Like It or Not, We’re in a War – and We’re All Enlisted

Music is always in a state of flux. One day’s rage of rhythms and melodies soon become footnotes in musical history books. Think disco, the twist, bee-bop, doo-wop, and the cha-cha. We still hear and see them sometimes, but for the most part they’re regarded as candidates for the Smithsonian.

 

The same holds true for Christian music. In many churches today, time-honored, traditional hymns are a thing of the past. Praise music, replete with heavy drums, amped-up guitars and even flashing lights, are the predominant “fashion.” Whether that’s a good thing or not is subject for discussion – or debate. But it seems to me that the drift and shift away from the hymnbook began early in the 1980’s.

 

I vividly remember when certain denominations took a stand against the classic “Onward Christian Soldiers,” declaring it too militant, too “warlike” for people of faith who, as they viewed Jesus’ Beatitudes, are supposed to be “meek.” They demanded it be removed from their hymnals, calling for “kinder, gentler” congregational choruses.

 

Personally, I always had a fondness for “Onward Christian Soldiers,” even as a boy in church, long before I understood what being a disciple of Jesus Christ truly means. I recall standing at my pew, softly stomping my feet to the image of soldiers marching boldly for Christ. “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle, see, His banners go!...”

 

These lyrics never motivated me to go out and beat up someone. But I’m afraid there’s no point in stumping for its reinstatement as part of Sunday services. Sadly, I think we’ve lost sight of the hymn’s central message that, like it or not, if we’re Jesus’s followers, we’re in a war – a spiritual one – and we’re all enlisted.

 

Consider the admonition of Ephesians 6:10-18, which minces no words: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground….”

 

Exactly what is this “full armor of God”? No, it’s not rifles or pistols, tanks or artillery. It consists of spiritual armor and weaponry: “the belt of truth…breastplate of righteousness…gospel of peace…shield of faith…helmet of salvation…sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…prayer.” Interestingly, as others have noted, the only “offensive” weapon in this heavenly arsenal is “the sword of the Spirit,” what we recognize as the Word of God – the Bible.

 

Lest someone accuse us of “cherry picking” the Scriptures, selecting one passage that seems to promote “warlike” behavior, there are many others we could choose. One of the best is Romans 8:37-39, “…we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

This spiritual war ultimately isn’t against people we don’t like in politics, the news and entertainment media, corporations, or other institutions. We’re in combat with “the rulers, authorities, powers of the dark world and spiritual forces of evil.” As Jesus said, “The thief (Satan, our spiritual enemy) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

 

Even though some would seek to diminish or even dismiss the reality of Satan and ever-present evil, we dare not make this mistake. We don’t have to look far to see evidence of the evil one at work in every conceivable way.

 

This is why the words of hymns like “Onward Christian Soldiers” are so inspiring. You might want to read through all five verses sometime, but consider the uplifting message of the second verse, followed by the refrain: “At the name of Jesus Satan’s host doth flee; on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise; brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!... Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.”

We are deeply engaged in a spiritual, eternal war – but victory’s already won. We are, God promises, “more than conquerors.” 

Laid Out Any Fleeces Lately?

Let’s face it: Decisions are hard. Well, some aren’t, like, ‘Should I get out of bed this morning?’ (Actually, given the state of things these days, maybe that’s not such an easy decision either.) But often factors involved in decision-making are complicated.

 

This is why some people use the pro vs. con approach, listing the positives of one option and weighing them against its negatives. It might be, ‘Should we move – or should we stay?’ Or, ‘Is it really a good idea to buy a car right now?’ ‘Which college should I attend?’

 

Another approach to making decisions, but not always reliable, is to look for a sign. I’m reminded of the guy who was considering leaving his present circumstances behind and starting off fresh somewhere else. He got into his car and determined to keep driving until he received a sign on what to do. Too bad he was so deep in thought that he missed the sign warning, “Bridge Out Ahead!”

 

This “looking for a sign” strategy is hardly new. In fact, we see a classic example in the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Judges. Gideon was a very ordinary fellow, threshing wheat in his father’s winepress. An angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Right away, Gideon suspected this day wasn’t going to be business as usual.

