Tag: Jesus Christ

Why, O Lord?

We are a curious race, humans–we ask a lot of questions of ourselves, each other, and even of God. How did He make the universe? When will Jesus return? Who can we trust in this world? Where is Heaven? What must we do to be saved? But the majority of our questions are “Why” questions. Why did Jesus come? Why did He have to die? Why did God make snakes and mosquitoes and platypuses? Why are men and women so different? Why am I… (short/tall, fat/thin, clumsy, “odd,” misunderstood, etc.)? Why are You so mysterious? Why do bad things happen to “good” people?

I was thinking about this last question this week. I don’t have any definitive answer to that– no one I know has any better answer. God has not given us a definitive answer, either. We are to trust that His ways are wise and best and perfect, but faith and trust require–well, Faith and Trust! We know God has done good things in the past. We know He has redeemed what seemed like hopeless situations. We know His promises, and we have seen some of them fulfilled. Still, such a question can often leave us blindsided and tongue-tied.

There are many learned thinkers, philosophers, and apologists who have written whole books on this subject, but I want to just pose a couple of ideas to help us, not ANSWER the question, but understand the question a little better.

First, the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” is really two questions: “Why do ‘bad’ things happen?” AND “Why do they happen to ‘good’ people?” So let’s look at the questions separately.

“Why do ‘bad’ things happen?” What do we mean when we say “bad things?” There are many circumstances, events, diagnoses, and occurrences that may be called “bad.” Death is “bad.” Indigestion is “bad.” Stubbing one’s toe is “bad.” Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease is “bad.” Divorce is “bad.” Slavery and abuse are “bad.” House fires, job losses, being mugged, being stranded without heat in a blizzard, an outbreak of acne, being laughed at– all these are “bad.” But they are all different. Many “bad” things are the direct result of sin–we suffer the consequences of our own sin; we are the victims of the sins of others. The consequences of addiction can be horrific, but we often lack compassion for those who are suffering, because “they brought it upon themselves.” But what about the innocent victim of rape or child sex trafficking? Such acts leave victims traumatized and broken. Both are “bad,” but we are angered and frustrated even more when “bad” consequences also seem unjust and unfair. And what about natural disasters? Are they the result of sin, as well? The Bible suggests that they are. When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they lived naked, carefree, and unafraid. Only after their sin did God place a curse on the land– Adam would now have to cultivate the land in order to get food. There would be enmity between the woman and the serpent. Eve (and all women after her) would have pains in childbirth. (see https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+3%3A+14-20&version=NIV) There is no mention of hurricanes, blizzards, or earthquakes prior to the Fall of mankind, though it is speculation on my part, to say that there were none.

God has promised to make all things new. There will be a time when the consequences of Sin will be eradicated. We will not even remember the suffering we endured in life, in light of the blessings of eternity. So, though God doesn’t answer our question of why “bad” things happen, He does give us the assurance that such “bad” things do not determine our destiny, nor do they happen without His knowledge or outside of His will! We cannot understand God’s purposes in allowing us to suffer, though sometimes we may see a hint of good even in the midst of tragedy.

And God is loving and gracious in the face of our confusion and pain. We CAN ask God “Why?!” “Why me?” “Why this?” “Why now?” “Why them?” Why, O Lord!?” Many of the Psalms speak to this very question. But in the middle of his anguish, the psalmist often finds comfort and renewed strength to face the struggle, when he turns to God. Asking why is not always a sign of weak or failed Faith. Instead, it is acknowledging before God that we ache. We grieve. And we NEED HIM!”

And what about the second part of the question: “Why do (bad things) happen to ‘good’ people?” What makes a person “good?” Jesus was “Good,” And yet He questioned the rich young ruler, “Why do you call me good? No one is Good– except God alone.” (see https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A18-27&version=MSG) We tend to think of the people we know and like as “good.” And we have a natural expectation that their lives should be “good” also– free of pain or struggle. But that is not realistic in this world. The actor, Michael J. Fox has been suffering for years with Parkinson’s Disease. This seems unfair and cruel. How could God let him suffer like this? But there are many thousands of people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. Some of them are homeless addicts; some are in prison for rape or embezzlement. Is their suffering any less than that of Mr. Fox? Is it somehow less tragic or unjust?

The sad and shocking truth is that none of us “deserves” a pain-free, struggle-free life. Bad things DO happen. And they happen to people we like, and people we hate; people we judge to be “good” and people we judge to be “bad.” God does not “play favorites.” Yes, God can, and often does intervene on someone’s behalf through prayer, or for His own bigger purposes. But He does not “dish out” suffering to those He dislikes out of spite or revenge. Nor does He cause His faithful to float through life without ever tasting bitterness and grief. Jesus made many promises, but one of them was this: “in this world you will have trouble; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He didn’t promise that you might have a little spot of trouble, or that you might look around and see others in trouble– He promised that we would have trouble. Not because we are “bad” or “good” but because that’s the way this world is.

