Time for Looking Back – and Looking Ahead

At this time of the year, as organizers are warming up the giant ball to drop on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, a lot of thoughts pass through our minds. For instance, I wonder about how long it will take for me to forget it’s 2024 and out of habit write 2023 again. We wonder how soon we should put up the Christmas decorations. Some of you have already done so – no sooner are the gifts unwrapped than folks start undecorating the tree.

Then there are more consequential thoughts. We assess the year nearly past, sometimes wistfully, sometimes fondly, and sometimes regretfully. Perhaps over the course of the year we’ve lost loved ones or dear friends, and they’ll be greatly missed in the new year. We happily review photos from vacations and travels, maybe even wishing we could revisit them. And we might conjure up some bad moments we’d like to erase from memory, our own and of those who were involved. Unfortunately, we can’t.

 

At such times it’s important to remember as someone has said, “Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is cash in hand.” What’s done is done, and it can’t be undone. We can learn from it. If necessary, we can offer apologies and seek forgiveness. And we can resolve to do better in the days to come.

 

The apostle Paul, I believe, had the proper perspective on this. After briefly reviewing some of his earthly accomplishments, he declared, “But whatever is to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Philippians 3:7-8). In addition to his achievements, Paul had much for which to feel remorse, most notably having persecuted followers of the same Savior and Lord he had encountered and was boldly following himself.

 

I don’t think they had rear-view mirrors in those days, but the apostle still refused to allow things in the past burden his present or future. Paul wrote, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward for Christ Jesus.” Then he added, “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things…” (Philippians 3:13-15).

 

There’s value in reviewing the past, but not in dwelling on it. The good things make for fun memories, but now’s the time to think of how we can make more of them. The bad things can plague us if we let them, but that serves no good purpose. Learn from history and determine not to repeat it, especially as we rely on the power of Christ working in and through us. As Paul wrote to believers in ancient Philippi just verses later, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

 

When I find myself fretting over things I can’t undo or worrying about things that haven’t happened yet, I’m reminded of the title for the series of books by Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – and It’s All Small Stuff. There’s much truth to that title.

 

With the new year just heartbeats away, we can congratulate ourselves for making it through another year, navigating all of its ups and downs. We’ve done some worthwhile things. Hooray! We’ve made some mistakes. Who hasn’t? Most of all, we’ve laid the foundation for whatever lies ahead.

Now, before we’ve ventured too far into the new year, is the time for making plans, setting goals, and determining how to heed Paul’s wise and timeless admonition: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). Aligning our thoughts with God’s, we can make the coming year better than the last. 

Giving Gifts in Response to the Incomparable Gift

During the Christmas season, besides the traditional carols, my favorite song is “The Little Drummer Boy.” It may be in part because I’ve been a bit of a drummer boy myself for much of my life, but that’s not the only reason.

 

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the iconic version by the Harry Simeone Chorale, the Pentatonix acapella rendition, or the rousing, multi-percussion presentation by For King and Country. They all stir up strong emotions, not only through the melody but also by its simple yet profound message amid all the “pa rum pum pum pums.”

 

You’re probably familiar with the lyrics, but maybe you haven’t spent much time thinking about them. Here are some of them:

Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum

A newborn king to see
Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the king
Pa rum pum pum pum…

 

Then the little drummer boy in the song laments, “Little baby…I am a poor boy too…. I have no gift to bring…that’s fit to give our king….” So true. What worthy gift can you give to the King of all creation, even as an infant? Then the little boy asks, “Shall I play for you?... I played my drum for him…. I played my best for him.”

 

The closing thought in the song sums up the impact of the simple yet heartfelt “gift”: “Then he smiled at me…me and my drum.”

 

The birth of the Christ Child – called “Immanuel” in Isaiah 7:14, which means “God with us” – carries so much meaning that libraries of books have been written about it. As I’ve noted in previous posts, John 1:14 encapsulates this by stating, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” 

 

But Jesus Christ’s life and teachings wouldn’t have the magnitude they do without His death and resurrection. That’s why the promise of John 3:16, familiar to many of us, is so powerful: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 

If that’s not clear enough, Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That, ultimately, is the incomparable gift – God in the flesh going to the cross and giving His life as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

Which brings us back to the Little Drummer Boy and his lament. Where can we find a gift that’s fit to give our King? I would suggest the “gift” we can – and should – give is what God has already given to us. In several New Testament books – notably Romans, 1 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and 1 Peter, we read about the “spiritual gifts” bestowed by God on each of His children. What better gift to the Lord than to use these for His glory and to serve others?

 

There is some debate about exactly how many different spiritual gifts there are, but they definitely include divinely empowered traits such as wisdom, faith, teaching, prophecy, exhortation, giving, leadership, administration, and service. There are numerous “spiritual gifts tests” designed to help people identify their specific gift – or gifts. The key is, they’re intended to enhance the body of Christ, not for our own benefit.

