We Enjoy Our Rights, But with Those Come Responsibility

We hear a lot of discussion about rights these days. Not surprisingly, given the political and ideological divide in our country, there are greatly differing views on what those rights are, and how and when they can be used. 

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution – which are widely regarded as the Bill of Rights – a number of personal rights are specified, and others were later added. These include such things as the right to worship as one sees fit; the freedoms of speech and the press; the right to peaceable assembly; the right to bear arms; the right to a speedy and public trial with an impartial jury, and the right to vote.

 

We often focus on our rights, but not so often do we recognize the responsibilities that come with those rights. For example, it has long been acknowledged that free speech should not include shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater and inciting an unnecessary panic. There are slander and libel laws to prohibit people from wrongfully maligning others with their words.

 

Laws have been established that affect the right to bear arms. Those who possess guns have the responsibility to use them properly; those who don’t are subject of arrest and other legal actions. Even the right to vote comes with certain responsibility. I’ve always made a point of confirming when elections are being held. More recently, with the widespread use of early voting, I’ve determined when and where that option has been available to me. I won’t wade any deeper into the voting rights debate.

 

But the point is clear: When given rights, with them come responsibilities we’re expected to fulfill. Even in families, where children receive certain freedoms by birthright, parents also can assign to them increasing responsibilities as they get older. In those homes, failure to carry out their assignments may result in the curtailing of their rights and freedoms.

 

Have you ever considered that for those of us who follow Jesus Christ, we also have rights – and accompanying responsibilities?

 

We read about the most important “right” in John 1:12, which states, “Yet to all who have received [Jesus Christ], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” By believing in Jesus, trusting in Him and His atoning sacrifice for our sins, we gain an exclusive right – that of becoming a member of God’s eternal family. What good news!

 

But are there responsibilities that come with this right? If we believe the Scriptures, most definitely so. Speaking to His followers not long before He would undergo a heinous mock trial, be unjustly convicted and then executed by crucifixion, Jesus explained one of their greatest responsibilities: “A new command I give you: 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).

 

In essence, their failure or refusal to carry out this responsibility – loving other members of the Lord’s family – could indicate they were not legitimate children of God. Because to love others unconditionally was – and is – a reflection of Christ living in us through His Spirit.

 

Elsewhere the apostle John expounded on this truth. He wrote, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with action and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in [God’s] presence…. And this is his command, to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us” (1 John 3:18-23).

 

Just before ascending into heaven, Jesus declared another important responsibility that comes with the right to be God’s children. He directed His followers 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” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

Commonly referred to as Jesus’ Great Commission, He was stating that our faith is not something to be kept to ourselves, that it must be proclaimed so others can also experience His grace, forgiveness and redemption, and receive help for growing in their own faith.

 

We could enumerate many other responsibilities that come with the right to be children of God, but let’s close with one that in essence says we must be willing to give up our rights. In Philippians 2:3-4 we read, “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.”

 

In a society that emphasizes mantras such as “You have to look out for No. 1” and “It’s all about me,” we’re called to selflessness and service, being willing to put the needs of others ahead of our own. 

As Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). There’s no greater blessing than to have received the right to become children of God. But are we showing ourselves worthy of such responsibility? 

Adoption – the Oft-Overlooked Option

This time of the year is very special for our family. The hubbub of the holidays has subsided, and we pause to celebrate the birthdays of several of family members, including two adopted grandsons. It’s an annual reminder of the courageous, selfless decisions of their birth mothers to bring them into this world and then, because they were not able to raise them, to entrust them to loving adoptive parents.

 

In the ongoing “pro-choice/pro-life” debate, often overlooked is the option of adoption, instead of abortion. If we “follow the science,” as we’ve been admonished so many times, we know that inside a pregnant woman’s womb is a living being – a human being – patiently waiting for the time it can enter the world and live without a sustaining lifeline called the umbilical cord. So, despite the arguments, abortion is the taking of a life. 

 

Sadly, many times women become pregnant and are unable or unwilling to take on the responsibility for raising a child – or another child, if they already have one or more. The alternative, some in our society insist, is abortion. But adoption – ironically the juxtaposition of two letters – is the better option, what we could term a win-win, for the birth mom, the baby, and the parents who adopt him or her.