I find it odd that atheists often pose this question as a way of trying to “prove” that God doesn’t exist. They pose the question as an accusation. “If there is a kind and loving God, why do bad things happen to good people?” But if they believe that there ISN’T a kind and loving God, how do THEY explain why bad things happen to good people? How do they define “good” people and “bad” things? Without a Good God, where is the expectation of good things happening to good people? Without God, there are no objectively “good” things or “bad” things happening– only random events without divine cause or purpose. You can’t blame a non-existent God for things He either caused or didn’t prevent. Such questions are meant to plant doubt in the mind of a believer, but they fail to answer the greater question– Why do Good things happen to undeserving people? Why do we sometimes find joy and peace and strength in the midst of our suffering? Why do human beings continue to Hope?

Finally– the ultimate example of God letting something “bad” happen to someone “good” can be seen in the central image of our Faith– the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus was sentenced unjustly to a torturous death and public humiliation. He was separated from God the Father, and carried the punishment for OUR sins so that WE could be reconciled to God. Even though the purpose of Christ’s suffering has been revealed to us, it doesn’t negate the agony and trauma He faced. And even HE cried out from the Cross– “My God, My God, WHY have YOU forsaken ME?!” (Matthew 27:46)

God does not answer the question of why “bad” things happen in this world. But in the crucifixion, Jesus proves to us that He shares and understands our suffering; that He has the power to overcome and redeem our traumas; and that He will hear our sincere cries of “WHY?!” He will hear when we turn toward Him, instead of turning our back on Him. He will hear our broken heart. He will heal our broken heart.

WHY?– Because He loves us!

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Father, Forgive Me!

We don’t like to talk about (or write about!) prayers of confession and repentance. And yet, the Bible is full of such prayers. In fact, even the Lord’s Prayer contains the phrase “forgive us..” Even if we pray eloquent prayers of praise and petition, our prayers will be lacking without first evaluating our relationship with Christ and seeking His forgiveness and continued cleansing.

I know there are those who will challenge this statement– after all, once we have “accepted Christ,” aren’t we considered to have His righteousness? Haven’t we BEEN forgiven? If we must keep asking for forgiveness, does that mean that Christ’s death and resurrection are not sufficient to “save” us?

I do not mean to suggest anything of the sort. We ARE forgiven– past, present, and future– our names entered in the Lamb’s Book of Life. God isn’t holding on to a grudge over every future fib, flub, or fall. And nor should we. Confession in the prayer of a Christian shouldn’t be wallowing in guilt and shame, or confessing the same sins over and over, doubting that Christ’s finished work isn’t actually finished. But just as in all close friendships, we sometimes ask, “Are we ok?”, to clear the air and maintain closeness, it is appropriate to “fess up” with God– to clear the air– precisely so that shame and guilt DO NOT build up or slowly seep into our relationship.

God will not withhold His promised salvation from us if we are trusting in Him. We are justified, and our advocate, Jesus Christ, mediates for us constantly, just as the Holy Spirit indwells us to be able to overcome temptation and do what we cannot do on our own. But WE are still living in our fallen world and fallen bodies. We will find it difficult to trust; we will find it tempting to judge others; we will doubt our own decisions– did we really do “right”? And while God is eternally faithful– we are not; nor have we reached perfection in all our daily actions and thoughts. We are “okay” with God– but confession reminds us of that!

In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the son rehearses a speech of confession. And even as he begins saying his rehearsed words, His father interrupts with complete reassurance of his love. How much more does God delight in reassuring us of His eternal, unfailing love!?

Two thoughts I’d like to add here:

One– It can be very easy for us to fall into confession as a works-based ritual. Confession adds nothing to Christ’s finished work on the Cross. We are saved by God’s Grace– period. Ten thousand prayers of confession will not make us “more” saved.

Two– It can be just as easy to avoid self-evaluation and discipline as we grow “comfortable” with our Christian Walk. Confession is not about “right” and “wrong” as much as it is about humility. The Apostle Paul says, “And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.” (Philippians 1:6 The Living Bible)

We don’t need to be hampered by guilt, fear, or shame– but we should want to keep our relationship with God pure above all other relationships. And that means being willing to submit to God’s will and God’s discipline on a daily basis. Confession is not an admission of God’s failure to save us; nor of our commitment to follow Him. Rather, it is an admission of how important that relationship is, and how much we need to keep our commitment fresh, pure, and vibrant. God HAS forgiven us; He will continue to forgive– freely, and fully!– as we follow Him.

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Comfort or Courage?

My husband and I recently sat in the comfort of our apartment, and watched the movie trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. I’ve read the books several times, and enjoyed the movie several times, as well. The story is a classic tale of good v. evil, where it looks almost impossible for good to triumph. But, through the courageous acts of a few unlikely heroes (with the help of many others), evil is destroyed at last, and peace–eventually– returns to Middle Earth. It is one of my favorite stories, but it is not always “comfortable.”

