journey onWord with us

Let me ask you a question.  Would you describe yourself as “humble?”  If so, take a moment and consider a limit to your humility, both on the high side and the low side.  How quickly would pride creep in, say if someone began praising you for something you had done or for the type of person you are in their eyes?  And do you have a lower limit?  How many times could you be taken advantage of or humiliated before your defense mechanisms kicked in?  Is there a “too far” or a line just this side of absolute bottom?

I found myself asking these questions internally on Wednesday morning this week after consuming the words of Jesus in Mark chapter seven, and the story of someone just like me (in so far as we are both Gentiles).  It touched something at the very core of who I am.

There are plenty of things that I can project outward on a society that seems to fail so often and so epically when it comes to pride; so many cliché-type condemnations on the tip of my tongue that I could rightly direct to “others.”  But I found myself personalizing the question of humility, answering it quickly, and then wrestling with the standard I saw in the story, and how, or whether it is manifested in my own life.  It was me who wrote just a little over a week ago about choosing to live like Jesus did with the rhythm of my life.  “How am I doing in this area?” was another question that traveled to my core and settled there.

Jesus traveled to the region of Tyre and Sidon, and to a home where he hopes to go unnoticed.  As the story goes, and as you would expect, the crowd finds him.  There is a particular woman, a Greek, whose daughter is possessed by a demon.  When she finds out where Jesus is, she hurries to the house and falls at his feet.  Although the Bible does not describe it this way, I don’t think it’s out of line (pun partially intended) to assume that there was a line to Jesus … people, His own people, who were in need.  All of a sudden this Greek woman runs into the house, right up to Jesus and “fell at his feet.” (Mark 7:25 NIV)  No doubt there were some in line who had some cliché-type condemnations on the tips of their tongues.

The woman proceeds to beg Jesus to drive a demon from the body of her daughter.  Can you relate to this Gentile woman who is desperate for Jesus to heal someone she loves?  I have heard Jesus’ answer a hundred times before, but for some reason this time it traveled deep within me.  I wonder what His tone was when He spoke the words?  “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Mark 7:27 NIV)  Read those words again … and then maybe a third time.  Do they hit you in a different or deeper place each time you read them?  Do they have you questioning if this woman has a lower line, just this side of absolute bottom?  Can you put yourself in this woman’s place, maybe in another context, something unique to your own life?  Was I just called “a dog?”

I wonder what the timing was between Jesus’ last word and the woman’s first one in response?  The Bible reads as though it was immediate, and, from the words she spoke, I believe it was.  Showing no reaction to the lowly reference, she responds in way that reads, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 NIV)  She responds in perfect illustration of the words Jesus spoke at the very beginning of his most famous public teaching.  “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (Mark 7:28 NIV)

“Lord,” I can hear her say, “I accept my lowly place and don’t consider it, even for a second.  I believe, and I am here because, you have the power to heal.  I will praise you and thank you for even the scraps from the table of your servants.  I consider myself as literally nothing for You to be seen as everything.”  This is what she says.  This is no lower limit.  This is poor in spirit.  This is blessed.

Jesus heals her daughter instantly in response to her words.  Is that how it works all the time?  I would dare say based on the experiences of your life and mine, “No, it is not.”  Is this what I aspire to?  Is this the illustration of how I want to answer the questions I was asking myself this past Wednesday and each day since?  “Yes!  Yes, it is.”

Allow the words of Jesus and the stories that surround them to touch your life, and stir in you questions such as these.  Keep asking these questions in your everyday.  Allow the conversation to drive you to new depths in your relationship with the risen Savior.  Allow it to change the way you see and serve others.  So what is your answer?  Would you describe yourself as “humble?”

