Category: Encouragement

Final Thoughts on Psalm 23

Trying to muster enthusiasm, I opened my book and began the first week’s lesson. Although Jennifer Rothschild’s Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me was well written and filled with encouraging Scriptures, it wasn’t drawing me in the way a new study usually does. The topic felt well-worn and familiar; comforting, but not relevant to my current circumstances. It was late February when I began it. Little did I know how much I’d need those reassuring words within a matter of weeks.

My small group met twice to discuss the lessons in person. Each gathering filled us with encouragement and hope as we pored over the richness of Psalm 23. The group’s enthusiasm drew me into the study and helped me to approach it with a more positive outlook. 

As we were in those first weeks kicking off Psalm 23, information about a highly contagious virus that was spreading rapidly began to dominate headlines. Within weeks, coronavirus went from being a news story about events unfolding on the other side of the globe to something that was affecting everyone in our community. Terms we’d never used before like “social distancing,” “flattening the curve,” and “sheltering in place” dominated our conversations. The word “unprecedented” became the quintessential description for the strange times we found ourselves in.

And through it all, Psalm 23 suddenly had fresh relevance in a new context. The chapters of the workbook that had initially seemed a bit too long suddenly brought me hope, encouragement, and reassurance. As shelter in place orders went into effect in our state, I enjoyed having extra time at home to contemplate the truth I found in the lessons. I savored each page and found fresh application from familiar Scriptures.

In her final teaching, Rothschild does a beautiful job wrapping up the study and showing how Psalm 23 illustrates the way God meets all of our needs. For me, it was another reminder of how relevant and practical the Bible is for everyday life. I don’t think I can do a better job than she does closing out the study, so I’ll share some of the points she made that struck me.

Rothschild explains that God provides for us in ways that have been studied in Human Psychology, specifically in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. She describes this theory by American psychologist, Abraham Maslow, “which puts forward that people are motivated by five basic categories of needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. In this theory, higher needs in the hierarchy begin to emerge when people feel they have sufficiently satisfied the previous need.” In her book, Rothschild uses Maslow’s visual of a pyramid to show how Psalm 23 reveals God meeting all of those needs. 

The bottom of the pyramid encompasses the most basic requirements of all humans. In order to function properly, we must have air, food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep. Psalm 23 starts by addressing our physiological needs, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Here, God reveals Himself as our primary provider.

Our next basic need is for safety. This includes security of our bodies, employment, resources, morality, family, health, and property. Rothschild points to Psalm 23:2, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” The verse reveals how the Lord provides us with peace and security.

The third basic need of all humans is for love and social belonging—friendship, family, intimacy, and sense of connection with others. Psalm 23:3 describes how the Lord restores us to relationship with Himself and His flock: “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Here we see the Lord as the one who heals us from sin so that we can be restored to right relationship with Him. It’s a surprising piece of foreshadowing about Jesus described more completely in the New Testament: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:17-19, NIV) 

Psalm 23:4 also shows the intimacy and belonging we have with the Lord, which even death cannot take away from us: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The Lord is present with us always. Again, the New Testament expands on this: “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.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)

Our next need is for self-esteem, respect, and confidence. Psalm 23:5 illustrates this by showing how the Lord honors and esteems us, even in the presence of our enemies: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” The Lord gives us the power and tools we need to stand firm in the face of our ultimate enemy: “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 this 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, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13, NIV)

The final human need at the top of Maslow’s pyramid is self-actualization. Jennifer Rothschild explains that Maslow later clarified and used the phrase “self-transcendence” instead. Self-transcendence is being able look beyond ourselves, our needs and our wants to pursue something greater. It includes a desire for spiritual contemplation and realization. Psalm 23:6 reveals this desire and awareness of the Lord in His followers, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

It shouldn’t surprise me that God’s Word supports what psychologists have discovered–especially because He’s the one who designed the brain in the first place. However, my awe for Him doesn’t stop there. I’m also amazed at how He orchestrated the perfect timing of this study for us. The team that chose Jennifer Rothschild’s book for our group set the calendar a year ago. They had no idea we’d be facing a pandemic and sheltering at home when it came time to open the study. But God knew. It’s just one more example of His love, care, and provision for us personally. David’s words in Psalm 23 and Jennifer Rothschild’s detailed study of them will always remind me of tender moments with the Shepherd of my soul at a time when I desperately needed to feel His presence.

Enjoy Psalm 23 in the song “Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy” by Shane and Shane.

Jennifer Rotshchild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018.

Psalm 23 quoted from the New King James version.