The books and movies can be almost torture to watch, sometimes. There are battles, and betrayals, tragedies, and frustrations galore. From the midges that attack the party near the beginning of their journey, to the Ring Wraiths who relentlessly haunt Frodo as he carries the ring of power to its final end; from the unnatural armies of the Uruk-Hai, created by the betrayer Saruman, to the betrayal of Boromir from within their own fellowship; from the fall of Gandalf in the mines of Moria to the madness of Denethor in Gondor–there are plenty of times that the reader/viewer is tempted to turn away from such agony and despair. How could there be a “happy” ending? How could Frodo and Sam possibly survive long enough to finish the task, let alone return from it?

And yet, Sam himself provides an answer:

Yes, that’s so,’ said Sam. ‘And we shouldn’t be here at all, if we’d known more about it before we started. But I suppose it’s often that way. The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of a sport, as you might say. But that’s not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually – their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn’t. And if they had, we shouldn’t know, because they’d have been forgotten. We hear about those as just went on – and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same – like old Mr Bilbo. But those aren’t always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we’ve fallen into?’ ‘I wonder,’ said Frodo. ‘But I don’t know. And that’s the way of a real tale. Take any one that you’re fond of. You may know, or guess, what kind of a tale it is, happy-ending or sad-ending, but the people in it don’t know. And you don’t want them to.’
https://thetolkien.forum/wiki/Sams-Speech

Movie version:

Often, when I am facing “an adventure,” I am praying for God to take away the circumstances; to change the world around me, so I can be comfortable. I love to read stories, but I don’t want to live through what it might take to make a great one! And yet, God calls us to “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9). Jesus calls us to be courageous as well, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). And Paul reminds his protege, Timothy, that “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Courage

In the movie version of Lord of the Rings, the four courageous hobbits return to the Shire after all the fighting to find things almost exactly as they had left them– hobbits comfortably going about their business, oblivious to the grand and terrible adventures of their neighbors and the rest of the world. Hobbits, we are told early on, do not concern themselves with the “adventures” of the wider world. They like comfort. And the Shire, in some ways, represents a haven from the evils of the world of men and orcs and other creatures. In the books, however, evil spills over into the Shire, and the hobbits must face battles even when they expect to return to comfort.

Comfort is a wonderful feeling– ease and peace, no reason to worry or fret. Everything is familiar and good, expected, and desired. But comfort doesn’t build character. Courage does. Frodo and Sam, Merry and Pippin, all return to the Shire changed by their adventures. They are no longer “comfortable” living in ignorance of the wider world, no longer afraid of what might happen if they step beyond the borders of the Shire.

The same is true for us as Christ followers. Jesus commands us to Go into all the world. He does not promise comfort, in fact, He promises that we WILL have trouble. But He also promises that we will not face danger alone; and that we will see victory– His final victory. We DO know the end of the story! We do not know what tomorrow may bring, but we DO know that it won’t end in futility. Even our disasters will be redeemed! Even if tomorrow brings tragedy, grief, pain, or torture, we know it is not the way our story ends. But we must face tomorrow with courage. We must continue on THROUGH the story, even when it looks like we can’t go on. Courage, not comfort, will lead us to the victory.

Today, I pray that God will forgive me for the times I have asked for comfort and not for courage. For the times I have stayed in the Shire, instead of going forth to face the battles beyond. For the times I have been too afraid, or just too lazy, to obey His call to GO and be a light in this dark world.

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“Lord, Lord…”

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
–Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

As someone who spends her time “in pursuit” of prayer, I pay close attention when I hear others praying. People use many different phrases to address God when they pray– “Our Father in Heaven,” “Father God,” “Heavenly Father,” “Daddy,” “Papa God,” “Lord Jesus,” and many others. And there is no “right” phrase or “wrong” phrase to use. But there definitely IS a right and wrong mindset and heart attitude!

Jesus himself, shortly after teaching His disciples what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer,” talks about those who go around calling Him “Lord, Lord.” But they do not obey God, and they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This suggests that that have “prayed” in some form or other, but it is merely a formality or a ritual, and not something that comes from a humble heart. Jesus goes on to tell of their insistence that they “deserve” to enter Heaven based on the incredible things they have done “in (your) name.” Most people, looking at their outward success and good works, would surely assume that they are sincere followers of Christ– after all, how else could they perform such miracles? They have called on the Name of Jesus and they have called Him, “Lord.” Yet, Jesus says of them, “I never knew you.”

What terror those words strike in the heart of those who desire to follow Christ! Is it possible that God will reject those who have called on His Name and believed on Him?

Well, Yes and No… Later in Matthew, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the final judgment, and He tells a similar story, but with more “context:” In the following parable, both the sheep and the goats claim to have done good works and both groups believe they will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. It can be assumed that both groups have prayed at various times and believe themselves to be “known” to the Father…

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
–Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV)

We can call Christ “Lord” without actually making Him our LORD. We can pray to God without seeing Him for who He really IS. And we can follow “Christianity” without actually following CHRIST.

