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Knit Together

Turning the page on the calendar, there is finally the slightest hint of fall in the air. Kids are back in school and the long sunny days of summer are starting to wane. It’s cool and damp in the mornings and temperatures seem to drop as soon as the sun sets in the evenings. Suitcases have been emptied and stowed away. We scroll through vacation photos with fond memories, but are ready for the rhythm of the fall to begin. Although we enjoy the unstructured months of summer, many of us are craving a more regular routine. It’s not so much the repetition that we long for, but the consistent overlap with others. As much as we love the freedom of doing what we want when we want, we all need consistent encouragement, accountability, and support. Relationships with others keep us tethered to the things we value.

Without a doubt, one of the things I look forward to most is returning to a group Bible study. Although I continued to study Scripture and pray on my own during the summer, I’m looking forward to being with others who are ready to dive into God’s Word together. I think that’s why Paul’s remarks in Colossians jumped off the page when I read them recently:

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. (Colossians 2:2, NLT)

I love visualizing the community of believers as being “knit together by strong ties of love.” I picture God taking individual strands of yarn and looping them together to create a warm blanket of love. Another translation describes being knit together as being “encouraged in heart and united in love.” Who wouldn’t want that?

Although I’m not a knitter, I’ve noticed something about those who are: they’re always working on a blanket, sweater, scarf or hat and looking for someone they can bless with it. And because we were created in God’s image, I know they are mirroring what their Maker does. Turning the pages of Scripture, it’s clear that God created us for one another.  He loves taking stray threads and knitting them into the fabric of fellowship. He offers this gift to us throughout our lives, just as He’s done with people since the beginning of time.

The Greek word for fellowship is Koininia, which author and teacher Kelly Minter describes as “joint ownership, mutual sharing, community with God or one another around the shared life of Jesus in our everyday lives.” My favorite part about Koininia is that it’s not a closed system or a defined group—there is always room to add someone else. This has been true since the early days of the Christian faith:

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper) and to prayer…all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42 & 47, NLT)

So, I can’t wait to see God’s “knitting projects” for this year. I look forward to re-connecting with old friends and discovering new ones. I’m eager to see how the Lord will use His Word to speak to us, to inspire us, and to call us to action. I love that He’ll be doing this wherever people gather in His name all over the world. He creates beautiful things as He knits believers together.

Fellowship starts by building our lives on the firm foundation of God’s love. When we pursue Him, we’ll be blessed to experience authentic community with others who are doing the same. It’s worth the time and effort to invest in a group that desires to grow in faith and to be grounded in biblical truth. If you haven’t made plans already for this fall, take the time this week to find or start a group you can grow with this year. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be encouraged in heart and united in love.

“Build My Life” by Housefires is an awesome worship song that puts words to this idea.

Trading Places

Riding my bike has been one of my favorite things to do since I was little. I still remember the pride I felt when I bought my first bike. It had a banana seat and long handlebars and was a knock-off of the Schwinn Stingray (which was way out of my price range). A few years later I got my first bike with gears and handbrakes and thought I’d hit the big leagues.

My love of two-wheeled transportation continued into college when I got my first mountain bike.  At the time, I was reading Tim Hansel’s book Holy Sweat and was delighted when I discovered this poem by an unknown author.

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer,
my judge
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven
or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on
when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.

When I had control,
I knew the way.
It was rather boring,
but predictable…
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,
and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, “Pedal!”

I worried and was anxious
and asked,
“Where are you taking me?”
He laughed and didn’t answer,
and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I’d say, “I’m scared,”
He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing,
acceptance
and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord’s and mine.

And we were off again.
He said, “Give the gifts away;
they’re extra baggage, too much weight.”
So I did,
to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him,
at first,
in control of my life.
I thought He’d wreck it;

but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up
and pedal
in the strangest places,
and I’m beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore,
He just smiles and says…”Pedal.”

It’s a powerful illustration of trading places with Jesus to give Him control. Maybe, like me, you accepted Him to be your savior at one point on your journey, but weren’t quite ready for Him be Lord. Switching seats to let Him ride in front is both frightening and exhilarating. But almost thirty years later, the poem still resonates with me because I’ve lived what it describes. Giving Jesus the front seat as Lord of my life continues to be a daily choice that requires trust, humility, and obedience.

