Remembering Sacrifices Many of Us Can’t Even Imagine

My father fought on several fronts during World War II, both in Europe and northern Africa. He was wounded twice, for which he received two Purple Hearts, along with a Bronze Star for valor and meritorious service. However, contrary to what theatrical films from the late 1940s and ‘50s seemed to indicate, he didn’t find war a time for forming fond memories. As a friend of mine who served in Vietnam has often said, “John Wayne lied.”

How do I know how my father felt about his military service? First of all, Dad never talked about his wartime experiences. They weren’t things he wanted to spend reminiscing. And second, many times I heard my dad wake up screaming in the middle of the night from some nightmare, probably war-related.

Those days were before the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was created to describe the lingering, devastating effects of taking part in combat. During World War I, they used the term, “shell shock.” “Battle fatigue” was the term utilized during and after the second World War. No matter which term is used, those of us who have never fought in a war can’t begin to understand what it must have been like for those who did.

 

Since 1868, our nation has observed Memorial Day – formerly known as Decoration Day – to honor U.S. military personnel who have died during wartime service. On this federal holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, paying respects and decorating graves to honor and mourn those who gave their lives to protect freedoms and values embraced by our nation.

 

Thankfully, my father wasn’t among those who lost their lives during World War II. I wouldn’t be here if he had. Nonetheless, what he saw, heard and felt in combat left indelible scars on his mind, as has been the case for so many of our veterans who returned home. Some came back with visible physical injuries, but virtually all brought unseen mental and emotional wounds that were slow to heal, if at all.

So, Memorial Day’s a worthy tribute to those who sacrificed their lives on many battlegrounds, from the Civil War onward. Even though most of us wish there was no such thing as war, wishing does not do away with the tragic events that have transpired almost from the start of human history. We dare not forget the high price our valiant soldiers have paid.

 

What if there were a “memorial day” for people in the Bible? We could trace back to Abel, who gave a more acceptable sacrifice of worship to God, only to be killed by his brother, Cain, in a heinous act of sibling rivalry (recounted in Genesis 4:2-16).

 

Many of us know the story of Samson, a very flawed individual whom God gifted with great strength. His weakness for women brought him many consequences. But despite being blinded, Judges 15 tells us he was able to kill many enemy Philistines by destroying their pagan temple – with them inside.

 

Through the centuries, prophets have been killed for faithfully standing up and speaking out for the Lord. In the New Testament we learn that many of Jesus’ closest followers, including John the Baptist, Peter and James, lost their lives for proclaiming Him as the Messiah, the Son of God. Paul once persecuted and participated in the killing of Christians as a zealous Pharisee. He was transformed by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, became a leader of the early Church, and was executed for the “crime” of preaching salvation grace through faith in Christ alone. 

 

The list could go on, but Christianity does observe one “memorial day,” in which we remember the greatest, most momentous sacrifice of all – the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. We call it Good Friday. As Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

This fulfilled what Jesus had told Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council: “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). Elsewhere, He also said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

 

This Memorial Day we pause to remember the countless thousands who willingly served and gave their lives on battlefields all around the world, hoping to preserve the rights and freedoms we hold dear. But let’s also remember – not just for one day, but every day – the One who died to set us from the penalty of sin and rebellion against God: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The Two Most Important Days for Any of Us

We certainly enjoy celebrating special days, don’t we? We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and numerous holidays, including Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, and very soon, Memorial Day.

 

What for you is the most important day? Holidays are fun, but for many of us, our date of birth means the most because after all, it’s a very personal special day, one that’s not shared by many people we know. Mark Twain, the celebrated author who also was quite the philosopher, agreed – but only in part.

 

Twain offered a view that in his mind, two days stand out above the rest. He said, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." 

 

Each one of us knows the day we were born – but how many of us can point to a day or time when, as Twain suggests, we discovered why we were born? 

 

Early in life we typically coast through life, taking in experiences like drinking from a firehose. But as we get older, some of us start waxing a bit philosophical, asking deep questions such as, “Why am I here?” and “What’s my purpose?” Have you ever done that? If you have, have you arrived at an answer that you find satisfactory?

 

The “why” questions of life are sometimes answered in terms of our activities – by the kinds of work we do, our parenting responsibilities, our accomplishments, or even our standing in the community. However, according to the Bible, those are not sufficient answers for the question of, “Why am I here?”