I think the phrase that Jesus uses in the first quote is very telling. The people call Him “Lord, Lord.” And then, they go into a litany of things “WE have (done) in your name” (emphasis added). They do NOT call Him “Father” or even “LORD” (In the Bible, the term, “LORD” is “Adonai”, which is the substitute for Yahweh– the actual NAME of God, sacred to the Hebrew authors. It is not like “lord” as we might use for any nobleman or someone in authority, but is reserved only for the One with ultimate authority and majesty. In other words, not “Lord, Lord” but “LORD– the ONLY LORD”). Instead, they call Him, “Lord, Lord”. And they boast of the spectacular and even superhuman things THEY have done. But one of the things they fail to mention is prayer. They have used His name, but they have not necessarily called on His name– except as a formality. They have not spent time in communion with Jesus. They have not asked for His will to be done. They have not come to Him in humility or praise for HIS mighty works, only in arrogance of how they have done miracles similar to His. Nowhere do they mention following in service, as Jesus taught His disciples, nor do they mention suffering in His Name! In the later parable, both groups (the “sheep” and the “goats”) were startled by the examples Jesus gave of what they HAD or HAD NOT done. These were simple acts– humble acts rendered to outcasts, rather than showy acts of power. They were acts that materialized (or didn’t!) out of humility and compassion, rather than power or favor.

True followers of Christ will take up His yoke. They will listen for His voice, and they will be eager to obey. They will serve like Him– they will stay yoked to Him in humility and in submission. If you wonder whether or not you are truly following Christ– this is a good test. Satan will always try to make us feel as though WE must carry the load, proving ourselves worthy. He may tempt us to compare ourselves with others who seem to be “winning” at Christian service by getting noticed or listing multiple achievements. But our eyes should not be on others or even on ourselves or our accomplishments. Our eyes should be focused on God– what He has done for us on the Cross; what He is doing in our lives as we obey Him; and what He chooses to do through us as we continue to follow Him–even when it seems that we are doing very little things. We may never know in this life how important our small acts of service really are. In God’s economy, they are huge. Heaven rejoices over such small things as giving a cup of water to a thirsty child, or smiling at a lonely person on the bus, or visiting someone in the hospital or in a jail cell. The world needs more humble servants and fewer TV evangelists. (Note: I am not saying that TV evangelists cannot be doing the work of God– but I am saying that I see very few humble celebrity pastors…just an observation.) And, as the Apostle Paul reminds us, God’s strength is shown best in our weakness. (see 2 Corinthians 12:9) As we come to Him in prayer, in dependence and in humility, God’s power is perfected. As we respond in obedience, our life is brought into conformity with His.

Today, as I pray, “Lord Jesus” or “Heavenly Father,” I pray that I will do it with the right spirit. I pray that I will be quick to praise, quick to obey, and eager to seek my Father’s face, instead of my own validation. After all– Jesus is LORD!

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Puppet Prayers

I spent last week helping out at Vacation Bible School. But most of the kids didn’t see me “working.” I was behind a curtain, helping with the puppet show. My puppet was a little boy named “JJ.” He was a hand puppet. Hand puppets are pretty simple to operate– you stick your hand inside the puppet, and move its mouth as you talk. There are also “hands” you can operate with your fingers to make the puppet clap or wave, etc. During the course of the week, “JJ” also had one “costume change”– he wore a simple plastic bag poncho, but he put it on backwards. “JJ” was the comic relief of the puppetry team! But his purpose was to expand on the Biblical principles we were teaching throughout the week. “JJ” learned about sin and its effects– often by example– and about God’s forgiveness. And he helped the younger kids review their daily Bible verse.

I have worked with puppets off and on over the years, especially during my time as a youth services librarian. Puppets help tell stories in an entertaining and engaging way. But puppets are merely tools. The same stories can be told using flannel cut-outs, or videos, or illustrated comic books. In fact, everything that “JJ” did was scripted. If he nodded, it was because the script said to nod. If he sang, the song was in the script. And when the puppet show was done for the day, “JJ” rode around in a canvas bag, lifeless and unused.

We use puppets at VBS to teach about Christian principles– but pursuing a Christian life is NOT about being a puppet. Many people reject Christ, because they believe that God is asking them to become puppets. They learn about concepts like the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and it sounds to them as though God will “possess” them, and take away their free will and their ability to live life on “their” terms. But that is not what Jesus taught. Jesus was perfect in Righteousness– yet he clearly CHOSE to follow His Father’s instructions, and he did it using His own unique personality and style. Jesus did not parrot the words of God when He taught. He told stories– parables– that brought God’s laws and commands to life, and helped people understand them better. Jesus was no puppet. And He doesn’t ask us to be puppets, either. Instead, we are witnesses– telling our own stories, living our own lives–SHOWing others how Christ lives THROUGH us. God doesn’t want “tools” or mindless puppets. He wants a relationship with us that gives our unique experiences an eternal and sacred purpose.

Yes, in Christ, we become a “new creation.” (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) We see the world through a different lens; our minds are renewed (see Romans 12:2); we follow Christ’s example and walk in obedience to God. But we do so out of our desire to be closer to God– our desire to pursue the relationship that only God can offer us. The Holy Spirit indwells us; He doesn’t coerce us or take over our mind– rather, He helps us continue in our newness and progress toward greater Godliness!