 Information on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs compiled from Rothschild’s Session 7 teaching video and www.thought.co.com. https://www.thoughtco.com/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4582571

Seeing God Here and Now

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  (Psalm 23:6, NIV)

In the final pages of her study on Psalm 23, Jennifer Rothschild encourages us to recognize how we can experience God’s presence now. She says “God invites us to dwell in His house forever…But forever has already started. You are dwelling right now in His house. The whole world is His sanctuary. Every created thing brings Him praise. Wherever God is becomes a sacred place. The planet is full of God’s presence.” (p. 195)

I’m captivated by the beauty of creation and feel the Lord’s presence and pleasure in natural settings. As we’ve been sheltering at home through the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been grateful to have continued opportunities to enjoy God’s creation through time outdoors. Since many of us are prevented from experiencing the magnitude and majesty of nature right now, I thought I’d bring it to you. As you read the Scriptures and gaze at His beauty captured in photos below them, let them remind you of His power and presence in this very moment.

“In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,  like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.”  (Psalm 19:4b-6, NIV)

  • Lake Shasta, CA
  • Makena Beach, Maui

“You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,  who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations” (Psalm 65:5-7, NIV)

  • Sierra Nevadas & Tahoe
  • Makena Beach, Maui

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8 NIV)

  • Mexico Sunrise
  • Maui Sunset

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30, NIV)

  • A plant in a forest Description automatically generated
    Mount Diablo State Park
  • Mount Diablo State Park

“’I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’” (Luke 9:20, NIV)

  • A stone building that has a rock wall Description automatically generated
    Encinitas, CA
  • Half Moon Bay, CA

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25, NIV)

Mt. Saint-Michel, France

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”  (Acts 17:24-27, NIV)

  • A sunset over a sandy beach Description automatically generated
    Encinitas, CA

God is equally attentive to the small details and the big picture. Nothing that happens on earth is a surprise to Him and everything He’s created is meant to point us back to Him. Whatever emotions the COVID-19 pandemic uncovers in you, let the Lord reveal Himself in the midst of them. Keep looking up and letting Him teach you. Let Lauren Daigle’s “Look Up Child” remind you of this truth.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018.

I choose joy.

I’ve been writing blog posts consistently since fall of 2012. In all that time, I’ve never had a guest writer on my site. But today that changes. With his permission, I’m sharing an article written by my son, who is a junior in college. He has been sheltering in place in his dorm room 1500 miles from home. As a Community Leader (RA) in his residence hall, he chose to stay at school, continue his job, and do classes online. There are twelve other students in the building who didn’t return home. In his role as a CL, he was asked to write an article for a weekly newsletter sent out to the 550 students who usually live in the community. When he shared what he’d written with me, I felt compelled to give it a broader audience. It’s a thought provoking perspective– especially coming from someone so young. I hope his words inspire and challenge you like they did me.

“I choose joy.” by Garrett McCullum
Originally published in “Updates from the HRC” Special Edition, Issue 6, April 19, 2020. (Baylor University)

It seems like every day we hear more bad news. Coronavirus is still spreading. Shelter in place has been extended again. We haven’t seen our friends in weeks. Someone we know is sick. We are stuck at home with families we may or may not like but are definitely tired of seeing every waking moment. Our professor still hasn’t figured out how to unmute his microphone on Zoom. 

Often times when I talk to friends and family over Zoom or Facetime or text the conversation centers on coronavirus and sheltering in place. We talk a lot about how hard it is to be stuck at home, unable to see friends or even family in some cases. We talk about how long this might drag on and how much different online classes are. It’s not uncommon for me to feel more discouraged after these calls than before. When we talk only about the things that are difficult and only focus on what we have lost, it is hard to find any encouragement.

Things may not be easy and fun right now, but there is more to life than coronavirus. I think that too often we choose to let all the bad things in the world color our attitude and outlook on life. We choose to dwell in our sadness, frustration, and loneliness. The problem with this is that there will always be hardships, and even when we aren’t sheltering in place life won’t be perfect. So instead of sitting in loneliness and self-pity, I am going to choose joy. No matter the circumstance I am going to make a conscious choice to be joyful. 

Our happiness does not need to depend on the world around us, in fact if it does, we will be disappointed time and time again. The apostle Paul went through countless hardships in his life and ministry. He was imprisoned frequently, beaten repeatedly by both Jews and Gentiles, shipwrecked three times, and almost constantly in danger. Paul had every reason to be miserable and give up. But through all of it he did not lose hope and through all of it he remained joyful. As he sat in prison, Paul wrote to the Philippians, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.” 