 

The Westminster Shorter Catechism, on which Reformers collaborated in the mid-1600s to present a clear statement of doctrine and faith, asserts, “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” We might say, “Well, that was nearly 400 years ago!” But when you think about it, the Lord – whom the Scriptures describe as “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) – and the nature of humankind have remained constant through the ages, so it’s fair to give credence to the revered theological declaration.

 

But what about the Bible itself? What can it tell us about why we're here? I have long appreciated the apostle Paul’s very personal expression in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” While none of us would go out of our way to experience sufferings, this is a strong description of one sold out to being a follower of Jesus.

 

The Amplified Version of this verse that I actually chose as my personal purpose statement, expands on this idea. It states, “that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person, more strongly and more clearly….” Imagine a lifetime devoted to getting to know Jesus better and better. Do you think that might have an impact on how we conduct our lives each day?

 

In another place, Paul explains how central faith and trust in Jesus Christ should be. He said, “For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

 

Those are excellent generalizations that can apply to every man, woman and young person who’s committed to Christ, but how should the “why” for my earthly existence differ from yours? That’s a question worthy of much discussion, but again I believe the Scriptures give some clear direction.

 

After Paul’s teaching in the second chapter of Ephesians that we’re saved not by our works and effort, but solely on the basis of God’s grace and the faith He gives us, he makes this powerful statement: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Later in the same book, the apostle observes the reason we have persons gifted as prophets and evangelists, pastors and teachers is not so they can do all of God’s work. Instead, their purpose is: 

“to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).

 

That doesn’t mean we should be walking around in flowing robes, hands folded in prayer and singing spiritual songs all the time. But that does mean from the moment we awaken to the moment we return to bed, our minds, hearts and motives should be directed toward God and available to take part in His divine purposes.

 

As Colossians 3:17,23 instruct us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

 

No, this doesn’t tell us where we should go to college – or if we should go at all. It doesn’t identify who we should marry or how many kids to have. And it doesn’t specify whether we should become a restaurant chef, school teacher, business or professional person, astronaut, grocery store clerk, serve in the military, or train to be a first responder.

However, it does teach us that whatever we do, our intent should be to honor and glorify God. Then, as we gain an understanding of our abilities, interests and strengths, He can guide us to the life and career paths where we can serve Him best. 

The Key for Overcoming Crushing Mistakes

If you’re a football history buff, you’ve probably heard about “Wrong Way” Roy Riegels. Even if you’re not, we all can learn a lot from his memorable mistake – and the way he reacted to it.

 

Roy Riegels running the wrong way.
(Wikipedia photo)

On Jan. 1, 1929, the California Bears were playing Georgia Tech in the Rose Bowl. An outstanding athlete, Riegels played on both the offensive and defensive lines. In the second quarter of the game, one of his teammates fumbled the ball at Georgia Tech’s 30-yard line. Riegels picked up the ball and started running with it – except in the wrong direction, toward his own team’s goal line. He was finally tackled at the Bears’ one-yard line, by one of his own teammates.

Georgia Tech scored a two-point safety on the next play, and those points made the difference in Tech’s 8-7 victory, which gave them their second national championship. For most observers, Riegels’ stunning mistake was responsible for his team’s defeat.

 

Many people haven’t heard what happened when Riegels returned to the sideline. Understandably distraught, he told his coach, Nibs Price, he wasn’t going back on the field. “Coach, I can’t do it. I’ve ruined you, I’ve ruined myself, I’ve ruined the University of California. I couldn’t face the crowd to save my life.”

 

Price looked in the eyes and responded, “Roy, get up and go back out there – the game is only half over.”

 

He did, and played an outstanding second half, including blocking a punt. Despite his efforts, Riegels’ team fell one point short, magnifying the two points Georgia Tech had scored because of his errant run. 

 

But he put the embarrassment and notoriety behind him, being named team captain his senior season, earning All-America honors, and helping California to a 7-1-1 record. Riegels refused to let the stigma of his wrong-way run turn into a life-crushing mistake.

 

Most of us don’t have to live down the infamy of such a public blunder. I’ve never experienced running the right direction on a football field, let alone the wrong one. But we’ve all made mistakes in our lives, some so minor that hardly anyone knows about them, but others that haunt us to this day.

 

As with Riegels, we can’t rewind those moments or erase them. Typically, our stumbles in life don’t offer us a do-over – or a mulligan, if you’re a golfer. We must face the consequences, and sometimes they’re severe. At such times we have two choices: We can crumble under their weight, or we can heed the advice of Riegels’ coach: “The game is only half over.”