It was fun to spend a week using “JJ” to help teach the daily lessons. But we had dozens of amazing volunteers who also made VBS memorable, fun, and, hopefully a life-changing week for the kids who came. There were the actors who did a daily skit; the singers who taught the kids vibrant songs and dance moves; the Bible teachers who explained deep issues with wonderful skill; the volunteers who taught science lessons and crafts that tied in with our daily themes; the food staff, who created treats that told a story; the sports team that provided games (and plenty of water on hot days!) and the group leaders, greeters, and security staff that ensured that the kids were welcomed, introduced to others, and kept safe. Each of us lived out the message of the Gospel– God’s love for each of His children!– in our unique ways.

One of the ways we served last week was in prayer. We prayed together as a team. We prayed in our small groups and areas, and we prayed with the kids. And each person’s prayer was unique. Some people get nervous about praying aloud in a group– others are eloquent speakers. But each person’s prayer shows their heart for God and others. In our puppet skit, JJ talked about wanting to pray with his “granny” after the skit. But the puppets never prayed. And I think that is appropriate. Prayer is not about a “script.” Prayer is not about someone else putting words in your mouth. Prayer doesn’t come from a hand or a finger moving us to speak. Prayer comes from the heart. And I hope the kids (and adults) last week were moved more by our prayers than by our puppets!

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These Three Remain–Love!

I’ve been exploring the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians; specifically chapter 13, verse 13. Paul states that there are three virtues that remain, after all else has passed away or been lost: Faith, Hope, and Love. And, while the other two are great and necessary, the greatest is Love.

So much has been written about Love– poets and prophets, songwriters and storytellers. most would agree that Love is the greatest virtue. But they wouldn’t all agree on what “Love” is. The Greeks have three different words for love– in fact most languages have more than one word– English has dozens of synonyms: Love, adore, desire, passion, enamored, infatuated, devoted…you get the idea. Except there are several ideas, so how do we know which kind of love remains? What kind of love endures beyond life and time and against every obstacle?

Human love is fallible; it is temporal (and sometimes even temporary). It doesn’t last forever– in spite of poetic promises and sacred vows. People “fall in love” and they fall out of love. Human love grows deeper; but it can also grow cold. It can be conditional, and manipulative; selfish, and shallow. Human love is often based on feelings that change with the seasons. We “love the whole world” when we are feeling good–we love mankind, but can’t stand our next door neighbor!

God’s love is eternal and unconditional. It never depends on His “mood.” It never depends on who we are or what we have done. God loves because it is His nature. He IS Love. He is the definition of enduring, everlasting, boundless, endless LOVE. This is the Love that endures. It is the Love that changes us from the inside out, and changes the world around us. It is this Love that infuses our Faith, that inspires our Hope, and allows us to approach a Holy God and share His Mercy and Grace with those we might otherwise deem “unlovable.”

We are living through chaotic times, filled with raw and dangerous emotions– anger, hatred, pride, despair, resentment, greed, grief, and fear. God’s love is more than just another emotion. I cannot love my enemy with human emotion– nor does God ask me to. God loves through us– it is His Love that we need to access and carry with us into the darkness. I want to bring Love into the world– and I want to be seen as a Loving person. But God asks me to Love even when it is rejected; even when I am seen as the enemy; even when I get hurt in the process. That doesn’t mean that I invite or tolerate abuse because I think it makes me more virtuous or because I think I somehow deserve it. But it does mean that I continue to pray, I continue to have Faith and Hope that God will turn even the smallest acts of Love into seeds that will return a harvest in His time and in His way.

When I look at the life of Jesus Christ, that is just what He did. He had the power to destroy the corrupt Temple system– He demonstrated just a particle of His passion when He drove the money changers out of the Temple courtyard (Matthew 21:12-13). He could have led a rebellion against the oppressive Roman Empire. (In fact, that is one reason He was rejected as the Messiah. He chose not to use His power for political or economic gain– even for the benefit of His own people.) He had the power to wipe out leprosy, or blindness, or demon possession– He could have been the most powerful man on Earth, and single-handedly put an end to poverty, injustice, and so much more. If solving those issues for His people in His lifetime would have been the most loving thing– He would have done it. But He spent His time listening to and helping individuals in need– those who had lost hope, those who needed healing, those who were carrying guilt and doubt and grief. He spent His time, not just talking about Love, but demonstrating Love– personal, unconditional, life-giving Love. Jesus spoke to crowds, yes, but most of His time was spent in small groups or one-on-one– teaching, eating, listening, caring–Loving.

Loving this way takes time– it takes effort, and it comes with risk. Jesus, loving in just this way, was misunderstood, rejected, hated, even killed. But His Love conquered death, and brought life and victory. I may not be asked to become a martyr– but will I seek to Love like Jesus? Will I pray for people I don’t know; or people who have opposed me, or rejected me? Will I continue to love those who have hurt me in the past, or rejected my help? Will I reach out in Love to people who are in rebellion against God? People who mock Him, cry out against Christians, persecute us–even kill us? Will I pray for and support those who are in danger because they are showing God’s Love in this way? Because whether I do or not– Love Remains. Will I be Faithful? Will I reach out in Hope? Will I risk Loving as Christ Loves?