Last Friday, we had an unusual flight from Tampa.  My wife and I would probably explain the “unusualness” from different perspectives, but unusual it was.  Genel was trying to study, but was continually interrupted by two dogs and two babies that never stopped crying the entire flight. For her, it was an annoying adventure in flying.  The noise also distracted me, but I was confronted by someone from my past that thoroughly encouraged me.  As I sat down and buckled up for the flight, I exchanged greetings with the gentlemen next to me. After a few moments and curious looks, we realized that we knew each other. It had been at least 23 years since we last saw each other, so obviously there were a few “gray” areas that caused us to hesitate! After renewing acquaintances, we talked about his mom and sisters, who I also knew well.

The especially encouraging part of our discussion centered on his sharing that both he and his wife had come to faith in Christ while in a ministry that I directed. Today, they are active in church and serving in leadership roles. I was stunned and blessed all at the same time.  At that point in our lives, Genel and I were leading a ministry that had been a leap of faith. I had been asked to take a ministry position that was beyond my comfort zone and training, but in His will. Humanly speaking, it was a risk for me to take the position as it demanded things that were beyond anything I had ever achieved.

I firmly believe that God often places us in positions that are beyond us, but never beyond His ability.  Have you ever faced a situation sensing that it was “impossible” or “beyond your ability?”  Is there anything in your life today that requires more faith than sight?  Living in our comfort zones and doing only what we feel capable of doing may mean that we are keeping Him at arm’s length.  Faith will stretch us.

I would dare say, everyone knows the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. It was a miracle of dramatic proportions.  In fact, it’s the only miracle apart from the Resurrection that is recorded in all four gospels. As I was re-reading it Saturday, the words of Jesus to His disciples leapt off the page at me. Jesus had compassion on the large crowd, and taught them. Late in the afternoon His disciples wanted Him to send the crowd away so they could buy something to eat. But Jesus said, “You feed them.” (Mark 6:37)  Talk about asking the disciples to do the impossible! There is so much to learn from this incredible miracle, but for once my eyes focused solely on, “You feed them.”

  It seems to me that Christ wanted to emphasize the disciple’s inability, and His ability. The men did what I would do, they started to count the unaffordable cost of providing food. If not careful, you and I look at every faith stretching, comfort zone removing opportunity by calculating costs that we feel we either can’t, or don’t want to pay.  The disciple’s inability was no match for Christ’s ability, and the people were fed. How easy it is for us to miss His ability on display when we refuse to take steps of faith.

We all stand today looking forward in the direction of the future. Will our futures be dictated by sight and what we can accomplish, or by faith and what He wants to accomplish? All Christ-followers should seek faith-stretching opportunities that depend on His ability. It has been almost thirty years since my wife and I took a risk. I wonder if we would take that same chance again. Getting older seems to make us more security-oriented, but meeting miracles on a plane reminds that God’s ability is what we should all trust … not ours!

An interesting thing happened on Monday that is beyond my ability to explain. The results were undeniable and meaningful, but hard for me to comprehend. My wife, daughter and I were on vacation at Disney World for a day, and our daughter Lindsay was posting pictures to Instagram for her friends. Somehow, one of the launched pictures (imagine a picture floating through air), returned to orbit in the account of a childhood friend in South Florida. Her friend then called her parents who were at Disney World and asked if they were with us (her parents had no idea that we were enjoying Mickey Mouse for a day). A text ensued (which I really can’t figure out either), and we connected with two of our closest friends in the entire world. And it all happened from a picture floating through air.

So much of life is filled with God’s undeniable, yet unexplainable power.  Throughout my spiritual journey, I have seen God do the unexplainable so many times. His protection, provision and grace are undeniable to me, however, too many times I experience a distractedness that enters my spiritual focus and prayer life. It’s easy to rationalize the “why”, but too much me, and too little God leads to less spiritual effectiveness … and correspondingly, less unexplainable moments! If your journey has taken similar paths, you know the frustration I’ve felt. Those God-authored Instagram moments seem so distant.