The angel proceeded to tell Gideon that God had chosen him to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. His first reaction might have been, “Yeah, right!” He replied, “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manesseh, and I am the least in my family.”

 

Even with God’s assurance that, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together,” Gideon wasn’t convinced. He answered, “If now I have found favor in Your eyes, give me a sign that it is really You talking to me.” Gideon then boldly decided to choose the specific sign he wanted from the Lord.

 

He stated, “look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You said.” The passage tells us, “And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed and wrung out the dew – a bowlful of water” (Judges 6:37-38).

 

Years ago, a friend who raised sheep for a number of years told me an interesting fact about woolen fleece – it’s water-resistant, because it contains lanolin. So, the fact the fleece was saturated, while the ground surrounding it was dry, was truly a miracle.

 

Despite this “sign,” Gideon couldn’t let go of his skepticism. Maybe he was an ancestor of one of Jesus’ disciples, “doubting Thomas.” So, he cautiously decided to flip the sign on its head: “Then Gideon said to God, ‘Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew.’ That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew” (Judges 6:39-40).

 

Apparently, Gideon was thinking maybe the fleece was defective – never hurts to check, right? In the following chapter, we’re told God indeed used Gideon to defeat the Midianites, throwing in a couple more signs and miracles along the way for emphasis. The “rest of the story” could be the focus on another post, but clearly this simple guy was one who liked to follow signs.

 

What does this teach us? Are we to respond in similar fashion, insisting that God give us a sign if we sense Him leading us to step far outside our comfort zones?

 

Occasionally this might be appropriate, asking the Lord to confirm what He’s directing us to do. But most of the time He wants us to act in faith, stepping out when we believe He wants us to do so; at other times remaining where we are.

 

Circumstances like this remind me of Psalm 37:3-9, which says, “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” 

 

However, lest we act presumptuously and move ahead of Him, God includes this admonition: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him…those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.”

 

What difficult decisions are you facing right now? Are you considering “laying out a fleece,” asking the Lord to provide a definitive sign? After all, Ecclesiastes 3:1 declares, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” But most of the time, a better plan is to pray fervently; spend time in the Scriptures, asking God to speak to you through them; and when available, seek godly counsel from trusted friends. 

 

Using as many resources as possible before making crucial decisions – not just waiting for a sign – is one certain way to avoid getting “fleeced.”

Whenever We’ve Lost Our Way, Look For the Cross

The story is told of a little boy who wandered away home and couldn’t find his way back. Kind strangers found him crying and offered to take him to his house. But he didn’t know his address, so instead they took him to the local police station for help.

 

An officer patiently questioned him, trying to ascertain where he lived, but all the little boy was able to offer was his name. Then he remembered, “I live close to a church with a really big cross. If you take me to the cross, I can find my way home.”

 

Isn’t this a parable of where many people are as individuals, as well as our society? Feeling lost, desperately so. They – and we collectively – need to be taken to the Cross so we can find our way back home again.

 

This reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son in the gospel of Luke, chapter 15. The younger son, apparently tired of waiting for his father to die so he could collect his inheritance, insisted on receiving it in advance. “Father, give me my share of the estate” (Luke 15:12). The story doesn’t detail how the father felt in hearing such an outlandish, insulting request; Jesus simply said the father agreed and divided the property between his two sons.

 

The ungrateful son proceeded to squander his wealth on wild living, then fell on hard times when a severe famine hit the entire country. His despair became so deep, he hired himself to tend pigs and then envied the slop he was feeding them. Finally, the wayward young man rationalized: Why not return home, throw himself at his father’s mercy, and become a hired hand?

 

Instead, the father rejoiced at the son’s return, embracing and kissing him, and throwing a party to celebrate. There’s more to Jesus’ parable, but it ends with the father telling the indignant older brother, “we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:32).

 

It’s not too difficult to imagine how God feels about much of what’s going on across our nation and around the world. We’ve taken His bountiful blessings without gratitude, and in effect have thumbed our noses at Him, declaring we don’t need Him and want Him out of our lives. We know what’s best for our lives. Or so we think.

