Tag: Joy

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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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The Elusive Pursuit of Joy

We all deal with the elusive pursuit of joy. Despite our firm belief that God is sovereign over all things, we find joy elusive. Many ask, “Despite my foundation in Christ, why does joy elude me?” It’s vital to grasp that joy and happiness differ. The absence of joy often stems from a deliberate choice rather than environmental circumstances.

Happiness, fleeting in our fallen world, emerges unexpectedly, concealing itself from plain view. It arises from unlikely sources while remaining distant from apparent ones. An adversary’s defeat yields happiness, while promotions or vacations may not. Unfortunately, brace for erratic, bewildering, and inconsistent gratification if you seek happiness.

James 4:1-2, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” You long for what’s absent, leading to conflict and quarrels. Failing to ask God contributes to lack.”

Distinct from happiness, joy can be summoned at will, irrespective of circumstances. Christians must differentiate between these states, recognizing that challenges persist but need not define us. Our responses define us—do we draw nearer to Christ or distance ourselves?

Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed to us.”

Two main obstacles hinder joy creation: chasing false gods and focusing on the right questions.

Chasing False Gods.

Psalm 16:4, “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply.”

These “other gods” often hide in plain sight. We passionately dedicate ourselves, unknowingly elevating them to god-like status. Be it family, noble as it is, Christ can be overshadowed. Does our happiness hinge on it, extending to our joy?

“If you love anything better than God, you are idolaters: if there is anything you would not give up for God, it is your idol: if there is anything that you seek with greater fervor than you seek the glory of God, that is your idol, and conversion means a turning from every idol..” – Charles Spurgeon.

Children, marriage, jobs, careers, school, hobbies—even church—can dominate, leading to exhaustion, mistakes, conflict, and separation from God. Though well-intentioned, the process can drain life.

Perspective Matters.

As Sheryl Crow’s song “Soak Up the Sun” conveys, “It’s not having what you want; It’s wanting what you’ve got.”

Perspective matters. Bruce Collie’s testimony exemplifies this. Bruce Collie started pursuing a Superbowl ring in Pee Wee Football. He played for Lee High School and the University of Texas Arlington before being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. His lifelong pursuit culminated in two Super Bowl rings. But this accomplishment left him empty and without purpose until he encountered the Gospel through Reggie White. Christ offered purpose beyond material gain.

John 15:9, “Jesus loves us with the same love that the Father loves him.”

Shifting focus to rid our lives of idols demands faith in God’s care. He cares about everything—our children, jobs, lives. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.

James 1:16–17, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”

While we give God big things, we clutch to minor issues, causing stress. A choice arises: to pout over misfortune or accept God’s control. It’s about Him, not us.

Believing in God’s redemption when unseen requires faith. Faith that God cares, even about small matters. Joy’s choice looms—a tough, counterintuitive choice. The Creator of the universe cares about our bad days. His attention is astonishing; He cares deeply.

Psalm 37:4-6, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this.”
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How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art was initially written in 1885 by Carl Boberg in Swedish. The orgianal title is “O Store Gud”. It wasn’t translated into English until 1949. Carl Boberg wrote it after experiencing a raging thunderstorm followed by beautiful tranquility. How Great Thou Art is sung in churches all over the world.

Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

I spent this last week in the badlands of northeastern Montana. That is the part of the United States called “The Big Sky.” I am mesmerized by our Creator’s presence, the architect of everything. Witnessing the splendor He has crafted moved me to tears of joy. Yet, in these troubled times, such joy can prove challenging.

My engineering and programming background guides me toward structured plans and hard work. I believe that the same God responsible for the creation of the universe also authored the laws of science. If ever a contradiction arises between these realms, it is a testament to our incomplete understanding. I lack the understanding to pinpoint why conflict exists, but I possess the wisdom to acknowledge my limitations.

John 1:3, "Through Him all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made."