Paul’s hope and joy did not come from this world, they came from God and his work in the world. Paul knew something that we would do well to remind ourselves of: we serve a God who is greater than imprisonment, greater than coronavirus, even greater than death. Just last Sunday we celebrated the resurrection, when Jesus rose triumphant over all of our sin. In the resurrection we have hope beyond this world, an assurance that no matter how dark the world may seem, God is greater. 

So, because of this we have a choice. We can choose to place our hope in the world and its uncertainty. There will be good times and bad times, and our outlook and attitude will change as often as the weather. Or we can choose to place our hope in God. There will still be good times and bad times, but we can choose to look beyond these to the God who made it all and has a plan for everything. I’m going to choose God. When I feel overwhelmed and when I feel completely alone, I am going to look to him. I am going to do my best to not let my circumstances determine how I feel, I am going to lean on God for hope and assurance. The world is only as dark as we allow it to be, all we have to do is ask and God will shine his light into the darkness. I’ll leave you with this verse: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Photo by Emma Nelson

God Speaks

The football stadium’s atmosphere pulsated with excitement.  Referees blew whistles, cheerleaders chanted, and the band played the school fight song at every touchdown. It was Homecoming —the most exhausting and exhilarating week of the school year for me as the Leadership teacher. 

Standing on the track in the end zone, a group of class officers huddled around me as we waited for their Homecoming floats to be judged. Each class had poured countless hours into building scenes that would parade around the track on trucks at halftime. But first, they had to be judged so the results could be announced as they drove by.

The adults we’d recruited to evaluate the floats didn’t know the students or how much time they’d devoted to constructing them. They strolled past each one, staring for a few minutes and then marking the score sheets. A few minutes later, the results were announced over the loudspeaker and the classes awarded third and fourth place were crushed. The judges hadn’t taken the time to consider the intricate details and had given first place to the seniors, just because they were the oldest. Indignant, the younger students peppered me with questions, “Didn’t they notice that detail? Did they see how closely it resembles the real thing? Did they recognize how well we showed the theme?”

The judges had gotten an overall sense of each float, but hadn’t gone beyond that. I wonder if God ever feels a bit like those frustrated younger students. How often do we stop to recognize and appreciate the intricate details He orchestrates to sustain life for us? Sometimes we’re so consumed with what we want Him to do, we forget what He’s already doing.  We get a glimpse of how He might feel when He responds to Job’s laments. The Lord speaks, but rather than addressing Job’s specific issues, He gives him a different perspective:

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angelsshouted for joy?’” (Job 38:1-7, NIV)

The Lord continues with a lengthy description of intricate details of His creation, revealing His power and sovereignty. Then, He gives Job a chance to speak. Humbled, he responds:

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth.
I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.” (Job 40:4-5, NIV)

While there’s nothing wrong with pouring out our laments to the Lord, we also need to step back and look at the ways He reveals Himself that we may be overlooking. We may not find direct answers to our questions, but looking beyond ourselves helps us to see God’s attentiveness to detail and His care for all of creation, including us.

One of the best things I’ve learned to do when I’m hurting or perplexed is to stop thinking about my issues and go outside. For me, being in God’s creation seems to put everything back into perspective. It reminds me of the Lord’s power and sovereignty over all things. I see His creativity and attentiveness to detail and I’m reassured that He will handle all the concerns that plague my thoughts. Focusing on the Lord by admiring what He’s created steadies me and realigns me with Him. Paul says it well in the book of Colossians as he describes Jesus:

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17, NIV)

That last line sums up God’s response to Job: He holds all things together. This is powerful reassurance to anyone enduring trials, suffering, or challenges. Whether you’re in a hard season or not, take some time in the next few days and head outside. Pause and notice the intricate details of creation all around you and be reassured that God is with you in whatever you’re enduring. Take comfort in His presence rather than demanding answers from Him.

And if you can’t get outside, enjoy His creation by scrolling back to the top and admiring the photo of Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. Then, watch these worship videos. Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable” includes several lyrics inspired by Job 38 and “So Will I (100 Billion X)” by Hillsong United will fill you with awe as it displays creation and celebrates God’s redemptive plans for us.

Woe and Worship

With pursed lips and red face, my son struggled to shove the shoes on his tiny feet. At each attempt, his frustration mounted. Finally, I leaned down and offered to help, but my typically good natured two-year-old glared at me and shouted, “No! I do it myself!” So, I sat back and waited. After a few more minutes of struggling with the shoes, he threw himself facedown and began kicking the floor. Finally worn out, he dissolved in tears and held out his arms to me whimpering “I wanna hold you!” Pulling him close, I suppressed a chuckle at the quick reversal in his emotions– I’d gone from being his enemy to his ally in a matter of seconds. 