 

However, it seems after wild, riotous living, hard times have come and more may be on the way. We’ve gone through a pandemic, fearing it might not be over. Inflation in general and gas prices in particular are emptying our wallets. Senseless violence spirals out of control. War and rumors of war have worn us out. Deeply rooted, conflicting worldviews have practically eliminated civil discourse. 

 

Our nation has never been perfect – and never claimed to be – but the press to dispense with the traditional values and beliefs that have served as the bedrock for our society has escalated beyond anything we could have imagined even 10 years ago.

 

Figuratively speaking, we might soon end up wallowing with the hogs. God, who is loving, but also holy, righteous and just, is patiently, expectantly waiting for us to recognize our need to return to the Cross and find our way home.

 

It seems we’re marching toward a state of overwhelming exhaustion; feelings of hopelessness and despair are not uncommon. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

 

Why should we return to the Lord? Because in Romans 5:8 we’re assured, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy that said, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:1-2). Who among us is without sin?

 

As I write this, the word of the old hymn, “Softly and Tenderly,” come to mind: “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me…. Come home, come home, you who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home!”

 

I wonder how much more folks will have to endure to respond to this invitation by our God to “come home”? Jesus also told several stories to warn that this invite has a deadline; one day it will be too late to respond. Who knows how close to it we might be even now? If you haven't done so already, look for the Cross.

The Perpetual Question: ‘Are We There Yet?’

Credit: Clipart-library.com

Every parent knows the drill. We’ve embarked on a trip of several hours or more, and about half an hour into the excursion we hear the words from the back seat, “Are we there yet?” And that won’t be the last time the question’s asked.

Children, with attention spans of minutes, seconds or even milliseconds, become understandably impatient having to sit in a car. If you don’t have a video player or tablet to keep them occupied, the problem intensifies. “Just sit and enjoy the scenery” is like sentencing them to a life of boredom.

 

When we've finally arrived at the destination, the echoes of “Are we there yet?” fade. At least for a while. But aren’t we all like this in our own way? That’s why even as adults, whether boarding an airplane, train, or even a bus, we want to know the ETA (Expected Time of Arrival). We might not spend the trip asking, “Are we there yet?” but we’ll check the time frequently along the way.

 

When we’re kids, we can’t wait to become teenagers, especially the magical year of 16. In high school, we can’t wait to graduate and go to college – or do whatever else we have in mind. We anticipate reaching age 21, when presumably we become full-fledged adults. At each juncture, we wonder, “Are we there yet?”

 

Then there are other milestones – starting a career, getting married, becoming parents, earning a big raise or promotion. Eager to “arrive,” we keep asking, “Are we there yet?” For many of us, success is an elusive goal. No matter what or how much we achieve, the answer to “Are we there yet?” is usually, “Nope. Not yet!”

 

Time and experience teach that just when you think you’ve reached your intended destination, you really haven’t. As leadership consultant Tim Kight wisely observes, “If you think you have arrived, you have a long way to go.” Arriving at a certain milestone in life typically signals we’ve only reached the next stage in life’s journey.

 

I’ve navigated the stages of infancy, toddlership (is that a word?), childhood, adolescence, teenage years, young adulthood, mature adulthood, and now what might be termed my “senior years.” Please don’t call me elderly – that’s a term for folks a lot older than me.

 

The interesting thing is, each time I felt that I had “arrived,” I soon realized – as Kight says – I still had a long way to go. In a 200-meter dash or a NASCAR competition, there’s a finish line; but in this race called life, as long as we have breath, there’s yet another stage to run.

 

This is especially true in terms of spiritual growth. Early in my life as a follower of Christ, I’d encounter a major biblical truth and think, “That’s it. Now I’m got this figured out.” Before long, however, I’d come up with new questions, or be introduced to another fundamental precept, that proved to me that in fact, I hadn’t “arrived” yet.

 

Now, decades past the time when I first realized I was “born again,” that I had become as 2 Corinthians 5:17 calls it, “a new creation” in Christ, I’ve come to the conclusion that my “ETA” is still somewhere in the distance.