We live with the same brokenness that Jesus faced during His ministry. People around us are hurting– we are hurting! But our Faith tells us that God hears our prayers. Our Hope tells us that God has a plan for the future. And our Love compels us to share the burdens of others as we wait for Christ’s return.

Jesus WILL someday “fix” the brokenness of this world. He WILL Reign and Rule for Eternity. But He asks us to live with the three virtues that ensure that we will overcome the darkness of our own world– that will cause us to shine a light in the darkness–Faith, Hope, and Love!

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These Three Remain.. Hope

I have to start this by saying I don’t always feel particularly hopeful as I look around and hear all that is happening. There are a lot of reasons to be discouraged, even depressed. Upheaval, suffering, injustice, disasters, anger, death, and evil surround us at nearly every turn. I can say that my Faith sustains me, and it does, but I still feel beaten down and exhausted by all the chaos and hurt and anger and misunderstanding.

Faith sustains us in times of trouble, but our hearts can still feel heavy. Faith tells us that God is in control, but we can feel powerless in the midst of suffering. What keeps us motivated to look for the best on even the worst of days? What allows us to have joy even as we grieve and strain and suffer? Faith is our anchor, but what renews our strength, and keeps us looking beyond the storm?

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul talks about things that are temporary– possessions, knowledge, gifts, prophecies– and three things that remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. Last time, I wrote about Faith. But Hope is a more difficult and more nebulous concept. The writer of Hebrews defines Faith for us– “the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). But there is no substance or evidence for Hope. Hope is not a physical anchor; it is not a realization. Neither is it a mere wish, or dream; at best, it is an expectation. Yet Paul says it “remains,” even when other things pass away.

How is this possible– that a Christian should Hope after all else has been lost, abandoned, or destroyed? Isn’t Faith more solid, more important, than Hope? Aren’t knowledge, obedience, and perseverance more important and more tangible? Isn’t hope wispy, fleeting, and conditional? Lately, it sure seems so. I say that I hope we all get through these tough times; that we will come through all this stronger, wiser, more compassionate, more just, more prepared, etc., but what am I really hanging on to? Where is my Hope?

My Hope DOES have substance and a sure foundation–in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in the sure promises of my Heavenly Father! I may have wispy dreams and half-formed wishes of what I would like to see in my life or in the world around me tomorrow, or next year. I may have dreams and visions of what Peace and Justice and Health look like– and I may never see them materialize in my lifetime. I may have to adjust my vision within the temporary world of possessions, and gifts, prophecies and human systems of government and society. But I can remember the life of Christ; in spite of His circumstances, He remained true to His purpose. In His death, He remained compassionate, humble, and loving toward those who hated Him. In His resurrection, He brought eternal Hope to all who choose to trust Him. I can Hope because He fulfilled God’s promises. He WAS Hope. He gave Hope, and He demonstrated Hope. And He pointed to the Hope of His return and our eternal destiny!


I can be inspired by the dreams and hopes of other Christians throughout the years, even if their dreams have not been realized. I can be inspired by the prophecies of others, even if they don’t match my visions. And I CAN see beyond the darkness of the moment (or the year) to see that people (even I) can change; situations can change; circumstances can change; rhetoric and tone can change for the better. Painful valleys and unexpected upheaval may not be what I would want, but sometimes, it serves to clear out the “sinking sand” where dream houses would otherwise be built.

And Hope is necessary to Prayer– Faith tells us that God hears, even when we can’t see Him or hear His answer. Hope tells us that God cares. He is not aloof in hearing our prayers. He doesn’t answer us out of some worn sense of duty or obligation. He doesn’t just give us His law or even His forgiveness– He gives us restoration and Hope and abundant life! Hope for change in our own lives; hope for progress and healing in our world; hope for victory over sin and evil. Most of all, hope for eternity. God is just and merciful, but He is also gracious and loving beyond all measure. I can cry out when all other hope is gone– His Hope Remains! His Hope is a Solid Rock. His Hope comes with an eternal guarantee.

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Afraid to Pray?

Are you ever afraid to pray? Afraid that God will not hear, or worse yet, that God will hear but reject your prayers?

The Bible has much to say about fear and our worship of God and in our conduct before God. We are supposed to have a healthy “fear of the Lord.” After all, God is Sovereign. He holds absolute power over life and death, both in this life and throughout eternity! We should have the kind of awe and respect we have for one whose power is so great. We fear forces of nature, such as fire, floods, earthquakes and tornados. We should be afraid of God’s power in relation to our own. But what does this mean in relation to prayer? Does fear have any place in our pursuit of prayer?

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:16-19 (ESV)

The “fear of the Lord” has to do with God’s power and authority to punish sin. We live in a fallen, sinful world, and we are fallen, sinful people. Our natural response is that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden– to hide from God, and try to avoid His righteous judgment against us. Those whose consciences have been seared will lose this healthy and natural fear– they will be proud in their defiance against God. They will say that God is not sovereign or Holy; that He does not have the power to judge them; that they can “bargain” with God about their eternal destiny– they will even deny His very existence. Others will claim that God is Holy, but not “Good.” They claim that He is disposed to judge harshly; that He is vindictive and without mercy; that He demands too much of us. On the other end of the spectrum, Christians and others can become so disposed to seeing God as their friend and advocate that they forget His awesome Holiness and Power. Christians have no reason to be afraid of God, but we have every reason to stand in AWE of Him!

