small sins, the heinous ones and the respectable ones, one day at a time. 

For He who calls us is faithful, and He will surely do it (1 Thess 5:24) ...

Lean Not

 

Source: Unsplash, Rapha Wilde

It is rare that I spend any length of time meditating upon and studying one or two verses of the Bible.  But this summer, I've been camped out on Proverbs 3:5-6 for the past 3 months. 

It is a familiar passage for many of us:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

And with the help of Megan Fate Marshman's book, Bible study, and streaming videos, I've been able to deeply dive into this passage. 

Her chapters are entitled "Trust in the Lord" and "With All Your Heart," followed by "Lean Not" and then "On Your Own Understanding."

In this way, you are not only dipping into a concept, but bathing in it, meditating upon it, and being honest with your own heart before God.

But this isn't just a book review blog post, because God has been teaching me more about trusting Him and leaning on Him, far outside the reaches of these pages.

You see, I have had the privilege of helping a family member this summer who has suffered through a diagnosis and surgery that has left her with the need to relearn how to ambulate and how to transfer seats, among other skills.

For one week, I had a front-row seat to watch how she would muster the strength to stand, sling her arms around her father's neck, transfer her full body-weight to his strong frame, and then pivot from the couch into her wheelchair.  

It was almost like a beautifully choreographed dance--stepping out, transferring weight, trusting, pivoting, placing feet, moving throughout the home, moving throughout her day. It wasn't necessarily glamourous--no glittery ballgowns or high-heeled shoes--but a beautiful waltz none-the-less of trust, faith, and surrender.

How ridiculous it would have been for her to lean upon herself--how unproductive, and frankly, how dangerous!

And of course, as I watched this object lesson over and over again, each day while we stayed with our family, the Lord would bring these questions to mind in my own life...

Do you trust me enough to lean your FULL weight upon me?

Do you see how foolish it is to lean upon your own strength and understanding?

Do you see the simple beauty of this dance...this Gospel Waltz? (another great book I'd highly recommend!)

And so I sit in the silence and ponder these questions afresh, all these days later.

Trusting God as we launch our first daughter to college, 1500 miles away.

Trusting God as we pivot to homeschooling high school for our youngest daughter.

Trusting God as we minister in new ways in our local church.

Trusting God with our futures, with our finances, with all things seemingly great and even those that seem trivial and small.

Leaning upon Him and trusting His wisdom, and not upon my own...for this moment, for this day, for this season.

Will you lean into this dance, as well, dear friend, in the areas where God has been nudging you to trust Him fully? I pray that we would be a part of this beautiful dance, as we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and to give us strength, every moment of every day.

Your Story Matters

Source: Unsplash

As Christians, we know that Jesus is our ultimate Victor.

He is our Defender, our Righteousness, our Savior, our Lord.

Revelation paints a beautiful picture of the final battle that will bring an end to our Accuser, the Satan (see chapter 20), as he is cast into the lake of burning sulfur.

However it wasn't until recently that I was made aware that this beautiful victory is also made possible by the testimony of the Saints.

Look with me in Revelation 12:10-12

"And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!...'"(emphasis mine)

I think this helps to explain my need to hear the stories of faith, endurance, suffering, and victory in the lives of my fellow Christian brothers and sisters.

Once upon a time, this might have felt "optional" to me.

Looking back, I think I always categorized my church as "helpful."

As a child, I was faithful to attend a local church (and I have my parents to thank for that!). As a college student, single professional, and as a married adult, I have consistantly sought out the local church, attending on a weekly basis, becoming a member, and serving alongside the saints.

But it hasn't been until recently that I have determined in my spirit--in my core--that this is not just "helpful" to me as a Christian to be a part of the body of Christ. No, I now understand that it is ESSENTIAL.

And now, I have more Scripture to help me understand this biblical truth.

You see, I need your story.

It does not merely "help" me in my journey of faith.

It does not merely "encourage" me.

No, friend. It is an essential part of the victory of Light over Dark, Good over Evil, the Kingdom of God over the Kingdom of Satan.

I NEED to hear your story, your testimony, all the ways in which you currently see God move in your life...all the ways you have seen God move in your life.

I NEED to hear your story, teenager.

I NEED to hear your story, college student.

I NEED to hear your story, professional single.

I NEED to hear your story, young mother of three.

I NEED to hear your story, empty-nester.

I NEED to hear your story, octogenarian.

I NEED to hear your story! And thank you for sharing it with me, trusting it with me...and I hope you can benefit from mine, dear friend.

May we NEVER forget that the testimony of the saints helps to conquer our Accuser...and may we forever stand in the victory of the Lamb!

Your Presence Matters

Photo source: Unsplash, taken by Natalya Ukolova

There has never been a time that I have loved the local church more than I do now.

I can't explain it, and I don't fully understand it. 

I didn't even notice the shift occuring inside of me--I only noticed that a shift had occurred, and it literally took my breath away and is forever imprinted upon my heart.

I'll never forget, I was seated in church (left side, midway down, third seat in from the aisle), and I had just drank the tiny cup of port wine and swallowed the dry cracker of the communion meal while in my seat.  The soft worship music continued to play and my gaze slid over to the people filing down the center aisle, so they, too, could get the elements fom our pastors and make their way back to their seats.

As I watched the line of women, men, and adolescents slowly make their way past my seat, I wasn't impressed by their button-up shirts, dresses, or matching shoes (a habit of mine years ago as a church-going teen), but I was suddenly struck by how much I LOVED these people, and I literally gasped.