 

Just as each stage of human growth has its challenges and “aha!” moments, spiritual growth also is a process that takes an entire lifetime. Because there’s so much about God and His plans and purposes to discover. No matter how old we are, or how long we’ve been walking with Jesus, we still don’t know what we don’t know.

 

Writing to believers in the city of Philippi during his Roman imprisonment, the apostle Paul acknowledged he himself had not “arrived,” that he was still “en route” on his spiritual pilgrimage. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).

 

In another letter, directed to the ancient church in Corinth, Paul wrote, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

So, if sometimes you find yourself peering inwardly, trying to evaluate how you’re doing spiritually, relax. We’re not there yet. 

Time to Recapture Good Reasons for Father’s Day

Sunday marks the commemoration of another Father’s Day, sometimes known as “the other parent’s day.” Each May we lavish attention on Mother’s Day, and rightly so – moms basically start their work nine months before the dads, and when kids suffer their inevitable bumps, bruises and heartaches, the painful lament is usually, “I want my Mommy!”

There are a number of reasons for this, one being that despite arguments to the contrary, a mother is typically a better nurturer than a father. Again, perhaps because she had a nine-month head start. But there’s more to it than that; sadly, not for good reasons. 

 

In too many homes we have disinterested or distracted dads, dedicated to careers or hobbies or favorite sports, but unwilling to make their children a priority. We have absent dads, guys who are away at work so much that their kids barely recognize them when they do come home. At one time, I was among those. 

 

Then there are the deadbeat dads, fellows who were there for conception but haven’t been seen since. They contribute little or nothing financially for the support of their offspring, and their physical absence has left an unfillable void. 

 

In the United States we take pride in being a world leader, but in one category, that’s nothing to brag about: For decades, the percentage of children living in a single-parent home has been on the increase, and today nearly a quarter (23%) of U.S. children under age 18 live with one parent and no other adults. That, according to the Pew Research Center, is the highest rate of any nation. The world average for single-parent homes is 7%. 

 

Bringing fatherhood into consideration, it’s even more concerning. In 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that out of approximately 11 million one-parent homes with children under 18, nearly 80 percent of them were headed by single moms. And about one-third of those families are living in poverty.

 

So, it’s no wonder that Father’s Day doesn’t receive the hype Mother’s Day does. But perhaps that’s more reason we should intensify the spotlight on this and any other celebration of fathers. We need to recapture the honor and privilege of being a devoted dad.

 

The Church should take a central role in this “resurgence,” even though statistics indicate the single-parent family arrangement statistics vary little between Christian and religiously unaffiliated homes. Yet from the time God created humankind, He formed both man and woman to jointly populate the earth with people who would be His image-bearers. 

 

In the opening chapter of Genesis we read, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it’” (Genesis 1:27-28). 

 

In response, Adam and Eve begat not only ill-fated Abel and his vindictive brother, Cain, whom we’re most familiar with, but also Enoch and Seth. Enoch must have been one special son, because it says that he “walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24).

 

Certainly, the Bible includes many examples of flawed fathers. Many central figures in the Scriptures, including Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, David and Solomon, had undeniable shortcomings as dads. At the same time, the Scriptures make clear the standards and expectations God has for fathers as they relate to their children.

 

It’s time to revisit and embrace again the pivotal roles men should play as partners with their wives in raising children. As pastor Troy Walliser observed recently, “Wholesome, healthy masculinity, as defined in the Bible, is that which provides for and protects women and children.”

 

Recognizing the roles and responsibilities God assigns to fathers in His Word doesn’t diminish the importance of mothers. It underscores the truth of Ecclesiastes 4:9, which reminds us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” Any way you look at it, parenting is tough, albeit also very rewarding. A father and mother working together as a team can’t help but lighten the load.

 

Ephesians 6:4 states very plainly, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” The New Living Translation expresses it this way: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” 

 

Fathers are to exercise discipline to train their children, not to abuse or incite them to anger. As Proverbs 22:6 teaches, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” We’re called to lovingly guide them, helping them to follow their God-given, natural “bent” as uniquely created individuals – hopefully ones who will grow to love and serve the Lord.