If we’re being honest, the range of emotions toddlers display is a window into all of us. Although we become more adept at masking extreme feelings as we mature, we still feel their power. It didn’t take long to see myself in my son’s behavior—or to realize that it’s often how I behave with God.

Reading through the book of Job shows that this has been true of human nature throughout the ages. Job bounces between lamenting about what God has allowed and worshiping Him with awe and wonder. Case in point: in chapter 23 he says, “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning… God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.” (Job 23:2 & 16)

But, just a few chapters later, he describes God’s might and power displayed in the skies and the seas and concludes by saying, “And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:14, NIV) Bible teacher Lisa Harper explains, “Job’s turnabout is proof that human emotions can be an extremely fickle tour guide, therefore, they are not to be followed blindly.” (p. 88) 

Like Job, David also vacillates between extreme emotions throughout the Psalms. Consider these laments in Psalm 62: “How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence?  Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.” You might be surprised to discover these complaints about his circumstances are immediately followed by praise: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:3-8, NIV)

David’s words give the key ingredients for worshiping God even when hard situations throw us off kilter. They also build a framework for engaging the Lord when our hearts are weary and hope is wearing thin. Psalm 62 models how to lay our woes before God and invites us to worship Him when we’re shaken to the core. There are a few specific things it encourages us to do:

-Find Rest in Him: So often when we’re on unsteady ground we feel emotionally and spiritually depleted. Our empty tanks lead us to seek rest in things that distract us for a while, but ultimately leave us feeling unfulfilled. Maybe we anesthetize in front of a TV screen, lose ourselves in a good book, numb ourselves shopping online or scrolling through social media, or calm ourselves with a glass of wine. These things aren’t wrong, but they only soothe us temporarily. None of them will sustain us with the deep rest and reassurance our souls crave. And they won’t equip us with renewed strength or realigned perspective required to jump back into the fray. So, next time you’re feeling soul-weary, take refuge in time with the Lord first and let Him provide the deep rejuvenation you need. 

-Remain Steady on the Solid Rock: The world invites us to build our lives on a variety of foundations: wealth, power, education, social standing, and appearance, to name a few. Instead of seeing these things as gifts and tools given by God, we expect them to keep us steady and secure. And when they fail us, we’re shattered. Conversely, when we build our lives on the Lord, He provides a foundation that is steady no matter what storms blow through our lives. Remaining firmly planted on Him, we can withstand chaotic and uncertain times. When you’re feeling unsteady because something you hold dear is threatened, take heart in the Lord’s steadfast love and worship Him as the Solid Rock that truly endures.

-Find Hope in Him: Like our security, we often seek hope in worldly circumstances–the promise of a happy home, a healthy body, a robust financial portfolio, a fulfilling career, or a comfortable retirement. Sometimes we even view godly friendships and good marriages as our ultimate mainstays. But if our future hope rests in people or circumstances, then we’re treating temporary things like they’re of eternal significance. Conversely, the hope we find in the Lord sustains us through both good and bad seasons. It encompasses something far beyond anything our broken world offers. That’s a good reason to worship the Lord.

Before tragedy struck, Job had many of the worldly things we pursue for rest, security, and hope.  When he lost all of them, he knew he still had God. He was honest with the Lord about his woes but he also continued to worship Him.

The next time you’re feeling weary, unsteady, or hopeless, use David’s words in Psalm 62 to regain your confidence. Ask the Lord to help you find rest in Him. Thank Him for being your solid rock and firm foundation. Celebrate that your hope and security are grounded in Him. Even if your circumstances don’t change immediately, your perspective will.

Pat Barrett’s song “Better” reminds us the Lord is better than money, appearance, power, and approval. We may feel woeful when we lose these things, but when we focus on God’s character, we can begin to worship knowing we rest secure on His solid foundation. 

Lisa Harper, Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy, Lifeway Press, 2018.

Sunshine and Shadows

In one day, Job lost his ten children, numerous servants, and all the livestock he owned, obliterating his family and livelihood. Consumed by grief, he tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground to worship God saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21, NIV)

Scripture tells us, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22, NIV)

While Job’s grief was still fresh “Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:7-10, NIV)

What strikes me most isn’t the tragedy of Job’s losses, but his response to them. In his grief, he worshiped the Lord and accepted the harsh turn of events. Does this surprise you like it does me? Praising God through difficult times feels foreign to us. Maybe it’s because our culture seems obsessed with comfort and ease and labels anything that’s hard or painful as bad or wrong. 