 

Revelation 4:10 tells about, “the 24 elders [who]…lay their crowns before the throne and say, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power’….” I don’t fully understand what that means, but I believe in a similar manner, whatever spiritual gifts we have received from God can be returned to Him through our lives and our service to others. As another passage admonishes, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord…. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

In “The Little Drummer Boy,” the little boy humbly offers his drumming to the baby Jesus. After playing his best, “Then he smiled at me….” Similarly, if we offer to the Lord whatever gifts and abilities He has given to us, I believe He smiles at us too. 

Why Was the First Christmas Necessary?

You might have heard about the day an art teacher gave her young students an assignment to paint any subject of their choice. As she circuited the room looking at the students’ work, she came to Billy who was working very intently.

 

“What is your picture about?” she asked. “I’m painting a picture of God,” he responded. “Well, Billy, I appreciate your effort, but nobody knows what God looks like.” “They will when my picture is done!” he confidently replied.

 

You have to admire the kid’s spunk, but the teacher was right – no one has seen God. To experience that surely would be the ultimate mind-blowing experience. How could our finite minds begin to absorb the sight of the infinite God who created not only the earth and everything in it, but also the entire universe?

 

Chapter 33 of the book of Exodus gives an account of Moses speaking with the Lord, overwhelmed by the responsibility for leading a huge, headstrong throng of Israelites. During this amazing conversation, Moses makes a bold, presumptuous, request: “Now show me Your glory.” God’s response is, in effect, “Moses, you have no idea what you’re asking.” He states, “you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live” (Exodus 33:12-23). 

 

The Lord did place Moses in the cleft of a large rock and allowed him to catch a brief glimpse of Himself from the back. Even that was enough to make Moses’ face glow with the “shekinah glory” of God. When he went down Mount Sinai from receiving the Ten Commandments and returned to the Israelites, they insisted that he cover his face because it was too bright to behold.

 

What does this have to do with Christmas, just days away? It’s simple: In the birth of Jesus Christ, God took on human form, becoming “visible” to those with whom He lived and encountered. As John 1:14 declares, “And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us….” 

 

We find this truth expressed in a different way in Hebrews 1:2-3, “In these last days [God] has spoken to us in His Son…and He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature….” In His incarnation as Jesus, the Lord doesn’t show us everything there is to know about Himself – our brains couldn’t begin to contain His totality – but He reveals everything we need to know about Him.

 

Joseph and Mary, a puzzled but obedient couple, had made the arduous journey from nondescript Nazareth to an equally unremarkable Bethlehem, where Jesus would be born. They both had received appearances by an angel who declared they had been chosen for the singular honor of becoming the earthly parents for the Son of God.

 

To Joseph the angel announced, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

 

Mary, a virgin, heard a similar declaration: “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” (Luke 1:30-32). Not quite what the betrothed couple had been expecting, but in faith they did what God’s messenger had told them.

 

Prior to that initial Christmas day, humankind had a problem. A big one, called SIN. Sin means not only disobeying and rebelling against God, but also creating a separation from God we could not fix. Jesus became the one and only solution to that universal human problem. As John the Baptist would state years later as Christ was about to begin His earthly ministry, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

 

Jesus, God in the flesh, came not only to teach and show us what God is like – His character, love, compassion and humility, but also to die on a cross to pay the penalty for sin. Three days after His crucifixion, Jesus was resurrected to declare His victory over sin and death, and pave the way for everyone who trusted in Him to become “born again” (John 3:3) and “new creations [in Him]” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

 

Radio commentator Paul Harvey used to tell the story of a man who had declined to attend the local church’s Christmas Eve service with his family. Instead, he had planned to spend a quiet evening reading by the fire. However, a persistent rapping at a window got his attention. A flock of birds was flying into the window, seeing the light and seeking refuge from the cold.

 

Finally, the man went outside and opened the door to his barn, thinking the birds would realize they could find sanctuary there. But they never understood what he was trying to get them to do. With no alternative, the man concluded the only way he could help the birds and guide them into the barn would have been to become a bird himself. 

 

At that moment the church bells tolled. He realized that was exactly what God had done for us – in the person of Jesus Christ – becoming like us in every way, “yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

This Christmas our task is not to attempt, like the little boy, to capture the image of God with paper and paint. Instead, we’re to accept the greatest Christmas gift ever: “Yet to all who have received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). And once we have done so, we have the privilege of communicating His truth to others. Merry Christmas! 

Anniversaries Are Among the Very Best of Celebrations

Anniversaries are fun, aren’t they? At least most of them. We can have a slew of them, depending on how celebratory we’re inclined to be. Birthdays are anniversaries of our birth. Couples celebrate their wedding anniversaries – for many, also their patience, understanding, and perseverance. If we like our job, we can commemorate the anniversary of our hiring. Entrepreneurs can mark the founding of their businesses.

 

Several members of our family celebrate adoption anniversaries, and I know many people who make it a point to annually celebrate the anniversary of their spiritual rebirth.

 

For me, Dec. 20 is an anniversary that signifies I’m still here to celebrate it. That day in 2006 was when I underwent open-heart surgery – four coronary artery bypasses and an ARR, which stands for Aortic Root Replacement. In other words, my entire ascending aorta was replaced after a serious aneurysm had been detected during a routine angiogram.