 

Colossians 3:21 admonishes, ““Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” Thinking of so many young people – especially boys – growing up in homes without fathers, could this be a significant factor in such social ills as gang warfare, gun violence and rampant drug abuse? Desperate for the love, protection and provision of a father, young men search in vain to fill that emptiness.

 

The Old Testament book of Deuteronomy also emphasizes the invaluable role of father: “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9).

 

In similar fashion, Deuteronomy 11:18-19 exhorts fathers to, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” As spiritual leaders in the home, God’s desire is for men not only to train them up in the way they should go, but also to point them to Him.

 

As Father’s Day nears, kudos to those dads – and there are many of them – who take their job seriously. As for the growing void felt in father-absent homes, let’s do all we can to encourage fathers to man up, assume their responsibilities, and assist those who aren’t even sure how to get started.

Discovering the One Identity That Matters Most

Have you watched any of those crime dramas on TV – the ones with forensic pathologists doing extensive examinations of corpses seeking to determine, “Who is this person?” I find it interesting that whether we’re living or deceased, our identity is so integral to our existence.

 

Identity is a recurring theme these days, even dominating news reports at times. Debates abound about whether it’s important to prove one’s identity to participate in an election – voter ID. We hear endless commentaries (or arguments) over something called “gender identity.” Famous individuals make news when they announce their identity as supporters of a particular political party.

But our identity – who we are – doesn’t have to be news-making. Whenever we fill out a survey, they ask numerous questions related to our identity: Are we married, single, divorced, or what? What about race or ethnicity – which one are we? Then there’s that matter of gender again. The difference is that these days, there are usually more than two boxes from which to choose.

 

When we meet someone for the first time, whether in a business context, a new neighbor or even a fellow passenger on a commercial jet, one question we commonly ask – or answer – is, “What kind of work do you do?” In other words, what’s your vocational or professional identity?

 

We can find a sense of “identity” in the sports teams we root for, hobbies we pursue, how much education we have and where we received it, the size of our bank account, which subdivision we live in, the people and groups we associate with, and a host of many other things. 

 

Each of these identity determinants has some value, but shouldn’t there be something about us that transcends such things as ethnicity, net worth, job, or even how we spend time behind closed doors?

 

Reading through the Bible, we see a strange and amazing collection of characters, most of them very flawed, but in terms of identity, they had one reality in common: They saw themselves as inseparably linked to God; He was their single-most reason for being. For instance, we read that “Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God” (Hebrews 11:24-25).

 

Moses’ successor, Joshua, led the Israelites into the Promised Land, fulfilling the promise the Lord had made when they were freed from bondage in Egypt. But a great danger lurked – the temptation to turn away from the one true God and worship the false gods of the surrounding nations. So, as his days as their leader were nearing an end, Joshua gave the people of Israel this charge: “…then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

 

As good an example of someone who had absolute clarity about his identity was Paul the apostle. Speaking to a large crowd in the city of Athens, filled with idols to an multiplicity of gods, Paul explained what faith in Jesus Christ meant: “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28)

 

Writing to believers in the city of Galatia, he declared, “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). 

 

Writing to Jesus’ followers in another ancient church, Paul underscored their true identity: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). In another letter to the same group, the apostle wrote, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

 

Being Christ followers also clarified one’s identity in terms of calling and service, the apostle asserted, “for we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Imagine being chosen as co-workers with the Lord in fulfilling His eternal purposes on earth.

 

In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wrote, “…God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (1 Corinthians 5:19-20). 

 

Perhaps the most compelling statement about the true identity of those who follow Jesus is found in Galatians 3:26-28, which declares, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In Christ, traits like ethnicity, social status or gender aren’t taken into account. Our jobs, hobbies, personal possessions and portfolios, even our personal habits, are things we do – but they’re not who we are, our identity, if we have received Him as Savior and Lord. We are “new creations” – the old has passed, the new has come! 

