Tag: Christian Purpose

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The Truth about the Silent Lie

The silent lie is the most dangerous lie of all. It allows us to pretend we did nothing wrong while deceiving another. The silent lie is passive; it takes no effort. In many cases, we congratulate ourselves for holding our tongue. There are around fifty-four verses in the Bible that directly address lying.

Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”

We know when we have intentionally told a lie. It is called the black lie; we hate that term. We prefer to call it a little white lie. A little white lie sounds so much more acceptable. We know our words are not the truth the second they leave our lips. As we speak, we often wish there was another way to shed our guilt by telling the truth and still achieve our desired result. Lying is about achieving selfish results. At night, in the dark solitude of our bed, we pray for forgiveness.

“A lie that is half-truth is the darkest of all lies.” ― Alfred Tennyson

Lying by Omission

What about lying by omission, the silent lie? There are two broad categories of lying by omission. The first is when you say nothing when the other party draws a faulty conclusion in your favor. You watch them as they misinterpret your words, leading them to a conclusion. Maybe you intentionally crafted your words to mislead, feeling that their lack of comprehension is their problem. You spoke the truth in the exactness of your phrasing while knowing it would mislead. Lying by omissions can lead people to remember the true parts they heard while erasing the parts omitted or misrepresented.

Psalm 120:2, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue.”

Politicians have popularized another silent lie; it is deflection. They answer a direct question with an irrelevant fact. The implication is that the “fact” somehow answers the question. A politician is asked if they think their employment policies are effective considering the current 8% unemployment. They respond that there were 800,000 new jobs created in the last quarter. The implication is that they think their policy works without going on record as saying it does. The deflection gives plausible deniability later if needed.

Psalm 12:2, “They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.”

Constant lying can take a toll on the person lying, affecting their mental and emotional well-being. Keeping up with lies can be stressful and may lead to feelings of guilt or anxiety. It can ruin reputations and minimize future potential. There is a whole list of adverse effects of lying, both physical and emotional.

The Biggest Silent Lie

“When truth is replaced by silence, the silence is a lie.” ― Yevgeny Yevtushenko.

The biggest silent lie is when a Christian sees a person on the path of destruction and keeps quiet. Somehow, it is not their problem that the other person is destroying their future. Saying nothing does not betray Christ; it just avoids telling the truth. The silent lie is not telling the truth when the truth matters. Deliver the truth with compassion and love, but deliver it you must. Not speaking up is lying by omission, the silent lie. Watering down the truth to save face or avoid ridicule is a silent lie.

Proverbs 26:28, “A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

We speak the truth if we genuinely care about those we say we love. We do not allow the lost to believe a faultshood.

Proverbs 14:5, “A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.”

There are many studies about the number of times a person lies daily. The majority conclusion is that everyone lies at least once or twice a day. That is right, everyone. We live in a broken world. The sixty-four-thousand-dollar question has two components. Do you lie to yourself by omission, refusing to allow yourself to believe the truth about yourself, and, by extension, lie to God about who you are? Does the silent lie hide aspects of your life that need open and honest communication with Christ? Trust is often the first casualty of lying. God already knows; you might as well come clean.

Psalm 101:7, “He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me.”
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God’s Underdogs

The most profound narrative ever told revolves around God’s underdogs. Storytelling holds a special place in my heart; I passionately root for the underdogs. I deeply admire champions and fervently desire those victories against all odds that only God can provide. Consider David versus Goliath, Gideon versus the Midianites, Moses versus Pharaoh, or Paul versus everybody. Don Quixote stands tall among my heroes, and I’ve carried a wooden statue of him since high school.

1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Being That Person

Within me lives a fighter, or perhaps more accurately, a tenacious, promise-keeping poet who embraces the road less traveled. It’s not about winning but about overcoming. Anyone can win when faced with a weaker opponent. However, can I go the extra mile? Can I make sacrifices for a noble cause? Can I humble myself for the sake of others? Can I be that person?

Isaiah 42:13, “The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.”

When thinking about God’s desires for me, I envision Him at the edge of His seat as I grapple with adversity. I see Him cheering as I rise once more. He detests the pain but adores the effort. I belong to Him, and He beams with pride. God is prepared to fight for me and provides opportunities for me to grow stronger. He’s well aware that the path ahead is fraught with danger and disappointment, but He also knows the glory of victory that awaits those willing to persevere.