 

Which brings us to our family. In addition to our two adopted grandchildren, we also have a son-in-law, now in his 50s, a highly successful entrepreneur who employs 60-80 people in his businesses, and is devoted to serving hundreds of clients. He’s also the father of two daughters and now the grandfather of a little boy. The lives of many hundreds of people have been positively affected the brave decision of a birth mother whom he was blessed to meet for the first time several years ago.

 

Abortion, therefore, isn’t simply a “personal decision” for a pregnant woman. Taking a long view, it literally is a life-changing decision for countless people, continuing many years into the future. Of course, adoption isn’t a simple, inexpensive option. To adopt a child often carries a cost that could total well into thousands of dollars. But how do you put a price on a life?

 

Rather than writing what might seem like a strident pro-life editorial, I’d like to offer a very different view on adoption – one presented in unequivocal terms in the Bible. Because it states that every person who is a child of God, who has been “born again,” as Jesus explained in John 3:3-8, has been adopted by the Lord.

 

Romans 8:15 declares, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom you cry out, ‘Abba, Father’” [literally, “Daddy.”] Eight verses later we read, “…even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”

 

The apostle Paul writes more about this elsewhere, as in Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

 

Perhaps the strongest statement of all is found in Ephesians 1:4-5, which declares, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”

 

Earlier I mentioned the considerable expense of adopting a human child. But that cost, however high, could never approach what it cost God the Father to adopt us as His spiritual children. Romans 5:8 states, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

 

To make provision for our adoption as His children cost the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ. So that Paul could write in Ephesians 1:7-8, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.”

 

Across our nation, many thousands of childless couples would love to have the opportunity and blessing of adopting an unwanted child. Many other families with children would generously open their homes to adopt additional children. If only we could hear that option explained and advocated more often as this great social debate continues.

 

From the moment each of our grandsons was welcomed into our family and adopted, our lives were changed forever. Now we can’t imagine what our lives would be like without them. And for the birth mothers, they had the peace of mind knowing they had made the right sacrifice, seeing to it that the infants they carried into this world would grow up in safe, loving homes.

But even more, think of the countless men, women, and children whom God longs to adopt – for all eternity – because of the priceless sacrifice He has already made. If you’re reading this, you’re probably already spiritually oriented. But the question every one of us must answer is, “Have I been adopted? Have I truly accepted God’s invitation to become a member of His everlasting family?” If not, this could become the day of your own adoption! 

Drawbacks of Always Leaning on Our Own Understanding

“I don’t understand!” How many times have you said or thought that, maybe even in the form of a complaint? Perhaps it was concerning the chaos that continues to swirl around our society. Maybe you’ve thought that as a parent, tried to reason through some foolish things your children do. It might have been when the coach or manager of your favorite sports team made a mind-boggling decision.

 

Other things we struggle to understand include: Why people in their prime of life, with so much to offer to others, contract life-threatening diseases, or even die. Why seemingly good people endure terrible calamities. Why the weather seems so fickle and unpredictable; we might want to cast blame on climate change or global warming, but weather has always been fickle and unpredictable.

The list could go on, but we live each day in a world when there’s so much we don’t understand – and never will. Does mean that we should stop living, cease moving forward until we can finally comprehend whatever is puzzling us? Of course not.

 

What if we waited to board a jet until we possessed a full understanding about how it can fly, weighing many tons itself and transporting many more tons in terms of people, luggage and cargo? Most of us would be stuck forever in the terminal or on the tarmac.

 

How about electricity – do you fully grasp all that’s involved scientifically in the simple act of flipping a light switch and illuminating a dark room, or turning the switch off to eliminate the light? Most of us don’t, but that doesn’t force us to spend our evenings in darkened rooms and risk tripping over furniture.

 

Our automobiles are increasingly complex. One service department technician told me that motor vehicles these days are essentially computers on wheels. During my lifetime as a driver, I’m seen advances from having a starter on the floorboard to inserting a key into the ignition to simply pressing a button to start the car. I have no clue how those advances were accomplished, but I’m going to leave my SUV in the garage until I figure them out.

 

Why then do many of us seem so insistent on understanding God, His will and His purposes? 

 

One of my favorite Bible passages, Proverbs 3:5-6, actually instructs us to do quite the opposite. It says, “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 your paths straight.” It tells us, without equivocating, not to lean on our own understanding. I have to admit, I like leaning on my own understanding, knowing what’s going to happen, and when, and why, and how. But that’s not always possible.