 

One of the distinctive qualities of the Bible is its candor. It doesn’t varnish or sugarcoat the stories of its main characters. They’re presented in all their flaws, along with their sins. For instance, we have King David of Israel, who committed adultery with a married woman and then arranged for her husband to be killed in battle, hoping to cover up his misdeed. There’s impetuous Peter, who boasted of never forsaking Jesus – and then did exactly that. Then there’s Saul (later named Paul), who devoted his life as a zealous Pharisee to persecuting Christians. And many others.

 

Each recognized their sins but didn’t let those define them. When the prophet Nathan confronted David, he did not deny his wrongdoing or offer excuses. He said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13), and later wrote, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin…. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:1-12).

 

Peter denied Christ three times while He was facing a Roman inquisition, but unlike Judas Iscariot, the apostle refused to let that be his final act. As we read in John 21:15-19, after Jesus’ resurrection, He restored Peter by asking him – three times – if he loved Him. Each time Peter would reply, “You know that I love you,” after which Jesus said, “Follow Me.”

 

Numerous times Paul had the opportunity to give testimony of his divine encounter with Jesus while traveling on the road to Damascus. The experience immediately took then-Saul off the persecution circuit and transformed him into a fearless ambassador for his Lord.

 

In 2 Corinthians 2:1-3, the once proud and self-confident Paul confessed to believers in Corinth, “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.”

 

Each of these men, and many others in the Scriptures, committed seemingly unforgivable acts, and yet God forgave them completely. As it says in Psalm 103:12, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

 

This can be our experience as well, knowing that whatever we’ve done is part of our history, but need not be part of our future – if we repent of it, entrust it to the Lord, and receive His spiritual healing and forgiveness. As Paul wrote late in his life and ministry, “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 in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

 

Like Roy Riegels, the game isn’t over for us yet.

Time of Year for Making Old Things New

Did you know spring is like Christmas? In their own ways, they’re both a “most wonderful time of the year.” Springtime brings warmer temperatures; flowers are starting to burst forth; and nature as a whole is emerging from its winter slumbers. It’s a time for renewal, reinvigoration, even rebirth.

 

Before long we’ll be seeing those creatures both curious and wonderful – caterpillars – crawly little critters aspiring to become something bigger, brighter and definitely more beautiful: Butterflies. What an amazing thing: a fuzzy creature slinking slowly along the ground that somehow knows how to build a rebirthing chamber called a chrysalis, only to emerge within a few short weeks as something totally different, newly equipped with delicate, colorful wings for flitting from place to place. 

 

This is more than a scientific marvel. It’s a miracle, a profound example of God’s creative capacities. It’s also a glorious metaphor for spiritual truth – God’s grand desire to turn each of us into something totally new, unstained by sin and its consequences. In fact, 2 Corinthians 5:17 puts it this way: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 

 

Sounds like that one-time caterpillar that has wrestled out of its chrysalis, doesn’t it? The difference is, our own transformation spiritually is all God’s doing. We respond to Him by faith, but He’s the change agent. As Jesus Christ told Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). We can’t do that ourselves.

 

It’s a profound mystery, but true nonetheless, that as Galatians 2:16-20 describes it, “…So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law…. 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.”

 

Why is this comparison of the lowly caterpillar and humans so important? Because it provides a common but compelling example of how God has worked from the very beginning, first speaking substance out of nothingness, as well as taking the old and broken and restoring it in ways that no longer resemble what was before. In Isaiah 43:18-19 God declares, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing? Now it sprints up; do you not perceive it?” 

 

One doesn’t need to look too hard or too far to observe the sorry, sickly state into which our society has descended. In vain we look for manmade cures. The very best that government or business or philosophy can conjure fall way short of fixing the seemingly unfixable. New laws, innovations and human reasoning seem little more than a Band-Aid for problems that require major surgery for spiritual heart disease.

 

Should we give up in frustration and despair? Not at all, and that’s one reason I believe God created the caterpillar-butterfly metamorphosis. It’s a visible depiction of how He intends to work in each of our lives, if we let Him. 

 

Near the close of the Book of all books, the Lord says, “I am making everything new!... Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true…. It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:5-6).

 

The “new thing” God spoke about thousands of years ago, as recorded by the prophet Isaiah? He’s still doing it. Current residents of a world overwhelmed by so much pain and sorrow, we have the promise of a new world like nothing we’ve known: 

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).

Any time you’re feeling down in the dumpster, fearing our world is going the wrong place in the proverbial handbasket, just look at a butterfly for a reminder: New things, they are a-comin’! 