Deuteronomy 20:4, “For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

Vince Lombardi famously expressed, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hours – his greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out in good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”

Countless stories of salvation and reconciliation exist, each a prized trophy in God’s display case. Each narrative moves God to tears. He points to each one with joy and pain and says, “They are one of mine.”

Luke 10:19, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”

I believe the challenging part is that we must possess a warrior’s spirit to fulfill God’s potential. We don’t often view ourselves as warriors but as ordinary individuals. To be exceptional in God’s eyes can seem like a stretch, but it’s false.

Why do you think God painted this picture?

Ephesians 6:11-17, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”

God repeatedly encourages us to “stand,”… “Take your stand,”… “Stand your ground,”… “Stand firm,”… “and after you have done everything, to stand.”

After we’ve done everything, the command is simple: stand.

We live within one of the most remarkable narratives ever written, the story of our lives as authored by God of the universe. We find ourselves in a battle against evil, not by our choosing, and we cannot win it alone. But we can play our part.

Be one of God’s underdog stories. That is all God asks of us.

2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
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Surviving the Act of Caring

Surviving the act of caring is exhausting. The Bible teaches us to care for those around us, but at what cost? Most of us tabulate the cost in time or money; what must I give of myself to advance the well-being of another? My experience is that the long-term cost is emotional. It is living with the knowledge that the world is not a fair place. It is coping with the knowledge that we are only making a small dent in an enormous injustice.

Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Surviving the act of caring requires us to rationalize suffering. I struggle with staying awake at night and replaying my conversations with people in need. I try to understand the genesis of their environment. Where did this dystopia start? Why does it still exist? How can we, as caring, feeling people, allow this to continue? I engage with individuals living in the 21st century who lack access to basic utilities like running water in their homes. In their environment, criminal groups operate with impunity, free from the constraints of law enforcement, leaving the population vulnerable to government abuses and the influence of power-hungry individuals.

I am Only One

“I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”. ― Edward Everett Hale

I am but one person. I ponder these questions in the dark of the night when my mind will not rest. Am I doing enough? Is what I’m doing even significant?

We learn from the Bible that we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. There is no magic number of who we weep or rejoice with. God does not set a specific quota for us to fulfill; our sole responsibility is obedience, which comes with a cost. It also has a reward.

Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

The reward is knowing we have done what God has placed before us. We have set aside our comfort to embrace those less fortunate. God requires that believers reflect His glory toward others. Christ suffered and died for us; what are we willing to do for others? The time I spend with these people is a great joy; it gives me hope for the future of humanity. In their present situation, they praise God for all they have. Most of my neighbors don’t see God in anything they claim as theirs. Who is worse off, the impoverished who rely on God or the wealthy with pride in their accomplishments?

Matthew 13:49, "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous."

I am not God.

I lose sleep because I am not God, I can’t speak righteousness into existence. Because I am not God, I can not command the earth to provide for its poor. I must trust that all that is and will be is the providence of the creator of the universe. My place is to be obedient to His call. And in that obedience, I will be protected.

Psalm 91:11, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

I am debating a “Gap Year.” The emotional drain of knowing is exhausting. I have ghosts of people in desperate situations swirling in my head day and night. With limited resources and unlimited opportunities, I question my impact. I am Sisyphus pushing that rock up a hill only to have it roll back again.

I am not Alone

As I reflect on Esther, who was orphaned, forced into exile in a distant land, and compelled to enter a pagan king’s harem, I’m reminded of the life-or-death choice she had to make in order to aid her people. Mordecai’s words resonate: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Perhaps, you and I were also destined for a purpose during this very moment. It’s possible that we’ve been placed here and now to fulfill precisely what God has commanded. Mordecai added:

Esther 4:14, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place."

And if we don’t, God will raise another in our place. How do you survive the act of caring? Obedience and perspective. We do what we do because God has allowed us into His plan for another. It is a gift, not an obligation. We must understand that everything is under God’s purview. God leaves nothing to chance. Every action has meaning.

Ephesians 1:11, "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will."

Surviving the act of caring, we must have a great counselor, therapist, and guide. The good news is we do.