Open-heart surgery isn’t a phrase that’s in most people’s standard vocabulary, and it wasn’t in mine either until two weeks prior to undergoing the procedure. Having a stent or two put in to open clogged arteries is one thing; having your rib cage splayed open so a cardiothoracic surgeon can get to your heart directly is something quite different.

 

The aneurysm on my aorta was 6 centimeters, more than twice the normal, 2.5-centimeter size for the ascending aorta, so that wasn’t a good thing. Like a balloon inflated beyond its capacity, it could have dissected (burst) at any time. And meeting a surgeon who announces he will be performing the needed corrective surgery isn’t on anyone’s bucket list either. But that’s what I was facing 17 years ago. 

 

Lots of things began racing through my mind. Our youngest daughter was getting married the next spring. My first grandson was due to be born the following summer. And I wasn’t convinced I was finished doing what I’d hoped to accomplish over my lifetime. Like Woody Allen once said, “I’m not afraid of dying. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

 

Since my condition wasn’t an emergency, the surgery was scheduled two weeks out. I had to undergo a couple of CT scans in the meantime so the medical team could get a literal picture of the situation. That gave me lots of time to think and pray and deal with a fair amount of anxiety.

 

As I had done during uncertain times in the past, I picked up my Bible and turned to the Psalms. I read several psalms and prayed a lot. I didn’t try bargaining, since I had faith God was in control, working out His plan for me and my family, whatever that happened to be. But I did admit to Him that I wouldn’t mind sticking around for those special events coming up in the next year.

 

On the second day after my diagnosis, I again opened the Psalms and started reading where I’d left off, Psalm 41. When I got to verse 3 the translation I was reading said, “I will raise him from his sickbed and heal him of his disease.” Wow! That verse might as well have been printed in neon lights. I hadn’t been seeking a specific “word from the Lord,” as some folks call it, but there it was, as if God were saying, “Don’t worry, my child. I’ve got this – it will be all right.”

 

Other translations express this verse in slightly different ways, but almost instantly I was experiencing “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,” as Philippians 4:7 promises those who trust in the Lord. Years later I came across a similar verse from another psalm, also written by King David. It read, “For great is Your love toward me; You have delivered me from the depths of the grave” (Psalm 86:13).

 

Prayer is a funny thing. When things are going great, we might give prayer lip service – sometimes quite literally. But during difficult times prayer becomes indispensable, like a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean during a severe storm. In Philippians 4:6 we’re instructed, “in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Then the aforementioned “peace of God…will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

I know prayers are not demands that God is obligated to fulfill. He’s not, as a friend of mine once said, a “short-order cook.” But 17 years ago, the Lord guided me to the right hospital and the right surgeon at the right time, bringing me through that surgery so I could experience the gift of life many times over. It’s an anniversary I’ll always treasure.

The Search for the True Meaning of Christmas

Have you ever found yourself frantically searching for something that you later discovered was right in front of you? Or as my mom used to say, “If it were a snake, it would have bitten you!” Maybe you’re fumbling around, trying to figure out what you did with your smartphone – while talking to a friend with it? Or you wondered what you did with your eyeglasses – which you were actually wearing?

 

It’s said that men in particular have this problem, being asked by their wives to retrieve something from the refrigerator or a cupboard that they can’t find, even though it’s in plain sight. I plead the fifth!

 

This time of year, it seems as if lots of people engage in a similar search for the obvious, except it concerns Christmas. “What is the true meaning of Christmas?” they ask somewhat philosophically. In response to that question, we hear all kinds of answers. They range from, “It’s a magical time” to “time with family and friends” to “the season for giving.” Some folks borrow from what the angels told the shepherds on that first Christmas day, “peace on earth, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

 

Watching the seasonal rom-com movies and popular Christmas songs, we’re told it’s all about snow, snuggling up to a warm fire, meeting that special person, imagining genuine peace on earth, frantically buying gifts and attending festive parties. Curiously, Jesus is rarely if ever mentioned. 

 

It makes me scratch my head. Certainly peace, kindness, good will, joy, generosity and many other virtues are among the byproducts of the Christmas season, but if we believe what the Bible teaches, we don’t have to conduct an exhaustive search for the true meaning of Christmas. It’s declared clearly and indisputably.

 

One of the bold statements in the opening chapter of the gospel of John is, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). In other words, God took on human form and lived for a time as a man on earth, experiencing life in much the same way that we do. 

 

In Jesus Christ we find everything we need to know about God. Hebrews 1:3 puts it this way: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being….” Do we desire to comprehend what God is like? All we need to do is look to Jesus. He became the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies, including “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him ‘Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).

 

During this season when buying and exchanging gifts occupies so much of our time and thoughts, we find that Jesus Christ was Himself the very first Christmas gift. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

 

When the biblical Christmas story is told, we often hear about the Magi, or wise men, who traveled a great distance from the East following a star – perhaps the world’s first GPS – to see the prophesied “king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). When they found Jesus with His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, they presented Him with gold, frankincense and myrrh, gifts suitable for royalty.