Without a doubt, when I re-tune my life to the Father’s heartbeat, He is pleased.  As if on cue, the great unexplainables start happening again. It’s easy for thoughts like, “would this have happened anyway?” to creep in.  But I am confident that a lifetime of coincidences (like there are such things) are from the Lord. I may not be able to explain everything, but His working in my life cannot be denied. You may be traveling a road where the great unexplainable blessings of God seem to only happen to others. If so, consider re-tuning your will to His; your life to His heartbeat. We should not be so bold as to think just because we refocus, God is bound to immediately perform some unexplainable miracle. His design however, is to bless those who walk with a surrendered, faith-filled heart. Jeremiah’s faith mirrored a trust in the unexplainable, undeniable power of God.

Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Every person reading this article has a “too hard” issue, but He made the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm. Unexplainable! Undeniable! If you have stopped praying fervently for your children, given up on finding a job, or lost hope that God may heal your loved one, you may be traveling by sight. Turn to the Father with renewed commitment. Let Hebrews 11:1-2 become your reality … Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. (NIV)

When my daughter hit Send on her Instagram pictures, she had no doubt they would immediately be in the view of her friends. I can’t explain how it happens, but I believe it. I can’t explain how God hung the world in space, or fully comprehend the death and resurrection of Christ, but I believe it. I don’t know how He chooses to pour unexplainable, undeniable blessings on the lives of those who are fully devoted to Him, but I believe it. Do you?

What word would you say best describes the rhythm of your life in its present tense?  Flying back from California this past Friday, I was on the periphery of a conversation between a couple of passengers and flight attendants.  The flight attendants were seated in jump seats directly opposite an exit row of passengers and they were having an animated conversation about the pace of modern life.  It was clear that all were in agreement that “people’s schedules are too full and hurried.”  I thought it was interesting, and of note, that none of them spoke of their own lives, only in generalizations about others.  It made me want to ask them the question that I just asked you.

So how would you answer that question?  Would your answer be consistent with their generalized judgment?  Would it be either of the two words I just mentioned … “full” or “hurried?”  If you answered in the affirmative to either or both of the previous questions, you are absolutely not alone.  My own life, and that of my family, has been full or hurried many times in the past.

But while you or I might admit to that, and in turn likely feel bad about it, I’m not sure it’s that simple.  I have been thoroughly exposed to the human wisdom of margin; the idea that our lives and relationships should not be packed full, but maintain a healthy bit of buffer.  Mentally, physically and emotionally this makes good sense.  We shouldn’t run ourselves ragged, experience persistent stress, or be in a constant state of busy.  It’s not good for us … right?!

I’m pretty sure the “right answer” to that question is “yes.”  The slightest hint of uncertainty, however, makes me pause for a moment and ask myself a question.  “What word would Jesus say best described the rhythm of His life?”  Let’s all just stop for a second and let that question sink in.

I know I’m going to pay closer attention as we travel the rest of this year through the gospels focusing on the words of Jesus.  Pay closer attention to the pace of His life and see what it speaks into mine.  My initial thought is that Jesus’ life was pretty full.  I think He was busy … busy doing his Father’s work.  And I believe there were times when Jesus felt physically exhausted from “doing.”   This leads me to wonder about these seemingly good practices of slowing down and margin.  Was Jesus concerned about those things?  I honestly don’t know, and my intent here is not to convince you either way.  I’d simply be curious for you to join me in considering it.

I think two things are absolutely true.  First, our lives are full and hurried.  And second, the answer to that is not as simple as slowing down or seeking margin.  I absolutely don’t take issue with either idea, but I’m more interested in living as Jesus did.

This week’s reading schedule will end with Jesus feeding the five thousand.  Just before this big event, “the apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.” (Mark 6:30 NIV)  They had been busy, and as verse 31 suggests the scene around this gathering was overly busy too.  Jesus speaks to them and to this scene at the end of verse 31…

Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

This invitation to the disciples was characteristic of Jesus’ own life.  Many times in the gospels we read of Jesus stealing away to a quiet place, most times to pray.  I believe we do best to live our life as Jesus did, certainly in contrast to following the world’s prescriptions.  I have made stealing away to a quiet place a consistent practice in my own life.  I encourage you to consider it for yourself.