The Truth of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ is that God is LOVE– perfect and everlasting Love! While He has the power and the authority to judge, it is His desire to lavish mercy on us! Such love should compel us to run TO God, rather than run away from Him! We fall on our knees in worship and adoration, not in abject terror.

So what could still cause us to be afraid to pray?

Perhaps we are still in sin, or we have strayed back into sin. Christ has already paid the penalty for Sin– it has no real power over the believer who “abides in God.” But it still has the power to draw us away from God and damage our relationship so long as we hide it, refuse to confess it, or repent of it. Even as we know that Christ has paid the price for our Sin, we also know that we need to abide in His Love to grow into a more perfect relationship with Him.

Perhaps we are holding on to old patterns of thinking and old guilt. Satan is an accuser. Even after we have confessed our sin and received God’s forgiveness, Satan will try to keep us enslaved to our guilt and shame. He will try to bring it to mind, or have others treat us with condemnation or condescension, so that we feel unforgiven or unlovable. We need to follow the advice of the Apostle Paul:

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
Photo by Rubenstein Rebello on Pexels.com

God’s love is PERFECT. But our love is not. Sometimes we are praying, not out of love, but out of duty or even selfish motives. We pray for God to give a green light to our wants and desires and plans, rather than listening for His wisdom and grace in our situation. We pray for God to “change” that person who annoys us or persecutes us, rather than praying for God’s blessing on them, and listening to the ways He may want to “change” us! Sometimes we cannot see the wisdom of an outcome we don’t like, and we are afraid of the unknown path we must take– even with God’s continued presence by our side.

We don’t have to be afraid to pray. But when we feel apprehensive, it may be a sign that we NEED to pray–honestly telling God what He already knows and asking for the grace and wisdom to listen to what He so lovingly wants to tell us.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (CSB)
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The Silence of God

I am just finishing the book of Job in my daily Bible studies. Job is an interesting book. It begins with a discussion between God and Satan, in which God seems to “set up” Job. God points out Job and his righteous life. Satan (The Accuser) fires back that Job is only enjoying God’s favor; that, given hardship and pain, Job will turn his back on God and embrace evil. God allows Satan to ruin Job’s life– taking away his property, his status, and even all his children. (Ironically, Satan doesn’t cause any harm to Job’s wife, who acts as “devil’s advocate” later, telling her husband to “Curse God and die!”)

Job passes the first test. Satan asks for a “second chance,” saying that Job is still enjoying God’s physical protection. So God allows Satan to cause a painful, wasting disease to attack Job.

But the narrative shifts dramatically at this point. The next several chapters focus on Job’s confusion; his suffering; his bitter quest for answers to the age-old question– Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Job’s friends, who start out sharing his sorrow, end up being of very little help and no comfort at all. They insist that God wouldn’t– couldn’t– allow bad things to happen to an innocent man. Therefore, they conclude that Job “deserves” his pain and misfortune. Job insists that God is Righteous, but he wants God to answer his questions– WHY? WHY ME? WHY THIS? WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?

And God is silent. Through several rounds of discussion and argument, God is nowhere to be found or heard. Job’s complaints and questions anger his friends, but God remains silent and seemingly unmoved. The central question is not so much about God’s righteousness, but about His Goodness. Is God Good? Can a loving God allow people to suffer– especially if it is unjust– and still be called “Good”?

Reading through the book of Job, we are aroused to the same kind of anger that Job expresses. There are times when I have questions; times when I am suffering; times when I just don’t understand– “What have I done to deserve this?”

And yet.

The Bible is full of “and yet” moments. God finally speaks, but He never answers Job’s questions directly. Job did nothing to “deserve” his suffering. And yet, God allows him to be tested, tormented, and stretched to his breaking point. Not because Job has done something wrong, but because he has been faithful! God never answers Job’s complaints– and yet, God does not leave Job without any answer. In fact, God restores Job’s fortunes and gives him more children, so that his final condition is even better than before! God justifies Job in front of his friends, restoring his status, as well. Job complains about not having a mediator to defend him before the Almighty. And yet, Job trusts that such a mediator– such a redeemer– exists. He cannot see Jesus– and yet He puts his faith in the promise of His coming!

The book of Job ends with Job praising God–BEFORE his restoration– acknowledging that God is not just Good, but that He is Great! He is Great beyond our understanding. He is Holy, and His ways are higher and greater than our ways. Job’s suffering, while painful and undeserved, allowed him to understand God in a new and deeply personal way. God allowed Job to be crushed but not destroyed; tested, but not terminated. God was silent, but never absent.

In fact, the one character who is conspicuously absent at the end of the story is Satan! He has “lost” his challenge to make Job repudiate his right living and his love of God. He has been given two chances to strike at the authority and character of God– and he has left the battlefield in contempt and defeat. He has caused Job pain and suffering, but he has not caused Job to quit.