 

So much more could be said about that initial Christmas and its meaning. For instance, God chose for His Son to be born in the obscure village of Bethlehem. The specific site for Jesus’ birth was a stable – or as many believe, actually a cave – where He and his parents were joined by dirty farm animals. His “crib” was a feeding trough for the animals. And the angels announced the good news of His birth not to the elite of Jewish society, but to a group of shepherds, representing the very bottom of the social register of that day.

 

The humbling, unassuming circumstances of the promised Messiah’s arrival, totally without the pomp and circumstances we might have expected had we been writing the story, serve as an everlasting example of what Christ expects of His followers. As Jesus admonished His disciples, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12).

Certainly, the Christmas season can mean many different things. We all have our own traditions, memories, activities, and circle of friends and family with whom we wish to spend the holiday season. But when it comes to determining “the true meaning of Christmas,” it must start and end with the celebration of the One for whom it’s named – the Christ-Mass. If we can’t see that, it’s because we’re looking in the wrong places. Or we can’t see what’s right in front of us.

Life – A Real Hit and Mist Proposition

You’ve probably noticed, but Christmas is fast approaching. Many of us are very much in the midst of preparations, worrying if there’s enough time to get things done. But before we know it, Christmas will become a fading memory. Poof! Funny how that happens.

 

Have you ever gotten up in the morning and looked out the window to see a light fog blanketing the landscape? Then, 10-15 minutes later you glanced out again to see the sun breaking through and the mist has vanished? In some ways, this and the now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t nature of Christmas are metaphors for everyday living.

 

The journey through life is a curious one. When you’re young it feels as if you’ll live forever; and things you’re looking forward to – birthdays, Christmas, summer vacation – seem to take forever to arrive. Then as you grow older the pace of life seems to quicken. Much-anticipated events – like Christmas – arrive much faster and before you know it, they’re gone. Like the morning mist that’s here one minute and gone the next.

As the years go by, we also experience a somber reality: the passing of old friends and family members; former classmates in high school and college; coworkers past and present; parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins. They’re here – and then they’re not. These sad events confirm that life is shorter than we once believed. Like the morning mist, one day we all will be missed.

 

Just in case we might forget this, James 4:14 offers this sobering reminder, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (Is that why our thinking sometimes gets a little foggy?)

 

Familiar Christmas carols and songs have a way of jogging our memories as well. We enjoy hearing beloved tunes by the likes of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Karen Carpenter, Johnny Mathis, Burl Ives and others. Their music lives on, but they’re no longer with us. 

 

Or consider classic Christmas films like “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed; “Miracle on 34^th Street” with Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood and Maureen O-Hara; “A Christmas Carol” with Alistair Sim (or Reginald Owen); and one of my all-time favorites, “March of the Wooden Soldiers” starring the slapstick duo of Laurel & Hardy. Their personas perpetuated on film long after they’ve departed this life.

 

If we ponder this long enough it can be depressing. Who wants to think of their own lives as “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”? But we can use this truth as a positive motivator instead, appreciating the time we have and determining to use it to accomplish something worthwhile.

 

The Scriptures seem to endorse the latter approach. Psalm 90:12, for instance, encourages us to let the Lord “teach us to number our day aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Similarly, the apostle Paul admonished his readers they should be “redeeming the time” or, ”making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Days are “evil” because – unless you’re having a real-life “Groundhog Day” experience – time doesn’t give us a do-over.

 

Jesus sought to impress on His hearers the proper perspective to maintain, striving to live each day with our devotion to God paramount. He said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34).

 

Again, thoughts of how transitory life is can overwhelm us. But if we seek to understand God’s point of view, we can find this reality encouraging. First of all, God is in control. As Psalm 139:16 (in the New Living Translation) tells us, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

 

Secondly, if we’ve entrusted our lives and hearts to Jesus Christ, we’re assured that when our “earthly mist” disappears, the best is yet to come. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms…. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me…” (John 14:1-3).

That should leave you feeling a little misty – in a good way! 

‘You Reap What You Sow’ – Is That Really True?

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, “You reap what you sow.” But have you ever wondered about what that means – or if it’s really true?

 

In one respect, it’s absolutely true. As I recently heard a speaker observe, “If you sow cabbage, don’t expect to reap carrots.” Although wouldn’t it be interesting if we could sow both cabbage and carrots together? We might be able to reap coleslaw!

 

However, in many cases it might be more accurate to state, “You reap more than you sow.” For instance, if you’re a farmer and sow a single kernel of corn, you still would expect to reap more than just one kernel of corn. Whatever we sow, we typically expect to reap a lot more of it.

The same applies to our actions and behaviors. As the adage tells us, “You attract more flies with honey than vinegar.” Galatians 5:22-23 lists what it calls “the fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” If those characteristics are evident in our lives, it’s likely that we’ll encourage others to respond in like manner. 

 

We might see a corresponding result when people fail to exhibit such godly traits. A few verses earlier, Galatians 5:19-21 offers this sobering picture: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy….” 

 

Those behaviors aren’t likely to cultivate an environment of peace and goodwill. It all depends upon which we choose to “sow.” As Proverbs 15:1 observes, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

 

We find this principle summed up succinctly in Galatians 6:8, “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Indulging one’s desires might seem like a good idea, but if not controlled they can in fact reap disastrous results. On the other hand, if our intentions are to please God, “denying self” as Jesus termed it in Luke 9:23, the outcome is much more than good deeds – it’s life for all eternity.