How about you? Are you riding solo or have you traded in your single bike for a tandem? Who sets the course for your journey each day? Who determines the speed and cadence of your ride? Trusting Jesus isn’t easy, but there’s no better way to live.

Need some reassurance of His faithfulness? Click on the link and soak in the truth of Pat Barrett’s song, “The Way.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOzsJlk8p6I

Better Together

Glancing at my notes from a recent sermon, I was reminded that being in community is healthy for our minds, bodies and spirits. This is God’s design for us because our consistent connections with others are catalysts for spiritual growth and conduits of emotional strength. I can attest to the truth of these ideas because I’ve experienced the power of community. But if I’m honest, I vividly recall how disillusioned and discouraged this topic once made me feel.

I still remember walking out of church a decade ago upset and angry during a similar sermon series. A hard shell of cynicism covered over the hurt I was nursing from some close relationships that were unraveling before my eyes. At the time, I remember feeling that sermons touting the joys of community were riddled with half-truths. They never seemed to acknowledge the hard parts when relationships splinter and communities fall apart.

I remember feeling embarrassed and ashamed that I had seemingly failed at one of the cornerstones of the Christian lifestyle. I felt lonely and insecure and hesitant to share my pain with anyone else. I wondered if I had some glaring flaw that made me incapable of being part of a community. Worse still, maybe everyone else could see it but me. I now know those were only lies.

Since that season of pain, God has used Scripture, wise people, and life experience to teach me some significant truths about the blessings and challenges of being in Christian community. If you can identify with any of the negative feelings I described above, I hope you’ll be encouraged by what follows. (And even if you’re feeling great about community, it wouldn’t hurt to be aware of what can happen).

Truth #1- Communities Ebb and Flow; Even Good Ones Don’t Last Forever: People and circumstances continue to change and evolve over time. When we connect with a good group of people, this doesn’t mean it will last forever. We’re setting ourselves up for disappointment if we expect our relationships to remain static in an ever-changing world. Sometimes a group just runs its course and you can sense it’s time to move on. It may be wiser and healthier to view the good times with cherished communities as seasons rather than assuming they’ll last indefinitely.

There is a time for everything,  and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,  a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-7, NIV)

Truth #2- People in Community Hurt Each Other Sometimes:  If we expect every relationship to be lovely and perfect all the time, we’re probably not engaging in authentic community. People usually don’t mean to hurt us, but sometimes they do. They fail to meet our expectations and disappoint us. They don’t listen to everything we say and forget important things we’ve shared. They don’t always know what to do when we’re struggling or in pain. But here’s the thing: if you remove yourself from community because you’ve been hurt or disappointed, the person most affected by this is you. When you experience pain in a community you value, try to evaluate if you need to address the issue with the offending person/people or if you just need to forgive them and ask the Lord to heal your pain. Communities often drift apart when people avoid dealing with areas where there is hurt or disagreement. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NV)

Truth #3- Strained and Broken Relationships Can Be Mended in Time: Communities sometimes fracture when our feelings get hurt and no one notices. They also fall apart when competition, jealousy, and comparison take center stage. Avoid the impulse to nurse your hurt feelings, don’t let them control your thoughts and actions. Try not to fill in the blanks with assumptions about how others view you when you’re feeling insecure. If negative feelings have taken over, it may be time to pull back for a while and lean into the Lord for a perspective shift. Take a break from the relationship, but don’t close the door on it for good. You may be surprised to discover how God redeems it later when emotions simmer down. Practice Paul’s advice: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, NIV)

Truth #4- It’s Best to Nurture Relationships in Several Communities: Maybe you’re like me and when you find a few quality people, you want to wrap your arms around them and pull them in close forever. There is danger in narrowing your community to only a few individuals. For starters, you’re missing out on other awesome people who could bless you. Additionally, when you hit a rough patch with your targeted few, you’ll have no one else to seek for comfort and wisdom. Diversify your friendships in a handful of communities and realize that no single person or group can meet all your needs. Make a goal to leave room for new friendships to grow in every season of life. This keeps relationships from becoming stale and your expectations of one person or group from becoming too intense.