How about a “challenge” for this week?  Commit Jesus’ words that end Mark 6:31 to memory today.  Say them over and over in your mind or out loud until they seat themselves in your memory.  Speak them this week, obey them this week, do as He suggests.  Go with Jesus to a quiet place.  Commit your occasions in that quiet place (whether just once or several times over the week) to memory, or journal them.  Then next Saturday when you read those words as a part of the daily reading, review your thoughts or journal entries.  As this week closes, look back on your week and take note of how it went.  It will no doubt have been full, but I am eager and expectant for what He will do in your life and for His kingdom because of your obedience to Jesus’ invitation.  It is best to live our life as Jesus did and not as the world prescribes.

We were blessed early this week with a thoughtful and honest email from one of our readers.  It referred to a verse that was in our reading schedule for later in the week, and I was touched by the sincerity and transparency of their words.  I wonder if you will hear a resonant echo in the past or present of your own walk of faith.  Our reader inquired, I “…was wondering if someone could comment on Mark 4:12.  It sounds as though there are people that Jesus doesn’t want to understand or be saved.  This portion of scripture has always been difficult for me to understand and figure out.  Any thoughts, background, or commentary would be greatly appreciated.”

Can you imagine being in the crowd when Jesus taught?  We are privileged to have the words of His stories, but can you close your eyes for a moment, put yourself in the middle of a scene and see with your minds-eye what kind of storyteller Jesus was?  Can you hear the tone of His voice, see the look on His face and feel the gentle touch of His words?  There were undoubtedly times when His tone was sharp, but that was rare, and always with a divine purpose.  There were also moments of great warmth, measureless grace and unconditional forgiveness.  Consider the scene of the woman about to be stoned for committing adultery (John 8:1-11) … an angry, “righteous” mob surrounding her, seeking to exact the just punishment for her sins.  “Let him who is without sin among you,” I hear him say to those gathered with stones in their hands and judgement in their hearts.  “Neither do I” and “Go and sin no more,” He speaks into to a deeply broken heart and life in desperate need of true love, grace and forgiveness.  God in human form looks into the face of an adulterer and says, “Neither do I” condemn you.  How?  Why?  I can only guess it’s because He sees straight through to the heart and what He saw that day must have been a heart that was changed in an instant … and forever.

In response our reader’s desire to understand Jesus’ response to His disciples in Mark 4:12, I am tempted to offer the words of 2 Peter 3:9…

 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

I’m “tempted” because it’s just what we do when we’re asked a question … we give an answer.  I’ll encourage our reader (and you) that it is good and profitable to continue to ask your questions of God.  So much more will come of the resulting conversation, than what any other human voice could offer in response.  At the same time, I also believe God may have a larger purpose in our reader not keeping their thoughts hidden under a bushel, and in our exploring them today.   So here are some of the thoughts He has been working out in my own life in the days since receiving the email.

It is because of the verse in 2nd Peter, and others like it (John 3:16-17, I Tim 2:7), that I do not believe that Jesus used parables like riddles in order to confound people so that some wouldn’t believe.  Or, as our reader so honestly put it, “there are people that Jesus doesn’t want to understand or be saved.”

If you’ll allow, I’d like to change gears for a second and share something personal.  It’s concerning another difficult question that people have deep convictions or uncertainty over, but I think might be helpful in what we are considering in Mark 4:12.  I recall my grandfather illustrating his beliefs on the doctrines of free will and predestination this way one time.  He said he believed there were two signs hanging above the gate to the entrance of heaven.  The sign on the side that faced this world read, “Whosoever will, may come.”  The sign from heaven’s vantage read, “I chose you before the foundation of the world.”  I remember him continuing on with how that impacted his practice of sharing the gospel.  He believed that it wasn’t his to pick and choose with whom he shared the gospel on this side of heaven.  He chose to share it freely with all, and let God be responsible for the rest.