 

Recently I read an interesting verse that stated, “Light is sown like seed for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11). We typically don’t think of light as a seed, or that it’s something we can sow. But we live in a world that seems increasingly dark. Up it seems has become down, and down has become up. When there’s great darkness, even the smallest light can make a profound difference.

 

Being in a predominantly agrarian society, one of the metaphors Jesus Christ often used was sowing seed. In the 8^th chapter of the gospel of Luke we find Him telling His “Parable of the Sower,” using the image of seeds for the Word of God. In the story, some of a farmer’s seeds fall along a path, others fall on rocky ground, some fall among thorns, and others fall on good soil.

 

The path, rocky ground and thorns are not suitable for the seeds to take root and bring about life. However, as Jesus said, “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” (Luke 8:8). The first three “soils” represented people who heard but didn’t respond well to the saving Word of God. 

 

Not so with the good soil: “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (Luke 8: 15). If you’re a follower of Christ, you’re among those that experienced the Word of God falling on the good soil of your heart.

This for me raises two questions: First, what kind of crop am I producing? And second, am I willingly seeking to sow the seed of God’s Word in such a way that others might receive it and themselves retain it, find God changing their lives through it, and then beginning to produce a crop themselves, one that will last for eternity? 

The Privilege of Being a Participant in the Action

Suppose the coach of your favorite team were to call you out of the blue and invite you to meet with him (or her) and the staff to discuss preparations for the upcoming game. You’d be beyond shocked, right? But if the offer were genuine, you’d probably be highly honored to be asked to participate in the important strategy session.

Or what if the President of the United States, or the governor of your state, were to contact you and request that you meet personally to develop action steps for addressing issues of special interest to you – and you knew it was a serious offer, not a patronizing gesture? Again, you’d consider it a great honor to receive such an opportunity.

Years ago, many U.S. companies instituted a “participative management” strategy – some called it a “quality circle” – enabling frontline workers to take an active role in corporate decisions directly affecting how they did their jobs. In many cases, this approach had a very positive impact on both employee morale and productivity.

 

In reality, however, many of us feel that the likelihood of being included in such important actions is very low. Who wants us to be involved in what the “big shots” are doing, right?

 

Good news: Everyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ has in fact received such an invitation. It’s one that transcends the realm of athletics, government, business and any other earthly endeavor. What am I talking about? Read it for yourself: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

 

Fellow workers with God? Sounds incredible, but it’s true. The Creator of the universe doesn’t operate solo. He wants His people to take part in the action, to serve as His arms and feet in accomplishing much of the work He intends to get done.

 

It all began in the opening chapter of Genesis, when the Lord delegated responsibilities to humankind. “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature…. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food'” (Genesis 1:28-29).

 

Some theologians term this the “cultural mandate,” God’s directive for men and women to serve as faithful stewards of all He has created. So, when people engage in discussions about the environment, preserving the natural beauty of everything around us, and caring compassionately for both people and animals, we’re only pursuing the work the Lord has entrusted to us.

 

But there’s more: We all know that we’re finite beings with limited lifespans. As Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 states, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die….” An important question is, ‘Then what?’ We’re born, we live for a specific span of time, and we die. Then what?

 

The answer to this question is enfolded in another initiative the Lord has assigned to His followers: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

 

Jesus also addressed this in what is commonly referred to as His Great Commission, recorded in Matthew 28:19-20. Just before ascending to heaven, He instructed His disciples to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

 

To serve as Christ’s ambassadors, to develop young believers into mature disciples who will reproduce themselves spiritually is a weighty responsibility. No doubt about that. But this has been happening for 2,000 years all around the globe, although it will never be reported on the evening news.

 

If this charge seems daunting, even overwhelming, we can take heart knowing the Lord hasn’t left us to fend for ourselves. He concluded His commission by offering the assurance that “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

In addition, Jesus said they could rely on the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, for wisdom, guidance and strength: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26).

 

Isn’t this amazing? We might never receive a phone call or text from a famous football coach enlisting our help in developing a game plan. A top elected official may never contact us to seek our counsel on important matters. The CEO of our company probably won’t invite us to a high-level planning session. 

 

But God, who created the earth and everything in it, not to mention the entire universe, wants to be His “fellow workers,” partnering with Him – having a part in the action of accomplishing His eternal purposes. Think about that!

Navigating a World of Promises – and Broken Promises

“I promise.” “Pinky swear.” “You have my word.” How many times have you heard assurances like these? And how many times in your experience have such promises been violated? There once was a time when people honestly would say their word was their bond. No need for formal contracts or commitments in writing – a promise was solemn and certain. But not anymore, right? 

Where do we start? It’s too easy to pick on politicians, because it seems their job description includes making promises they have no intention of keeping. Reminds me of the old perfume commercial with the slogan, “Promise her anything, but give her Arpege.”