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26692 Opportunities

26692 mornings I have woken up

26692 oppertunities; this is my number as of today. Today I got up, did my mind puzzles, ate breakfast, read the BBC, and prayed. This routine is my regular practice these days. Today is one of the 26692 mornings I have woken up; 26692 chances to change the world, create a new adventure or slay a demon. Annie Dillard said, “How we live our days is how we live our lives.” I have been privileged to start afresh 26692 times.

Hebrews 13:16, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

The question that arises is, what have I done with those 26,692 opportunities? How many have you had? Set down and calculate them. Tell yourself how often God has blessed you with a new beginning. Today, will you be the tiny butterfly on the other side of the world that creates a tsunami on the nearby shore? Have you thought of a minor, barely perceptible change in what you do today that will significantly impact somebody’s life? Do you live as if everyone you meet is Christ?

“It is in the small decisions you and I make every day that creates our destiny.” – Tony Robbins.

A long time ago, I realized that the small daily decisions determine my options for the big decisions I must make in the future. Times when I thought I was the victim of circumstances, it proved to be the natural outcome of a previous decision. The breakup of a bad relationship started when I overlooked an incompatibility. The loss of a job opportunity starts when we decide not to pursue a specific education or experience. Most of the surprises in our lives are not surprises but the natural culmination of life decisions.

Badan

Romans 12:13, “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

One of my favorite stories in life comes from Kyrgyzstan. I was helping Badan write his business plan for a photography studio. We help create Kingdom Businesses, not just ordinary businesses. Each Kingdom Business must have a Kingdom Impact element. Here is Badan’s Kingdom Impact statement:

“Today, I have a children’s outreach every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. In this outreach, I let children around the neighborhood participate in organized sports activities. They do not have to be Christian or even seek Christ. I minister to them through interaction during play. I share the Gospel and hand out pamphlets.”

Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

What is interesting about this is that Badan is a Christian in a Muslim community. Badan’s true nature emerged as we discussed how he started this ministry. He saw kids playing in a field in his village. They were disorganized and lacked leadership. Badan went out to help organize them so that more could play together. This activity grew into a makeshift soccer league. Badan walked out his back door, saw a need, and filled it.

Contrast

Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Here is the contrasting approach people would take in my neighborhood. First, we would form a committee to determine the best application of our resources. Then we would print T-shirts; no self-respecting benevolent activity would be recognizable without T-shirts. Next, we would raise funds, rent a soccer field, provide refreshments, and establish the rules of engagement. Then we would go out into the community.

As a side issue, our friends in Honduras recommend serving refreshments at halftime rather than before or after the matches; the player must hear the message to complete the match.

Use of a Good Day

My point is this; Badan woke up that morning and used his day to do something meaningful. He didn’t spend much time figuring the whole thing out before starting. What started as a seemingly small decision soon became a ministry. Badan helps his Muslim neighbors by understanding the needs of the children and helping when he can. His thoughtfulness brought him respect in his community. His acceptance in the community would not have happened if he hadn’t seen a need and filled it.

Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

You and I have a new opportunity every morning to expand God’s kingdom. I have had 26,692 of them. I have wasted the majority. Today is a great day to create a new habit. Make it a habit to find and make that one small decision that starts a tsunami. Carpe Diem.

“If you knew that only a few would care that you came, would you still come? If you knew that those you loved would laugh in your face, would you still care? If you knew that the tongues you made would mock you, the mouths you made would spit at you, the hands you made would crucify you, would you still make them? Christ did.” – Max Lucado.

I keep thinking that one day, all too suddenly, we have no more days. We have no more chances to make a meaningful contribution, share a laugh, right a wrong, or show compassion. We think that day is over the horizon, out of reach, but suddenly it’s upon us like a thief in the night. At the end of your days, regret is what you don’t want in abundance.

Hebrews 6:10, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
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When God Intervenes

When God intervenes. There are days when I am overwhelmed with activity. Over the next few weeks, I have two trips, one overseas, three speeches, a grant donor meeting, a couple of Board meetings, a paper to write, and organizational issues to resolve. I get overwhelmed with activity. I know it is seasonal, but it happens. It makes my prayer life difficult because I have so many blessings that lamenting self-inflicted wounds seems hypocritical. By the way, my boss is a slave driver. He insists that I complete any new activity immediately to not interfere with the existing schedule. Plan your work; work your plan.