Even among Christians, there is a sense that God is good… as long as He does things the way we want. We thank Him when He answers prayers according to our desires and question Him when He implements a different plan. We’ve developed a quiet sense of entitlement, believing we have a right to certain things. We think we deserve a smooth path devoid of obstacles and are injured and indignant when God allows hardship instead. We take the good things in our lives for granted instead of seeing them as blessings. And we question whether God really is good or loving when something hard happens that disrupts what we consider “normal.” We rarely embrace that life is a balance of sunshine and shadows. Instead, we become doubtful, cynical, or self-pitying when dark clouds obscure our bright skies.

Sometimes we forget that the Lord deserves praise regardless of our circumstances. We focus on what He does or doesn’t do instead of who He is. I remember being struck by this realization many years ago when I witnessed parallel tragedies with opposite outcomes. In the span of two years, two little girls I loved faced dire situations: one was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the other almost drowned. Both spent time in the hospital ICU with grim diagnoses. One ended up losing her life; the other made a full recovery. Both came from families of faith who had prayed for miracles and trusted God to do what was best.

I don’t know why the Lord chose to heal one while allowing the other to die. It remains a mystery why one family got to resume their “normal” life, while the other was altered forever. Despite the opposite outcomes, both families accepted the pain God had allowed and grew deeper in their relationships with Him. Their trust in the Lord was inspiring and had a ripple effect on everyone who knew them, and many who didn’t.

These incidents gave me a fuller understanding of the Psalmist who says: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2, NIV ‘84) As followers of Jesus, we understand that salvation and security lie outside the realm of circumstances. Whether earthly events turn out well or not, our true hope has an eternal perspective because death cannot separate us from God. 

There is a temptation to spend so much time questioning the Lord in hard times that we miss the opportunity to trust Him and let Him comfort us.  We wrestle with doubt and ask, “Why is God letting this happen?” Meanwhile, we overlook the places where He is showing up; where He is giving us tangible answers. Being consumed by self-pity also causes us to miss the ways He wants to teach and refine us through painful times. Additionally, it means we bypass chances to show others His goodness. In God’s economy, pain shouldn’t be wasted like this.

We can’t forget that no matter what hardships we encounter in this life, God wins in the end.  The Psalmist states it so clearly: “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands… On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:3-4,6-8, NIV ‘84) Ultimate hope doesn’t come from expecting God to turn circumstances in our favor; it comes from knowing His love is better than even life itself. Trusting His hand to hold us up and remembering that He walks with us through the darkness gives us the comfort we need. Because of His presence, we can find joy in the darkness– not a happy, smiling, giddy kind of joy, but a deep, peaceful assurance that He is in control and always has been.

Beloved author and preacher Oswald Chambers wrote: “We imagine we would be all right if a big crisis arose; but the big crisis will only reveal the stuff we are made of, it will not put anything into us… Crises always reveal character.” When we put our trust in God and walk with Him daily, when we seek His face, study His word, and obey Him in humble reliance, we will see Him molding and shaping our characters little by little.  At the same time, He will be revealing His character and His goodness to us. And when trouble comes, we’ll continue to trust Him and give Him the praise He deserves.

“Yes I Will” by Vertical Worship is a song of defiant praise during hardship. Let it fill you with renewed hope today.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Discovery House Publishers, 1935, 1963, Sept. 10 entry.  

Forging a New Path

Rolling my bike to a stop, I surveyed the trail. Just ahead of me, a large tree had fallen across it, blocking my way forward. The thick trunk and spiny branches would have been awkward to scramble over with my bike. The best option seemed to be going around it, which meant trudging through knee-high weeds and over rocky ground to forge a new path. 

A few weeks later, the tree was still stretched across the main trail, but the long weeds I’d pushed through were now trodden down. Clearly, others had made the same choice to navigate around the obstacle in the road. Each time I took the trail in subsequent months, I noticed how the new route began replacing the old one. Matted grass gave way to bare patches of dirt, rocks were kicked aside and, over time, the rough trail was smoothed by a multitude of feet and bikes. Within months, the path around the fallen tree had become the main route. It had just taken repeated and consistent use over time.

I imagined this trail as I began thinking of my hopes for the new year: I want to build some new paths—not on dirt trails, but in my mind. I’ve been learning there is science to support this goal, it’s not just wishful thinking on my part. In her book Get Out of Your Head, Jennie Allen explains the work of Dr. Dan Siegel, a professor of clinical psychiatry. “’Where attention goes,’ he wrote, ‘neural firing flows and neural connection grows…Patterns you thought were fixed are actually things that with mental effort can indeed be changed…We are not passive in all this activity of mind and awareness.’ What we think about, our brains become. What we fixate on is neurologically who we will be.” (p.42) So, the more we think certain thoughts, the wider those paths become and the more we’re inclined to travel on them mentally.  