Job’s questions throughout the book which bears his name are really prayers. He is talking about God, and talking TO God, even as he addresses his friends. He is bitter and angry and confused– AND YET– he prays!

May that be said of me today, as I face questions, trials, and suffering. I can “Take it to the Lord in Prayer.” Not just when things are going well, and I am praising God, but when life seems bitter and I am questioning God’s justice. He IS Sovereign. He IS Good. He IS listening. He DOES Love me.

I Know That God Lives

13-20 “God alienated my family from me;
    everyone who knows me avoids me.
My relatives and friends have all left;
    houseguests forget I ever existed.
The servant girls treat me like a deadbeat off the street,
    look at me like they’ve never seen me before.
I call my attendant and he ignores me,
    ignores me even though I plead with him.
My wife can’t stand to be around me anymore.
    I’m repulsive to my family.
Even street urchins despise me;
    when I come out, they taunt and jeer.
Everyone I’ve ever been close to abhors me;
    my dearest loved ones reject me.
I’m nothing but a bag of bones;
    my life hangs by a thread.
21-22 “Oh, friends, dear friends, take pity on me.
    God has come down hard on me!
Do you have to be hard on me, too?
    Don’t you ever tire of abusing me?
23-27 “If only my words were written in a book—
    better yet, chiseled in stone!
Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life—
    and eventually he’ll take his stand on earth.
And I’ll see him—even though I get skinned alive!—
    see God myself, with my very own eyes.
    Oh, how I long for that day! (Job 19:13-27 The Message)

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Atmospheric Disturbances

We had a storm blow through the area the other night. We were under a tornado warning, and a couple of tornadoes did touch down several miles northeast of here. Long before the tornado warning was issued, the weather forecast predicted strong storms with the possibility of hail and/or tornadoes. But even without them, it was easy to sense that “something was in the air.” There was a quality of heaviness in the very air outside. And the sky was an unnatural greenish-gray color, even where it wasn’t dark with storm clouds.

In life, we often get warning signs of impending “storms”–physical symptoms that tell us there may be a problem like infection or disease that needs to be diagnosed; a tense atmosphere at work that suggests big changes may be coming; withdrawal of a family member that alerts us they may be struggling with emotional or mental issues. These “atmospheric disturbances” may be subtle at first. We may choose to ignore them, or dismiss their importance, until we find ourselves in the middle of the storm!

God calls on us to trust Him in any weather or circumstance. We can pray about even the slightest change in our “atmosphere,” whether at home, work, or even internally. And part of God’s wisdom is to send us warnings so that we can not only pray, but take proactive measures. We can reach out to family members, make an appointment with our doctor, be cautious about spending in the weeks and months ahead, seek out help and counseling, etc.

But sensing “atmospheric disturbances” is not all about seeking a remedy or avoiding struggles. Even with advanced warnings, some people last night were unable to avoid damage to their properties or loss of electricity from the storms. Several people were trapped in a shipping warehouse that was hit by one of the tornadoes. Thankfully, no one lost their life; still, it took hours to rescue them all, and some of them went home to no power. But what if– just what if– someone looking up at the sky, or feeling the heaviness in the air, prayed in that moment? What if they prayed for safety– not just for themselves, but for others who would be in the path of the storm? What if someone in that shipping warehouse made plans weeks ago for tornado drills and emergency plans to protect the workers, and made the call for everyone to shelter together?

There are hundreds of stories of dramatic rescues and miraculously saved lives after almost any weather emergency. But how many untold stories are lost in the simple prayers and small corrections that take place when God’s people respond to “atmospheric disturbances” with prayer and wisdom?

And when God chooses to allow storms to come into our lives, how many stories could be told of the presence of God to calm, not the storm, but our own fear of it? God knows, as we cannot, how big the storm will be, how long it will last, and what “damages” we will face. And His Grace is sufficient to give us everything we need to face them all. That doesn’t mean we won’t suffer– damage, loss, grief, frustration– these are part of our life in a fallen world. God won’t always remove these things from our life. But he will NEVER abandon us to face them alone.

Jesus Christ faced storms in His life. One of them came on the Sea of Gallilee, as Jesus was sleeping in the boat. (See Mark 4: 35-41) A storm came up, and the disciples were terrified. They woke Jesus up, and Jesus calmly rebuked the wind and the waves, and the storm stopped. We often focus on the fact of Jesus being able to control the wind and the waves. But one of the amazing things about this story is that Jesus was IN THE BOAT! His own life was in danger from the storm. The disciples were not alone. Jesus did not let them put out to sea and face the waves, while He was safe on shore.

And so, too, Jesus is WITH US in our storms. We don’t have to wake Him up, and He may not choose to give us a miracle, but He’s right there! He can be trusted, no matter what our circumstances, no matter what dangers or damages we have to face. He knows how the storm ends; He knows how our story ends; He knows when the sun will come out again, just like it did earlier this week, announcing that all will be well.

And that calls for a prayer of Gratitude!

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