“Self-reliance limits us to what we can do. But reliance on God enables us to attain more; through what He can do.” – Gift Gugu Mona.

When God intervenes.

It is not a shout but a whisper; it is a conviction. God’s intervention is an unsettling conversation concerning ego, priority, and commitment. It forces me to admit who my boss is; is it the task or God? Is what I am doing an extension of how I want to work within God’s plan for me, or how God wants me to work within His plan for Himself? Do I accept that God is sovereign over all things, or do I believe He needs me to achieve His goals?

What I am working on is all good stuff. It is not an issue that God does not think I should be doing it. The issue is that He wants to be involved throughout the process, not just when I finish or in trouble. God wants me to relax and enjoy the journey as God helps me navigate the process. He wants me to know that He works with me throughout the process, not just grades the result. He reminds me that this is a partnership.

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I had a Springer Spaniel, named Gracie, who was a beautiful dog. Gracie was a joy to be around. She always wanted to lead when we went on walks, even when she had no idea where we were going. Gracie would run ahead, stop, look back to see if we were following, correct her course when we were not, and run ahead to repeat the process. I think, at times, I am God’s Springer Spaniel. God decides to take a walk with me; I tear off ahead at lightning speed, stopping to see if I’m going the right way.

“It is the condition of the heart that will determine the direction and destination of our lives.” – William F. Kumuyi.

James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

God Opens Doors

God opens the door; I am so busy trying to impress Him that I don’t stop to think about Him. He opened the door for a reason. The reason most likely didn’t have anything to do with me impressing Him. He knows me intimately; I can’t impress Him. God knows when my obedience is more about ego than stewardship. He sees when I try to be independent of Him rather than reliant on Him.

Jeremiah 17:7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

I grew up in a North American culture that respects hard work, independence, and drive. The term “all gas and no brakes” comes to mind. We teach this to our children, honor it throughout their education, and demand it to succeed in life—the idea that the world is full of great ideas but few accomplishments. I am not saying that drive and ambition are wrong; I’m saying that it is not an individual sport. God has to be your partner. Don’t get Him involved when you are in the ditch; get Him involved before you start and throughout the process.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus..”

Hands and Feet

Regi Campbell stated in his book “Radical Wisdom,” I can’t be the hands and feet of Christ if my feet are always running and my hands are always full of things, to-do lists, and calendar events He’s not involved in.”

He does care about the small things in your life. He cares about your dreams and passion. God wants you to enjoy the life He has given you. That is why He wants to help you live it. God wants you to relax a little bit more, laugh a little bit more, and enjoy the company of those He has put in your path. God is sovereign over all things. You can’t impress Him; He knows you better than you know yourself. Take his hand and allow Him to guide you. Still your mind and heart, allow Him into your situation.

Listen when God intervenes.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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The Great Hunger

The bushman of the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa talks about “the two hungers.” There is the great hunger and the little hunger. The little hunger yearns for food, while the great hunger, the greatest of all, is the hunger for meaning. Comfort for the soul is more significant than happiness or unhappiness; it is a meaningful life.

Search for Meaning

There are callings and passions to be chased. Truths to be found. Mountains to be climbed. But all of it leaves us wanting if it does not have meaning. I was talking to a friend I had not seen in some time. He was young and still chasing his moment in the sun. He talked about his impatience and the opportunities that hadn’t panned out, stolen moments that seemed to rob him of his potential. You could hear the subtone of anger; with all his success, he was not content. He even thought of himself as a victim of his own life.  

“I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if you’re grateful, you’ll see God open up new doors.” – Joel Osteen.

The best I could share with him was when he retired, all that he had accomplished up to this point would become meaningless. In retirement, no one wants to hear about your exploits as a working person any more than they want to hear about your exploits as a high school athlete. Life changes, perspectives change, and you have no future if you are still reliving your past.

Matthew 6:19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.”

Most of the dysfunction we see in life results from people accepting more and more abnormal behavior in a quest for meaning. They believe that for their life to be whole, they must matter. And to matter means to stand for something, possess something, or achieve something. If what we know does not create the internal contentment we yearn for, we create a new distraction hoping it will be the answer. For most of us, it is a movement, a job, a relationship, a house, a car, a title, or inclusion in a group.