 

That’s why the so-called “Christian life” is an everyday, moment by moment, journey of faith. Trusting in God’s goodness, love and perfect knowledge. Philippians 4:4-7 speaks to this directly. It starts off by admonishing us to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” There’s no qualification, such as times when we’re not happy about what’s going on. As a wise Bible scholar once told me, “When the Bible says ‘always,’ what that means is…always!”

 

When events occur that confound our understanding – some of us might be thinking that's just about all the time – the passage continues to instruct, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Rather than fretting and wringing our hands in confusion and frustration, we’re told to pray, to talk directly to the Lord, and do so with an accepting, thankful heart.

 

Then, when “I don’t understand!” thoughts linger, we can experience the best part of this exhortation: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” As an old song says, when you don’t understand and you can’t see His plan and you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.

 

All this is not to say the walk of faith means disconnecting our brains, totally dispensing with human reason and being prohibited from asking questions. Because the Scriptures promise that if we seek understanding, God won’t leave us in the dark. In Proverbs 2:1-6 we find the key:

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

God isn’t obligated to give us a full, detailed rationale for things that happen in our lives. But when we submit to His will and His guidance, He promises to give us as much understanding as we need. Beyond that, we’re to trust in the Lord with all our heart, having the confident assurance that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). 

‘Tis Always the Season for Sowing and Reaping

Here many of us are in the dead of winter, gazing at barren tree limbs, dormant flower beds and maybe even a coating of snow on the ground. Because of this, most of us probably aren’t giving a lot of thought to things like planting flowers or vegetable gardens. But one doesn’t need a green thumb to be actively engaged in the process of sowing and reaping year-round.

Recently I was reminded of this while reading a familiar quote tagged at the end of a friend’s email. It read:

Sow a thought, and you reap an act.

Sow an act, and you reap a habit.

Sow a habit, and you reap a character.

Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.

 

This isn’t talking about little seeds and different forms of vegetation; it concerns something much more important. It’s about the little things we do each day which don’t seem to matter, but if cultivated, repeated and nurtured over time, make a dramatic difference in the course of one’s life.

One example many of us can easily relate to is snacking at night. My wife and I will be watching TV, only an hour or so after eating a hearty dinner, and I’m thinking, ‘What can I eat?’ It’s often because I’m seeing folks on the TV screen eating something, or I’ve just viewed a commercial about potato chips or some fast-food restaurant. My stomach is still full, but suddenly, I’m “hungry.”

 

If this were just a one-time or occasional occurrence, it wouldn’t be a problem. But it happens night after night, same scenario. I had the thought initially, then I acted on it. When I acted on it again, it started to turn into a habit. If the habit becomes a dominating part of life, it affects my character. Then, potentially, it can affect my destiny.

 

We could apply this behavioral progression to many things, ranging from spending practices to alcoholism to viewing salacious content on the computer. Name the controlling behavior and you can bet it started as a simple thought, advanced into an act, turned into a habit, slowly shaped a character and then, perhaps, transformed into a destiny. From a negative perspective, that’s how addictions are created.

 

“You reap what you sow,” it’s said. But in truth, we reap much more than we sow. Whoever planted a kernel of corn with the intention of reaping just one more kernel of corn? Or placed a tomato plant in a garden with hopes of it producing a single tomato?

 

The key, it seems, is not to steer clear of the sowing and reaping principle, but to be cautious about what it is we’re sowing. This is one reason Proverbs 4:23 warns us to, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” What are your affections? What are those things that dominate your thoughts and attention?

 

In Proverbs we find several passages that deal with sexual temptation, with good reason. While they’re directed toward younger men, these warnings apply equally to men and women. After observing that, “The lips of an adulteress drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword,” the writer sternly warns, “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house…. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent” (Proverbs 5:3-11). A grim image, for sure.

 

The Ten Commandments are viewed by some as a series of do’s and don’ts, rules and regulations handed down by a spoilsport deity. But in reality, they’re guidelines for successful, joyous living. They prescribe for us where we should direct our hearts – and where we shouldn’t. If we ever wonder, “How should I guard my heart?” the commandments provide answers.

 

As recorded in Exodus 20:1-17, commandments 1-4 address our relationship with God, making Him the foremost priority of our lives: Have no gods other than the one true God. Don’t worship idols. Don’t misuse or profane God’s name. Designate a day for rest and renewal, just as He rested after His six days of creation.