Being a part of a community has the potential to bring great joy, encouragement, and growth. And at times, it may cause some pain and disillusionment. It was no different with people throughout the pages of Scripture starting with Adam and Eve and continuing with Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Paul, and a multitude of others. In good times and bad, be encouraged that we really are better together.

Be inspired by an illustration of authentic community in Francesca Battistelli’s song “If We’re Honest.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDcTvtuuVU8

When Plans Reroute

I didn’t see it coming. With one swift move on the game board, my son thwarted my carefully constructed plans. We’d been playing the game Ticket to Ride and I had been quietly building my railway empire laying my black trains on tracks spanning from east to west. With each turn, I’d been amassing the cards I needed to connect cities between New York and Seattle. The route was obvious and the rail lines I needed had remained unclaimed for many rounds of play. It was a good sign that no one had drawn cards that would impede my progress. However, in one move, my son’s blue game pieces blocked my westward path in Helena, Montana.  

Despite my disappointment, I studied the game board carefully and discovered an alternate course I hadn’t considered. It was less direct and forced me to veer south to Salt Lake City, but would still enable me to link New York and Seattle on my fictional railway line. After a few more rounds of play, I successfully reached my destination, although the route looked much different than I’d planned.

Playing that game has been an illustration of my life in the past year. Time and time again I’ve anticipated plans moving in one direction only to have them rerouted. Family members have had illnesses and injuries that have caused major shifts in our routines and schedules, cars have broken down and created significant inconveniences, and ministry commitments have had unexpected and abrupt changes that have required continual flexibility.

While none of these life derailments has been catastrophic, each of them has had the potential to cause major discouragement and bitterness in me. Through a negative lens, I could tell you about many situations from the past year that have caused frustrations layered upon inconveniences compounded by heartbreak. However, choosing a negative focus would only  encourage me to have a sour attitude or to wallow in self-pity.

Think about it. Any time something doesn’t go according to our plans and we react negatively,  it’s because we think we’re being ripped off. We believe we deserve to get what we want. Really, this is veiled entitlement—the assumption that everything should go the way we prefer. And when our expectations aren’t met, we feel indignant, disillusioned, angry or bitter. The resulting behaviors are rudeness, impatience, self-absorption, and harsh treatment of others.

Most of us like control and when life goes according to plans, we assume we have it. But what if that control we thought we had was only an illusion? What if we learned to loosen our grasp on the need for control and to trust God when our plans get rerouted? What if we saw roadblocks as an inevitable part of life instead of an anomaly?

Like my train route on the game board, there are times when we are so singularly focused on getting from Point A to Point B that we can’t imagine any other way for something to work out. Yet when we’re open, flexible and willing to accept unexpected changes and interruptions, we leave room for God to teach us a few things along the way. This is how we grow.

Scripture emphasizes this idea: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21, NIV) So when things don’t go according to plan, maybe instead of getting frazzled and upset, we’d be better off asking God to show us His purpose. Surely there is something we can learn from each rerouted journey we face.

Better still, we might consider including God in our plans and asking for His guidance and involvement from the start:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  (James 4:13-15, NIV)

God reveals His will through His Word. When we’re continually studying it, applying it to our lives, and pursuing a relationship with Him, we can find peace knowing our plans align with His.  Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean things will always go smoothly. Life is messy. People are complicated. Things change. We can rail against this and throw a tantrum or learn to accept it and let God refine us through it. And when our plans do get rerouted, instead of getting upset, our first inclination can be to rest in the knowledge that God is still in control.

If you’re in a season of “rerouting,” be encouraged by Micah Tyler’s song “Even Then.”

Dive In

The waves were firing at the Wedge. People were flocking to the iconic spot at the end of Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula to watch the twenty foot waves crash on the shore. Because of the location’s fame in the world of wave riding, an eclectic mix of people milled around on the beach. Despite a powerful rip current, some were eager to brave the frothing water to body surf, boogie board, or use a traditional surfboard. Apparently, the thrill was worth the potential pummeling they’d receive.