What Happens When We Remove God from the Equation?

As a student in high school, I did reasonably well in math until I ran smack into trigonometry, when it became abundantly clear that my career course needed to be somewhere that didn’t involve an emphasis on mathematics. Up until then, I had enjoyed algebra and geometry, especially the formulas and equations. 

 

I remember glancing at the back of the book where you could find answers to problems in each chapter, marveling at how complex equations could be worked out to arrive at simple answers. The theorems and corollaries we had to memorize were intriguing, along with formulas to discover such things as the area of a circle or a triangle. Frankly, I haven’t had much use for those kinds of calculations, but they were fun to solve at the time

 

An interesting thing to consider is what it could mean to leave out one key element of an equation. For instance, I learned the formula for the area of a circle is A = π r². What if we left out pi? Well, for one thing, that might mean missing out on dessert. (Lemon meringue pi was always my favorite.) We definitely would not have the correct calculation of a circle’s total area.

 

Let’s take this thinking into another realm: Imagine what might happen if we sought to remove God from our schools and educational institutions, from government offices, corporate board rooms, entertainment studios, the news media, even from many churches. Oh, wait! This has already happened. We don’t have to use our imagination.

 

For decades, our society has systematically and deliberately determined to eliminate considerations of God from public discourse. We’re told matters of “church and state” should be kept exclusive from each other, kind of like the “east is east, and west is west, and never the twain shall meet” mantra. 

 

In many colleges and universities, students are instructed that a Christian worldview approach to their studies is not welcome – and may result is harsh penalties. The “theory of evolution,” for example, is treated as an established fact, while reflections on the existence of God are dismissed as “fiction” and “fantasy.” Education at such institutions, sadly, seems to have turned into more of indoctrination – and their graduates leave to become major influencers in their fields of endeavor.

 

Public schools, where decades ago the major problems were chewing gum, running in hallways and throwing spitballs, now are infested with drugs, violence and virtual anarchy in many classrooms.

 

The political sphere, perhaps more than ever, can accurately be characterized by scheming, chicanery, deception, and all manner of unethical and illegal behavior. Even though “In God We Trust” remains emblazoned on our currency, and “under God” has been a part of our Pledge of Allegiance since the 1950s, mention of the Almighty in terms of how legislation is crafted and enacted often is met with scoffing and skepticism.

 

Is it any surprise that major corporations, led by graduates of agnostic universities and business schools, frequently engage in scandalous behavior and practices? The same can be said for much of the film, TV, and music industries. And let’s not even get started about the content of much of what lurks on the Internet.

 

One particular verse in the Bible sums up the scenario above very well. Proverbs 29:18 declares, “Where there is no [prophetic] revelation, the people cast off restraint.” The New American Standard translation of this verse states, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,” and the King James Version perhaps says it best: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

 

There’s a second part to this verse, however, we should consider as well. It asserts, “but blessed is he who keeps the law.” The New King James says, “But happy is he who keeps the law.” Contrary to what our society seems to be insisting, the Bible tells us happiness and “the good life” are not found in defiance and rebellion against the laws and statutes God established, but in abiding by them.

 

Reading the Old Testament narratives, we see this repeatedly. The people of Israel would vow to keep God’s commands and find themselves enjoying generally quiet, comfortable and safe lives. However, before long they would grow discontented and decide to try out the ungodly practices of the peoples surrounding them. As a result, they would lose battles, suffer famines, and even wind up in exile. 

 

In Exodus 32:25, for example, we read, “Moses saw that the people were out of control, for Aaron had let them run wild and become a laughingstock to their enemies.” In the United States, we’re obviously not the people of Israel, but I sometimes wonder whether something similar is happening here in the 21^st century, thousands of years later.

What’s the remedy? It may seem simplistic, but it’s straightforward, right from the Scriptures: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). A simple prescription, really. And yet, it might be just the cure for what ails us – as a society, and as individuals. 

A New Day: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Did you know you’ve received a gift today? No, I haven’t been spying on what might be on your front porch. “Then what gift is that?” you ask. It’s a gift of a new day; the gift of life. Another opportunity to use your God-given talents, abilities, experiences and passions in an endless variety of ways, not only for your own enjoyment and satisfaction, but also for the benefit of others.

 

It’s easy to overlook this “gift.” We go to bed each night, often with a full slate of activities planned for the following day. We make plans for the next week, next month, even months or years in advance. All with the assumption that tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that will automatically come rolling along without interruption.