Looking for Answers in All the Wrong Places?

Our nation is afflicted by many maladies: Rampant violence, social strife, political corruption, unethical business practices, immorality at levels no one could have imagined just a couple of generations ago. Almost everyone has an opinion on how to “fix” these problems, often suggesting that more and stricter laws will do the trick. 

 

Laws are necessary, of course. We as individuals and as a society need guardrails to help us recognize what is and isn’t acceptable behavior and practice. However, we have more than enough evidence to show that laws alone have never eliminated wrongdoing. 

 

Consider the operation of motor vehicles: We have many laws against driving under the influence of chemical substances, yet people still drive intoxicated. We have laws against texting while driving, but every day we can see folks behind the wheel, heads lowered as they read or send text messages. Speed limit signs are posted everywhere, but that doesn’t impede motorists who reason those restrictions don’t apply to them.

 

As so-called experts hop on their own “bully pulpits,” offering supposed solutions to everything that’s wrong in our world, I can’t help but wonder whether we’re all searching for answers and solutions in the wrong places. It’s like going to a doctor with an illness, and the physician prescribing acetaminophen or putting a bandage on where you’re feeling pain but paying no attention to the underlying cause. Treating symptoms does little good when the disease causing the problem is ignored.

 

At no time in human history have people been perfect; we’re far from it and always will be. As Romans 3:10 declares, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” Isaiah 64:6 expresses it even more strongly: “…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” Imagine trying to clean a kitchen table with a dirty cloth a mechanic has been using all day to do oil changes.

 

And yet, the evil in humankind – the Bible calls it sin – seems to be escalating in horrifying ways. When I was attending public school in the 1950s and early ‘60s, the biggest problems teachers had to deal with were things like running in the hallways, chewing gum, throwing spitballs and occasional playground fights. We never feared someone coming into our school with the intent to kill. Students might have been disrespectful at times, but they didn’t threaten their teachers with bodily harm. Indecent sexual behavior and proliferation of drugs in classrooms were unheard of.

 

What changed? There’s great risk in attempting to oversimplify very complex societal issues. However, could it be that the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision that Bible reading or prayer in public schools was unconstitutional became a catalyst?

 

During my school days, every day started with reciting the Lord’s Prayer, reading a short passage from the Bible (usually the Psalms), and repeating the Pledge of Allegiance, which included the words, “one nation under God.” These did not convert every student to Christianity, but neither did they leave anyone emotionally or psychologically scarred for life. In effect, school began with a reminder of the God who deserves our attention.

 

Then came the school prayer decision, which signified more than the simple removal of “religious” practices. In effect, it was a declaration at the highest level of government that our nation did not need God, that we could do quite well without His presence and interference. Decisions have consequences.

 

Consider some of the societal shifts that have followed: the sexual revolution of the ‘60s; the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision; the breakdown of the traditional family across the USA; the aforementioned explosion of violence in many terrible forms. If we were to “connect the dots,” could there be a correlation to the conclusion that God deserves no place in the public square?

 

The New Living Translation of Proverbs 29:18 declares, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.” The King James Bible’s translation says it more emphatically: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Today, people are perishing everywhere: School shootings; gun violence every day in our inner cities; domestic violence; an epidemic of drug abuse deaths; thousands of traffic fatalities, many attributable to impaired and reckless driving.

 

This isn’t to suggest that to solve our nation’s ills we need to get “religious.” Not at all. However, a genuine, life-changing relationship with God is the ultimate solution.

 

The ancient people of Israel had laws upon laws, as we discover in reading books like Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. But those did not keep them from becoming a nation riddled with sin. The underlying issue was the evil in their hearts. God asks in the book of Jeremiah:

“What injustice did your fathers find in Me, that they went far from Me and walked after emptiness and became empty?... Your own wickedness will correct you, and your apostacies will reprove you; know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God, and the dread of Me is not in you” (Jeremiah 2:5,19).

 

In the writings of another prophet we read, “They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7). Six decades ago, we could say the “wisdom” of our government leaders found it necessary to “sow the wind.” Do grim headlines and one terrible news report after another serve as evidence that we’re “reaping the whirlwind”?