Standing on the beach, I dug my toes into the sand and counted on one hand the number of heads bobbing in the water waiting to catch a wave. By comparison, there were several dozen spectators on shore despite the early hour and the coastal fog that still lingered. Looking around, it was clear a variety of locals, tourists, and photographers had come to watch the spectacle. They were eager to see those in the water take the ride of their lives or get churned in the rinse cycle and spit out on the sand.

And, as often happens at unexpected times, it got me thinking about what a fitting analogy it was for our spiritual lives. Some of us are like those wave riders. We love the thrill of pushing our faith to the limits and seeing how far it stretches. We accept challenges that force us to trust God because we know we can’t conquer them with our own strength. We believe the promises in His Word and act on them. We seek to align our thoughts, dreams, and goals with the Holy Spirit and invite Him to work in and through us to further God’s kingdom.

Others of us, however, like to play it safe. We value the comfort and safety of Christian community. We like the security of knowing God will never leave us. We see the Bible as a book to study for gaining knowledge and discussing important concepts. Like the spectators on the beach, we’re amazed and impressed when we hear stories of the stunning ways God has worked in the lives of others, but we’re fairly sure those kinds of things will never happen to us (and we’re pretty ok with that, actually). Spectators love to hear inspiring testimonies, but they don’t welcome the events that caused them into their own lives.

You don’t have to look far to see the “wave riders” in Scripture—they’re the ones whose names and stories we know well. People like Abraham, who left the only land he’d ever known to follow God to a new place. Or Moses, whose conversation with the LORD through a burning bush prompted him to lead the people of Israel out of captivity in Egypt. Or Mary, the unwed teen who praised God at the news of her pregnancy instead of fretting over the social ridicule that would surely follow. One of my favorites is Peter, who walked on water while his friends watched in amazement. The story in Matthew 14 describes how Peter and the other disciples were struggling in their boat against heavy winds and rough seas. Around three in the morning, a figure emerged from the storm and walked toward them on the waves. They cried out in fear, thinking it was a ghost. The story continues;

 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. (Matt 14:27-29, NLT)

The other disciples witnessed the miracle, but only Peter got to experience it firsthand. Ironically, even his faith wavered once he got out of the boat and took his eyes off Jesus:

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. (Matthew 14:29-32, NLT)

Both the spectators (the unnamed disciples) and the participant (Peter) recognized the power of Jesus at work and praised Him as Almighty God. But only Peter would carry the memory of wobbling across the water toward Jesus while his drenched robes threatened to pull him under. Peter’s first inclination wasn’t to try and swim or to shout for his friends to throw him a rope, but to call out to Jesus to save him. I wonder how many times he envisioned that and found reassurance in the challenging years of ministry that would follow.

Maybe you already know the joy of diving into God’s great adventure and experiencing His power first hand. You’ve thrown yourself into the waves, trusting that He would be there to guide you and give you the ride of your life. Or, perhaps you’ve dipped your toes in a time or two but have gotten spooked. Maybe you’ve let life circumstances hold you back or  you’ve been perfectly content just standing and watching. Perhaps you’re not so sure you want to contend with the challenges that come with surrendering and trusting God fully.

Regardless of your experiences in the past, can I encourage you to pray about this right now? Ask God to show you one place where you can step out in faith and trust Him. Then, be alert to where He’s prompting you to act, take a deep breath, and dive in. Live like you believe His Word is true and then marvel at how He works in and through you. Once you ride your first wave, there’s a good chance you’re going to want more. And unlike those brave souls at the Wedge, you don’t have to face challenges alone. You can trust Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!”

Get some inspiration to stop being a spectator and to dive into the water from Matthew West’s inspiring song “All In.”

Come to the Table

Standing in our driveway, we chatted with our neighbors who had moved in a few days before. Wanting to be welcoming, I offered to host a few families on our block for a backyard barbeque so we could introduce them to more people. I had every intention of following through, but life just got in the way and before I knew it, summer turned to fall and the school year was under way. The time for backyard gatherings had passed but the unfulfilled promise nagged at me all year.