And yet, we know down deep that the next minute is not guaranteed, much less the next hour, day, week or month. I’m not intending to seem morbid or fatalistic, but simply to encourage a great appreciation of each moment that we have. Because the fact is, once a moment passes, there’s no way of retrieving it.

 

Having had several significant health episodes in my life, I’ve gained a much greater understanding of what a gift each new day is. I still remember the many visits I made as a cardiac volunteer, stopping at the rooms of patients who had just undergone open-heart surgery, as I had years earlier. Many of them also had a new or renewed grasp of the value of each day, agreeing that it indeed was a gift of great worth. Especially after you’ve practically been at death’s doorstep.

 

I’m often reminded of Ephesians 5:16, which talks about “redeeming the time” or “making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.” This is not to say that time itself is bad or evil, but that it passes quickly, and there’s no “lost and found” for missed opportunities. As the verses that precede and follow observe, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise…. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

 

Like many people, I wrestle with the temptation to squander time, to act nonchalantly about my use of it, as if I’ve got all the time in the world. Sometimes I succumb to that temptation, watching too much TV or surfing the Internet, or failing to recognize how a seemingly random personal encounter could be a divine appointment. 

 

While I know there’s no point in putting myself on a perpetual guilt trip for not maximizing every single minute, I try to be more aware of circumstances so I can truly “make the most of the opportunity.”

 

In terms of serving as representatives of Jesus Christ in a world that seems to have little interest in Him, another passage – also written by the apostle Paul – conveys similar sentiments: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6).

 

There’s a lot packed into these two verses. We’re to use wisdom whenever we interact with people outside the faith. We should recognize opportunities for what they are. Rather than being argumentative or dogmatic, we should be gracious in conversing with them. And as we pray about what to say, our words should be “salty” in the sense that they might create a spiritual thirst and at the same time, not leave our hearers with a bad taste in their mouth.

Regardless of whether you’re reading this early in the morning, at midday or toward the conclusion of the day, it would be good to recognize the gift of today, and also the Giver. As Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 

Belated Appreciation for Moms Everywhere

Since I write my blog posts at least a couple of weeks in advance, I usually try to consult my calendar for significant holidays or remembrances coming up that I should acknowledge. Well, I must admit this practice lapsed recently – I failed to take note that Mother’s Day was coming up.

 

So first of all, I want to wish a belated happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. In the nation’s capital we have a memorial to the “unknown soldier,” but if there were a statue for unsung heroes, mothers would have to featured prominently.

As a father and grandfather, I have some understanding of kids. But like all other men, I can’t fully comprehend what it means to be a mom. Not only the pregnancy part, the nine months of carrying a little life in the womb until it’s ready to present itself to the outside world – even though that’s very significant in its own right. 

 

I’m thinking of the unique bond mothers have with their children, being there when little Jimmy or Jeannie falls and suffers an “owie.” Running to the rescue when a child awakens from a nightmare. Transforming into a nurse when the little one gets sick. Going the extra mile to provide for whatever the child needs, whether it’s help with homework, washing clothes, or even teaching how to tie shoes. (Some kids still do have shoes that tie, don’t they? Ones without Velcro?)

 

Yes, fathers can do many of these things, too. Hopefully I’ll address that in June. But there’s something about a mom that a dad can’t replicate. When there’s a single-parent home, the majority of the time that parent is called Mom, Mommy or Mama. I can’t even imagine the sacrifice many mothers make, not only to be present to tend to their children’s needs, but also to work more than one job to make ends meet.

 

My mom passed away more than 45 years ago to heart disease. Many wonderful experiences with her are hidden deep in my memory bank, but I can still recall some of the ways she tried to encourage me. 

 

She, not my dad, was the one to first play catch with me so I could at least become a mediocre Little League ballplayer. When I was ill and stayed home from school, I could count on her to run out and buy comic books for me. I still remember the LPs she would play of old religious songs by the likes of Tennessee Ernie Ford, Perry Como and others. (I know some of you are probably thinking, “Who?”) I suspect some of the first seeds of my spiritual journey were sown as I heard those melodies.

 

If I have a regret in my relationship with my mother, it’s that once I started college, I became fiercely independent from her, determined to “cut the apron strings.” I’m sure she would have liked for me to call much more than I did, leaving her wondering – and worrying – about what was going on in my life. Yes, it was in the days before cellphones and there was actually a charge for every phone call; but I still could have done better. Sadly, it’s too late to say I’m sorry for having been so self-absorbed.