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 doesn't focus on outward
appearances; He chooses
to look at 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. 

 

Acts 4:12 states, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Not exactly a glowing recommendation for their innate abilities.

 

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! 

Learning Key Lessons to the Beat of a Drum

As I’ve mentioned before, after a hiatus of several decades, I decided to resume taking drum lessons so I could make better use of the electronic kit I had purchased. In high school, I played drums in the marching, concert and dance bands, but had allowed my skills to go dormant in subsequent years.

 

My drum teacher, a veteran of the country music circuit, has helped me to relearn techniques I had forgotten. And he’s taught me lots of new things as well. Recently I told him that besides the specific “grooves” and “fills” I’m learning, I’ve discovered – or rediscovered – two important principles, ones that transcend the world of drumsticks, tom-toms and cymbals. 

The first is that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I didn’t have an appreciation for the scope of modern drumming. I had no idea how much technology has advanced drums and percussion over the years. And the simple rhythms I learned as a teenager barely touch on what skilled drummers are doing these days.

 

My second principle is that it takes time to develop skill, no matter how naturally talented you are. The Internet offers thousands of videos of drummers playing with precision and incredible speed. Each time I see one of those I think, “How in the world do they do that?” They have natural talent, but more than anything, the key is practice. Many, many hours of it. Mastering the craft of drumming takes time.

 

These simple principles are applicable for virtually any area of life, whether it’s academics, marriage, parenting, business, sports, hobbies, or even spiritual growth. Especially for spiritual growth.

 

When I committed my life to follow Jesus Christ many years ago, I definitely didn’t know what I didn’t know. I understood Jesus had died on the cross for my sins, and I needed to receive what Romans 6:23 calls “the gift of God” to experience His forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life. I knew the Bible had an Old Testament and a New Testament, and was familiar with some of the Scriptures’ key individuals. 

 

However, I knew little of what the so-called “Christian life” is all about, I didn’t know trials and adversity are building blocks for strengthening one’s faith. I didn’t know we can’t successfully live a godly life in our own strength – believe me, I tried. I didn’t know what it meant to have a sense of divine calling, or that God gives each believer one or more spiritual gifts. I definitely had no understanding of how practical biblical teaching is for many areas of life, things like handling money, navigating the challenges of married life, raising kids, building relationships, making decisions, becoming a leader, and many others.

 

Then I began learning the truth of passages like 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which says, “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.”

 

Similarly, I also didn’t understand the vital role of time in developing spiritual maturity. Just as seeds planted in a garden take time to grow and produce flowers, fruit or vegetables, the Word of God, which is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), takes time to take root and bear spiritual fruit. 

 

I recall attending a weekly men’s Bible study many years ago and marveling at how some of the guys there could navigate the Scriptures to answer questions that came up for discussion. “How do they do that?” I’d wonder. Getting to know some of those men, I realized they hadn’t acquired their familiarity with the Scriptures overnight. 

 

The Bible speaks to this in many ways. For example, in writing to his protégé, Timothy, the apostle Paul admonished him, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). 

 

Psalms opens with the declaration, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel 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). Much later in the Psalms we read, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I will seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9-11).

 

“Being diligent.” “Meditating day and night.” “Hiding [God’s] words in my heart.” Each of those statements, along with other passages in both the Old and New Testaments, suggest a combination of time, effort and determination. There’s no such thing as an overnight success spiritually.

 

On several occasions, Paul used the metaphor of being an athletic competitor to describe the dedication and commitment necessary to become a fruitful follower of Jesus. He observed, ”Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training…I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

 

Whether striving to be an accomplished drummer or an unwavering disciple of Christ, there’s always something yet to be learned – things you didn’t know you didn’t know. And even the most seasoned believer, even if he or she has been walking with Jesus for many years and has read through the Bible numerous times, still has more race to run. 

 

Nearing the end of his life, Paul wrote, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it…. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Even after a bountifully fruitful life of ministry, Paul didn’t feel as if he had yet arrived. What does that say about us?