So, when we turned the page on the calendar and welcomed in June, I started making plans.  With surprisingly little effort, the six families that live adjacent to us found a date to gather in our yard for dinner. Some had lived on the block for years, but still only knew each other vaguely. Others had never met, despite living only a few doors down. The group included a variety of ages, life situations, nationalities, backgrounds, belief systems and interests. The common connection between us was simply that we were neighbors, but it was enough.

We ate, drank, laughed, and played corn hole (a game that requires little skill and provides ample opportunities for chatting). We learned interesting things about each other and swapped stories about the history of our neighborhood. The last guests didn’t leave until after 11pm.

A few nights later, I hosted another gathering in our backyard. This time it was a group of women who knew each other through the lacrosse team our sons played on together. Their boys had been to Houseboats with our youth group and since I went on the trip, I wanted to answer questions and share the significant things that had happened there. Some of the women were friends, others were getting acquainted for the first time. Despite living in the same town and having kids of similar ages, our backgrounds, belief systems and experiences varied widely. And although we didn’t know each other well, we shared openly and authentically around the table. The food and setting were simple, but the act of gathering for uninterrupted conversation was meaningful to all of us.

Curious to see the significance of shared meals around the table, I thumbed through the New Testament to see what it had to say. Several stops in different books taught me why it’s so important. Here’s what struck me:

We’re Following Jesus’ Example:  Jesus regularly gathered with others to share meals. The book of Luke records at least five instances when He ate with people, and not all of them were friends and family. He ate with the His greatest critics, the Pharisees. (Luke 7:36-50 and Luke 14:7-24). He shared meals with sinners like tax collectors and prostitutes (Luke 5:29-32, Luke 7:36-56). He provided food for people who wanted to learn from Him–and He didn’t turn them away even when there were more than 5000 to feed (Luke 9:10-36). And He ate with His closest friends–most famously recorded at the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-23). For Jesus, meals were opportunities for meaningful conversation and powerful teaching.

The act of sitting at a table and breaking bread opens doors for thoughtful discussions. It paves the way for greater appreciation of one another’s similarities and greater understanding of one another’s differences.

We’re Following the First Disciples’ Example:  The book of Acts records the early days of the Christian church. I love this description of some of the first believers:

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”  (Acts 2:46-47, NLT)

Gathering around food with other believers is an opportunity to enjoy fellowship—to celebrate our mutual love of Jesus and our shared desire to move in sync with Him. When we include non-believers, it’s an opportunity to draw them toward the warmth of community and authentic relationships while displaying the love of Christ.

We’re Showing Obedience to God:  The Apostles Paul and Peter both wrote extensively about how followers of Jesus are called to live and act. Included in their lists of behaviors to embrace are these simple words: “Practice hospitality” and, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (Romans 12:13b and 1 Peter 4:9 NIV)

Note that showing hospitality isn’t about impressing others or being a great cook. It’s about opening your home and providing a place to share love and grow in relationships. Our yard isn’t fancy or particularly impressive. We bought our patio furniture over ten years ago. When we have more guests than we can fit at that table, we roll out our weathered old wooden table and use re-painted plastic chairs around it. But what we lack in sophistication, we make up for with warm hospitality and good conversation.

We’re Building Relationships and Creating Opportunities to Share Hope:  Followers of Jesus are called to give the reason for their hope (1 Peter 3:15). Jesus continually instructed His followers to tell others about the good news of life in Him. Sharing meals with others is a simple way to begin building relationships that allow us to do this. And when opportunities arise to share our faith, we can point people to Jesus who says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Revelation 3:20, NLT)

Eating together opens the door to meaningful conversation, mutual understanding, and just plain fun. And for some, coming to the table is the first step towards discovering the hope of salvation found only in Jesus. Take time right now and pray about who God might be leading you to invite to your table, then act on God’s leading before you lose your inspiration!

Sidewalk Prophets’ song “Come to the Table” beautifully captures the significance of inviting others to sit down with you and let Jesus do the rest.