 

Ephesians 6:1-3 makes a stunning declaration about how we should relate to both our moms and dads. It says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” I wonder how many sons and daughters, failing to observe this command, are not realizing the fulfillment of this promise?

 

Today our nation is facing a great conflict which, at its heart, concerns the privileges – and pressures – of motherhood. The U.S. Supreme Court is reportedly on the verge of announcing a critical decision regarding abortion and the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. Some will simplify this issue as “a woman’s right to her own body” or “women’s reproductive rights.” However, even though I’m not a mom, I think it’s fair to state it is much more than that.

 

Psalm 139:13-14 declares, “For you [God] created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb; I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” God, according to His sovereign will, chose to have women serve as the holy instruments in which He would take a sperm and egg and fashion them into a special, uniquely gifted human being. Some see this as a terrible burden, but to the Lord, it’s intended as a blessing beyond description.

 

This idea is not confined to a single psalm. Speaking to Jacob and His people Israel, and extending this assurance to people even in the 21^st century, God said, “Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you, ‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant…. I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants…’” (Isaiah 44:1-8).

If you’re a mom, Mother’s Day may have passed, but the incredible and awesome calling God has placed on your life remains. He has entrusted you will the care of a child – or children – for whom He has a very special plan. Thank you for the unique, wondrous role that only you can play in their lives! 

From God’s Perspective, Ordinary is Good Enough

Fans of collegiate athletics are familiar with the term “blue chip.” It describes athletes who, according to various recruiting service, are the best of the best in sports like football, basketball, baseball, softball, hockey and soccer. Any coach worth his or her salt knows one factor in succeeding on the field, court or rink is having enough blue-chip players on the team.

 

That kind of mindset carries over to other areas of life. In the corporate world, businesses delight in hiring prospects who possess MBAs, and law firms tend to favor graduates of prestigious universities and law schools. Performers on Broadway often have received their training at name-brand acting and music schools. Everyone seems to want folks with “blue-chip” credentials, the “crème de la crème” in their respective disciplines.

 

Many times, we even see this practice in the Church as well. Men and women holding prominence in the community are selected to serve as church leaders; hefty donors are asked to serve on boards of elders and deacons. The reasoning goes, “If they’re successful in the ‘secular’ world, surely they’ll be successful in handling major church responsibilities.”

 

God does not focus on
the outward appearance,
but on the heart.

What I find particularly interesting about this is that when God “recruits” people to His “team,” He utilizes entirely different criteria. As the refrain from an old song observed, “Just ordinary people…God uses ordinary people.” That is, ordinary people whose hearts are inclined toward Him.

Proof can be found throughout the Bible. Take Noah for example. In the account about God telling him to build an ark prior the Flood, we don’t read anything about his accomplishments. But we do learn about Noah’s character”: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and walked with God…. Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (Genesis 6:9,22). 

 

The lineage of the people of Israel – and all Jews today – traces back to a man named Abram, later renamed Abraham. Apparently, he and his family were successful in business, since Genesis 12:5 mentions “all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired.” However, most significant is that we’re told, “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).

 

As we continue through Genesis, we find Jacob, a schemer and conniver who later received the name Israel, becoming the namesake for the Israelites. There’s Joseph, a young man who seemingly alienated his brothers with the attitude, “Dad (Jacob) loves me best.” Nevertheless, he became God’s instrument to preserve the people of Israel in Egypt during a time of extreme famine.

 

Moses, despite killing an Egyptian, was called by God to deliver the Israelites from 400 years of bondage. This is even though, when he first encountered the Lord at a burning bush and received his assignment, Moses resisted several times, arguing, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11).

 

Rahab, who protected the Israelite spies as they scoped out the city of Jericho, was a prostitute. Hardly a member of high society in her community, yet she is among those cited for special recognition in the Hebrews 11 “hall of faith.”

 

Long before David became king of Israel, he was a lowly shepherd boy, regarded as so insignificant that when God sent Samuel to choose a successor to King Saul from the sons of Jesse, David wasn’t even invited to the lineup of brothers. There are the Old Testament prophets, for the most part an unlikely bunch – not included in the “Who’s Who” of Jewish society, but rather firmly entrenched in “Who’s he?” 

 

But when it came to ordinary people, the most striking examples were the ragtag group Jesus Christ called to be His closest followers: fishermen like Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, James and John, a despised tax collector named Matthew, the-ever skeptical Thomas, Judas Iscariot who would become Jesus’ betrayer, and several others who lacked notable credentials from Jewish society. 