I hear my grandfather’s voice as I read Jesus’ words in Mark 4:12.  I believe that God desires for all his children to choose Him.  At the same time, I also believe that He knows the hearts of all, both those who will, and those who won’t.  In telling stories that only those with ears to hear and eyes to see would understand, I believe Jesus is saying that the kingdom of heaven is not a fact to be proved by a clearly illustrated story.  It’s not to be understood by the head with some manner of A+B=C wordly logic.  It is a great and wonderful mystery and Truth to be believed by a heart and life that catches just a glimpse of Jesus and instantly “sees.”  It is told of in a language that only a child of His truly “hears.”  These are the stories of Jesus, the stories He tells “so that they may look and look,yet not perceive; they may listen and listen, yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back — and be forgiven.” (Mark 4:12)

Does God wish for any precious creation of His to be “outside?” (Mark 4:11)  Does Jesus teach with stories that confuse and deliberately lead some toward unbelief?  I say, and I believe scripture says, “absolutely not!”  But do I believe that Jesus tells stories that only His children can truly hear and understand?  Yes.  Our God is not manipulative; not even when the ends would be just.

I believe God does not wish for any to perish.  I also believe He knows the hearts and lives that will not choose Him.  I believe He pursues all, but coerces none.  I believe there is so little I know, and so much that can be experienced when we consider our questions with Him.  Thank you reader, for your honesty and for allowing us all to consider your important question together.

You’ve likely never heard the name Charlotte Brown.  Charlotte is a sixteen year-old young lady that can teach all of us a few lessons.  She’s a track star for her high school in Texas, and last week she tied for fourth place in the state at her specialty … pole vaulting.  I have always been amazed at how someone can launch their body into the air using only a pole, and then complete a torso turn at just the right moment to elevate above a prescribed height. Miss Brown cleared eleven feet!  A great feat in and of itself for a high school junior, but when you consider that Charlotte is blind, it makes her accomplishment even more astounding! This young lady used her guide dog to navigate the track, plus an electronic beeper to help her jump at just the right time.  Think about her fearlessness, her determination, the lack of self-pity and the awesome dedication that propelled Charlotte to do something that most of us could never achieve.

On the very same day that I read about Charlotte Brown, I was struck by a sentence from John Ortberg’s book, God Is Closer Than You Think.  His words are an indictment of all of us who become self-consumed, and therefore miss so much that God intends for us to see as we walk our own journey. His statement reads, “To refuse the blindness that comes with self-preoccupation.” Physical blindness is difficult, and most often unavoidable.   Blindness resulting from a preoccupation with self is absolutely avoidable, and if left unchecked becomes an insidious disease.  Our lives should be lived with eyes wide open, seeing God’s purpose for us, and living with a preoccupation on others and their needs.  To be candid, we have all felt our eyes closing to those around us; we have been consumed only by our opinions, problems and needs.

During my personal reading last week, I was confronted with the compassion of Jesus. I read of how He healed a man with leprosy and another who was a paralytic. I also sensed in my reading, the battle that He faced with the religious leaders.  They seemed to fight Him at every turn because Christ didn’t obey their religious traditions. How blind they were to miss the work of God.  But in the church communities where we reside, our spiritual biases, agendas and relationships cause us to miss the work of God around us.  It almost seems absurd, but my point can be illustrated by a normal occurrence in churches across America.  Someone who doesn’t fit our mold enters the building, and can be easily avoided. My favorite is when a new person (possibly seeking after Christ) sits in the seat that is typically occupied by a regular attendee and is asked to move!

I could write pages on the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees and even church communities today. But a greater question for me (and for you) is this … in what ways are we being blinded by self-preoccupation? If you are anything like me, there are aspects of your life that can easily draw you to self-preoccupation. Today you could be facing a financial crisis, a new life direction, an addiction, or any other spiritual battle that will blind you to God’s purpose and the needs of others.  If you are reading these words and have any self-preoccupation dominating your life, will you confess and release it to the Father right now?  It’s absolutely a disease, but here’s the hope … He’s the cure!  Listen to the words of Jesus from our reading just last week … It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Mark 2:17 NIV)

You and I will be tempted with self-preoccupation today, and for the rest of our lives. Battling this insidious blindness will benefit those we love, and honor God.  Charlotte Brown has a lot to teach us about real blindness. She seems to see that preoccupation with self can be worse than physical blindness, and she will have none of it. What about you?