As each person filed by, I truly noticed them.  Perhaps I personally knew them, having served with them in some way at the church or on a mission trip.  Perhaps I had met their parents, been in their home around the dinner table, or I could correctly pair them with their infant child in the church nursery. 

But even if I didn't know them, or had never met them before, my heart seemed to lunge toward them. Old, young, known, unknown, it didn't matter. I was sincerely thankful and grateful they were there. Inexplicably, their mere presence in the sanctuary that morning truly and deeply mattered to me.

I talk to people in my church (at weekly Life Group or sharing coffee out in town) who say something to the effect that they feel needy, not useful, broken, benched in some way.  I try my best to express to them that just their being at church or at small group--just their being in the boat, so to speak--deeply ministers to me.  They may not be pulling at an oar (yet), but their very presence proclaims the fact that they have made the choice to not go at it alone, but to partner with Jesus, with me and others, to be united to the family of God...and that profoundly impacts us all. 

I didn't talk much about my communion experience at that time, and probably 4 or more years have passed since that day, but it continues to inform my spiritual journey in a profound way. It has been interesting for me to read or hear the words of others--current church leaders and even pastors a few decades into their retirement from the pulpit ministry--sharing about how their hearts and souls are consistently refreshed by being surrounded by the saints on a Sunday morning, hearing them sing the hymns of the faith, eating together, and just being together as the body of Christ.

If you struggle to love the local church and have never experienced this facet of being united in Christ with other believers, you are not alone, dear friend!  Many (perhaps most?) of us have had seasons where we have struggled to be truly present in church each week, to dig in, get to know people, to serve and to just love and be loved.  I'd like to point you to some resources that have helped me in those seasons, and these are still books that encourage me as I reflect upon the wonder of my relatively newfound love--Christ's love--for his church, the bride.  I also recently heard a podcast about how your church--my church--needs you to show up...in the best way.  

TGC Podcast The Deep Dish: Your Church Needs You to Show Up -- Courtney Doctor, Melissa Kruger, Vanessa K. Hawkins

Sam Allberry: Why Bother With Church?

Paul David Tripp: Sunday Matters: 52 Devotionals to Prepare Your Heart for Church

Deitrich Bonhoeffer: Life Together

May you be encouraged, challenged, and strengthened this week in your journey, wherever you land in your feelings of love for your local church.  God will and can use you--even if you just sit in a pew for a bit. 

Let None of Your Words Fall

I was reading the book of First Samuel this crisp, fall morning and a beautiful sentiment lept off the pages to me.  It was in the story of Samuel as a young boy receiving God's call, a passage I have always loved and prayed over as it pertains to my children.

    Help my children hear your call, Lord! May their response be “Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10)

But it was further into chapter three that the Lord showed me a beautiful prayer today:

"The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground." 1 Samuel 3:19

I pray that today, dear friend.  Let us savor God's word for ourselves, and speak truthful, choice words that will not just fall to the ground, but serve to encourage one another.  May our words be winsome and helpful, instructing and guiding, and lead to LIFE.  

Reforesting Faith

I have been fascinated by trees and what they have to teach me about faith for years.

I've been praying that my children grow to become "mighty Oaks of Righteousness" since they were little.

So imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered that there is an entire book written about the theology of trees (and by a medical doctor, like myself, I might add!)

I devoured this gem in a single day and just had to tell you about it, too, dear friend.  It is entitled Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love For Us authored by Matthew Sleeth, MD.

If you are a nature-lover like me, I am sure this book will serve to refresh and encourage you as you follow the path of trees God laid out through the Scriptures.

I never realized that the opening and closing chapters of the Bible, the first Psalm, and the first page of the New Testament include trees. 

Nor did I ever know that most major biblical characters and events are marked by trees.

Both Jehovah God and Jesus Christ frequently called and commissioned their followers from under, or within, a tree (or bush).

A tree was the only thing that Jesus ever harmed (interestingly, a fig tree--the same kind of tree that bore the leaves Adam and Eve used to hide their nakedness from God; see Matthew 21:18-22).

And conversely, a tree--in the form of a cross--was the only thing that could harm Jesus. 

Trees teach us to take the long view of life.  They are the oldest living organisms on the earth and the largest living organism (that prize goes to a stand of aspen trees sharing the same root system in the state of Utah).  They are the only thing on the planet that gains a ring every time they do a lap around the sun. It is as though God is literally marking time with trees.

Trees make us feel small, and they remind us that compared to them, our lifespan is very brief.

General Sherman, Giant Sequoia

Trees are also symbols of hope and resurrection.  Noah's ark was built from trees, the dove returned with a branch from a tree, God's Tabernacle was made from trees (covered in gold), and we will live forever with Him at the Tree of Life in the new heavens and the new earth.

Huge biblical concepts like wisdom are compared metaphorically to trees.

"She [wisdom] is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

    those who hold her fast are called blessed."  Proverbs 3:18

They are one of the few things that continue to give, even in their death, as they supply us with building materials for our homes and furniture.  Does this remind you of anyone?

Trees have much to teach us about who God is and how He loves and calls us.

This brief book summary is just scratching the surface of the goodies found within the pages of Dr. Sleeth's book!

If you'd love to know more, I hope you will treat yourself to this little treasure this summer.

It makes for a wonderful summer-time, lake-side read!