 

The remaining commandments concern our relationships with others, including our parents, neighbors and strangers. The sixth commandment instructs “Do not murder,” a teaching Jesus later clarified in His “sermon on the mount” to include harboring angry, destructive thoughts toward others. “You have heard that it was said to people long ago, ‘Do not murder,’ and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment…” (Matthew 5:21-26).

 

Commandments 7-10 address adultery, stealing, lying, and coveting the possessions of another. In each case, these are actions that most likely don’t arise from random impulses, but have followed the pattern of sowing first a thought, then an act, then a habit, which shaped a character, and perhaps led to the formation of a destiny.

 

So, while gazing from the warmth of our homes at a cold, bleak outdoors, it would be wise to remember that we’re still cultivating, sowing and reaping. Are we guarding our hearts by following Jesus’ admonition to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength… [and] love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31), or are we sowing negative actions and habits that will result in regretful consequences?

The Awesome Wonder of People Living in Unity

As I was growing up, it seemed patriotism was an indispensable quality of being an American. Taking pride in seeing our flag unfurled against an azure sky. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance – to the United States of America – without feeling abused. These days, however, it often seems our nation is more untied than united. And that makes me sad.

 

That’s not to say I believe the U.S.A. is perfect. Far from it. Or that people don’t have a right to speak out against injustices and inequities they see. After all, the preamble to the Declaration of Independence first declares, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal….” 

This is a noble and reasonable ideal, but I don’t think it can be achieved through disunity. As Jesus Christ told the religious leaders – the Pharisees – who were mustering opposition against His ministry, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house divided against itself fall” (Luke 11:17). We see this principle being worked out in virtually every aspect of life.

 

If you’re an avid spectator of any sport, you see the importance of unity being emphasized in any contest – at least by the victorious teams. Whether it’s football, basketball, baseball, or even doubles tennis, all championship teams display unity, at least on the field, the court, or in the arena.

 

Years ago, I was in another country, meeting with business and professional men who were trying to build an effective marketplace ministry in their cities. Knowing soccer was the most popular team sport there, I used analogies from soccer to explain how they could achieve unity despite the diversity in their abilities and spiritual gifts.

 

Frankly, all I knew about soccer is what I had observed in watching my daughters participate in the game, but I knew enough. The goalie, defensive players, midfielders and offensive players all have different roles and responsibilities, but they must perform as a unit to win. Conversely, most of the players can do their jobs very well, but if one key player fails, the scoreboard will reflect that.

 

Over my lifetime I’ve had a few health issues – major and minor – that needed to be addressed, so I’ve learned quite a bit about the human body while going to various doctors for treatment and surgery. God created our bodies to be marvelous examples of unity. You could say health is a reflection of a body’s ease, just as disease and sickness is a sign of its “dis-ease.”

 

Years ago, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey collaborated on several books about the human body, focusing especially on the problems of pain and suffering. If you haven’t read either Fearfully and Wonderfully Made or In His Image, I highly recommend them. They’re still in print and give compelling insights into how the heart, lungs, brain, lungs, kidneys and other organs work together in unity to keep a human being healthy. They also explain how the nervous, vascular, circulatory, skeletal and other systems also must function together to keep a person alive and well.

 

The apostle Paul also alluded to this in exhorting members of the ancient church in the Greek city of Corinth to strive for unity. It’s almost as if he were paging through the medical tome, “Grey’s Anatomy,” as he explained:

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink…. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body…. But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).

 

I’ve condensed this insightful passage for brevity, but Paul’s conclusion stands out: “But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26).

 

If you’ve ever gotten up in the middle of the night and stubbed your toe in the dark, you can understand the “if one part suffers, every part suffers with it” reference. That’s how it is when people are in unity, whether on a sports team, in a nation, or as members of a church congregation. We revel together in our victories, and suffer together in our defeats and hardships.

 

Elsewhere, the apostle again wrote of the priceless value of unity: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:1-2).

There’s an awesomeness, a sense of wonder when we see people working in unity, pulling together and supporting one another toward the accomplishment of shared values and goals. Would that we could see more of this in our nation, as well as in the body of Christ, despite our differences in doctrine, practice and tradition. 

The Satisfaction of Finally Getting Around To It

Well, I can honestly announce that I have finally gotten around to it. Or to be more accurate, I’ve gotten a round TUIT. A while back someone sent me a round wooden disc in which are burned the letters, ‘TUIT.’