Genesis of Meaning

What is the genesis of true meaning? It is love. It is the love of life, self, and others. Love is the catalyst of all heroics. Living a life based on love overcomes the worldly fears that constrain us to mediocracy. We find freedom in endeavors that spring out of love. Love, by its very nature, is people-focused, not things.

Of all man’s inborn dispositions, there is none more heroic than the love in him. Everything else accepts defeat and dies, but love will fight no-love every inch of the way. – Laurens van der Post

1 John 4:8, “Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love.”

What is the genesis of love? The need to love and be loved is one of the most important gifts from God. Those in life who are genuinely evil feel betrayed by love; it is not the key to meaning but a weapon of control and abuse. The rest of us wander in a forest filled with love but are distracted from seeing any of it. Our worldly endeavors distract us from the people involved in those endeavors. Our drive steamrolls the opportunity to love and be loved. If we can achieve the perfect life, there will be time to sit back and smell the roses. In the moments between worldly chaos, we can connect with people, but first, we must push on; contentment is one task away.

Mark 12:29-31, “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

The Need for Meaning

1 Corinthians 13:7, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

I’m one of these weird guys who believes love conquers all. I believe the love of Christ that flowed down from the cross is the answer to meaning. God made us perfectly for His plan for our lives; we don’t need to fix that. We must take it and use it to expand His effort by showing the same love toward others. Our true triumph in life depends on our positive impact on others, not the fleeting recognition that fades away after our time has passed. The outward view of worldly success looks different for each of us. The inside view is the same; it is contentment in that we matter and have meaning. From an eternal perspective, we have left this world a better place. My greatest joy is through the people I have met, not my worldly achievements.  

“Love God, and He will enable you to love others even when they disappoint you.” – Francine Rivers.

I believe we will be truly content when we live this way. God will bless us with joy beyond our understanding. The trappings of the world will not make sense. We will be operating on a different level. In that moment, we know where we stand with God, the people we love most, and our truest selves.

As I have said, your life is a story God wrote that regales the angles. They look to you to help write the next chapter – make it good.

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?”
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Keeping Your Word

Keeping your word seems like a cliché. Everyone knows that good people do what they say they will do. That is true in theory, but is it true in real life? Do we let outside influences contaminate our decision to keep our word? Is keeping our word relative?  Let us start with a story told by Jesus in Matthew.

Matthew 20: 1-15, ““For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage[a] and sent them out to work. “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing. “At five o’clock that afternoon, he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’ “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’ “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’”

Let me paraphrase it for you. The vineyard owner has an agreement with the first group of workers to work an entire day for a day’s wages. The second group of workers has an agreement to work half a day for a full day’s wages. The third group gets an even better deal by working only a few hours for a full day’s wages, and the last group work only an hour to get a full day’s wages. This might seem to be unfair to the first group of workers. After all, we are an equal-pay-for-equal-work kind of people.  

Proverbs 25:14, “A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.”

Theoretical Reality

This story in Matthew is one of my favorite stories because it reminds me of my dad. My dad was not a religious man, but his ethics and morals were firmly grounded in Biblical principles. Every August, my friends would convince me to go out for football. I liked playing football; I hated late summer practice. Conditioning was running in the ninety-degree heat until you throw up, swallowing salt tablets to replenish your body from all the sweating, and do it again. I hated it.

My dad’s words, “First practice, last practice,” were always on his lips. He firmly believed that if you initiated something, you should see it through till the end. Only later in life did he reveal that his intention was not solely to instill the value of keeping commitments but also to impart the wisdom of making careful commitments in the first place. He cautioned me to be mindful of my commitments, as I would be held accountable for fulfilling them.

This lesson has profoundly influenced me. So, it’s crucial, my friends, to choose our commitments wisely, for they bind us to our word, and as Christians, there’s no backing down once we’ve committed.

“Keep every promise you make, and only make promises you can keep.” ― Anthony Hitt

Ecclesiastes 5:5, “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it”

Alternate Realities

This story in Matthew demonstrates this very principle. Each group of workers knowingly and of their free will agreed to a business proposition. Each was obligated to live up to that commitment, as was the vineyard owner. Just because someone else got a better deal did not release them from their commitment. Keeping their word does not mean they can escape it because someone else has better terms.