As we try to impress others, we reject simplicity and monotony. Instead, we push the boundaries of creativity, revealing the full extent of our capabilities. Gazing upon our achievements, we seek to evoke awe, declaring, “Look at what I’ve accomplished!”

Hebrews 3:4, "For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."

How Great Thou Art

An artist doesn’t depict a mere stick figure; they conjure images that stretch imagination and skill. These creations beckon viewers to look expectantly into their depths, exploring the intricate interplay of color, movement, and meaning. Admireres perceive the artist’s intent and unearth personal interpretations, enriching their connection to the masterpiece.

Psalm 33:6, "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth."

Adorning my wall, a vast photograph of the Milky Way, captured at Fiordland National Park in New Zealand, stands as a testament to billions of luminous points against an abyss of darkness. Our human minds fall short of grasping the enormity of God’s creation. It overwhelms our senses with celestial grandeur while astounding us with life’s intricacies. When my eyes first met my newborn daughter, my world transformed. In her perfection, small and beautiful, I found enduring serenity, joy, and an unwavering hope for humanity.

Job 33:4, "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."

Nature’s allure beckons me to explore the outdoors, where God and I talk, shielded from worldly distractions. The ceaseless beauty of nature unfolds—vivid fall foliage, delicate spring sprouts, and the pristine grace of woodland creatures—all testifying to God’s craftsmanship. Remarkably, we invest vast sums in self-presentation, yet our efforts pale compared to the natural world. I cherish sunrises, sunsets, waterfalls, and unique trails, finding solace atop a forested crag, immersed in the symphony of wind and birdsong. In these moments, God feels palpably close.

Creativity Beyond Understanding

God’s magnificence radiates through creation—a manifestation of His complete dedication. He designed every facet to showcase His boundless capabilities. He contemplates His work, echoing, “Behold what I have accomplished.”

Amid this splendor, human imperfections mar the landscape. God granted us choice, and some chose unwisely.

A dear friend, Ron Gastin, encapsulated this perspective: Imagine standing on a vast, deserted beach. The expansive white shore stretches to the horizon, aqua-blue waves caress the sand, and azure skies gleam above. A gentle warmth grazes your skin, and seagulls’ cries faint in the distance. This panoramic vista is God’s macro view, infinitely cherished. Yet, kneeling to gather a handful of sand reveals individual grains. These grains signify acts of both goodness and sin, forming the breathtaking expanse. God despises sin but cherishes the culmination it becomes.

Where does darkness fit into this narrative?

We find ourselves trapped by a viral pandemic, media capitalizing on fear—adhering to the adage “Bad news sells.” Succumbing to this darkness is easy. Is this the tribulation’s dawn or another trial in a fallen world? To live each day as though it were our last releases us from the need for exact answers. Instead of fixating on the end, let us marvel at creation. Immersed in God’s handiwork, fear’s grip weakens.

Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
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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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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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Melancholy

Melancholy is the road less traveled; joy we feel and embrace, depression is suffocating, melancholy is just blah. It is living in a world of knee-deep mud while trying to move forward. Melancholy, you are not in; you are not out; you are just stuck.

Proverbs 17:22, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Follow me on a somewhat circuitous journey for a minute. I remember when I was 30 and received my first pacemaker. I dropped into a period of melancholy thinking because I was living via an artificial device (i.e., I was no longer invincible). A few weeks ago, I received an artificial value in my heart. Everything went better than planned, and I started hiking again within weeks. But my friend Melancholy reappeared. A friend of mine. who is a nurse, told me that they were taught that melancholy was a normal reaction to heart surgery.

I remember this quote; “it is not the water around the boat that sinks it; it is the water that gets into the boat that sinks it” So intellectually and physically, all is good, but emotionally I have doubts. I started letting the water outside the boat seep in; I was taking on water. In the book “Not Good Enough, Why Your Small God Leads to Big Problems” by JD Greear, he states, “When we say “I can’t believe in God because there is so much purposeless evil in the world,” we assume that we could immediately perceive whatever purpose is out there.”