On the back of the “coin” it says, “This is a Round TUIT. Guard it with your life. It could help you be more efficient. For years you’ve heard, ‘I’ll do it as soon as I get a Round Tuit.’ Now that you have your own, you can accomplish all those things you put aside until you got this Round TUIT.” I guess if that’s all it takes, I’ve got it made now.

 

Unfortunately, for many of us it requires a lot more than a silly wooden coin to motivate or inspire us to pursue those tasks we’ve been avoiding for weeks, or months, or even years. Some of us have even been considering joining the National Procrastination Society – we just haven’t gotten…around to it.

 

Lots of people delay necessary and important projects with great skill. One wag put it this way: “Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?” Maybe it was a dyslexic person reading Benjamin Franklin’s more challenging quote, “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” The question is, why do so many of us become pro at ‘crastinating’?

 

I can only speak for myself, but my reasons include: 

• I understand how much time and energy it will require to complete the job.
• I’m afraid of failing. If I don’t start, maybe I can avoid the pain of being unable to finish.
• If I don’t start, I can try convincing myself that if I did get started, I’d succeed.
• The tyranny of the urgent – succumbing to pesky distractions – crowds out the truly important.

 

There are probably other reasons I could think of – and if you’re a fellow procrastinator, you might have several of your own. But the truth is, until we start, failure is guaranteed.

 

As we might expect, the Bible has a lot to say about our inclination to never get around to it. One of the most prominent concerns good intentions for helping others if we don’t follow through: “Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. Do not tell your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow and I will provide’ – when you already have the means” (Proverbs 3:27-28).

 

The Scriptures equate procrastination with laziness. For instance, “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4). “He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment” (Proverbs 12:11). Wishing and hoping for money are not nearly as effective as actually putting in the time and effort to earn what we need.

 

An abundant future is often the result of an ambitious present. Remember Aesop’s fable about the grasshopper and the ant, when the grasshopper, starving because it was too lazy to put aside food, begs an enterprising ant for food in the dead of winter? The Bible presents a similar metaphor, minus the grasshopper:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8).

 

But the Scriptures also look at other perspectives that can fuel our procrastinating ways. In an age that seems to glorify instant-gratification, the Word of God encourages us to choose hard work and determination instead: “…we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). 

 

The context of this passage speaks primarily to the importance of persevering in our faith despite adversity and opposition, but it also offers a key principle for finally tackling those tasks we’ve been so zealously avoiding: persevering with an eye toward achieving our goals.

 

We could consider a number of other scriptural teachings, but one I need to remind myself, especially when I know it’s something God is calling me to pursue, is the promise that if He directs us to do a project or take on a responsibility, He’ll also enable us to carry it through. As Philippians 4:13 declares, “I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength.” 

 

Here the apostle Paul was writing specifically about finding contentment regardless of his circumstances, but he also understood that the ministry the Lord had called him to would have been impossible without His empowerment. After all, Jesus had admonished his disciples, “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

What is it you’ve been putting off – or avoiding – with such diligence? When do you expect to get around to it? Maybe like me you need a Round TUIT. If you’re nice, maybe I’ll let you borrow mine.

Living in the Valley of the Shadow of Death

One on the best-known, most-loved passages of the Bible is Psalm 23, often referred to as the “Shepherd’s psalm.” It’s often quoted at funerals and memorial services because of the verse, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

As comforting as those words are, they don’t necessarily concern the prospect of imminent death. They can, but the psalm speaks more about how life can be lived well despite the many pitfalls and perils we encounter along the way. 

 

True, for two years many of us have probably felt as if we were living in the valley of the shadow of death, with the relentless news reports, frightening statistics and grim predictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. When we learned about people dying from the virus that we knew, especially family members, the reality of its threat hit home. The procession of mandates and restrictions heightened our sense of gloom. Our challenge has been, as the psalm admonishes, to not fear but to trust in God’s presence and protection. 

 

The author of the 23^rd psalm, Israel’s King David, didn’t write from vivid imagination but from personal experience, hearkening to his days as a lowly shepherd. It was his responsibility to guide skittish and defenseless sheep through a variety of threatening environments, relying on their unwavering trust.

 

Those memories enabled him to apply that imagery to his reliance on God, his own Shepherd. During his post-shepherd days, David saw God deliver him from the “valley of the shadow of death” many times. The first occasion was his storied encounter with Goliath, whom sharpshooter David felled with his trusty slingshot. Then King Saul became his nemesis, followed by members of his own family. In each case, the Lord protected him.