What we don’t know about this story is what the vineyard owner thought when he offered different business propositions to different groups. Maybe the harvest was bigger than he thought, and he feared grapes would rot on the vine. It might have been an act of desperation. Because he may have been late in hiring, he got the least qualified workers. The workers he hired later had already finished one field and were ready to take on another. It could be that he had a heart for the unemployed. He saw men milling around the city center, knew they had families to support, and hired them out of compassion. It really doesn’t matter why he did what he did. The deal each group received was a good deal at the time they decided to take it.

Basic Reality

Just as the vineyard owner does not have to explain his logic to his workers, Jesus doesn’t have to explain it to us. Another great reason to stop comparing yourself to others. I love it in Job when God basically tells Job it is none of his business why things happened to him. Job didn’t question why God let good things happen; why should he demand an explanation when things go poorly?

Job 41:11, “Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine.”

First practice, last practice. At times, we may lose sight of God’s abundant generosity toward us when we observe His benevolence toward others. Nonetheless, it is crucial to remember that everything belongs to God, and He possesses the sovereign right to do as He pleases with His resources. His perspective on the world far transcends our limited human perspective. He understands the far-reaching ripple effects of actions throughout eternity, whereas we tend to perceive only the immediate consequences of our actions.

In essence, this insight highlights the significance of aligning our actions with God’s wisdom and divine purpose, acknowledging that He holds the ultimate design of the tapestry of our existence.

Character is not about competing but being true to who and what God has planned for your life.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.”
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We are Wonderfully Made

We are wonderfully made. I believe two things about all people. Firstly, God intricately and flawlessly designs us for a specific purpose in life. Secondly, we all possess a unique story to share. These principles form the cornerstone of our identity in Christ and serve as the bedrock upon which God shapes our destinies. While this concept resonates with me personally, it may vary for each individual, as we all have our own perspectives.

We are Wonderfully Made

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

We are the product of God’s workmanship. It was once said, “God don’t make no junk.” We are exactly who God wants us to be, warts and all. There is no single aspect of who we are that God did not design in us. In the very complex world of God, we have the power to decide what to do with it. Non-believers create great music, art, structures, and achievements. They took what God gave them in a different direction. That does not mean their talents are not from God. We hear tremendous stories of Christians overcoming disabilities to achieve great heights. These are the stories of people going in different directions but from the same source.

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” – Leo Buscaglia

Even Paul had his thorn, but he said it was a calling. He saw it as demonstrating that God can overcome any obstacle. Paul wanted to demonstrate it to the people, not just talk about it.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

As I sometimes do, I pray that God will take away what I perceive as a weakness; that weakness might be physical, intellectual, or emotional. Instead, should I not pray that God will show me how to use it for His glory? We are wonderfully made as we are. It is not a potential we need to aspire to but a reality of what is.

Do not think you are inferior or need to be like others. Rejoice in who you are and embrace God’s future for you. Whatever you perceive as a weakness is a strength if you know how to use it. Let God show you the way.

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Wonderfully Made for What?

Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Wonderfully made part two. What is that purpose if we are perfectly and uniquely made to achieve God’s purpose? It is a quest, a journey, not a destination. Mother Teresa said it best.

“I am a little pencil in God’s hands. He does the thinking. He does the writing. He does everything, and sometimes it is really hard because it is a broken pencil and He has to sharpen it a little more.”

Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living.

God writes the story; we try to live it. As Mother Teresa said, we are broken, and living it can be really hard.

But you know what? Life is all about becoming the best version of ourselves, and that’s where the real rewards lie. Everything else that tries to lure us away from that path is just an illusion, trying to trick us into thinking it’s fulfilling. Like achieving huge success in the world, but if it doesn’t come with eternal salvation, it’s like chasing after a dream that fades away once reality sets in.

It’s like climbing a mountain, only to find another one waiting for us. Our achievements might not bring us the happiness and satisfaction we crave; instead, they just fuel our hunger to achieve more. We keep searching for peace, but somehow it always seems to slip through our fingers. Sadly, it’s often only when we’re nearing the end of our journey that we realize this truth. And for some, by then, it might be too late to make things right.