Here is where I try to draw this together; I started to let the fact that I could not see God’s hand in some of the dysfunction around me, that I started to assume His hand was not there. Somehow, intellectually I understood; emotionally, I was letting go. I started to lose hope because I did not understand the bigger plan. Therefore, my role in the plan got foggy. My purpose became fragmented. I started to question why. Asking why is not a bad thing; not accepting the answer is.

We all go through periods of darkness. We live in a fallen world. Some of those dark periods have a purpose; some are purposeless SIGSWs (self-inflicted gun shoot wounds). My melancholy is self-inflicted, it has no real purpose, but I have experienced the other type too; they are much harder to climb out of. We rationalize our position without the benefit of a contrary opinion. Because we do not understand, we stop listening.

Ecclesiastes 8:17, “Then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.”

When we are in the throes of pain, it is difficult to feel God’s wisdom and love. Pain does not have to be physical. The worse pain I have felt in my life was emotional. I understand how the body heals, I don’t understand how the heart heals, but it does, not with antiseptic, bandages, and stitches, but with love and caring. Giving what we desperately need provides us with what we want.

1 Corinthians 2:9, “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived are the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

This post is short. More cathartic than informative. I’m patching the holes one by one that are letting water in. I am trying not to let dysfunction hijack my emotions. I am trying to focus on God’s plan for everyone, not just me. Most important, I am trying to learn what God wants me to know from this experience.

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.”
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Who am I that I should love God?

Who am I that I should love God? This post is the second question that each of us needs to answer. The first was last week. Then, it was “Who is God that He should love me?” If you read last week’s post, you understand God’s enormity. You might also start to understand why He loves us. The question then arises if a mighty God loves me, does He care if I love Him? He is all-powerful; He can make anyone or anything do what He wants. So why give me a choice?

The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a sun house does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it. – C.S. Lewis

LOVE

How would you feel if the love of your life reciprocated your feelings without any choice or consideration? Their love would be involuntary, lacking emotional depth or comparison. They never felt anything else to compare it with. There would be no highs or lows. It would be like loving a robot—an unfeeling automaton.

Choice is a gift from God, as it is the act of choosing that grants significance to our decisions. The value of choosing to love God is realized when we have the option to choose otherwise. This concept holds true in our relationship with God, but what significance does it hold for us personally? Choice explains our importance to God, but what does it mean to us?

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach. It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’  It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.”

God has bestowed upon humanity the profound gift of love—the innate longing to both give and receive affection. Being made in the image of God, we are imbued with this desire to care for someone who holds a unique significance in our hearts and existence. When we allow God to occupy a special position in our lives and commit to spending eternity with Him, love naturally flourishes and evolves. Consequently, the pivotal question arises: Whom or what shall we choose to love?

Romans 5:5, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

SIN

Ecclesiastes 7:20, “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.”

Sin is the inherent flaw in human actions that prevents them from fully honoring and glorifying the Lord. It originated with the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and has tainted all individuals, except for Christ. Sin ultimately results in both physical and spiritual death.

Titus 1:15-16, “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds, they deny Him, being detestable, disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.”

If we reject Christ due to our sinful nature, we are inherently bound for hell. Hell represents complete, conscious, and eternal separation from God’s blessings. It is the default outcome of condemnation, as not choosing Christ is, in essence, a decision against Him.

1 John 1:8-10, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.”

The crux of the matter lies not in a mere dichotomy of right versus wrong, but rather in the choice of whom to place your trust. Even individuals who exhibit exemplary moral character yet fail to acknowledge the sovereignty of Christ opts to be eternally separated from Him.

1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

However, God has provided us with a means to escape such a fate. During the final judgment, God respects our individual choices and determines our destiny accordingly. We have the freedom to decide whether we desire to spend eternity in the presence of God’s blessings or to be separated from them. This is where our free will comes into play—we have the power to make that choice.