When our daughter was very young, we had a favorite movie that we brought home from the video store quite often.  The Princess Bride appealed to us girls on several levels; first, anything involving a princess and our daughter was into it!  But this movie also had romance and heroism and chivalry and … well, you can see that “mom” liked it just as much as our daughter.  In the movie, the hero, who is of course in love with the princess, is but a mere servant and could only dream of marrying her one day.  As he serves her every command, he would always answer her, “As you wish.”  That simple 3 word answer got me to thinking…

What if we, as servants of the Almighty King, always answered His leading, prodding, and guidance that very same way?  With a simple, “As You wish.”

We have all seen people who stand on the corners with signs telling of their misfortunes and asking for donations.  They are everywhere, and if you are the first one at the traffic light, sitting in your car right next to them, it can be a little uncomfortable.  Do we give?  Is this truly someone in need?  What will they really use the money for?  Is the rumor true that this is an organized group and their cardboard stories are just made up?  It is easy to become immune and even jaded to the misfortunes of others; besides, none of us want to be “taken” by someone either.

But we must still be open and aware of a prodding from the Lord.  And we must keep our hearts open for that “as you wish” moment.

Last Saturday, I had just such a moment … and I think I blew it.  I was approached on the street by a woman asking for $2.00.  I got flustered and rushed to my car.  As I drove away, I realized that she was only trying to get bus fare.  I worried about that woman all the way home; in fact, I almost turned around and went back, but instead I just prayed that someone more aware than me gave her the $2.00 to get home.  I was so upset with myself; I had not taken the time to assess the situation before I threw out the “no!”  Was God trying to use me to help that lady get home and I was too jaded to realize it?

As we look at the life and words of Jesus Christ, we see that He was always full of compassion for everyone He met.  He had time for every person.  And he focused all His attention on that person that was in front of Him.  The notes in my study Bible say it well:

“Jesus’ miracles show His profound love and compassion for people.  Certainly His miracles are proof that He is the Son of God, but they also prove that He sees the needs of His people and has both the power and the will to help them.  This is no less true today – become a person of prayer and watch God transform you and the world around you through His power.”

Let’s try this weekend to open our eyes to the subtle touches and tugs on our hearts that God may send our way.  It may be a monetary gift, but it could also be a gentle answer to a sales clerk or lifting something off the top shelf at the grocery store for a senior, or taking the time to answer a question.  This weekend, let’s tell God that we are ready to say,

“As you wish, Lord – As You wish.”

The richness and freshness of scripture never ceases to amaze me.  There is so much depth and breadth in this week’s parallel account focus on the temptation of Jesus, it would take pages to communicate what has been running through my heart and mind.  So much is familiar, yet in the midst of all that I have read and heard taught in the past, the Spirit has gifted some discoveries this week that are entirely new.

Although it was not at all new to me that the baptism of Jesus and his period of temptation in the desert were the launching point of his earthly ministry, I saw something in them that I had never seen before.  That “something” is a unifying thread of identification.  As I read and studied the accounts of Jesus being tempted in the desert, the stories of his baptism lingered.  Maybe it was Mark’s vivid language describing the Spirit’s prompting on the heels of Jesus’ baptism that didn’t allow me to simply move on to the next event.  Look at the language several translations use in Mark 1:12 to describe the action of the Spirit…

“immediately drove him”  (ESV)
“immediately … drove Him”  (HCSB)
“immediately … impelled him”  (NASB)
“compelled Jesus”  (NLT)
“pushed Jesus”  (MSG)
“immediately … driveth him”  (KJV)
“forced Jesus”  (CEB)

Impelling just doesn’t sound comfortable, does it?!  This force of language caused me to sit a while with the two events together.  As I considered and prayed, the word “identify” began to echo in both stories.  I could start to see the truths of Jesus identifying with his Father in his obedience in baptism, and identifying with us in being impelled into the desert to be tested.  I had always believed that this was God’s plan to prepare Jesus for his ministry, but why did I believe that?  Did Jesus need to be toughened up or tested before he took his Father’s message on the road?  I think the obvious answer to that question is “No,” so how about this idea of “identification?”