Proverbs 20:24. “A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?”

Do you know what’s awesome? Living the story that Christ wrote for us—it’s like everything in our lives is leading us to that epic conclusion. Every single gift we receive, whether it’s money, time, relationships, experiences, knowledge, or skills, comes from God, and they all have a purpose. They’re like arrows pointing us in a certain direction. Our mission is to figure out that direction and embrace it.

Don’t get caught up in chasing worldly fame, status, or wealth because they won’t bring true satisfaction. The real deal is finding that inner peace that goes beyond any understanding. That’s the stuff that truly satisfies the soul.

Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Heaven’s Response

Picture this: angels sitting around a campfire or maybe a cozy stove, reminiscing about the incredible stories of people’s lives as written by God. They regale with laughter when they recall the epic triumphs, and they can’t help but shed tears of joy when they talk about how people overcame their challenges. Each time a new story gets added, Heaven gets a little brighter and happier.

Furthermore, when God finally welcomes an obedient believer, He weeps. First, because He loves the stories that were lived out, and second, He knows that this person will not be part of any new ones. I don’t know about you, but I want God to wrap me up tight and weep. I long for God’s embrace to be so tight, so intimate, that it overwhelms me with His love and moves us both to tears.

John 6:27, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him, God the Father has set his seal.”
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Little Decisions Create our Future Options

Our little decisions create our options for big decisions in the future.  It is all the little decisions that we make day-to-day that end up dictating our choices when making big decisions.  Decisions we make today craft the options available in the future.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people, and we are victims of other people’s decisions, but I think that is rare.  Mostly we create the environment for those circumstances through the decisions we make.

“If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things.  It is we, of course, to whom things look ‘little’ or ‘big.'” – Elisabeth Elliot

Decisions

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character."

Choosing the wrong friends is the most straightforward example.  Spending time with people who are not good for us sets in motion a chain of events that can lead to significant problems.  The people we surround ourselves with greatly influence our options when choosing a life partner.  Moreover, neglecting important assignments at work can create a hostile atmosphere, resulting in job dissatisfaction and, potentially, unemployment.  We decide to work for a new employer because of higher pay, just to become entrenched in a dysfunctional environment.  This stress creates conflict in our personal life leading to more bad decisions.  The big one for some people is the decision to allow flirting, which leads to intimate conversations and temptation too hard to resist.  Repercussions are over the horizon someplace, to be dealt with in time.

Ephesians 4:26, “’In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”

We fret over the big decisions because, well, they are big.  We discount the small decisions because they do not have immediate repercussions.  We don’t see the cause and effect because the effect has yet to happen.

Christian Journey

“You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.” – John MacArthur

How does this affect our journey as Christians?  Everything you do as a Christian attracts people to Christ or repels them—every action.  Even our seemingly insignificant reactions to worldly events send ripples through time.  People we have never met observe how Christians behave and store those observations in their memories.

James 2:10 “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.”

Down the road, a Christian will try to share the Gospel with them to encounter pushback because of the previous actions of other Christians.  Some people today struggle to accept the reality of a loving God because of the unloving behavior exhibited by other Christians they encounter.  This position happens not just because of the big decisions splashed all over the news media headlines but the small, seemingly unnoticed decision made by everyday people living everyday lives.

“God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go.”  – Tony Evans

1 Peter 2:12, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

Salvation

How does this perspective transform our understanding of salvation?  Some individuals believe their lives have strayed so far from God’s grace that they feel excluded from salvation.  Perhaps they find themselves in a difficult situation and must clean up their mess before deserving forgiveness.  It could be the first cigarette that led to the first joint and eventually addiction or the first drink taken behind a barn at 16—a small choice that set off a series of consequences.

Titus 3:5, "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

We all have a past.  We make decisions that may seem inconsequential at the time but eventually reveal themselves as catalysts for significant choices.  However, we don’t always recognize the impact of these subtle decisions until later on.  How we live our lives daily has the most profound effect on the decision we will make tomorrow.