Allen goes on to explain, “Good things happen when we train our attention on that which is beautiful, on that which is authentic and compelling and good. What’s more, beyond the obvious emotional experience, those good things from the hand of God can point us to the One who creates beauty, who is beautiful. Cynicism puts our minds on things of this earth, and we lose hope. Beauty points our gaze toward the heavens and reminds us of hope.” (p.135)

I’m not proud to admit that many of my neural pathways take me to negative places. It requires intentional effort for me to look on the positive side, to assume the best, and to be confident there will be a favorable outcome. My default modes of thinking tend to be critical, negative, and cynical. But I hope to change that this year.

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians fuel my desire for a new web of trails in my mind: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV) I want to re-route my thoughts onto more positive paths that honor Jesus and bring life to myself and others. And when I venture back down negative roads, I want the Holy Spirit to stop me before I’ve traveled too far. That way, I’ll develop a reflex of asking for God’s help to renew my mind so I can continue establishing new routes. Paul’s words to the Romans describe the process of shifting from old and unhealthy thought patterns to new ones: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”(Romans 12:2, NIV)

This year, I’m focusing on developing mental paths that are positive and hopeful. I want to assume the best and see the good from the start rather than having to talk myself into it. This can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit and the consistency of prayer.

Maybe, like me, you’re ready to step into a new day and forge a fresh path in the year ahead. The band For King and Country has an inspiring song called “Burn the Ships” that invites us to walk away from the negative things of our pasts and start new. Singer/songwriter Luke Smallbone explains, “The analogy of burning the ships came to me: the story of the sailors not wanting to explore the new world, wanting the comforts of their boats. Their leader calls them out and says, ‘We’ve got to burn the ships. This is a new world.’”

As you listen, ask God what ships you need to burn today so you can travel down new paths He has planned for you.

Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts, Waterbrook, 2020.

Luke Smallbone quoted from: ccmmagazine.com

Tying a Bow on Genesis

The book of Hebrews tells us that God’s Word is alive and active. Having just finished studying Genesis for the third time, I can attest to the truth of this statement. I’ve delved into the stories of Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Joseph, Judah, and Tamar at different seasons in my life; although the tales remain the same, the truth I glean from them continues to expand.

Here are a few of the things that stood out to me in my most recent journey through Genesis:

  1. God is sovereign.  He possesses supreme and ultimate power. He gives us free will and doesn’t force us to follow His ways, but He is still the One who is ultimately in control. Because of this, I’m better off trusting Him than trying to do things my own way.
  2. God keeps His promises. It may take a long time, but He does come through in the end. (Think of Sarah, who waited 25 years to get pregnant with the child promised by God.) This means He’s trustworthy and I can rest in that knowledge even when I don’t see how He’s working in the moment.
  3. God is faithful. He remains true to us even when we doubt Him, make poor choices, or disobey. Seeing the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants despite their many blunders encourages me. Even when we fail, God’s plans prevail. We are fickle, but He is faithful.
  4. God is worthy. He deserves our honor, praise, and obedience. Seeing how He accomplishes His plans despite the ways people try thwart them (intentionally or unintentionally) inspires me to yield to Him as Lord of my life.

Knowing these truths, I’d be wiser to exert my energy trusting God than trying to control things using my own strength and wisdom. I’m striving to be less anxious when I don’t see or understand what the Lord is doing. My goal is to trust Him as I wait for answers, clarity, or direction. Rather than concerning myself with how events unfold, I want to focus more on what God is teaching me and how He wants to use me with the people and circumstances I encounter. I want to be less focused on why He’s allowed certain things in my life and more attuned to how He can use them to deepen my faith and impact others.

Reading the stories of Sarah and Rebekah has convicted me of my tendency to take matters into my own hands instead of trusting God. I overthink many things and try to play out scenarios multiple steps ahead of where I am. Rather than trusting God with how a situation will unfold, I try to anticipate each option and make contingency plans for it. My knack for being capable and productive doesn’t always leave room for God to work in His way and His timing. Realizing this is humbling and convicting.

The story of Joseph provides powerful examples for training me in righteousness. Seeing his faithfulness to God in difficult times while surrounded by unbelievers inspires me to be true to God and His ways. Like Joseph, I want to be honest and authentic about the Lord’s presence in my life instead of downplaying it in certain company. I’m also inspired to follow Joseph’s example by using my gifts to bless others in every setting, not just ones where people already love and honor God. I don’t want to be timid about pointing others to the solid foundation He provides.