A great beginning (and possible ending) can be found in the following verses from the book of Hebrews…

Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

We may not be able to directly identify with the specifics and severity of the testing Jesus endured, but have you ever been tempted to satisfy a material need at the cost of a spiritual one?  Or have you ever been tempted to not trust what God has promised He would do?  And is not the central issue of temptation, one of simple trust?  Trusting that what God has for us is better than the delectable thought or thing Satan chooses to put in front of us.

I had a bread-to-stone (first temptation) moment a couple of years ago while serving a meal during our church’s week to host a group of homeless men and women.  I arrived the first night overly eager to do whatever I could to meet the human need of the precious guests we were privileged to serve that night.  As dinner started I moved swiftly, precisely and accurately delivering drinks.  Back and forth I went, paying particular attention to creams, sugars, ice, no ice, just half please, no-cup-just-the-can, all the while engaging in polite conversation.  That was, until a woman named Elaine (whose name I will likely never forget) asked me a simple, but convicting question.

Elaine was sharing a table with Linda, Venus and Ken, and it looked like they all needed a refresh on drinks (drink man to the rescue).  After fetching them, I returned and took a seat.  Elaine was nearly finished with her dinner, and was beginning on dessert.  After an initial greeting, Elaine asked, “Aren’t you going to eat with us?”  I quickly responded, “Oh … no.” (it was said in a polite tone, but sometimes words can be so inadequate to express the proper sentiment).  My mind began formulating a hundred reasons for my polite denial, all from a place of humility and service.  “I was not there to eat, I was there to serve.”  “I had dinner before I came, and if I ate it would take from a guest.”  But as I processed all that in preparation to respond, her words echoed back and I felt the conviction of a single, critical phrase at the very end of her question.  “… with us?”  Elaine wasn’t asking whether I was going to eat, but that’s the question my head responses were answering.  Her question was relational.  Her words were an invitation to a greater and deeper need, and I almost declined with my intentionally humble response.  She gave me a “mmmm hmmm” sort of glance, like she had just gotten me.  And she had.

Elaine continued with a glowing recommendation the brownie she had just begun to enjoy.  “How about dessert?” she asked.  “Yes ma’am, I think I’ll try one of those brownies” I answered.  I had been caught in the midst of seeing and serving the wrong need.  I was not there to serve someone some a meal, I was there to share one with them.  I was busy doing, when I got the simple invitation to just be.  

In being baptized, I publicly identified with God … just as my Savior did.  In being impelled into the desert to be tempted, Jesus identified with me … and the stone-to-bread moment at dinner that night.  Thank you, Jesus.  And thank you, Elaine.  I pray for you wherever you are today.

It snowed and was very cold all winter, and now the rain just keeps coming and coming. Do I sound like someone in the depths of discouragement? There are days! And to top it off, one of the unintended consequences of a cold and snowy winter is potholes. Just yesterday my wife was talking to a woman about stopping by her house, and the nice woman remarked, “My street is full of potholes.  Be careful.” Now to be honest, I can handle the weather, but there are times (like this week) that I feel my life is full of potholes of my own making.  As I traverse the highways of my life, it seems that I hit those annoying potholes that alter my spiritual alignment.

Like you, I have been reading the words of Jesus this year, and there is no doubt that He handled the highway of life with magnificent grace. There were ample opportunities for Him to condemn a wayward soul, ignore needs and focus on Himself, but He lived each day to the fullest, navigating the potential potholes along the way. Of course He did! He was God! But for anyone who truly knows Christ as their Savior, rest in the fact that Christ will lead us on our personal highway of life through the power of His Holy Spirit. We won’t miss all of the potholes, but navigating through life with joy is possible.