Good News

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Here is the good news, there is a magic eraser.  There is a way to correct the impact of all those small meaningless bad decisions that created the life you are now living.  It is not a do-over because most of us, given the chance, would make the same mistakes or worse ones.  It is a clean slate.  Unfortunately, it does not protect us from the repercussions of some of our past decisions, but it does give us a way to live with them.  It gives us a path to a meaningful future.  We can have a life filled with hope and purpose.

Make a small decision today that will lead to the right decision in the future.  Speak to God about what troubles you most.  Ask for guidance before you react.  Making a small decision to seek Christ in all you do will set the stage for the bigger decision that eventually comes your way.

Proverbs 18:15, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out."
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A Fine Line Between Humble and Insecure

There is a fine line between humble and insecure. That line sometimes is almost invisible. God calls us to be humble but not insecure. I sometimes struggle with this. I don’t always know when I cross the line between humility and insecurity.

Proverbs 27:2, "Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips."

Humility

Everything you will ever possess, whether wealth, intelligence, influence, experiences, or relationships, is intricately woven into God’s grand design for your life. This divine plan extends even to the disappointments, struggles, detours, and dead ends you may encounter. Some of these obstacles result from our actions, requiring God’s rescue, while others serve as valuable lessons that contribute to our future. God reigns supreme over all circumstances.

We must understand that God loves us unconditionally, and His purpose for our life, encompassing all our imperfections, forms the very foundation of our existence. I consider myself fortunate to have had a father who consistently instilled humility in me. Despite his remarkable achievements, including receiving two Bronze Stars for his service as a seaman in World War Two, serving as the Superintendent of Highways, President of the City Council, and President of the School Board, he always emphasized humility.

I vividly recall a particular morning, as I was leaving for grade school and my father was heading to work when the garbage collector made his rounds on our street. My dad pointed toward him and asked me why the garbage collector didn’t have the same occupation as him. Dad’s response was simple: he had chosen his path, just as every individual can achieve great things by following their chosen pursuits. It’s worth noting that, in our small town, the garbage collector was highly respected and a shrewd businessman. His son even became a lawyer, serving the local community to this day.

Proverbs 30:7-9, "Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God."

Insecurity

When is it that we cross the line between humble and insecure? We all do it at times. Mostly it happens when we start to compare ourselves to others. Rarely do we look at those less influential and take pride in our accomplishments; instead, we tend to fixate on those who are more influential, using them as a yardstick to gauge what we should do differently. When we fixate on others, we create a faults narrative. God uniquely created each of us for the specific plan He has for us. No two of us are created the same or have the same plan; comparison is irrelevant.

Even with this knowledge, I falter. My weakness lies in feeling I am not making a difference. I harbor insecurities that stem from believing the work I do does not have value. Being introverted, overly logical (sometimes to a fault), and exceedingly pragmatic contributes to this perception. I genuinely dislike—and that’s not too strong of a word—talking about myself. I cringe when someone says, “Tell me about yourself.” What I cherish about myself is my ordinariness. Sometimes, I mistake being common for falling short, being unworthy, or believing I do not have significance. But these are falsehoods. God uniquely crafted me as His child, perfectly designed for the great future He has in store for me.

Luke 12:6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

I lose sight of that; forgetting that God cherishes me for being who I am. I have people who love me and care about me; I struggle to recognize it because of my insecurity. The world I paint is not the world that exists.

Life

Francis Chan, in his book “Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God” states, ‎”Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter unless it is about loving God and loving the people he has made?” He says, “We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.”

Our actual value lies in looking beyond ourselves. When we dedicate our lives to serving God’s people, we no longer define our worth solely based on our perceptions but on its significance to Him. Through service, humility naturally emerges as a byproduct. There is no room for insecurity or competition when the outcome rests solely in God’s hands.

Regi Campbell’s book “Radical Wisdom,” says, “Turn your knob to humble and watch as people are drawn to you, want to help you, have empathy for you and your situation.”

Humility harbors strength within. It exhibits confidence in who God has created us to be. It radiates an aura of invincibility, unaffected by the opinions of others. Others consider a humble individual confident in the face of adversity, holding authority over their circumstances without exerting power over others.

Insecurity is a product of our perception of a worldly view; it has no place in God’s world.

“When I am consumed by my problems, stressed out about my life, my family, and my job, I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God’s command always to rejoice.” ― Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

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