 

Years ago, I had the privilege of co-authoring a book, Pursuing Life with a Shepherd’s Heart, with my friend, Ken Johnson. He had raised sheep on a “hobby farm” in Minnesota for a number of years and witnessed how, as Isaiah 53:6 declares, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray….” As I worked with Ken, the truths of Psalm 23 came alive for me, realizing how “sheepish” we really are.

 

For instance, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2). Sheep need quiet and calm environments to thrive. Any disruption sets them on edge, so the shepherd works diligently to find places where they can rest and graze peacefully.

 

The previous verse promises, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Sheep can’t hunt for food; they rely on the shepherd to provide everything they need, including pastures free of noxious weeds that could harm them. He also watches so they don’t stray into difficulty, such as getting caught in bushes by their wooly fleece, or stumbling and falling, unable to get back on their feet. It’s not too hard to imagine how God does much the same for us.

 

In the passage about “walking in the shadow of death,” we read that the shepherd’s rod and staff provide comfort. These tools are used not only to guide the sheep, but also to ward off predators. So, the sheep quickly learn to stay close to their shepherd – and we’d be wise to do the same with our Shepherd.

 

Fear has become a way of life for many folks over the past couple of years, but this psalm assures us that the Lord will “prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows” (verse 5). These days it seems we have an abundance of “enemies,” and yet this psalm tells us to relax and go about our lives despite their presence. 

 

Sheep have no way to swat away flies and other parasites that could plague them, so anointing members of the flock with oil is one means shepherds utilize to keep the pests from unsettling them or even making them sick.

 

The sixth and final verse of the psalm is the most comforting of all, whether we’re preparing for just another day of life or confronting the inevitability of passing from this life: “Surely goodness and mercy [love] will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Just like an earthly shepherd caring for the sheep, seeking to ensure their well-being, we can trust that God will do the same for us, not only in this life but for all eternity.

No matter what we might have to face in the future, whether it’s a pandemic, other health issues, financial challenges, difficulties at work, family problems, or the social strife that seems to have no end, we can find hope and comfort in the assurances the Lord has given us in Psalm 23. As it says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” for anything, as we anchor our faith in Him. 

Treating Time as an Ally, Not as an Adversary

For much of my life I’ve tended to regard time as an adversary. It either moves too fast or too slowly. When I was young, time seemed to move at snail’s pace. Now that I’m older, it advances like it’s racing on the German autobahn. “Tempus fugit” we’re told in Latin – time flies. But if we’re eagerly anticipating something, it still can’t pass quickly enough.

 

But time can be an ally. I’ve written before about resuming an old pastime, taking drum lessons. I decided instead of tapping my steering wheel while listening to music on the radio, I’d get real drums again to entertain myself. However, I realized I needed some lessons to remove the rust and sharpen my latent skills. 

 

Watching videos of professional drummers and marveling at their skills, I wondered how they could play so fast. The answer, I’ve discovered, is threefold. Most of them have innate talent and ability beyond anything I possess. Then there’s technique, learning how to do various rudiments properly. The adage, ”Practice makes perfect,” is only partly true. It’s better stated, “Perfect practice makes perfect.” You can’t learn how to do things right if you always practice doing them wrong.

 

But there’s a third element to skill and expertise, whether it’s playing drums or any other worthy pursuit in life: TIME. Without exception, the greatest drummers through the years merged talent and technique with time to excel at their craft. Those still performing, as well as icons remembered from the past, all invested countless hours over many years to develop into celebrated percussionists.

 

In case you’re not into drums and about to lose interest, my point is that to excel at anything – being a teacher, surgeon, athlete, salesperson, zookeeper, law enforcement officer, architect, author, artist, entrepreneur, or chef – takes a combination of talent, technique…and time.

 

Since it’s still early in the year, some of us might yet be thinking about trying to grow spiritually. ‘How can I grow closer to the Lord? How can I enhance my understanding and mastery of the Scriptures? What does it take to truly become a man or woman of God?’ 

 

In this case, it doesn’t require talent. Intellect and education may be helpful, but they aren’t prerequisites for a flourishing, fruitful faith. God loves “childlike faith.” And there are many “techniques” available to promote spiritual growth. Christian publishers have generated countless millions in revenue through books offering myriad perspectives on that topic. Basically, whatever works for you. 