 

The apostle Paul, prior to his conversion, was an esteemed Pharisee, but became widely despised once his zeal was redirected to preaching the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Most likely, none of these was ever voted “most likely to succeed” by their peers. In the eyes of most of their contemporaries – but not God – they were just ordinary people. But to Him, that made them ideally suited to become “instruments of righteousness,” as described in Romans 6:13. 

 

If you’re wondering, “So what?” the answer’s a simple one. If God could use people like those singled out above, He can use you – and me. We each have unique talents, gifts and interests, but when it comes to selecting people to do His work, the Lord isn’t so much concerned about our capabilities as He is our character.

 

This is one reason “ordinary” David, and not his outwardly more impressive brothers, was anointed to become Israel’s second king. As God told the prophet Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

 

Jesus referred to this truth when He told His disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will remain” (John 15:5,16).

So, if you ever think you’d love to serve the Lord and be used by Him, but don’t think you have the right qualifications, good news: That means in God’s sight, you’re qualified. You’re His kind of blue-chipper! 

Faith: Like the Credit Card, Don’t Leave Home Without It

From time to time, someone is described as “a man (or woman) of faith.” That sounds nice, but occasionally I’m inclined to wonder, “Faith in what?” Because the world around us gives us so many options. For instance, there are numerous religions – the big, name-brand ones, as well as obscure ones seemingly invented by somebody that had nothing else to do. And even a cursory look at them shows they advocate very different precepts and dogmas.

 

Some people have faith in government, although I suspect their numbers are steadily declining for a variety of reasons. We can have faith in ourselves, but honestly, we know we’re not always as reliable or trustworthy – even for ourselves – as we’d like to think we are.

 

Having faith in family members and friends can present a similar dilemma. Since they’re imperfect human beings as we are, inevitably they’ll fail to keep commitments or live up to our expectations. That might not be their intent, but that’s reality.

 

Then there’s the all-inclusive, “You just have to have faith!” Sounds encouraging, but again, the question arises: faith in what, exactly? The cosmos? Good fortune? Perfect timing – being at the right place at the right time? Serendipity? Kismet? They’ve actually made movies about the last two – if you don’t believe me, just take it on faith, okay?

 

Even atheists act upon a kind of faith multiple times every day. Driving down a two-lane road, we all must believe the oncoming car won’t suddenly veer into our path. If we didn’t trust other drivers to stay in their own lanes – with the awareness that on occasion some have not – we’d never leave the garage. 

 

Boarding an airplane is an act of faith, trusting in the competence, skills and experience of the pilot and crew, the integrity of the aircraft’s design, and myriad other factors necessary for achieving a successful flight. Belief is looking at a commercial jet and saying, “Yes, I believe that if I got on, it could take me to New York City.” Faith requires acting upon that belief – by actually boarding the plane, sitting down, getting buckled in and fully expecting to arrive in the Big Apple on schedule. 

 

I’m not discounting or disparaging faith. It’s important, and like the old American Express commercial used to say, we shouldn’t leave home without it. But as our pastor commented recently in starting a series of messages on genuine faith, it’s not about blind optimism or wishful thinking.

 

Christianity, of course, is rooted in faith. The Scriptures clearly assert, again and again, what – or rather, who – is the basis of our faith. The Bible’s declarations about faith begin in the book of Genesis and continue through its concluding book of Revelation. One entire New Testament chapter is focused exclusively on the subject of faith.

 

Hebrews 11 opens with the declaration, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Chew on that for a moment. I like the New King James translation of it even better: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Because in the physical world, things that we hope for lack substance until we’ve obtained then, and evidence that’s not seen wouldn’t hold up well in a court of law. But that’s exactly how the Scriptures describe genuine, life-transforming faith.

 

The remainder of Hebrew 11 is a parade of examples of people through the Scriptures who lived out their faith in extraordinary ways. The list starts with Abel, the son of Adam and Eve who was killed by his brother, Cain. Of Abel it says, “by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead” (verse 4).

 

Verse 6 tells us how important faith is to the Lord: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Everyday life gives us numerous opportunities to exercise our faith, realizing that despite our best efforts, much of what is transpiring around us is beyond our control.

 

Hebrews 11’s “hall of faith” cites numerous other individuals, including Enoch, who did not experience death; Noah, who labored many years to build an ark at God’s command, saving his family from the global flood; Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, and even a prostitute named Rahab. 