 

But the promises made/promises broken scenario is hardly confined to the so-called “hallowed halls of government.” Whether it’s your neighborhood mechanic, the contractor you’ve chosen to do work on your house, a salesperson you consult about a major purchase, or even longtime friends, we have all known times when they made promises that were never fulfilled.

 

Whenever the issue of broken promises comes to mind, I think of the 1974 song, “Cat’s in the Cradle,” by Harry Chapin. It’s about a little boy asking his dad to play and spend time with him, only to receive empty promises:

"’When you coming home, dad?’ ‘I don't know when.
But we'll get together then,
You know we'll have a good time then.’”

 

“Then” in this song never comes. In fact, the little boy in the song grows up to be just like his dad: a promise maker and a promise breaker.

 

Someone once observed, however, whenever we point a finger at someone, four fingers are pointing back at ourselves. Each of us – probably more times than we’d care to admit – has been the promise breaker. As Jesus told a group of self-righteous religious leaders, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).

 

The earliest time I can remember was as an adolescent, maybe about 10 years old. I was staying at my grandfather’s home on vacation. I’d befriended a boy my age in the neighborhood; I think his name was Billy. He was having a birthday party and I had agreed to come. But I faced a dilemma when a family friend offered to take me to a bookstore and buy me a gift, since my birthday was just a few days away. 

 

Party? Bookstore? Tough choice, but I remember selfishly choosing the bookstore and not even telling Billy I wasn’t coming to his party. I’m sure, if he’s still living, Billy has long since forgotten how I reneged on my promise – but obviously I haven’t. That’s not the only promise I’ve broken during my lifetime, but it’s one I’ll never forget.

 

Here’s the good news: When it comes to broken promises, there’s one exception. The Lord God is the one true, never failing Promise Keeper. In fact, His promises are actually covenants.

 

Promises can be made without any legal obligation or validity. Covenants, however, are legally binding agreements. Even more important, as one writer said, “An unconditional covenant can be defined as a sovereign act of God whereby He unconditionally obligates Himself to bring to pass specific promises, blessings, and conditions for the covenanted people.”

 

For proof of God’s unwavering promises and covenants we can consider the nation of Israel. Historian Barbara Tuchman once observed that Israel is, “the only nation in the world that is governing itself in the same territory, under the same name, and with the same religion and same language as it did 3,000 years ago.”

 

Dating back to Jacob, the son of Isaac whom God later renamed Israel, the Jewish people have miraculously survived 400 years of slavery, the killing of six million Jews during the Holocaust, and myriad other forms of persecution and opposition. The Promised Land, which the Lord gave to the Israelites following their Egyptian captivity and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, is essentially the same territory occupied by the nation of Israel today.

 

Even better than that, God’s covenant promises are available today to anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus Christ in faith. “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that He has died as a ransom to see them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15).

 

The “first covenant” refers to the Ten Commandments and all the other laws God established for the Israelites to obey. Repeatedly, however, they failed to keep these laws, in many cases forgetting or ignoring them completely. Hence a new covenant, one of grace – His unmerited favor – made possible only through Jesus’ atoning, once-and-for-all death on the cross.

 

As 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 declares, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

 

We need not strive to be “good enough” for God’s love and favor. His acceptance is solely on the basis of faith, not according to the things we do and the things we don’t: “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” (Titus 3:5).

Which brings us back to being confident the Lord will never fail to keep His promise to us. Galatians 3:18 states, “For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.” 

Add to that the assurance of Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever,” and we can have complete assurance that while everyone else we know – including ourselves – breaks promises, God never will.

Cherishing A Treasure Unlike Any Other

As I picked up my Bible to start my daily reading, I reflected on how this practice isn’t some religious ritual, but rather my means for building upon the relationship God began with me decades ago. And I choose the words, God began with me, very intentionally. There’s no question in my mind that the Lord was the one who pursued me – what poet Francis Thompson called “the Hound of Heaven” – when I had little interest in pursuing Him.

I don’t treasure my Bible because of its pages and print, ink and paper, but because through this book I encounter the God of all eternity and creation – His love, His wisdom, His grace, His guidance, and His truth.

 

Unlike days long ago when I casually attended church – it was a ritual of sorts then – finding God in the Scriptures has become my lifeline. At one time I vaguely sensed there had to be a divine deity; now I know this without doubt because of all He’s done in my life; the truths and principles He has taught me through His Word, and the wonderful people I’ve been privileged to meet over the years who count it their honor and privilege to be “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

 

Similar to the blind man who received sight from Jesus (John 9:13-39), I once was blind spiritually but now I see. I can identify with the apostle Paul’s bold declaration in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believe: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” There’s absolutely nothing like it.

 

As someone whose financial picture was once totally upside-down, in the Bible I’ve found simple yet profound principles for managing money, starting with the truism, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).

 

For a person who used to have little idea about where my life was headed, I’ve often pondered and applied the promise of 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 direct your paths.” That assurance and its out-workings haven’t failed me yet.

 

In a world in which a lack of sense – or nonsense – seems so prevalent, the Scriptures clearly tell us where to go for wisdom and how to forgo foolishness: “The proverbs of Solomon…for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and fair…. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:1-2,7).