 

But the one non-negotiable for spiritual growth is time. Way back in 1981, my family and I moved to Chattanooga, Tenn. where I would become publications director for CBMC, a ministry to people in the marketplace. I was a relatively new believer then, so whenever I attended a Bible study or conference, I was like a sponge, soaking up everything I heard and learned.

 

I interacted with mature believers who seemed to know the Bible backwards and forward. For virtually any topic, they could quickly turn to applicable Scripture passages. They did this without being prideful or showy; they simply knew the Word of God.

 

‘Will I ever have a command of the Scriptures like that? I don’t think so.’ And yet, more than 40 years later, here I am writing a blog about what the Bible has to say about everyday issues. I edited a Christian magazine for 17 years, and have been blessed to write and edit a number of books related to the practical value of biblical truth for everyday life.

 

I wouldn’t dare compare myself with the many folks who became my spiritual heroes, but over time I began to grow consistently in my faith and my grasp of the Scriptures. That’s been the key: time.

 

Time in the Word, reading and studying it every day whenever possible. Time meditating on Bible passages and seeking to commit them to memory – “hiding them in my heart,” as the psalmist writes in Psalm 119:11. Time reading quality books by trusted Christian authors. Time sitting under the teaching and preaching of gifted church leaders. Time meeting with other committed believers, serving as “iron sharpening iron,” as Proverbs 27:17 teaches.

 

Three brief passages from the apostle Paul’s second letter to his protégé Timothy speak to this. Paul explains the proper motivation: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

In another passage he underscores the importance of striving to understand and apply what the Bible teaches: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

 

And the third concerns engaging with others about God’s Word and helping them to pass its truth on to others: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

So, is spiritual growth one of your heart’s desires for the new year? Take your time! 

Taking a Deep Breath and Making a Fresh Start

We’re still in the nascent moments of the new year, so it feels like all things are possible. Those things we planned to do last year? Maybe we can accomplish them this year. That troublesome habit we wrestled with last year? We can overcome it this year. That rut we seemed to be stuck in last year? This can be the year we finally extricate ourselves from it and start making some important changes in our lives.

 

In actuality, the transition from 2021 to 2022 was a simple turn of the page on our calendars, but it does seem new, doesn’t it? Kind like starting a new job or moving to a new town. Everything seems fresh and exciting, bubbling over with potential.

 

Experience has taught us, however, the “new car smell” of the new year wears off quickly, so if we plan to make changes, or move forward with the pursuit of long-cherished hopes and dreams, now would be a great time to get started. We don’t need to get it accomplished all at once, but as someone has said, a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.

Among many important and meaningful things about a growing spiritual life is the assurance that we don’t need to spend a lot of time clearing away old messes. God isn’t telling us, “Clean up your act first, and then maybe I can do something with you.” In fact, it’s just the opposite. When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and submit to His authority, He promises to give us a fresh start: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

 

This passage, as simple as it sounds, can be hard to accept. Even if we have received the gift of eternal life, forgiveness, and redemption through Christ, it often seems like we’re still the same old folks we were before we met Him. After discovering this verse, I remember thinking to myself, ‘How can I be a new creation when I seem like the same old knucklehead I’ve always been?’ This is where it’s important to act according to faith and not feelings. Over time I learned it’s necessary to live on the basis of God’s promises, not our own shortcomings.

 

Another verse I’ve cited before affirms this truth: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Even though there are times when it doesn’t seem like the Spirit of Jesus Christ is living in me, I need to trust that this is true and act accordingly – allowing Him to express His life in me and through me.

 

The Bible affirms that our Creator God is all about making things new, even today. Both the Old and New testaments make this abundantly clear. In one of the prophetic books, He declared, “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you” (Isaiah 42:9).

 

In the next chapter the Lord declares, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs us; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19), and later in the same book He announces, “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). God specializes in restoration and regeneration.

 

One of the psalms opens with, “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him…. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel, all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:1-3).

 

And in one of the closing chapters of the Scriptures we read, “He who was seated on the throne [God] said, ‘I am making everything new! Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:5).

 

When the Bible opens, we see God doing a new thing – creating the heavens and the earth, and everything in them. At the end of His Word we see He is still busy doing the same thing, making all things new. He’s never stopped doing that.

So, as we ponder the possibilities and potential for this new year, hoping to make a fresh start, perhaps with some dramatic changes, we can trust we don’t have to do it alone. The One who makes all things new has promised to work in us and through us to empower us to do the same.