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

SALVATION

Romans 5:6-8, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Merely doing good deeds will not grant us the privilege of spending eternity in the presence of God’s blessings. However, God has bestowed upon us a pathway to Himself through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ. Christ’s ultimate sacrifice serves as the means to attain salvation and reconcile with God.

Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

As we begin to comprehend the relentless pursuit of God’s love for us, our own pursuit of Him is ignited. While we are bound to make mistakes along the way, those errors do not render us ineligible. On the contrary, our heartfelt desire to spend eternity with the one being who genuinely loves us unconditionally qualifies us for such a destiny.

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.”

John Piper says that the Bible is the greatest book in history, Romans is the greatest letter in that book, chapter eight is the greatest chapter in that letter, and the first verse is the greatest verse. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Who am I to hold such love for God? I am a cherished child of the living God who willingly sacrificed His son for my sake, granting me the gift of eternal life. So why do I love Him?

1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.”
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Being a Pencil in the Hand of God

I started to think about the significance of being a pencil in the hand of God. It started with this quote from Mother Teresa.

“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

Once we start to understand that we are the pencil in the hand of God, we start to understand our position in life. Christ is the author of all stories, the writer, producer, financial backer, and hero of every story. We are His instrument. When we start to understand we are a pencil in the hand of God, we start to appreciate all that we can be.

Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us. But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.”

Authoring Your Story

Many of us go through life thinking that we write the story of our lives. We are the hero who saves the day. On the other hand, some of us see ourselves as the victim tossed by the waves of life. In either case, we are the central character that the story encircles. We assume the role of the one in control when we are actually an instrument of the creator.

Psalm 37:23-24, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him, though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

When we get to Heaven, if we get to Heaven, what will be God’s response? Will God look at His assortment of writing utensils and say I’ve never written anything with you? Will he see you and say that He remembers a story, but it was a short story once, or twice?

Will God beam with joy, grab you up and hold you close, remembering all the incredible adventures of your life? Will He laugh and cry with every turn of a phrase embodying a triumph or tragedy from your relationship? Will He weep because there will be no more new stories to delight Himself?

Jeremiah 10:23, “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”

Wasting Your Time

You are wasting your life if you are not an instrument of God’s story. There is no kinder way to say it; any good deed, or honorable act, that the Spirit does not drive is a wasted effort. All who flit from activity to activity in busy, misdirected lives are not building a legacy; you are passing the time. Forty or eighty years after our passing, others will faintly remember us, no matter our skill, intelligence, or accomplishment. But, there will be no eternal implication echoing through time, no great stories to be relived.

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Even the great statesmen, who emboss their names in history, are just that, a name. We don’t know them; we might know of them. They are a name, a face, and a place, real only within the context of a subject. It is in Heaven that relationships last forever. It is in Heaven that angles relived, rejoiced, and regaled over God’s stories

Luke 15:10, “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Refocus Your Storytelling

We spend too much time making our mark here, where time erases because another will supersede every earthly accomplishment. Our wealth will be left behind. The great stories about adventure, tragedy, victory, and love not written by God will fade away like a mist in the morning sun. Yet, those stories driven by the Holy Spirit will prevail. They ripple for generations as angles rejoice at their retelling.

“Seeking to perpetuate one’s name on earth is like writing on the sand by the seashore; to be perpetual, it must be written on eternal shores.” D.L. Moody

Don’t waste your life by doing good for the sake of doing good, thinking the story you write has merit. Anyone can do good and be kind; it’s called being human. Being Godly is to let God write your stories and guide your path. Remember, live your life so that when you meet Christ face-to-face, He will cry. He will cry joyfully at your meeting and sorrowfully that He will not write any new stories with you.

“The mere fact itself that God’s will is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear, but once I realize that God wills only that which is good, my heart is made to rejoice.” – A. W. Pink

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