 

Years ago, I met a business leader who had spent much of his life reading self-help and motivational books, listening to taped messages on how to become a success, and using other resources for personal growth. Then he discovered the Bible and started reading it. In short order he disposed of all his other “motivators” and relied exclusively upon the Scriptures not only for guidance as a corporate executive but also for every area of his life.

 

Rather than self-help, the Bible affirms how desperately we need God’s help – His empowerment – to live as He intended and according to the way He designed us. In John 15:7 Jesus declared to His disciples, “apart from Me you can do nothing” (of eternal value). Piggybacking on that, the apostle Paul affirmed, “I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Many times, I’ve been faced with a challenge and thought, ‘I can’t do this!’ Through His Word the Lord has reminded me, ‘I know. But I can do it through you!’

 

As you’ve noticed if you’re a regular reader, I like to include a lot of Scripture in my writings. That’s because my opinions alone aren’t worth a dime – which isn’t worth much anyway. But in the Bible, we find God’s opinions, which are priceless – they’re the only ones that matter.

This current calendar year is winding to a close. I would hope – and encourage – that if you’re not already doing so, in the next year you’d determine to make meaningful time in the Word of God a regular part of your day. To my way of thinking, there’s no downside to it. 

What In the World Are You Thankful for?

Since Thanksgiving Day falls on a Thursday (as always), I’m posting this a day early. You’ll have a lot of better things to do that holiday than ponder my random thoughts. But I didn’t want to ignore Thanksgiving Day, since most of us have so much for which to be thankful. Perhaps more than we realize.

Recently I viewed a very unusual Thanksgiving song on YouTube with the title, “I Am Thankful.” It’s sung by a group of young children, sweet little songbirds holding signs citing things for which they’re thankful. If you have ever thought, ‘I don’t have much to be thankful for,’ you need to watch this simple video.

Their list covers a wide range of things, many of which we so easily take for granted: Dancing. Singing. Grandparents. Vacations. Nature. Seasons. Animals. Food. Art. Jesus. Rain. Sunshine. Pets. Family. School. Prayer. Godly parents. Books. Music. Freedom.

 

Many other things could have been included in this song, but you get the idea.

 

Most mornings when I awaken the first thought that comes to my mind is, “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Not one of us is guaranteed tomorrow, or next week, so we can and should be thankful for each new day.

 

Are you employed? You can be thankful for that, because many are actively searching for employment. Even if it’s not your ideal job, you don’t like the hours you have to work, or have an unreasonable boss, at least you can pay bills and put food on the table. And it’s not a life sentence. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” This time next year you might find yourself in a totally different situation, but God has you where you are for a reason.

 

Perhaps you’re going through a dark time in your life, facing challenges of one kind or another. How are we supposed to be thankful then? If we believe God is sovereign (ultimately in control) and that He desires the best for each of us, then we can give thanks despite adverse circumstances. James 1:2-4 exhorts us to, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

 

Difficult times may test our patience, perseverance – and our faith – but God allows them in our lives to accomplish His purposes in our lives, even if it’s not clear what those might be. Many of us are familiar with Romans 8:28 which declares, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

 

If you’re not going through difficult circumstances, you can be thankful for that. Because in this fallen, broken world, we know hardships and adversity will find us eventually, often when we least expect them. We have the promise of Ephesians 1:3 which states, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” I can’t say that I fully comprehend all that entails, but being “blessed…with every spiritual blessing in Christ” sounds like a great place to be.

 

I wish you and your family a truly blessed Thanksgiving Day, perhaps beyond your greatest expectations. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20).

Complexities of Families and Communities

A few days from now, many of us will be gathering for our annual Thanksgiving dinners, either with family members, friends, or both. The day will be filled with food (“turkey and all the trimmings,” as it’s often described), festive parades with colorful floats, and traditional football games. But most important are the folks we’ll spend the day with. 

 

The cast of "Father Knows
Best: (Wikipedia photo)

And that can be a good thing – or a bad thing. I grew up watching idyllic families on TV shows like “Father Knows Best,” “Ozzie and Harriett,” “Leave It to Beaver” and “The Donna Reed Show.” These made for enjoyable viewing, but perpetuated the myth that everybody in a family gets along and they always love being with one another.

In our real world, complex conflicts aren’t easily resolved during a 30-minute time slot. If we’re looking for a TV counterpart, many homes are more like the classic show of the ‘70s, “All in the Family.” In it the curmudgeonly patriarch Archie Bunker regularly cast insults at the son-in-law he affectionately called “Meathead.” If nothing else, this comedy debunked the notion of families being continual lovefests.

 

Years ago, I saw a cartoon about a conference being held for non-dysfunctional families. No one showed up. We’re all broken people; even in the best of families, sometimes it’s a struggle to cope with each other. When someone asks, “Why can’t we all just get along,” it can be hard to offer a good answer.

 

I know nothing about his family, but poet Robert Frost observed that a family “is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” Except too often it seems even this sentiment has faded. I recently talked with a friend who has little contact with his children, even though he and their mother divorced years ago.

 

With the mobility of many Americans, families find themselves stretched across thousands of miles. I had aunts, uncles and cousins in California, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. A true family reunion never amounted to more than wishful thinking. And even if that had been possible, some members would have been welcomed more than others.