 

Abraham is a classic example of faith, of whom it says, “when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). It says he was rewarded for his obedience, being blessed with a son – Isaac – by his wife, Sarah, after they were well-advanced in years: “And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as murderous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore” (verse 12). 

 

The existence of the nation of Israel today and the presence of Jews all around the world stand as proof that this promise to Abraham continues to be fulfilled.

 

This incredible chapter closes with the acknowledgement that the objects of faith are often long in coming, sometimes not even realized during one’s earthly life: “These were commended by the faith, yet none of them received what they had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40).

At the same time, as we study the Scriptures, we find hundreds of instances when deep, unwavering faith in God was indeed rewarded. And these should serve as encouragement and inspiration for us all. As God declares in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” That sounds wonderful to me. How about you? 

Have You Ever Stopped and Turned Around?

People who know me are aware of my “traveling disability” – I’m directionally challenged. Whenever I go to a new place, I either need clear directions or must rely on my good friend, Gladys Penelope Snodgrass (GPS). In fact, I can somewhere 10 times and, if the route is complicated in any way, will probably need directions again. 

 

I admire people who can travel to a new location and from that first visit will have the directions down pat, even years later. That doesn’t describe me. A common stereotype about men is that they never stop for directions, insistent on finding the way on their own. However, acknowledging my directional deficiencies, I’m usually quick to stop to ask someone – or consult GPS – for guidance.

 

One time I did attempt the “find it yourself” approach, but after a while realized the farther that I drove, the more distant I was getting from my destination. I’d rather humble myself and admit I’m lost – or suspect I might be – than keep following the wrong route. 

 

I marvel at the account in Exodus of how the ancient Israelites, after being freed from bondage in Egypt, wandered in the desert for 40 years before God guided them to the Promised Land. In that culture, women were expected to submit to the authority of men. And the men of Israel probably were too proud to ask for directions.

 

There’s a spiritual parallel here, but it’s not limited to the male species. Many of us have spent considerable time wandering through life, often in a tremendous hurry, but we seem to be going in circles. We’re going nowhere, but at least we’re making great time. Or as a friend used to describe people trying to live without Jesus Christ, “They’re lost, but they don’t know they’re lost.”

 

Recently I heard a story about C.S. Lewis, a one-time atheist who became a stalwart theologian and apologist for Christianity. Although raised in a Christian home, he rejected the faith at an early age and for a time thought he was doing just fine, on the right path, right on schedule. Then, as recounted in The Most Reluctant Convert, a biography of Lewis by David Downing, came an “aha” moment.

 

Lewis was enrolled to attend the esteemed Oxford University College, but when he exited the train in Oxford, he mistakenly began walking down the street in the wrong direction. He had never been to the town before, so Lewis grew disappointed at the nondescript houses and shops he saw along the way. He continued for a while until he reasoned that perhaps he was going the wrong way.

 

Not long after turning around, Lewis began to see the beautiful towers and spires for which the college is noted. Recalling this experience in his own book, Surprised by Joy, Lewis states, “This little adventure was an allegory of my whole life.” This became an important step in his journey of returning to the wonder of a life of faith, realizing the futility of following the path that had absorbed him into “the mundane inanities of modern life.”

 

Only when he turned around did Lewis find his way to the college, and this “turning” served as an important moment in realizing his need to turn back to the God he had encountered as a child. And what a turning it was – he became the author of many books about the Christian faith, including Mere Christianity, A Grief Observed, and the Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series.

 

Tragically, countless men and women are traveling in the absolute wrong direction, thoroughly convinced it eventually will get them to where they want to go. They have no idea that unless they turn around and proceed in the opposite direction, which the Bible calls “repentance,” they will never arrive at their desired destination. As Acts 3:19 declares, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

 

The many religions of this world suggest there are many ways of finding the peace, joy, sense of purpose and fulfillment we all long for. But Jesus Christ boldly declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

 

This opportunity is available for anyone who will call out to God, acknowledge their need for Him and the fact that they have been headed in the wrong direction for much too long. If we do so, we’re told, “A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness” (Isaiah 35:8).

 

Is it time that you – or someone that you know and love – admitted going the wrong way and decided it was time to consult a new GPS: God’s Positioning System? 

There was a time in my life that I was far off-course spiritually, knowing nothing about a real, transforming relationship with the Lord. But I finally “saw the light,” no longer directionally challenged spiritually. Ever since then, following Jesus has become an incredible adventure I could never have imagined. When God said in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call on me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know,” He wasn’t kidding.