Earlier this week, I drove into a pothole that threw my spiritual alignment off for almost a day. Without going into detail, I will just say that I made a mistake and got totally irritated with myself (has that ever happened to you). My wife even asked me that night, “what’s wrong?” Don’t you hate that question when you are in a bad mood? I chose to fume at myself instead of releasing my burden to the Lord. Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders- he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. He’ll never let good people topple into ruin. Psalm 55:22(MSG) I knew better, and pouting and being frustrated kept me in need of a spiritual alignment.

The next morning I was a little better, (but still weaving down my spiritual road a little out of balance) when someone gave me words that hit home. The problem was they were the same words I had written about two days earlier. I was telling the individual about my mistake and for some reason he turned and looked at a plaque and quoted it (he had not read my article), “Good morning, this is God. I will be handling your problems today.” How easily I had gone from well-meaning words to hitting a pothole, throwing myself out of balance, pouting and wasting valuable time.  But in God’s timing, my friend’s recitation of words helped bring balance to my spiritual bearings.

Your highway is different from mine, but there are undoubtedly potholes along the road that you need to navigate as well. The words of Jesus and meaningful quotations can help you navigate the spiritual highway that is your life. However, biblical truth and words of wisdom need to be applied, not just quoted.  How is your spiritual alignment this week? Have you hit any potholes?

I know the Truth, I know Jesus and I love meaningful quotes. But for a day this week, I let frustration with myself throw me out of alignment. Can’t blame the pothole!  The Father has gently brought me back into balance. I trust you are driving well today. If not, listen to His Spirit’s leading … and drive well!

My life is filled with slogans. Often the words, yesterday ended at midnight are part of my vocabulary. Literally, every article we write from Journey on Word ends with those words. At work my mantra is, where hope becomes strategy. We all have lots of hopes that aren’t converted to strategies. A simple walk around my office will give you other slogans that cause food for thought. My wife and I saw a bumper sticker slogan last month that was ripe with meaning; too blessed to be stressed. If only we would apply the slogans that create such warm emotional feelings. Wouldn’t it be great if we always closed the door on yesterday at midnight? Can you imagine always putting strategies to all your hopes? And wouldn’t it be great to live focused on blessings and not stresses?

Good morning, this is God. I will be handling all your problems today.

As you read the simple slogan, what was your reaction?  Do you long for that to be true?  Does it just seem too simple? Will you let Him?

I am going to make an assumption that, like me, you prefer to handle your own problems and struggle with committing them to the Father’s care. Would you agree that even when you are committed to involving God in every part of your day, it’s really hard to let Him have exclusive access to your problems? Be encouraged.  We can do it! And also be warned, that if we choose to leave God out of our plans and direct our own journey, we have no right to expect Him to guide us. Perspective on trusting God to guide you through each day (even in the midst of problems) can be found in a slogan taken from Dallas Willard’s book, Renovation of the Heart.

“At the beginning of each morning I commit my day to the Lord’s care.”

A simple statement, yes, but one packed with incredible insight. In Christ, you and I have the ability to present our day before Him and trust Him for the results. None of us has the ability to make today or tomorrow a perfect day. We live in a fallen world. Our Lord already knows what is in front of us with all its joy and sorrow. Do you think He will give us direction? Of course He will! Just remember throughout the day, when the inevitable problem arises, to whisper words like these: “Father, I have given you this day, and now I trust You to guide me”. And He will!  Look no further than scripture for assurance …

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

There can be no doubt that when we trust Him, God will guide us. By faith we can release the burdens of yesterday, and accept His care and provision for today. Committing each day to the Father’s care in the morning can be more than a cute slogan … It can be reality! And when it is, we may find a calmness that comes from letting God handle our problems for the day. And just maybe the words, too blessed to be stressed won’t be just a simple slogan … but an ever-growing assurance.

It’s a new day; Let the slogans be your strategy!