Studying Genesis also bolsters my faith in the consistency of God’s Word from Old Testament to New. It always delights me to recognize the many elements that point us toward Christ. The lives of Joseph and Judah include many examples that I’ve discussed in other posts. During this season of studying Genesis, I was also struck by Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:

“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: ‘I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’” (Genesis 28:12-15, NIV)

Until Jen Wilkin’s teaching in God of Covenant, I’d never understood that the stairway between heaven and earth is Christ Himself. When we reach toward Jesus to intercede for us, we stand at the gate of heaven. He is the mediator between God and humans—the One who makes it possible for us to access the Almighty.

The ten weeks of studying the book of beginnings have come to an end. The “seed plot of the Bible” has provided rich soil for digging into relevant topics for our lives today. The stories and people in Genesis are messy and complicated, but God used them for His redemptive purposes, just as He does with us. Some situations make us scratch our heads in confusion or blush at sordid details; we wonder how a sacred book could be filled with such broken and sinful people. And yet, it’s these unsanitized stories and flawed characters that show Scripture’s authenticity. They give us hope that no one is disqualified from being accepted by God or used to advance His kingdom.

Understanding these truths prompts me to pause for a moment of worship. “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship beautifully shares the story of the gospel. Listen now and be in awe of our sovereign, faithful God who keeps His promises and is worthy of our praise.

Jen Wilkin, God of Covenant: A Study of Genesis 12-50, Lifeway Press 2018.

The phrase “seed plot of the Bible” was originally coined by Arthur W. Pink in Gleanings in Genesis.

The Blessing of the Broken Road

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I tossed the essay on my son’s bed and congratulated him. Across the top of the page, his teacher had written “This is AMAZING!” in bold blue print. He’d been assigned to write about an event that sparked a period of personal growth for him. His descriptive language impressed me, but it was the recognition of how a difficult season in his life had changed him for the better that made me weepy. What a joy it was to see him choosing to learn and grow through hardships instead of letting them make him bitter and cynical.

It’s hard work to re-frame the way we view difficult times. We’re quick to label them as bad and to rail against the unfairness of having to endure them. Most of us view setbacks as interruptions from the way life is “supposed” to unfold, betraying a sense of entitlement we may not realize we have. But when we pause to examine hard circumstances further, there is much we can learn. The opportunities for personal and spiritual growth are only limited by our willingness to shift our perspectives. When we begin to view hard circumstances through a biblical lens, we start seeing that what looks bad on the surface is brimming with good.

Perhaps one of the best examples of this comes from the life of Joseph recorded in Genesis. After being sold by his jealous brothers to slave traders, he finds himself in a series of unfortunate circumstances. Despite being a person of honor and integrity, he’s falsely accused of rape, thrown in prison, and left there for two years. Eventually his character and faithfulness to God lead to a stunning reversal. After interpreting a prophetic dream for Pharaoh, he’s made second in command of Egypt. In this position, he’s tasked with ensuring the crops produced during seven years of plenty are stored to prepare for seven subsequent years of famine, in keeping with Pharaoh’s dream.

Meanwhile, Joseph’s family in Canaan experiences the ravages of the famine and heads to Egypt to buy food. His ten older brothers appear before him to buy grain and, “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.” (Genesis 42:8, NIV)

After several interactions with them over time, Joseph can’t restrain himself any longer and proclaims, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.’” (Genesis 45:4b-7, NIV)

Rather than spewing anger at them for selling him into slavery and inflicting years of misery upon him, he reassures them. Joseph sees the big picture and realizes that God, in His sovereignty, used him to save his family and many others from starving to death during the famine. Later, he reiterates this to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

Reading that leads me to think of someone else who endured hardship for the good of many: Jesus. Just as Joseph tumbled downward from his privileged position as Jacob’s favorite son to a lowly slave, Jesus left the glory of heaven to become a lowly man: “[Jesus] made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7, NIV)

Joseph endured the humiliation of being falsely accused and punished for a crime he didn’t commit.  In the same way, Jesus was falsely accused and received punishment for the sins of all humankind: “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV)

Scripture explains the purpose behind this: “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4, NIV)

Joseph traveled a broken road, but he saw how his painful circumstances led to ultimate good—the saving of many lives. Like him, Jesus’ suffering led to an even greater good–the saving of humankind. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV)

God allowed His son to walk a painful path for the sake of ultimate good, triumphing over evil, death, and sin. Could it be possible that the lesser hardships we endure can also be used for His glory and our good? 

Beloved author and theologian C.S. Lewis describes pain as “God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Are you willing to listen? How about refocusing your perspective on hardships using the lens of God’s goodness? This can move you past the pain and discomfort to discover the greater significance, as Joseph did.