 

In the place of the traditional family, transplants from one region to another often find a substitute. It’s often called “community,” whether that means a church, a neighborhood, a workplace, the local bar, or some other social entity. But as with families, hopes for happily-ever-after are fleeting even in the most carefully crafted communities. It was theologian and author Henri Nouwen who stated that a community is “a place where the person you least want to live with always lives.”

 

This reminds me of Jesus Christ and the rag-tag bunch He selected to be His disciples. They consisted of smelly fishermen, a despised tax collector, a rebel against the established government, and others who seemed like misfits at times. We don’t have a lot of details about some of them, but we know Peter was an impetuous sort. James and John were known as the “sons of thunder,” indicating they were known for periodic emotional outbursts. 

 

There was Thomas, who seemed to question and doubt just about everything. And of course, the scheming Judas Iscariot, who was as loyal as a rattlesnake. One of the things I appreciate about the TV series, “The Chosen,” which soon will be unveiling its fourth season, is its imaginative yet plausible take on what these disciples might have been like. Much of it is conjecture, based on details found in the Gospels, but we do know the disciples argued, felt jealousy toward one another, and weren’t above self-promotion.

 

It's amazing how God used this unlikely gang of men to launch a spiritual movement that continues to move full speed ahead 2,000 years later. This is proof in itself of the truth of the Christian faith, grounded in the great assurance that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

 

The Scriptures teach us much about how we can “just get along,” whether in a biological family, workplace team, or a community of people sharing the same mission and values. Jesus said we’re to “love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). He wasn’t speaking of a sappy, fickle emotion, but a willful, sometimes sacrificial decision of both mind and heart.

 

In a family or community, desires and goals are often in opposition. These can escalate into serious conflicts, or we can follow the admonition of Philippians 2:3-4, ”Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

 

Strife within a family or community can result from judgmental attitudes toward others. Jesus warned against this, saying, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2).

 

The Scriptures have much more to say about relationships, but suffice it to say, if we rely on what God teaches in His Word, empowered by His Spirit that indwells us, our holiday gatherings can serve as proof that indeed, our Father knows best.

Sacrifices Aren’t Always What We Think

What does the term “sacrifice” mean to you? Sacrifices come in varied sizes, large and small. We might feel led to give a dollar or two to a “homeless” person standing along the roadside with a sign asking for help. We might pause to help the proverbial little old lady across the street or take in a stray puppy that seems lost and starving.

 

Then there are accounts of people making great, noble sacrifices: A single mom working two or more jobs to pay the bills and provide food and clothing for her children. A father filling the roles of both dad and mom while his wife recovers from serious illness. Parents scrimping and saving so a son or daughter can get the college education that wasn’t available to them. A young man or woman surrendering a kidney for an ailing sibling.

 

In the work world I’ve heard of business owners choosing to forgo their own paychecks so employees can get paid. Staff members working late into the night to ensure important deadlines are met or projects completed. Teachers spending their own money to provide needed supplies for their classes. 

 

Obviously, some sacrifices are more costly than others. We’ve heard stories of servicemen and women making “the ultimate sacrifice,” surrendering their lives on battlefields to save their comrades. These selfless acts affirm Jesus Christ’s teaching that it’s “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Somehow, when we give to others – especially when it’s sacrificial – we can feel rewarded for doing the right thing.

 

The greatest sacrifice of all, many of us would agree, is what Jesus Christ did on our behalf. Romans 5:8 reminds us that, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read a similar affirmation: “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 

 

I don’t know about you, but the sacrifice He willingly made to reconcile broken men, women and children to the Father still challenges my full comprehension.

 

Sacrifice is a recurring theme in the Bible. The Old Testament reveals an elaborate system of sacrifices God prescribed for the people of Israel – bulls, sheep, goats and grain – all intended to enhance their worship of the Lord and offer symbolic atonement for sins. Many of these sacrifices served as harbingers of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. But we find a somewhat different perspective on sacrifices in Psalm 50 that fits the season of thanksgiving and celebration we’re now entering. 

 

Speaking to the Israelites, the Lord said, “I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before Me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is Mine and the cattle on a thousand hills….” In other words, their sacrifices weren’t giving anything to God that He didn’t already own.

 

Then the passage makes a shift , telling about a very different form of sacrifice, one the Lord says He prefers: “Sacrifice thank offerings to God; fulfill your vows to the Most High…. He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God” (Psalm 50:7-14,23).

 

We find a similar perspective in Psalm 51:17, which declares, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” This isn’t to say the Lord doesn’t appreciate gifts we offer of our time, our talents and our treasures, especially those that require some level of sacrifice. But what He wants most is our hearts – sincere hearts of gratitude, reverence and worship.

 

Over the next weeks we’ll be bombarded with requests from ministries and charitable organizations for special year-end gifts to support and sustain their work, as well as to express our thankfulness to the Lord for what He is doing. Those are important and should be prayerfully and carefully considered. But as the passages above inform us, the greatest gift we can offer – the greatest sacrifice – is our unwavering, sincere thankfulness for all He has done and all that He is doing.