The Allure of Sun and Sin

Grasping a small fan in one hand and an ice pack in the other, I closed my eyes behind protective goggles and prepared for the moment I’d been dreading. The medical assistant reassured me that she’d be back shortly to check on me before switching on the blue light and leaving the room. Within seconds, a burning sensation in my face told me the U-shaped light bulbs were doing their job. It was my first experience with Photodynamic Therapy, a treatment designed to attack pre-cancerous lesions on my face caused by years of exposure to the sun.

Perched on a stool in front of the light, I thought back to a conversation I’d had on the rooftop of a houseboat years earlier. I was in my mid-twenties serving as a leader with our church youth group. Lounging in the sun with the high school girls on my boat, we joked about how tanning had some similarities to sin– it felt and looked great, even though we knew it was bad for us. The short-term pleasure of basking in the sun and bronzing our bodies seemed to eclipse the long-term damage we knew we were causing to our skin.

So, as I was healing from my PDT procedure, I realized how much more cautious I’ve been about being in the sun since discovering the damage I’d done over the years. In the last ten months, I’ve had three different types of procedures at the dermatologist to deal with it. The pain, effort, and inconvenience they’ve caused have motivated me to be more vigilant about protecting my skin.

And just like the attraction of tanning, the enticement for instant gratification from sinful behaviors often blinds us to the long-term consequences. When we don’t see any immediate negative results from our sins, we assume they must not be all that bad. We have no idea of the hidden destruction they’re causing.

This has been made more challenging in our world today because sin is often encouraged and celebrated. Consider the lyrics of a hit song from a few years ago:

I, feel something so right doing the wrong thing
I, feel something so wrong doing the right thing…
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive *

Because of the fun beat and catchy tune, I’ve sung along countless times without ever thinking about the negative message the lyrics reinforce. The point here isn’t to criticize the song or the band, but to illustrate how the allure of sin draws us in and makes us think the ease and pleasure of doing the wrong thing is worth it, whatever the consequences.

One of the first times we witness a person deciding between sin and righteousness happens in Genesis 4 after Cain and Abel make their sacrifices to the LORD. Scripture tells us:

The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Genesis 4:4b-7)

If you remember the story, you know that Cain decided to let sin be his master. Instead of moving past his hurt, he let anger and jealousy toward his brother goad him into murder. Consequently, the ground that absorbed Abel’s blood would no longer yield crops for him. After this, Cain was cursed to be a restless wanderer for the remainder of his life.

Just like Cain, sin is eager to control us and the enemy is equally enthusiastic about deceiving us into thinking this is perfectly fine. Jesus describes the devil this way: “He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 NLT)

Followers of Jesus need not fall for the lies and deception of the enemy because sin has no power over us. Paul explains:

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.  Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin…For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:4-7,23 NLT)

Don’t be deceived into thinking the temporary pleasure of sin is worth the consequences. The damage it causes isn’t always obvious or immediate, but there are many hidden, insidious side effects that hurt us and those we love. Worse still, unconfessed sin pus a barrier between us and our loving, holy God. Beyond this, it distracts us from the truth and derails us from living with meaning, impact, and fulfillment.

Jesus died to set us free from sin’s power over our lives. Think of the Bible as your spiritual sunscreen. You can arm yourself from being deceived by consistently studying the truth contained in it. Then like the Psalmist, you can say, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NLT).

Listen to Jonny Diaz’s song “Define Me” for an inspiring reminder about how to fight against lies that lead us to sin.

*Lyrics excerpted from “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic

Daughters and Sons

Surfers have the reputation of being laid back and relaxed, but don’t let their bare feet and board shorts fool you. Surf culture contains many unwritten rules and subtle shades of etiquette as hopeful riders get in position to catch the perfect wave. Knowing when it’s your turn to paddle hard or to yield to another takes time to learn.  There is a pecking order in the water–those with the greatest skill earn the highest respect and beginners must learn their place or find a new beach.

My friend, Joe, has been surfing the waters of Southern California for several decades. His expertise riding the waves gives him credibility and status with other surfers. A few years ago, it also meant that no one messed with his young sons when they were learning to ride waves. All the locals knew who their dad was, so the boys had the freedom to make mistakes, learn, and improve. Joe’s boys jockeyed for waves under his watchful eye. They confidently waited for swells among seasoned surfers not because of their savvy and skills, but because they were under the protection of their dad.