Keep his story in mind and consider how your hurts and hardships might be pointing you toward the Lord as you listen to “Bless the Broken Road” by Selah.

To learn about other parallels between Joseph and Jesus, click here.

Spurring Us Onward

A feeling of anticipation pulsated through the air like an approaching electrical storm. It seemed the whole Bay Area stood poised on the brink of something momentous that October. The year was 2010 and the San Francisco Giants were headed to the World Series. It had been over 50 years since they’d won the title and a rabid fan base was ready to cheer them on to victory. It seemed impossible not to get caught up in the euphoria. 

Prior to that, I’d been a casual fan at best—content to attend a game once a season for the fun of experiencing AT & T Park with our young sons. Sometimes I’d scan the headlines in the sports section to see how the Giants fared, but I didn’t think much about them beyond that.  However, in the fall of 2010 I found myself joining the throngs that rallied around the boys in black and orange. Names of players previously unknown to me rolled off my tongue with ease. On game nights, the TV stayed on through dinner, a rarity in our household. I reveled in the fun of catch phrases like “Fear the Beard”—a reference to relief pitcher Brian Wilson’s dyed black beard. I sang along with everyone else when Ashkon Davaran re-wrote Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” to be an anthem for the Giants.

And, of course, I got swept up in the emotion and exuberance of watching them take home the title. I’d been spurred on by the enthusiasm that surrounded me and gleefully rode the wave to victory with them. But once the season ended, my interest waned. It had been fun while it lasted, but I didn’t stay invested in the Giants much after that. 

If you’re a fickle sports fan like me, you know this is typical behavior. But, when it comes to our spiritual lives, it’s best to maintain a more consistent commitment. I think the author of Hebrews says it well, “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, NIV)

Depending on the translation, the term “spur on” is written in a variety of ways: “stir up,” “provoke,” “stimulate,” “motivate.”  In each case, the idea is the same–we can’t fan the flames of our faith all on our own. Let’s be honest. Life is full and busy and there are dozens of things competing for our attention. If we want to continue growing and pursuing God consistently, we’re going to need others to help us stay motivated. The author of Hebrews gives us a clear explanation of what that includes.

Love: We need other believers to remind us what biblical love is and to model how to practice it. The world likes to tell us that love always feels good, but maintaining a biblical standard for love isn’t easy. Jesus told us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). There’s nothing easy or fun about that. And Paul tell us, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV) Last time I checked, many of those qualities aren’t ones I default to naturally. I need others to keep me grounded in the truth of what love is. I bet you do too.

Good Deeds: I’m full of good intentions, but not always the best on follow through. Can you relate? Scripture tells us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) Time spent with fellow believers spurs us on by encouraging us to make doing good works a way of life. Think about how much can be accomplished when we join with others to show God’s love on an even larger scale. Countless organizations doing good in our world began with people who took this call seriously and invited others to join them.

Not Giving Up Meeting Together & Encouraging One Another: The Christian walk isn’t meant to be a solo journey. We need community to keep us encouraged. One of my favorite words in the Bible is “fellowship,” which comes from the Greek word “koinonia.” True fellowship flows naturally when we connect with God and one another simultaneously. But we can’t experience rich relationships if we’re not spending time with fellow believers. Watching sermons online, listening to podcasts, or even engaging in online “communities” are supplements, not substitutes.  There just isn’t an equivalent alternative to face to face interactions if we want to experience deep fellowship, receive personal encouragement, and grow spiritually.

Seeing the Day Approaching: The verse concludes by reminding us that Jesus will return. We’re called to live expectantly, knowing the day will dawn when He’ll come back to reign over the earth. Here’s how Jesus explains it: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-32, NIV) Notice Jesus says, “when,” not “if.”  Loving others and doing good deeds is how we build His kingdom now and prepare for His eventual return. We spur one another on because we know the end goal.

Without minimizing the reappearance of Jesus, I can’t help but think of the loyal Giants fans who watched and waited for decades to see them win a World Series. They were faithful to their team through good and bad seasons and never wavered in their support. May the same be true for us as we anticipate an event with much greater significance: the long-awaited return of our Savior. 

I’ve included three songs with this post. Choose the one that resonates most with what you’re needing right now:

Enjoy “Come to the Table” by Sidewalk Prophets if you’d like to see the value and significance of meeting together. 

Listen to “Even So Come” sung here by Chris Tomlin for encouragement about pressing on in our faith while we await Jesus.

Just for fun– if you missed the Giants Anthem in 2010 inspired by Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” you can watch it here.