Recently, Joe shared this story about his boys while speaking to several hundred high school students at our church’s annual summer camp. Using his sons as an example, he explained how people who have accepted Jesus as their Savior are under the protection of their Father in heaven. Scripture explains it this way: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God.” (1 John 5:1, NLT)

Like Joe’s boys surfing the waves of SoCal, believers can walk with confidence because they are the sons and daughters of the Living God–the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When we live like we believe this is true, everything changes. Our identity doesn’t come from how others perceive us or how we see ourselves, but from our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Labels assigned to us simply don’t matter in comparison with knowing that we are sons and daughters of God Almighty.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1, NLT)

Among the many benefits that come with being a child of God, there are two that stand out to me in Scripture: our freedom from sin and our connection to the Spirit.

Freedom from Sin:  Between the time of Adam and Eve’s first sin in the garden and Jesus’ death and resurrection, the world was held captive by sin: “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Gal 4:4-5, NLT)

Although we aren’t perfect after we accept Christ, sin and the devil no longer have the hold over us that they once did. “We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.” (1 John 5:18, NLT)

Connection to the Holy Spirit:  As God’s children, the Holy Spirit lives inside us. He guides us, empowers us, and affirms our worth as His beloved children. He reminds us of our identity as sons and daughters and enables us to demonstrate this in the way we live.

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, `Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:15-16, NLT)

Remembering WHO we are and WHOSE we are changes everything. It frees us to stop looking for affirmation and validation from other people. It liberates us from seeking our worth from accomplishments and possessions.

Living under the protection of our Father gives us the confidence to become the unique people He made us to be. When we believe we’re loved, we behave differently. We can take our eyes off ourselves and stop worrying what others think because we trust our loving Father. Our identity is rooted in knowing that the One who created the universe calls us “daughter” or “son.” And that is enough.

If you’re like me, you may need a visual reminder of your true identity in Christ. Write the word “daughter” or “son” on a sign and place it somewhere that will remind you daily of this foundational truth. You are His child from now through eternity, no matter what.

Enjoy a reminder of this important truth with Ryan Stevenson’s song “No Matter What.”

The Jeep Wave and the Golden Rule

My family unknowingly joined the ranks of a unique group of people when we bought a used Jeep Wrangler a few months ago. After driving around town a handful of times, we started noticing an interesting trend. Every time we were riding in the Jeep, someone driving the opposite direction would wave at us. And without fail, they were always driving a Jeep too.

Wondering if this was “a thing,” we took to the internet to find out. Turns out, the “Jeep Wave” has been around for years and is a way to show camaraderie between fellow Jeep owners. Not everyone does it or knows about it, but basic “Jeep Etiquette” calls for fellow Jeepers (another new term I learned), to wave at one another. It’s not really about the other driver, but about showing respect for the brand, history, and culture.

And because my mind makes strange connections between things, the more I thought about the Jeep Wave, the more it made me think of the Golden Rule. Jesus’ famous words appear near the end of the Sermon on the Mount: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, NIV)

I wonder what the world would be like if we felt a sense of kinship and camaraderie with others just because we’re all occupying the planet together. How much of the strife on earth would be eliminated if we treated others the way we wanted to be treated? In teaching about this verse, author Jen Wilkin explains that all people want preferential treatment. However, we’re not always looking for ways to give people the preferential treatment we’d like to receive. It’s challenging to realize that as Christians, fulfilling the Golden Rule includes seeking ways to treat others better than they deserve because that’s the way we’ve been treated in Christ. We received grace, mercy and eternal life when we deserved condemnation, punishment and death. Nothing good we give to others could even compare.

Implementing the Golden Rule means taking initiative to treat others well without waiting for them to do something to deserve it. In a small and silly way, that’s why I want to do the “Jeep Wave” even if I don’t get a wave back. I do it because it’s what Jeep owners do. Why wouldn’t I want to encourage camaraderie?  Likewise, showing others kindness and preferential treatment should just be what Christians do as an act of obedience to the God we love. People may not always notice, but that’s not the point. Treating others well is one small way to make a positive impact and to change the atmosphere around us for the better. And sometimes, others do notice and begin to follow our lead.

It seems like our world has lost its way recently. We’ve stopped treating others how we’d like to be treated. We’ve stopped taking initiative to do what is right, good and kind. We’ve become angry, cynical and violent. We malign people we don’t know and make negative assumptions about them because their views differ from ours. We’ve forgotten the camaraderie of being part of the human race and have let our differences cause deep divisions among us.

I think it’s time to remind ourselves of the Golden Rule and to live it out. Jesus gave another message that is consistent with this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39b) We show God we love Him by loving those made in His image. This applies to all people, regardless of whether they look like us, think like us, or act like us.  In his letter to believers James calls Jesus’ command to love our neighbors the “royal law.” He goes on to say, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10, NIV)

It’s time to show God we’re taking His command to love others seriously. After all, if we, as His followers, aren’t loving others, how can we ever point people to Jesus as the answer to the world’s brokenness and hurt?

Will you join me in being intentional about treating others the way you want to be treated? Try giving them the preferential treatment you’d want, whether they deserve it or not. And if you drive a Jeep, be sure to wave at me if you see me on the road. I’ll be on the lookout for you.

Sometimes we feel powerless to counteract the ugly things we see in the news right now. If you’d like some ideas and inspiration for how you can impact others, listen to Josh Wilson’s song “Dream Small.” You’ll discover how simple moments you create can change the world.

Put the World Away for a Minute

Sitting on the hotel balcony, I stretched out my legs and read the passage referenced in my Bible study book:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4, NIV

Inspired by what I read, I looked up from my Bible and admired the view. The vastness of the Pacific Ocean stretched before me as the morning fog rolled out to sea. It didn’t take long to realize that I just needed to notice God’s creation all around me to draw near to Him. The soaring gulls, crashing waves, and gentle breeze were doing just what Scripture describes—declaring His glory without words.

I’d arrived at the hotel with my husband the day before feeling frazzled and depleted. Life had been overwhelming and the prospect of a few days away felt glorious. My usual quiet time regimen of reading the Bible, answering questions in a study guide and writing prayers in my journal didn’t feel like the most effective way to draw near to God that weekend. Instead, the beauty of His creation beckoned me to enjoy Him through my surroundings.

Over the next few days, I rested in the Lord’s presence. Using my five senses, the outdoors became my main connecting point with Him. I marveled at pelicans with enormous wing spans skimming along the waves and admired intricate rock formations wedged in the sand.

Muscles in my legs burned as I hiked in the hills above the ocean and discovered bright yellow blooms nestled in spiny cactus plants. My toes tingled as they dug into wet sand walking down the beach. Inhaling the salty air refreshed me with every breath. I reveled in God’s amazing capacity to create and His stunning attentiveness to the smallest details.

Being immersed in natural surroundings enabled me to enjoy time with the Lord in a different way. It also made me realize how saturated I usually am with sensory overload. The vast amount of information I typically receive and process on a normal day can easily desensitize me and impede my ability to feel God’s nearness. It was a refreshing change of pace to leave my cell phone in the hotel room and to take a break from the constant calls, texts and e-mails that vie for my attention and demand responses (not to mention social media posts, the mail in my mailbox, and the messages on my home phone.)

Sometimes we just need to pause and be in His presence without doing anything at all. We’re often so intent on being productive that we forget the value in just being still so that our minds can stop racing and our souls can catch up with us. The normal pace of life is like a swiftly moving river. Every now and then we need to swim to the shore so we can get out of the current, slow down, and catch our breath.

Driving home at the end of the weekend, a song came on that captured my experiences perfectly. Although it’s not like the worship music I usually include with my posts, Zac Brown’s“Knee Deep” has a special kind of wisdom and a catchy tune. It reminds me to pause every now and then to stop and enjoy God and His creation. My favorite lines describe what made my weekend so refreshing: “Gonna put the world away for a minute, pretend I don’t live in it, sunshine’s gonna wash my blues away.”

Is it time for you to “put the world away for a minute”? What has God created that washes your blues away? Meet Him there and let Him rejuvenate your spirit today. Start by listening to Zac Brown’s song and letting it put a smile on your face.